Lady Guinevak

Elsa wanted to protest but had a feeling it would be pointless. “Well thank you,” she smiled, shuffling in her seat. “So how’s the little prince settling down in his new life?” she asked as she leaned towards the babe in Guinevak’s arms.

“Slowly, but surely, I think. He did not sleep much the first few nights, but now he seems to be getting to used to the castle. I’ve tried to make sure there aren’t too many people around at any one time, so he isn’t overwhelmed.” Guinevak looked down at her son. Fully awake now, he was gazing around the shop with wide eyes, waving a tiny fist in the air. Smiling softly, she turned back to Elsa. “Would you like to hold him?”

Elsa smiled. “I will make sure to take the money up front if that happens,” she chuckled, folding the dress neatly and setting it down. “I really don’t want to inconvenience you, though,” she added quickly. “Maybe I could sew you something in return for doing this for me?”

“You have already done more than enough for me. This is the least I can do,” Guinevak insisted. If had not been for Elsa’s encouragement, Guinevak wasn’t sure she would have had the courage to approach the king about taking Aneirin in, and as far as she was concerned she would forever be in the seamstress’ debt for that. “Besides, it’s hardly any trouble. Just a few words in the right ear.”

Elsa was really grateful for Guinevak’s willingness to help. She appreciated every single one of her friends but having one at the castle was strangely comforting. She spread the dress against her body for the princess to see. “I don’t know if it would be of any use to… well, anyone,” she commented, pointing out a couple of specifics the previous customer specifically asked for. “These sleeves are a bit odd, I suppose, considering what is usually worn around here. I don’t know.”

“Well, perhaps we can just start a new fashion,” Guinevak suggested, looking over it. It was truly beautifully made and it was clear that Elsa had laboured hard over it; another wave of anger rolled over her that anyone would just dismiss such work. “It’s a lovely dress, and I can think of a good number of ladies who would care to wear it.” She paused, then added with a faintly mischevious smile. “You never know, the original customer might even end up coming back for another if someone influential enough wears it.”

“Of course! There’s always time to make blankets for babes.” She would probably do it during sleepless nights when it was too cold for sleeping because she’d give her blanket to Rosa. “I’ll be happy to.”

“Then thank you,” Guinevak said, smiling. Settling back in her chair, she shifted Aneirin to a more comfortable position in her arms. “Now, let me have a look at this dress. I’m sure we can find a way to salvage things.”

Guinevere felt happy tears forming behind her eyes. With a smile, she took her sister’s hands and kissed them before pulling her into an embrace. “It brings me so much joy to see you this happy. We are lucky to have your kind spirit with us, I pray it may never leave us.”

Guinevak held her sister tightly, for moment feeling once again like they were children. Beside their mother, no one had ever loved her as Guinevere did and she never felt as safe and at home as she did in her sister’s embrace. “I am just glad I can share this with you. My happiness wouldn’t be complete if I couldn’t.”

“That is so very sweet.” Guinevak’s cheeks warmed as she read the kind words, and she smiled each time she thought of them for the rest of the day.

“I’m sure she would love that,” Elsa smiled. “I’m making her a blanket with some flowers embroidered to it in the meantime. I’m hoping it would keep her satisfied until the real ones start to grow in the spring.” She paused. “I could make you one for the little prince as well if you’d like?” Elsa offered.

“I would love that, if you’re sure you have the time?” Guinevak fully intended to pay for any work that Elsa did, of course, but she also knew the seamstress was stretched and did not wish to make things more difficult for her.

Guinevere nodded. It’s been a while since she’s done practically anything without someone jumping in to help her or take over so this was a nice change. Decorating the room and moving stuff about was no hard labour and it helped her take her thoughts off of other things. Plus, it gave her the chance to spend time with her sister, which was always appreciated. 

“He will be so happy here,” Guinevere sighed, looking around the room with a smile.

“I hope so.” Guinevak smiled. As much as part of her still longed for a husband and would have liked to raise her son with someone, a partner, who could be a father to him, she knew that marriage might mean she had to leave Camelot and her sister. She could not help but be glad that she got to experience motherhood here, in this place where she had been happy, and that it would be her son’s home as well as her own. “I’m glad I get to raise him here, with you and Arthur, in this place you’ve built.”

