The Warlord's Wife

[Guinevère]

Guinevère was born the daughter of a small town blacksmith and a maid in a knight's house hold. When her mother died they moved to another small town where her father would be the only blacksmith, thus giving them more income. Fate continued to show favor to others when her brother left town to seek adventure and was never heard from again. Later, her father would be killed when he was accused of magic that he did not use. And, as if the young Guinevère did not have enough of reason to loose her once outwardly happy persona; war came. Not in the form of great battles, but in the form of a war lord named Helios.

He raided towns and killed the weak, forcing the strong to serve him. Guinevère was spared for her beauty, and eventually Helios--who was charmed by the willingness she pretended to save her life--married her. Though, Guinevère also knew it might have had something to do with the baby she would have given him. He wanted a son. She wanted out of this life. In an escape attempt she was caught in a raid once again and she lost the baby before it could be born.

It's been three years since that night, and still Guinevère takes measures to assure that she will not give him any child. Herbs that will make sure no seed of his will give him that power over her once again. Bitter, but silent in her hate, she is trapped in this life. Wishing him dead. Helios keeps guard on her now. Both to make sure she is safe now that he is aiding Morgana in war, and to make sure she does not disappear. Helios, having grown fond of his wife and the idea of a child, waits for the day she gives him one. Guinevère, having grown to hate him, waits for the day he rots.

Arthur Pendragon

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
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Arthur could still see it so clearly. As if it had just happened a matter of yesterday. Watching the children, slaughtered. Innocent men and women. Only a few spared for their skills in combat. And . . . his mother. Attacked. Brutalized. The horrific scene burned in Arthur's mind; leaving a permanent scar. And all he could do not, was strive for the sole goal of killing the man responsible: Helios. It had not been easy, but Arthur knew he had to look at the bigger picture. He would train. He would fight. His skill as a blacksmith lending aid when it came to being useful in combat. And sure enough, the predictability of a warlord did not fail.

He was rewarded for his skill, moving up the ranks. Arthur knew he had to be patient, though his mind had become consumed with the need to avenge his mother. All lessons of honour and forgiveness thrown out the window the moment his mother was taken from this world before her time. All because of a needless violence. Through Arthur's ascent through the ranks, he had just been appointed to be the personal guard of Helios' wife, Guinevère. Many knew of her, not everyone had such access to her.

To Arthur, she was someone that Helios loved and someone he assumed loved Helios. That was reason enough for her to be a target. Helios had taken the person that Arthur loved most . . . Arthur would return that favour. He would kill the person Helios loved most: his wife. Arthur made his way to the room she was to be in, uncaring if it was hers or a shared chamber. He gave a knock, waiting on the other side to be granted access to the woman herself.

[Guinevère]

Guinevère ignored the knock. She cared not which of his minions that Helios sent this day, or the next. She wanted nothing to do with them, or this place. It was only another man proving his worth by the killing. She stood up from her bath, and let the water drip from her, as she turned to pick up a drying cloth. Once dry she dressed, forcing the knocker to stand out there more. He could knock again for all she cared. She wasn't going to hurry to please her guard of her jailer.

Knowing there was a chance the knocker would ignore her ignoring of him, Guinevère moved behind the changing screen to dress in the clothes that Helios offered. It was dark purple, a color she'd once loved and longed to wear. When she first wore it years ago she had felt named under the sheer cloth that did nothing to hide her body. Now she was used to it.

She had just pulled on her bottoms when the door opened. It angered her that Helios and the men thought so little of her that they'd just enter. "What?" She bit out from behind the screen, before making sure she was covered and walking out. She ignored him, walking instead to pour herself a glass of wine--the only thing that eased her anger.

What little it could.

Arthur Pendragon

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
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Arthur knew for this ploy to be successful, patience was key. But this, was a waste of time. Waiting on the other end for the woman to open the door, or grant him entrance. Still. He knew he had to act carefully. Cautiously. Helios held great suspicion for many -- as a warlord would. Arthur had not moved through the ranks only to fail just because he could not wait a few moments. But those moments became longer and longer and soon enough, he decided enough was enough. He pushed open the door and stepped inside, seeing the woman emerge from the behind the screen, and make a demand . . . presuming she wished to know what he wanted.

