Part 6: link


-Anticipation-

    Gwen slowly wakes, shifting in her sleep, finding, not surprisingly, that she is still in the サークル, 円 of Arthur’s arms. He had apparently allowed her to turn in her sleep at least once, as her back is now to him and he is spooned up tightly behind her.
    She blinks her eyes open and surveys the room and her mind. Regrets? None. Shame? None at all. The faint pinkish glow tells her that it is very early morning and the sun has just woken as well.
    Closing her eyes, she realizes she hasn’t been this happy in a long time. She looks at her hand, at her precious ring returned to his rightful place, and smiles. Then she looks down to see Arthur’s hand resting quite comfortably between her breasts, and she starts to giggle.
    “Hey, I’m sleeping back here,” a sleepy voice drawls behind her. “Knock off all that giggling.”
    “Are あなた comfortable, Arthur?” she asks quietly.
    “Quite.”
    “Perhaps I should ask it this way: is your hand comfortable, Arthur?”
    He flexes the impertinent hand, then squeezes gently. “Immensely.” He snuggles her closer, if that is even possible, tucking his nose into her hair as she giggles some more.
    “Too early, Love,” he complains.
    “I have always been an early riser,” she says, squirming just a little in his tight grip. “Can あなた loosen your arms a little, please?”
    “If I let go you’ll disappear. That’s what always happens in these dreams,” he says into her neck.
    She smiles at his confession, at the knowledge that he dreams of her. She wiggles again and reaches for his hand, lifting it from her breasts to キッス his fingers. “You’re not dreaming, Arthur,” she says, releasing his hand, which he immediately returns to its former location.
    “I had better not be, because this is the best one ever, and would あなた stop squirming, I am going to lose my mind,” he says as she shifts her bottom against him again.
    Her giggles are cut off abruptly when she feels him press his hips フォワード, 前進, 楽しみにして against her, pushing his erection against her backside.
    “Arthur!” she exclaims.
    He moves now, just slightly, bringing his face closer to hers, nudging her hair out his way with his nose, blowing puffs of air at it when it won’t cooperate. “He’s just saying good morning,” he purrs in her ear. “He likes you.”
    “He?” she asks, amused.
    Arthur presses against her again. “Kind of has a mind of his own. Seems wrong to refer to him as an ‘it,’” he explains casually, キス her neck now.
    She sighs and turns in his arms to face him again and immediately his lips are on hers. He kisses her soundly and her whole body tingles as it reawakens under his ardor, hot moisture pooling in her center already.
    “Did あなた sleep well?” he whispers, キス her forehead now, the small horizontal scar high in the center.
    “Yes. Better than I have in ages, it seems,” she answers, closing her eyes as he kisses her eyelids, brushes his lips carefully along her long dark eyelashes.
    “Good,” he answers, still whispering, キス her nose, her cheeks. She opens her eyes and gazes into his. “You have beautiful eyes, Guinevere, have I told あなた that?”
    “Not specifically, but I had assumed they were included in the ‘every bit of me’ to which あなた referred last night,” she smiles at him.
    He laughs. “Yes, well, perhaps it is time for specifics,” he says, smoothing her curls away from her face to キッス her cheek again and then her lips. “Your lips are simply amazing,” he mutters, taking the lower one gently into his mouth and sucking on it lightly.
    Arthur moves to one of her ears, gently nibbling the lobe before trailing tiny kisses along the edge. “Your little edible ears,” he says before sticking his nose into her hair again. “Your scent, especially in your wonderful dark curls.” He actually lifts a curl to his lips and kisses it before dropping it against her neck. His lips follow it there, immediately finding the spot he noted the night before, drawing a gasp from her.
    “Your skin is as sweet as honey,” he murmurs as he runs his lips over her skin, tongue just barely touching.
    She sighs at the feel of his lips on her neck, no longer ghosting, but キス fully, soft, moist kisses leaving her skin feeling hot and over-sensitized. He moves to her shoulder, which he bites gently.
    “I like all these new parts of あなた I’ve never gotten to see before,” he says, resting his chin on her shoulder. “And not just… those parts,” he grins at her now and she blushes furiously, pulling the sheet tighter around her chest, trying not to break into giggles again.
    “These gorgeous shoulders,” he kisses her shoulder again, “your back,” he ducks his head down and places several kisses between her shoulder blades, “your legs, your feet with their adorable toes…” his voice trails off as his lips trail down her arm, キス a path down to her hand.
    His sweetness is almost too much to bear, she thinks as she watches him cover her with kisses.
    Arthur has reached her hand, holding it in both of his. She turns so that she is laying on her back now.
    “My hands are rough and calloused,” she says, frowning now, sitting up. “They are hardly the hands of a queen.”
    The shock on his face tells her that he disagrees. “These are exactly the hands of a queen,” he says, キス the inside of her wrist before reaching for the other hand.
    “Yes, these hands have scrubbed floors. Washed dishes. Laundered sheets. Perhaps even plucked a few chickens,” he says, lifting them to his lips, キス each finger in turn while he talks.
    “But they’ve also tended the sick, treated wounds, somewhat inexpertly wielded a sword standing up for what is right and just—ow!” she flicks his nose for the “somewhat inexpertly” remark. Arthur recovers quickly, though, drawing her finger into his mouth now, sliding his tongue along the sensitive pads of her finger, making her gasp.
    He releases her finger and continues, smiling at her again. “And these hands have brought me comfort from their touch alone countless times,” he finishes, キス her palms, one after the other. “I cannot think of a better pair of hands to belong to any queen.”
    Gwen is crying now, incredibly touched によって his words. He looks up at her face, smiling but with tears rolling down her cheeks.
    “No tears now, my love,” he says softly, reaching up to wipe them away.
    “These are happy ones,” she whispers, caressing his cheek, slightly scratchy now with morning stubble.
    “I know,” he smiles.
    “And,” she sniffs, composing herself, “you forgot that these hands,” she puts them on either side of his face, “are much better than yours at starting a fire.”
    He laughs now, delighted that she is teasing him. He can’t even tease back he is so happy, so instead he kisses her, pushing her back onto the pillows again, intent on finishing the task he started.
    Kissing as much of her as he possibly can.
    “I 愛 あなた so much, Arthur,” she says once he leaves her lips again to 移動する down her neck. He slides the sheets down so that he can lavish kisses on her breasts, her stomach.
    “I 愛 あなた so much, too,” he mutters against the softness of her breasts, キス one, then over to the other, sliding his tongue around each nipple in turn, teasing them firm and taut. “And these,” he moves his hand to softly cup the breast that is mouth is not attending, “are perfect. Just perfect,” he declares, biting the nipple now just hard enough that she whimpers slightly. “Beautiful.”
    Arthur places a few もっと見る kisses on her breasts, reluctant to leave them. I’ll be back, he finds himself thinking as he starts dropping kisses on the flat softness of her stomach.
    He studies her navel a moment, then kisses it. “Now, this is a charming part I haven’t ever seen,” he muses, then lowers his head and dips his tongue into 発言しました charming part.
    “Arthur!” she exclaims, laughing. “That tickles!”
    “Oho, in that case…” he says, and does it again, slipping his tongue into the tiny crevice, preening as she squeals again.
    “Stop!” she gasps, grabbing his head now.
    “All right, stop pulling my hair,” he says, chuckling as he moves to キッス just beside her navel, and she releases his head.
    Nevertheless, he cannot resist doing it one もっと見る time, quickly, before moving on.
    “Arthur!” she jumps this time, but then he moves over to her hipbone and she grows very still, unsure where he is headed next.
    Surely he doesn’t intend to キッス me there, does he? She has heard of such things, but she always wondered if it was something that a man would actually do, または if it is all just rumor.
