Inn Love

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
Note: Better layout coming soon!

for the love

OF CAMELOT

Arthur wasn't entirely certain how it had come to this. The group of them had been travelling -- Morgana, Merlin, a few knights and . . . Guinevère -- when suddenly, Guinevère's horse had been startled by the lightening and thunder. The heavy downpour that came after had her horse racing in the opposite direction. Arthur did not even think about it for a moment, as he instructed the others to continue on their path, while Arthur hurried after Guinevère. Eventually, he had caught up, and they were able to calm the horse. But not before they were caught -- and drenched -- in the terrible storm. Fortunately, there was a small village not too far and they managed to find a place to tie their horses.

Arthur was at least relieved that he was clad in is hunting attire, and tried to conceal his weapon as best he could, under his travelling cloak which he almost didn't bring. Once they stepped inside the inn and tavern, Arthur took in the boisterous crowd, knowing that this wasn't exactly ideal. There were rather, unruly men in such a crowd but he supposed he could find comfort in the fact that Guinevère was not alone. "One room please," he said, taking out a couple of coins. The innkeeper told him that they only had one room available. That the storm had caused them to fill up rather quickly.

One room. Well. That . . . was interesting. Arthur looked over at Guinevère as if to check whether she was alright with that, though it didn't seem they had much of a choice. He knew that ever since rejecting his marriage to Elena, there was this unspoken promise between them. of waiting. An silent commitment they had for one another. But still. They . . . were now going to share a room, apparently. Because there was no alternative. Besides one glance at Guinevère, and he worried that she was going to grow ill, from how drenched she already was, and he had nothing dry to offer her for his own clothing was also soaked. He just hoped, judging from this place, that the rooms were at least, decent. Looking back at the innkeeper, Arthur gave a small nod. "We'll take it."

[Guinevère]

Guinevère was shaking she was so cold. And sore from the jerking of the horse after it was startled by the storm. She wondered of any of the others were having trouble. While she hoped they did, she would be glad they didn't. She didn't want to be the only one who struggled, but she didn't want anyone else in this storm. Surely they would camp, and Arthur and her could catch up once this storm passed.

Arthur. He'd once again saved her, uncaring how it looked. She knew they had to be careful, but she was glad he'd came for her. That somehow they'd ended up here. Alone.

Entering the room she was glad there was a fire going. Knowing that they had to share it, meant she'd not be able to use a warm bath to try to warm herself. Moving toward it, she made sure there was room for him as well. They were. Alone. Guinevère had tried to let him go. Knowing he had to marry a princess, she'd told him too. Been firm with him. Broken her own heart to help him make the choice he needed to make---and he decided to wait for her. The thought warmed her more then the fire. They'd not spoke of it, but it was there between them every time they passed each other or held each other's gaze. "Come warm yourself," she told him, knowing they were both soaking wet! Her tunic clung to her skin.

When he came over toward the fire, her cold fingers grasps his, as she rubbed her's over his to warm them both. Guinevère didn't look at their linked hands however, as she looked up at him. "Thank you," she whispered. "For coming after me."

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
Note: Better layout coming soon!

for the love

OF CAMELOT

Once inside the room, Arthur took off his cloak and set it to the side, spreading it out in the hopes that it would dry. He then undid his sword belt, placing it and the weapon on the table. Hearing her encourage him to come by the father, Arthur didn't need to be told twice. He made his way over to sit next to her, enjoying the warmth that the flames provided but more so . . . enjoying her presence, knowing that she was safe. It was seldom they were able to be alone without fear of getting caught. This was almost, nice. Despite the circumstances. No . . . it was nice. He knew he could not deny that.

Distracted from his thoughts, he glanced at her hand that now held his, a small smile forming on his lips as he met her gaze. She was thanking him, and Arthur wanted to assure her she didn't have to. "You don't need to thank me," he assured her, casually. As if he had not even given it a second thought -- which he had not. Protecting Guinevère was instinct; it was as natural as breathing. It was as he once told her: he wasn't going to let any harm come to her. "I'm just sorry that circumstances aren't . . . better," he said almost jokingly. "But we're safe, that's what matters." And inside, away from that horrid storm.

