Everything sounds sharper when your senses are heightened in anticipation of something monumental. The bigger the reward, the more your emotions are intensified. Guinevere sensed her moment was finally here. She mustn't appear too eager, too rushed, too needy. For ladies in her era marriage was everything, and your choice (if you even had one) was to set up the rest of your life. Marriage could mean social elevation, or total ruin. You kept on your parent's good side to receive even a modicum of say so in your own life. You indulged your father and flattered and stayed his little girl so that he might find you a husband you liked (and preferably not so soon after thirteen). You were a pawn, a jewel, a dutiful wife and loving loyal mother... but you were NOT your own woman ever. With the chance to be High Queen, at least she could call some of the shots. She had her ways, her charms, her court friends; she was not without influence already. This man Arthur could elevate her standing further. She was barely eighteen, but that was old by some men's standards.

"Guinevere," he started. He sounded nervous, she leaned in further, smiled, their lips almost touching.
"Please Sire, call me Gwen as you did in Cornwall." He seemed rattled by that.
"Yes, erm, well My Lady Guin..I mean Gwen, we've known each other a fair time now."
"Intimately," she whispered. He shuffled again. He'd rather face a dozen foe than shame himself thus, and she wasn't making this easy.
"Yes, well, I think you will agree, we are well suited."
"I do," she said with a wink and a sound of over emphasized willingness.
"Well I've come to rely on your friendship and enjoy your counsel."
He took her hand and for the first time noticed in that moment that her lips were now the same deep red of her dress. It was very distracting.
"Indeed my Liege," and she pressed her other hand over his and moved so her bosom was pressed alarmingly against him.
"Well I, err that is, me..."
"Yes you, Arthur."
"Yes indeed me, King Arthur of all Britain..."
"Such an accomplished title," she said cheekily with a coy smile.
"Damn it woman!"

With that the King got up and knelt before her and pulled out the Pendragon ruby ring. It was the family ring in gold shaped with dragons holding a huge ruby in the centre.
"Guinevere, My Lady, would you do me the honour of being my High Queen, that is - of being my wife?"
The white mare whinnied and snorted at just that moment but the Princess ignored it. Nothing was going to ruin this moment.
"Why yes!" she said acting surprised once again, and throwing her arms round him with a tender but passionate kiss. And thus in that the deal was sealed, and with it the fate of the whole Country. Arthur smiled relieved, she really was quite the accomplished actress. He thought like Merlin, that this might be a very useful attribute in the future. Under the laburnum tree, with it's yellow abundant flowers and a startlingly blue sky like an endless sea; the two sailed off into dreams of their future. Both with very different ideas of a final destination!

the end




© .Garry Saunders