Not A Princess But Papa's Little Girl

[Guinevère]

Merrickk of Conlan had requested a moment of the king's time. He dressed in clothing that he purchased for the occasion, with his recently required coat of arms displayed on the metal around his wrist. His sword at his side, and his boots shined. It was a casual appearance for a knight, something he rarely dressed in but he wanted to appear as more then a knight when it came to what he had to speak to the king about today.

He walked to the council chambers and paused outside the door. In his gloved hands he held a small bag, and he took a moment to squeeze it to feel the hard metal in there. No one knew what he planned to ask the king for today, and while he knew a few might hold the keys to guessing, he also knew that he had spoken to none about this.

Entering the chambers he looked and found the king sitting at the table working on some papers. "Sire," He greeted with a formal bow expected of him and then waited for the king to acknowledge that this was a good time for their meeting before continuing. He felt nervous and rather wished he was fighting Morgana's army than facing the king right now.

For it might be safer then asking for the king's daughter's hand in marriage.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur was engrossed in some paper work, knowing he had just enough time for the meeting that Merrick had requested and then to meet his wife for a private lunch. It wasn't something they did as often as he liked, so he was rather looking forward to it today. When he heard someone enter and speak in a respectful tone, Arthur could easily tell who it was before even looking. Finishing the sentence on the paper, he raised his head, smiled and rose to his feet. "Sir Merrick," he greeted in a friendly manner. Merrick had been a once farmer, almost immediately gaining the favor, gratitude and respect from the king when he saved Princess Anna Pendragon's life. Arthur had seen his skill with a sword, and knew that he had so much potential, so with hardly any hesitation, knighted him.

He had a great fondness for the young knight and knew that one day, he would be great. It was men like these that Arthur wanted Amaren to be surrounded by when he was one day king. Honorable men like Merrick, who represented what a knight should be . . . and continuing to give a good name to all those knighted men of non noble blood. "Have a seat," Arthur said, motioning to the chair next to him before he sat back down. Once they were both seated, he gave his full attention to the knight, knowing that this time for paperwork was now at an end for whatever Merrick had to speak to him about, he knew it must be important. For he wished to do so in private, and not in simple passing or on the training field where they would cross paths.

[Guinevère]

Merrickk took the seat the the king offered him and then paused a moment to gain this thoughts. After a short second however he rose back to his feet. "I would rather is it's alright with you, sire." He said feeling the bundle of nervous energy making him want to run. He held up the little cloth sack and began trying to pull the strings. Here it was the moment.

"I have found that there is one whom I hold in the highest regard, and wish to display that my honorable intentions are indeed honorable--" The ring fell from the small bag and Merrickk bent down to one knee to grab it quickly, feeling like a fumbling idiot. It bounced a few times and he had faced many foes with a strong and steady confidence but now his fingers would not even work to grasp the ring. When he finally managed to grab it he held it up to the king to show him. "And I wish to seek to marriage."

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur could tell that whatever Merrick had to discuss with him was making him nervous and uncomfortable. He couldn't recall seeing him like this in the past four years he had been here, so Arthur was both curious and concerned. Letting Merrick continue on, he heard something fall to the floor and looked to it but was unable to see . . . that is, until Merrick picked it up, positioned himself on one knee and then spoke of marriage. Of course what was in his hand was a ring, and Arthur just stared at the piece of jewelry, and then at Merrick's face. He slightly raised his eye, certain that he was misunderstanding the knight, though decided to point out how this all looked.

Him on one knee, holding up a symbol of union and . . . speaking words of marriage. Yes. This looked very misleading indeed. "I'm already married . . . " Arthur said in a bit of a teasing tone, though also with confusion so that Merrick could better explain what his intentions were. "And quite frankly, you aren't exactly my type." Not that anyone apart from Guinevère was his type, but clearly Arthur was not serious . . . because surely this was not what Merrick meant. And Arthur could only wait to see him properly explain himself before someone walked in, and rumors began to spread.

[Guinevère]

Merrickk looked at the king for a moment in a confession expression before he realized what was being hinted at. "No!" He exclaimed before jumping to stand up and take a step backwards! He came here to claim the daughter not the father! " No, sire, I assure you the WOMAN that I am in love with is indeed a woman! Not yourself sire."

