Honour Bound

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
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Arthur was disowned, disinherited, and banished by order of King Uther and Queen Catrina. Despite many attempts to make amends, Arthur was forced from the kingdom. He did not stray far, still working to appeal to his father, to make him see reason. But any letters sent, were responded to with threat of execution should he step one foot into Camelot. Still. Arthur did not give up. It wasn't until months later that he received word that the king had died. More than ever, Arthur wished to return, but as the Queen was now ruling the kingdom, she was diligent in her efforts to keep him from it. So Arthur mourned in silence. At a distance. The thought of returning one day was still in his mind but Catrina's forces pushed him further and further from the kingdom.

He found a home in another, and furthermore, he found a family. Falling in love with a woman named Guinevère, the two of them started a life together. Arthur took up work in her father's forge, carrying on the business after he passed away from illness. While Arthur's thoughts of Camelot were never fully removed, he embraced his new life, his priorities shifting to his wife, and his son. Little did he know of the Battle of the Queens that took over Camelot, nor did he know of Morgana's claim to the throne. He was far removed from his once home, though it's never truly out of his mind. It was not until over 6 years later that Arthur would learn of the state of Camelot . . . and honour would bind him to a kingdom that he once, and perhaps is still, destined to rule.

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Arthur never thought his life would come down to this, yet at the same time . . . he felt happy. Though he knew a piece of him would always remain in Camelot, Guinevère had truly mended the shattered pieces of his heart. And to be a husband and father, was a role that Arthur could not compare to any other. To marry someone for love, to create a child as a result of that love. It was truly a beautiful thing. Even working in her father's forge was not entirely horrible. He remembered the first days in it, when her father would teach him and while Arthur had a strong knowledge of weaponry . . . creating it required an entirely different skill set. Eventually, he learned.

This kind of labour was new to him, but he embraced it. Just as he did all things that his new home provided. "PAPA!" Arthur paused from his word, setting down the chain when he saw his son run to him, bursting with excitement, as Arthur reached down to scoop him up in his arms. "There's a puppet show in the market! Will you come with us? Please! Please! PLEASE?!" Arthur's gaze went to Guinevère who had followed her son here, a smile on his lips as he looked back at his son.

One thing was for certain, it felt nearly impossible to ever say no to his wife or son. Especially when Amaren gave him that look of wide eyes filled with hope. As if an answer would make or break his life. The histrionics of children was something rather endearing. "Let's go," he said with a smile. Amaren's face burst with joy as Arthur set him down and he began to make his way, pausing every few steps to make sure his mother and father were near. Arthur walked over to Guinevère, smiling as positioned himself beside her. "You must have had a busy morning," he said, teasingly toward their son's energy, as he leaned forward to place a light kiss on Guinevère's cheek.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère was once the handmaiden of a noble woman, like her mother before her. However, when the woman married and moved away, Guinevère stayed to be near her father. Her father was a widowed blacksmith and would have been alone. She never regreated the choice, even after the only work she found afterwards was being a seemtress. She loved it, and was known for being one of the best.

Beside, as fate would have it, she was meant to stay. Her father would take on help at his forge, and Guinevère would fall in love with that man. He would love her in return. So they wed, and she gave him a son. Even after her father died, she found that this life was more then she could dream. She was happy, and felt as if some days she couldn't stop smiling.

Today, was on of these days. Guinevère had to fight to keep her hand from touching her belly, as she had a surprise for her husband. They would soon have another child! She would tell him soon. Tonight perhaps. She'd kept this to herself for a few days, trying to decide on the perfect way to tell him of his impending fatherhood, once again.

As he came to walk beside her, she hooked her hand in his arm to hold him as they walked behind their son. "You must have had a busy morning," Laughing she agreed, "We went to the market, and heard that there was strangers stopping in. To earn some coin they are putting on the show today before moving on. He has been jumping, and begging to go, fearful I'd let him miss it." Children were like this, and she knew soon they's have two.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
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Arthur just smiled with amusement as Guinevère elaborated on their son's excitement since news had reached him. "I have a feeling he'll be the first one there at the speed he's going," Arthur said with a continued smile as he watched Amaren weaving through the crowd to get to the site of the show.