[Guinevère]

He said she didn't need to thank him, but she did. She would never take it for granted that he loved her enough to risk his life or her's. He'd risked his life by following her horse's mad dash through the storming country side. If either horse has stepped into a hole, they'd been killed. And she couldn't live with herself if she'd gotten him killed. "I am still grateful," she repeated softly.

Her fingers shifted over his, as she lingered there--the most she'd allowed herself to touch him since---perhaps the most she'd ever allowed herself to touch touch him. For some reason there was something in this place that allowed her to forget that things were so impossible between them. Shivering she made herself let go of his fingers, and held her's more toward the fire. Looking around the room she noticed there was only one blanket. Useless until they found something dry to wear, or their clothes dried off; or else it would be wet too.

At the end of the bed there was a small chest. Moving over toward it she found another blanket, and some thread bare sheets. Pulling the blanket from the bed she carried both of them over to the fire. She knew what needed to be said, but didn't know how to say it--they needed to remove some of their clothes, in order to wrap the blanket around them to get warm. "You should use this." She told him, holding it out, "before you catch your death."

Arthur Pendragon

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
Note: Better layout coming soon!

for the love

OF CAMELOT

He felt the immediate loss of her touch when she moved her hand from his, watching her as she made her way to the bed. He then turned his attentions back to the fire, proceeding to pull off his boots and socks, laying them in front of the fire, as he did the same with his riding vest. By the time he was done, she had returned, offering a blanket to him and encouraging him to take it before he caught his death. "Thank you," he said gratefully, eyeing to see if there was another.

"But, it'll take more than a bad storm to do me in," he said a jokingly, as if to relieve some of the . . . awkwardness of this situation. She had seen him without a shirt before, a few times. He had even held her hand to his bare chest before. But . . . this was different. And, he was trying to think of how she could get warm. So until they could figure that out, he did not yet wrap the blanket around him. "If you'd like I can . . . go downstairs so that you can properly dry off?" He offered, figuring she could at least undress and use the blanket to conceal her, assuming she'd feel more comfortable doing it without him in the room.

[Guinevère]

After he took the blanket, she noticed his shoes, and knew she needed to to the same. His words made her look up at him. Yes, they needed to get out of these wet clothes, and yes she had never undressed near a man before--even when he stayed at her home she had slept in her clothes. She'd changed when she knew he was jousting and did so hurried. Yet, this was something different. Then she was a girl who didn't want a prince to see her under garments!

Now she was a woman who felt a pull toward a man, and needed to remove her traveling clothes. "Then you'd be cold and wet too," she told him, knowing that she'd never send him out to be miserable. She looked around the room, and noticed there was no where to move behind. "I trust you," she told him in a soft voice, knowing she meant it with everything in her. "We can just turn our backs until we are done, and then use the blankets until the clothes are dry."

Arthur Pendragon

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
Note: Better layout coming soon!

for the love

OF CAMELOT

She trusted him. Though it may seem like a simple statement, it meant a great deal to Arthur. He knew she did, yet hearing the words never ceased to make his heart swell with emotion. He gave a small smile of . . . appreciation, perhaps. And he would never intentionally do anything to damage that trust she placed in him. So he rose to his feet with the blanket in hand. "Stand close to the fire," he told her softly as he crossed the room to the other side. So that way, when she undressed, even if it was just for a brief moment, she would not feel cold.

Once he was on the other side he glanced with a nod, and then turned his head. Undressing for him was quick. He merely had to lift his shirt and shroud the blanket over his shoulders. But . . . he knew it was more of a task for her. And suddenly, that awareness that she was undressing just a matter of a few feet away from him . . . made him feel things. Things that he knew were rather, inappropriate. But he couldn't help it. She trusted him, and he would not violate that. So, he closed his eyes, back facing towards her. "Just . . . let me know when you're done." The temptation to look was so incredibly strong and at the same time, he would never do anything to dishonour her. He hoped.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère was grateful that he gave her the fire. She looked over her shoulder as she moved away, and gave her a nod before turning away. She even kept looking for a moment once he had. She only turned away when he began undressing. Telling him she would undress and undressing felt like two different things. She was nervous, yet felt awake and her skin seemed to have goosebumps everywhere--and none of this felt like a bad feeling.

