Page 68 of The White Enchantress

“Guinevere, I know you are in pain, that you want to go home, that you want Lancelot back. I cannot give you these things. But perhaps I can give you a stable life. We do not have to live as husband and wife if you do not wish to. However, I am offering you the love and care of a husband.”

“I don’t know, Arthur. You wouldn’t expect me to…be your wife in every which way?”

“Perhaps we can come up with a solution together. With you by my side, I will unite the kingdoms together with ease. Our rule would not be questioned. The country would be safer with us all fighting together and not against each other.”

“What would you expect of me?”

“Companionship.”

“Meaning?”

“Friendship.”

“I wouldn’t have to…perform any wifely duties?”

“No. A marriage of friendship and loyalty is all that I ask for.”

“You don’t want any children of your own?”

“I cannot have children.”

“You can’t?”

“My first wife and I were unsuccessful. And, there have been other women in my youth I am ashamed to admit.”

“What about Mordred?”

“Mordred? What about him?”

“Nothing…there are just some accounts that say…um who is his mother?”

“My sister, Morgause.”

“And who is his father?”

“King Lot, my sister’s husband.”

“Okay, okay, okay. Then forget I said anything. But you shouldbe wary of Mordred.”

“He and Lancelot had heated competitions at times. But Mordred is my nephew. I might not trust him with my life, but I trust that he would not do anything to harm me.”

“I don’t. He was or will be…would have been the one to turn people against me if we had gotten married before I fell for Lance. Anyway, I guess it doesn’t matter now.”

All three look at me with curiosity, but I am not going to go down that rabbit hole with them right now. I shake my head and tell them I am tired and need to lie down.

“Have you eaten anything today, Guinevere?” Morgana asks.

“Oh. No, I haven’t eaten much.”

“I will grab you a plate of food and bring it to your room. You need your rest. You do look pale, my lady.” Morgana examines my face a second longer, then turns to fetch me some food. I follow her out into the hallway but am stopped by a hand on my elbow.

“You need not answer me right away,” Arthur whispers. “I do need to travel back to Camelot in two days. Is that enough time for you to decide?”

“I will let you know my answer in two days.”

Epilogue

Lancelot

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