"Are you up for this today?" Arthur asked her, turning his head to look at his wife. She had been unwell recently, and he wanted to make sure she had the energy for this. If not, he could take him to the show. The most important thing was that she rested, and felt completely better. "Have you eaten today?" Further inquiry since she had been struggling to keep anything down. And with Arthur's early hours, he was not always there to see how she was feeling for the day.

[Guinevère]

Amaren was ducking around a slower moving man, and Guinevère watched their son. He'd be such a good older brother! He had been raised on the stories of heroes, and wanted to be one so bad. She sometimes worried that he'd turn out like Elyan, and leave home after becoming restless. Guinevère didn't let her eyes turn to Arthur's when he asked how she was feeling. She had to fight of keep her smile from giving her away. After years of marriage they had learned each other well. "I feel wonderful," She assured him, giving his arm a slight squeeze.

"I have," After she woke ill, and let her belly settle. "Have you?" Her father used to forget his lunch, and Guinevère would bring it by to him to make sure he would eat. Her father would joke that it was so she'd come to eat with him. She liked it even more when she would bring Arthur lunch too, and get to talk to him. "Do you have much to work on today? Will you be able to come home early?" Where she would have something waiting for him.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
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Arthur felt a wave of relief when Guinevère assured him that she was fine. That whatever illness she had, passed. His other hand moved to rest on her forearm, gently rubbing it as he continued to smile at her. "I have as well," he assured it. It had taken time for Arthur to grow used to food outside the castle. The first several months had been most difficult, but since coming to this kingdom, since being employed by Tom and especially since marrying Guinevère, he had grown used to it. The luxuries of the castle from his former life were not as missed, compared to all that he had gained coming here.

"I should be able to," he told her. "I am nearly caught up with my work for the day, and hope we can have supper together." Some day he was late coming home, but today would not be such a day. Arthur was about to continue when his attention was diverted to sounds up ahead. He looked forward, making sure Amaren remained closeby, watching a long line of people were entering through the courtyard. Curiosity flickered on his features as he stepped forward, trying to get a better look. "What happened?" He asked another civilian also watching. "People fleeing from another kingdom," he answered simply. "Seems like they lost their homes." Arthur's heart went out to them; for there were also so many. He watched them fill the streets, onlookers witnessing the sight, gazes of sympathy upon others faces.

Arthur's hands went to Amaren's shoulders to gently move him back to give the others space, urging him to go stand with his mother. As his son moved back, it was in that moment that one of the people -- an elderly women -- staggered, nearly stumbling. Arthur's reflexes kicked in as he quickly caught her, bracing her from the fall. But when she looked up at him, everything froze. Arthur recognized her. And that gaze behind her eyes . . . showed that it was mutual. Her eyes widened, an expression of wonder as he lips parted and a smile formed. Arthur felt his throat dry, locking eyes with the woman that he recognized from the marketplace of Camelot.

A crowd of people who were being stripped of all coins upon demand of further taxes. She had been one of them. In all these years, he had not forgotten her face. The face of any of them. But . . . no. Surely that did not mean what he thought it did. Realizing he was completely frozen, one of the guards came and urged the woman along. Arthur just stared at her, looking at the people walk forward. "What . . . " He felt like he could barley breathe. "Kingdom are they from?" He asked, trying to give strength to his words so that he would not sound as winded as he felt. The guard hardly looked at him as he answered. "Camelot."

[Guinevère]

Arthur pulled their son back toward her and Guinevère whispered, "Stay close," to her son, before deciding to just lift him into her arms instead. An older woman began to fall, but Arthur caught her. She noticed the look on the woman's face, but couldn't see the one on her husband's, as she stood behind him. She moved toward Arthur, and watched the people walking by. "There are so many." She whispered, having not expected this.

