Pendragon's Blood

Part 4: Thief in the Night

Judging by the height of the moon, it was right around ten o'clock when I returned to my room for a brief moment for myself.

After a moment of rest and calming down, I brought up a basin of water to the King and Queen's chambers. The King was talking to his wife about a possible border patrol team as I walked in. Gwen, who was sitting on the window seat, gave me a nod as I passed by their bed to get to their dresser. I set the china bowl down on the dresser as carefully and as noiselessly as possible, so not to interrupt their conversation.

"I don't know what that would accomplish, dear," Gwen was saying, while I was folding some towels next to the basin. "It might infuriate the Saxons, or-"

"I really think we could risk it," Arthur responded, untying his tunic. He stretched his arms above his head expectantly, and I rushed over and helped him take it off. His muscles flexed as he put his arms back down and he nodded a thanks to me before speaking again to his wife. "Genny," he assured, using his secret pet name that only I have ever heard him use. "I've never been so certain about any of my plans than this one."

Gwen sighed and put her head in her hands. She had always confided in me that she hated when Arthur went to war; the prophesy about Arthur dying in battle always consumed her thoughts when he left. Arthur seemed to know this by instinct and walked over to her and sat down beside her. He embraced her in his arms. "Genny. . ."

Gwen's muffled voice came through, "I guess I can't stand in your way when you get an idea you get excited about." she pulled back and smiled wanly. "I learned that a long time ago." She then stood up and walked over to me. I gently guided her to turn around and with quick fingers, I unhooked her dress and helped her out of it, leaving her only in her chemise. As I helped her out of that, Arthur tossed me her nightgown, and I dutifully slipped it over her head. She turned around and walked up to the dresser, where she splashed her face with the water from the basin and dried off the water droplets with the towels I provided.

Gwenevere gestured to her hair, which was tied in a fashionable updo that Amber must have put her in before dinner. "Would you mind?" she asked, smiling. I gave a nod and fished around in a drawer for a comb. For the next few minutes, I undid her hairdo and combed out her thigh length nut-brown hair. When I was done, she ran a hand through it to check for possible missed knots and gestured for me to continue. With nimble fingers, I quickly wrapped her gorgeous hair into a complicated braid that cut the length of her hair down by half and ensured it wouldn't get tangled while she slept.

"Thank you," she whispered, rising from her seat and giving my shoulders a quick squeeze. She walked up to her husband and he wrapped her arms around her. His blue eyes, much like Gawain's, searched mine for a moment.

"Gwen asked me the other day," he started, letting Gwenevere snuggle up against his arm. I felt a jolt of nerves run down my spine. "What we could do to repay you for your hard work."

I breathed a small sigh of relief. I'm not in trouble, then! I thought, a little more comforted.

Arthur continued, "we both are deeply grateful for all you do around here. You do whatever you're told without question, even if it makes you a little uncomfortable." He smiled knowingly and I grin back. When I first started this job, I was more than uncomfortable about helping both the queen and the king undress. But now, it's more of a routine part of the night and I barely think anything of it now.

"So, we talked about it after you left last night," Arthur went on. "And we decided to give you a promotion of sorts, and a bit more freedom."

Freedom?

"W-what type of promotion?" I asked, stammering and having a hard time keeping a big dumb smile from crossing my face.