by Leilani Love
“You could be wrong,” Arthur pointed out.
Merlin raised an eyebrow. His eyes twinkling as he shook his head no.
“If we leave now we should be home before dinner. Give me just a minute and I’ll help saddle the horses,” Arthur said, walking away to go relieve himself in the woods.
He walked far enough away from the camp not to be seen and quickly relieved himself. As Arthur started lacing up the front of his breeches, the sound of branches snapping echoed behind him. Arthur turned and darted his gaze around. The hair on the back of his neck raised. The woods stilled. Everything was quiet. Whatever was out there, he considered a threat, even though he couldn’t see them.
When he got back to the campsite Merlin was saddling the horses, while Guinevere packed up the saddle bags with their food. He rolled up the blankets they used and tied them on the back of the saddles, grateful that later that night he would be sleeping in his bed.
When everything was done, and they were ready to go, Arthur went to help Guinevere onto her mount. She looked at her horse and winced. If he had to guess, she was dreading getting back on the animal as much as he was.
“How about I promise that you get the first hot bath when we got home,” Arthur teased.
She smiled. “Okay, but I am not promising that I will ever get out.” With that, she sighed, and he helped her up onto the horse.
Arthur couldn’t help but stare as she adjusted her dress. He put his hand on hers and brought it to his lips. “I promise to bring you extra pails of hot water so you can stay in as long as you like.”
A beautiful blush spread across her cheeks, and then Merlin cleared his throat, disrupting the moment. “Come on, children. I, for one, also want a hot bath and I’m tired of riding. The last time I saw your parents, Arthur, you were barely holding your head up. It will be good to see them again.”
Arthur winked at Guinevere before heading over to his horse and quickly mounting. Arthur wondered about the horse that he had left in town. He had loosely tied the animal up and found himself hoping that someone had untied him. It was a long shot, but it wouldn’t be the first time his horse found its way home on its own.
Before they took off, the hair on the back of his neck stood up, and he looked around. His horse, sensing his unease, shifted under him. Merin glanced around his eyes settling in the woods just past his shoulder. Arthur glanced over his shoulder to see a horse step out from between the trees. It’s rider’s dark complexion did nothing to hide the black markings all over his body.
A soft gasp drew his attention from the lone rider to Guinevere. Her eyes wide as her horse shifted under her.
“Ride,” Merlin said as he kicked his horse. Arthur made sure Guinevere had started to follow Merlin before kicking his own horse. A glance over his shoulder showed the man had not moved but was watching them his lips pulled back in a snarl showing his razor teeth as he watched them flee.
Merlin took the lead and Arthur kept his place just behind Guinevere, keeping her in the center, hoping it would keep her protected.
They rode hard, slowing only and to eat and water the horses.
The sun was low in the sky when several wolves appeared, running through the woods. They kept far enough away as to not spook the horses. Guinevere must have seen them too because she glanced back at him and he nodded, letting her know they were safe.
Merlin turned off the main road and onto the trail that led to his family’s home. As they got closer, he found himself urging his horse faster.
Two of the wolves beat them home and were sitting next to his parents when they rode up. His parents were huddled in the doorway, his mother’s eyebrows furrowed in worry. His father, always a comfort, wrapped an arm around her. Slowly, they approached.
“Merlin, it’s been a long time,” Bryan said in a tense voice, his gaze on Merlin.
“Twenty-four years, I meant to come by sooner,” Merlin said, his voice apologetic.
Arthur got off his horse and walked over to his parents. His mother, Katrina, stepped out of his father’s arms, her gaze going to the blade strapped to his side. She paused, and a look of uncertainty crossed her face. He closed the distance between them and wrapped her in his embrace. “I missed you,” he muttered into her hair.
Her arms tightened around him and she held him way longer than normal. He glanced up questioningly at his father who took a step forward and put his hand on his mother’s back. “Katrina, let the boy go. He wasn’t gone that long.”
She nodded and squeezed him once more before letting him go. His father patted him on the back, smiling. “We were expecting you a few days ago and when Fury showed up without you last night, your mother started to worry.”
His mother elbowed his father in the side as she mumbled, “I wasn’t the only one.”
Arthur’s hand instinctively went to the sword on his hip and he saw his mother pale and blink back tears, “I got delayed.”
Chapter 19
Arthur’s mother wrung her hands together while his father stood next to her his jaw set in a hard line. They both studied Merlin warily. After the wizard dismounted, Guinevere followed and held onto her horse for support, so her legs could gain their strength.
“Mother,” Arthur said, gesturing to her. “I would you like to meet Princess Guinevere of Caerleon.”
Guinevere realized she must look a fright. She tried straightening the dress she’d borrowed but after two days of riding, none of the wrinkles budged. When she reached up to push some of the hair off her face, her hand got stuck in several knots and she winced. She needed a good long soak, a clean gown, and a brush to run through her hair.
Arthur’s mother stepped away from her son and started to give her a curtsy before Guinevere stopped her and took her hand instead. She gave her a warm, welcoming smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is Katrina, and this is my husband Bryan.”