She hugged her son to her, grateful they lived here and not in Camelot right now. "What has happened to Camelot?" She asked one of the guards passing by. 'What's not happened in Camelot of late? The two queens fought for power, and neither cared what happened to the people. The new queen is treats most crimes as executions. People aren't safe.' That sounded horrid, and Guinevère decided it might be best if Amaren wasn't here for this. If people were suffering she would see if they needed help. Turning to Arthur she spoke in a low voice. "We should help them." They didn't have much, but they could get water enough to go around. Make sure they found a place to put up a tent, or knew whereto find firewood. "I will take our son to Rosa's and ask if she will watch him, and find you shortly."

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
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Arthur barley heard his wife's words. It wasn't until the guard began to speak, that Arthur snapped back into the present, listening to every word. Two queens?! Who was the other? Surely not . . . no. Arthur didn't understand. He could feel his eyes moistened and blinked away any sign of tears before they could properly form. He had always feared his past would come to haunt him, but to see it in the form of these poor people . . . it was too much to bare. The moment he had taken the first step out of Camelot, Arthur had felt his heart break. Truly break. And that feeling overcame him now.

He knew he had failed his people but seeing evidence of that . . . Arthur glanced at Guinevère as she spoke of taking their son to Rosa's. Words belatedly processing in his mind. He just nodded his head, unsure how to speak in this moment. Somewhere in the background he heard his son saying something but he could not even begin to respond. Not until he found out what happened. "I will see you shortly," he told her, without looking at his wife or son before he pressed forward to follow the large line of people. He needed the whole story. He needed to speak to one of them to tell him all that had happened. A full account of it. The people were in danger and it was entirely his fault.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère watched as Arthur walk away from her, as if she didn't completely hear her. "Arthur?" She called out to him, but he seemed to need to do something. Arthur's past was still a great mystery too her. She liked to to think he had found peace here, but even after over 6 years of marriage she didn't know a great deal. It bothered him to speak of it. It made her wonder if he was from that kingdom, or if he'd seem something similar happen where he was from? What else could cause his reaction to be so? It worried her, but she would ask him tonight.

It was growing dark, when she carried her sleeping son home. Laying him in his bed, she pulled off his worn shoes. Looking at the bottom of them, she knew he'd need new ones soon. They'd have to make sure to save up some coins to be ready for it. He was growing so fast she'd need to make him clothes soon too. Plus the baby some close. It seemed like a lot at the moment, but while she was staring at her son, sleeping in his bed, she know it was worth it. Besides, things were worse for the people today. At least she didn't live there, were she'd worry about her son staying alive each day. Where she'd have to flea her home in fear, with only what she could carry.

Leaning forward she kissed her con's forehead and counted her blessings. Her life was good, and she wouldn't change it for the world.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
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Arthur's mind spun, attempting to process everything that had happened. Being forced from Camelot was the hardest thing he had ever done. Mourning his father was devastating. His heart had been broken, and the only cause for it to beat again, the only reason it was mended . . . was because of Guinevère. Yet now, it hurt. To learn the truth of Catrina. Of Morgana. A sister of heart having been a sister of blood. One who had magic. One who ruled with tyranny. It was too much to bare. Arthur had spoken at length with one of the people, speaking of hope. Of the fact that one Pendragon still lived. That there was still loyalty to the exiled prince. Who . . . should be king. And what made it all worse, was that Arthur had abandoned his father when he needed him most. For surely, it had been some sort of magic that forced his father to do such things considering Catrina had apparently been . . . a troll.

Unable to face anyone, needing privacy to compose himself, he found it in the forge. And it was there that he let his emotions out. Crying for a lost father. An unknown sister. For all the people of Camelot who had believed in him, and whom he had failed. All those who died. All those who lived in fear. Everything. He sat for hours, trying to figure out what to do. To have to make a choice between the kingdom and his family. How could he abandon either? What did he do? What could he do? Could he reach out to Morgana? Would she wish him dead as she did so many others? Leaving her had been so difficult . . . yet now, everything was changed. She was different. He was different. And the people . . . they were suffering because of it. How many men, women, children died? Hearing the horror stories from the people who had fled made his heart break all over again. What had he done?

