Camelot

VII

“I'm glad that you were able to join us this time Lady Guinevere.” King Uther raised his glass to me.

“It's a pleasure my Lord.” I replied.

“Such a beautiful young treasure, what is her bloodline?” King Uther turned to Sir Lancelot.

“We're not sure. I found Lady Guinevere list in a barn. We have recently discovered her father was a baker. He lived here in Camelot before he disappeared.” Sir Lancelot answered.

“The daughter of a baker is your ward Sir Lancelot. I'm sorry but such a thing isn't done.* King Uther started.

“My father was a baker, but I didn't grow your with him. I grew up with my mother who was the leader I'd our island.” I blurted. What on earth did I just do? “I'm sorry for soaking out of turn my lords.” I hid my face.

I could tell that u had them both staring at me. “Guinevere I was convinced that you had no idea where you came from. Isn't that what lost implies?” Sir Lancelot raises his eyebrows.

“May u be excused?” I refused to meet anyone's eyes.

After a king deafening silence King Uther finally spoke up, “I shall return to my quarters, Prince Arthur seems to not be joining us do I'll leave you two to talk.”

I listened to his footsteps walking away from the table. “Guinevere, who really are you? I've tried to help you but if you've been lying to me than that's where I'm having a problem.” He looked right at me.

“If you want the truth can we please go somewhere private?”

“Why should I give you common courtesy that you don't give me?”

“If you want the truth meet me outside the wall in the forest when the moon is in line with Orion's Belt.” I stood from the table. “I'm sorry if I haven't been completely honest with you but u have my reasons.”

I walked away as quickly as u could, my breath quickened in fear of telling him the truth. I only had a few hours to figure out what to tell him, whether the truth was actually going to come out. Truth would mean death but I can't bring myself to tell him a lie. I love him.

~•~

The stars were shining brightly above this grim night. Covered in my cloak I hid behind the trees to a large clearing. Looking up to the stars I watched carefully as the moon alignes itself as the fourth piece of Orion's Belt, a phenomenon to us witches that stood for change, something affecting life and morphing it to a new design with no definite ending. It is here I stood seating Sir Lancelot to come, I decided what I needed to tell him. The truth, no matter where it would take me.

“Guinevere, what are you doing out here child?” My father appeared behind me.

Jumping out if my skin at his voice surprised appearance I took a deep breath while holding into my knife as if it has my lifeline. “I'm sorry, you started me.” I put my hand to my heart. “I was supposed to meet Sir Lancelot here, but it seems he's not coming.”

“Guinevere you must be careful where you go. You know what Merlin said. You need to worry about your own protection. Come the gates should be closed but I can help you get back into the castle.” He grabbed my hand.

“Merlin never got the chance to finish what he was telling me. Do you know what it was?”

He seemed scared, and angry. “He said he did, and he promised he'd be the one to tell you.” My father growled. “Come, we'll take you to our camp and I'll have him complete his promise.”

“Father, I was told Merlin was your brother but you can't both be heads of a family bloodline can you?” I questioned.

“You're right, we can't, Meelin is the son if my father and a different mother. His mother gave him his title while as the eldest I had my father's title which will be passed down to you when you are ready.” He explained. “Merlin doesn't have an her, so according to tradition he has the choice or anyone after your generation in the family with his mother's blood.”

“So how many is that?”

“As of now it can only be a child of yours. Your mother shares a small similar bloodline to that of Merlin's, and that runs through you as well no matter what fraction it may be.” My father smiled. “Let's go get it of this night air, the camo isn't too far.”

Walking with him out my mind at ease. I almost forgot all of the problems I have been facing since I came to Camelot. Just being with him seemed to ease everything. “Guinevere, it's also time that I be completely honest with you, the whole backer thing was a cover so I could meet you. The only reason I was pardoned by King Uther was because he already knew me. Merlin has his own kingdom, and we are strong allies with Camelot as long as King Uther's doesn't find out that we are protecting all of the sorcerers that hide from them. And as King as they don't figure it we are magic. You must keep your powers from anyone who is with Camelot, even Sir Lancelot.” My father became very firm and authoritative.

“Of course, but why did you keep it a secret from me?” I had to know.

“We needed to make sure that you were you and not an imposter trying to come after Merlin's kingdom. I hope you can understand and accept my apology.”

“We're family, forgiveness isn't hard for trivial white lies.”

“I'm glad to hear that, that you consider us family.” He smiled.

We walked through the forest it just seemed to light up in the moonlight. The trees, with fresh rain drops from earlier, sparkled like silver all around us. Grasshoppers chimed a sweet melody that was carried in the soft midnight wind. In my mind I could envision and feel what the rain would be like now. The sparkle of each drop like diamonds in the moonlight that landed like tiny ticked. Closed eyes I could almost feel it happening outside of my mind.

“Guinevere, open your eyes.” My father's hand held my arm forcing me to stop.

Allowing my eyelids to fold back I looked up twords the sky. Everything I had just imagined was coming to life, the rain sparkled brighter than diamonds. Each raindrop was as soft as feathers against your skin. I enjoyed the sensation in my fingers like a hummingbird wings just skimming the surface. Picking up my hands I caught a few raindrops, the second they touched me the raindrops transformed into gorgeous natural uncut diamonds, after seventeen drops changed before my eyes the rain cleared and all that was left was on large full moon.

“You did that Guinevere, you don't even need spells.” My father was astounded.

“How?” I was just as confused.

“I don't know.” He chuckled. “I don't know how but it's amazing.” He gently kissed my forehead.

We walked on together in the moonlight, just father and daughter. He gave off such a powerful energy just being next to me. I could sense his power, he was strong but was really good at hiding it on the outside. He made me feel safe, as a father is supposed to, but also very alone knowing how I got here and that I rarely know who my father even was. He was a mystery behind a named face.