Bryan nodded in her direction. “You must be exhausted from your ride. Why don’t we all go in and sit on something more comfortable than the back of a horse.”
“Thank you, that would be lovely,” she said, letting Katrina lead her into the house, while Merlin and Bryan took the horses to the stable.
Katrina looped an arm through hers. “You look a great deal like your mother, except for your hair. That you got from your father,” she said as she walked her to one of the chairs around the fire.
Before she sat down, Katrina grabbed an extra pillow and placed it on the seat. “You look like you’ve been riding for a bit and could use the extra comfort.”
“Thank you, we’ve been riding hard to get here.” Guinevere sat tentatively on the chair. She sighed, relieved to sit on something that wasn’t hard. Arthur gave his mother a kiss before she sat down. Guinevere looked around. The place was large with lots of beautiful, wooden furniture and a large hearth with a warm fire. “Your home is beautiful.”
Katrina squared her shoulders and smiled. “Thank you. Bryan is an amazing wood worker. He taught all the boys how to carve. Most of these pieces were made by him and the boys.”
Arthur stood at Katrina’s elbow, handing her a wooden cup of ale, and then one to Guinevere. With a nod of her head, she said, “Thank you,” just as Merlin and Bryan walked through the door. Katrina looked up, right at Merlin, her gaze following him as she sat forward in her chair. The room was quiet, and she could feel the tension building with each passing moment.
“Merlin, is Morgana back?” Katrina asked, finally breaking the silence.
“She is, and the king and prince are both looking for Arthur and Guinevere,” Merlin stated, with a sad smile.
“What happened?” Bryan asked.
Merlin ran his fingers through his hair. “It was time, Bryan. Camelot has been waiting for Arthur to come home and save its people from the acting king. You kept him safe and raised him into a remarkable man. But, destiny has called him home.”
Katrina looked like she wanted to argue. Instead, she looked down and gripped her
cup harder. Slowly, her hand began to shake.
The silence stretched until finally, she looked to Arthur. His face was blank, and she wondered what he was thinking. No one seemed willing to break the silence. Finally, Arthur stirred and caught her gaze, and in that moment, exhaustion seemed to take him all at once.
“Mother, do you think it would be possible for us to set Guinevere up with a hot bath and maybe something to wear? I am afraid she wasn’t able to bring anything to change into.”
“Oh, of course. Come, follow me to the room in the back,” Katrina said, standing.
Guinevere stood up and winced, her body sore everywhere. Katrina gave a sympathetic smile as she led her to the back. “It won’t take him long to get that water ready for you, so let’s find you something to wear. Bryan’s sister is just slightly taller than you and is staying with her cousin’s, so we can use any of her dresses.”
“Thank you. My companion, Elizabeth, borrowed this dress, so I could sneak out of the castle to enjoy the festivities in town. It probably held up a lot better than any of my dresses would have,” Guinevere admitted.
Katrina nodded as she reached into a chest to pull out a dress. Turning around, she pressed it against her. “Milady, please don’t think less of me. I was a companion to Arthur’s mother, the queen. I wanted to tell him about his mother and father a thousand times, but how do you tell your son that you are not his mother? How do you explain that his mother and father loved him so much that they thrust him into your arms just moments after he was born? The last thing I remember the king saying was that I was to protect his son.”
Guinevere heard the sadness in her voice. Reaching out, she touched the back of her hand. “I’ve just met Arthur, but you did a wonderful job raising him. He does love you, and when you are ready to explain to him all that happened, he will understand.”
Katrina smiled. “So, how did you meet my son?”
Guinevere blushed. “He sort of fell at my feet, to be honest.”
Katrina raised an eyebrow, and for a moment, Guinevere was worried she was going to press for more details. Instead, she only said, “His mother would have loved you.”
Before she could reply, there was a knock at the door. Seconds later, Bryan popped his head inside. “The tub is set in the back room for her.”
Katrina smiled. “Thank you.”
Bryan paused and looked her over as if assuring himself she was okay before ducking back out. “Come, let’s get you clean and out of that dress,” Katrina said, once the door was closed. “I’m sure your body will feel better after a nice long soak.”
“Thank you,” Guinevere said again, following Katrina to the back.
The room had a single bed and big chest against the wall. A lit fire warmed the room, and there was a small chest next to the bed that had a towel, and what looked like soap, on it for her, along with a vial. Katrina put the dress carefully on the bed and then picked up the vial. She took it to the tub, sitting in the middle of the room, and then tested the water with her fingers before adding a few drops from the vial.
Looking up, she said, “The lavender will help sooth your sore muscles. If you need anything, please just let me know.” With that, Katrina ducked out, closing the door behind her.
As she slipped out of the dress and her undergarments, Guinevere noticed how her skin looked irritated and red from the rough material.
She stepped into the bath, lowering herself into the warm water. A sigh escaped her as she leaned her head back against the high back of the tub. The hot water and lavender were perfect for her aching body.
Before long, the water started to cool, so she washed her hair and bathed herself. Standing in the tub, she reached for the towel and started to dry herself.
Once dressed, she scanned the room for a brush. Opening the large chest, she found one sitting on top. She sat next to the fire, brushing her hair. Once the tangles were removed, she braided her hair, and then left the room.
