Long Live The Pendragons

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
Note: Better layout coming soon!

for the love

OF CAMELOT

To Arthur, there had been no passage of time. He had been dead. In eternal slumber for the remainder of time. Or that is what one assumed when they passed on. But for him, another fate awaited. There was only brief confusion of where he was for just a few moments after emerging from the lake, there was Merlin. Their reunion filled with emotion and heart . . . and in the hours that followed, Merlin began to explain. There was a war coming. One that the likes of all the kingdoms had never seen. One of Arthur's first questions to Merlin had been regarding Guinevère. How she fared. If she was alright. Merlin answered as honestly as he could, but Arthur longed to share yet another reunion with someone he loved. His wife. His heart. And so they made their way back to the city of Camelot. Arthur took in the familiar lands, noticing the changes that the years had brought upon them. 5 years. He had been gone for 5 years. How did he return to a life with such an absence?

The nerves began to hit him. He knew it was not going to be easy to convince Guinevère. Merlin had said that it was fated that when Albion's need was greatest, that Arthur would return. Did that mean that he would leave this world once his destiny was complete? There were so many questions, and even Merlin did not have all the answers. Right now though, Arthur needed to see the queen. They waited until it was dark before sneaking through the castle. Seeing Merlin use magic was not something Arthur would so easily grow used to. When Arthur was in well enough, he used the servant's entrance, to go into their room. She was not present . . . not yet. But with the late hour, she would be returning very soon. A soft smile formed on his lips as he looked around, but approaching footsteps had him skulking back behind the wall. He paused when he saw her enter, closing the door behind her and seemingly alone.

All he could do was just gaze upon her. For him, it had been mere days since he saw her. But that feeling of passing on from this world . . . of dying . . . made his heart ache and long to just hold her. After all the promises he had made to her of never leaving her, he had. And he had no intention of letting that happen again. Deciding that she would not be having any more company, he began to sneak out from the servant's entrance, slowly walking towards the main door so that she could not run out for the guards or anywhere else. So that he would have this time alone with her. "Guinevère," he finally said, his voice soft, filled with emotions that even he could not describe.

[Guinevère]

Today, like most days, was hard. She had not been born into this life, and had only watched it from afar until she'd fallen in love. While the years she had with Arthur had helped her learn what it meant to lead, she still--years after being widowed and having to do it on her own--didn't feel ready at times. She had spent the year days of her relationship with Arthur judging everything his father did, and while she didn't regret it, she knew now it was easy to judge the choices made when you didn't have to actually make them. It wasn't as easy to make the choice.

Guinevère entered her chambers and walked to pour herself a class of wine. Carrying it to the window, and looking out over the court yard, she became lost in thought. She knew nothing of war. She had watched Arthur fight all his life, but she knew nothing of leading a war. How did she tell men they would go and die for this kingdom? Pensive, she knew that she had no choice--but had she also not once scolded Arthur, and told him that they always had choices, and sometimes it was easier to think that you didn't. She took a slow breath, and a long sip of the wine. How did one avoid war? Everyone was on different sides. Some fought for power over others, some fought for fear of magic, some fought because if they didn't then it gave their foes power over them. Camelot was at the center of the storm, and she she was on the edge of a choice that could send the kingdom to it's knees. Arthur's kingdom. She would be it's downfall if she couldn't find a way through the storm.

Reaching up with one hand she removed the pins from her hair, before finishing the wine. Arthur. How could he ever think she could do this? Perhaps by his side, but alone? Guinevère felt the burn of tears and she shook her head to clear them and the thoughts. Guinevère It was as if she'd summoned the voice fro her memories. It took her a few seconds to even realize it came from behind her. Turning she moved to look to see who was there, and the sight of him caused her hole body to jump in surprise. The wine cup feel to the floor, spilling red wine everywhere like blood. One hand reached for the wall, while the other rested on her belly where it felt as of butterflies fluttered all over.

Guinevère could only stare for a moment before she realized that this was not real. Arthur was dead. Her eyes moved past him to the doors, that he had blocked by standing where he was. She forced her body to move as she stood taller, and raised her chin. "Don't," she she demanded, though her voice was more a whisper then a command. Don't do this. Don't tarnish her memory. "Don't come near me." Now her voice was stronger, but still filled with the hurt. Keeping her body facing him, she moved slowly toward the desk, where a dagger was under some papers. How many men outside her door? Had she locked it? Could they get to her before he could?

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
Note: Better layout coming soon!

for the love

OF CAMELOT

Watching her reaction to seeing him made his heart ache. What she must have been through. What she continued to go through. Arthur couldn't even begin to imagine, and it was why he did not wish to waste a single moment either. "Guinevère," he said once again, softly, slowly holding his hand out. "I know this is difficult to believe," he continued, even more slowly taking a small step toward her, though not veering too far from the door. "I know it is difficult to accept." How did he convince her? He had been gone for five years and now suddenly, magically -- literally -- he had turned up. "But it's me. Arthur. Your husband." He knew full well it was going to take more than a name to convince her.

