Chapter 1 Short Story

“THE FIRST COMMANDER IS GETTING RESTLESS, we need to hurry,” a fair-haired Kingsman stated to another. He enters first through the singed door of the last home near the entrance to the grain fields, locking eyes with a disheveled young maiden holding on tightly to a frightened little boy.

“Yes?” He turned to look at her, although he didn’t look directly at her, more at the creature she was holding.

Claire rolled her eyes. "Times are changing, the people will change with them and not everyone can be expected to follow noble old traditions. Especially not when your target is the queens eye."

“Yes, I was quite surprised to receive the message from Thomas; however, as much as I would love to travel abroad, rub elbows with the Queen and gallivant around Western Europe with you, I can’t go Allie.”

A hopeful gleam in her eyes, Moira smiled. "I will keep that in mind," she said as she twitched the reigns just enough to stir the two horses from their peaceful doze.

Guinevere dropped down onto the grass beside her friends. “Very well. He misses home and insists he’s doing his best to make sure this is the last extended campaign away from home for a very long time.”

“Don’t harass me, Merlin!” barked Arthur, pacing the floor from bed to window. “I need some honest advice and help. You’re the only one who can give it to me. See me later for supper, here in my quarters. All right?”

She says to him, “ Come to me, Arthur. Leave these others and come to me. My arms are hungry for you. Come, and we can rest together. Come, my husband.”

Gwen nodded and strode a step forward. “Thank you, Princess Mithian.” She summoned up every bit of her own royal manner. For a minute, she could well understand Merlin’s feeling of inferiority in that regard. She exchanged looks with the resident Prince.

Gawain narrowed his eyes at his friend. “Of course you do. The business of getting into Joan’s skirts, no doubt.” He cackled loudly.

"Which brings me to why I called you here. We have known each other a long time, and I trust your judgment. I would like you to become one of my advisors and, as my first act as Queen, I would also like to name you "First Knight of Camelot". Will you agree to take on these roles?"

“You don’t need to call me sir. If you go to the end of the carriage, there should be one. You’d better change into your robes. We’ll be arriving soon,” the giant said, looking out of the window at the countryside view.

"I beg you to give me another chance, Guinevere. It was wrong of me, all of it. Please, don't go." He held little hope of her agreeing but he had to try. The humility ringing through his voice didn't seem to be making any dent in the shield she had now erected around her heart, a shield borne of anger and humiliation and disillusionment. The same shield he had erected when she could not explain her actions with Lancelot. He had not given her a chance then when she'd begged him not to banish her, not to leave her nor cast her out. What chance did they have now after all the pain he had caused with his blindness and complete lack of trust? After all the hurtful things he'd slung at her? How could they build a lasting marriage upon such a shattered foundation? "Can we not work through

“What? No!” Lani cackled at the remark. “You know Mrs. Homily, Rayvon. A total monarch.”

Arthur and Merlin had been through so much together. If it had not been for Merlin, Arthur never would have survived his near-fatal wound at the battle of Vale of Ewyas against Morgane and her men, and Llacheu would not have been born.