A Throne Nobody Wants
Book 2: Chapter 2
*** Arthur- Harrenhal ***
"I'm sorry my lord, but you want to do what?" Ser Wode asked in incredulity.
Arthur looked around and saw the same shocked expression from his council members, of which there were Jaime, Mordred, Jory Cassel representing Sansa, maester Rhaymon, the reborn Gawain – Gywr, his battle brother- Seroah, and Coliff Feller, head farmer of Harrenhal.
"I want to use the stones from Harrenhal to build a road to our new villages, there is no need to import from the Vale when we have perfectly usable stones here," Arthur repeated himself once more.
"M-my lord, Harrenhal has stood for hundred of years as a landmark, comparable to the great roads of old Valyria in Essos, surely destroying such a monumental structure for mere roads is... wasteful?" Ser Wode repeated.
Arthur nodded to let Ser Wode knew that he was aware of his concern. Arthur quite liked the household knight and had offer him a place on his council as he had always been in service to the old house. More than half of the old retainers of House Whent took up his offer to stay and serve, while the other half returned to the Riverlands to join other Houses. Ser Wode had intended to serve Lord Edmure but Arthur made a better offer.
"I appreciate Harrenhal's history and significance, but that does not change the fact that great houses have beggared themselves trying to maintain its upkeep," Arthur looked at each and every one of his council members who nodded in grudging agreement. The Essosi members were more agreeable.
"Th-they would laugh at us, My Lord," Jory Cassel spoke up. "To maintain Harrenhal is a status symbol few get."
Arthur was well aware that what Ser Jory meant to say was that they would laugh at Sansa because her husband decided to desecrate a wonder of the world. He did not care for that, to save face you would do something crippling to yourself? That was foolishness.
"Then let them," Arthur sternly told everyone in the room. "The only status symbol I care for is a happy, safe populace and a strong army that guards them. Everything else is trivial."
"You forget that Harrenhal was given to Mordred too, to reduce its size to a mere fifth or less? Do you want my niece to be the laughing stock of the Seven Kingdom?" Jaime Lannister, Kingslayer, voiced what Jory could not.
"I am well aware of the potential political fallout but the needs of our people come first," Arthur stood up and pointed out the window. "Let them laugh while we thrive."
"I agree with my Lord Husband," Mordred spoke up, surprising everyone in the room. "Any action he wants to take, I will support wholeheartedly, and I am sure Sansa would agree. Beside I gave no fucks about what people thought before, why should I now?"
"Niece!" Ser Jamie looked at the Princess in shock from the crass language that passed through her lips.
Mordred appeared to not care as she looked at Arthur. "I bet Sansa would love the idea of stone roads, It would make travel easier on the people and you know how much of a bleeding heart she is for the smallfolk."
Arthur had to smile, in the time he had known his third wife... she was very gentle to everyone and afforded them the same respect, be they highborn or peasant. It's a pity that she had been otherwise occupied by her secret project lately. He missed her cooking.
"If that is your will, my lord, then I shall talk to Master Valen right away," Ser Wode resigned in defeat.
"Thank you," Arthur nodded politely and saw that only Jory and Jaime looked uncomfortable. "If there is nothing else, this council is adjourned."
Arthur listened as everyone began to make their way as he stared at a detailed map of the lands he had received on his newly created round table. It was not quite as large as the old one from Camelot but it was a start.
"Arthur?" Gywr or rather, Gawain, hung back to speak with him in private.
"Yes Ga-Gywr?" Arthur replied looking at the taller older beauty. Amazingly enough he had found that Gawain had been born fifteen years before he had drew his first breath in this world. She had only made a trip to Westeros once back in her teens and that was to meet Ser Arthur Dayne to see if the famed knight was...well, Arthur himself.
From what she told him, while the Dornish Knight was magnificent and even flirted with her, Gywr left disappointed. From there Gywr returned to Lorath and lived humbly and gotten married due to an arrangement by her parents. She had gone through with it and given birth to Galina in honor of her best friend in the old world, Galahad. Irony of irony, her child did turn out to be Galahad reborn.
Gywr had told Arthur that though Galahad might have been Lancelot's child in their last life, Galina was hers. Galahad had taken to being a girl a lot easier than Gywr had, but from what Arthur remember of Galahad, he had the purest soul and most optimistic outlook on everything. That innocence endeared Galina among the Lorathian according to Gywr. By the time she was eight she had more marriage proposals than any maiden that was not highborn. People would seek to corrupt innocence, it was human nature. The business at Castle Anthrax where Lancelot had to save Galahad once upon a time was proof of that.