    And Arthur does consider it, briefly, but decides to give it a pass for now. That might be too much for her, he thinks, pressing his lips to her thigh and working his way lower.
    He thinks he can sense Gwen relax again. Wise move, Arthur, he thinks, sliding his hand beneath her knee and raising it so it is slightly bent.
    “I like your legs,” he says simply, sliding his hand on the back of her knee up along the back of her thigh, just brushing against her backside. He feels the firm small muscles, toned and strong but still incredibly feminine. Her years of hard work have rendered her slender and strong, with long lean muscles contrasting her lush feminine curves.
    Perfect, he repeats, mentally this time, as he drags his lips down her shin, his hand mirroring them on her calf.
    “Still say these are lovely,” he comments, holding her feet in his hands now, and she is shocked to see him placing gentle kisses on her toes, as if they truly are as lovely as he says they are.
    Her eyes drift closed as she feels him knead the tiny muscles of her feet for a few moments before キス his way back up her other leg, now climbing over her as he works his way up.
    “If あなた want to flip over, I’ll see to that side, too,” he says just before capturing her lips with his for a delving kiss.
    “I don’t think…” she manages between his kisses and her giggles, “…that will be entirely necessary.”
    “If you’re certain,” he answers, and she cannot really tell if he is teasing her または not now. Would he really キッス my backside if I presented it to him? she wonders, but somehow she knows what the answer is, and makes a mental note to watch out for just that occurrence. He can be sneaky.
    “Yes, I am certain,” she says, “you’ve quite thoroughly claimed your territory, my lord.” She smiles at him and runs her hand down his chest now.
    “Is that what あなた think I was doing?” he asks, hovering over her, his nose just an inch from hers.
    She shrugs. “I was teasing, but あなた have to admit…”
    “Guinevere, I am yours just as much as あなた are mine, Love. Every part of me belongs to you. Even the bits あなた might not want.” He smiles that slightly goofy, slightly lopsided smile at her now and she can do nothing but pull his face back down to hers and close her lips over his.
    Gwen feels him lower his hips slightly, nudging her with his shaft. Asking.
    “Yes, Arthur,” she whispers against his lips, and her hand automatically moves in 検索 of him.
    She finds him and he groans as her hand instinctively grasps and slides, and as he lowers his hips further, she widens her legs and the tip of him slides against her folds.
    “Oh…” she moans, purposely moving him against her again.
    “Oh…” he echoes, もっと見る of a grunt, and Gwen realizes that the motion is pleasurable for both of them.
    So she does it again, and he groans.
    “Guinevere, I can’t…” Can’t even finish my sentence.
    But she understands, and positions his manhood at her opening. He plunges forward, swiftly but gently, finding his ホーム in her warmth.
    Gwen was expecting to be sore after last night, after having done this so recently, but she is pleased to discover she is not, and she sighs a blissful sigh as he finds his rhythm over her. She slides her hands up his chest and around his shoulders, pulling, needing his kisses.
    Arthur obliges, lowering himself down to grant her what she wants, キス her deeply, sweeping his tongue inside her mouth. Gwen finds her legs wanting to curl around him, wanting to pull him closer.
    Will he find me wanton? Will he like it? she debates a moment, then all the things he has 発言しました come flooding back to her. No place for propriety in the bedchamber. Only pleasure here.
    She hooks one leg around his hip, and he tears his lips away from her to grunt her name, and it comes out as both a curse and a prayer.
    She follows it with the other, hooking her feet together loosely behind him and now he curses in earnest, leaning back some and gripping her thighs, adjusting his position now, kneeling as he thrusts into her, gazing down at her small body as it arches unconsciously, her hips meeting him thrust for thrust.
    Gwen opens her eyes and sees him watching her, and there is such 愛 and desire in his expression that she feels no embarrassment at her wanton display, no shame at his eyes on her naked body.
    This is exactly how it should be.
    Arthur sees her watching him now, and all he can think of is how wonderful she is and how wonderful this moment is.
    He slyly releases a thigh with one hand and moves it to stroke that nub between her folds, and she nearly shoots from the bed.
    “Oh!” she exclaims, her hands thrown over her head now in absolute abandon.
    The feeling of flying overcomes her again, and she realizes that the panted breaths and soft cries are coming from her own throat, but she doesn’t care. The air sizzles between them. Her skin feels hot and cold. She feels like she is going to explode.
    Then she does, in a シャワー of invisible sparks and Arthur’s name, and her hands clutch the bedclothes, almost ripping them free.
    Arthur almost laughs with his joy as he releases into her, flooding フォワード, 前進, 楽しみにして in a rush, clutching her hips, hoping somewhere in the very back of his brain that he won’t leave marks there.
    Gwen unwinds her legs from around his waist and he drops carefully down over her, catching himself on his hands so that he can キッス her again before gently disengaging himself and rolling beside her, pulling her with him.
    “You really are incredible, do あなた know that?” he asks her.
    “And あなた are a very naughty man,” she deflects his compliment.
    “What makes あなた say that?” he asks, trying to act innocent.    
    “Well, it’s morning, for heaven’s sake. The sun is out and everything.”
    “So?”
    “So… we shouldn’t be… it’s not…” she stammers, realizing that her arguments are ridiculous.
    “Not proper?” he asks, that teasing glint back in his eyes again.
    “Hush,” she says, burying her face in his chest.
    “Guinevere, do あなた remember what I 発言しました last night?”
    “Yes,” she giggles, giving up, tucking her head back into his shoulder. She settles in against him, even throwing her leg over his to make herself もっと見る comfortable.
    “I could stay right here, like this, with you, forever,” Arthur says, brushing her hair back away from her face.
    “Me too,” she sighs, reaching up to her hair now herself. “Ugh. It is going to take forever to comb this out. Normally I braid it for sleeping so it doesn’t tangle.”
    “Sorry,” he chuckles. “Next time, I guess.”
    She can only chuckle with him at this statement, but then something occurs to her. He really seemed to know what he was doing…
    “Arthur?” she asks quietly, not looking up at him.
    “Yes, love?” He asks, tracing curlicues on her shoulder with his fingertips.
    “Um, I don’t know how to ask this, and I probably shouldn’t even do, but…”
    “You can ask me anything あなた like,” he says, intrigued now.
    “Well, I don’t even know how to phrase it… um…”
    “You’re wondering how many women I’ve bedded,” he guesses.
    She nods, still not looking at him.
    “Two,” he 回答 quietly. “Both a very long time ago. Neither noteworthy.”
    “How long ago?” she whispers. I do not think I want any further details.
    “Before I was named Crowned Prince. Honestly, Guinevere, since I woke up from being bitten によって the questing beast, the only woman I have been interested in has been you.”
    She lifts her head now and looks at him. “You’ve been, um, interested in me for that long?”
    “Yes,” he bends his head down and kisses her. “I know あなた 発言しました something to me while I was unconscious, something that helped bring me ’round. Kept me alive. Then when あなた were so evasive when I asked あなた about it, all that did was intrigue me. もっと見る than I realized at first.”
    “Oh?”
    “I started dreaming about you. Not every night, but on nights where I was happy, content, relatively free from worry, あなた would visit me in my dreams.”
    “I would?”
    “Yes,” he says, キス her again. “And once I kissed you, well, then あなた were there almost every night, and some of those dreams were quite interesting, indeed.” He skims his hand down her side and squeezes her backside. “They weren’t all that way, though, because after that I would dream of あなた when I was troubled.”
    “Really? Did I… help you? In your dreams?”
    “All the time.”