She pulled her boots off, and put them besides his. The sight of their shoes there (his bigger ones and her smaller ones) made her stop for a moment. There by the fire it looked . . . like something she wanted more then anything. For them to be able to be together, and things like their shoes beside each other felt normal. Perhaps one day . . .

They'd spoken of one day that once in the hall. Yet now, she wanted to know so much more. She made quick work of the rest, and wrapped the blanket around her shoulders, looking down to make sure she was covered, before sitting beside the fire, and then calling toward him. "You can come back now." To sit before the fire and warm themselves.

Arthur Pendragon

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
Note: Better layout coming soon!

for the love

OF CAMELOT

Arthur made sure to keep his eyes closed though the difficulty of it was increasing. He was a man after all. A man, in love with a beautiful woman . . . that was undressing right behind him! But still, he remained still. Self imposed darkness. Until he heard her voice welcoming back. If it was difficult not to look now, it was even more difficult when he turned to see her covered by the blanket, knowing that there was nothing underneath.

He tried not to let that hinder his composure. Years of training to be a diplomat and future king didn't help in the slightest when it came to being in love and the temptations that coincided with that. But still, he sat down next to her, trying not to stare . . . keeping a reasonable distance between them. He just stared silently into the flames before he knew he had to say something. "Feels strange doesn't it," he said with a bit of an amused tone, simply vocalizing how he felt and how he figured she must feel too. Why not voice the . . . awkwardness. Besides, if there was one thing he had learned, it was that he could speak his mind to Guinevère. Just as she spoke her mind to him.

[Guinevère]

He walked over and sat down. Guinevère looked the fire dancing before her, wanting to look at him but everything felt so . . . different right now. Her lips felt dry, so she tried to wet them; which was in contrast to her body which still felt wet from the rain!

Arthur spoke, and she smiled, looking down at her blanket covered lap. Then she laughed softly, before laughing once more. It was a good laugh, "I was thinking the same," Finally she looked at him, her lips smiling at him as if he had broke through part of the awkwardness by just speaking of it. How like Arthur, to cut right to the heart of the matter. It made this feel easier.

"Do you think this will . . . feel normal one day?" Sitting before the fire, without clothes. Since she was looking at him she could see the bed from the edge of her eye, and Guinevère's head moved back to the fire hoping the flames hide her blush. She wet her lips once more and looked back at home. She knew she needed to explain more, but they'd not spoken of it and she wanted his answer. Even if she knew how he would answer, she wanted to hear it. Needed to know that he had that hope, and the same want--that one day they would be together.

Arthur Pendragon

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
Note: Better layout coming soon!

for the love

OF CAMELOT

Arthur liked hearing her laugh, the melodic sound filling him with a sense of pride that he had drawn such a reaction from her. It made him pleased with himself. And caused his own smile to grow. He was also relieved that she too felt it. The . . . strangeness of this. She then asked him a question that caused him to fall silent. A pensive silence, and he contemplated the answer. He wasn't even certain what to say, so as always, he spoke from the heart. "I hope not," he began to say, knowing that he needed to elaborate. "Normal is what is expected." It was normal for a prince to marry a princess. For a royal to marry a royal. For a servant to marry a citizen.

"I don't want normal," he continued. His mind went back to the conversation they had where Guinevère encouraged him to marry Elena. How she told him that what he wanted was insane; and how he was happy being insane. "I want . . . " He paused, turning to loo at her while saying the words, and unsure how to finish them. Soft longing in his gaze, and the strong awareness that they had not had a serious conversation about where they were. About their relationship. "To defy what others deem normal." Meaning. He wanted to be with her. But without being so blunt about it, hoped she understood what he was saying.

[Guinevère]

"I hope not," Guinevère watched his face, and her own small slipped. Not because he feared he'd say he'd changed his mind, but because she knew this was the beginning of the conversation. The one that would explain what he meant by one day. He explained what he meant, that he wanted something more then normal. He wanted something "To defy what others deem normal." She looked down at her covered lap, and found her soft smile back. She liked that. That they were something more.