It was Galina however that pointed out that if Gywr and her had been reborn on this world, then other knights could have too, including their king. Gywr had confessed to Arthur that Gawain's dying wish was to serve him once more. So when Galina had pointed that out, Gywr decided to make a sell sword company loyal to her so that they could one day serve him, her husband a rich merchant had supported her and Galina in their endeavors and so here they were.
Unfortunately, while their reunion had been happy, Gywr, who died to the traitor knight's blade in their old life, was convince that his lady wife was that very same Mordred. To Arthur, that was a preposterous notion, he had spent time with her, the princess was so completely the opposite of Mordred that if they ever met, he was certain they would kill each other. Yet Gywr persisted, scrutinizing his lady wife whenever she was alone, so much so that he had to put a stop to it.
His pretty wife had thanked him demurely and done her best to avoid the taller woman. Even right now, Arthur could see Gywr eyeing his wife suspiciously still until she left the room completely.
When they were finally alone, the taller woman spoke.
"Do you expect trouble over the breaking of this castle?" Gywr asked seriously.
"People are in love with the idea of Harrenhal, there'll be some naysayers but the transition for the smallfolk will be the easiest as it benefits them the most," Arthur explained. "Also, this 'green house' project of Sansa's, if it works after the Myrish glassmakers are done, it would let us grow food even in Winter's weather. THAT is why we must have the roads at least as wide as the old Romans ones."
"What is to say this 'Greenhouse' ideas of hers would work, no disrespect to your lady wife of course," Gywr said and immediately looked contrite if she had overstepped her bounds. "You are dedicating whole swathes of coveted lands to a project that might fail."
"Ser Jory has told me she had something similar built in Winterfell, though on a smaller scale," Arthur explained to his best knight. "And more importantly, some of the ideas that Sansa has, while often strange, have worked."
Gywr merely nodded but looked uncomfortably at Arthur again. "Do you know that there are rumors circulating that both of your lady wives have been seen spending a lot of time alone with a bastard blacksmith?"
"I am aware," Arthur replied as he looked out the window. "And I am also aware of what you are hinting at, they are NOT Guinevere and the smith is not Lancelot."
"No, one is Mordred," Gywr retorted and immediately regretted it.
"Gaw- Gywr, I have told you before, she is NOT the traitor, let it go," Arthur commanded not for the first time.
Gywr bowed low. "As you command, majesty."
"I am not King here," Arthur immediately replied making sure no one heard Gywr slip. "Nor do I intend to be."
Anything Gywr might have wanted to say would have to wait another day as his squire entered his room.
"Lord Pendragon!" Bran came in and stared for a moment at the incredibly tall woman. "-uh... Lady Gywr..."
"Squire Bran," Gywr give a soft grin before ruffling the boy head and turning to Arthur. "I'll take my leave now."
Arthur nodded and looked at Bran who training was coming along nicely. "What is it Bran?"
"Uh, I was told to inform you, a Ser Gwynn of House Lake from the Vale requested an audience about a most urgent matter," Bran repeated what he'd been told.
Arthur immediately narrowed his eyes, it has been at least three months since he have seen that man. In fact the man had left right after the wedding, something about receiving a summons from the Vale. He never thought he'd meet that irritating man again really.
"Send him in."
"Yes my lord!" Bran saluted and walked out smartly.
Arthur poured himself some water and was halfway done when the strange man from the Vale entered looking at him with a wide smile as if they were the best of friends.
"Ser Gwynn," Arthur greeted formally which just seem to make the man smile wider. The door closed behind him and to Arthur's surprise the man from the Vale had the audacity to take a seat at the Round Table.
"Not bad, I like what you've done for yourself Arthur," Ser Gwynn spoke in an overly familiar tone and then he kicked his feet up on the table.
"Ser, remove your feet from my table or I will remove your feet from your legs," Arthur threatened as he put his hand on the pommel of his sword. However the man did not seem the least bit intimidated.
"Really now Arthur," Gwynn chuckled in a carefree way. "I used to do this all the time when you and the Round Table knights were out fighting. It was soo boring cooped up in the Camelot you know!"
Arthur did not realize he had released his goblet until it clattered on the ground in front of him. "W-what?"
"Hmm, I thought it was a bit too obvious but you haven't figured it out yet have you?" Gwynn laughed in amazement before he kicked to his feet and started to walk around Arthur, assessing him.