Well, this was Guinevère. He could certainly see the appeal of the woman. She was indeed a beautiful woman. Shame he'd had to kill her. How a woman could marry such a man as Helios, he would never understand. A wife who stood by his side, condoned such actions of the killing of innocent. It was sickening. But then, power corrupted many it would seem. "I was sent by Helios to serve as your personal guard," he told her, unapologetic for entering. "As he is away these next few days," Arthur added on. Probably raiding another town. Just more fuel to Arthur's ever burning anger towards the warlord.

[Guinevère]

She wanted the trow the cup at his head! More for the sake of Helios then the man. She knew that most likely he had once been someone like her, but for him to move up the ranks of her husband's army then it meant he was good at what Helios had all his men doing--killing. Ruthlessness. She turned her head to finally look at him and she paused for only a second. He was handsome. More so then the others who came to watch over and make sure she did not escape.

So her husband was gone and he'd picked this one to make sure she stayed 'safe' in her tower that she wasn't allowed to leave. Turning to face him fully, she leaned on the table and took a sip of her wine. "So he though so little of you that he would give you the job of babysitting his wife?" She asked, testing the waters for the man's loyalty. She was always on the look out for someone who could be turned, and used--someone weak perhaps that she could escape from under.

Sadly no such men were ever given the job of watching her, but she always tried.

Arthur Pendragon

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
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Arthur practically scoffed at her words of Helios thinking so little of him to entrust him with such a task. She seemed to meaning to provoke him, and well, Arthur knew he had to remain composed. He was not one to lose control or composure so often. Though he knew that with everything going on, each moment he was here just added to the building rage that would eventually unleash itself when able to confront Helios, and kill him. Or perhaps Guinevère.

"It seems you are the one who thinks so little of yourself if you consider this a menial job." If she thought it was due to a low opinion of him that Helios would entrust him with the protection of his wife. The man did not like to compromise any of what he owned; a wife included it would seem. "But, say what you will, my orders are clear." Which meant, he was not going to waver. Truth was, this would give him close proximity to her, perhaps learn more of the warlord and then . . . strike when the moment was right.

[Guinevère]

She gave him a tight smile but said nothing else right away. In truth she was disappointment, and angry! She knew that he wouldn't disobey--Helios trained his men to fear him and be loyal to death (by which they knew it was death to betray him, not that they would so willingly die for him). Even still, she always hoped that she'd find someone to drop their guard or want out as much as she did. Turning from him she put the wine down and stared at it for a moment, trying to keep her bitterness from turning to disrepair.

She hated it here. She almost rather die then let Helios touch her again yet she couldn't during herself to drink a poison and let go. It wasn't in her to give up. She needed to find a way to be free! Guinevère turned back to look at the warrior, and her eyes took in his body. She didn't hide it, she hoped that it made him uncomfortable. He looked strong, and his face had these angles that she liked on him. His eyes should have seemed too bright for his face but they just fit so well in there. "Then you can stand outside my door and twiddle your thumbs away." She told him, trying to see if he was at least dumb enough to turn his back on her long enough to escape.

Arthur Pendragon

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
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Though Arthur's gaze remained forward, he could feel her eyes on him. Not that she was even trying to be subtle. He just remained perfectly still, not daring to return the same gaze upon her. He knew nothing of the woman, and should he even look at her the wrong way, she could make such a claim to Helios. If the warlord caught even the slightest cause for suspicion, especially when it came to his wife . . . then Arthur would be dead before he drew his next breath. So he knew he had to tread carefully.

To feign loyalty to Helios while also creating some ease between them in the hopes that she would slip up somehow. Surely no woman who married Helios was that intelligent after all -- a bitter thought that remained in the former blacksmith's mind. "Now what kind of guard would I be if I let you out of my sight," he said with a slight smirk. "I shall be remaining here for the duration of his absence." He was going to be as a shadow. She had a screen to change behind, and a bed to sleep in while he would remain at the door. Limited privacy; that was the deal.

