Fractured Fairytale: Ch. 9 - Arthur and Guinevere, Part 3

Responses to comments:

Lisa: Apologies for taking so long, I lost my internet connection for a while. Would I leave a character in pain [maybe if they were truly evil] but not one of the good guys. So I give you the next part and hope it improves you currently turbulent feelings about Arthurs mental state.

Arthur and Gwen Part 3

A week later he was walking tiredly along the path when he saw a procession coming his way. He stood off to the side as the convoy walked past. There was a dozen soldiers followed by a troop of dancers, followed by two large carriages. The first one passed him by with no reaction but as the second one came within sight someone stuck their head out. It was Sleeping beauty.

She called for the carriage to halt. She climbed out and ran over to Arthur. "Where is she, where is my love?" the peasant fell out of the carriage dressed only in a pair of silk pants and a vest.

"She’s not with me" Arthur said slowly, visions of his last meeting with Sleeping beauty came back to him. Sleeping beauty made several offers for him to join her in the carriage. He declined as politely as he could then galloped away as fast as Duke’s tired legs would take him.

Duke was over tired and Arthur was feeling weary from his aimless riding. He checked the map. It took him half an hour to figure out where he was. Gwen could do this in five minutes he thought to himself. When he realized he was only a day away from Cinderella he decided to go visit, and hopefully he’d get some proper rest.

When he entered the throne room the king was still on the throne. He was delighted to see Arthur. "Hello old boy. Where’s that lady who was with you?"
"We -"
"Oh well, I suppose you heard the fabulous news"
"News?"
"Why Cinderella is pregnant! I shall have a grandchild before Christmas. Isn’t that great"
"I suppose."
"Come, come." The king half led, half pushed Arthur down a corridor and into a large room. Cinderella and the Prince were sitting on a couch.

Arthur sat in a different chair. "Where is Gwen?" Cinderella asked. Arthur told her everything. "I’m sure she had a good reason. Think about it. She must have been unsure about you; you must have felt the same at first. I’m sure she dropped some hints" Arthur shrugged. Now that he really thought about it what Cinderella was saying was true. Guinevere had dropped some hints. He’d just been too oblivious to notice. Heck even a drunk had figured it out before him. "I’m sure she was going to tell you" Cinderella said. Arthur nodded. Guinevere had tried to tell him, but they had been distracted.

Arthur stayed for two days to rest before he started on his way back. Arthur was still unsure about marrying Guinevere. He reached the edge of a forest and saw Hansel and Gretel playing with their father. He stayed out of sight. He watched for a moment as Gretel and Hansel hid from their father who was pretending to be a bear. He rode on thinking of Guinevere.

He was on the Germania border pacing back and forth wondering about whether or not he should go back. He still felt unsure. He had given his word. He saw that he hadn’t reacted well; he was trying to decide how to go about his apology. He rode along the border.

"Finally" said a voice. The troll jumped onto the bridge and looked at him. "Oh man. It’s you. Where’s the girl, and her deadly polo mallet" Arthur smiled, then covered it up. He swung himself out of the saddle and walked towards the troll. "Before you hit me or whatever it is you’re going to do could you, can I at least ask you the riddle?"

Arthur sighed. "Fine, tell me your riddle" the troll cleared his throat.
"You have to answer straight away, no thinking just an answer. What do you love most in the world?"

"Gwen" Arthur said immediately. The troll nodded and stepped aside. "Guinevere, Guinn. Her name was the biggest give away. I always wondered why she said it strange. I assumed it was her accent. But really it was the correct annunciation." The troll kept nodding confused. Arthur jumped back onto Duke and raced away.
---
Comments are appreciated