Post by Arthur on Mar 23, 2013 3:26:40 GMT -6
~ Arthur and Guinevere are Married ~
Arthur, Guinevere, Alison, Merlin and Others;
Stonehenge
Spring, 466 AD
Upon the 3rd day of Martius, All Roman governmental influence has vanished from Britannia and the people shall be united as one nation under a Council, with Arthur named Governor of Briton… and married to Guinevere.
The winter snows had gone, melted away… The birds and animals come from their hibernation to welcome the next cycle of life, now taking its turn. From the dark skies, now come the rains… once more cleansing the land of last fall’s bloodshed. And in the land of Arthur, Guinevere, Lancelot, and the Knights peace reigns… Arthur and Guinevere have formed a relationship that would appear steadfast and true… and the two of them, along with Merlin, Tristan, Gawain, and Lancelot, have been instrumental in talks of accord, attempting to unite the people.…
And now the agreements and concessions had been agreed to in order to forward, Merlin, the shaman and designated representative, was atop the Stone and was speaking to his people about the accomplishments in solidarity of the Picts, Caledonians, and western tribes into one nation against their enemy… and now, upon the accomplishments of Arthur forming one nation of the Briton against the Saxon invaders…
Merlin’s speech to the Pict Nation was powerful, though Arthur and his knights not fully understanding the language, could only imagine what Merlin spoke of. Until Merlin, surprisingly, began to articulate the same speech in the language of the Briton, leaving them in dismay, and looking at one another.
Once more, Arthur would scan the crowd, and with only a slight turn of his head he could see Picts, Britons, Romans, all gathered in one place where the erect stones formed a circle to hear an odd looking man… There were familiar faces, and faces of unknowns… men and women, and children intermingled within… all listening to Merlin.
He would take Guinevere’s hand and smile… their days of hiding their relationship, now revealed to all…
The befallen rain was perhaps an omen to the days of tribulation that was still yet upon the horizon for them all. Upon this particular occasion there within the heartland of the rocky terrain of towering relic, Arthur prepared to dedicate himself onto the young Guinevere. They listened carefully as the man spoke his motivating speech... Empowering the charge that would convince their kind to honor and respect this relationship…
Standing before Merlin, Arthur held Guinevere’s hand as the shaman spoke words for the coming future of the land… and focusing on what Merlin was saying, did not stop Arthur from noticing the looks upon the people's faces. He smiled, then refocused on Merlin.
Intermingled in the crowd were Arthur's great knights… Lancelot, Gawain, Galahad, Bors, Dagonet, Tristan, and Leon… Seven men, those remaining of Arthur’s 200 original Sarmatian knights, men who had already proven themselves to him... And this new nation, new army, new soldiers to battle the invaders. Now came the hour where others were called to the test of loyalty. Who would fail? Who would remain just? Time would be the verdict.
Guinevere’s hand in his, Arthur looked to the crowd… everyone knew they all would be travelling down a new path… but none truly knew the trials upon that path they would be taking. Arthur now remembered the men who could not see this day… and those, seven of them that remained… he smiled, knowing they were true of heart… Then he looked to Lancelot… the reason unknown; and his jaw shifted a bit.
Guinevere felt the warmth of Arthur's calloused hand upon the smaller surface of her own and, with a soft breath, her dark eyes reluctantly pulled from the protection of her father to observe Arthur, the man she loved. Much smaller in height in comparison to the others she reared up her face and forced a light smile at the corners of her mouth. Accepting the cup representing life, she would gently take a sip and then offer it up to Arthur. "With my life I vow to thee." Her words were soft and kind…
Arthur had refocused on Guinevere as she drank from the cup… then with calloused hands, he gently took the cup from her… his fingers caressing hers as he withdrew the cup from her… and with that charming smile, he took the cup to lips and drank deep. Then looking to her… “With my life, I vow to thee…” And he meant it by showing her in a kiss.
Then Merlin took the cup from the man… and spoke loudly, so all could hear. And it was the erect stones that seemed to echo the man’s words, so even all in the back could hear. “Arthur… For years, knights had fought and died for a land not their own. The world we all have known and fought for is ended. Now we must make a new world.” Merlin paused and looked directly at Arthur, pointing. “That sword you carry, Excalibur, is made of iron from this earth, forged in the fires of Britain. And on that day at Mons Badonicus, all who fought put our lives in service of a greater cause… Freedom…” He walked past Arthur and Guinevere, looking to the crowd… “Let every man, woman, child bear witness that from this day all Britons will be united in one common cause.” Then he looked to Arthur… then his daughter. “Arthur… Guin'vere... Our people are one. As you are.” Then he stepped to the side and presented the newly married couple to the crowd who began cheering.
Arthur held his new bride’s hand… and with his right, he drew the sword the people deemed a symbol, Excalibur, and held it high… and the people cheered. A new Nation was born… a man and woman was chosen to lead it… Soon he and his bride would leave Stonehenge and go to Camelot, their home.
'Let from this day forth all Briton is united in one common cause…'
Lancelot was proud to stand near his best friend and Arthur’s beloved bride… and Fate was upon his side to survive such brutal attack upon his body… and though it still pained him, he raised his sword high with the others, maybe even first after Arthur’s. And he looked to Dagonet, Tristan, Gawain, Galahad, Leon, and Bors… and he was glad to have the 7 of over 200 knights left to honor Arthur. But as First Knight, he knew it would befall him to train new knights… whether they be Briton, left-over Roman, or remaining Sarmatian… old heritage need not be discussed… and forward would they move as Knights of the Round Table. And last but not least, he would look to Arthur and smile… then to Guinevere, with eyes that yearned for days of old.
Standing there alongside her new husband, her right arm instinctively raised by the powerful urge of Arthur as together they raised the mighty sword into the sky. Merlin's words inspired her and actually coaxed thin lips to shift into a slow smile. The gesture almost shy compared to what all knew she was capable of.
When Arthur curled down she lifted upon her toes to softly return his kiss... nuzzling her cheek against the bridge of his nose but, upon rearing back those dark depths simply couldn't resist landing upon Lancelot who stood there at the foreground. Though her facial expression appeared indifferent, the stare she gave was curious and sententious.
"Look at all that you have already achieved, my love" She whispered and then lifted the silk of her gown to step over the stones and follow Arthur toward their new home... To begin her lesson as wife to this great man...
He was focused on her for moment… and the crowd the next… He knew beside him was his beloved new bride… the other, his most trusted knight, Lancelot… and together, they would ensure the safety of the new Nation… And at Guinevere’s words, he looked to her once more… “Tis nay I m’love… tis all of us… and we shall go forth and the land will prosper…” and he guided them to the carriage, for their return to Camelot.
While passing Lancelot, she whispered up at him… "I love him…" As if she felt the need to justify herself and her dedication to Arthur.
Were the words meant for his ears, or his subconscious mind?? Regardless, Lancelot heard them… and it was painful to the heart… but his brother-in-arms had chosen Guinevere above all others… Did Arthur not know he loved her as well…?? But alas, he was First Knight… and Arthur’s best and most trusted friend… How could he not know…?? moreso, he would not allow Arthur to be hurt, nor cast doubt upon the land’s new leader. He loved Arthur… and Guinevere… and friends they would remain.