It would be hours of sitting in this silence that Arthur remained. Late into the night, until realization dawned upon him that the conversation he had been fearing to have since the day he fell in love with Guinevère . . . was now upon him. The past had truly come back to haunt him. No longer could he give her ambiguous answers. Deflect questions of his past. He owed it to her. And he feared . . . this would destroy their marriage. But alas, he had already been a coward so many times in his life. He could be one no longer. Bracing himself he made his way back to their home, opening the door and seeing her there, waiting for him no doubt. He could barley look at her, trying to find that composure he once had as a prince, when having to say something incredibly difficult. "Amaren is asleep?" He asked, knowing that it was incredibly late, but also wanting to make sure he had not woken up. This was not a conversation he wished for his son to hear. He could barley bare for Guinevère to hear it.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère hear the door open, and she walked to the front to see Arthur coming in. "Yes, I had to carry him home. He was quite worn out. Apparently, Percival helped wear him out." She held their son's shoe in her hands, and had meant to tease their son, by showing Arthur how it was wearing out but. . . there was something in his stance. In the way he held himself, and didn't look at her. "Arthur?" She said his name in question. Not at who he was, but at what was happening. "Are you alright?"

Guinevère stand the shoe down and walked closer to him, noticing his face now that she was closer and could see the details better. She had wanted to press for answers, but that would wait. She'd never seen that look on his face before. Stepping closer, Guinevère wrapped her arms around her blacksmith, and held him to her. "What do you need?" She asked, wanting to give him whatever he needed. Space, or a hug, or someone to listen to him, or for her to just be there beside him so he wasn't alone with his thoughts.

Something was happening. She could feel it in her bones. Ever since this morning he was too serious, and there was emotions she didn't know with in him. They frightened her, because they hurt him so.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
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Was he alright. That, was quite the question. It was not one he answered for he knew he was not. He had a life of over 20 years in Camelot, and a life of over 6 with Guinevère. Yet one, was not more significant than the other. Both made him who he was today. How did he truly walk away from either of them? In the depth of his heart, he always knew that one day, he would return to Camelot . . . he just never expected to return under such terms. Not that he had even decided such a thing. But either way, Guinevère needed to know the truth.

She came, wrapping her arms around him which was a comfort that Arthur did not deserve in this moment. He longed for nothing more than to hold her, and wash away all the feelings of pain and guilt that consumed him. But, he could not. His eyes averted her gaze at first. He was going to weaken if they remained like this. Finally looking at her, he forced himself to speak. "Please, sit down," he told her in a low voice, stepping from her arms, and proceeded to pull out a chair from the table for her to sit at. He walked a few steps from it, waiting for her to comply -- if she did -- for his back was turned to her. He swallowed, jaw clenching, trying to gather the courage of finally telling her the truth. About everything.

Letting a few moments of silence linger, he began to speak. "When I came here Guinevère, I was a broken man," he began to say. Though it had been so many years ago, he still recalled those feelings. Now, more than ever. Disowned. Orphaned. Stripped of all that he had known. Turning around, he looked at her, knowing that he could say these next words to her with the utmost truth and sincerity. "It is you who mended the pieces of my heart. Who gave it cause to beat again. And I hope you know that no matter what, my love for you will never fade. My love for our family, for all that you have given me, is more important to me than I can ever say." He needed her to know that. That he cherished her. He cherished Amaren. And he did not regret the life they had built here together.

[Guinevère]

Arthur pulled from her, and she felt the unease in her body. Something was wrong. He asked her to sit, and Guinevère slowly stepped tot he chair, but he had turned his back to her. As he spoke, she slowly stood back up, feling stronger standing. His words sound have good things. The conotaion was good, but the tone said they were leading toward something, and it was this feeling, these next words that made her reach her hand out to rest on the table for support.