"You look very handsome Arturia, had I been in my old body, I would have thrown myself at you without hesitation."
The man's comment hit Arthur like the mortal blow Mordred had dealt him in his previous life. This attitude, this familiarity, the likable personality mixed in with its irritating nature.
"Y-You can't be -"
"Your lady wife in another life, my dear sweet Arturia," Gwynn, no Guinevere, smiled widely looking at Arthur as he patted his cheek.
"Wh- H- wha- HOW?!" Arthur looked at the woman-turned-man in shock.
Gwynn stopped in mid-pacing, his eyes, where they were once cheerful, took on a haunted look. "I found your body after the battle. I shouldn't have been there but I didn't care. It was my fault everything ended the way it did. Morgan and I took your body to Avalon to lay to rest."
Arthur stared at the man before him, but though he was a man, Arthur had already superimposed the image of his former queen onto him. Her face, her blue eyes, the beautiful mixture of red and gold that had made him envious back then. Wherever she went people would be in awe of her beauty.
"I remember wailing over your body, begging for forgiveness, wishing I could be dead so that I could join you. Morgan was curiously silent the entire time, she just stared at your body as if she couldn't believe you were dead. I tried to kill her but her magics proved too powerful for me."
Arthur was once more surprised, Morgan was with his old body? Did she have a hand in what happened?
"I-is she responsible for... our reincarnation?"
Gwynn shook his head and exhaled. "That I do not know, after we laid you to rest, we went our separate ways. That very night I took my life as a way to atone for my sins..."
"Guinevere..." Arthur put his hand on the man's armored shoulder. "I- I never blamed you or wanted you to die."
"I know, which is what made it worse," Gwynn replied with a sigh as he sat back down at the round table. "Of course, for a time I thought being Gwynn of House Lake and a man was my punishment but no, God was not done yet. He gave me a sister, an untouchable sister."
Arthur heard the wistful tone and saw the soft expression on the man's face, he matched that expression with the woman he once knew and his eyes widened. Guinevere had only ever worn that expression for one man.
"L-Lancelot is here?" Arthur asked finding the room starting to feel stuffy. His best knight has been reborn too? What was going on? Why were so many of his knights, people that he had known, given a second chance? It was then he remember what Gwynn had said. He said a sister.
"Lancelot has been reborn female?!"
"Her name is Lorelei," Gwynn informed Arthur before the man's blue eyes took on a serious expression and looked at him. "And I need your help in saving her, I do not have enough power by myself."
Arthur watch as Gwynn balled his fist in front of him.
"I tried not to get you involved, I really did, but I'd rather die before I let her marry that-that whoreson!"
"Who?" Arthur asked his former wife. The way he was incensed now was reminiscence of the way Guinevere use to be when outraged.
"Harrold fucking Hardyng," Gwynn spat vehemently. "The Houses in the Vale are starting to see him as the true lord since Robin Arryn is not expected to live for much longer."
"So what do you want me to do?" Arthur asked looking at Gwynn, his face was serious as one of his knights was in peril.
"Make her your mistress," Gwynn said locking eyes with Arthur to convey his seriousness.
"Wha- WHAT? Are you insane?!" Arthur shouted and immediately two Eagles opened the door, swords drawn.
"My Lord?" Adaresso, his guard asked looking at Gwynn meaningfully.
"It's nothing," Arthur replied waving the men away. "Just a spirited conversation."
Adaresso bowed deeply before exiting closing the heavy oaken door tightly.
Turning to Gwynn again Arthur glared at his former wife. "Again, I have to ask you, are you insane, you realize I already have three wives? Why would I even want to take on one more who's- oh right... USED TO BE A FORMER KNIGHT OF MINE!"
"Because no one else would take her!" Gwynn stood up glaring at Arthur not backing down. "House Lake is a minor noble house. You know how this game is played, even in Britannia but at least under your rule, we could appeal to you! Who do we have here in this world? Fat fucks and whoresons that's who!"
Arthur had to blink at that, it was true he had settle disputes like this justly in Camelot but he didn't really think Guinevere had ever really paid attention.
"Because Harrold is assumed to be the next Lord of the Vale and has his eyes on Lorelei, no one in the Vale would dare court her. Anyone that DOES would have to be in equal standing, but because we are a minor noble house NO ONE of equal standing would be willing to court her, do you see the problem now?"
