A Pleasant Evening (Arthur)

[kajouka]

Guinevere seated herself in front of the looking glass. The face that stared back at her was still young and vibrant, but the eyes showed twice the age. She had seen much in her nearly thirty years. From a child of the forest to a wild warrior woman to a regal queen seated upon the throne of Britain, not many women could claim to have a more diverse experience than Guinevere. Few people knew the feeling of taking old life from this world while birthing new life to replace it. Nothing, Guinevere thought to herself, could top the experience of birthing Helena. Even if much of memory was blurred from the pain, she could recall with the clarity the moment the midwife declared her new offspring both viable and female. While Kings were supposed to wish for boys, royal children to succeed them on the throne, Guinevere had hoped for a girl.

The queen unpinned her long dark locks, watching as her hair tumbled down over her shoulders. She picked up her brush from the vanity and began weave the bristles through her thick mane of waves. Every night she sat in front of her mirror and relaxed while combing her hair, reflecting on the days events. This day had been no different, and she'd enjoyed her archery practice thoroughly. Even meeting the icy woman who served her King had provided the Queen with valuable information.

Now, she waited, hoping the King would return from his day's business and join her in her chambers. Guinevere had already ensured that Helena was tucked safely in bed. She considered calling up a drink from the kitchen, paused, then decided she'd enjoy having something before bed. Rising, she crossed to the woven rope that hung next to the four poster bed and tugged softly upon the decorative tassel. Her servant would be up shortly to ask what she needed.

Wrapping her robe around her body tightly, she waited.

[the goddesses ,]

Arthur walked down the corridor from Helena’s chambers. He had kissed her forehead, and wished her sweet dreams; she was his girl, and one of his most beloved. She meant everything to him, and he remembered the midwife bring her out, bundled up in a blanket. Helena was perfect, in every way, most kings wished for a son, but he was fine with a daughter. Arthur handed Remus his cloak, and walked towards the cherry door, that opened into Guinevere’s chambers. Raising a hand, he knocked softly, grasping the knob, and twisted it. “ My lady.” He said softly, before closing the door behind him,

He wasn’t dressed like a king, no need to be. Arthur had been out training some recruits with Jols and fellow knights. He wore some slacks and a button up shirt, Excalibur at his side. Arthur laid the sword and its sheath on a table to his side, and walked up to Guinevere, giving her a soft kiss on the cheek. He sat down on the edge of the bed, running his hands threw his dark curly hair. “How was your day Guinevere?” Arthur said softly, giving a sigh, recalling his day.

Ooc; sorry it’s so short.

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[kajouka]

Guinevere turned at the knock on the door to her chambers. She did not call out. The door was opening already and only her husband would dare to enter her room without waiting for a response. For that, she welcomed him. The stuffy formalities of the court she practiced only out of respect for her King. Woads were much less private and much more practical. Living in the woods in huts did not afford anyone much privacy.

"My King," Guinevere replied softly, her voice just above a whisper. Dressed down in the rugged style of the common man, Arthur was ever the handsome sight. Guinevere preferred his casual dress over the bells and whistles of the crown, and her eyes drank in the sight of him. Four years ago, when she met the then Roman soldier on the road, she'd have never believed she'd love him as hard as she loved him now. "The day was pleasant enough. Lady Aly was kind enough to indulge me in a round of archery. We spoke of her mission and of affairs around the castle."

Guinevere stepped toward him then, ready to reach her arms around his neck when she was interrupted by a rap at the chamber door. She sighed softly at the intrusion, remembering that it was she who had summoned the servants. She motioned Arthur to the door. "I would have the servants bring up a bottle of wine."

[ooc: no big deal. Quality over quantity - I don't tend to write novel sized posts either]

[the goddesses ,]

Arthur slid his arm around her slender waist, tracing her cheekbones with a finger. He suppressed a sigh, and looked up at the door, as the servant rapped again. He walked to the door, pulling it open slowly, gazing at the servant. “ Bring my lady and I, a bottle of wine, and some glasses.” Arthur watched as the servant scurried off, and returned within a few minutes, with a tray perched upon their hands. He moved to Guinevere’s side, watching as the servant poured the wine, sitting the glasses on a table, and closed the door before they scurried off again.

