Her Guardian

The warmth of the sun glistened through the windows of Camelot heralding a new day. Sounds of sheep, goats, and chickens 'bahhing' and 'clucking' rang in the air. Everyone was busy. Except two.

"Arthur."

No answer.

"Arthur!"

Still. No answer.

As she removed the covers and proceeded to gently shake him awake, he suddenly opened his eyes with a mischievous grin, and grabbed her hand. She gasped as she rolled on top of him. Then her surprise was quickly replaced with a small smile and a shaking of the head.

"Really?", she said in reply to his silly game.

"Really." He countered, with the assurance of a king. Which he was, of course.

She started laughing. "Oh Arthur, stop it now. You'll wake up Julian."

"That little troublemaker could sleep through a storm. You have nothing to wor-"

And that's when it happened. A little hiccup, then a soft wail, and then the cry of the newborn echoed through the castle walls.

"No no no, my darling," the new mother cooed, as she rose off of the bed and walked to the wooden crib which held her pride and joy.

For Julian Thomas Pendragon was not only heir to the throne of Camelot, but to her heart as well.

"Guinevere."

She cradled the little babe in her arms, and looked up at her husband.

He smiled at her.

"You are so beautiful. So so beautiful."

She continued to cradle the little bundle of joy in her arms.

"Good try, Arthur, but Julian needs feeding."

His eyes suddenly got larger.

"Well, erm, we can't keep the little prince waiting now, can we?" he mumbled, as he rang the bell summoning her ladyship's maid to their chambers.

"Katerina, please make sure that the queen has everything she needs to, erm, feed the little prince. I will be in the counsel chambers if you need me. Did you tell Sir Leon what I recommended for the feast?"

"Yes, sire. He has your orders." Katerina said, averting Guinevere's questioning eyes."

"And what order might that be, my lord?" asked Guinevere, now curious.

"Nothing to trouble your head with, my Queen. I must be off now."

And with that he exited the sleeping chambers.

"Katerina, please-"

Katerina looked down. "I cannot tell you anymore, your ladyship. The king swore me to silence."

She sighed with resignation, as Katerina helped her change into her feeding gown.

"Of course he did."

In the counsel chambers.

"My lord, good morning. Errr...are you well? You have not changed into your daily finery."

"The queen is busy in the chambers. And I am surrounded by friends. There is no need to be overtly formal. The feast is not until the evening and suppose I run into a servant carrying a stew or some sort of mash and it ruins my best clothes?"

He gave Sir Leon a friendly pat.

"I'm just being careful, old friend."

"Ah hopefully not too old, I presume."

"Not at all," he said with a smile.

The counsel chamber door opened and Sir Percival and Sir Gwaine stepped into the room.

"My lord."

"Thank you Percival. Your presence was very welcome yesterday. I know Guinevere greatly appreciated your efforts in securing her with the finest decorator in Camelot. Well done."

"Thank you, my lord. My mother was well acquainted with the best seamstresses and house decorators in the land. I'm glad you didn't see me as speaking out of turn when I recommended Madam Wheil."

"Of course not. The castle hasn't been this full of life since-"

Arthur paused. He remembered the last time so much color had filled the castle. His mother was alive then. He was so very young, yet he remembered. Flashes. Nothing concrete or absolute or even clear. But he still remembered.

He cleared his throat in the ensuing silence and continued.

"And now, as we are to welcome Sir Halcyin of the West Village into our kingdom, I wanted to make sure everyone knows what topics to concern him with. Since Morgana's terrible reign ended, we have been blessed with the task of uniting the kingdoms."

"More like burdened."

"Sir Gwaine, did you have something to add?" Arthur said turning to his long-locked friend.

"No, my Lord. Nothing at all," replied Sir Gwaine as he nervously ran his hand through his hair.

Arthur continued. "The joining of the many kingdoms around us have made us stronger and assuring the loyalties of our allies will keep us that way. After the feast, Lord Halcyin will be our guest for the next 3 days. He will have a tour of the castle and the villages. And he will need a guide. Sir Gwaine, I leave that task to you."

"Always a pleasure, your highness," remarked Gwaine. His sarcastic tone wasn't missed.

"Good. Then it's settled." The men nodded their agreements with Arthur and took their leave. As Sir Gwaine was about to exit the chambers, Arthur called him back.

"My Lord?"

"Gwaine, I know the appearance of Halcyin in our kingdom unsettles you. But you must have faith that this alliance will be for the benefit off all of Camelot. The two of you share an uneasy history, I know. But just for the next couple of days...will you put that aside? For your king?" He smiled warmly at Sir Gwaine.

"My Lord, for you I would do anything. I am your knight and you are my king. Any grievances I may have with Lord Halcyin shall not be disclosed. I assure you."

And Arthur recognized his friend's honesty. And was glad for it.

Lord Halcyin had arrived. On time as usual. Arthur and his men greeted him and the servants took their horses to the stables.

"Lord Halcyin, it is always a pleasure to welcome a friend of Camelot to our home."

"The pleasure is all mine, King Arthur. And my sister, how is she?"

"She is preparing herself and will be joining us shortly." He patted Lord Halcyin on the shoulder. "Come."

In the sleeping chambers.

"Katerina, are you sure those earrings are appropriate?"

"Your ladyship, I believe these complement your vestige very much."

Guinevere sighed. Sitting on the chair, in front of her boudoir, she took a good look in front of the mirror. After so many years, married to a king, and being a queen herself, she still had those...moments...where all she saw was the little girl, face smudged with ash from her father's work site, running around piles of metal and wood. The blacksmith's daughter.

"It's just..." She turned to face Katerina. Seeing the apprehension in her servant's face, her own face softened. "It's just that I cannot believe that I would ever doubt your judgement. Katerina, you have been gifted with such wondrous knowledge of the current fashions." She took her servant's hand. "And you've always been so wonderful to me."

Her servant's face brightened.

"Thank you, my lady," Katerina stammered. "You are ready. They won't be able to keep their eyes off you."

"Katerina, you are too kind. But the only eyes I am interested in are my husband's," Guinevere replied, as Katerina curtsied and exited the room.

Guinevere looked at herself in the mirror once more. They were just too much, she thought to herself. There was a soft 'clink clink' as she took off the earrings and replaced them with more subtle, mother-of-pearl studs.