"Why doesn't he- she, just fight her way out if it is so undesirable?" Arthur asked looking at Gwynn. Lancelot was the most skilled knight he ever had under his command bar none. Gawain's skills translated to his new life, as did Galahad's, Lancelot should be the same.
"She can't, she never picked up a sword in this life," Gwynn thinned his lips and ran his hand through his hair. "She viewed this life of her, her new body, all of it is as a punishment for betraying you. As such, she learned lady's skills not knightly ones."
"He- she gave up the sword?" Arthur asked in shock. Lancelot not honing his skills, could he really be called Lancelot?
"You know how obstinate Lancelot could be when he get something in his head," Gwynn shared a grimace with Arthur. "Her marriage to Harrold is yet another way for her to suffer to atone for her sins."
"So the marriage has been finalized?" Arthur inquired as he pondered this dilemma.
"No, I have bought us a few more weeks with the excuse that I am honor bound to review each proposal before accepting on her behalf," Gwynn sighed and looked at Arthur with pleading eyes.
"You are my last hope Arthur, if you tell her to come to Harrenhal, she would walk her barefoot and naked to be at your side," Gwynn stated seriously. "You and only you, can command her completely. Help me stop it!"
"Ar- are you and him- her, still..." Arthur tried to delicately inquired but saw his gambit failed.
"What?! You think I would fuck my own sister? What kind of sick bas-" Gwynn defended himself but his eyes widened and he looked down at the ground awkwardly. "N-NOT that there is anything wrong with that of course..."
"... Of course," Arthur rubbed his head as Gwynn rubbed his head. "If- IF I am to do this, then we must get Princess Mordred's permission. If Princess Mordred agree, then House Stark would not be offended. I would have to explain myself to Sansa if Princess Mordred's agrees."
Gwynn suddenly smiled very widely. "I think I can convince the Princess of the benefit of such an an alliance. Call her here and let me talk to her in private."
Arthur eyes narrowed and there was a possessive glint to it as he stared at Gwynn and analyzed his words. "Are you trying to seduce my wife?"
"Oh for gods' sakes!" Gwynn cried in exasperation. "That only happened ONE time! It was only ever Lancelot!"
"Very well, I shall call for Mordred."
"Thank you," Gwynn said in relief.
+++ Mordred +++
Mordred Pendragon, Princess of the Seven Realms, looked at the newly crafted armor that Sansa had almost finish putting together with a grin. It was to be a gift for their husband, since Mordred had used her network to spy for the special metal Sansa had required. The armor was very elegant in its simplicity, it was smooth silver, almost polished, and molded to her husband's body shape. That didn't mean she was idle either, Mordred and Arya had found the deepest royal blue cloth, and together stitched together the woolen padding for him to don underneath his armor. The outfit was finished yesterday and Sansa's armor looked to be done in a week's time thanks to Gendry, her 'half brother'. But not really.
Still, in deference to Sansa, Mordred had tried to treat Gendry favorably because she know it would make the Stark girl happy. In fact, since finding out that Mordred did have a bastard 'brother' Sansa had been positively ecstatic, stating that they now have something else in common. If only Sansa knew her real origin.
"Princess Mordred," Brienne, a woman from Tarth that Arthur had knighted a month ago, softly whispered to get her attention.
Mordred looked at the blonde, a comely woman, who had been extremely happy when Arthur took her into his service. Mordred believed that the woman was at least halfway smitten with her husband for not looking down on women who wants to be knights. To show that he was not merely humoring her, he added the woman to his wives' guard detail. The woman thus far had been even more of a hard ass than the sellsword Warrior's Maidens she usually had with her. Mordred quite liked her.
"What is it?" Mordred asked the pale blonde woman. Of course anyone that were to be their guards had been sworn to secrecy regarding what goes on in the blacksmith's.
"Lord Arthur has requested your presence, Princess."
Mordred's eye quirked up, she was just in that council room not too long ago and wondered what he could need her for? Turning to Sansa she got the red-haired girl attention.
"Arthur needs something."
"Okay," Sansa nodded, her attention already turning back to the large young man in the workshop with her. She had changed into a white smock to be more comfortable while working in the smithy with Gendry. Mordred had to smile at that, the boy was eager to please Sansa that's for sure, of course it helped that he was already half in love with her.
Turning back to Brienne she nodded as the two started to make their way back to the Council chamber. Here and there she saw various workers greeted her warmly in passing. She couldn't help but feel giddy, it was never like this in the Red Keep. At that place every smile hid a treasonous plot, every courtesy a calculated blow. Everyone had an agenda and woe be those who go in their way, that's why she had to exert her dominance.