Looking back at the fire, and then finally over at him she kept her smile in place. For the moment she'd forgotten that she was sitting before a fire, that she'd been wet and cold, and that she wore nothing under the blanket. "And in this future, where normal is boring and life is anything but . . . " She paused, enjoying the idea that he had spun around them, and not sure she knew how to ask. "Is the strangeness gone?" In truth, it was almost gone now.

Arthur Pendragon

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
Note: Better layout coming soon!

for the love

OF CAMELOT

A future where normal was boring. Yes. He liked that. He knew that he did much that was perhaps not normal. Having a best friend for a servant. Falling in love for a servant. Advocating to knight non noble men. Yes. Normal was indeed overrated. He took in her question, a small smile playing on his lips as he tried to imagine this in their future. Sitting together, in front of the fire. A domestic picture yet a life that he craved so badly.

He knew it was something his father would never understand, no matter how much he longed to explain it to him. The king was furious enough that Arthur had rejected the marriage Elena. How could he possibly understand Arthur's feelings for Guinevère? But, it was as he told Guinevère . . . only time will tell. "I believe so," he told her confidently. "Perhaps, the only strangeness being the distance between us when sitting together," he said with a light tease, referring to the space between them but . . . as it was not yet the future, he knew that he had to keep that space. For her own comfort. "And you, Guinevère?" He asked, turning to look at her. "What picture do you see?" Hoping that it was not one sided.

[Guinevère]

The fire wasn't the only thing warming her here tonight. "Perhaps, the only strangeness being the distance between us when sitting together," She laughed softly, looking down, and away from him for a moment before her eyes went back to his and she held the gaze. Her fingers tightened on the blanket, but not from fear it was falling. From the knowledge that she was. More in love with him. "And you, Guinevère?" he asked, and her body warmed a little bit more from her name said so perfectly from his lips.

"What picture do you see?" Her small hand shifted and poked out of the blanket as she pointed toward the boots. His larger ones and her smaller ones stood side by side next to the fire to help dry them for use later tonight or tomorrow. "I noticed it earlier," their boots being a symbol for what she wanted. "I know it's a simple thing, but . . . I liked the idea of it being normal. Or better then normal." She teased.

Looking toward him she pulled her hand back inside the blanket she wore. She wanted to touch his slightly wet hair but that would mean taking more then her hand out of the blanket. Finally she said the words that she'd thought before, "And ever since your wedding . . . I've felt hope that once day It might be real." Or non-wedding day. He had walked out of his wedding. For her. For their love!

Arthur Pendragon

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
Note: Better layout coming soon!

for the love

OF CAMELOT

Arthur's gaze followed her direction as she pointed to the boots, and when he saw it, a smile formed on his lips. Yes. It was simple, and yet not. He knew that there was nothing, simple about them. Nothing easy. But some things were worth fighting for. So reaching a moment as simple as being able to line their boots next to each other, was one he would never take for granted. "Me too," he said softly, understanding the impact of such a seemingly simple gesture. How he longed to reach that point. He continued to look at them when she spoke of his would be wedding, and that she felt hope since that day that it may be real. She had often told him that one day, he would marry a princess. That she could not be his queen. That he should wed for the good of the kingdom.

More so out of his father's force rather than Arthur's own desire. But . . . he hoped she knew, and understood by his actions of directly defying the king, that he wouldn't. He remained silent for several moments, a conversation he had with Merlin when setting to rescue her from Hengist playing in the prince's mind. "I know I can't ask you to wait for me," he started off by saying. And, he never would. He would never ask her to wait for an uncertain amount of time. He turned his head to look at her, hoping she saw the sincerity in his gaze. "But know, that I will not marry another." No princess. No noble. No one, but Guinevère. And such a promise, such a vow, was evidence in the sincerity of his voice as it was in his eyes.

[Guinevère]

Arthur didn't look back at her right away, but instead continued to look at their boots, thinking about her words. "I know I can't ask you to wait for me," He didn't need too! She would always wait for him. He looked at her, making his next words seep into her and give her such hope that she smiled ever so softly when he said them. "But know, that I will not marry another." Nor would she. She loved him, and needed him to know it.