"Arthur, you're worrying me." She told him, not sure what to make of this news. "I know something happen today. I saw the woman's face. I saw your face. I see it now on your face." His expression wasn't the one of her happy husband, This was the face of a man who was torn. Was he going to tell her his past wasn't good? Had he hurt people? Why did the people today remind him of his past? Stepping a little closer to him, she spoke in a soft (so not to wake her son) but firm tone. "Arthur, I am your wife. You say these words and they almost sound like a goodbye. Whatever has happened, are we not stronger together? Can we not face whatever it is together? You say you love me, and you know I love you . . . then let me love you. All of you. Let me help you. Please don't pull from me now." Surly he wouldn't leave! That could not be what he meant.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
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Arthur could feel her not too far behind him, and he closed his eyes as she began to speak of their love. Of how they were stronger together. Yes. It was true. He had not been able to keep his mind from sometimes wondering about how Guinevère would be as queen. He knew she would have made a wonderful one, but these thoughts were laden with impossibility. Yes. They were stronger together. But stronger in who they were as people. Not by the ranks they held for neither of them held any at all.

Arthur slowly opened his eyes, looking at her, once again speaking words with the strongest sincerity. "I do love you, Guinevère. With all my heart. Yet I fear what I am about to tell you will cause you to question a great deal." And at the same time, explain a great deal considering the ambiguity of his past. "Camelot was once my home," he told her. He had never divulged the name of the kingdom he was from. It had been too painful to speak its name and even now, it sounded so foreign to his tongue. That he had to pause for a moment; a kingdom's name he had not uttered in over 6 years.

"The people that came here today, reminded me of who I was." He paused once again, realizing his eyes had strayed from his wife's face, looking off to the distance in deep contemplation. "Who I am." His stomach was turning, his throat still dry, his heart still aching. He forced his eyes to Guinevère's, slightly tilting his chin upward. Any regal stance he had once held, was left behind in Camelot yet now . . . he spoke words that he had never thought he'd utter in such a way. "The son of Uther Pendragon. I am Arthur Pendragon, once crown prince and heir to the throne of Camelot."

[Guinevère]

"Yet I fear what I am about to tell you will cause you to question a great deal." Guinevère's hand lifted to rest over their growing child, and she wished he was sitting, but she refused to sit now. "Camelot was once my home," She'd begun to wonder as much today. Hoe reacted to strongly, and she had begun to think that it was because these people where cast out like he was. It was personal for him. "The people that came here today, reminded me of who I was." Who he was? "Who I am." He still is? Guinevère watched his face as he lifted his eyes toward her, the moment hanging between them while she thought of all sorts of horrible things that he could sa--"The son of Uther Pendragon." Who was that? He must be important if he had a surname. "I am Arthur Pendragon, once crown prince and heir to the throne of Camelot." . . .

. . . . . .

. . . . .

Guinevère only stared at him, the unease seeming to fade away, and shifting into a deeper sense of confusion. He thought he was who? She knew that she was staring at him, and not giving him anything, but her mind couldn't quite understand his words. Almost as if they were a different language. "You . . . " she couldn't even form words. ". . . I . . . " She took a step back, unaware she was even doing it, while her hand pressed into her belly and the other on the table. "What?" She could only stare at her husband, trying to understand.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
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The shock was of course to be expected. He let the words process, let Guinevère take them in. Her reaction was no less than what Arthur thought it would be. After all, to make such a claim was indeed an odd thing. So he knew he had to explain more. More of the backstory. And finally, answer all those questions she had asked him about his past, where he had previously brushed them off. He had told Guinevère that he was orphaned, that his mother had passed away at his birth so felt no need to re-explain that part. "My father remarried, a woman by the name of Catrina." Who, apparently had been a troll. Literally.

"Together, they enforced laws upon the kingdom I did not agree with nor could support. For that, I was disowned, disinherited, and banished from Camelot." It still hurt to think of it, but now knowing the true nature of Catrina, Arthur hated himself for not fighting harder. And yet, could never truly regret it all for it would mean he wished he hadn't met Guinevère. "He passed, a few months later." Another pause, for speaking of his father's death was also difficult. "I knew then, that the likelihood to return was slim. The queen despised me. Forced me away from the kingdom. And in my travels . . . I came here." To find work with Tom, and love with his daughter.