xXx

    “So?” Merlin asks once he finally decides it is late enough to make an appearance. He takes the daring initiative to bring lunch to Arthur’s chambers. Lunch for two.
    “So what, Merlin?” Arthur asks, helping himself to a slice of Frida’s cheese immediately.
    “So when will the wedding be?” he asks, nodding at the ring on Gwen’s finger.
    “As soon as possible,” Arthur says, reaching for her hand. “This evening, if I have my way.”
    “Tomorrow, Arthur,” Gwen says, placing her hand over his. “Or the 日 after, if あなた wish to invite anyone from outside the kingdom.”
    Arthur scowls. “I’d summon Geoffrey right now and have him perform the ceremony right here if you’d let me,” he complains.
    “What’s the big rush, Arthur?” Merlin asks, deciding wisely not to add you’ve already had your wedding night.
    “I’ve waited too long already. I waited too long to ask for Guinevere’s hand in the first place. Camelot needs its queen. I need my queen.”
    “Arthur, you’re 芝居 like a petulant little boy,” Merlin says, rolling his eyes and walking away.
    “Love, あなた cannot deny your people their royal wedding,” Gwen says. “There are so few, あなた know.”
    Arthur sighs. “Of course あなた are correct. So, then, now the 質問 is do we send out a few invitations? I should like to invite クイーン Annis, actually.”
    “Then that is what we shall do,” Gwen says, patting his hand and then removing it to reach for her goblet. “And what of Princess Mithian?” she asks carefully.
    Merlin almost drops the armload of clothes he has been gathering.
    “What… of her?” Arthur asks slowly.
    “She should be invited as well, I think. It would be a thoughtful gesture, after what あなた put her through.”
    “You… あなた know about her? About…” Arthur pales, then reddens as his mortification turns to anger. “Merlin!”
    “Arthur, it’s all right. He did not intend to tell me. And I dragged the details out of him, actually.”
    “All of them?” He shoots a dagger-filled look at Merlin, who looks properly sheepish.
    “Yes. And while I’m not exactly thrilled that あなた went in 検索 of a wife – political または no – so soon after banishing me, I cannot fault あなた for attempting to 移動する on with your life,” she says, her voice almost a whisper.
    “Well, the attempt failed quite spectacularly anyway,” he says. “I am only grateful that she accepted my rather paltry apology and consolation prize of some, let’s face it, useless lands.”
    “All the もっと見る reason why she should be invited.”
    “She did say that she wants to meet you,” Arthur allows. “She was very curious about you.”
    “Merlin did mention that,” Gwen says, looking over at the still-motionless Merlin. “He won’t kill you, don’t worry. I won’t let him,” she tells him, and the servant relaxes.
    “Merlin,” Arthur says, turning to the other man, “go draft up a couple invitations and send messengers immediately.” He waves his hand in the direction of his desk, indicating that Merlin should use it. “And post banns and… oh, just handle it, will you?”
    “Yes, Sire,” Merlin says, smiling now, happy to have something to do that doesn’t involve cleaning something. He drops the bundle of clothes on the トランク at the foot of Arthur’s ベッド and heads for the desk.
    A soft knock comes at the door. Timid, almost.
    “Come,” Arthur calls, and Frida opens the door and steps shyly inside. She has a basket over one arm.
    “Frida!” Gwen exclaims happily.
    “Gven, あなた are happy. Dat makes me happy,” Frida smiles, then looks at her basket. “I… I bring あなた fresh clothing. Cannot have あなた vearing the same ting as yesterday, now.”
    Gwen smiles at her friend’s thoughtfulness. “Thank you,” she says, standing.
    Much to her surprise, Arthur stands when she stands. Respectfully. As if she were a lady. He lifts her hand to his lips before letting her follow her friend over to his privacy screen.
    “Frida,” Arthur calls after them.
    “Yes, my lord?”
    “This cheese? Best I’ve ever had.”
    “Tank you, Artur,” she says, remembering that she is allowed to address him によって name. She beams brightly as she ushers Gwen behind the screen to help her change.
    Arthur finishes his breakfast, smiling to himself as he listens to the soft chattering of Gwen and Frida across the room. It occurs to him that Frida probably already knows what happened last night, but he finds that he truly doesn’t care. She probably knew about it before I did, he thinks, picking up an 林檎, アップル now and biting into it noisily.
    “Arthur, will あなた come read these and sign them?” Merlin calls, and Arthur stands, sauntering over, carrying his apple.
    He scans the parchments. “Nice work, Merlin,” he says, taking the quill from his servant’s hand. He dips it in the ink and then signs his name on both. Then he pulls out the sealing wax and seal, sets them on the 机, デスク for Merlin, and wanders away again, towards the screen.
     “I hear あなた prowling, Artur,” Frida’s voice comes drifting out from behind the screen.
    Damn, she has good ears. I will have to make sure to warn Percival.
    “I wasn’t going to…” he starts, but gives up when he hears Gwen laughing at him now.
    “Just because あなた have already seen everyting doesn’t mean あなた get to peek.”
    “Frida!” Gwen exclaims, but she is still laughing. Arthur stands dumbfounded, blinking, wondering if he heard her correctly. A clattering off to one side of the room caused によって Merlin having nearly spilled ink all over the 机, デスク confirms that his ears were not deceiving him.
    “I’m already dressed, anyway,” Gwen says, coming out in a lovely blue dress, in a darker shade than she normally wears.
    “Guinevere, あなた look beautiful. Is that new?” Arthur steps over and kisses her cheek.
    “Yes. It was almost done. Frida finished it last night for me.”
    “Ya, since I had no one to talk to…” she says, teasing Arthur yet again.
    “Frida, あなた are playing with fire,” Merlin calls, trying not to laugh, wondering how far Arthur will let her go before losing it.
    “The way I see it, Merlin, the king is in a good mood. And rightfully so. I do not tink I am in any danger. Am I?”
    Arthur laughs. “No, Frida, and you’re right. It has been too long since I’ve been this happy,” he says, gathering Gwen into his arms.
    “I have been vatching you, my lord, during my time here,” Frida says, suddenly serious. “I do not alvays know all the vords that are 発言しました around me, so I have developed skill for learning about people によって vatching dem. あなた are a good man, Artur. Good king. あなた have a very good sense of what is just and right. Your ハート, 心 is true, but あなた do not alvays listen to it.”
    “Thank you, Frida, and you’re right. I don’t always, and I should more.”
    “Dat is one of the reasons vy あなた need Gven, Sire. She holds your heart.”
    “One of many reasons,” Arthur says, looking down at Gwen.
    Merlin clears his throat pointedly.
    “Yes, Merlin?”
    “What of King Olaf? Should we not invite him?”
    Arthur groans, throwing his head back. “You know what? We haven’t had any 最近 dealing with Olaf, and his kingdom is quite a distance. I do not think we are obliged to invite him, even if the messenger could make it in time.”
    “Not to mention the fact that Vivian may still be enchanted,” Merlin mutters, picking up the two parchments to go in 検索 of two fast and fearless messengers.
    “Shut up, Merlin,” Arthur shoots back at him as he passes. Merlin just continues grinning.
    “Arthur, I think Frida and I should be paying a visit to the royal seamstresses, don’t you?” Gwen looks up at Arthur.
    “I honestly don’t care what あなた get married in,” he says, giving her a grin that tells her exactly what he’d like to see her wearing.
    She makes an exasperated noise and pushes his chest. He holds her tight, her efforts barely budging him. “We’re going anyway,” she says, and he sighs and releases her.
    Gwen looks down and sees he is still clutching his half-eaten apple. She lifts itm to her mouth, taking a bite from the フルーツ in his hand.
    “Enchantment?” Frida asks.
    “I’ll tell あなた about it on the way,” Gwen says, chuckling as the two women walk out.

