princess gnenevire (satbk au) 🗡

5

Days have passed. Guenevire was feeling well enough to participate in royal "meetings" of sorts. His majesty, Leondegrance and the royal court still had to meet with other ruling kingdoms for many things such as trade, treaties, suitors (for some godforsaken reason), and planning for royal occasions. It was boring but the young queen enjoyed seeing other people.

Lancelot was of course, by her side whilst she sat in her throne, listening to the duke and duchess from over the Titanic Plain try to negotiate trading of commerce. Guenevire leaned over to Lancelot and tried to cover her mouth. "Why do they speak of trading when we have enough here already?" She whispered.

"It is for the people outside the castle, your majesty," Lancelot explained in a hushed voice. "His majesty's sworn oath is to his people, and to have them starve or become ill is a disservice to that oath." She nodded, frowning; not even considering the people outside of this place, Arkeus' castle...it was selfish. If she were to be queen it was only natural she would learn to follow that oath as well.

The duke and duchess curtsied and bowed before taking their leave, followed by two guard of their own. Suddenly a tall, menacing-looking figure entered the throne room. Leondegrance seemed uncomfortable with his presence, which made the two silently nervous. Who was this man?

"Your highness," the man knelt on his knee and bowed his head. "You may rise, Arthur," the king commanded in a calm voice. "To what do I owe the pleasure? I do not remember us being on fine terms." King Arthur chuckled, rising to his feet. Guenevire clenched the sides of her throne, unnerved by the armor Arthur adorned.

"Ah, of course," the king began, "I simply wanted to propose a truce of sorts, Leondegrance." Lancelot recognized him; he was the king of the a large kingdom, including the city of Camelot. He knew the man was powerful, and incredibly intimidating. "A truce?" Arkeus' king repeated, surprised by Arthur's forwardness. "I thought we had agreed to leave each other alone."

"We did, but there has been a chance of plans," Camelot's ruler explained with a charged tone. "Grandfather hasn't ever spoken of this man to me," Guenevire whispered to Lancelot, who frowned under his helmet. "I would like to share sovereignty over these lands and expand my empire, but obviously you are here," King Arthur explained.

"I am willing to negotiate terms and whatnot, but ultimately my goal is to— well, conquer this place and continue to spread my kingdom to all lands. Hopefully peacefully," the man finished, raising his hand. "Conquer??" The young queen stood up from her throne in surprise. "Settle down," Leondegrance commanded with a harsher voice than intended.

Arthur turned his attention to her, his lifeless eyes staring into her soul. "I am glad you are in better health, or at least I hope so. It would truly be a shame if that were to end." Lancelot quickly went to draw his sword but his king held up his arm, stopping him from making a brash move. "Do you threaten my granddaughter?" He asked unkindly.

"Of course not, your highness. I simply am warning you all that if you do not agree, I have plans in motion to do what I intend, regardless of the circumstances." Guenevire stepped back a bit, frowning at him. What did he mean by that?? What plans were moving into place? Would Arkeus be well?

"We have heard enough," Leondegrance finished lowly, standing up from his throne. "You may leave, Arthur." Said king hmph'd and turned around, dragging his large sword behind him. "Maybe the gods save you all," he muttered menacingly as he exited the throne room. Lancelot turned to the king. "Are you alright, sire?"

"Yes, thank you," Leondegrance sighed, sitting back down. "Take Guenevire back to her room."

"What?? I am well, grandfather, am I not? You said I could see this through!" She protested frustratedly. "Do not argue with me!" He scolded. "Go, now." Lancelot hadn't even had the chance to escort her, as the girl quickly walked away and out of the large doors. He looked back at his king, nodding and running after her.

Once he found her, she was catching her breath by the entrance to the castle. The courtyard was empty, save for Arthur and his men saddling their horses to depart. She spied through a crack in the gate quietly, thoughts racing. "Guenevire," Lancelot interrupted her. "It is not wise to rush off in such a manner."

"...Right, I'm sorry," she mumbled, turning to him. Guenevire balled her fists around parts of her gown, sighing. "I am just...nervous." The knight understood; he too was nervous, but his main priority was making sure the queen was safe and healthy. "Come," he beckoned, waving a hand. She followed with a frown as the two made their way back to her bed room.

As they walked, the two festered in their thoughts; if Arthur had something planned, what was it? Why was his demeanor so odd? What was him and the king's history? Guenevire didn't know any of it, and surely if must've been bad if even her grandfather was tense. She saw others in the castle gossip about what they heard and it made her uncomfortable.

The two arrived in Guenevire's chambers and shut the door. She walked over to her bed and groaned, falling un-gracefully onto it, her face covered with a pillow. "Are you alright?" Lancelot asked innocently. "I am well, but my stomach aches with anxiety."

"I understand, but perhaps it is best you not worry of what you heard," he tried to coax, "your grandfather is intelligent enough to come up with a solution." Guenevire revealed her face to Lancelot, puffing her cheeks in a pout. "You're right...but I don't want anything to happen." Her knight simply nodded, agreeing with the sentiment. The two shared a moment of silence.

"Do you believe in destiny?" She asked suddenly, catching Lancelot off guard. "...I suppose, why?" He asked. "I am sure the heavens have a plan, then," she explained hopefully, "for everyone. The kingdom, my grandfather, us. Even if it is not good."

"We should pray for a good outcome," Lancelot argued, "accepting defeat isn't—"

"Yes I know, it's not right to give up, but if you have no control, what is the use thinking you do?" Guenevire explained with a tired sigh. "I have an illness, do I not? Everyday I wish I was well but everyday I wake up ill. I am still happy!" Lancelot smiled a bit. "I see your point..." This was something completely different, however. Illnesses had cures, ailments, but a possible invasion, or de-throning...those were in-fixable.

"And you are still my shadow and my moon, so if anything happens, you will be there to protect me, she smiled back at her knight, who nodded. "Yes, without a second thought." His sun sat up, now filled with less anxiety and stomach trouble. "Lancelot, let's go steal the desserts in the kitchen!" Lancelot rolled his eyes, helping his princess out of bed. "Do you wish to get me in trouble again?"

"No, I wish for cake, silly! Besides, they don't mind too much," Guenevire giggled and ran over to the door, the hedgehog following obediently.