Gwynnever - Queen of Camelot

Chapter 2

When they eventually reach Camelot, the people were waiting for them. Offering Arthur flowers and cheers. His folk loved him very dearly, noticed Gwynnever. Person after person, Arthur thanked most of them one by one with care, taking the time to ask about their families or health. He was dead tired, she could tell, but nevertheless he didn't complain not hurry.

This was something the girl never experienced. So much pure and unconditional love. So much kindness.

She had grown up in an environment where you needed to be always ready to act. There was no time for thinking or planning. You had to jump on your feet and kill before you got killed. Her father trained her since she started walking. She had a sword in her hand before she was even taught how to courtesy. She learned to use the bow, the sword any weapon actually, before even being taught how to dress properly. In her court taking to others was not the main goal. The principal, mission was to survive.

She was out patrolling the boarder when word came to her that her castle was under attack. She ran as fast as she could but it was too late. Her father... the greatest warrior to ever walk this earth, had been brutally beheaded by his own son who assembled him back and put it on his beloved throne as a joke. God knows how much he was going to pay that disrespect. She would get to the throne and honor her father, the man who taught her to always stand up for herself, wrote a scrappy note to tell her not to come back and to seek refuge to Arthur. To go only to him, because he was pure of heart and would never betray her.

She could tell that by the way he would caress the cheeks of the children or smile to the women who offer him their bows.

"They are all cheering. Why? It's not like he conquered anything." She inquires and Percival pulled her hood back on. To protect her... she felt something inside her loosen. This knight, this Percival, was a huge man which only way to describe him was to compare him to a mountain with red hair as ground and arms so strong they are almost large as she was. Yet, he treated with respect because he promised his king, he'd take care of her. Even though she hurt him. Even though she could kill him. Just because the king said so.

She never had anyone so loyal, so selfless. No one would have died for her besides herself.

"They're just happy that he's safe and home." Then he spurs the horse and directed, with the other Knight to the stable.

Home. She didn't have one anymore.

A bend snapped and she let her head fall a silent tear escape her eyes. It would be the only one she'd permit herself to shed. There would be no more. That one drop, only for her father. The dearest thing to her that had been ripped out of her life. The only person she would have given her life for.

"Finally! I was starting to worry that you had encountered some kind of danger!" an old yet very cheerful voice spoke making the ten knights turn all at the same time to look at the old man. He had a red tunic, slightly torn on the sleeves and covered in all sort of stains with only one ornament a gold chain tightened around his waist. He had eyes so blue they could contain the entire Avalon Lake and more.

"Merlin!" Gawain saluted him but the old man's eyes were on the only little figure in the room. So petite she couldn't pass unnoticed among all these giants.

I felt my hands reach my hood before the thought hit my brain. It was as If I didn't have a choice about it. Merlin came closer, eyeing me carefully. Then smiled widely showing his fewer teeth. "You made it Gwen, at last."

"Gwen?" some of the Knights looked puzzled and so did the tiny figure.

"Merlin is a druid." Explained Percival.

"A warlock you mean?" Gwen retorted.

"Druid, warlock. Turnip. I'm Merlin for you, milady. You have been walking in my sleeps for many fortnights. I trust those good for nothing took good care of you?" She couldn't answer, she was petrified. "Interesting." Said the warlock.