xXx

    The days pass in a whirlwind, yet they seem to drag. Arthur and Gwen don’t get to see enough of each other, stealing moments here and there as they pass. Gwen has stubbornly insisted on sleeping in her own ベッド the 次 night, though her things are gradually being moved into Arthur’s chambers, which he insisted they share instead of keeping separate quarters.
    “You’d never be in there anyway, and the ベッド would be completely unused,” he explains while Gwen laughs at his thinking that he needs to convince her.
    Elyan has stopped his night patrols and so Gwen sees もっと見る of her brother. He grabs her the morning before the wedding as she hurries past on her way to yet another dress fitting.
    “Gwen, do あなた have a moment?” Elyan calls, falling into step beside her.
    “Just one, talk while we walk,” she says, taking his arm.
    “Goodness, I forget how fast あなた can walk,” he comments. “Gwen, I was wondering…” he starts, then pauses.
    “Yes?”
    “Who is going to be escorting あなた down the aisle tomorrow afternoon? I know I don’t deserve the honor, and if you’ve already asked Gaius, I completely understand, but—”
    “Elyan,” she interrupts. “Yes, I would 愛 for あなた to be my escort.” She stops and turns to face him. “I haven’t been able to find あなた to ask you. Of course I want you. You’re the only family I have left, silly.”
    “Thank you,” Elyan says, hugging her tightly. “I 愛 you, あなた know that, don’t you, Gwennie?”
    “I 愛 you, too, Elly.”

xXx

    “Gven, ven あなた are qveen…” Frida asks shyly. The wedding is tomorrow, and Gwen had again insisted on sleeping in her little house on this last night. She and Frida are tucked in, sharing secrets in the dark. For what could be the last time.
    “Yes?”
    “May I be your maidservant?”
    “No,” Gwen answers, and she thinks she can hear her friend’s sweet face falling.
    “Frida, when I am queen, あなた will によって my lady-in-waiting,” Gwen says.
    “Vat is dis lady-in-vaiting?”
    “It means that あなた will be my… assistant. Companion. You’ll assist me with my duties, keep my appointments in order, be my confidante. That kind of thing.”
    “Confidante?”
    “Someone I can talk to, tell my troubles to, share secrets with. So that will be no different,” she smiles.
    “But surely あなた can confide in Artur, yes? He vill be your husband, after all.”
    “Well, of course, but it is not the same. Sometimes あなた need a lady’s ear, あなた know. A sister. And besides, what if it’s Arthur I need to talk about?” she asks, chuckling impishly.
    Frida laughs, and mulls this over a moment, excited and proud that Gwen would honor her so. “So, it is like Merlin is to Artur, except Merlin is still a servant,” Frida says.
    “Well, sort of a mixture between Merlin and Sir Leon,” Gwen smiles, vowing to do something about Merlin. He deserves a better position. “It is a position 与えられた to a Lady of the court, Frida.”
    “But…”
    “I’m a commoner, too, remember?”
    Gwen suddenly finds herself tackled によって her dear friend as Frida leaps across the small 宇宙 to thank her. “Tank you, Gven. I am… honored. And someting else…”
    “Overwhelmed?” Gwen asks, laughing as Frida returns to her bed.
    “Ya. Too much emotions.”
    “And Frida,” Gwen says, smirking, “if あなた are a Lady, that means there will be absolutely no problem at all when あなた decide to let Sir Percival court you.”
    “Vat do あなた mean, ‘ven?’ I haven’t decided yet,” Frida protests, grateful that the dark will hide the color she feels rising to her cheeks.
    “Frida,” Gwen says, not convinced at all. “I was talking with Percival yesterday. He called me ‘Gven’ at one point in the conversation.”
    Frida covers her giggles with her hand. “Ve have been talking a lot,” she confesses. “He visits me in the dairy almost every 日 now.”
    Gwen looks over at Frida, silhouetted in the dark. “You’re playing hard to get!” she exclaims suddenly.
    “Vat?” Frida actually feigns innocence.
    “You’re stringing him along to draw it out, make it last longer,” Gwen says, smirking.
    “All right, I am!” she admits. “It’s just dat… it’s been unhappiness for so long, and I’ve never really had a man court me properly…”
    “Frida, あなた don’t need to explain,” Gwen chuckles, reaching across to squeeze her friend’s hand. “Just… don’t draw it out too long または he may lose interest.”
    “I do not tink I have anyting to worry about,” Frida grins.
    Gwen pauses a moment. “Probably not.”
    The two women lay silent for a few minutes, and just as Gwen’s eyelids start to drop, she hears Frida.
    “Gven?”
    “Yes?”
    “I’m going to miss dis. Our bedtime talks in the dark.”
    “Me too.”
    “I 愛 you, my sister.”
    “I 愛 you, too, Frida.”

