admired but untouchable

“  that’s good  to  hear  !  i’ve  heard  nothing  about  good  things  about  camelot,  i’m  glad  it  seems  like  those  don’t  seem  to  just  be  rumors  !  are  you  thinking  that  you  could  be  happy  there  ?  things  are  about  the  same,  but  hopefully  they’ll  get  better  soon. ”

“Yes, Camelot has made vast improvements in recent years.  I’m very glad to see it.”  She smiles, and, after a moment, nods.  “I am.  I think I could be very happy.”  Guinevere has never been one for blind optimism, and she still is not, but despite the emerging darkness, she has found her realism tending closer to positivity of late.  “I’m sure they will, in time.”

He’d never considered dancing difficult before, not when he’d grown up watching others dancing around fires and drinking merrily in taverns once the sun had fallen and the days work had been completed. But ballroom dancing – that was all too different than what he was used to. “Wait – what?” Guinevere’s comments took him off guard. “Have you…have you never heard it before? I mean, I knew there were different types of music here…but that song’s just a classic.”

Guinevere was well aware that she and Arthur came from very different worlds, and their life experiences were equally varied.  Sometimes, though, that fact was brought to her attention in unexpected ways.  Music, for instance, seemed like something that should be universal, yet clearly it was not so universal as people supposed.  She felt a tiny flush of embarrassment that she could not tell if it was warranted or not.  “If I have, I certainly don’t remember it by name.  What does it sound like?”

“  thank  you  !  mom  finally  let  me  plant  some  flowers  of  my  own  ! ”  &  really,  it  was  the  little  things  in  life.  “  i’m  sorry  too,  i  can’t  believe  i  haven’t  made  it  to  camelot  to  see  you  yet.  how  are  things  going ? ”

“We have both been busy, I suppose.  It cannot be helped.  Things have been going surprisingly well, I must say.  I do not want to be overly optimistic, but I am hopeful for the future.  And you?  I hope you have also been well.”

"This isn't just about you. It's about what's best for all of us."

“I’m trying, I’m trying,” Arthur promised. And he was actually trying, but his opinion on ballroom dancing was all too familiar with his opinion on the right kind of spoon. So what? Either way, it was a dance. So long as he didn’t step on Guinevere’s feet, would anyone really notice if he took three steps to the left instead of four? Arthur wouldn’t have, but Guinevere seemed to. “You know, the music’s easier to follow along to when the words tell you what to do,” He decided. “I mean, it’s impossible to not listen to the Cha Cha Slide and not have a good time.”

“I know.”  She believed that he was trying, and she understood that this might not be his most important concern, but it was nevertheless a concern, even if it was only a minor one.  A perfectionist by nature and by nurture, Guinevere had always preferred to master everything she did as completely as possible, but she tried to remember that that mindset did not serve every situation.  She was about to respond, but his comment about the Cha Cha Slide stopped her, and she laughed.  “I -- believe you.  I’m not sure I can speak from experience, though.”

     her arms wrap around the younger, holding her close for a moment, a wide smile on her face. when she pulls back, she squeezes her hands for a moment before pulling back. she knows how tough the life of a queen can get, and hopes she has been well- hoping to hear good news- and if not, she is ready to help with whatever she can.

      “i hope it’s a good type of well.” titania comments, not wanting to push. it could very well be kingdom affairs she wouldn’t like to share, or something personal, she doesn’t know. “make sure to take breaks as well though — it’s no use running yourself thin, even if it’s hard to keep track sometimes.” her lips purse at the mention of her being away, smile dropping a little before it’s up again. “it’s been… a difficult few months, with what happened — but things are slowly getting back on track, we’re doing our best to make sure.”

“It is, for the most part.”  The politics are, of course, politics -- complicated, tedious at times -- but there is nothing particularly concerning at the moment, she is pleased to note.  And her personal life is in a surprisingly good place at the moment, as well.  As for the breaks -- “I know.  I...have not been able to find very much time recently, unfortunately.  There is just so much to be done.”  She does know the importance of taking breaks, she really does, but she has never been very good at actually taking them.

she nodded along, hoping that her friend was right. though, of course, she had trouble believing that most of anything that guinevere ever said was wrong. she held her on a pedestal of royalty, that perhaps she really shouldn’t, given that guin wasn’t much older than her, nor was she any less human than rapunzel was either. but it was nice to know that she had the support of another princess figure– one that had further wisdom than she did. “oh, dear. i haven’t even thought about that idea yet.” she sighed, her eyes bugging out in terror for a moment. “me… a queen. that’s really going to happen one day, isn’t it?” she wiped some imaginary sweat off her brow. “i hope you’re right. but i also hope it’s not for awhile.”

She quickly put a hand on Rapunzel’s shoulder, the other held out in front of her in a placating pose.  She understood her worries, more than her friend knew, she was pretty sure, but she also knew that it was not the same.  Her reassurances could only go so far, but she hoped it would be far enough to help.  “Not for many years, I am sure.  When the time comes, you will have practiced and been prepared.  You will be ready, and you will be wonderful.  And you will have help, just as you do now -- perhaps more than you will need, or want,” she added with a small laugh.  “Being royalty is not easy, I know, but is anything in life, really?”

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐀𝐄 𝐍𝐎𝐃𝐃𝐄𝐃 her head as she listened to guinevere’s syrupy tones. although the other avoided what she was truly asking, elsa remained unphased accepting the other’s response. she knew if guinevere asked her something of a similar nature she would hesitate to answer her friend, it was only natural for two women of their status to hide their true thoughts and feelings behind diplomatic prose. ❝ i’m so glad, there are many kings who do not care enough if not at all. ❞  elsa reassured her friend before continuing, ❝ i’ve only corresponded to your betrothed through letters so I supposed I do not know his true nature. i’m sure he will make a perfectly satisfactory life partner. ❞

“Yes.  It is unfortunate how many there are.  They do a disservice to their kingdoms.”  It was inevitable that a king who did not care for his people would fail them.  Whether it was out of malice or indifference, one simply could not serve a people they did not care about.  Guinevere had feared that her husband would be such a man, but she was fortunate.  He was a caring king, and he would be a caring husband, she was sure.  It was almost strange to think.  “He is much the same in person as he is in correspondence, I am sure.  I believe you will like him when you do meet him.”

“Is that the duties of the king?” The monster asked in an eerily patient tone. He knew he found his weak link. It was only a matter of time before he can initiate his plan.  “Yes please lead the way.” 

“They have their own council.  The voice of a monarch does still carry a bit of weight, but I will make you no promises.”  That was partly because she could not, and partly because she would not.  Guinevere was not a fool.  She did not know him, and she would take no unnecessary risks for a stranger before she was even queen.  She would be happy to make an introduction for him, but no more.  “This way,” she said, turning to lead him in the direction of the church.