The Dark Knight

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
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She asked why he had to die at all, and a faint smile and smirk formed on his face. "Trust me, I have no desire to die," he told her, almost as a tease though there was truth in his words. He did not long for death. He longed to live a full life. To marry. To have children. To start a family and leave a legacy in this world. But . . . he also knew that as a knight, the risk of dying was great. For any knight of Camelot, such was the fate they chose. He suddenly felt the warmth of her hand on his, any form of a smile fading but replaced only with the same soft expression he had looked at her with before. A soft intent in his eyes, as they locked onto her brown ones. As if suddenly entranced by her. Her touch, providing a comfort that he could not explain. Just as her company had.

It was so strong that it took several moments for him to collect himself enough to respond to her words. "I trust Gaius emphatically," he told her honestly. "But there are things that are even out of a physician's control." Like the poison from a creature of magic. "Guinevère, how can I ask my men to fight, if I am not there to stand with them?" Men he had trained for moments such as this. Men that he led into battle, not ones he sent into and just watched from the sidelines. "So please, help me bandage the wound. So that I may fight with my brothers and help bring an end to these attacks." His eyes were practically pleading with her. Another strange thing. For there was no thought of her being a servant and thus, ordering her to do as she was told. Instead, his gaze and words searched for her to understand, and help him of her own decision.

[Guinevère]

She should not look at him like she was, and he should not look at her this way. She knew how why she felt this level of comfort with him, and it was this look. This deep look that said he was seeing her--not a servant, or Morgana's maid, or even a citizen that he had saved and not cared to learn their name. He was seeing her. Really looking--and Guinevère felt like he was the first person to really see her. And he was a knight. Whatever was happening here, it was dangerous.

And he was dying. Guinevère looked down, away from his pleading glaze, before looking back up and nodding her head slowly. Reaching for the bandage, she began padding it, and wrapping it tightly so the skin would not move, and it would help protect him from the pain. Where her actions before had been quick and direct, now they were slow and meaningful. She didn't want to do this, and was doing it anyway. She tied it off, and rested her hand over it for a moment, before moving to stand back in front of him. She wanted to say something, but couldn't think of anything to say. She wanted to yell and beg but words would not sway him. So instead she reached for his shirt.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
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Arthur wasn't sure what she was going to say or do. He was braced to plead with her more, though also knew that he was growing weaker by each passing second. Yet, the gaze they shared seemed to silence them both. And . . . seemed to be felt by both. He wasn't even sure if he was relieved or disappointed when it ended. He only knew that she complied with what he said. Not because she felt obligated to as a servant . . . but because he had asked her to. He could feel it, the difference in the two things. There was suddenly no barrier of rank between them and that, was dangerous. Unfamiliar. And Arthur knew he should be more mindful of such things.

Yet, rational seemed to be tossed out of the window in this moment. He remained silent as she did what he requested; bandaged the wound securely. Taking a slow breath, he rose to his feet when she stepped back, noticing that she held his shirt in her hand. Arthur reached out to take it from her, but instead, his fingers wound up skimming her forearm, gently curling around it as if to hold her. His eyes found hers again, for it seemed difficult to not look. "Thank you," he said, with the sincerest gratitude he had perhaps ever spoken to anyone before. The locked gazes and now physical touch continued to be that borderline of danger, so Arthur let his fingers trail to his hand, caressing her own for a moment before he gently took the shirt from her grasp.

[Guinevère]

Arthur stood up and her face lifted to keep looking at him. He was this mixture of strength and the knowledge that he was dying. She felt so much in this moment and she forgot he was a knight and her better and she wasn't allowed to hold his gaze. She held it anyway. When he reached for his shirt, his fingers touched her skin, and she inhaled slowly from everything she felt in this moment. He had swayed int he hall, and now she felt as if she might do the same.