He could see her slightly shifting, and could only guess at what she would attempt to do. "And I . . . " He voice caught from the emotion of seeing her again. Of remembering the last time they met . . . and knowing it had been so many years. He had left her in this position; left her with the pressures of ruling a kingdom. And no amount of words or actions could ever make up for that. He just looked at her, letting the emotion show on his face as he tried to piece together what he was even starting to say. "I am so sorry." It was not what he planned to say but the words in his emotional state came out. For he was sorry. Truly. Deeply. Sorry.

[Guinevère]

"Guinevère," "Don't!" She commanded, her voice shaking, while still strong. Hearing her name--the way Arthur said it--after so many years of only thinking of it . . . .

How many night had she thought of the little things he did and missed them the most? He called her Guinevère, when everyone else called her Gwen. The way his fingertips used to skim her back or arm as he passed. The look he had on his face when he looked at her. . . . the look he had on his face now.

She stepped back, not wanting him near her. She could think clearly when he wasn't near her. Arthur was dead, and this wasn't him. There wasn't anything difficult to figure out. "I know this is difficult to believe," They were always so well timed. "I know it is difficult to accept." NO, if this was Arthur, she'd not have accepting this. She'd welcome this. Yet, she knew this wasn't. It was an evil trick played to bring her down.

Camelot rested on her shoulders. When he back touched the desk, her hand moved behind her to feel for the dagger. "But it's me. Arthur. Your husband." They saw an unwed queen, with no heir, and saw a chance for power. They were trying to trick her somehow. She had to be smarter then them. "And I . . . " They both paused for a moment, seeming to stare at each other. She felt a tug in her heart, and for a moment time froze. He was Arthur for a moment. Arthur looking at her with the openness that he only showed her, most times. Arthur with his honesty, and nothing held back. Arthur being pure, and Arthur. "I am so sorry." . . . They were going to win.

Emotion filled Guinevère turned and pushed the papers back, to find the dagger. How did they do this? How did they know that this would do more harm to her then an assassin stabbing her with a blade? Grasping it in her hand, she spun around to hold it out between them! "Stay back! You are not my husband! Whoever send you here, will pay dearly!"

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
Note: Better layout coming soon!

for the love

OF CAMELOT

Under any other circumstance, Arthur would have been oh so proud to see her spin around and prepare to defend herself. However, there were far too many other emotions rushing through him right now to think of such things. His heart ached for what she had gone through. He did not even want to think of how he would have been had he lost her. He faced that fear numerous times yet somehow . . . they always managed to make their way to one another. This was apparently, not exception. It just took significantly longer -- 5 years longer -- than usual. "Guinevère . . . please," he began to say, emotion still evident on his face and apparent in his tone. He held his hands out, taking another small step towards her. "When I emerged from the water . . . I can't explain it," he said, trying desperately to bring forth some logic.

"Merlin was there waiting for me. Claiming that it was fated for me to return when Albion's need was greatest and I --" He just shook his head a little, knowing that this would do nothing to convince her. Magic was often the answer when something could not be explained. Arthur had been born of magic, he had died from the magic of a sword and now . . . he returned from magic. It seemed every fibre of his being was woven in the threads of magic; the utter irony. He paused for several moments, his expression softening a little, recalling their past. "The last memory I have of a lake, was when we went to break the enchantment you had been under." Morgana's doing, to turn Guinevère against him.

"I extended my hand to you and spoke words that you once said to me when I asked you to marry me." The second time that was. The time when they had entered a new reign, together. As King and Queen. Arthur hadn't even quite realized how much closer he was getting to Guinevère. How much bolder he was being despite the blade in her hand. "With all my heart," he said softly, moving until he was standing directly in front of her. She may very well stab him, and part of him had no idea whether she would -- under the belief that he was an impostor. All he could do was lock his eyes onto her. Looking deeply into her beautiful brown eyes that he had missed dearly. "I swear, Guinevère, with all my heart . . . it's me." Arthur. But more importantly, her husband.

[Guinevère]

Merlin? He spoke of Merlin and she squeezed the handle of the blade tighter. Merlin had left her here to be Queen, when Arthur died. She loved her friend, but he hadn't stayed to help. He'd gone away. "The last memory I have of a lake, was when we went to break the enchantment you had been under." That caused her to still. No one else had been there that day. Mordred, but he was dead. Merlin. Arthur and her. How did he know of it? "I extended my hand to you and spoke words that you once said to me when I asked you to marry me." He was getting closer! Yet his words took the fire out of her willingness to stab him.