However, under her father's rule- that is Lord Arthur, her husband, the people were genuinely good, the warm smiles were true. It was almost like being back in Camelot again. There were no plots here, she had tried to keep an eye out for those. The people of Harrenhal were a tired and downtrodden lot, if anyone were to plot to get ahead, it would be them. Arthur had been just another lord to them, but the change he instigated were starting to bear fruits. There were on the precipice of a great metamorphosis, she could feel it.
"Princess Mordred to see Lord Arthur," Brienne told the two guards in front of the Council room.
The two stocky men bowed their head to her and pushed the door opened to reveal her husband with another handsome man. Arthur clearly looked uncomfortable upon seeing her while the man gave her a strange analytical gaze.
'Strange...'
"Leave us Brienne," Arthur commanded the large woman, who merely blushed before bowing and retreating.
"You summoned me Husband?" Mordred asked looking between the two men.
"This is Gu- err – Lord Gwynn of House Lake," Arthur introduced the man next to him. The man smoothly stepped toward her, grabbed her hand and kissed it softly.
"You are as beautiful as I remember, my lady," the man, Gwynn, silkily addressed her.
Mordred narrowed her eyes at the man. He was clearly trying to charm her, and had she been like her mother or Myrcella, she might have been.
"Ser Lake."
The reddish golden haired man looked to Arthur then flicked his eyes back to her. What was going on?
"W-Wife... I, Ser Gwynn here has brought forth a … proposal for our House," Arthur hesitantly spoke and looked to the knight before her. "In return he asked that I take his sister as a mistress."
Mordred stared at her father in another lifetime in shock. Surely she didn't hear correctly, he was actively going out of his way and asking for another woman? W-was it because she haven't been fulfilling her wifely duties? Other than kisses he have never asked for more but... did that mean he wanted more?
The thought of it sent her mind in a whirl as she looked at Arthur who looked uncomfortable.
"W-why are you asking my permission? You are the Lord of Harrenhal," Mordred pointed out. Then it hit her. It was one thing for him to have two engagements thrust upon him. It was something else completely for him to seek out another. It would dishonor her if she did not give her consent.
"You want me to approve of your latest... interest?"
Arthur looked guiltily away and looked to Gwynn, a man that she only met once in Riverrun. "I... I don't... how do you feel about it my lady?"
Mordred frowned at that, somehow the thought of her fa- Arthur actively pursing another woman struck her as offensive and it diminished him in her eyes. Her father was never one to go for just any pretty face from the little time she spent together. She had see Margery flirting with him, wearing an outfit that all but invited him to fuck the girl yet he never gave her a second glance.
"How many men would House Lake bring to us if they join?" Mordred asked as she comes to term with the new found flaw in her father.
"House Lake have seven hundred men at arms your grace," Ser Gwynn answered instead of Arthur. "True we are a minor house but I think you'd be impressed with our skill."
"There... there is also another matter regarding Lady Lorelei, Princess," Arthur sighed deeply as he said that last part. "She is being courted by Harrold Hardyng of the Vale."
Mordred eyes widen in disbelief. Not only was her father after another girl to sate his lust, but he was going to steal one from the a future Lord Paramount?! Had he no shame! He's as bad as... as... Robert!
She had had enough, a mistress she could tolerate, but one that would make them an enemy of the Vale? That would just cripple their political ambitions. Mordred knew her answer.
"Absolutely n-"
"Princess!" Gwynn interrupted and looked to Arthur. "My Lord, might I have but a private moment with her ladyship, I think I can explain the benefit we'll all gain."
In all her years in Westeros no one had the balls to interrupt Mordred in such a disrespectful manner. Yes, she would like a private word alone with this upstart Knight from a minor house and put him in his place.
"Wife?" Arthur looked at her with those gentle eyes that she was beginning to secretly enjoy. It was genuine concern and care for her. Something she had been denied in her last life.
"A moment alone with Ser Gwynn would be appreciate, husband," Mordred replied before she gave the Vale Knight a hard look.
"I will be outside then," Arthur nodded to her then turned a glare upon Gwynn, the first real sign of hostility she seen from him toward the man.
The sound of Arthur's metal boot hitting the stone as he walked to the door was like the count down to Ser Gwynn's execution in Mordred's mind. She heard the door open and shut with a heavy clang letting her know that she and the upstart were alone.