xXx

    The morning of the wedding, クイーン Annis arrives in the courtyard, riding tall and proud atop a magnificent black horse, a small retinue of knights accompanying her. Arthur and Gwen are there to greet her, waiting on the steps until she dismounts.
    Arthur then escorts Gwen forward, striding toward the visiting Queen. “Queen Annis, I am honored, we are honored that あなた could 登録する us today,” he greets her, extending his hand. She places hers in it and he lifts it to his lips, キス it respectfully. “May I present my betrothed, Lady Guinevere of Camelot.”
    Gwen curtsies to the queen. “It is a pleasure and an honor to meet you, my lady,” she says. When she looks up she catches sight of Makeda standing behind Annis out of the corner of her eye, and she has to hold back the urge to run and hug the girl.
    “The honor is mine, Guinevere,” Annis says, smiling at her. “I am pleased indeed to find that our young king here was bold enough to follow his own ハート, 心 to its correct destination,” she says archly smirking at the king, implication plain in her voice. When he does not follow his heart, it leads to the wrong places.
    “Thank you, my lady,” Gwen says. “And please, my フレンズ call me Gwen. It would make me very happy if I could count あなた among them.”
    “Of course, Gwen,” Annis smiles at the girl. She is bold. Not afraid to speak. She will be good for him.
    “We have prepared some of our finest accommodations for you, your highness,” Arthur says, smiling, overjoyed that Annis approves of Gwen, but not really understanding why this makes him happy. “Your highness,” he offers his free arm to the queen, and she takes it.
    They are just about to start for the 城 when Gwen glances over her shoulder again at Makeda. “Arthur?” she squeezes his elbow and he pauses, following her line of sight.
    He recognizes the maid immediately and nods, patting her hand once. Gwen scurries back and when Makeda hugs her tightly, Gwen knows that the other woman has been equally eager to greet her.
    “I’m glad あなた could come along,” Gwen whispers. “Are あなた happy in Caerleon?”
    Makeda releases her and smiles down at her. “Yes, very. The クイーン is a wonderful mistress,” she says, and they start to walk, following Arthur and Annis. “I do almost nothing, actually,” she laughs, and it is a loud, throaty laugh that makes heads turn. Gwen has to laugh with her, it is so infectious.
    They enter the 城 and Frida intercepts them, just returning from her own hurried meeting with the seamstresses.
    “Makeda!” she exclaims and rushes to them, hugging Makeda, who is nearly as tall as Frida is.
    Arthur glances behind him at the three women reuniting and chattering away, then looks at Annis. “They’ll catch up,” he shrugs, and continues leading the chuckling クイーン to her quarters.
    “Frida, I am so happy to see you,” Makeda says, holding the other woman at arms’ length. “You look like あなた are faring quite well,” she says.
    “I could say the same of you,” Frida laughs. “Qveen Annis is a good mistress?”
    “She’s hardly a mistress at all. I am もっと見る of a companion than a maid,” the women are so busy catching up that they forget to 移動する their feet. “Yes, I help her dress and fix her hair, but I do little else,” she smiles at Gwen. “I am very grateful to your future husband, Gwen. We all are.”
    Gwen smiles. “Yes, even me.”
    “My lady…”
    “Tell me,” Makeda presses, “is it true that Helios is dead?”
    “My lady.”
    Gwen glances at Frida, who nods, understanding Gwen’s reticence. “Ya. Dead and gone. His men all dead または fled, too.”
    “Gwen!” Leon finally gives up at trying to address her properly.
    She turns. “Oh! I’m sorry, Sir Leon, I’m not accustomed…”
    “It’s all right, but the party from Nemeth is nearly here!” the tall knight explains hurriedly. “The scouts got confused after Caerleon arrived, thinking that was it. Now the princess is probably at the gates and where is Arthur?”
    “Leon, calm yourself,” Gwen laughs, then looks. Arthur and Annis are nowhere to be seen. “They probably went on ahead to Annis’ rooms,” she says, then looks at Frida. “Frida, will あなた take—”
    “Ya, I know vat to do,” Frida interrupts, taking Makeda’s arm. “Come, I 表示する あなた to your mistress and tell あなた all about Helios’ vonderfully horrific death,” she says to Makeda, then back over her shoulder to Gwen, “I vill tell Artur about Nemeth guests.”
    “Thank you!” Gwen calls back, then takes Leon’s arm and lets him escort her out to greet the princess.
    Only when she sees the party enter the courtyard does she realize what she’s doing.
    I’m greeting the princess that Arthur almost married. The princess he threw over for me. And I’m greeting her without Arthur.
    Suddenly she notices that she is gripping Leon’s arm rather tightly, the リンク of his chainmail digging into her fingers.
    “Gwen,” he says quietly, “relax. She’s really very nice, honest.”
    “I know, but…”
    “Too late, come on,” he says, stepping forward.
    Gwen is transfixed, watching the party approach, the princess in the center of a group of veiled knights. She finds the fact that she can’t see their faces a little unsettling, actually, but it is nothing compared to her conflicted feelings at seeing Princess Mithian.
    “Last time she arrived she was clad all in white and veiled as well,” Leon tells Gwen quietly, leaning over so she can hear him. “Of course, it was lace, not mail,” he chuckles.
    This time the princess is wearing a ガウン of soft pine green, warming her pale complexion and complementing her dark hair and eyes. Gwen glances up at Leon, still uneasy, and finds herself a little perturbed at his calm demeanor.
    What is keeping Arthur?
    Leon strides フォワード, 前進, 楽しみにして and helps Mithian dismount, reaching up for her and lifting her down easily.
    “Welcome to Camelot, my lady,” he says politely. “I must apologize, the king is detained at the moment. クイーン Annis of Caerleon arrived just moments ago, and he is still seeing to her.”
    “Thank you, Sir… Leon, correct?” she asks, looking up at him.
    Leon smiles, pleased that she remembered his name. “Yes, my lady, Sir Leon,” he says, then turns and guides her towards Gwen. “May I present Lady Guinevere of Camelot,” he introduces the two women. “My lady, Princess Mithian of Nemeth.”
    Gwen holds out her hand to the princess, willing it not to tremble. “I am honored to meet you, my lady,” Gwen says, smiling warmly – she hopes – at the princess.
    Mithian takes Gwen’s hand and squeezes it, smiling back. “And I am humbled to meet you,” she answers.
    Gwen is surprised at her answer, but the princess says it so kindly, almost complimentary, that she cannot help but smile.
    “I am pleased that あなた could make the journey on such short notice, Princess,” Gwen says. “Things have been happening rather quickly around here, and…” she stops talking when she sees Leon and Mithian’s eyes raise, looking behind her.
    She turns and sees Arthur jogging towards them.
    “Princess Mithian, welcome,” Arthur says, joining them. “I apologize for my tardiness, I…”
    “It has all been explained to me already, thank you, Arthur,” Mithian says. “Sir Leon and Lady Guinevere have been most hospitable in your absence, I assure you.”
    “Please, do call me Gwen,” Gwen tells her, turning back to her. “As I was saying,” she says, grinning impishly at Arthur, “the last few days have been a flurry of activity, but we do have your rooms prepared if you’d like to freshen up and rest from your journey.”
    Mithian glances at Arthur, interested at how Gwen still wished to finish her thought and did not defer to the king. If this is how she behaved while a servant under Uther, I’m amazed that she yet lives, Mithian thinks.
    “Yes, Gwen, I would like that very much,” she says. “And please call me Mithian,” she adds, smiling at Gwen.
    Arthur releases the breath that he didn’t realize he was holding. “My ladies?” Arthur steps フォワード, 前進, 楽しみにして again, intent on escorting both women.
    “Sire, if I may offer my services as escort?” Leon speaks up, almost bashfully, offering his arm to Mithian.
    “Um,” Arthur looks puzzled a moment at the irregularity of the suggestion, and from Leon of all people, but then Gwen nudges him. “Yes, thank you, Sir Leon.”

