As expected, the only answer to his rhetorical inquiry was a deafening, painful silence.
Staring up at the high ceiling of his bedchamber, his hands resting behind his head, the king thought back to earlier in the day when he’d picnicked with the attractive and vivacious Princess Mithian. Not only was the woman a dark-haired beauty and a royal, she was witty and a fine conversationalist. Even though she made every effort to put Arthur at ease, the king found himself completely awkward around this charming princess who had just arrived at the castle of Camelot.
That morning, Arthur’s manservant, Merlin, had come along to the wooded and scenic picnic location to help set up. Feeling edgy and nervous, Arthur had made a joke of having Merlin set up the blankets, pillows, and food in several different locations before selecting a comfortable spot. Once everything had been arranged to Arthur’s satisfaction, Merlin slunk away with a scowl on his face and sat beneath a tree a good distance away. Arthur knew why Merlin looked so forlorn, but he did his best to ignore the man who was …show more content…
No matter how Arthur felt, he would marry this woman. Their union would secure an alliance between Camelot and Mithian’s kingdom of Nemeth. Once King Arthur and Princess Mithian wed, their two kingdoms’ age-old dispute over the lands in Gedref would cease, and any lingering hostilities between Camelot and Nemeth would be put to rest. That was important – the fact that Arthur’s heart still ached for his banished former love and fiancée, Guinevere, didn’t matter at all. When it came to marriage, love – or lack of it – was of no