Hiding in Alcoves

Chapter 1: A Place for Us

A/N: I am not sure where this is going yet. It was just an idea that came into my head and I decided to go with it. I hope you enjoy it.

Disclaimer: I own nothing. The Valentine's poems come from the TV show Everwood I thought they would be a nice touch.

"Dear Valentine, come away with me. If I had a day with you and you only, I would enjoy the simple things. The things that bring joy to the drudgery and the mundane, the things that, in the end, when time steals the rest away, are the only things we'll remember. I would paddle you across a still lake in a rowboat and read poetry to you until you fell asleep, and I would never ever think about the hours."

It started one day when Arthur could not take it anymore. "It," meaning the attraction to Gwen that drove him insane everyday. He needed a moment with her alone so that he would be able to concentrate later.

He had found her carrying a basket somewhere and said. "I need you."

"Excuse me?" Gwen asked confused.

"Follow me. Please." Arthur said.

Confused but seeing Arthur in such strange shape, Gwen followed him. She followed him to a deserted hallway in the castle that was never used. "What are we doing here?" She asked confused and slightly worried. She had never seen Arthur act like this.

Without any type of warning, Arthur pulled Gwen into a hidden alcove in the hallway and crushed his lips against hers. Gwen was initially stunned but her body and mouth quickly responded from an aching passion of want within in her. Gwen wrapped an arm around Arthur and pulled him in closer to her. Arthur broke the kiss off but did not back away from Gwen.

"That was a nice surprise." Gwen said.

Arthur gently brushed his lips against Gwen's and gave her a gentle and soft kiss. He took a step back after the kiss and looked Gwen over. "You just got kissed twice. Why do you look so sad?" Gwen asked.

"It's over." Arthur said sadly.

"What?" Gwen asked nervously.

"The kiss. The moment. It's over." Arthur said. "I brought you here because I needed a moment with you today."

"Why did you need a moment?" Gwen asked with a grin on her face. She knew the question would irritate Arthur and he was so cute when irritated.

"Why? Why? What kind of question is that? Do you not know?"

"Know what?"

"How I feel about you?"

"How exactly do you feel about me?"

"I…I am sad because I know we cannot be together now and I hate waiting." Arthur said avoiding the other question because it was easier to.

Gwen moved closer to Arthur. "Then let me help and ease the pain." She said before taking Arthur in her arms. She held him and whispered in his ear "I will wait for you. No matter how long it takes. I will wait even if all we have are moments because I treasure the moments we have together."

"I need to see you more often like this. I need more moments with you." Arthur said.

"I cannot see how that is possible."

Arthur looked Gwen in the eyes as he told her his plan. "That's why I brought you here. No one ever comes to this part of the castle that is why it is perfect. Everyday, at some point, we can have a moment here. We can break all of the rules and be happy. It will be our secret. It will be our time."

"How will we know when we are supposed to meet?"

Arthur was stumped. He had not thought of that. Arthur did not know what sign he could give Gwen. Then it clicked. There was only one sign that Arthur could do to give Gwen. He exposed the white cloth that he kept wrapped around his wrist at all times. "Whenever you see this you'll know."

"Is that what I think it is?" Gwen asked.

"It is the same white cloth that you gave me before the tournament for luck. I always carry it. Not just for luck though but as a reminder that you love me and of our time together. It gives me hope for the future."

Gwen smiled. She felt her heart warm at the thought of Arthur wearing her token. "I need something from you now." Gwen said. "Anything will do."

Arthur held up his hands and turned in a circle. He was wearing a red shirt and trousers. "Take all of me. It is yours." Arthur said with a grin. That is when Gwen saw it. "This shirt has been mended lately."

"Uh, yes. Why?"

"Take off your shirt."

"What?"

"Take it off. What are you shy now?"

"No, it's just that I've never seen you be so persistent to get me naked." Arthur started to take off his shirt. "I am a man of honor Guinevere. I will not be lured into behavior that changes that or harms your virtue."

Gwen chuckled. "My virtue won't be an issue today." She took the shirt and loosened the stitches in the fabric before tearing a strip of it off. "Now, I have my own sign." Gwen said holding a strip of the red shirt.

"You ruined my shirt."

"It's not like you don't have more." Gwen went over to the basket she had been carrying earlier and pulled out a white shirt. "Here. It belongs to one of the servants."

"Thank you." Arthur said taking the shirt and putting it on.

"You're welcome."

"About your virtue…"

"Arthur!" Gwen said turning bright red.

"What? I was wanted to tell you that I will never pressure you and that your virtue shall not be taken by me until we are married."

"How do I not know that you haven't already taken another's virtue?"

"It's true that I've kissed other women. I have not had that experience with any woman yet. As a knight it is part of my code to be honorable."

"Not all of the knights are as honorable as you." Gwen said.

Arthur had overheard the way that some of them talked. He knew what Guinevere said was true, but he did not allow his knights to talk in foul language around him. Arthur cupped Gwen's cheek in his hand. "They are not me."

"I do not want to die an old maid."

"Believe me, I won't let you. I promise you that one day we shall be married and we will have our own wedding night."

"Kiss me."

"Your wish is my command." Arthur said before gladly fulfilling Gwen's request.

Thus, the hiding in the alcoves began. They had their own place to meet. They would meet in the alcove in the abandoned hallway and have a moment. Sometimes, they talked. Sometimes, Arthur would just hold Gwen and their world would seem like a better place.

A/N: Like I said, I have no clue where it is going or how long it will be…