"Forgive the misunderstanding, I find that the idea of asking her is a bit daunting even if I am fairly sure of the reply i would get from her." He knew Anna loved him and he loved her. He hoped she would agree, but knew that her father's blessing would ease her mind and thrill her at the same time. "I know there is little but love and honor that I have to offer her, as she was born into this world and I was born a farmer, but I want you to know that no matter the difference that I would care for her and die for her if need be."

"That no other would love her and teat her better then I." He was sounding more confidant but he was also stalling. "She is beautiful and smart, with a wit that matches few other ladies that I have known. I would be honored if she agreed, and I know that in the noble world is custom to get permission first, from the father. She would like that I think, so that is why I am here sire."

"I wish to ask your daughter for her hand in marriage, and I hope to have your blessing while embarking on the first step of what I hope will be the journey we take together." THERE! That wasn't too hard.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur had to admit that he was a bit relieved when Merrick removed himself from his position, and then he went on to assure him that it was a woman he was in love with. Arthur remained silent, for Merrick seemed to finally ease his nerves enough to speak. He did indeed sound like a fool in love. How did Arthur know this? Because he had once been exactly like Merrick. When he'd first fallen in love with Guinevère, he'd been a fumbling fool; constantly frazzled in her presence, unable to think clearly, always at a loss of words . . . while he'd managed to move past this a little, she still managed to make him feel frazzled at times. It was the way it tended to be, when a man was so in love. So in that way, Merrick reminded Arthur of himself, when he was younger . . . and so strongly in love. It was also how Arthur could tell that the knight was sincere. Merrick was an honorable man and Arthur didn't doubt that whomever this woman was, would be loved and cared for.

Arthur also wanted to assure him that rank would not matter, for it had not stood in his way when marrying Guinevère. And if she was unwilling to look past that . . . then perhaps she was not worthy of his love. He sounded so genuine in his feelings for her, and Arthur found himself extremely curious to know who the woman was. What noble in court would Merrick feel the need to ask Arthur about? But the king remained respectfully quiet, letting Amaren explaining. Beautiful, smart and witty did not exactly narrow it down. Was it Rosa's daughter? Or someone else that he didn't -- . . . . . . . That was when Arthur froze. The first words of him wanting to ask the father . . . and then the confirming words of him wanting to ask for his daughter's hand in marriage. Anna. His Anna. His little princess. While Merrick was not the first to ask such a thing, it had slightly caught Arthur off guard.

Every thought that Arthur had about how Merrick would make a good husband, suddenly fled from his mind. While he knew he would . . . he would not be Anna's husband. For as good a man as Merrick was, no one would ever be good enough for his Anna. And that was why he had repeatedly rejected any proposals that came from Prince's, or King's and Queen's for their sons. Or any knights or other nobles that wished for her hand. It would never be easily gained -- if it was ever gained. For Anna would forever be his baby girl. And Merrick would not marry her. That was all there was to it. So Arthur's expression transformed from what it was, to a more stern and hardened expression. Stone cold in fact, as he just stared at Merrick. For this was not a request he took lightly, nor one he would grant permission for.

[Guinevère]

The king was silent. Frighteningly so. "I know this comes as a surprise, sire, but I assure you that I seek nothing other then her hand. I would request no dowry, no special treatment. I only wish to be given the chance to make her as happy as I can humanly make her." Surprise might be putting it mildly.

Merrickk knew that Anna had been born early, and was smaller then most women her age. She had been a fragile child, and because of that had been more protected by her family. She was close to her father, and spent many childhood hours spending time with him. Yet now she was a woman, and while her father would always hold a special and powerful place in her heart, Merrickk hoped to hold an equally strong part, and began their own family if she was able. "I love her." He added on, a bit nervously.

[Arthur Pendragon]

The more Merrick spoke, the more Arthur just stared at him. Arthur knew the answer the second Merrick had made the request. No. A flat out simple non-debatable answer of no. Did Merrick even know what love was? Despite Arthur's contradicting thoughts of how just moments ago he could tell Merrick was in love and reminded him of his younger self . . . well, Arthur didn't care about hypocrisy. He was not going to risk it on his only daughter. He wasn't sure how long he was just staring at Merrick. Could have been moments, could have been hours. What he did know was that he was to meet his wife soon for lunch, and that this meeting was over. He slowly rose to his feet, keeping his eyes locked on the knight. He would forever keep a watchful eye on him from now on. To see if he was looking too longingly at his daughter. Arthur knew what it was like to have a forbidden love, to not be able to with that person . . . and thus, he knew exactly what signs to look for from Merrick.