In the hall, the smell of food wafted to her and her stomach grumbled. Katrina was in the kitchen with a wolf lying near the door, and all the men were gone. “Arthur went to go help his brothers finish some work they were doing on the farm, and Merlin and Bryan went to the barn to pretend to check on the horses.”
“Pretend to check on the horses, huh?” Guinevere asked, eyeing the wolf as she went to take a seat at the long table.
Katrina covered the pot over the fire. “That was the excuse they went with when they decided to leave me here to cook while they talk about Camelot and Morgana. Not to mention the king, all of whom are after my son.”
Guinevere’s shoulders shook as she tried not to laugh at the heavy sarcasm in her voice. “Can I help you with anything?”
Katrina shook her head. She wiped her hands on her apron before taking a seat with her at the table. “Dinner is almost done, milady. It just needs to cook a bit longer for the meat to be finished and the broth to thicken. It will be finished by the time the boys are done.”
“Please, just call me Guinevere,” she requested giving Katrina a nod.
Katrina whistled, and the wolf eagerly got up and came over to her. “This is the youngest of all the wolf pups. Younger sister to Wulf, who I noticed didn’t come home. Should I assume he is with Lancelot?”
Guinevere was still amazed at how at ease everyone was around the wolves. “Yes, he is with Lancelot and my companion, Elizabeth. Lancelot is going to his home and she went to warn my father about what happened, and to expect an army to show up at the gates soon. Arthur sent Wulf with them for protection.”
“Despite the distance, Arthur and Lancelot were always very close. It’s not often they separate, so I figured as much.”
Before they could continue, Arthur walked in, followed by two young men who were the spitting image of Bryan. Neither of them looked to be even twenty yet, and they both stopped talking when they saw her at the table.
“Tristan, David, this is the Princess Guinevere. Milady, I would like you to meet my two younger brothers.”
Guinevere stood to greet them as Tristan gave her a bright smile that showed the dimple in his cheek. He took her hand and bent low, kissing the top of it. “Milady, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Tristan had barely released her hand before David took it, bringing it to his lips as his gaze met hers. “Our brother should have told us that you were so lovely. We would have been home a lot sooner.”
She giggled. “Thank you.”
Arthur rolled his eyes. “You two need to take a long dip in a cold lake and leave her alone.”
“Tristan, go to the barn and tell your father and Merlin that the horses are fine. It’s time to eat and have a family discussion." Katrina crossed her arms and eyed each of them, almost as if to say, she would not be taking no for an answer.
Chapter 20
His brother quickly left to go do his mother’s bidding. She rarely used that tone, and all of them knew that it was best to follow her directions. His mother started filling the wooden bowls with stew, and he and David went over to start setting the table.
When Guinevere went to help, Arthur handed her one bowl and directed her to place it across from his mother’s. He wished his sister was there to meet Guinevere but was glad she was away just in case trouble had followed him home.
By the time his father and Merlin walked in, all the bowls were filled, and everyone was sitting around the table. Tristan took his seat next to David at the foot of the table, and Arthur sat next to Guinevere.
“The food smells wonderful Katrina,” Merlin said as he approached the table.
His father went to the head of the table and took his seat. Everyone was quiet, knowing something was coming. Before anyone could say anything or take the first bite, his mother spoke up. “I have something to tell you boys that I should have told you years ago.”
She took a long pause and all eyes turned toward her. “I used to be the queen’s companion, before I met your father. I was there when Morgan
a was still around and threatened the queen, my dear childhood friend, and her unborn prince, I was there the day you were born, Arthur. Before I knew what was happening, they thrust you into my arms and ushered me into a carriage with several knights to Merlin’s cottage.”
She took a deep breath and looked over at Arthur. Her voice caught as she tried to blink back the unshed tears. “Your mother loved you so much. I wanted to tell you about her, but I didn’t know what to say. I was worried you would go to Camelot and get yourself killed. How do you tell the boy you love that you are not his mother?”
His father took her hand and squeezed it. “I had been collecting furs from the traps with the wolves when they suddenly took off deeper into the woods. We found your mother there, surrounded by Morgana’s demons, trying to protect you. She stood there, so brave, with only a stick to defend herself.”
His mother sniffled, and a tear slid down her cheek, which she quickly brushed away. “Once you were well enough to travel, I wanted to take you home but by that time, your father was dead, and the new king had taken over the kingdom. Merlin helped us keep you safe by moving us to the coast where no one would look for us.”
Arthur leaned forward, hanging on every word as she spoke. The room was silent, all eyes on him, waiting for him to say something. Finally, he cleared his throat. “What happened to the queen?”
Merlin sighed, running his hand through his hair. “No one is really sure. There are rumors that she tried to escape the castle and was killed, but no one ever saw the body. Others think that the king kept her captive in case you returned. I’ve tried looking for her, but if she is alive, she is guarded by very powerful magic.”
Guinevere took his hand and he turned to look at her. “You’ve been in the castle. Have you heard any rumors or seen anything that would suggest the queen is being held there?”