Which is why she held his gaze, so he would know she meant her words. "You are worth waiting for, Arthur," she began, "My heart is yours. Today, tomorrow, years from now. Whether I wait for you, or we are together it will not change." While she had loved another, she had come to see that there was different loves one could have. With Arthur, it was this love that made her love herself as well as him. She liked who he was with her, and liked who she was with him. They made each other better, to think beyond what they had thought before. Unlike other loves they weren't loud or boastful, or in born from satiation. They grew together. Slowly more every day. "You do not have to ask it of me, but I will wait for you. You will be a good king . . . and one day, a good husband." One day.

Arthur Pendragon

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
Note: Better layout coming soon!

for the love

OF CAMELOT

He was worth waiting for. Her words touched him, filled him with such a sense of pride and honour. How far they had come, from the man who she considered arrogant and rude . . . to a man she now believed was worth waiting for. She had taught him so much, and knew that he could not be half the man he was, had it not been for her. And her words that came only caused those feelings to intensify. To hear her say to him that her heart was his, as his was hers. That she would wait for him, despite not knowing how long it would take.

That he would make a good king, and a good husband. Though, he suddenly cared more about the latter, especially when it came to her. "And my heart is yours, Guinevère," he told her, wanting her to know that the sentiment was shared. "Now, and forever." No matter how long it took for them to be together. "And I promise you, the day will come." He had to believe that. "Where I would have the honour of calling you my wife." The vow made now, one he intended to keep. And as if to solidify this vow of a future together, he slowly leaned in, closing the distance between them in a kiss of promise.

[Guinevère]

He promised that his heart was her's as well; and it made her smile! It made her fell happy, and warm, and loved! HSe believed it! She believed that meant the words! "And I promise you, the day will come." She knew that it could be years from now! That it could end up being ten years from now! Yet she knew that 10 days or 10 years--she'd wait for him. She'd be sad for the life they could have had, but even more then that she would be grateful for the live they COULD then have!

"Where I would have the honor of calling you my wife." His wife! She smiled and laugh softly, the joy her eyes at his words. Then he leaned forward and kissed her! Her face titled as she leaned to met him half way! Arthur's kisses always warmed her, and made her heart beat faster--but this kiss. This kiss was different! She wore nothing but a blanket, and her whole body warmed as she reminded herself of that! Her hand slipped out of the blanket, forgetting to look to see how much it opened (though she didn't feel much of a chill, so perhaps the blanket didn't open much) and her palm touched his face as they kissed.

And it was perfect!

Arthur Pendragon

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
Note: Better layout coming soon!

for the love

OF CAMELOT

Her response was perfect, the way she returned the kiss with equal emotion. He still could not believe how fortunate he was; to be with someone who was willing to wait for him. Words would never be adequate to express just how much this meant to him. Instead, he hoped he could show her. Now, and in the future. He breathed into the kiss, feeling the softness of her hand as he parted his lips a little, deepening the embrace.

How far and few their kisses were, but this time, it was not a kiss as if it was their last. But rather, a kiss to show the hope they had for the future. The promise of waiting. The thought of being united . . . only in their hearts now but eventually, for all to know. He moved a little closer to Guinevère, moved his arm around her to bring her closer to him, somehow remembering that she wore no tunic under her blanket. But even while mindful of that, he could not stop kissing her. He tilted his head the other way, gently coaxing her mouth open with his own to continue to deepen the embrace.

[Guinevère]

Their promises seemed to have removed some unknown barrier between them. Before, every kiss or touch was light and tentative. They were real and made her heart sing . . . but they did not warm her body. They did not make her blood move faster, and a awareness between her thighs begin to awaken. She forgot to breathe for a moment as his arm went around her blanket covered body and pulled her closer. She forgot to breathe as he tilted his kiss turned deeper and his tongue explored her mouth, and her's in return.

Breaking the kiss she inhaled sharply, while look up at him, seeking to catch the breath that had been lost to her. "You've never kissed me like that before." Then again, their kisses before had been stolen ones. Born of emotion or desperation. Now they were for the promise that one day they would be together. In every day. Her fingers brushed his hair back from his face and she leaned her face closer to his, to kiss him again. The same heated open mouth kiss as he had given her before. Only thing time, she let her tongue explore his mouth as well. And he tasted like everything she could imagine.

Arthur Pendragon