The Past Is Gone [Arwen | Elenora]

[Guinevère]

It had been two days since her wedding, and only one since she had been crowned Arthur's queen. Guinevère felt as if she had yet to come down from the emotional euphoria that she was feeling. While she never doubted Arthur's love for her, she had known her weakness had nearly cost her everything she held dear. Arthur, her family, her friends, her home. She loved him so very much and she wasn't quite sure how she had lived for the months she had lived without Arthur in her life.

Now that they were back together, and she was in his arms again, Guinevère knew she would make sure that nothing happened to give him even a moment's doubt in her love. She would be a stronger person for him, and show him the love in her heart!

She was his wife! Five years and even five days ago it had seemed such an imposable role to fill for him. Yet here she was, and and they were finding that happiness again!

Walking down the hall from the gardens, Guinevère's arms held purple flowers to bring her THEIR chambers that they SHARED! The reminder of sharing a rooms with him made her smile brightly and blush slightly as she walked down the hall. Looking up she noticed a noble woman--one of the more kinder ones that Guinevère had liked when she was a servant--coming her way. "Good morning, Lady Elenora," Guinevère spoke softly to her, coming to pause in order to speak. It was hard not to fall into her old habits and dip her head into a bow. Guinevère had to fight the habit. "I hope your morning is well."

[Lady Elenora]

Elenora sighed happily as she made her way down the corridor. Partying was still full swing in Camelot. Not only were they celebrating the marriage between King Arthur and Guinevère, but the coronation of Camelot's new Queen which this kingdom has not seen for a very long time. Not since the late Queen Ygraine.

In all honestly, Elenora appreciated the happiness and sense of renewed hope that these events inspired within the people of Camelot. The past few months had been difficult for her and her father after the death of her sister and her husband. So to be surrounded by such joy, Elenora couldn't help but smile - a genuine smile which she had not done in a while.

Just then, she saw the Queen walking towards her. She couldn't help but notice how Guinevère struggled to stop her former maid habits as she bid her good morning. "Good morning, Lady Elenora...I hope your morning is well." Elenora gave the newly-crowed Queen a curtsy and responded kindly, "Good Morning, Your highness..." Elenora was about to respond to Gwen's question and ask how she was feeling after being crowned Queen, when they both heard someone laugh really loudly from the chamber just in front of them. Obviously they forgot to close the door, most likely due to the fact they were too busy gossiping!

"I still can not understand what is in King Arthur's mind to be crowning, not only a commoner but a woman who betrayed him with one of his knights!" One of the ladies pointed out.

"Well she must have been a good roll in the hay for him to have gone through with it," The other one replied and then they both laughed.

Lady Elenora was disgusted by the women's comments, but nothing compared to the look on Guinevère's face.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère kept smiling brightly at her noble woman as they came together, and hoped that she could speak for a moment, before the woman had to leave as well. Besides, she was also wanting to go back to her shared chambers and try to give Merlin another hour of 'freedom' while she stalled Arthur for another morning. "Good Morning, Your highness..." A shrill laugh cut off Elenora's words and Guinevère turned her head toward the door for a short second before returning her attention to Elenora.

Before she could give the noble woman a silent laugh at the other women's moment of fun, the voices drifted though the wood. "I still can not understand what is in King Arthur's mind to be crowning, not only a commoner but a woman who betrayed him with one of his knights!" Her face went pale, as she stared at Elenora, and her smile faded slowly. The reminder of her past brought up again, made her feel small and embarrassed.

It was the other woman however, that humiliated Guinevère. "Well she must have been a good roll in the hay for him to have gone through with it," That brought a awkward red flush of color to her cheeks, as her felt her noise slightly burn at the threat of tears that did not fall. She had known things like this might be said, even before she added the weakness of character to her list of reasons that she could not compare to Arthur. Love over powered all their obstacles, but it would not stop rumors and gossips.

