King Arthur:
Nineteen when we meet him. King of Camelot. Valiant knight who changes the world through his moral laws and his knight order, Knights of the Round Table. Suffers from personality difficulties that become worse with age, and is later on prone to obsessive and oppressive behavior.
Secrets of Camelot, Chapter 2:
“So, tell me about Camelot,” I said as we walked down the narrow paths.
“What do you want to know?” He smiled.
“How long have you been there?”
“Since I became king, five years ago. Before that, I lived with my adopting father, Ector.”
Yes, that was right. Elaine had mentioned it to me. Of his nineteen years, only the last five were spent knowing who he really was, and she was impressed by how much he had accomplished in such a short time.
Arthur & Guinevere get to know each other
I sat down on the blanket, and Arthur sat next to me. It felt a bit like being back on my hill, though this was a much nicer setting, with the soft noises of the water in the background.
“So, I was going to ask…” I started.
“Anything.”
Anything? Well, then. “That letter that you sent to my father. Did you write it yourself?”
“Why?” He smiled, raising an eyebrow.
“It was…how do I put this?” I moved uncomfortably. “It was a little over the top.”
He laughed.
“I’m sorry.”
“No. Please. I want to know what you really think. All I get all day long is ‘Yes, sir’ and ‘Perfect, sir’ and ‘Of course, sir.’ Criticism is a welcome novelty.”
I laughed. “I didn’t mean to entertain.”
“I realize that. So, back to my letter…”
I took a deep breath. “You assume a lot about me in it. We never spoke, or even met.” It was best to get straight to the point. And leave his style of writing out of it.
“Perhaps I have good instincts about character.”
“From just seeing me?”
“Let me ask you this: do you believe in love at first sight?”
“No. I don’t.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
He tilted his head, observing me. “You’re a fascinating woman, Guinevere. Most court ladies declare they believe in it. Especially ones your age.”
I didn’t like the words ones your age. Four years difference made me younger than him, not ignorant. “Well, I don’t. I never did. I think that even those who say they do, actually refer to the first interaction they have with a person. The first time they talk.”
“All right. We’re talking now. What do you think?”
“Um…we haven’t really said anything.”
“We said plenty. I believe in love at first sight, and you don’t.” He observed me. “But do you believe in love at second sight?”
“What do you mean?”
“Can you get to know a person and learn to love them over time?”
“Yes. Of course. That’s the only other option, right? In fact, I think that love at second sight is far better, when it happens: finding affection in a place you didn’t expect. It could even come as a surprise. Adds mystery to life.”
“I’m so happy you said that. It means I have hope.”
His words seemed so sweet and genuine. And suddenly, I realized the truth. “You’re not going to force this marriage!”
“What? Of course not! Do you think I want to spend my life with a woman who didn’t choose me?”
I sighed in relief. I observed him now with some admiration. He could have anything he wanted. His word was law. So many of the nobles in this land forced marriages with far less power in their hands. But he wouldn’t.
“What are you thinking about?”
“What you just said. I’ve got to admit, you’ve impressed me.”
“Good.” Our eyes met, and his seemed to shine at me.
“You’re not what I expected,” I said.
“You, however, are.”
I stopped. Those words worried me. Once again, I recalled the things he wrote about me in his letter: graceful, honorable, quiet, and peaceful. I sure didn’t behave that way when I fought my father this morning. And Arthur knew about that. “I think you might have the wrong idea about me.”
“Why don’t you let me be the judge of that? After all, we’ve just met.”
“All right.” At least he did see that. A few moments passed as I thought of something to say to get the conversation flowing again. “So, umm…tell me more about becoming king.”
“It happened suddenly. You could say that my life changed the day I found my father’s sword.”
“Excalibur.” I smiled. Was I about to find out that the story of the “magical sword” was true?
He glanced at the sword on his belt.
“Is that it? Could I see it?”
“Have you ever held a sword?” He drew the blade.
“No.” My father would have panicked at the very thought.
“Here.” He put it gently into my hands.
It was far heavier than I expected. My fingers trailed the engraving of the sword’s name. “It’s magnificent. I’d love to hear the story from you. Of that day when you found it.”
“You will. But not now. If you would allow me, I could take you to see the ruins of Kardoel—it was my father’s palace and where I found Excalibur.”
“I’d…like that.”
“Good. Then, it’s set.” He smiled and sheathed the sword. “Now, tell me something about you. What do you like to do?”
“Well…actually, I like to read.” Ha! If my father knew I was saying this to the king.
“Read? Like what?”
Everything. “Poetry. Psalms. In Latin and Hebrew.” Time to test his reaction.
“Impressive!” He took a deep breath. “That…is rare.”
Rare good, or rare bad?
More of Arthur in Secrets of Camelot