[Guinevère]

Damnt he man. She didn't like his loyalty. She hated it, and she knew she'd hate him given any time with him. Yet she had no intention of making this easy for him. "So you intend to watch me?" She asked, taking a slow step toward him with each word she spoke, "As I sleep?" She would not allow him in the room while she slept--it was awful enough that Helios took his pleasure, she would not let him do it. Though it would displease her husband to be cuckolded. That alone made her words take a turn she'd not expected. "When I bathe?"

Even though she'd just stepped out of her bath, she moved toward him and it, as if she would be climbing in once again. "While I seek comfort alone in bed?" She asked, stepping around him int he last moment to take a slow circle around him. She missed the days when this would have made her blush. Now she felt so far from the girl she'd been she doubted anything could make her feel good. She doubted anyone's touch would make her feel safe. "While I tend to the aches that grow in me?" She asked to his back as she came back around him to stand before him.

She knew that if Helios even thought another touched her he would make such an example out of that man. He'd most likely kill her if he thought she allowed it. Maybe she was playing with fire, but it was all she had left. Her father was dead. She was a prisoner of a man she hated and he enjoyed his nights with her. Slowly killing her each night he joined her. "What would your master say?!" She pretended to be surprised.

Yes, she missed the girl she once was. These bitterness, and these words should never had belonged in her mouth.

Arthur Pendragon

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
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This time, it was more difficult to keep his gaze locked in place, and now follow her as she began to circle him. Her words, the tone in which she spoke them, the way she moved around him . . . a temptress, to say the least. But Arthur stayed perfectly still, slightly tilting his chin up as his eyes remained forward. Any move, any suggestive action, any lowering of his guard, and all he had worked for would be undone. All hope of avenging those dead at Helios' hand, vanished. No. He had to be careful, and not let her words effect her.

So he could do only one thing: ignore them. Not think too deeply upon them. Yet, he wondered. If this was sport to her. Teasing and taunting men, to lure them to temptation only to make claims against them to her husband. Perhaps it was as much of a sport to Guinevère, as forcing men to fight was to Helios. Such a perfect pair indeed. When she circled back around to face him, Arthur looked at her, that same smirk playing upon his features. "Now it is clear, why Helios required a new guard for his wife," Arthur began to say, knowing he had to choose his words with caution. But he also wished her to know, that he was not going to succumb to whatever she seemed to be tempting him with. Perhaps, if his motivations were different . . . who knows.

But he was here for one purpose and one purpose only: to kill the enemy. Or in this case, perhaps enemies. "Seems you have your own games you play with the men Helios stationed in this position." His eyes remained on her, working to keep his tone composed and almost . . . casual. "Save your breath, My Lady." He now broke contact of their eyes, looking in front of him, past her. "I am not interested." In her. Well, not in the way she seemed to be teasing him with.

[Guinevère]

His words stung! She blinked, and paused for a moment--but not because they were true, but because being compared to the men here, to Helios was the worst thing she could imagine. "Do not stand there and pretend you have honor." She bit out in a low voice, her tone clearly hurt. "You play his games. You must be good at them to earn favor enough to be trusted here." To be trusted to make sure others didn't escape the hells that he favored.

Her own games? There was something about the wording that wouldn't leave her mind. Though she didn't know what. She did not play games with the men, for she knew it was her life and theirs if she did. Yet the idea of risking it all wasn't one she'd never had before. She only never had someone worth the risk.

And now, she was being accused of play with the men here as if she belonged! Yes, she knew she'd hate this one! His arrogance and his pretend honor. Helios' pretty minion.

Arthur Pendragon

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
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Honor. That composure he was striving to maintain just became a little more difficult, for the word hit a nerve. Honour. He had once considered himself to be honourable; a trait that his mother had instilled in him. But he knew that in what he was doing, what he was planning . . . there was no honour in it. There was no coming back from it. Honour had died with his mother and without it, he was nothing. He sole purpose of existence was to exact revenge on Helios and then . . . Arthur didn't know what would become of him. Without honour, he was an empty vessel. A beating heart. Breath leaving his body. Yet, without the strength of heart that his mother had raised him with.

He remained silent for a few moments, holding back the true effect the word she stated had on him. But to agree and say he had no honour here, may insult Helios and who was to say she would not report to her husband about such things. But surely, even a warlord knew there was no honour in what they did. Never the less, Arthur would not risk it. "I am good," he said bluntly, knowing he had to focus on that part of what she said. "Good enough that your teases are futile." Unlike however many other men she had strung along in her twisted games. Just like her husband. "Though it does raise the question, of how many others fell victim to your luring." A returned tease -- so to speak -- and perhaps, curiosity. How many guards for his wife did Helios go through?