"With all my heart," Their words. "I swear, Guinevère, with all my heart . . . it's me." He was right there, standing inches from her. She should end this now! . . . she should end thi . . . she should . . .

Yet her hands shook as she dropped the blade. Her eyes pickled as they begin to fill with salty tears. "Arthur?" She asked, but she already knew the answer to it. He was standing there before her. Standing there with warmth coming from him! The tears fell over her cheeks, as she looked at him, still not able to believe that he as there--yet she knew it to be him. Her hand lifted to touch him, her finger tips trailing from his arm up to his shoulder before touching his face. "Arthur!" She cried his name and buried her face into his chest.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
Note: Better layout coming soon!

for the love

OF CAMELOT

When she said his name, Arthur could hear the way her tone differed. The way she looked at him. Yes he silently answered. But he dare not move. Not until it processed and it did indeed seem to for she dropped the dagger and this time, the way she said his name was acknowledgement, and not a question. The sensation of her touch warmed his entire body, and she then buried her face against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her, pressing her against him as he squeezed his eyes shut, fighting back his own tears.

His heart ached for what he had done to her. Making her wait for years to be together, only to enjoy a few . . . filled with promises of never leaving her, and yet, that was exactly what he had done. "I'm sorry," he breathed, pain evident in his voice as he nestled his face against the side of her head. He had left her to rule this kingdom on her own, when he should have been standing beside her. Merlin had told him it had been years, and he could not even begin to imagine what she had been through during all that time. "I'm so sorry, Guinevère," he said, practically pleading for her forgiveness though he knew he didn't deserve it. All he could do was hold her close to him, and never ever let her go again.

[Guinevère]

HE held her, and she hadn't thought she would ever feel him hold her again. Guinevère still couldn't believe that he was here! Why hadn't Merlin told her first? Why had he not come with Arthur to let her know it was real? His voice sounded like Arthur's, his touch felt like Arthur's, and the way he looked at her, and even the words he was speaking were her husband's! She still had a little voice of fear in her brain that this was a trick of magic; yet her heart told her to hold on to him. That he was real!

And she wanted him to be real! She wanted her husband back! "You're real?" She questioned between sobs, not yet able to take in his words of apology and turn them to truth that it was not his fault that he died. In this moment, she could only look up at his face, and let her heart beat for him. For this moment. For his return! "Is this forever?" Or was this something that only magic could do for a little while? Would she say goodbye to her husband again? Guinevère didn't think she would be able to bare it!

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
Note: Better layout coming soon!

for the love

OF CAMELOT

Her first question was easy to answer, as he drew his head back to look at her. He kept one arm her in a hug, and the other went to her cheek to gently caress her skin. He still remembered his dying moments. Being able to say goodbye to Merlin, but not to Guinevère. He hadn't even the strength to write her a letter, or anything to tell her one last time that he loved her. He simply nodded in answer to her question, yet the second one . . . caused his heart to ache. "I pray that it is." Was as honest of an answer he could give.

"I can't explain much of this," he admitted to her. "But right now, I just . . . long to hold you." And together, they would figure out the rest. That, familiar fear of never seeing her again in his dying days. He couldn't even think of what it would have been like for her, and while he knew he would have to find out all that had happened in the past few years . . . there would be time for that later. He leaned forward to rest his forehead against hers. "Forgive me," he breathed, knowing that if his return was only temporary . . . he could not let it pass without begging for her forgiveness. Without at least saying the words.

[Guinevère]

She again wondered why Merlin hadn't told her he was going to do this. Why Merlin stayed away when she needed a friend. She had so many questions but the one she waited for the most was the one she feared the answer too the most. If he was only here for a short time, or if he could stay forever! She wasn't ready to say goodbye to her husband---not ever.

He wasn't sure if this was forever, but Guinevère held him tighter anyway. If her grip could keep him here then she would hold him to her forever. She didn't understand, and she needed to ask one of a million questions right now but . . . . they could wait another moment. She needed something more. His forehead touched hers, and she tilted her face up to kiss him. She'd not been able to kiss him goodbye, or even say goodbye, but now she kissed him. With everything she felt behind the kiss. The heartbreak, the longing, the lonesomeness, the feeling of him being here now, the fear that he'd leave, the warmth that he gave her by just holding her--she put it all int he kiss.

A welcome home kiss.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
Note: Better layout coming soon!

for the love

OF CAMELOT

The emotion behind her kiss, had him returning it. Though he had not faced losing her, he could only imagine. The thought of her baring this all alone was enough to wrap his arms a little tighter, to kiss with an increasing passion and . . . his mind desperately wishing they could go back. So that she did not have to face all this alone. But she would not have to. Not anymore.