She let him put on his shirt, and looked away while he tucked it into his pants--too aware that she was near him while he did it. Reaching for his padding, she held it too her for a moment, clearly at odds with what she was doing an what she wanted to do. Then she held it out for him to slide his injured arm into, so he wouldn't have to move it too much. Once it was on him, she stepped around to let him tie it off. Her eyes following his fingers while he did it. She'd need to help him with the rest as well. Yet she didn't want too--that meant he would go out there to die. Turning she lifted the chainmail.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
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Arthur managed to pull on his shirt, tucking it in and noticing that she looked away. Why did this feel strangely comfortable? She was a female servant . . . he should be requesting his usual one to come to his aid. Now that the wound was covered, there was no reason to avoid his usual servant. Yet, he did not wish to part ways with Guinevère. Her presence -- as he previously discovered -- was a comfort. And ironically, in a strange sort of way, allowed him to draw strength. Perhaps it was a reminder of how he could help those who were in danger. Or . . . perhaps it was just because it was her. Who she was. Guinevère. The latter most likely to be the true one.

When she held out the jacket for him, he turned around and careful slid each arm inside until it was on, at which point he managed to tie it together. He then watched her reach for the chain mail, the part that would have the most weight to bare. He lifted his arms up so that she could slip it over him, and as she did, it fell over his body. Lowering his arm, he felt instant relief, the wound still sensitive and difficult to move. Then, came the other parts of the armor and Arthur was realizing they were nearing the end of their time together. "Promise me something, Guinevère," he began to say, his voice soft, as a small, faint smile appeared on his lips. "You won't run out into the square alone." His words held a soft tease to them, but he also meant it. It was his way, of asking her to promise him that she would be careful.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère helped him finished getting ready, too aware of him as a man before her, and knowing that this man would go out there and die tonight. Too aware of the respect she had for him, and very much too strongly aware of the feeling inside her body at the thought of him going out there. She wasn't sure what would happen once they left this room. If this mood would break and they'd go back to being strangers; but she was reluctant to let it end. She wished she could save him. That she knew of something that could send the dragon away--or that the dragon never returned and they all wait for nothing.

He asked for a promise, and she looked up into the blue of his eyes, feeling as if she'd promise him anything. If he lived. His words made her smile, looking down at the ground. They were so unexpected, a short breath came out that almost sounded like a laugh. Yet the emotion she felt kept her back. She nodded her head, looking back up at him, and opened her mouth to agree to him, yet that was not the words that came out. Instead something else came out. "Only if you're near." She promised, knowing that he'd save her. "Please try not to die."

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
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Her words made his heart swell with emotion he had not even thought possible. Only if he was near. Any such words said to a knight . . . well, there was an expectation. That they would protect the other. As it was their sacred duty. Yet in this moment, it felt as more than just being a knight. There was no rank. No social boundaries. Just a man and woman, parting ways. And . . . feeling the weight of it in a far more emotional way that Arthur thought possible. "Likewise," he told her teasingly, knowing that the courage she too had displayed, nearly cost her her life. And yet, he would do what he did 100 times over, even knowing the consequences of it. Once he was fully ready, he knew he could not stall any further. The distance between them was so close . . . and part of him felt his pull. A force that was drawing him to her so strongly . . . that he had to fight against it. Not sure that he even wanted to. So instead, he leaned towards her ear to speak near it in a lowered voice.

"Please take care." And with this words, he forced himself to walk away, knowing that if he stayed any longer . . . he may lack the strength to fight against whatever that pull was. Whatever it was that was pulling him towards her. Once he arrived in the council chambers, the others updated him on what he missed. Arthur told them that they should ride out in the open field. Firstly, drawing the dragon away from the city and fighting him in a final combat. He did not assign men to the task. Instead, he allowed them to choose, knowing what it meant. Certain death. But it was the last hope they had. The king did not seem to object knowing what was at stake and the limited options that they had. It was the only option left. So they spent the next several hours, creating a plan, a strategy to try and end this, once and for all. When the plans were done, those who volunteered had some time to themselves before riding out to face the dragon. Arthur got himself ready, fully armed, fully prepared.

