The Once and Future Princess

Chapter 3

As we walked closer to the Dining Hall, Arthur let go of my hand and moved to hold my arm like he was formally escorting me to dinner. I had to stop myself from giggling like a gossiping maid. When we walked in the king and my mother look towards us.

"Ah, Princess Catherine please join us across from where Arthur sits." The king said smiling as Arthur guided me to my spot. I smiled back and took my seat. The king and my mother looked at each other. "Let us eat." He announced and servants brought dinner forward. The dinner was tense and quiet with very little small talk.

"Please tell me you let the servants take care of your horse Catherine." My mother chided me after I let out a small sigh.

"Yes, mother. I sat there like a proper princess and directed them to do what I wanted with my horse. I cannot let them mess up and have my horse looking anything but proper." I smiled and lied through my teeth to my mother. She looked at Arthur for confirmation.

"Yes, Your Majesty, she did nothing except sit there and point." Arthur spoke to my mother.

"Thank you for making sure she did not do it herself." My mother smiled like she had gotten her way. If it were not an inappropriate time, I would have laughed. My mother was so focused on what she wanted she did not see the lies and that Arthur and I were trying not to laugh.

As dessert was served the king cleared his throat and started to talk. "We would like to talk to you both." He started then looked to my mother as if to confirm the time to announce this.

"We have arranged a marriage for the two of you." My mother stated. As soon as she said the word marriage, I went numb. She went on to talk about the political alliances that could come out of this. I was so confused.

Our kingdoms are aligned on different sides of the magical war going on. Camelot was the main source of the war. Many of Elmet's people died in this war. I did not understand why my mother wanted this. At the same time, I was feeling conflicted because I knew the rumors about the once and future king that would bring magic to the lands.

I knew it was meant for Arthur. This made me slightly hopeful. I also knew that I could very easily love Arthur. He is a good man and he would make a fine husband. Eventually, my thoughts got so powerful that I stood up and walked out. I was only 18 and she was proposing marriage.

"Let her go." I heard the king say to someone, I did not stay to find out who. As the door shut behind me the thoughts calmed slightly. Once I was a little way down the hall, I heard the door open again and I worried it was my mother.

"Princess Catherine please wait." I heard Arthur call after me and run to catch up to me. "Hey," He said gently. He tried to grab my hand, but I pulled it away.

"Did you know about this?" I screamed, crossing my arms over my chest, wondering if this is why he had been so nice to me all day.

"No, I had no idea that this was the reason for your visit." He begged me to believe him, the look in his eyes gave it all away. He had no idea this was happening either.

"I am only 18, I cannot get married when I have barely lived." I say letting a few tears fall down. He wraps his arms around me and pulls me close. I let him. His arms felt like coming home.

"Let's get out of here." He says and grabs my hand and pulls me somewhere. We arrive at his home chambers and he leads me inside. His chambers were being cleaned by the same servant that came to find him earlier. "Merlin please leave." Arthur told his servant.

"Yes, sire." The servant Merlin said. He walked out of the room. Arthur pulled me to his bed and sat me down.

"I promise you I had no idea that we were to be married." He whispered in my ear holding me close. I rested my head on his shoulder and he lied us down.

"I believe you. I'm just scared. Everything is changing so quickly. I lost my father, my mother hates how I act, and I barely see my brother as it is. Now they want me to move away and see them even less. It feels like I am being sent away like they do not want me around" I whispered, not wanting to break the peace that had fallen over us. He pulled me close so that I was cuddled up with him.

"I understand that. I am scared too." He sighed and tilted his head towards the ceiling. We laid in bed for what seemed like an eternity before I decided to get up and go back to my chambers.

"Thank you for letting me stay for a while, but I should be heading back to my chambers before mother becomes worried." I say standing up adjusting my outfit. Arthur sits up lightly grabs my waist.

"Please stay." he looked me in the eye. "I need you to stay, I cannot be alone tonight." I looked at him and sighed.

"Ok, but only tonight." I took my dress off, leaving me in my slip and underclothes as well as my heels, and lied back down. He changed into his nightclothes then laid down, pulling me close. We talked about anything and everything until late in the evening. Eventually, we fell asleep still cuddled close to each other. When the morning came and we were awoken by Arthur's servant Merlin, we were still in each other's arms.

"Good morning sunshine!" Merlin yelled and flung open the curtains as if on instinct. Once both of us groaned, he looked back and was shocked. "Princess Catherine I am so sorry. I had no idea you were still here."

In my still half-asleep state, I answered back without thinking. "You are fine Lord Emrys. I appreciate your apology though." I smiled and laid my head back down but Arthur shot up.

"Lord Emrys?" He questioned, almost shouting. It was at that moment I knew I had messed up.