To her further surprise, the knight boldly strode to the council table and poured himself some water to drink. She had had enough.
"What do you think you can possibly say that would make me approve my husband's pursuit to such a lowly house?" Mordred glared at the man.
"Tell me, Mordred-" Gwynn began in an overly familiar tone, dropping all titles from her name causing the blonde princess to bristle.
"You insol-"
"Does Arturia know she's fucking her own daughter?" Gwynn finished his question.
Mordred felt as if she was stabbed with Rhongomyniad all over again. Her eyes stare at Gwynn in shock trying to figure out who this man was...
"Well met SIR Mordred child of Morgan Le Fey," Gwynn raised an eyebrow staring down at her.
"W- who are you?" Mordred whispered before she remember his title... House Lake... "Lancelot?"
"Bwahahaha!" Gwynn chortled in real amusement as he swirl the water in his cup. "Wrong, care to take another guess?"
"Gawain?" Mordred guessed again looking at the man, the golden hair blend in with the red could be Sir Gawain the sun knight.
"Haha!" Gwynn laughed again and shook his head. "Sir Gawain would be the overly large woman that was in here with Arthur when I arrived."
"G-Gywr is Sir Gawain?!" Mordred asked in wonder and realized now why that woman hated her so much. Anyone would hate their killer... it was then she looked up and realized only a few select people knew about the secret of the High King of Britannia. If not Lancelot, if not Gawain, then that could only leave...
"Sir Bedivere..."
"My my Mordred," Gwynn smirked as he walked over to her and cupped her chin lifting it to meet his eyes. "To think someone as smart as you tore Arturia's realm apart is laughable now. You really haven't guess who I was?"
"No one else knew beside us four knights," Mordred found that the strength had left her body. What specter of her past had come for her?
"Not true, after all, Merlin knew," Gwynn pointed out as he began to thumb her cheek softly. "Morgan knew... can you guessed who else that could be close enough to her to know?"
Mordred's eyes ignored the Vale knight's touch but instead focused on the knight feature. Who else could know? The four knights of course, Merlin she had forgotten, Morgan for sure but who else could be close eno-
"Guinevere?!"
Gwynn or should Mordred think Guinevere now, smiled after he finished tracing his thumb on her lips. "It is good to see you recognize your Queen again, Sir Mordred. Though I must say, you have become quite the enchanting beauty. Lovely sun kiss hair, pert kissable lips, gem-like emerald eyes, it's a wonder Arturia haven't figured you out yet."
"You unfaithful bitch!" Mordred spat as she slapped the knight's hand away. "YOU brought father's kingdom to ruin!"
"No, that honor goes to you," Gwynn looked a bit surprised by Mordred's strength from the blow. "After all, while I might have been unfaithful and cuckolded Arturia, you were the one that actually gathered that army and tore the entire realm apart. Do not place the sole blame on me."
"...you haven't told him yet, why?" Mordred clench her fist and briefly wonder if she could kill Gwynn fast enough to cover her track. She doubt Arthur would blame her. She could always said Gwynn attacked her. After all if Guinevere reborn had told Arthur about her true origin, the he would have greeted Mordred with a sword not a smile.
"Huh, can I presume, base on your question that Arthur, does not, in fact, know he is fucking his daughter?" Gwynn smirked arrogantly.
"W-we have no blood relations," Mordred defended and looked defiantly at Gwynn.
"Do you think that would matter to Arthur?" Gwynn returned her gaze stolidly. "We both know how unyielding his Majesty could be, don't we?"
Mordred balled her fist tighter before exhaling. "So... judging by the fact that you haven't told him, I gather you want me to approve of this girl?"
"Now there's the girl that ripped her father's kingdom apart!" Gwynn clapped before becoming serious. "Although, I would have you know that it is not just some random wench but Lancelot reborn."
"Wait, Arthur said your sister- Lancelot is YOUR sister?" Mordred looked at the man who sat in the chair heavily. Unable to let the reborn Queen comment pass, she decided to take a jab of her own.
"Did you fuck her yet?"
Gwynn glared at Mordred for the question, he probably knew it was coming but she bet it would still get under his skin.
"A knight of Arthur was one thing, but he has been reborn as my sister, my BABY sister, do you think I would be deprave enough to fuck my own sister regardless of our past?"
"...so you did fucked her?" Mordred smiled as Gwynn got out of his chair and looked livid.