[Guinevère]

Victims? She inhaled slowly but deeply at his words. He thought she had victims?! Maybe she was wrong before, maybe she still had the ability to feel things really deeply because right there there was an anger growing in her that she couldn't explain the heat from! How dare he look at Helios' forced wife and ask her about HER victims! How dare he make her anything like these people!

She could feel the churning her belly at the words! She had no victims here! SHE was the victim here! Helios had taken her form her home and then taken her to his bed! EVERYTHING had been taken from her and this . . . . this devil of a man who was no better then her husband now thought her to have victims?! "You were sent to guard the tower, not speak." She told him, anger in her tone. She wanted to hit him! She wished his mother never met his father.

Arthur Pendragon

[Arthur Pendragon]

Tag: Guinevère
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Arthur wasn't sure what rebuttle to expect from her. He did know that he was playing a dangerous game with his words, as they came out too naturally. He had to be careful. He did not know this woman but could only assume that having been married to Helios, she was just as ruthless. Instead, she told him that he was sent here to guard, not speak, and Arthur knew that was probably the safest thing to do right now.

Yet, he could not help the smirk that formed on his face as he looked at her. He had a strong feeling this would not be the last of their conversations. "Very well," he told her, taking a couple steps back, though not retreating fully. "As you were." Meaning, he was going to remain here as instructed and whatever she wished to do in her time . . . well, he was not going to take this task lightly. "Do not let me interfere with your day to day tasks." She spoke of bathing and doing . . . other things. Part of him wondered if she was bluffing, or if she really held no shame in doing such things with an audience present.

[Guinevère]

She wished he'd fallen up the steps to get here and never made it! That smirk! Had she really once thought him handsome? Now he just looked smug and she wanted to slap him. Had he not backed away she might have! Instead she turned back and walked to her table, lifting her wine and finishing it with a quick glup.

Though, it was also occurring to her that this distracted her for a moment. He was gone. HE was gone. For a few days his minion said. She'd never asked his name, and didn't honestly care to know it. Once that might have been her first question, as she believed names were important--yet if she did escape Helios would kill this man. And she didn't want to think on him after she was gone. IF she was able to escape.

She needed a plan. Would he really stay here while she slept? Her back was to him, and her eyes tilted toward the changing screen. She could up it up before the bed, claiming she wanted to sleep without his gaze on her. If he nodded off then she could try to make it. She wouldn't even take a bag, just walk out. What was the worst that could happen? Helios' men would find her and do what?! Worse then Helios had already done? He'd taken her baby! HE'D DONE THIS TOO HER!

Turning to look at the man she glared at him. "How long have you served him?" Him of course being Helios.

Arthur Pendragon

[Arthur Pendragon]

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How long had he served him. Too long. He loathed each and every moment of it, but he just had to keep in mind why he was doing it. He would avenge his mother, and all those other lives lost because of his ruthlessness and obsession with power. His greed would be his undoing. "3 weeks," Arthur said stoically. It had taken time to 'earn' Helios' trust, and to move up in the ranks. To be noticed enough to get close to the man.

Warlords hardly trusted anyone so the fast that he was tasked with this deed of guarding his wife in his absence, certainly said a lot. Arthur just hoped he could one day get close enough to him so that he could kill him. "How long have you been married to him?" He didn't know much about the man or his marriage -- nor did Arthur care to know. He inquired more out of wishing to learn just how important this woman was to Helios. So that he could learn how much of an impact her death would have on the tyrant of a man.

[Guinevère]

3 weeks. The man had known Helios for 3 weeks and Helios already put him as her jailer. Guinevère wanted to throw the cup of wine at his head, but she knew her anger this time was with Helios. Either she was too important to let go, or she wasn't important enough--his actions always spoke of both. She knew he valued her in the sense that he wanted a son. He'd never let the idea go. Maybe for the war lord, he'd never recovered from the loss of his son. Yet, she knew it was her greatest value--her ability to give him one. After years of no children, Helios often grew angry, but had yet to question it. He did try though, to give her one.