"The . . . " She tried to speak to ignore the ladies, but the words had effect her deeply, "The morning is . . . is rather beautiful." She paused and looked down at the flowers instead of the noble woman. "I was in the gar--rdens, and saw these." It was random babbling she knew but she wasn't sure what else to do. Forcing an awkward smile to her face--but one that did not meet her eyes--Guinevère tried to force her eyes back to Elenora.

[Lady Elenora]

Elenora noticed Guinevère's face pale and her smile falter at the first woman's comments. But it didn't compare to the look of total and utter humiliation on her face after the second hurtful remark. Guinevère's cheeks went slightly red as her gaze feel to the floor. Elenora was going to say something, something to make her feel better but felt at a loss. She knew that while Arthur had forgiven her, some people in Camelot had not. She had a feeling that the Queen hadn't forgiven herself either.

Then Guinevère started to babble in attempt to ignore the ladies comments as if it hadn't effected her, "The . . ." But Elenora could tell this was not true as she listened and watched as Guinevère struggled with the tears in the corner of her eyes. "The morning is . . . is rather beautiful." Guinevère paused before looking down at the purple flowers in her hand instead of at her. "I was in the gar--rdens, and saw these."

Elenora stepped a little further towards the Queen to admire the flowers, "They lovely. Nothing compares to the flowers in Camelot's Royal gardens. You have an excellent eye for picking the best Camelot has to offer."

Struggling between whether or not she should acknowledge what the noblewomen had said about her, Elenora settled in giving the Queen a comforting gesture. So she placed her hand over Guinevère's hand and said very kindly, "I was about to go for a walk in the garden myself to be amongst some fresh air and pick some flowers. Perhaps you can show me where you found the lovely bunch of flowers..."

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur's mood was a rather good one. Then again, the past couple of days had set him in a fairly consistetly jovial mood. And he knew that it was all owed to Guinevère. He was a happily married man, with the woman that he loved above all others. Months ago, they had not seemed possible . . . yet here they were, together, united, as king and queen; husband and wife. It helped ease the pressures of his daily duties . . . not because he would place any burdens on her, but because he had that secure and constant companionship. He had someone he could forget the rest of the world with, or talk about what was in his heart with . . . or just, sit in silence with. Either way, he felt stronger with Guinevère by his side and knew that the kingdom was heading toward a brighter era. This morning had consisted of the regular meetings, followed by a walk in the gardens with Guinevère, to take advantage of this beautiful day. They had been heading back to their chambers, when he had come across one of the nobles who wished to speak to him. Arthur had told Guinevère that he would meet her there, and spent the next few moments conversing with the nobleman.

The conversation had not been long, so in a matter of minutes, he found himself walking through the halls again. Walking in the opposite direction were a couple of noblewomen who seemed to be rather amused by something. He knew better than to get involved with women and their gossip. "Ladies," he greeted respectfully as he gave a nod of his head. The women paused and smiled, dipping into curtsies as they replied with his title before giggling again. Arthur really wasn't going to ask. He was just so very thankful that Guinevère was not like these kind of noblewomen. Then again, that was part of the reason he had fallen in love with her; because she was so different, in the best way possible. Down the hall he saw Guinevère standing there and facing forward was Lady Elenora. Arthur smiled at seeing the two women in conversation. He wanted Guinevère to be surrounded by others who would help ease the transition of ranks -- as she had gone from a servant to a queen. He would be there as much as he could, but it was also important for him to be around other women, such as Lady Elenora.

