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"You said nothing of this to me?" No. He hadn't. And he had made it a point to tell Merlin not to say anything to her either. He remained silent, knowing that right now -- especially now -- there were no words to excuse his actions. And he was not going to try to. He had caused so much damage to the kingdom, and more so . . . damage to his father. He knew now what he had longed feared: that he was an utter failure as a son. After a few moments of silence, she questioned what happened when he used the horn. He thought back to that moment, never having had expected to hear such harsh words from a man he'd admired and respected. He wanted to tell his father how much he loved him, but Uther had said what complete mess he'd made of Camelot. How did Arthur explain this? He took a few more moments to compose himself, before answering her second question.

"I used it to see my father," he explained. "I stepped through a veil and . . . he was there." And how Arthur wished he wasn't. How he wished he could take this all back. Then his father wouldn't have physically hurt Guinevère, and Arthur wouldn't have emotionally hurt her with all this secrecy. "He was there and he . . . " Arthur's composure was breaking and he knew it. He cleared his throat, trying to steady his voice. He slowly reached for her hand, holding it in his own though he wasn't sure if he was doing it more for her comfort or his own. When he felt his voice was strong enough, he continued. "He spoke of how he disapproved with my ruling as king." With, everything he had done since his father's death.

Guinevère spoke of how he had made the kingdom safe, how he had protected her . . . when it was not true. None of it was true, for this time, it had been completely his fault that she and the others were endangered. Not because of failed security, but because of who he was and what he had done with the kingdom that his father so strongly disapproved of. Part of him really wanted to believe that Uther would not have actually killed him . . . but clearly, he did not know what he was capable of. "No," Arthur said in a low whisper, barley able to be heard. Guinevère had not been safe with him . . . she had nearly died because he married her. Percival had nearly died because Arthur had knighted him. The people he cared about the most, had been put in danger and this time it was not his sister to blame, but his father.

What kind of family did he have? Clearly not a very loving or supportive one. "I um . . . " How did he explain it? Where did he begin? He knew it was cowardly to evade the subject . . . but . . . no. He needed to tell her. "I have not been entirely honest with you Guinevère." That much he knew. He would take the blame for that, just as he would for the harm that had come to her. "Merlin and I encountered a woman who was accused of sorcery in an outlying village. She did not recieve a just trial so I ordered her release." In a bit more of a forceful manner than he would have liked. "She did not survive through the night but she gifted me with something." A gift he wished he had never recieved. "It was a horn, with the power to summon a spirit of someone deceased." And Arthur had taken advantage of that.

Arthur was relieved to hear that she wasn't in any massive pain, though there was still some medicine here that would help with it, as well as a draft that would help her sleep through the next few nights -- however long it took her to recover. "Just about a day," he told her. Thankfully, Merlin and him had gotten to the spirit that night . . . for he feared to think what other damage his father would have done had he been given more time. She asked if Camelot was attacked and . . . well, in a way it had been. But not in the way she was thinking. Plus, he didn't want to overwhelm her right now with all he would have to eventually explain.

"Don't worry Guinevère. Camelot is safe and everyone is well. Apart from worried about their queen," he said, not really joking about that. After all, she was the only one who was severely wounded. "Just rest for now," he told her, not wanting her to worry or stress over the kingdom or people. She needed to take time to let herself heal. "Are you feeling hungry? Thirsty?" Anything he could get for her, as he had dismissed Rosa so that he could be here when she awoke. And with that, he wanted to tend to her as well.

There were no words to describe Arthur's emotions right now. He was hurt, confused, worried and so many other things that were difficult to vocalize. He had wanted to see his father, to tell him so many things, yet when they were reunited, it was Uther who had done the scolding; and left Arthur no opportunity to speak. Though even then, there was not much to say. He could defend his actions only to an extent, for it was clear his father would never understand what he was trying to do; what he was trying to build Camelot into. It was not the same kingdom his father had ruled over . . . it was Arthur's kingdom. One based on equality, not fear. Arthur wanted to think the best of his father . . . wanted to remember the words he spoke to him as he held him, dying in his arms. Yet now, all he could remember what everything he had said and done recently. And trying to harm those who Arthur most cared about. Even willing to harm Arthur in the process.