xXx

    They all lunch in the great hall, Arthur, Gwen, Annis, Mithian, Frida, and the knights, with Merlin and Makeda attending. Annis and Mithian have met once または twice and exchange pleasantries, Annis asking after the king and クイーン of Nemeth.
    “My father’s health continues frail, unfortunately,” Mithian tells her. “Else they would have joined me on the journey. Mother won’t leave his side. My older brother Audric has been 芝居 as regent for many months now, in fact.”
    “I am sorry for your father. He is a good man,” Annis says, patting the princess’ hand.
    “And how fares the crowned prince of Nemeth?” Annis asks. “Has he yet taken a wife?”
    Mithian chuckles. “No, they’re either too tall または too short または not important enough to the kingdom または too plain, または too…” she trails off, shaking her head. “It is only because my father’s health is so frail that he allows Audric to be so capricious.”
    “How is Nemeth’s relationship with Gawant?” Arthur asks, joining the conversation.
    Mithian turns to him, puzzled. “Almost nonexistent, my lord, but what does this have to do with…” She looks over and sees Annis smiling into her goblet, obviously understanding where the king is going with his question.
    “They are a good ally to have,” Arthur says. “Godwin is a good king with a wise head on his shoulders, and I believe his daughter has not yet been spoken for. Your brother might consider reaching out to them.”
    “Is that so?” Mithian asks, inclining her head. “I never figured あなた much for a matchmaker, my lord.”
    “She just came to mind, that’s all,” Arthur says noncommittally, hoping that Mithian isn’t noticing the few knowing looks and smirks being passed between several others at the table.
    Talk turns political, so Gwen takes her opportunity to watch and listen a bit. She notices that Frida and Percival can’t keep their eyes off one another, Frida blushing into her goblet on もっと見る than one occasion. Gwaine notices this as well, and starts flirting with Frida, just to irritate Percival.
    Unfortunately, Frida doesn’t notice Gwaine’s attentions and Percival nearly stabs the other knight in the hand for his efforts. Gwen stares down both men like they are her naughty children until Gwaine looks sufficiently contrite and Percival smiles sheepishly at her.
    Elyan sees this and laughs.
    Once または twice Gwen thinks she catches Mithian stealing glances at Leon, who appears to be sitting a bit straighter than usual. He’s even planted himself between Elyan and Gwaine rather than 次 to Percival, as is his usual habit. So he looks taller.
    Gwen chuckles, looking down at her plate while Arthur and Annis discuss various neighboring kingdoms and Helios’ fortress and what is to become of it.
    “I sent a party out to claim anything of value, obviously,” he says.
    “Yes, あなた did conquer the fortress, the spoils are your right as king,” she agrees.
    “There were many very interesting documents I should like to 表示する you, if あなた have a few moments after lunch,” he says.
    “Oh? Surely あなた should be preparing for your wedding,” she says.
    “This won’t take but a moment,” he says, looking at Gwen, whom he just noticed is giving him one of those looks. “Just some rather interesting plans I found. The brute had several irons in the fire, it seemed.”
    “Indeed,” she says, raising her eyebrows. “Anything of specific interest to Caerleon?”
    “Of course.”
    “Then I am quite curious indeed,” the クイーン answers.
    “Nothing of interest to Nemeth, I imagine?” Mithian asks.
    “None, sorry. Apparently Helios had no designs on your quiet kingdom,” Arthur says.
    “Well, for that I am grateful.”
    “Mithian, is there anything あなた wish to do this afternoon before the wedding? I’m sorry that I won’t be able to 登録する you, but if あなた wish for a tour of the grounds, I’m sure we could have that arranged for you,” Gwen says, looking slyly at Leon out of the corner of her eye. “Perhaps a tour of the gardens would be to your liking?” she recommends.
    Mithian smiles, growing もっと見る impressed with this woman as the 分 pass. “Thank you, Gwen, and I would very much like a tour. I’d 愛 to see as much as I can. Particularly the training fields and the armory, if あなた do not think me odd,” she says, blushing slightly.
    Perfect, thinks Gwen. “Not at all. It is an unusual interest for a Lady, but who am I to criticize anyone for being unconventional?” She smiles warmly at the princess.
    “I do so enjoy the outdoors, that’s all. The surrounding forests are quite lovely as well, if memory serves,” she says.
    “Yes, when Mithian visited last, she joined us on the hunt for the Festival of Stara and quite skillfully took down a pheasant. In flight,” Arthur says, raising his goblet to her. “It was most impressive.”
    “Not half as impressive as the スタッグ, クワガタ あなた felled with one shot, my lord,” she 回答 back, toasting him in kind.
    “Sir Leon,” Gwen says, turning her attention to the knight. “You have been a knight of Camelot longer than many, and know the grounds like the back of your hand. And あなた are also our resident weapons expert, am I correct?”
    Several of the men answer on his behalf, nodding and joking slightly. Leon is quite notorious for his obsession with armaments.
    “Perhaps あなた would like give Princess Mithian a tour after lunch?”
    Leon blushes slightly behind his beard, and Gwaine positively leers at him. Gwen can see the snide remarks bubbling just below the surface and honestly wonders if the mouthy knight will be able to hold his tongue much longer.
    “I… I would be honored, my lady,” Leon manages quietly.
    “Very good. There is no training today anyway, what with this being a 日 of festivity, so there is no problem, then,” Arthur says.
    Everyone seems to be done eating, and so Arthur stands, holding his hand for Guinevere. She takes it and stands.
    “If あなた will all excuse me, I must retire to my temporary room to prepare for this afternoon,” Gwen says. “Frida?” She looks to her newly-appointed lady-in-waiting, who stands also.
    “Ya, I vill attend you, my lady,” she answers.
    Gwen turns to leave, but Arthur stops her. “Not so fast,” he says quietly, lifting her chin with his fingers gives her a soft kiss, sweet and lingering, there in front of everyone.
    Gwen blushes and quietly says, “I’ll see あなた in the great hall.”
    “I’ll be waiting,” he says, grinning.
    Frida gives a quick but sweet smile to Percival before the two women turn and exit.
    “Your highness?” Arthur holds his hand out for クイーン Annis now. As she stands, Arthur raises his eyebrows at Leon pointedly, noticing that Gwaine is also nudging him.
    “Merlin,” Arthur calls to his servant, indicating he should follow. He and Makeda both follow as Arthur and Annis exit.
    Leon rises and walks around to Mithian. “My lady, shall we?”
    Mithian stands and looks up at him. “My, あなた are a tall one. I didn’t really notice before,” she comments, taking his arm.
    “I like to think of it as everyone else is short,” he jokes, smiling charmingly at her. “Except for Percival there, who is taller still than me, but only just.”
    Mithian laughs, and as they exit, Gwaine can hold his tongue no longer. “What. The hell.”
    “I know,” Elyan complains. “She’s my own sister and she can’t recommend me?”
    “No, not that,” Gwaine says, waving his hand in annoyance. “Since when is Leon charming?”
    “You two sound like a couple of jealous little girls,” Percival remarks.
    “Oh, easy for あなた to say, what with that Viking goddess making eyes at あなた all the time,” Gwaine says sarcastically, grinning when the large knight blushes.
    “Can’t help that, lads. She just prefers tall men, what can I say?” And with that, he stands. “I’m off, then. See あなた blokes at the wedding.”
    “And what are あなた off to do?”
    “I am going back to my room and have a bath. Have to smell good for my Viking goddess, あなた know,” Percival remarks casually, striding from the room as if he hadn’t a care in the world.
    “Git,” Gwaine grumbles. He looks over at Elyan. “Tavern?”
    “Nah, Gwen would kill me if I showed up drunk to her wedding. I’m escorting her down the aisle, あなた know. If I’m staggering and smelling of drink, she may suspect something. I’m going to have a nap, I think. Too long on night patrols; can’t get used to these daytime hours yet.”
    Elyan stands and places his hand on the other knight’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, we won’t be bachelors forever.”
    “Who says I’m interested in not being a bachelor?” Gwaine asks, looking up at Elyan.
    “You do,” Elyan laughs and exits, leaving Gwaine alone at the table.

