Arthur was in the council room, meeting with a few of his knights and discussing the project to provide school houses for far-lying villages when a horn sounded. He looked towards the window, not remembering news of any guests arriving today.

"Bedivere, was someone coming?" he asked, looking at the older knight. He shook his head, confused.

"Not that I'm aware," he said. Arthur looked back out and saw the coat of arms on the flags of the guards accompanying the party. Immediately, his face lit up as he ran from the room.

"Arthur!" Bedivere shouted after him. He then moved to the window and looked out. Suddenly, he started laughing.

"Who is it?" Tristan asked.

"Think. Who would Arthur go running from the palace to greet?" Bedivere asked. Tristan started laughing as he moved to follow Arthur.

The new king ran through the courtyard, stopping at the gates as the guards piled in, followed by a carriage. Rather than waiting on the footmen once it came to a stop, Arthur ran up and opened the door himself, gazing up into the smiling face of Guinevere.

"Your highness, I believe this is… unconventional," she said. Arthur laughed as he held his hand out to her and helped her from the carriage.

"I believe I've mentioned we're doing things a bit differently around here now," he replied.

"So I see," Guinevere said.

"Where's your father and why are you here?" he asked, slightly breathless.

"He is tending to our lands. And as for why I'm here, I believe I'm here to fetch my maid," Guinevere said as he escorted her into the palace. "And, I believe I have left his highness waiting too long for an answer."

Arthur's face lit up.

"Well, I believe first of all, there is someone you would like to see," he said, leading her through the palace towards the library. He pushed the door open and Guinevere looked around until her eyes fell on a group of women, laughing where they sat around a gathering of sofas.

"MALINA!" she shouted as she let go of Arthur's arm, picked up her skirts and ran. A woman with honey brown hair jumped to her feet.

"My lady!" she shouted. The two met in an embrace as tears fell down their cheeks.

"My god, I'm so happy you're safe," Guinevere said, stepping back to look at her.

"Oh, Gwen, I knew you would send someone for me! I knew there was no way you could leave me in that horrid place!" Malina replied. Arthur blinked in surprise and then grinned, catching on to the nickname Malina had used. He now suddenly understood Guinevere's hesitance to let anyone else use it.

"I worried for you every day," Guinevere said.

"As did I. I never wanted to leave you alone here," Malina said. Guinevere sniffed slightly.

"Well… that's all passed now. I'm here to take you home," she said. Malina smiled and nodded. She then looked over at Arthur.

"Thank you, your highness. I am truly grateful," Malina said with a curtsey.

"As am I," Guinevere said. Arthur blushed slightly.

"Come now. I'll have someone show you to your rooms so you can catch up," Arthur said. Guinevere nodded as she linked arms with Malina and the two walked out, following another servant.

Guinevere leaned over the stone balcony, pulling her robe around her. Arthur had put them in the rooms she last stayed in. They opted to dine there, wanting to have their reunion in private so they could laugh and cry as loudly and often as they wanted without the court's eyes watching. Malina was now sleeping, but Guinevere couldn't quiet her mind so stood outside hoping the night air would help.

"Thought I would find you here," Arthur said softly. Guinevere turned to look at him and smiled.

"And I figured you'd come," she said, stepping over to him.

"Still having trouble sleeping, I see," he commented.

"This time it's due to excitement, thankfully," she said. Arthur gazed down at her.

"I won't lie… it's good to see you, Gwen," he said.

"I'm happy to see you as well," she replied. "And really, thank you for finding Malina."

"It was nothing," he said. "I'd do anything for you, Gwen." She nodded and glanced away, trying to hide the fact her eyes were tearing up again.

"We've been best friends since I was a little girl. To be honest, I see her as more a sister than a servant. It killed me when Vortigern took her away."

"At least you're back together," he said. Guinevere nodded.

"So… you have something to tell me?" he asked, grinning cheekily. Guinevere rolled her eyes.

"I've decided that I will take a seat on your council," she said. Arthur's face lit up.

"You will?"

"Yes, but, my father does still need my help with the lands. So, I will divide my time between them and here… for the time being," she said. Arthur smiled and nodded.

"For the time being?" he replied. He sighed and walked passed her towards the railing. "Almost sounds as though you are contemplating possibly moving here permanently someday."

"I've said no such thing, Arthur," Guinevere replied. He turned and looked back at her. "But… that doesn't mean I wouldn't be open to the possibility. In the future. The far future." Arthur chuckled as she walked over to his side.

"Just how far is the far future?" he asked. "I'm not so good with time."

"I suppose we can just add that to our king lessons," Guinevere said with a shrug. Arthur turned to face her.

"Right… there are still many things you need to teach me," he said. "But, I think I've discovered something I can teach you." Guinevere frowned.

"What could you possibly teach me?" she asked.

"How to kiss properly," he replied. Guinevere's eyebrows flew up.

"I do not need instructions on how to kiss properly," she said, as though the suggestion were preposterous.

"Last I checked, one typically doesn't run away after being kissed," he said.

"Unless one did not want to be kissed," Guinevere retorted. Arthur looked down at her, his face falling slightly.

"So, you don't want to be kissed by me?" he asked. Guinevere laughed softly.

"I wasn't sure at the time. But I think I am now," she said. Standing on her toes she gently kissed him. Arthur grinned down at her as she stepped back.

"Still need to learn how to properly kiss," he said. Guinevere rolled her eyes.

"Arthur, you are-"

He cut her off with another kiss, running his fingers through her hair as she stepped up to him, resting her hands on his chest. After a few moments he raised his face, grinning as he took in her flushed cheeks.

"That," he said softly, "is how you kiss properly."

"I love you," Guinevere said. "I was afraid to say it then. But not anymore."

"Good thing we have a lot of time to say it more," Arthur replied.

"Yes… that we do."

And here we are, at the end of this story. Some of it I had written for awhile and just needed to fill in the empty spaces. I realized (almost too late) that I never brought up Malina again, so needed to clear up that storyline. And well, yea, I kind of like ending it with hope for a future. Felt a bit rushed to have them falling in love and getting married at the end of this. Maybe if inspiration strikes, I'll revisit that. But I think for the time being, I've got enough sequels and series on my hands.

Thanks for reading, following and reviewing, guys!