[Guinevère]

He continued speaking but she shook her head, not wanting to hear it. Guinevère didn't stop him, but nor did she made it easy for him to keep going. Her feet took another step back from him, and she looked around her home--THEIR home! Why he was saying these things? She knew he wasn't the type to lie--didn't she?--she knew he wouldn't say things if he didn't mean them but she didn't understand his words. "That is . . . No, Arthur---Arthur . . . " The name.

Guinevère remembered hearing of the scandle YEARS ago of the cast out prince, but as it had been in another kingdom, and nothing to do with the city here, it hadn't been more then a bit of news. She'd paid it no mind. Did he think he was the prince? WHY would he say he was? Pendragon. "Why are you saying this?" She asked, not believing the words. "I don't understand! You are not a prince! You are a blacksmith! You . . . " but she didn't know. He never talked about his past. He never gave direct answers about his past. "You go to work every morning. You work hard, and come home tiered. You made swords, not whiled them . . . This is who you are! You are a husband, and a father, and a blacksmith, and . . . and . . . ." She looked away from him and tried to think of something, anything to figure out what he was doing. "Please, Arthur, did something happen? Is someone making you say these things?"

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
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Arthur clenched his jaw as he watched her, not failing to notice the way she stepped away from him. The emotions on her face, evident in her tone of voice. "Because it is the truth," he said quietly, when she questioned why he was saying this. At long last, he was telling her the truth. Yet, he felt no burden lifted. For he had fully embraced his life here and now . . . he was terrified of losing it. Of losing her. He listened to her list out his daily routine, saying that he was a blacksmith, that he made swords not used them . . . that he was a husband and father.

"That . . . is who I became," he answered, his heart aching at the burden of truth that was now placed upon her shoulders. Of how he had shattered their lives that was so filled with happiness. There was no going back now. So when she seemed to be disbelieving, Arthur knew he had to give her evidence. Taking a slow breath, he reached into his pocket to reveal a ring, taking a couple of steps towards her so he could extend it within her reach. It was the official ring of the crown prince. When asked about it by his father and Catrina, he had lied. He'd told them it was in the locked cabinet in his bedroom, but in actuality, he had taken it with him. And had concealed it this entire time. "My life here is who I am," he told her, wanting her to know that this was all genuine. That he didn't regret a single moment. "But, my past has now come back." And he couldn't ignore it any longer.

[Guinevère]

"Because it is the truth," He was so damn calm and she wanted to yell and throw something! Her world was spinning and he was quite and calm! Guinevère who never cruised wanted to cringe at the word in her head, but she couldn't because right now she felt too much! Too much too fast! Arthur held something out to her, and she looked down at the ring. Reaching out she took it from him, and it wasn't until she touched his warm hand that she realized how cold her hands were. How cold she felt. All over her body.

Turning toward the table she held it to the candle for light and . . . . was that real gold?! This was the seal of Camelot! On a gold ring! The tiny details were woven in it almost screamed how much it cost! Not to mention how old it had to be! Her hand shook at she dropped it. His words sounding faint under the spinning and roaring in her ears as she could only stare at the ring on her old tattered table, made from poor wood. Her breathing grew deeper and slightly quicker. He had the royal seal. His name was Arthur. He was from banished by his father. he didn't talk about his past.

Well, he was TALKING about he NOW! "Why?" She asked, her voice low and still. The anger from moments ago hidden under the shock. She stepped back from the ring, and looked up at him slowly--yet even moving that little bit made her dizzy. "Why tell me now?" Why not when they fell in love? Or he married her? Or he gave her a son? Or when he built a life with her? Why wait until now? YEARS later?

"Why tell me now, if it was who you are?" she accented the word, but didn't give him a chance to answer it, as the anger was returning, both to her body and her voice. "And it's NOT who you are! You are not a prince! You are not a heir to anything but my father's forge! Because if you were then that means the man I love lied to since the day he met me! That my husband kept secrets in our marriage! That every time I asked you about your past and you didn't answer you were making sure I never knew who you were! That the day we had a son---" She stopped at the word son and her body drew up straight, with her eyes going wide. Her son. Their son! He'd given her a son! "Amaren," she breathed her son's name, in a whispered shaken voice, the anger once again turning to shock. The unspoken part they both knew. Amaren . . . Pendragon. If he was telling the truth then Amaren was his heir.