Gaius had informed him he was working on a new remedy still, and Arthur told him not to worry for it may not be needed after all. Gaius did not seem to be appreciative of Arthur's morbid sense of humor. With all making preparations, and making peace with what would happen . . . Arthur knew he had to do the same. He had already spoken to the king, as Uther wished him good luck and spoke words that caused Arthur to feel proud. He had spoken to Morgana, hugged him and told him that she expected him to return with the others safely. Now, there was only one person left that he felt he needed to see. And after some searching, he finally found her. Knowing Morgana would be with Uther, Arthur stepped inside of Morgana's room after giving the door a light knock. "Guinevère," he greeted, not even sure what he was going to say to her. He only knew that he needed to see her.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère stayed in his room for a few moments after he left, and just breathed. Whatever had happened here, she didn't want to forget it, or let it go. It had felt so real, and now he was gone. Going to go out there and die. Closing her eyes she tried to summon the courage to go about her day. Yet with every hall she walked down, and every erred she did to get them ready for the night, she looked for him. Was he already out there or was he on the floor somewhere unable to get up?

Eventually she ended up in Morgana's room, to make sure that the princess would have something clean to wear to bed after tonight was over. And to . . . escape for a moment. Breathe and -- "Guinevère," Looking up at him, she felt it all come back in an instead. "Arthur," SIR Arthur she should have said, but his name just came out so naturally. He was here! . . . in Morgana's room. "Morgana is with her father, down below." She explained, so grateful to see him, that she was glad he hadn't looked for Morgana down below first. "How is your shoulder?" Could he move it? Would he be alright in the fight? WAS there a chance he'd live?

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
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Guinevere told him that Morgana was with Uther, and it took him a moment to understand why she had said that. It made sense. Considering. But his mind was so consumed with so many other thoughts, and yet no thoughts at all. "I know," he told her quietly, stepping further into the room. A reveal that he was fully aware as to where Morgana was. And that it was not her he sought out. He wanted that much to be clear; that he was looking for Guinevère. She asked about his shoulder and he gave a slight smile, minimized only due to the emotions that seemed to be controlling his every move as he stepped closer towards her.

"It's fine," he told her, knowing that sounded dismissive of his injury. It didn't matter after tonight. "Whoever bandaged it so securely deserves praise," he said with a light tease, since it had of course been her who had done so. The light smile faded from his lips, recalling why he was here. Though why he felt compelled to tell her, he did not understand. "We are riding out to the field to face the dragon." It just came out. Maybe she had already heard. Maybe she hadn't. Either way, he felt the need to be the one to tell her now. To . . . say goodbye to her.

[Guinevère]

"I know," Guinevère felt her heart beat harder for a moment at his words, and her lips tilted up in a mixture of surprise, curiosity, and pleased. "You know," she repeated, absorbing what that meant. Had he known that she was here, then? Guinevère took a few steps closer to him. "Whoever bandaged it so securely deserves praise," Smiling a little bit more she looked down, before looking back at him, "I was hoping it's be too tight for you to leave." Thus making him rest. She said the words in a tone of jest, but meant them as well.

"We are riding out to the field to face the dragon." Oh. He wasn't coming to say thank you, he was coming to say good bye. Guinevère's smile faded, and she nodded her head in understanding. "You leave the city?" To an open field where anything could happen to him. There was no protection from the dragon there. No where to hide. He would die. She looked down again, taking in this. This was his last hour here . . .

And he came to see her. Looking up at him, she felt her eyes prick with emotions. "When?"

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
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A short lived smile had made its way onto his lips when she teased him in return, saying that she had hoped it would have been too tight for him to leave. He would have given a teasing remark back, had the mood not shifted to something more sombre. Who knew. That it would be so easy to engage in this kind of light hearted conversation; one filled with teasing and jests, even in the most grim of circumstances. How did she make that possible? She asked if he would leave the city and he nodded his head in response. Her next question, pulled at his heart for he felt now more than before, it would be difficult to walk away from her.