xXx

    “So, Frida,” Gwen starts as they walk down the corridor together.
    “Princess Mithian is quite surprising, ya,” Frida says, knowing exactly what Gwen is about to ask.
    “Not what I expected. In a good way,” Gwen agrees.
    “She is…” she struggles with the words, as she often does in these situations, “simple. Not simple like a fool, simple like…”
    “She doesn’t have any airs about her,” Gwen finishes, entering the guest room she is using for the 日 to prepare. “Hello, Elga,” she greets the maid who has her bath nearly prepared.
    “Afternoon, my lady, Lady Frida,” she greets them, smiling warmly at the two girls. Such a change from before.
    “Mithian doesn’t behave like so many nobles that conduct themselves as if they are truly better than the common folk,” Gwen continues, turning back to Frida, “the ones that feel they deserve everything they have just because they were born noble.”
    “Ya, dat is just vat I mean. It is so helpful dat あなた understand me, Gven,” Frida laughs.
    “She would have been a good クイーン for Camelot,” Gwen muses, winding her hair up.
    “You are the correct qveen for Camelot, Gven,” Frida says loyally, and looks over to see Elga nodding her agreement as she decants several drops of lavender oil into the steaming bathwater. “See, even Miss Elga agrees,” she grins.
    “Oh! I beg pardon, my lady, I never…” Elga stammers, not realizing that she had been nodding.
    “Elga,” Gwen turns, smiling. “How long have we known each other?”
    “Too long. Longer than I know how to count, certainly, my lady.”
    “Then あなた should know me well enough to know that あなた need not censor yourself around me. Regardless of who I am marrying in a few hours. And please, あなた can still call me Gwen.”
    Elga blushes and returns to her duties, setting out the soap that Gwen prefers and a cloth, a towel and a plush dressing ガウン in Pendragon red that Arthur had made for her.
    Gwen sinks gratefully into the hot water, closing her eyes. Frida has disappeared briefly to go in 検索 of both their gowns, clucking and fretting over the fact that they should have been in the room already, waiting for them.
    Gwen simply wishes to soak for a bit before doing any washing, and she luxuriates in the warmth of the water, the lavender-scented steam rising around her face. She inhales deeply, exhaling slowly.
    Just a few もっと見る hours. A few small hours and then I will truly be Arthur’s wife. He will be my husband. We will finally be able to be man and wife, be together, after all the struggles and heartache.
    I’m going to be クイーン of Camelot.
    She opens her eyes as this realization hits her.
    I’m going to be クイーン of Camelot.
    Queen.
    Me.
    What the hell am I doing?
    “Elga?” she says quietly.
    “Yes, dear?”
    “Soap, please.”
    She hands Gwen the soap and cloth. “Is everything all right, Gwen?” the older maid asks.
    “Just… just a little nervous, that’s all.”
    “That is only natural. Wedding night jitters and all,” she says absently, and Gwen doesn’t have the ハート, 心 to correct her. She would be horrified anyway.
    Gwen sits フォワード, 前進, 楽しみにして and Elga begins scrubbing her back just as Frida comes flying in with the dresses.
    “Got dem!” she declares. “Dey vere just being pressed,” she says, hanging them in the wardrobe.
    “Oh, good,” Gwen says absently, and Frida comes over, her face puzzled. She looks at Elga, who shrugs.
    “Would あなた like to soak some more, dear?”
    “No, I had best not. It is one thing so soak in clean water before I wash, it is quite another to sit in a スープ of one’s own leavings,” she chuckles, standing and allowing Elga to ラップ her in the towel.
    She slips into a new silk shift, finer than any ガウン she has owned, and Elga holds the dressing ガウン out for her to slip her arms into.
    The maid goes about cleaning up the bathing items, and Gwen sits at the vanity.
    “Gven, someting is troubling you,” Frida says, pulling a chair over for herself.
    “Who do I think I am, Frida?” she asks suddenly. “I can’t be queen.”
    Ah, there it is. “Gven. Do not tink of dis as あなた becoming qveen. Tink of it as あなた becoming Artur’s vife. あなた are marrying the man, not the kingdom.”
    “One does not come without the other, Frida,” Gwen shakes her head, disagreeing. “Oh, why did I think I could do this? Why did I have to fall in 愛 with him?”
    “Vy does anyone fall in 愛 vit anyone, Gven? Vy did I fall in 愛 vit Nils, ven I knew my whole life dat I vas promised to Per? Life is not a smorgasbord, ve are not 与えられた a 表, テーブル filled vit options from vich ve can pick and choose vat ve like and leave the rest. The gods have 与えられた us our lives, and vit dat privilege comes both bad and good. あなた have seen plenty of bad, so I tink it is time for some good, ya?”
    “I sometimes forget how wise あなた are, Frida,” Gwen smiles. “But I’m still scared.”
    “Of course あなた are. If あなた vere not scared I vould tell あなた dat あなた should not be qveen because あなた have the large head,” Frida says decisively.
    Gwen hears Elga gasp quietly, shocked at Frida’s words, but she can only laugh at them and lean over to hug her friend.
    There is a soft knock at the door just then.
    “Who could that be?” Gwen wonders.
    “I vill get. あなた stay here in case it is Artur prowling again.”
    Frida opens the door a crack to see クイーン Annis and Makeda standing outside. “Oh! Please, come in, my lady,” she says, opening the door wider.
    “You are just in time, actually,” Frida says quietly to Annis. “Gven could use some… アドバイス right now, I tink.”
    Annis looks over at the tall blonde. “Oh? Is she nervous?”
    “More nervous about being qveen デン being vife.”
    “Ah, I see.”
    Annis walks over to Gwen while Makeda and Frida fuss over her dress, discussing something quietly between them.
    “Gwen, dear, Frida tells me あなた can use some… support right now. May I be of some assistance, as someone who has walked a similar path?”
    Gwen smiles up at the クイーン and motions to the chair that Frida has vacated.
    “You are worried about being queen, I take it.”
    “Yes. I… I don’t know what I was thinking, thinking that I can do this. All these years I’ve been in 愛 with him, but I never really gave much thought to the responsibility involved in loving such a man.”
    “I understand, believe me,” Annis says.
    “Begging your pardon, but I don’t think あなた really do. I have spent my whole life being a servant. Cleaning things. Cooking things. Cleaning things some more. Looking after Lady Morgana, for goodness sake. Following orders. Following, not giving.”
    “From what Arthur tells me, あなた were never one to just blindly follow orders,” Annis chuckles. “He told me how あなた would yell at him. How あなた would challenge him to do what is right instead of what is expected. He loves you, yes, but もっと見る than that, he respects you. Trusts you.”
    “I know,” Gwen says quietly, toying with the ベルト of her dressing gown.
    “Gwen. He wouldn’t have fallen in 愛 with あなた if あなた were not meant to be his queen.”
    “You think so?”
    “I know so. Gwen, can I tell あなた something?”
    “Of course.”
    “I was very young when I was sent to become Caerleon’s bride. My father arranged it with his father. Neither of us had any say. I had never met him, and I was trundled off to be married to a stranger.”
    “That must have been terrifying.”
    “To say the least. I had only sixteen winters behind me. I knew nothing of the world. Little of men. My father made certain of that, cloistering me away for most of my short youth.”
    Gwen leans forward, fascinated. She sees Frida and Makeda sitting nearby, listening as well.
    “I was lucky in that Caer was only a little older than I, and equally scared. We were thrown together and we learned to like each other. Worked to trust each other.” She pauses, interjecting a short laugh. “Ha. We really had to work to trust each other.”
    “Eventually we realized that we did 愛 each other, but it was only after ten years and three children.”
    “Goodness,” is all that Gwen can think to say.
    “So, あなた see, Gwen, あなた are fortunate. The hard work has been done already. And as for being queen? In my short time here I have seen how everyone treats you. Servants and nobles alike. Their respect and care for あなた is genuine,” she says. “I can tell,” she whispers, smiling, leaning in conspiratorially now.
    “Trust her, Gwen, she is very wise,” Makeda pipes up.
    “Being a wife of a king is difficult. But being クイーン is easy,” Annis continues, waving her hand casually. “Be kind to the people. I know あなた will, since あなた were one of them. Keep the king in line. あなた certainly know how to do that already.”
    Gwen smiles and looks down.
    “Provide as many heirs as your hips can bear,” she says, smirking now. Then, serious again, she finishes. “And do not lose sight of where あなた came from. This is especially important for you, Gwen, and I know あなた will not disappoint.” Annis stands.
    Gwen stands with her. “Annis, thank you,” she says, reaching for the queen’s hand, squeezing it gently.
    “It is my pleasure, dear Gwen,” the クイーン answers. “Arthur is lucky indeed to have あなた によって his side. Now. To もっと見る frivolous matters. Let’s see this dress.”
    Before long, there is another knock at the door, and Frida lets Mithian in now, glowing radiantly with the outdoor air and Sir Leon’s attention.
    “I hope I am not intruding,” she says, surveying the room. “I was looking for a maid to help me with my gown, and I heard your voices.”
    “Not at all,” Gwen says. “You’ve come to the right place. Elga has just gone to fetch Nissa to help with the gowns.”
    “And I am もっと見る than willing to help,” Makeda adds, wishing to lend a hand.
    “Of course, Makeda, I… I just didn’t want to presume…” Gwen says, smiling at the maid.
    Makeda waves her hand. “If my lady does not object, I am at your service.”
    “Of course not,” Annis says. “Although, I do need to change as well, if あなた would be so good as to fetch my gown, dear, I shall do so here with everyone else so I can keep enjoying this lovely festive air.”
    “Certainly,” Makeda curtseys and hurries out.
    “I do not get to see my daughters often,” Annis explains. “So this is indeed a treat for me.”
    Frida takes Mithian’s ガウン from her and hangs it up. “How vas your tour vit Sir Leon, my lady?” she asks.
    “Lovely, I had a wonderful time,” she says. “He really knows simply everything about weaponry,” she gushes. “It was quite… educational,” she finishes evasively, her cheeks coloring slightly.
    “Oh?” Gwen asks. “Only educational?”
    “Gwen, thank あなた for recommending him,” she steps over. “I don’t remember the last time I had that good a time in the company of a gentleman.”
    “Even Arthur?” Gwen teases, actually feeling happy about the fact that she is able to tease about such a subject.
    “Oh!” Mithian exclaims. “Arthur was lovely, certainly, and I thought that I quite liked him, but now, compared to…” she trails off.
    “You’re smitten with Sir Leon,” Annis announces quite matter-of-factly. Mithian just bites her lower lip.
    Makeda returns with Annis’ things, and the 次 時 is passed quite companionably, chatting, gossiping, even teasing more. Annis watches over them all like a mother hen, completely in her element. Elga and Nissa bustle about adjusting dresses and fixing stays, losing shoes, finding shoes. Mithian regales them with how she thought that Merlin was the one holding Arthur’s heart, causing riotous laughter among them.
    As if on cue, there is another knock, followed によって Merlin’s voice. “Is everyone decent? I have something for Gwen.”
    Elga opens the door, and as Merlin walks in, Makeda chimes up, “Well I don’t know about decent, but everyone is certainly dressed.”
    The women laugh and Merlin blushes, his ears bright red. He has a box in his hands, and Gwen walks over to him.
    “Hello, Merlin,” she says, hugging her friend.
    “My—”
    “Don’t あなた dare address me によって title, Merlin. We have been through too much together for that nonsense,” she scolds him.
    He grins and hands her the box.
    “What is this?”
    “I come bearing a gift, an apology, and a message,” he says, as if he has been rehearsing.
    “Apology?”
    “Because of the gift. He’s a little nervous about that.”
    Gwen smiles. “I won’t yell, I promise. What’s the message?”
    “You have to open the gift first.”
    She opens the box to discover a ネックレス and a pair of earrings, wrought in silver with amethysts set in.
    “Beautiful,” she says.
    “Okay, so: He says to tell あなた that he hopes あなた will do him the honor of wearing these today. And he knows that material things matter little to you, but since these jewels belonged to his mother, he hopes that あなた will agree that these are not just things.”
    “They belonged to his mother?” she looks up at him, her eyes watery. He nods. “Of course I will wear them.”
    She sets the box on the 表, テーブル and then hugs Merlin again, キス his cheek. “That’s for you,” she says. Then she turns and kisses the other cheek. “That’s for Arthur.”
    “I am not delivering that message,” he says stubbornly, blushing again as he sees Mithian’s highly amused face.
    “Well あなた can do me one favor, Merlin.”
    “Of course, anything.”
    “Do not let Arthur wear his chainmail for the wedding.”
    “What? I spent hours polishing that!”
    “I don’t care! I will not marry a man who is dressed like he is preparing for battle,” she says, crossing her arms in front of her. Annis laughs knowingly in the background.
    “I’ll try,” he says, sighing.
    “I don’t care how あなた do it, just do it. No chainmail.”
    “I’ll probably have to tell him あなた 発言しました so.”
    “Whatever, just handle it.”
    “Now あなた sound like him!”
    Gwen laughs and pushes him towards the door. “Now get out. I have to dress.”
    “Pushy, あなた are,” he laughs, leaving.
    “Makeda,” Gwen turns now. “Your hair is always exquisitely styled. Would あなた honor me?”
    “I was hoping あなた would ask,” she says, grinning. “And I was about to offer, actually,” she adds, laughing.