Arthur smiled, wrapping his arms around her waist gently, kissing her forehead. “ What might be Lady Aly’s affairs be? ” He asked softly, before taking a sip of the wine. The recruits had been practicing swordsmanship, Arthur and Lancelot had joined in. Wincing, he pulled moved his arm in a circle; it had grown sore. “ There has been some news of another attack in the West. Lady Marina and some others ran borders today.” He said softly, grabbing the glass of wine, raising it to his mouth, and took a drink. Arthur sat the glass down, taking a seat on the 4 poster bed.

Ooc; sorry I didn’t reply sooner. I’ve been studying like crazy for finals.

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[kajouka]

Guinevere leaned into him as he kissed her forehead softly, then stepped away when Arthur moved to change his shirt. She picked up her wine glass and eyed the liquid. A soft white wine, she noted, hopefully not to sweet, but not too dry. Guinevere had to admit to herself that quality wines shipped in from Rome and Gaul and other places in the world were one perk of her position. While the fermented beverages the Woads made did the trick, they did not caress the taste buds the way southern wines did.

"She rides to the Saxon camp, don't you recall?" Guinevere responded. She had thought the information had come from her husband, but she might have been wrong. A mother's mind was often forgetful. She observed his slight wince as he pulled on his shirt and she moved to sit next to him on the bed, dropping her wine glass back onto the side table next to his. Her eyes widened as he told her about the attack. "Was it the Saxons?" she asked, her voice laced with hate. Just the thought of those monsters bringing their filth into her kingdom was enough to fuel the fire of anger in her heart. "We must stop them Arthur."

[the goddesses ,]

Arthur flinched as heard the hatred in Guinevere's voice, he despised them as much as she did, but they were all human. "Yes, it was the Saxon's, Cynric raided the stores. Took some of the food, and most of the weaponry." Arthur took a sip of the wine, laying it on the table beside Guinevere's. "I've told the knights to start preparing the recruits for war. I don't know what Cynric is planning, but I'd rather be on the safe side."

He said softly, wrapping his arm around her waist gently, kissing her neck. Arthur reached over, taking another sip, and placed the glass back on the table. "Many of the recruits are weary, I don't know if they're ready. " His thoughts went back to the Woads, they'd help, wouldn't they. But the Saxon Army could've grown quiet alot, it's been 4 years. Arthur sighed, switching arms, his arm was starting to grow stiff.

Arthur stood, pouring himself another glass, and looked out the window. Hadrian City was quiet, alot of the citizens were in the pub, with the exceptional of the druids and monks that lived here. "How was your archery?" He asked, softly, and took a sip of the wine.

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[kajouka]

"Do not change the subject, my love," Guinevere chided softly. "You know archery was dull as usual. I should think I'd be tired of it already. However, Lady Aly has inspired me to attempt throwing knives a new challenge. Such a skill could be useful, especially if the Saxon's attempt another attack on our lands..." Guinevere trailed off, knowing where this conversation was leading. With a potential war on the horizons and their lack of trained recruits, their people were at risk. Guinevere picked up her glass of wine and toyed with the rim of glass, her finger tracing along the edge as she worked to formula her request.

"If war is coming, we must push the men to train harder. We must be prepared. I should think you'd need every able bodied warrior," she began lamely. A sigh crossed her lips and she lifted the glass of wine to her mouth. The cool liquid ran down her throat and before she realized it, the glass was empty. "Including me..." she whispered. She turned away from him then, her eyes looking to the portraits on the wall, the curtains over the window, the pattern on the stone floor. Anywhere but Arthur.