Yet all thoughts of the kingdom was set to rest in this moment. He thought of nothing else but the woman in his arms. His wife. His love. His heart. Breathing into it, he coaxed her mouth open with his own to deepen the embrace, his hand going to his sword belt as he opened it and let the weapon fall to the ground with a clang. "Guinevère," he spoke against her lips, his hands moving over the sides of her body to feel her perfect curves. He wanted tonight to be just about them, for tomorrow . . . they would have to face the kingdom together, as king and queen. But tonight . . . he just wanted to be husband and wife. If she allowed them to be.

[Guinevère]

His was kissing her and all doubt that this--THIS MAN--was not her husband disappeared. The way he said her name, like a prayer, and the way he kissed her, and how he touched her. Oh, how he touched her! She hear the sound of something dropping, and didn't have to look--she still knew the sound of his impatience! His best his the floor, and she knew that he felt it too! The need to be together! After so long apart!

Pulling part from him, she kissed his jaw, up to his eyes, and over his face! She hated that tonight he wore his chain mail, knowing she'd have to let him go long enough to remove it--and she feared if she let him go he would disappear.

Letting him go she helped remove the armor, and move back to stand before him. "I love you," she promised him, knowing she'd never loved anyone as she loved him. Ever. No matter what her actions years ago might have hinted toward. Pushing to her toes she took his mouth again, and her hands moved to the jacket, unlacing it as she went. "I need you!" Now, and forever!

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
Note: Better layout coming soon!

for the love

OF CAMELOT

Each kiss she gave him upon his skin, ignited a surge of passion. Of need. Of, love. Everything he felt for her; everything they had been deprived of. They had waited so long to be together. Spoken promises of a future together. And alas, they were given only 4 short years to be married. United, in every sense of the word. The mere thought of it, caused his heart to ache. The cruel fate that constantly seemed to befall them. Surely, his return would not be temporary. Surely . . . fate was not this cruel. Though, he would not waste time lamenting. He wished to take advantage of every second they had together. Of every moment they could steal without the presence of another. "I love you too," he breathed, the words as natural as the beating of his heart. Said with the same ease. She was moving to undress him, and each layer that fell, was another burden lifted. Another weighted relieved from him.

His hands went to her dress, starting to hastily unlace it. He had practically memorized how to remove each of her dresses she wore in such moments. Sometimes, his fingers would fumble with the impatience he felt. Others, they would move with ease and familiarity. Right now, it was most definitely the latter. Pulling each one out until the dress loosened enough for it to hang over her shoulders, and which point, he gently pulled it down even more to let it pool at her feet.

Arthur couldn't wait any longer. His hands went to her waist, lifting her up so that she could wrap her legs around his own waist, and carried her to the bed. Another familiar actions; one of the last things he did in the tent before he left, never to return . . . until now. "And I you," he assured her, eyes closed, lips against hers and just as he memorized every way to remove her dress, he knew each step to take towards their bed, without even needing to open his eyes.

[Guinevère]

Her dress fell to the ground, and his fingers--oh she knew them so well! She knew the scent of him, and the sound of him and the taste of him--which now included a slightly salty taste to them. She knew it was because of her own tears mingling into the kisses. Tears of missing him, and of heaving him, and of the fear of losing him. And maybe even the hope she dared not admit to feeling that he would be here. Forever.

He lifted her, and her legs tightened around his narrow hips, as he carried her to bed. Guinevère felt her back touch the sheets, and she pulled him down with her. She knew there was much to say, but it all could be said later! Right now she'd missed this man, and wanted to feel him! "Tell me I am not dreaming!" She begged, knowing other dreams had felt real--not this real but real. Not waiting for a reply she moved her head up to nip at his neck, and taste along his collar bone, and over to his shoulder. Her hand moved down his back, and then back up, feeling him and holding him to her.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
Note: Better layout coming soon!

for the love

OF CAMELOT

He quickly adjusted himself so that as she pulled him down to join her on the bed, he settled comfortably on top of her, kicking off his boots in the process. Breathing deeper into the kiss, his hands skimmed along the curves of her body, creating a path along her sides so that he could feel the warmth of her skin. He broke the contact only so that he could divest himself of his shirt, tossing it to the side and paying no attention where it went. It reminded him of the early days of their marriage. Clothes lying all over the floor as need consumed them both. The liberty of being able to be together . . . in every sense of the word.

Her words processed in his mind as he felt her lips nipping at his skin, their bodies now pressed against each other, further basking in the warmth that her own provided. "I have been sleeping for many years," he began to say, his lips creating a path of kisses along the side of her neck. "This is far from a dream," he assured her. If it was one, he wished to never wake yet the irony being . . . he had indeed just woken up. "No longer will dreams be all we have." Dreams being the only way they could be together. No. They were together now, in this world. In this life. And Arthur prayed, that the days they spoke of . . . ones that involved growing old together, having a family together, would be ones that fate held for them.