-xXx-

    “Well?” Arthur asks when Merlin returns.
    “She loved it. I knew she would.”
    “Oh, good. How much time do we have left?” he asks, pacing.
    “An hour.”
    “An hour? I’m not going to last that long.”
    “Arthur, what are あなた so anxious about?”
    “I don’t know,” he says, stopping and looking at Merlin. “I’m not a patient man, Merlin, あなた know that.” He starts pacing again.
    “Well…” Merlin says, walking casually to the wardrobe. “We do need to find あなた something to wear…”
    “What do あなた mean? I’m wearing my dress mail!”
    “No, you’re not.”
    “Merlin…”
    “Don’t あなた think it’s kind of odd to be wearing battle gear to get married?”
    “It’s traditional.”
    “Yeah, ’cause your wedding is completely traditional,” he says sarcastically.
    “But…”
    Time to pull out the heavy weaponry. I don’t want to, but I have to. “Gwen doesn’t want あなた to wear the mail, Arthur.”
    “She doesn’t?” he asks quietly.
    “No. She doesn’t.”
    “She 発言しました this?”
    “She 発言しました this.”
    “Oh.” He pauses. “Well, that’s different, then.”
    Merlin rolls his eyes. Should have started with that argument. He opens the wardrobe now. “You have to admit, you’ll be much もっと見る cuddly if you’re not covered in metal.”
    “Shut up, Merlin. Fetch out that brocade coat. The red one with the ゴールド detail.”
    “Excellent choice, my lord.”

Part 8: link