[the goddesses ,]

Arthur toyed around with the rim of the glass, flicking his wrist, causing the wine to spiral around. He listened to her proposal; to fight in the upcoming war that would surely take place soon. "We mustn't forget that we have many allies, yet I'm sure the Saxons do to. " Sighing softly, he walked over to her, letting his fingers trace her chiseled facial features. "There is no need to look down, my Queen. "

He murmured softly, gazing into her eyes. "I just want you to be safe, but if you wish to fight; your wish shall be granted." Arthur said hesitantly, sitting the glass down on the table. She had fought in the Battle of Badon Hill, but she faced off with Cynric, which ended with Lancelot badly injured, but he lived to tell the tale. Arthur looked up at the door, as he heard a rapping door.

Walking over, he opened slowly, gazing at Remus, one of his servants. "Remus?" The boy bowed down, and rose swiftly, before saying, "News has come from the West, Cynric has attacked once again, many refuges are making their way down to Hadrian." Arthur suppressed his groan, glancing over at Guinevere. "Send for the other knights tomormow, we shall meet at the round table and discuss matters." Remus bowed once more, and scurried down the corridor.

Arthur turned around, looking at Guinevere. "Not good." He said softly, picking up his glass and taking a sip.

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[kajouka]

Guinevere let out her breath. She hadn't even realized she'd been holding it in as she waited to hear Arthur's response to her comment. The ache inside her for battle deepened as she listened to Remus' report on the current status of the Saxons and their renewed attack on her people. Even if Arthur hadn't just granted her his agreement on her participation in the upcoming battle, after hearing news of the attack, she'd have found a way to fight. Guinevere's physical need for combat was nearly as strong as her desire to protect her people. She watched Arthur close the door, her eyes following him as he returned to her side.

She stood, reaching for his wine glass and taking it softly from his hands. She set it down on the bedside table, then cradled his face with her palms. "We will prevail," she whispered to him, her voice soft. "We will beat them. And we will discuss it early in the morrow and not again until then." Her hands slipped from his face to wrap around his neck and she leaned into his chest. She drew comfort from him in ways no one else had ever provided. Arthur was the only person in her life who had ever felt stable, and when she needed to feel that stability, she often turned to him.

[the goddesses ,]

He had might as well let her fight, she would've found a way if he had denied her request. Arthur allowed her to set the glass on the table, and cradle his face with her delicate hands. He pressed against her hands gently, drawing comfort from her. We will prevail? Guinevere had a sincere, truthful tone as she said that, giving him faith. Arthur smiled, leaning down, and pressed against her lips firmly, but gently. "Our kingdom will survive, and prosper." He said softly.

Arthur slid his masculine arms around her waist, allowing his forehead rest against hers. He shot a glance at the glass; it was empty, it would stay empty also. Arthur slid onto the bed, falling into the blankets, sliding his hand threw Guinevere's, gently pulling her towards him. She brought a sense of calmness, that not many possessed. Arthur smiled, raising up, kissing her gently. "I'll be the other hand, connecting your heart to mine." He whispered softly, his voice lowering considerably, as it went into a crescendo's.

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[kajouka]

"How could it not?" Guinevere whispered. Their kingdom was based on the principle that any man or women could success if he or she worked hard for that success. Why shouldn't a nation such as that prosper? People had reason to work hard, to chase their dreams, to believe that they too could sit at the table of the king and have their words listened to and respected as though they were noble, even if they spent their lives clearing out the stables. After all, weren't stable hands as necessary to a kingdom as a knight? Knights wouldn't do well with their horses and horses had to be cared for.

The thoughts of country and kingdom vanished as Arthur pulled her to the bed. She landed softly next to him, her lips meeting his as he reached up to greet her. She squirmed closer, drawing comfort from his presence she listened to his words. "Shhhh," she answered, lips meeting his once more. "This I already know, my love. My heart has belonged to you since the day we wed and I pledged to forever be your queen."

[the goddesses ,]

Arthur pulled his lips into a smile, as she spoke. His thoughts went back to Lancelot; he had a hard time with his womanizing way, but after a months, he revealed that he had fallen for the only lady knight, Marina. Arthur watched the door as it slowly opened, and a maiden carried a pan of hot coals; fresh out of the fire, and slid them at the end of the bed; for warmth. Moving swiftly, the maiden bowed before walking to the door, waiting for an message if he had one.

