Part 3- link

Arthur

    After calming down my anger in her embrace I just held on, breathing in her sweet scent to keep from bursting at my father again.
    I was just feeling totally relaxed lost in my own thoughts when I felt her start to shake again, stiffening up. “what. . .?” I pulled back, keeping my arms still around her to look at her face. And that's when I herd it, his voice
    “Dear, that's not how it works. Princes are meant to marry princesses of nobility and royal blood. Not serving girls who come from a background of knowing absolutely nothing of royal responsibilities or what it takes to be queen. And also it has been the way of princes marrying princesses for generations. We are not going to break a tradition that's been going on for hundreds of years for a little crush our son has on a servant. . .”
    I smiled down at Guinevere “So not true love” I whispered, leaning into her for a kiss to calm her. But I stopped before following through with that kiss because my father continued.
    “. . .I'm sure it will pass, after all this is just a phase that all young princes go through, picking one special servant and eloping with her for nights on end. Its most likely why he feels protective of her. . .”
    Oh no he didn't. I felt my gradual anger creep back up my body. Never ever in all my life would ever imagine doing that and especially not to Guinevere. But he didn't stop there.
    “. . .because he wants her all for herself. Why if she wasn't his and I wasn't married. . .” WHAT? I grabbed Guinevere pushing her behind me, and putting us back to back with my arm linked to hers. I wouldn't allow her to face my father, when I turned to face him.
    “WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?” I felt her shaking even more against my back, I tightened my grip on her and I felt my free hand pull out my sword from my belt, holding it in front of me.
    He stood, starting to walk towards us answering my question, “I merely said you have good taste in woman and I understand how you would want to keep her for yourself.”
    “YOU ARE SICK” I spat. But he still advanced, moving closer. I became weary so I moved us to the wall away from my father. I shifted Guinevere in front of me, crushing her against my chest as I found my back against the wall. Her body the only thing between me and running my father through with my sword. But that didn't keep me from pointing it at him. “BACK OFF FATHER.” I found my sword touching his chest, a lot closer than I would have liked but there was no where else to go.

Igraine

    As I watched, my son defend her I couldn't find my voice only able to watch. I couldn't believe what my husband was saying. Arthur has good taste in women, how insulting. I got lost in my own thoughts not realizing that my son was backed up against the wall, sword out and Uther feet from them now.
    I looked up to see Guinevere shaking with fear as I watched my husband get closer to the young couple. I saw Arthur step forward slightly, reaching his sword at his father's chest. “BACK OFF FATHER” I herd him say slowly but firmly.
    I couldn't take this anymore, I got up from my seat and made my way in-between Uther and Arthur's sword. I turned to Arthur and Guinevere first “Arthur put the sword down, I wont allow anything to happen to you or her alright hon. I can promise you that, now take Guinevere and have a seat at the table ok. I will be there shortly.”
    He nodded, and slowly put his sword back into his belt while keeping an eye on his father. While still tightly holding onto Guinevere he moved cautiously around us, his eyes never leaving his father. Once they were at the head of the table again, I turned to Uther and dragged him out of the room and brought him into the empty throne room across the hall.
    “Uther, what are you doing? Insulting a woman like that, insulting your son like that, me like that. Explain yourself. What is the reason for all of this?”
    “I'm sorry Igraine I didn't mean to insult you, I just hate this situation. And Arthur does have good taste in-”
    I slapped him and slapped him again. “UTHER. This has to stop. If you dare insult Arthur's girl who could potentially be a future queen of Camelot I will put you in the cells for a week understand. And yes I can do that don't think that because I'm a woman doesn't mean I don't have authority over the knights or the guards.”
    He glared at me before sighing, “alright dear. I shall not insult her again. But don't expect me to interact or speak with the serving girl. You can do what you want with her and Arthur. I don't care anymore if you make her Arthur's mistress and make it an open relationship but they will not marry under no circumstances. And you will keep he away from me, and Morgana. A slut should not be around my ward.”
    “Uther stop insulting the poor girl she is not Arthur's mistress. She has never done it with him I can tell when someone has eloped or not. Why do you think Arthur would ever have a mistress when he is not even married? Is that how you think it should go, for every young prince? To have a mistress before they are married? Taking poor girls from their virtue? How cruel are you Uther?”
    “Igraine, Arthur should have a mistress. Every young prince has one before they get married needing indulgences. I had one except she wasn't a serving girl she was nobility, of royal blood. We met in Goloris's kingdom about 23 years ago when we were young boys. She was the fairest lady I ever met before you, dark black hair, piercing green eyes, white ski-”
    He stopped talking, just realizing I was there listening. “Uther. . .” I said curiously. “If I didn't know better I would say you're describing Morgana? Or are my ears deceiving me?”
    His eyes widened as if he realized what he just said not answering me. My eyes widened as well because I just realized, oh how could I not have seen? I felt disgust and disappointment, holding in the emotion that was so close to releasing from my body.
    “You bastard. You sick minded bastard, how could you not tell me? Arthur? Morgana? Oh Uther what have you done?”
    When he didn't reply that's when I snapped. 'Oh my god Uther. No wonder you are lacking in us lately as a couple. You have been thinking about Morganas mother because its the anniversary of her death. And that's why you have been out of sorts lately. Why did I not see it? Why did you not tell me you were her father?”
    “Igraine, alright yes I admit it I am Morgana's biological father so? That does not mean that I don't love you just as much as her.”
    “It does not change the fact that you lied to me for 20 years Uther. You can't just tell a big lie like that, it could effect this kingdoms future. We now have another heir to the throne not that that matters because Arthur is first in line. But what would Morgana say? You will have to tell them Uther. Arthur and Morgana deserve to know.”
    Huh-huh. He sighed in defeat. “Alright dear, I will tell them when the time is right. In fact we should ask Morgana to breakfast and tell her and Arthur now. Although that serving we-Gwen is not allowed to find out. Such information in the wrong hands could be bad for Camelot.”
    “No Uther. We shall do it later because I highly doubt Arthur will leave Guinevere's for even a moment to hear shocking mews that is coming from someone who is making advances to the girl he loves. Also Morgana is preparing to go and visit the Lady Vivian for the weekend in honor of Vivian's birthday, we should allow her to leave in peace. Plus we have another conversation to listen too.”
    “And what conversation is that Igraine?”
    “Now we have to go deal with our Arthur and Guinevere. And Uther, I don't care who starts it but one more outburst from you and you will have no say in what happens in their future or whether they get married. I will decide what to do and you will not be able to object to what I agree with. Understand?
    “But Igraine. . .”
    “No Uther. I am serious, you will not have any say whatsoever whether you agree or not. No I need you to know that I want you to help me make these decisions but I also don't want you angering our son in the process. So you are going to go in there apologize to Guinevere and Arthur and then listen to them without any outbursts. Once that happens we will go from there working together with the situation ok hon?”
    We stood there for a long moment before he finally agreed to my demands. I smiled, “good I know this is hard for you Uther but I am proud of you for at least trying to attempt this. And don't forget the other demands you have to follow through.”
    “I have not forgot them and for you dear I will try and get along with Arthur. Now lets go.”
    “Uther.” I said as he started for the door, turning around in his tracks.
    “Yes dear?”
    I smiled. “Come here you.” I said moving to kiss him.
    When we were done we walked hand in hand back to the dining hall and to Arthur and Guinevere.