"You realize your father fucked his own sister too right? In both life times I might add," Gwynn rebutted after visibly calming down.
"Half," Mordred corrected before she coughed into her hand. "And he's a Targaryen this time around so it's... acceptable."
"Also, if I am a sister fucker, then you are a daughter who fucks her own father, or is it a mother fucker?" Gwynn grinned viciously as Mordred felt that the reborn Guinevere was right...
"So... why does the great Lancelot need Arthur's help to be 'saved'?" Mordred changed the topic and inwardly fumed at Gwynn victory.
"Because, as I said, Harrold Hardyng wants to marry her, and she won't refuse. You of all people should know what kind of man Harrold is, after all, he courted you once didn't he?" Gwynn spat in disgust when he spoke the Vale heir's name, but he was right. Mordred had been courted by Harrold who had tried for her hand three times and was sent back all three times.
"But why the need to make her a mistress? Lancelot defied Arthur's judgment and killed Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth, Gawain's brothers if you recalled, when he rescued you. Why not do the same for Harrold if the marriage is so undesirable?" Mordred inwardly rejoiced as she had scored a direct victory against the reborn Queen of Camelot as his face looked guilty and he could not meet her eyes.
"That was foul of you to use... them," Gwynn said through clenched teeth. The two most loyal knights of Arthur's cut down not even in battle but simply because they were in the way. Using that incident Mordred was able to get even more followers to rebel against Arthur.
"You were the one that wanted to bring up our past; my hands might be bloodier but yours aren't clean either," Mordred eyes bore into the man now called Gwynn.
"True, but Arthur still has affection for me, whereas you... well who knows how he'd react," Gwynn's rebuttal left Mordred with no path to fight. He had her by the collar and he knew it.
"... so you still haven't answered why the vaunted Sir Lancelot cannot save himself," Mordred conceded as she walked next to the round table and poured herself a cup of water.
"Because, she won't, or rather, she can't," Gwynn sighed and sat down heavily in one of the chair. "She has not picked up a sword since her rebirth."
"Truly?" Mordred was surprised by that, his swordsman's skill was second to none, even her father conceded the title but, she knew her father was the better of the two. "Why not?"
"Lorelei views her rebirth and her current marriage as divine punishment from God for betraying Arthur," Gwynn sighed softly. "You, who use to serve with him, know how obstinate he could be when an idea formed in his head."
"... true." Mordred agreed having remembered Lancelot's dedicated somber nature. Then another though occurred to her. "She's not asking to be saved... You are!"
"Of course, I am her brother in this life after all, it is my duty to protect her. Though this too, is my punishment for my betrayal of Arthur," Gwynn chuckled bitterly. "Not only was I reborn a man, but my love was reborn as my sister, who viewed her entire existence as punishment. It was almost unbearable to watch."
"So if he didn't reacquire his skills, what did he do? Sit around and do needle work all day?" Mordred asked puzzled. Beside skills in arms, there wasn't much else Lancelot could be known for, oh, right, blind loyalty. However seeing Gwynn's expression, Mordred gasped in surprise.
"You- can't be serious!"
"In Camelot, he was the shining example of a knight, being reborn as a woman, he concluded that her atonement began with becoming the ultimate ideal of a highborn lady," Gwynn's tone suggested he did not know weather to laugh or cry.
"Her needlework is now second to none in the Vale, her voice is said to be enchanting, she dance so well that make other girls feel inadequate, even I was never that good... she became the greatest lady in the Vale. The only thing that have ever stopped her being wedded sooner was because of our noble status, too low for the richer lords, too high for the hedge knights."
Mordred could not suppress the amused snort that bubbled from her throat. Try as she might, she could not get rid of the ludicrous imagine of the tall somber knight in a dress doing ladylike things.
"BWAHAHAHAA!"
"It's not funny!"
The door immediately opened and in came Arthur whose eyes immediately darted to Mordred then to Gwynn.
"Is... everything alright here?" there was a warning in Arthur's voice but it was directed at Gwynn, who merely gave an easy smile while Mordred look a bit surprised. W-was he being protective? She suddenly felt warmed and had to fight the blush off her cheeks. It would not do for Guinevere- male or not- to see her this way.
"I- it's fine, a jape from our guest here," Mordred waved her hand over to Gwynn who bowed in a courtly way. "We are almost done finalizing the... details, a few more moments of privacy, husband?"
"As you wish," Arthur nodded his head to Mordred before shooting Gwynn a warning as he exited.