Arthur had known her all his life, and she was indeed a kind and caring woman. He could imagine the two would get along splendidly. After all, he wanted that for his wife and his dear friend. Approaching them, Arthur moved to stand next to Guinevère, and thus in front of Lady Elenora. "Wife," he greeted, taking one of Guinevère's hands in his own and kissing the back of it before he casually held it. He then turned to look at Elenora. "Lady Elenora," he greeted to her, giving a small nod and a kind smile. "It is good to see you again." As it would always be good to see an old and true friend. "I hope I am not interrupting anything," he stated, almost teasingly as he looked back at Guinevère. His gaze lingered on her long enough to finally see that all was not well. He knew her well enough to be able to tell when she was crying, or when there was the threat of tears in her eyes. His smile faded as he looked at Guinevère, and then looked at Elenora again. There was something, solemn about the both of them. "Is everything alright?" He asked, looking between them, his voice now filled with concern rather than jest.

[Guinevère]

She was embarrassed and hurt, and wasn't sure quite how to keep up her graceful way of not talking about it. Should she walk away, or was she supposed to be the bolder one and walk up to the girls and remind them that gossip was rude? Guinevère didn't think she could do the later, for she wasn't a confrontational person. She was the sort who rather pick flowers in the garden, not the bold one.

So when Lady Elnora's hand came out to her's, and gave it a comforting touch, Guinevère smiled gratefully. The gentle touch on her hand, help give her some courage, and not run and hide. "They lovely. Nothing compares to the flowers in Camelot's Royal gardens. You have an excellent eye for picking the best Camelot has to offer."

Now she felt slightly more embarrassed, for she assumed Lady Eleanora was just being overly kind now, to make up for the lack of kindness in others. "I was about to go for a walk in the garden myself to be amongst some fresh air and pick some flowers. Perhaps you can show me where you found the lovely bunch of flowers..." She didn't want too, she wanted to run and hide but Guinevère knew that was the cowards way out, and she was not going to be a coward. "That sounds like a lovly--""Wife,"

Arthur's voice broke off her reply, as did his gesture of a kiss on her hand. "Lady Elenora," He greeted the noble woman, but he seemed to know something was off. "I hope I am not interrupting anything," She didn't want him to know. They were happy and she didn't want her past thrown in his face. He should not be reminded every day of her stupid weakness when it came to that one unexplainable night. "Is everything alright?" Not because she did not think that he would not defend her name--he would! But he should not have too. "Lady Elenora was just asking if I would help her pick out some flowers in the garden." Guinevère told him, trying to make her smile stronger for him. "I was about to join her in the gardens."

[Lady Elenora]

Guinevère smiled gratefully when Elenora touched her hand. Elenora was glad that Guinevère seemed a little better. Until she continued speaking then Guinevère began to look slightly more embarrassed again, which Elenora understood. For Guinevère probably thought she was being more kind than she needed to, to make up for the lack of it in others. But Elenora hoped that the gentle rubbing in her hand would assure her that her kindness was genuine. It seemed to work as Guinevère looked like she was going to accept her offer for a walk in the gardens until the King appeared standing next to his wife. Elenora watched Arthur greet his wife and then take one of her hand in his, gently kiss the back of it before causally holding it by his side.

"Lady Elenora," King Arthur greeted her with a small nod and a kind smile which Elenora reciprocated with a curtsy and a "Your Highness." "It is good to see you again." Arthur commented kindly "It's a great pleasure to see you again, Your Highness." Elenora responded for she was very glad to see Arthur so happy once again. However, the looks on both her and Guinevère's faces must have send an alarm that something was off for Arthur next said, "I hope I am not interrupting anything." Then he glanced back and sent a slight, almost teasingly look at his wife.

Elenora knew that Arthur must have seen the un-cried tears in her eyes for his next question was "Is everything alright?" In which Guinevère responded with, "Lady Elenora was just asking if I would help her pick out some flowers in the garden." Elenora could not help but observe Guinevère try her hardest to smile so to convey to her husband that all was well before adding, "I was about to join her in the gardens." "Yes," Elenora added before continuing, "I was just telling Her Royal Highness how much I adore the flowers she picked and complimenting her ability to pick the best that Camelot has to offer. And then I could not resist in asking her if she would like to join me in the gardens for a walk. Perhaps you would like like to join us, Sire?"