"No." His tone was blunt, stubborn, leaving no room for protest. A simple no would suffice and Arthur was not going to reconsider or revisit this conversation. That was all there was to say. No. And to further show that this subject was not up for debate, Arthur walked toward the door and exited the room. Merrick had fallen under Arthur's watch, and he would indeed make sure that he did not get too close to Anna. At the same time, this was just a causal rejection of not the first proposal for her, and what he knew would not be the last. So there was no need to make a huge deal about it. He would just silently watch the knight like a hawk. So with that certainty in mind, he walked toward his and Guinevère's chambers for their lunch. And when he got there, already saw her waiting. Seeing her almost instantly calmed his emotions and any sternness was fully gone. He smiled at her and walked toward her, casually kissing her cheek. "Guinevère," he greeted, needing this lunch more than ever to dismiss all thoughts of everything that Merrick had said to him.

[Guinevère]

Merrickk watched the king while waiting for a response. He had expected to be grilled and questioned about how things had gotten to this point. He had expected that things would expand from there and the king to even ask to think on it a few days but the out right no, and dismissal wasn't what he had expected! He stared at the king in shock, while the king walked right out the door. Merrickk knew better then to just follow the king right now, but nor did he plan to let it go. He would approach him later today and tomorrow, and the day after and every day until the answer was a yes.

Guinevère did not know for sure why Merrickk had requested the king's time, but with how things were progressing between her daughter and the knight she could well guess. Arthur did not know of the romance, and for good reason. She knew he would understand why it had been kept from him, but she still wasn't sure how he would handle Anna being in love.

And Anna was in love. She had that look on her face every time she looked at the knight. Surely Arthur would not forbid the love match after what his father did to their own romance. Still she found herself waiting with eagerness for Arthur--who came in earlier then expected. "Arthur," She greeted in return, testing the waters. He didn't seem angry but normal. Why had Merrickk needed time alone with him then? "How did your meeting with Sir Merrickk go?" She asked, "What did he speak of?"

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur looked at her, concealing his confusion at the question. It wasn't that he didn't understand it but . . . he wondered how she knew about it. Not that he would keep it from her. But for that to be the first thing for her to ask him was, a bit odd. Had Merrick tried to go to Guinevère for her blessing? "It was fine," Arthur answered causally. "Nothing of grave importance." Because Merrick was not the first knight who had asked for Anna's hand in marriage. He saw the way some men looked at her, and all it took was for one glare or a few words -- or some extra time spent on the training field sparring with them -- for them to get the hint: that she was and would forever be unavailable.

"How has your day been thus far?" He asked, not wanting the subject to linger on something that wasn't greatly important. He would of course tell her what Merrick had to say if she truly wanted to know -- for he never kept anything from his wife. But for now, there was no need to dwell on the subject. Because no good would ever come from it. Hopefully Merrick understood that, but if he didn't . . . then Arthur could be very convincing indeed.

[Guinevère]

Nothing of importance? How . . . disappointing. Guinevère looked down and away for a moment, clearly confused and feeling let down. She had hoped he would be taking the next step with her daughter and not hiding their romance any longer since they knew it was love. Still perhaps he was not ready?

"My day was well, I spent my morning catching up on some things so I could clear my afternoon and evening." She had hoped to spend it celebrating. "I hope your day went equally well?" She missed getting to spent too much time with him, but they made as much time as they could spare. "What did Sir Merrickk wish to speak to you about that he did not need the council around to do it?" If not about Anna, why speak to the king alone?

[Arthur Pendragon]

She seemed rather fixated on his meeting with Merrick and Arthur wondered why that was. While she spoke of her day and then asked to ensure his was well, it was clear that her curiosity was rested on the rejected knight. When she asked directly what he wished to speak to him about, Arthur knew he couldn't evade the question. He would never lie to Guinevère, not even about smaller things like this that were of no consequence. He believed in total honesty and that was why they were able to have such a strong marriage . . . well, one of the many reasons. "He wished to speak to me about Anna," Arthur said, maintaining that same casualness. It seemed that more and more proposals were coming for her and each time he received one . . . he was disturbed the by the thought of marrying her off like that.