"Shortly." Any moment now he would be called to ride out with the others. Everyone was saying their final farewells . . . including Arthur. But he did not explain what the others were doing. He did not wish to waste these precious moments doing so. "I wanted to say . . . thank you." His voice sincere, as he looked intently into her eyes. Thank you, for taking care of him. For supporting him. For helping him, even when she didn't want to. While he had known of Guinevère for years, he felt as if he truly go to know her these past couple days or so. And in that, he saw an entirely new person. "And just . . . " And now he would have to leave her. He swallowed, unsure what the ending to that sentence was.

He had come here to thank her, to say goodbye to her. Yet no words seemed to be sufficient. They all seemed inadequate. His next actions, were from the heart and not the mind . . . which was perhaps why he could not stop it. Nor did he over think it. All he knew was that he had but a few moments left with this beautiful woman before him. Someone could walk in. Someone could call him out. And when he did go out there, he would most likely die. He did not wish to have any regrets, and not doing this would surely be one of them. So he leaned forward and forward, lowering his head and closing his eyes . . . until their lips met.

[Guinevère]

"Shortly." That was sooner then she thought. She had assumed with was within the hour, and he might have time. Now she realized it was here. He would walk out and this feeling that he'd stirred within her, would linger long after he was gone. Guinevère wasn't sure what was happening, but she wanted to hold on to him so he couldn't leave. She felt this. This felt real! He made her feel like a woman, and she'd not felt this connection to anyone . . not like this. Not this right. Not this quickly. Not this comfortably.

"I wanted to say . . . thank you." He thanked her, and she wanted to tell him she was the one should thank him, yet words would not form. Especially not ones that were meant to disagree. Not now. "And just . . . " Her eyes were wide, looking at him while waiting for him to finish that, when instead he leaded closer, and closer, before his lips found hers! Her eyes fell closed, and for these moments, nothing else mattered.

He was warm, and alive, and the kiss made the butterflies in her belly dance. She forgot to breathe for a moment, and her heart beat so hard she wondered if he could hear it. When he pulled away, she stayed there in that moment, lingering for a second before blinking open to stare at him. He'd kissed her. He'd kissed her! Guinevère could only stare at him, wishing she could do anything but that, or say anything but the silence--yet she couldn't think of anything to say besides to beg him not to go . . . .

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
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The moment their lips touched it was as if the world stopped. As if the only thing that existed in this moment was the two of them. Arthur and Guinevère. It was a sensation like no other that made his heart and body fill with emotions he had never felt in his entire life. And perhaps never would again -- even if it hadn't been riding to certain death. He remained with his lips against hers, allowing the moment to linger as if this was the first time he truly felt alive as a man. And not a knight.

Forcibly embracing the inevitable, he began to draw back and slowly open his eyes to see what expression her face held. Would she be angry with him? Would she walk away? No. The expression he saw there was one he would forever remember. It was one that made him want to kiss her again. The impact of it left him winded and he just gazed at her with soft longing. But the more time spent with this distance, the quicker reality set back in. He had kissed her, and now he had to leave her. "I must go," he breathed, those not being the words he actually wanted to say. Yet they were ones of necessity. And so he turned and began to walk away, knowing that if he did not do so now . . . he would lack the strength to do so at all.

[Guinevère]

He'd kissed her. He's said good bye. He was riding out to his death, and he'd kissed her goodbye--and it had been the most real thing she had ever felt. The kiss that made her toes curl, and her heart swell. And it was to say goodbye. She could say nothing as he walked away, her heart breaking for him. Closing her eyes when she was alone, she could do nothing but stand there, frozen in this glorious but sad moment. The bittersweet knowledge that she'd finally found a man she respected, and liked, and was kind--and he made her felt things she'd never felt before . . . only to say goodbye.

Guinevère was there when they rode out, her eyes watching him mouth up. Turning she ran toward the throne room. She had to stop him! He might never forgive her but she had to stop him. She didn't know what the king would do but she HAD to try! Running into the throne room EVERYONE looked her way, even Morgana and the king! She gave a bow, and spoke while looking at the ground--not daring to make eye contact with the king. "My king, I bring you word that Sir Arthur has been poisoned." She said quickly, "The dragon injured him last night, and it's poison is killing him. When he rides out, he will not be able to fight."

