The Five- Fold Chronicles

~East~ Air~ Spring ~

Imbolc: Prologue

The first battles for spring come on the last night of January. It is on this night that Camelot celebrates the coming of Imbolc and spring with placing of candles in every window, even the castle does not break with tradition. At the center of Camelot a bond fire is light symbolizing the first signs of spring, and longer days of summer to come. It is on this night the common folk spend with their families and drink ale looking forward to spring. The nobles' use it is a time for yet another fest were the Lords and Knight's get drunk, to harass the servant girls. This has never bothered the Crown Prince Arthur in pasted years until it was his heart's desire Guinevere was center of this unwanted attention.

"Sir Cain, I don't think you're the Lady's type," Arthur said in rather joking tone, to the somewhat pudgy knight at the other end of the high table getting a laugh from the knights around him. Arthur's heart wanting to kill the fool touching the only woman he has ever loved and being one of the few mostly sober people in the room, he had to put a stop to it.

"Forgive me sire, but I think you're wrong she wants what I can give her," Sir Cain answered as he groped Gwen, whose disgust was visible to all who were sober, but as a servant she could do nothing."Why don't we ask the Lady if she welcomes my advances," Sir Cain asked in a loud voice gaining the attention of the court, as he rubbed his sweaty hands down Gwen's neck and let out a loud belch.

"All right then, do you want his advances," Arthur asked Gwen in noticeably bored tone, as hid his true feelings.

"No milord, I don't wish for his advances," Gwen answered as tried to get away, but failed as Sir Cain's wondering hands took hold of her wrist forcing her to be pulled closer to soft bulging middle.

"Then who of these fine Nobles do you want to bedded you tonight," Sir Cain asked as forced Gwen into his lap. At this crud request caught the King's attention who was also fairly inebriated himself.

"Yes, do tell girl who would you like to bed you this night," The King asked wanting the joke to go on, but Arthur had enough of anyone touching Guinevere, but him.

"Father this poor girl has been tormented enough, let me please escort her out of this room so that her virtue may remain in tack," Arthur requested as stood and walked over to Gwen.

"I will when she answer the question," Uther agreed as sipped his ale.

"There is no Knight or Lord, who I want to be with, you're Majesty," Gwen answered quickly as pushed Sir Cain away roughly to get away.

"Ahh… there goes your fun Sir Cain, now if you let me escort the girl out," Arthur said as he quickly took Gwen's arm and left the hall. Once they were out of ear shoot of still very rowdy fest Arthur pulled Gwen into a quit, almost hidden alcove.

"Guinevere, are you alright… did he hurt you," Arthur asked as looked deep into her dark eyes that haunt his dreams.

"I am unhurt milord and thank you for assistants, but should go now," Gwen answered as tried to hide her true feelings.

"Guinevere, I am so sorry that you had to go through that," Arthur said seeing that she was putting on a face and that was quite shaken by this. "If there is anything that I can do for you," He asked as tears started to fall from her eyes.

"No…yes…No… I mean…please just hold me," Gwen cried softly as fell into Arthurs waiting arms.

"I will never let any harm come to you, Guinevere you have my word on that," Arthur whispered in her ear.

"I know," She answered tenderly as she looked into Arthur's bright azure blue eyes.

"Good…," Arthur breathed as he sweetly kissed Guinevere's lips; not seeing his Father and Geoffrey of Monmouth behind them.

"Geoffrey have word sent to King Kenan of Carmelide to have his sister Lady Verran brought back to Camelot so the marriage treaty can be up held," King Uther told the Genealogist, as looked onto what others have seen for the last year that Crown Prince was in love and now he knew who and would not stand for it.

"Yes, you're Majesty," Geoffrey answered the king as watch him walk away from the sight of the lovers.