Which was why Guinevère tried to keep him from getting one. She wanted nothing to tie her to this place. Nothing of his inside her. 3 weeks. "Three years," she returned, not looking at him but rather in her wine. Three years. Three years since he'd taken her from the village. She counted that, even though he hadn't married her until she was with child. That was when he began this. Three years since she'd had to go to his bed in order to stay alive. Three years since she had stopped being able to cry.

Hating the memories she looked up at him, "Good luck lasting that long." She said, being it to be more bitter then angry; which perhaps it came out more the later. She knew his men didn't last the year. He changed them too often and pushed them too hard. She should warn him, but if he was earning favor then he was no better then Helios. Let him fall.

Arthur Pendragon

[Arthur Pendragon]

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Three years. Well, good for her. That she married a ruthless man for so long. And who knows how long they knew each other prior. Arthur had no respect for a womanw ho could stand by and let her husband do such things. Most likely support him in them for, who didn't want power? She clearly desired it, considering her position and her choice of spouse. How cruel and unfair the world was. To keep within it the corrupt and strip from it the pure . . . like his mother. "I do not need luck," he stated bluntly as she wished him so.

He had no intention of lasting that long. He did not even intend to last a year. And neither would Helios. Arthur would either kill him or die in his attempt. Either way, he would not remain here for such a long duration of time. "I have the skills to keep me in place here." He paused for a moment, a bit of a smirk re-emerging on his features. "As I am sure you have your own skills that has kept the attentions of a warlord for such a length of time." Did they not bore easily? Perhaps not, if he had a wife who kept him . . . satisfied for so long.

[Guinevère]

He must had skills to have stayed alive--and a ruthlessness to be able to kill with ease. Helios made others kill for him, and killing their friends from the same town was a common way to break them to be able to rebuild them. At first she'd cried each time more men came in, but over the years she'd had to harden her heart toward it--or slowly go mad. She'd even thought about killing him, yet she couldn't. Growing the herb to keep her from giving him a child was hard enough, and going out without someone watching her every move wasn't allowed; she she couldn't have poisoned him. His skill with weapons were too great.

It was his next words that made her body run cold--and she hadn't thought there was much in this word that could do that anymore. She wanted to order him out, but this was her life--she didn't have power here. HE was the jailer, her husband's boy toy minion. HE held the power here. And she hated him for him. Helios picked her for her face, and kept her for his ability to give him a son. How DARE he judge her, when he was just like Helios!

Taking a slow step toward him she glared at him, "How many of your neighbors did you have to kill to climb up Helios' leg so quickly?" She asked, trying to hurt with her words now. "How many men died at the end of your sword during training?" She knew to was required sometimes, many times. "Your mother must be very proud."

Arthur Pendragon

[Arthur Pendragon]

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Arthur's eyes remained locked onto her as she shifted closer, speaking of how many he had to kill. He was not proud of it; of having to fight others for survival. He already felt dead on the inside, the only thing keeping him going was the thought of bringing justice. Each men that fell, was a casualty of the war against corruption. Arthur knew he held no more honour. Such a trait had indeed died with his mother. He was a man of the sword now. A man determined to use it to rid the world of this warlord.

But it was her latter spoken words that caused him to stiffen, a slight clench of his jaw. Part of him wanted to spit out that her husband had killed his mother . . . but he knew in doing so, it could incriminate him. It could cause suspicion and this woman held no loyalty to him. Quite the opposite. They were merely throwing words back and forth at each other like daggers . . . any inkling of his true motives and she would undoubtedly report back to her husband. But it was indeed difficult to hold back. To bite the words back. To spit out that her husband that she so loved and supported, had killed so many innocent people.

So instead, he just stood still. Too still. His eyes narrowing at her, not daring to avert his gaze. "As proud as your parents must be," he retorted. "Or did your father barter you for coin, and riches, so that you could be the--" He couldn't say the word, though there were ones that many called such a woman. "Wife of a warlord." Yes. She had struck a nerve within him. As if she herself had tainted the very memory of his mother. He hated Helios for what he had done. And he hated her for whatever encouragement and support she surely must have given him.