If it was a prince or king, then he couldn't bare the thought of sending her off to another kingdom. If it was a knight, then he would keep a watchful eye on him every time he was at court, as was his daughter. Or every time she was within sight of him. He knew he couldn't shelter her from the world, but he could damn well make sure that no one touched her. "He asked for her hand in marriage," Arthur continued, with the same nonchalant tone, as if the request was nothing new. "The issue was quickly resolved." Just as it always was: with a flat out no. It wasn't even a matter of consideration. The answer would forever be no, regardless of who asked.

[Guinevère]

"He wished to speak to me about Anna," That brought her eyebrows up. Really? Arthur was rather calm. It made her wonder if Merrickk had asked something else, because surely asking for Anna's hand in marriage would be something Arthur would react too. "He asked for her hand in marriage, . . . . . Or not.

"The issue was quickly resolved." "Resolved?" She repeated slowly, watching her husband, before folding her arms. "Arthur Pendragon," She said slowly, "What did you do to that poor boy?" While she had not called a knight a 'poor boy' before, she had the feeling Arthur would not have just dismissed the topic so easily. Or did he get so many this was common now?

With Anna being born small, Arthur always felt more protective of her--and with good reason. She knew they were close, but she also knew that over the past two years, Anna had been slowly falling in love. She had hoped Merrickk would step up but knew better then to rush things. He was a good knight, and had proven himself so many times. "You like Sir Merrickk." She reminded him, wondering how Arthur reacted.

[Arthur Pendragon]

She asked what he did to Merrick and Arthur could easily give the answer 'nothing'. Because he hadn't threatened him, or given him a warning, or anything of the sort. He had just answered his question and completely rejected the proposal. "I didn't do anything to him," Arthur replied casually, not caring if the man was heartbroken after being denied his love. Arthur was not going to just accept anyone for Anna's husband. Guinevère went on to say that he liked Merrick and Arthur knew that was true, but it didn't matter in this regard.

"That doesn't mean I believe he should marry Anna." Because he wasn't good enough for her. Granted, he knew that his standards were so high, that it was practically impossible for anyone to be good enough for her. "I told him no, and we can leave it at that," he said, as if reassuring Guinevère that she would not have to look at Merrick as a potential husband for their daughter. Besides, it shouldn't be that surprising that he said no since he said no to basically everyone. So why should Merrick be any different?

[Guinevère]

He did what?! Oh! Oh dear, in deed! "You didn't?" She questioned, "Arthur!" Guinevère walked toward her husband and pushed on his shoulders slightly as if she could turn him to face the doors. "You need to back in there and tell that man yes!" Before he thought too much, and decided to do something romance and elope!

"Anna loves him." She admitted, hoping it would help sway him. Guinevère had not expected him to just turn and walk away and tell a man yes, based on her word. They've been growing closer, and if he is ready to ask her then she thought they should let him and give them both their blessing. Arthur had to have known this day would one day come. "Will you at least ask Anna if this is what she might want?"

[Arthur Pendragon]

She seemed surprised to hear that he had rejected the proposal and was slightly confused by that. It wasn't as if he had done anything out of the ordinary. Anna had another potential suitor, he dismissed any thoughts of it ever happening . . . and that was it. It was nothing new, yet Guinevère seemed genuinely surprised by it. Her next actions further proved that and further confused him. She turned him and was trying to usher him toward the door, but he stopped moving. Yes? YES?! She wanted him to say Yes?! Why on earth would he ever say yes?! Merrick was a good man, yes. Just as all her other suitors were. But that didn't mean they were good enough to have the right and privilege to call themselves Anna's husband. Surely, Guinevère was joking. He turned around to look at her when she said that Anna loves him. She . . . what? No. That couldn't be true! And the absurdity of it was enough to make Arthur laugh out at the notion.

"Anna is too young. It is nothing but infatuation." Surely. Besides, when would she have been able to 'fall in love with him'. That took time. For Arthur, it had taken days of him living with Guinevère to develop feelings for her . . . and then seeing her every day it had only grown from there. But it wasn't as if Anna ran away for three days to stay with Merrick. Arthur surely would have known about that . . . and run Merrick through because of it. He also completely ignored the fact that while she was young, she was near the age Arthur and Guinevère had been when they fell in love. But he didn't care of it was contradicting of his own experience falling in love. She was his precious baby girl. "Humor me Guinevère, and tell me why I should say yes to him?" Clearly, Arthur wasn't taking this seriously at all. He didn't believe she loved him, even if he thought that Merrick may love her.