She didn't know what she expected--most likely Morgana would demand her father pull him out, or send more men to help! The king to demand Gaius find a cure, or something--but instead the king spoke quickly 'Stop him from leaving! Send him back here!' Guinevère blinked, and looked up at the king in surprise. He looked . . . worried. It was surprising. Even Morgana was surprised. 'My king, they have already left the city.' Uther turned to the window and walked to it, looking to see if they could see him. Guinevère looked to Morgana, and neither could explain the king's worry over his favored knight. 'Tell Gaius to to come. Everyone else get out!'

Guinevère turned to hurry out, and even when she saw Morgana looking for her, she went the other way. She stayed inside the castle, but was at the closest point of entry. When Arthur rode in--She refused to say if--she needed to see him do it. There she sat and prayed that he would come back. He needed to come back. She was fairly sure she was starting to love him . . .

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
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Arthur watched in horror as the men burned from the flames of the Dragon's fire. His attentions focused on the creature, more determined than ever to bring an end to this. To not let any more innocent people die! His body was weakening by the second, and any energy or cause of action he had was due to the adrenaline pumping through his veins. If these were his last moments, he would make them count. He stood with a strong stance, the spear pointed out in front of him as he somersaulted out of the way when the Arthur exhaled its flames. The dance had been going on for quite some time . . . uncertain if the dragon was using that as a strategy, knowing the injury he had inflicted on the knight. Never the less, Arthur would not give up. He felt his actions slowing, his body growing heavier. Shaking his head a little, he made one final attempt, rolling between the front legs of the creature before using all his strength to push the spear into it's chest.

The beast roared up in pain as Arthur was pushed back from the impact. He stared at the creature as it hastily flew away and could see by its demeanour, that it was wounded. He could have sworn it turned its head and scowled at the knight, but Arthur didn't care. It was gone. And with any luck, it was dead. Arthur lay on his back for a moment, chest heaving with relief as he just smiled up at the dark air. Though relief, didn't even begin to cover it. He scrambled up to see if there were any survivors. Knowing he lacked the strength to carry any of them he made his way back to the castle, informing the guards that were there to bring the bodies, there were those who were injured.

They promptly dispatched men to do as and Arthur just continued forward, through the gates. He looked up at the clear sky. There were no flames tonight. No fire. No attacks. It was quiet, and Arthur soaked in the incredible sound of peace. His attention was only brought forward when he saw and almost immediately after felt the arms of a woman wrap around him. Arthur couldn't help but smile, his own arm wrapping around her in response as he nestled his head a little into her neck. But the adrenaline had worn off. And succumbing to his mortal wound, Arthur lacked any more strength to keep his eyes open. The closed, as he began to sink down to the ground.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère saw him walking into the city, and she ran from where she was waiting toward him. He was looking up at the clear sky, and she didn't have to ask if they'd done it. His face said it all! When she got to him, he turned to look at her, and sh jumped up to wrap her arms around his neck! "Arthur!" She breathed his name, so glad that he was alive, and once again she didn't care that he was a knight and she a servant! That she should call him Sir Arthur, if she dared use his name at all. She . . . should . .. "Arthur?" He was falling! She braced herself for the weight, but ti was still too much, and they fell. Thankfully with her there it was a gentle fall, and he didn't hit his head. "Arthur?!" She knew he was dying! "No!" Se told him, before looking back at the castle, "HELP!" Someone, please!

And help did come. In many forms. Knights came to take him away--and she had to let them. Giaus, under the kings order, had some new plant he promised to work, but wouldn't explain what it was. Guinevère, under Morgana's orders (thankfully) was to he Arthur's personal nurse. Morgana said she wanted constant updates on how Arthur was. Guinevère knew that some expected them to marry, and she didn't like that idea. No many more. Yet, she knew it could be.

