Gwynnever - Queen of Camelot

Chapter 1

"Step away from the king." Percival declared. The perfect lips widen in a sardonically smile and she pulled out a knife quickly bringing to the king's throat.

"Why don't you step aside, Percival?" the voice was feminine, and she spoke as if she was part of the crew. Percival whitened when he saw the weapon so he lowered his blade and ordered to the others to withdraw.

"We mean no harm to you. Get off the king and we'll leave you be."

"We all know, the second I'll get off your precious king, you'll swing that shiny sword and cut my head off. I'm not naïve, little Percy." She bites back. A soft smell of rain and lilium pervaded Arthur senses and he relaxed. Somehow, in some deep part of his soul, he knew the stranger had no bad intentions toward him.

Why?

Because she managed to take 10 very well-trained men by surprise, and would have already killed him if that was the original goal. No, she wanted to be heard.

"Nothing good will come of this," Arthur says and even if he could flip her over and maybe win the struggle, he didn't want to injure the light creature sited on him. "Tell me, outlander, what do you want?"

"Just a few moments alone with the king," she states turning to look at Gawain who was getting ready to strike. And just like that, she was wind so fast and lethal that Arthur was truly impressed when she managed to avoid Gawain blow sliding under his sword, so close it pulled her hood back, freeing a thick tress of pure gold. She rotates the knife in her hand and swing to hit the Knight thigh as she jumped back on her feet. One by one, the soldiers who had years and years of training tempted to catch her but all end up crushing against a tree or knocked on the ground by the agile little fox.

Percy, who was still holding his bleeding leg stared at the girl like he saw a ghost.

"How?" he seemed to murmur under his breath. "How can a tiny thing like her take out 10 men doubled her size!?"

"Because size doesn't matter." Arthur and the girl found themselves saying at the same time and this won him a very knowing smile that showed a little dimple at the corner of her right cheek.

She made her way toward Arthur, daring any of his men to defy her. She had a wide smirk, pure pride flashing on her eyes. She was proud of herself, and rightly so since she had proven to be better than the whole elite of soldiers of Camelot.

"Don't you dare touch him." Gawain said, rage dancing in his glance as the woman offer the king her hand.

"Oh, bite me." She exclaims as Arthur accepts the offer and stand on his feet. She even dust off his knees and straightens his chain mail shirt. "Here."

Arthur had to suppress a heartily laughter watching his men's jaw drop at her obvious attempt to provoke them. "So," he managed to say clearing his voice to prevent the amusement to escape his control. "To whom do we owe the pleasure to still be alive?"

"Gwynnever." She did a perfect courtesy to the king, holding an imaginary skirt. "Gwynnever of Leodegrance."

"So, Gogrfan had indeed a child." Arthur answers crossing his arms.

"Two, to be precise. My half brother is the one we must thank for this disaster." She explained while fixing her belt that only now Arthur notices, was full of knifes of all sizes and shapes.

"And how did you manage to escape the siege?" Inquire Gawain adjusting his cape. "You do not expect us to believe that you taken out an entire army? Even your father is dead and he was one of the greatest swordman I'd had the pleasure to fight along with."

Something flashed in the woman eyes and for a moment they become fogged before sharpening again as she takes one of her knives from the belt and throws it to Gawain so quick that if she didn't miss it on purpose, he'll be dead.
"If you are implying that I had anything to do with this, I suggest you to think again." Arthur was terribly attracted to her, longing to listen to her voice. She was magnetic and it was impossible not to lay eyes on her and her beauty had nothing to do with this. It was this halo she had around her. This thick light that lure anyone who saw her toward her.

"And as for my father," she adds. "I know what he was. Who do you think taught me how to take out pathetic soldiers like yourself, sir Gawain?" Gawain growled but I raised my hand to stop him.
"Enough. Stop harassing my men, Gwynnever. So, you are a Princess and the rightful heir to the throne?"

She nods. "And what do you want from us?" she took a deep breath and grabbed another knife from her belt, playing with it in her hands.

"Protection. I can't go back to my land until my brother is the one sited on the throne. He wants me dead and even though I am not lil-quipped little girl, I am not a god. I can't take out an entire Army."

"I'll put my money on you." Percival said, still cleaning his wound. The woman seemed pleased so much so, she heads toward him and kneeling down, she reached to a handkerchief on her sleeve and wrap it around his leg. She was so tiny compared to him. It was hard to believe that such small person had just conquered the entire royal guard.

"Thank you, Percy." Arthur and the other were bewildered to see Percival, the mighty and always so impeccable Percival Blush. He notices and dismiss them crossing his arms to his chest and pouting in protest.

"I humbly seek for Asylum, my lord." She turns to face the king. Her eyes so clear that seemed amber.

"We can't trust her. What if she is a spy?" Says Lord Eric as he moves closer to his king. "We can't risk the safety of Camelot."

"I understand." She lowers her head. Percival narrowed his eyes around the tiny figure like he was pondering if intervene in her favor.

"You attacked us. You could just come to the court and ask to meet the king..."

"No, I couldn't." she gritted her teeth to Gawain.

"She's right." Said the king and everyone silenced in waiting. "She is a fugitive. If word got to out that she was in Camelot she'd be dead before I could get the chance to see her. And even if I managed to schedule a hearing, what was she suppose to say? There are no records of her anywhere. I've only heard stories about a possible heir, never knew for certain its existence. No one in the entire court could vouch for her."

"And in what way assaulting us..."

"We couldn't refuse to listen to her, this way." Replied the king. "And she did us no harm while she could easily take me out. She had her knife to my throat."

"I believe her, sire." Said Percival and she smiles warmly to him. "I'll vouch for her." Something soft flashes on her glare as she takes a calming breath. Arthur suspects she is terribly tired and in desperately need for a little peace. He can understand. He does understand.

"She'll stay in Camelot and-"

"Don't talk to me like I'm not here." She spits out and Arthur raises both hands to excuse himself.

"Very well, Gwynnever. You can stay in Camelot if you wish. I'll assign a knight to watch over you and since you made our Percy, he can take care of you."

"To control me, you mean?" Arthur widely smirks and offers his hand to her. She gives in and he slowly pulls her closer to place a tender kiss.

"You will discover very soon, milady that we do not mistreat any of our guests. And you'll receive every care in the world in Camelot."

Her honey eyes even though a little skeptical, were filled with gratitude. "I think it will better if I stayed with one of the knights. I don't want my brother to know that a guest arrived to Camelot. I'd prefer if no one knew that I am there and it will be easier if they think I'm just servant of one of your men."

"Very wise." Said Gawain through gritted teeth. "So, you can make your way though all of our secrets without being noticed."

"Gawain." Roared Arthur as he mounts on his horse. "If I hear you disrespect our guest one more time..."

Percy offered his help to Gwynnever but she gave him a very offended look and jumped on his gelding with her usual nimbleness. "I can take care of myself." Said she and Percival shrugged and followed her on the enormous black horse. "Oh, I leaned that on my skin. Believe me, my lady."

Arthur betrayed himself by laughing at the elegant frown on the woman's face but signal to his group to move. "It's getting dark, let's move."