Percival was fine with no training, but it seemed Guinevère had taken more of the attack. It was clear his father held a strong dislike -- which in itself was an understatement -- for her . . . but that in no way made Arthur regret his decision to marry her. Nor regret his decision to knight commoners. Or create a round table to represent what he was triyng to establish in the kingdom: equality among all. After Uther's spirit was cast back, Guinevère was moved to their chambers. She had remained with Gaius, for it was safest for her there . . . yet now there were no more vengeful spirits after her. Arthur sat in the chair near the bed, waiting for her to wake up . . . knowing that she would -- as Gaius had said -- yet it would cause him great relief to see her conscious again. Besides, he had a lot of explaining to do for the one secret he kept from her, nearly cost her her life.

Arthur smiled as she went on to say how she was eager to see the kingdom, and see it with her husband. He was too. Well, eager to see it with his wife . . . not himself. But yes. He was greatly looking forward to this trip, and her excitement for it only made his own grow. It wasn't until she spoke about how her eagerness was also for . . . his touch. His touch? Was she teasing him? More like tormenting. While he enjoyed the nights of just talking to her . . . it didn't mean he didn't, need her. In more, physical ways. Which is why he always wanted to make it a point to spend time with her when they could not be physically together . . . for her to know that he would not, satisfy that need with another. Yet right now, she was speaking of things that only made that ache in him, grow.

There was nothing they could do about it though. Because clearly, Arthur Pendragon was not very good at picking up on subtle hints.He realized that he was just staring at her for a few moments, with his mouth slightly open as if to say something, yet was rendered speechless. In the end, he just ended up slightly clearing his throat. "Good weather for traveling today." Arthur inwardly cursed at his own stupid words. He just needed to desperately change the subject and not think about . . . her suggestive words. She may have better self control, but he didn't. And well, nothing could happen. So the weather seemed like a relatively safe subject. A ridiculous one, but still safe.

When the queen was settled in the carriage, Arthur briefly spoke to a few of the men before he joined her. He took his position in the seat opposite of her so that he could face her properly. She spoke of how she hoped that this wouldn't be too boring for him, and Arthur knew that nothing could be further from that possibility. "I wanted you to come on this journey so that I could spend time with you," he told her. That was one of the many reasons, but the most personal was one was so that they could spend time together; continue to get to know one another. "So sitting with you, is exactly where I would like to be." It would make this particular journey so much more different than the others where he rode on horseback . . . and didn't have the company of a lovely woman.

"I did," he assured her, not wanting her to worry about that. "Any pressing matters have been settled, and I'm sure the council can handle things in our absence." 'Our' because they ruled together. "Are you feeling better?" He asked, hoping that she was well enough for this trip as he didn't want her to feel pressured. He would have delayed it if she was unwell . . . so truly hoped that she was not pushing herself. "If you need to stop and rest, then just say the word." And they could easily take an unscheduled stop, for the queen's health was of paramount importance.

The knighting ceremony was over, yet Arthur's mind was still consumed with recent events. From what Merlin had told him, to seeing Morgana once again to -- the most shocking of all events -- which was the reunion with Mordred. And not only that, but he had saved his life. He had betrayed a woman that Arthur had thought Mordred was close to. Yet it only showed that even though closest to Morgana, could not justify his actions. A part of him still wanted her to see all that she was doing . . . to realize that he was not trying to be her enemy. Yet she was so far gone that that hope was slipping further and further away from him. One thing was for sure, he was happy to be home. His injuries were healing, as he was well enough to have knighted Mordred. But most importantly, he was with Guinevère once more.

He would always feel guilty for the pressures and burdens now upon her as queen, yet would never regret marrying her or apologize for it. Apart from his love for her, she was also a strong queen, and had strengthened Camelot in ways that no other queen would have been capable of.Right now, he was out for a walk, just trying to clear his mind and exercise his wounded leg. It caused no limp in his step, but he still did not wish to rest too much for it would only stiffen. He was making his way to the gardens -- a place that he had a greater appreciation for since being with Guinevère, for she had a love for flowers. It would have been more enjoyable for her to be present with him, but if he recalled correctly, she was with Rosa, tending to a few things.