[Guinevère]

"Anna is too young. It is nothing but infatuation." Too young? "And what were we, Arthur? I was a but a year older then her, when a prince kissed me and told he that he'd never loved another." She was trying to make her point by reminding him about what they had. Besides, he had said she would explain to him why he should allow this.

"Your father had your whole life planned our for you, from your marriage to how he wanted you to think. We agreed to let our children have more freedoms. Anna and Merrickk have been meeting for a while now." She admitted, "Chaperoned the whole time, of course--" Unlike her and Arthur's meetings, Guinevère had made sure herself or Rosa was near by. They gave the two room, but she also knew how young love could be. "--And they've fallen in love. He makes Anna happy. Should that not be the greatest reason to say yes?"

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur should have known that his hypocrisy was going to be used against him. It was true that he had fallen in love with Guinevère at an age only a few years older than Anna, but he also knew that it had not been the first time he had believed to be in love . . . it was the only time he had really been in love. But his mind had not forgotten about past women, or one in particular. Her next words however, put these thoughts on hold as Guinevère revealed that they had been meeting for a while. "What do you mean they have been meeting in private?" He asked, with displeased surprise. Merrick had been meeting with his daughter in secret? Chaperoned. But still! Merrick had been meeting with Anna. Arthur was going to beat that boy senseless! He had let him off the hook far too easily and planned to make his warning more apparent the next time he saw him. If he so much as lay a finger on his Anna . . . there would be a great deal that he would need to answer for.

"I want Anna to be happy," he said, which was part of why he was not agreeing to this. "But she has her whole life ahead of her." Words that almost made him cringe for he knew his father had once said the same to him. Though ironically, in that particular case . . . his father had been completely right. "When I was only a couple of years older than Anna, I had thought I was in love." He had never told her the details of this, for it had not been important. He had not been close to Guinevère at the time and nearly running away with Sophia was not something Arthur was proud of. "I nearly eloped with her. Had Merlin not come to stop me, I would have destroyed my future." His future with her. His future as a father. His future as a king. "I do not want her to make any rushed decision and regret it." What if she discovered not to love Merrick, but that it had just been infatuation and lust? He would not take the risk on his daughter being unhappy, for he wanted nothing -- and no one -- but the best for her.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère knew he had asked her questions and was making a point, but some of his words cleared her mind of all else for a moment. "When I was only a couple of years older than Anna, I had thought I was in love." She had thought he meant with her, knowing they had fallen in love when he was just a few years older then Anna. "I nearly eloped with her." Again, she might have thought it was her, but there was something in her tone that gave her pause.

Because he would not be using her as a reason why Anna could not wed Merrickk. Arthur and Guinevère's almost elopement, had ended when Uther had her arrested claiming she was using magic on his son. Not: "Had Merlin not come to stop me, I would have destroyed my future." There had been a another. She knew that he had once asked permission to wed, but had never really given thought to how serious it had been, if that was even the girl they were speaking of.

"You . . . . You almost wed another?" She asked, not really in a hurt tone, but more one of surprise. She had faith in their love, and knew that in the past he had many girls in which he'd spent time with but she had not known he had almost ran off with one.

[Arthur Pendragon]

If there was one thing Arthur was utterly embarrassed by . . . it was how many women he had nearly married, or professed his love for, or even humiliated: Sophia, Vivian, Elena, Mithian . . . and Guinevère. Though never did his mind dwell on why they had not married the first time he proposed. It was well in their past, never to be remembered or acknowledged. Right now, they were talking of Sophia, and he knew he had brought up the subject to prove a point about how 'young love' could not be serious, yet it could create serious consequences. "I did," he admitted, ashamed of what he had done. His father had threatened to execute Sophia and her father if he did not back down . . . and for whatever reason, Arthur thought it would be wise to run off with her and marry.

As if that would not have serious repercussions. "Do you recall Lady Sophia?" He asked, wondering if she remembered her for it was many, many years ago. "When my father denied me permission to marry her, we decided to elope. I had been foolish and impulsive and I didn't know why I acted so recklessly. I knew it was not true love, yet it felt like love. And had I gone through with it, I would have spent the rest of my life in regret." Impulsive was the key word in this . . . and he would have to make sure Merrick didn't get any ideas to elope with Anna.