"So does that mean you will agree to let her be Arthur's mistress?" Gwynn asked his tone insistent.
"Why not just ask directly to be his wife, it has more prestige than mistress," Mordred curiously inquired.
"While I know you and can relatively be assured that I could stay your hand against Lorelei, I do not know if Lady Sansa or Daenerys Pendragon would extend to her the same courtesy," Gwynn voiced his fears. If Mordred was to be honest, it was not unfounded. "And of course, even with you on my side, if I pushed for a wife status, it might cause discord in House Pendragon and we all know what happened the last time there was discord in House Pendragon... a mistress is more acceptable."
"A mistress would also have to be soiled for her to be unwanted," Mordred pointed out the flaw in Gwynn plan.
"... I am reasonably sure I could get Arthur drunk enough to ruin the girl at least once, after all, it was I who planned with Merlin to bed Arturia that fateful night you were conceived." Gwynn's face took on a dark frown.
"Well, if Lorelei feels that she's serving God's punishment, as you said, then what makes you think Arthur can take her from her intended course?" Mordred looked at the man who she was slowly coming to terms with.
"Because, whether it be Lancelot or Lorelei, if Arthur beckons for her to follow him, she will obey, consequences be damned," Gwynn had a soft expression on his face.
Mordred pursed her lips and nodded. That did sound like Lancelot.
"So here is my proposal: I will keep your secret and even help you maintain your deception, and in return, you back Lorelei's position as Arthur's mistress," Gwynn held out his hand.
Mordred looked at the extended hand and weighed her choices only to find out she had none. The reborn Guinevere had her surrounded.
"Fine, but with one stipulation. You are to serve Arthur, faithfully, this time around, your House will be under our banner and Lorelei will be under my direct supervision."
"I will be as loyal to him as you are," Gwynn smiled as Mordred shook his hand in agreement. "Now let's go out there before he thinks one of his knight is fucking his wife again."
Mordred shot Gwynn a dirty look, as if she would ever let come near her in that manner.
Opening the door, they saw that Arthur was standing to a wall to the side while Brienne and the other guards was right down the hallway.
Gwynn looked at Mordred who approached her husband. "Husband, I have listened to Lady Lorelei's plight and I have decided to support your decision."
Arthur face showed shock as he looked at her face searchingly. "Truly? Y- you do not find it shameful of me?"
Mordred patted Arthur's chest and smiled. "I know your nature best of all, you would only ask if it was honorable. I know of Harrold Hardyng and would not wish Lady Lorelei in his grasp. Let some other highborn lady with ambition take the role of his lady wife."
Suddenly Arthur grasped her hand and kissed the back of it affectionately. "Y-you are truly generous my lady. Truly. I... cannot, I have... If there is anything you ever require of me, just ask."
Mordred blushed as red as Sansa's hair before a thought occurred to her. "I do actually have a request."
"Anything," Arthur replied immediately, clear affection in his eyes for her.
"I would like for you to take Lady Gywr to be Lorelei's protective details."
Mordred smiled as she heard Gwynn choking cough in the background.
TBC...
AN:
Whoa! That was fast! Like Jimmy Johns fast! But, If it help you guys to know I had this chapter done quite some time ago and just needed to look for some editors to brush it up , make it shine!
So, Like I have stated before, I am gonna ride this story like Drogo ride Daenerys in Game of Throne, ALLL THE WAY to the finish line! Ahem... okay. Bad example because Drogo met a bad end...
Anyway, for those that say this story is getting serious. My initial goal was to make this crack parody, I failed, so Now i am making this a irony story, after all Why not? I think it gotten to the point where it's just ironic humor now. Yes there will be action and what not. Character interaction etc etc. Many will note that Arthurian legend is pretty fucked up in general and fit right in with Thrones but then again, FSN world is pretty fuck up too so I fit others in there too. It all depends on what I feel is best story wise and still stay somewhat true to the source materials.
Now, onward to my supporters and those that left a review, comment or criticism! I appreciate it all! However if you find my story irreconcilable with your taste than there is nothing I can do and I am sorry you feel that way. For those that continue to stay on board, I thank you!
For those that ask for Lemons, I can't write lemons! If you wanna write lemons though, feel free to write em!
As for this chapter, if you know your FSN/Arthruian Lore along with Game of Throne, you'll get the full effect of the irony, at least I hope so. For those that don't, I spell it out in the plot.
As always, C+C Welcome! Reviews Appreciated!