"Leave us be." Once the maiden had left, Arthur turned his gaze back on Guinevere, his fingers tracing her chiseled features. He pressed his hand against the crevice of her back, kissing her neck. Arthur thought about Helena; she looked like a mixture of the two. But he hoped she looked more like her mother as she grew older. Arthur didn't think of himself as handsome, he was humble, living up to his thought about how everybody is made equal. "Helena has grown so much." He said softly, an mental image of Helena came to mind.

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[kajouka]

Guinevere watched the expressions on Arthur's face. He was thinking of the past, she knew, and then the maiden was there interrupting his thoughts. Guinevere was glad for it - not the interruption so much, but she did not like when Arthur spent too much time dwelling on the past. The maiden hurried about her task with Guinevere watching in silence. And when the maiden left, she turned back to her King.

Her skin rejoiced at his touch and she tilted her head back slightly to welcome his lips to her neck. She loved her husband dearly and her body responded as equally as her heart. At his words, she looked up at him. "She is our beautiful daughter and will only continue to grow." Guinevere loved her daughter as well, and the trio made for a wonderful family. She sighed softly, her heart torn. Only moments ago, Guinevere had asked for, and received, permission to fight in the upcoming battles. She would do whatever she could to defend her child, her home, and her people. But when she looked at her husband, she could feel her resolve tearing. Her husband needed more than a warrior woman at his side. He needed a wife and a mother to care for his family. And he needed a wife to bring him an heir to his thrown. "She is beautiful," Guinevere echoed, "And she will make for a fine woman one day.But you need a son as well, my King."

[the goddesses ,]

Arthur gazed at his Queen, as she sighed, and furrowed his brow. ”What it is, my Queen?” He asked softly, pressing his forehead against her head. "And she will make for a fine woman one day. But you need a son as well, my King." There were no promises of a son, but she did have a point; Arthur would need a male heir, unless he saw that Helena was fit to take his place. But, to think about it; there were those who would refuse to live under the rule of a woman, and then there was those who didn’t mind.

”There aren’t promises of a son, m’love, but if you wish, I shall stand beside you.” He said, sliding his rough fingers around hers, squeezing them gently. Arthur lay back, sinking into the goose down blankets, closing his eyes. ”Just as there are no promises that we will live to see another day, you just have to trust.” He said, his voice slowly fading, and opened his eyes, gazing at Guinevere for an reaction. He was willing to do anything to keep his wife, his people, and his friends happy.

Ooc; sorry it took so long. I’ve been busy with the holidays.

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[kajouka]

"I just feel so torn, My King," Guinevere confessed. She rose from the bed and walked to the window intent on looking out over the kingdom. "I have always known my path. I have always had my direction in my heart. But this hour my heart is torn in two ways, perhaps more. When I asked you to allow me to battle again the Saxons, I fully expected you to tell me no. That I must remain here and be a mother for Helena. 'But I wish to battle the Saxons' I would tell you. 'I must protect my people.'" Guinevere gripped the sill of the window, her eyes panning across the darkened countryside. A few fires burned in the distance, where camps of people slept on their travels. The city was off in the distance as well, with a haze of light drifting to the heavens. Above her, the stars shown brightly, the constellations clear in the night sky.

"And I do want to fight. I want to protect my people. But I want to be a mother and a wife and protect my daughter as well. I want to bring you more children to run laughing through the halls of this gloomy castle. How, My King, can I do both?" She turned then, to face him, her face awash with emotion. She needed his counsel, his advice...

[the goddesses ,]

It keeps me driving on.

Arthur watched as Guinevere rose from the bed, walking to the window, and listened intently as she spoke. She expected him to say no, he probably would’ve, but he would regret making her unhappy later on. Rising up from the bed quietly, he walked up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. ”A wild spirit can not be tamed, nor can you, M’love. He said softly, thinking about Guinevere, her spirit could never be tamed. Arthur kissed her forehead gently as she turned around, stroking her hair.