Arthur

    As I slowly mad my way past my mother and father I kept a firm hand on Guinevere, making sue she was out of my father's view for as long as possible. When we reached the table I looked back to see my mother pulling my father out of the room before turning back to Guinevere.
    Her whole body was vibrating with fear, and her teeth were chattering so fast it sounded like she was eating something that would not brake down. I sighed, picking her up and sitting with her in my lap in one of the chairs at the table.
    I then began to stroke her face, rub her back, and kiss her forehead trying to think of ideas to comfort her, but I was running out. That's all I have been doing for the past day, trying to keep her calm, but every time I succeed something causes her to break down again. How much more of this can she take from my father?
    As time went on Guinevere slowly started to return back to normal, her shakes slowing and her teeth were not chattering anymore, which was a good sign. She buried herself into my chest, holding on to me with all the strength that she had left into her. But she was still alert and very tense.
    For what seemed like forever I finally spoke in a soft whisper to her, “Guinevere, love your safe now. I am still keeping that promise and won't let anyone harm you or come near you again, so just calm down and rest for a moment. Close your eyes and relax, I'm not going anywhere.”
    I felt her slowly nod and snuggle closer to my chest and laid her head in between my neck and shoulder. Within minutes her body was completely relaxed and in a light slumber. I sighed with relief because she barely slept last night and needed time for her body to recover.
    And with her finally sleeping, it gave me time to organize my thoughts about the previous events that just occurred. It sickened me that that's how my father thought about Guinevere, like an thing that was to just be used whenever a man wants it, not thinking of her feelings or anybody else who has feelings. Oh god it made my sick.
    I sighed again looking down at her sleeping form, she looked so at ease and so relaxed. “How could my father just outright think she's my mistress? She is too kind, to caring to ever be put through that situation. Yes she was mine, but not in the way my father thought. She was mine because she captured my heart and it beat for her and her alone, just like how hers beat for me.”
    When watching her a soothing calmness came over me. I then yawned, feeling sleepy myself as I laid my head on the top of her's, my nose digging into her hair. My eyes closed as her sweet lavender scent wafted over me. I tightened my hold on her and snuggling us into the chair, falling into a light slumber with Guinevere by my side, right where she belonged. . .next to my heart.

Igraine

    We walked in to see the young couple in each others arms, dosing softly in the chair at the dining table.
    “Arth-” I heard my husband start to call him, but I soon clapped my hand to his mouth.
    “Shh.” I whispered, afraid to wake the young couple. “let them sleep Uther, they have been through a lot in the past few days.”
    “But I have not eaten breakfast yet,” he moaned although he did lower his voice an octave.
    I nodded in agreement. “We shall eat now Uther, but quietly. Let them sleep for now, I'm sure they will talk to us once they wake up. Plus you know how Arthur is when he is cranky so let him sleep because he is happier when he has his rest.”
    He looked at the couple once more before sighing and going over to the table. He then slowly pulled the chair out and took a seat piling food slowly on his plate. I smiled looking at him, I then followed suit slowly sitting down to my meal.
    I glanced at Uther leaning to kiss his cheek. I pulled back to see him looking down in defeat, watching Arthur and Guinevere and back to his plate again. “Uther,” I whispered, “I'm proud of you for giving them a chance and to listen. Now lets eat.” He smiled at that and we dug in eating our food in silence watching Arthur and Guinevere now and again. Waiting to see what would happen next.

a good portion of this is dedicated to HMGwen who gave me an idea that allowed Morgana back into the story. Also thank you to everyone who reads, revews and comments!!! I hope you like this chapter : )