Both her hands moved to her belly. She would give him two . . . .

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
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OF CAMELOT

Arthur saw the ring fall onto the table, tossed onto it after Guinevère had inspected it. Her attentions now directed at him. He deserved her words, though they hurt to hear. The reminder that he had indeed kept the truth from her. That he had not made a single mention of his past. Of his rank. Or former rank. The blood that ran through his veins was royal. And . . . she knew nothing of it. Not until tonight. He just stayed quiet. Letting her speak, having no justification for withholding the truth from her. None that would ease this moment. A moment he had feared for so long. Perhaps he should have told her.

But these thoughts were futile, for he could not change anything about the past. He could only focus on the present. And . . . attempt to determine what would be their future. It wasn't until she said their son's name that well, he knew where she was going with it. Amaren, was heir to the throne. Though disinherited, those who fled here spoke of their loyalty to the true Pendragon son. Not Morgana. But him. Arthur was not even sure what to say. He couldn't deny Amaren's position, but nor would he force it upon them. Just as . . . he would never force the idea of her potentially being queen of a kingdom upon her. Arthur didn't even know if he would sit upon the king's throne. What he did know was that he could no longer ignore the plight of his the people of Camelot. "I'm sorry," he said quietly, though words filled with honesty.

"I would never . . . impose this position onto you, or our son." The position of Queen. of Prince. But, through their bonds of marriage and the blood that Amaren had, it was technically truth. He also knew there was more, and best to get the whole story out now while he had the strength to. "When I was young, my father took a fallen friend's daughter under his care. Morgana." Saying the name, a name he had not spoken for years, made his heart ache once more. He loved her. She was a sister to him, one now discovered of blood as well as heart. He paused in the fond memories of her, quickly returning to the moment.

"We grew up together. She was . . . " A support for him, and someone he had when stripped of all that he knew. "She is my sister." Saying the words felt, odd. Unfamiliar. That even Arthur's expression faltered for a moment, his brows slightly creased in the admittance of it. Saying it out loud for the first time in his entire life. "I did not know we were bound by blood until recently told. She now holds Camelot's throne and . . . " What must have happened to her to make her rule a tyrannical one. "The kingdom is suffering for it." As Guinevère saw from those who fled from it.

[Guinevère]

"I'm sorry," "You should be! You lied to your family for over 6 years!" Her voice was loud and he looked over toward where their son slept, and took a deep breath. She did not want to wake him. She did not want to be here. She wanted to wake up from this dream, tell it to her honest and good husband, and have her make a jest about him being a prince and for this to go away with their shared laugh. The had been so happy hours ago. They have held each other, and laughed, and she had thought this was her everything!

"I would never . . . impose this position onto you, or our son." Position? Guinevère's eyes jumped to his. He wasn't going to put what on her? . . . She was his wife. She was his WIFE! Wives of princes were---NO! NNNOOO! She couldn't a princess! HE couldn't be a prince and she wasn't a princess--and princes did NOT marry seamstresses! Not even banished ones! He had kept go much from her and now he put everything on her in one night! He'd lied to her for years, and now expected what? That this would make her happy? She'd never even been to Camelot!

It was with that last thought that she realized what he was saying. She wasn't the smartest woman in the world, but she could figure it out in the end. "The kingdom is suffering for it." He's been leading up to this the whole night. That was the 'why' she'd asked earlier. Why tell her now? Because the kingdom needed him. "You're leaving us," she said, suddenly feeling the panic of knowing he was going away. "You're going back." She'd said it just moments ago . . . he sounded like he was saying goodbye. He was. He wouldn't impose this on them . . . did that mean he didn't want them to go?

The need to tell him now about the baby, and tie him to this place deeper, sprang forward but she kept it back. She'd not tell him now. Not if he was leaving them. Why had she not sit when he asked her too? She wanted to sit now, but felt like she needed to be ready to do something. Stop him? Beg him?