He stood there, and laid his head against her, thinking of an answer. ”You are already a wife, a mother, and a queen.” Arthur murmured softly, thinking quietly to himself. Sighing softly, he let a finger graze her chin, lifting her head up, so he could gaze at her. ”A war will never stop you from being my wife, or Helena’s mother, or even Britain’s Queen. You have managed to do so, so far.” Arthur said, glancing out the window as a shooting star caught his gaze. My good lord, I pray that you allow us to win the battle between the Saxon’s, that I know is coming abroad.” He thought to himself, making his wish.

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[kajouka]

Guinevere leaned back into Arthur's strong grip, her eyes drifting closed as she relaxed. "You are my stability. For as wild as my spirit is, when I need to come home, you are always here waiting for me. I would not be able to be all that I am without your love." She took a long deep breath and exhaled slowly, letting herself relax further. Arthur was right. She was what she was and she would be what she would be. And that meant fighting this battle even if she were already carrying his heir. That meant defending her people and protecting her daughter in one continuous motion. She could do all if she let her spirit be free to undertake it all.

"And you, my love? Will you command at the head of the battle lines as you have done in the past, or will you leave that role to Lancelot now that you are King?" Guinevere had opened her eyes, and she tilted her head back to look up at him as she spoke.

[the goddesses ,]

It keeps me driving on.

Arthur wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer to him. ”I will always be waiting for you, M’love.” He leaned his head against hers, eyes closed, listening as she spoke about him commanding the battle lines. Arthur was a King, King’s lead there people, besides, he couldn’t let Lancelot have all of the fun. ”I am the King, King are supposed to lead wars, correct? I will lead our people, and Lancelot will be at my side, just as the other knights will be to.”

Lancelot had been by his side for 15 years, and Arthur was sure he would be by his side for many more years to come. Riding into the midst of war, fighting for what he thought was right, yes, Lancelot would do that, he would do anything to protect Lady Marina. Arthur sighed, opening his eyes once, gazing at his Queen with adoring eyes. ”Have you spoken to Merlin lately?” He asked curiously, Merlin was an ally of Arthur, and would surely stand by his side.

Ooc; Quote, ‘even if she were already carrying his heir’ Is she pregnant? –confused-

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[kajouka]

[ooc: nope, she not. But how would she know? They didn't exactly have pee-on-a-stick back then ]

Guinevere smiled up at Arthur. She took pride in the fact that her husband did not hide behind his throne, but instead went to war with his men. "As Lancelot stands by your side on the battlefield, so I shall stand on the other." Guinevere could already picture herself free of the bulky dresses that marked her queenly wardrobe and garbed instead in her warrior's leather, blue war paint smeared menacingly across her face, quiver upon her back. How that form fit her so much better than a jeweled crown an a fine dress.

At Arthur's question, she turned toward him. "No My Love. We have not spoken in some time." Guinevere could read Arthur's expressions and words like a open book. "Shall I ride for the wood and ask him and my people to come join our side against the Saxons?"

[the goddesses ,]

It keeps me driving on.

Arthur gazed at Guinevere with adoring eyes as she smiled at him. The Saxon’s already knew of how the Briton’s planned battles, so the knights, Arthur, and the Woad leaders would have to meet discreetly, and come up with a new plan; Cynric will be prepared, but will be taken aback. ” Our people will be on either side of us.” He murmured softly, leaning his head against the wall.

He closed his eyes, as she practically read his mind about the Woads. ”It couldn’t hurt, but I wish for you to bring Lady Marina with you. The Saxon’s are starting to wander North, and I would like to feel that you are protected, not that I doubt your skill, but it would give me peace of mind.” Arthur murmured softly, pulling her closer.

ooc; they had doctors, not very skilled ones, but doctors. i read something about astrologers being able to tell, not sure though.

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