The Man in The Cave

Chapter 31

The fire cackled in the fireplace behind Arthur's seat, and for a while, it was the only sound that filled the room on which the afternoon light leaked through the windows. Morgana sat at the side of the table, Emrys in front of her and Arthur was at the head bending over with his head sunk in between his hands. Morgana and Emrys glanced at each other, unsure of what to do. It seemed to be the same everywhere she stepped in the castle, the air had such heavy weight that it was as if everyone was trying to carry Camelot on their shoulders at the same time.

Once Arthur lifted his head, his eyes were red and puffed with heavy bags underneath.

"I summoned you two because you are the people I trust most in the entire world," Arthur began, clearing his throat before continuing, "and I need to figure out what I'm going to do about Guinevere, as you probably already know, the law says the correct procedure is to execute her, but that's..."

"An exaggeration?" Morgana finished. Arthur nodded, his shoulders dropping.

"Exactly. I want her out of my life, not dead."

"What do you want to do?" Emrys questioned, looking at Arthur, his voice devoid of the usual sarcasm or exasperation. Arthur's eyes turned to him, eyebrows furrowed, "Many times you've known what you wanted to do and were just looking for approval, especially when you were younger and knew nothing on how to be a king,"

"I don't know have the slightest idea of what to do," Arthur confessed, sinking his head in his arms, shaking it as he rose it again, "I know I don't want to kill her, but I can't bear to see her, I try to think what others would do pay attention to the chatter the comes to my ears, but it does nothing to help my predicament,"

"Your father would have executed her without hesitation" Emrys mumbled. Morgana glared at him with wide open eyes. Emrys' mouth turned into a line as he lowered his eyes.

"Are you suggesting I should too?" Arthur pried, an eyebrow risen, a hint of irritation in his tone.

Emrys shook his head, raising a hand, "Of course not,"

Morgana shook her head, a sight escaping her lips, "All Emrys is saying is maybe it's not entirely the best idea to rely on what others would do." Morgana brought the attention to herself, Arthur nodded and Emrys muttered a soft thank you.

"Do you really have no idea of what to do?" Morgana questioned, rubbing Arthur's arm with softness. The thirty-eight years old king looked a lot smaller than what he usually appeared to be, "Have you thought about asking her what punishment she deems appropriate, what would she have done in your position? She's somewhat reasonable, I want to believe, in any case, exile is also an option,"

Arthur shook his head, "I wouldn't want to subject her to a social execution instead of a regular one"

"People talk, there is no way of stopping that, and we're in no place to doubt that this has already reached the ears of others beyond the castle,"

"Emrys has a point, you can't stop people from talking no matter what you do." Morgana rose her voice, her eyebrows furrowed trying to think of a solution, "Guinevere still has a family, they might be able to welcome her back."

It was an optimistic idea; Morgana was aware of it. Guinevere still had a family; both her parents were alive and ruling over their land and her sister had married. Still, they had to consider the idea that they'll have to remake the plan if neither of them wanted to receive her due to the scrutiny it might come tied with the woman who had cheated on her husband with his most prominent knight.