Stronger Together [An Arwen Reunion]

[Guinevère]

Guinevère sat down on the edge of the bed and looked up at the pillows. Her hand reached up to smooth a wrinkle she knew wasn't there, as she wondered--worried about her husband. Arthur. Always Arthur. Elyan had said they'd 'lost him' and she had felt her heart almost die from the panic at his mis-phrasing. Alive. He had to be alive still. She was wearing a blue dress, because it reminded her of his eye, and while she could be strong for the kingdom when her hands were busy . . .

After the supper hour and into the night it was harder to not just sit and think about the dangers he never thought twice about braving in order to save his brothers. While she too worried for them, she still feared for one above the others. The sounds of boots running, made her turn and look toward the door as Elyan knocked once and pushed in. Something was wrong? 'A messenger. Arthur and the knights will be in the city within an hour.' Hope filled her and her lips spread into a smile, yet Elyan's face was not pure euphoria. 'Many are injured, we prepare a medical wing. Exhaustion, injuries and the cold as made many sick.'

Sitting there for a moment she took in the news before running to her brother and leaving with him. Elyan had made sure the traitor died, and as per request--made sure Sefa escaped. He was her brother and in times like these--even while she gave orders, and organized men, and took charge--Elyan was still the one she leaned on most in Arthur's time of away.

It would end up taking the small army just over two hours to reach the city. Guinevère hurried out to the courtyard and noticed they returned on foot, no horses were among them. They carried nothing but swords, and some lacked even that or clothing. Dirty and cold and tired they returned in their trousers and looked as if they could fall over. "Bring water, blankets, and bread." She told a group of people, "Anyone whom cannot stand, or is sick take to the hospital, the rest get to their rooms. Make sure fires are made, food is brought and keep a check on them though the night so no one grows ill."

Where was Arthur? She moved into the throng of men and looked at each face. Some to tired or weak or sick to life their heads from the bow they gave her. "Have you see Arthur?" She asked Percival when she found him, panic in her tone. Where was he? He looked around but in the end, did not know. Moving deeper among the men she kept looking. "Where is my husband?" She asked when she found a injured but healing Gwaine, who could only tell her that the king had been among the men.

Had something happened to him? Was he injured as well? Was he returning half naked, starved, and too ill to walk? Had Morgana found him? "Have you see the king?" She asked another, but moved on quickly before he could finish his no. "Has anyone seen the king?" Where was her husband!? Finally she came upon a younger man who did not quite belong. A face she did not know, and who was not injured, ill, nor looked starved. There was something familiar about him--in his eyes--but she could not place it, and nor did she think more of it now while she was looking for her husband. "Have you seen the king?" She asked, and he lifted his hand to point behind her. Turning, Guinevère braced herself for the worst, and looked to find her husband.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur wasn't sure what the last thing he remembered was. He kept slipping in and out of consciousness through their whole journey back to Camelot. He wasn't even sure if he was dreaming or not. Surely not. For why would he envision Mordred's face? It seemed to be the one he kept seeing. Well, his and Merlin's. And he seemed to vaguely remember other knights surrounding him. And surely he was not imagining the throbbing pain he felt in his body from where he was stabbed. Whatever the case, the trip back was a blur and he could hardly recall entering the gates. Only that he saw his wife, filled with concern, and that her name escaped his lips. Darkness consumed his vision after that. He wasn't sure for how long he was unconscious for . . . but when he awoke, he did so slowly. He turned his head a bit to the side, before groggily opening his eyes. It took him a few moments to realize where he was -- not that he was unfamiliar with the setting, but his disorientation was hindering his coherence.

His eyes opened and closed and long drawn out blinks before he finally had the strength to keep them open. He was . . . home. He was in his and his wife's shared chambers; in their bed. He was, safe. Once that realization entered his mind, the next thought was ones of those of his men. Had they all returned safely? He moved to try and sit up, slightly cringing at the still recovering wounds, which caught his interest for he wished to see how severe they were. He lifted the blanket, to see where exactly he'd been stabbed . . . by Morgana. That much he could remember, but the rest he was still trying to piece together. And he would not achieve that by lying here. Yet, feeling still too weak to move, he just rested his back against the head board, trying to gather his strength.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère had found him the in courtyard and noticed that Merlin had been standing over him. "Arthur!" She called out running over to where they were. "Arthur!" Looking over him she tried to see if he was alive, or injured or just really dirty. "Arthur?" Arthur was in what looked like a farmer's cart that had been 'borrowed' from somewhere. Her hands moved to his face, and felt him breathing. "Send for Gaius!" She called, and then saw Percival coming as well as Elyan, Gwaine and Leon. They helped carry him to the royal chambers were Gaius tended to the wounds. She waited there by his side all night, and had her papers send to her chambers so she could work on them there rather then leaving Arthur's side.

It was sometime into the next day when Arthur awoke and tried to sit up on his own. Guinevère had been working at the desk, stood up and hurried over. "Do not!" She told him in a slightly teasing and slightly demanding tone. "Arthur you should be laying down!" Sitting on the bed just inches from him, Guinevère smiled up at him. If he was trying to move he would live! She had been so worried! Feared for his life and would never forget the sight of him in the cart. Never. "You had us worried for a while," Reaching up she tucked some of his hair behind his ear. "How do you feel? Are thirsty? I can get you some water!"

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur saw Guinevère hurry toward him and his eyes remained locked on her. There was no greater comfort in this world, than to be back with her. To see her. To feel her hand on his skin, even if it was just to brush back his hair. He looked at her, relieved that he could continue to be with her. For in this moments, where Morgana had used the dagger to strike him twice . . . he had thought of Guinevère, and hoped for a miracle so that he could come home to her. And now here he was. Here she was. The relief made him take a few extra moments for her words to register in his mind. And he knew better than to go against the queen's orders. She spoke of how she was worried for him, and further inquired as to whether he needed anything. He moved his hand to take hers in his own, bringing her hand to his lips so he could lightly kiss it before just holding it. The warmth of her hand and softness of her skin only provided further comfort and reassurance that this was no dream of any sort.

"I'm fine," he answered softly, his eyes returning to hers. There was much that they would need to discuss, but later. Right now, he just wanted to bask in the joy of being home again with her . . . though the purpose of his journey was not forgotten, and concern began to rise in him. "The others . . . Gwaine, Percival, Merlin . . . " For last he saw of Merlin, he was being thrown against the cave wall. Arthur had tried to protest but . . . clearly Morgana didn't want to hear any of it. "The rest of the men . . . " All the knights, and Merlin. "Are they well? Are they safe?" Were they home, was really the question Arthur was trying to ask. Or would his stay here be temporary for he would not be able to rest, until all of them were back in Camelot and within the safety of the castle walls.

[Guinevère]

She smiled at him while he lifted her hand, and her own squeezed his. He asked about the men, and Merlin but it took her a moment to answer for her joy at seeing him alive and well was over powering. "Fine, they are all well. A few of the men are very weak but they are going to find with a bit more of Gaius' medicine in them. Merlin as well. He was at least walking when everyone arrived . . . "

Which was more then she could say for her husband. "You even brought home a new friend, I see. I only met him for but a moment. I asked Merlin to make sure he had a room." Guinevère touched the bandage on his chest that held the binding on since he was wounded in a few places. "You gave me quite a fright, Arthur Pendragon." She admitted, "You will not know quite how much I felt when I saw you being pulled home in a cart and not on your own feet."