His mind was so wrapped up in his own thoughts, that he was completely oblivious to the small footsteps racing toward him . . . until it collided into Arthur's leg. The king immediately snapped out of his thoughts and looked down to see Caitrin's son, Arthur. He was unmistakably hers, and it caused a small smile to form on Arthur's lips. He crouched down so that he was at least closer to being on the same eye level as the young child. "Are you alright?" He asked softly, gently putting a hand on his small shoulder. He looked over the boy to make sure he hadn't hit Arthur too hard. "Where's your mother?" He continued to ask, his eyes searching around to try and determine if Caitrin was near by or if her son had strayed too far from her side. "Come, lets go find her," he said, rising to his feet and extending his hand to her son, wondering if little Arthur felt comfortable enough to take it.

Her excitement was so genuine, and he truly couldn't get over that. He loved seeing her so happy, and hoped that today proved that their relationship didn't solely consist of fighting. That they could get along well. That they could be friends at the very least. Taking her hand in his, he smiled, following their guide as he took them toward the first animals they would be visiting. "As long as I get at least one of you with the giraffes, then you can have all the other photos," he told her teasingly -- though not entirely jokingly. For he was serious when he said he wanted a picture with them.

"Just let me know when you get tired, and we can break for a while." She was after all still recovering from her accident, and of course she was pregnant. He did not wish to tire her and hoped she would be honest whenever she felt the need for rest. Though she didn't seem like someone who was anything but honest. Just one of the many traits he found rather appealing in her.

Arthur was in perhaps the best mood he had been in a long time. Things in Camelot finally seemed to be going well. The kingdom was won back -- yet again -- from Morgana before her wrath could do more damage. While she destroyed crops and homes, the people were all working together to rebuild every and repair the farmland. It did not seem like Camelot would fall under a food shortage, which was all the more reason to celebrate. But it was not only from this perspective that things were well . . . for Arthur's heart was happy. And the reason was a single name: Guinevère. After all that had happened, and all they had lost -- Isolde for example -- Arthur realized that there were more important things in life, then holding on to something that was only causing him, and her pain. He had forgiven her, and proposed to her again. She'd accepted, and neither had wanted to waste any more time. After a matter of days, they were wed. It was a small wedding, only their close friends being present -- Merlin, Gaius, Elyan, Percival, Leon, and Gwaine and of course Godfrey and a couple of witnesses.

Many parts of their life would not be private, so they wanted to keep the intimacy of their wedding by only have a few people there: their family.The coronation was a different matter. It was a large celebration, though not all royals were able to come for it too was last minute -- as again, they did not wish to waste any more time. Arthur could not be happier. He had a wife whom he loved more than anything, and a queen who would be the greatest queen that every ruled in all this world. She had a connection with the people, and a kindness, compassion and wisdom that was incomparable to anyone else. And . . . she was instantly loved by all. Guinevère just had that effect on people, and he felt honored that he was the man standing by her side as husband. While he did not like to be separated from her, today he had no choice. She was with the royal seamstress and a few others -- like Rosa -- having a gown fitting. Or well, gowns. With her position, also came the need for a new wardrobe and Arthur didn't want her to feel any restriction when it came to coin. All that was his, was now hers.

While he wished he could be there to see his wife in her new queenly attire, he knew it was inappropriate. They had already broken several traditions: like her being a servant, but also . . . the fact that they shared a chamber. It was not at all heard of for a king and queen -- or any royal for that matter -- to live in the same chambers, as the queen was always given her own, but it was just yet another tradition that they were more than happy to break. But for now, Arthur was out in the courtyard, deciding to take a walk in the market, amongst the people. Everyone seemed to be in such high spirits, and he was no exception to this. He greeted a few that he passed, though the market was crowded, and wonderfully so. Yes. Arthur knew that Camelot's time of peace and prosperity were upon them. And he couldn't wait to explore it, with his wife and brothers in arms.

_{Setting: In the Camelot market
Time of Day: Early Afternoon
Timeline: After the season 4 finale
Tag: Brynn Reade}