Arthur seemed to be healing! Though he had yet to awaken. His skin no longer burned with fervor, yet she knew he'd be weak for a few days if he woke up--WHEN! Giaus said if, but she refused too! WHEN he woke up then she would be there waiting on him!

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
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Arthur could feel himself being pulled from the darkness. He moved his head to the side a little, feeling the weight of it as he slowly opened his eyes. He felt the weight of that too. As his lids were heavy and everything seemed a bit blurry around him. He closed his eyes again, trying to collect himself before trying once more. Blinking a few times, he could see the general gaze of his surroundings. It didn't take long to figure out he was in his chambers. A blurred vision was also there, across the room.

He tried to raise his head but that required too much effort. So he just stared at it, waiting for his vision to clear enough to see who it was. And it certainly didn't take that long. Strange. How for so long their interactions had been limited and now . . . he felt as if he would recognize her anywhere. Unless . . . had all that happened been a dream? What all had happened?! He tried to recall but just as his vision was a haze, so was his mind. "Guinevère," he stated weakly, not even in control of the word that came out. Whether it had happened or was just a dream, he felt the need to have her close. As it gave him an inexplicable comfort.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère sat by his side, and used a cloth with cool water to help make sure his wound stayed clean, and healing. It was then that she saw his face move. She sat up a little straighter and watched as he began to wake up! Guinevère laughed in pleasure and excitement that he would be alright! He said her name, and she reached her hand up to brush his hair back, her fingers lingering over his skin. "Arthur," she whispered, "you've been asleep for almost a whole day." She explained, since the last thing he might remember is the dragon. "You're going to live!" To which she was greatful!

It also meant she needed to stop touching him, and speaking to him as if they were equals. Yet she couldn't seem to stop just quite yet! Her hand moved down to him, and she took it in both of her's. He was would live! Gaius had found the cure! "Don't try to get up, you need rest," she wasn't sure if he would try to move, but he needed to stay resting for a while longer. "The poison has made you weak." She SHOULD send for Gaius, and tell Uther and Morgana--but she couldn't leave hmm yet. Not yet!

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
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Ordinarily, the knowledge that he was asleep for a day would have caused him to leap up and quickly get himself ready. But . . . there was an undeniable comfort and ease he felt with Guinevère's company. The way she brushed his hair back. The way she took his hand. It was convincing him more and more that what he was starting to remember, had not been a dream after all. She was far too casual with how she touched him. Piecing things together, he remembered the connection that they shared. It would explain how he was still lying here, not yet ready to face the world outside of his doors.

He was content to stay here, with her for a little while longer. So he took in all that she revealed. He would live. He needed to rest. "The dragon?" He asked. She was smiling, looking bright and happy and . . . more beautiful than ever. But did that mean that the dragon was actual gone? That it would not be disturbing them any longer? He knew he was weak, but at the same time, knew that whatever strength he had . . . was going to be used in the stolen moments they had. With both her hands holding his, he raised his other hand to place over hers, needing to feel as much of the warmth of her skin as he could.

[Guinevère]

The dragon! The one he had gone to fight, and was the only one to come back. "You were victorious," she explained, "though it seemed many died." Which was sad, and the kingdom honored them as heroes. "We've not seen it return since you rode out to face it." This hand came up to touch her's and Guinevère felt the heat from his hands. His very strong hands, that touch her with gentleness, but had slayed a dragon. She was in awe of that ability to have both in him. "You could have died," she whispered, squeezing his hands.

And yet, he didn't. He held her hands now in proof that he would live. She was grateful for that! She had prayed fo that! Yet, now that there was more then just moments lingering between them, they needed to stop this. Whatever was between them, it wasn't allowed. She was a servant, even if she was a high ranking one. He was the kingdom's favor knight. The king himself proclaimed to all that Arthur was the best knight of the kingdom. "Arthur," she said his name in question, but one filled with emotion of not wanting to ask the question as well. They could not do this.