Guinevak stared at the note in her hands, lost for words. The idea of someone noticing her from afar, enough to pen such a letter, seemed bizarre and she was not sure she quite believed it . . . but the thought warmed her heart until it fluttered in her chest, and made her want to cry and smile all the same time.

“She’s doing fine,” Elsa smiled. “She says she misses flowers in the winter so now she spends her days drawing flowers on everything.” She sighed fondly. Even when she was struggling, Elsa always made sure her daughter wouldn’t feel it when they were running low on food or money; Rosa always came first. “The other day she told me she would love to know how to do magic just so she could keep flowers around all year round.”

“That would be lovely. I can certainly sympathise - I enjoy parts of winter, but it so often seems so bare,” Guinevak said with a smile. She thought she had seen some silk flowers at the market the last time she had been and decided to see if she could get some for Rosa, as a thanks to Elsa. “When things are in bloom again, you’re welcome to bring her to the castle gardens.”

Guinevere smiled, happy that her sister agreed to her plan. It would be nice to be able to forget her duties and troubles for a while and enjoy time with her family. “I cannot wait,” she said, squeezing her sister’s hand. “Shall we call the helpers to get the room ready or do you reckon that is something we could manage on our own?” 

“So long as we are careful, I expect we can manage . . . well, at least for most of it,” Guinevak said, looking around the room and starting to roll up her sleeves so they would not get in the way. There was not so much that she thought the two of them could not cope. “Perhaps we can ask for help for lifting some of the heavier things.”

“Have you tried chamomile?” Elsa asked, smiling down at the baby in Guinevak’s arms. “Rosa wouldn’t sleep almost at all at one point and I had to go ask the healer for advice and she gave me some ointment that I rubbed on her shoulders and mine and that put her right out.” She wasn’t sure if she could remember the exact way it was made but surely it wouldn’t be that hard.

“No, I haven’t, but I shall certainly pick up some on my way back,” Guinevak said, grateful for the advice. She had consulted midwives and healers and was doing her best to learn as much as she could, but there was nothing quite like hearing from another mother who had a healthy and happy child. “How is Rosa?”

“I am sure,” Guinevere confirmed. “We have plenty of skillful people taking care of the kingdom even if Arthur is away. I am sure they will manage without me for a couple of days. Besides, spending time with my family is just as important as running a kingdom. More, even.”

“Alright then, that will be wonderful,” Guinevak said, smiling. Perhaps things might be a little awkward with their father, but the idea of a few days alone with the sister, vising their childhood home, was one she could not help but look forward to.

“Please.” Elsa opened the door and let Guinevak enter her workshop. “How have you been? And how about the little prince?” How could she think of work when there was the princess with her new baby and they looked so happy and adorable that all her problems seemed unimportant at that moment.

“I’m well, thank you,” Guinevak smiled, following her inside. The warmth of the workshop was very welcome after the chill of the winter air; it was easy to forget just how cold it was after walking around for a while. “And so is he. He’s settled in well, though he’s not been sleeping well the last few days. The doctor thought walking him around might help, which is why we’re out today.”

“We can invite him for the Yule, see if he pays us a visit,” Guinevere suggested. “And if he is unable, then we can travel home in the spring. Together, what do you say?”

“That sounds like a good plan,” Guinevak agreed. It would be better to travel when the baby was bigger and more able to cope with a long journey - but she also wasn’t sorry to delay seeing her father, given how strained their relationship often was. “If you’re sure you can spare the time away?”

Elsa touched the baby’s hair gently, smiling. “He is gorgeous. And it’s obviously good for you both.” It was clear the princess was much happier now than she was before and Elsa was happy for her. “Would you like to come inside?” she offered.

“Thank you,” Guinevak said softly - meaning not just her kind words now, but her support from the beginning. If Elsa hadn’t pushed her, Guinevak wasn’t certain she would ever have had to courage to go after what she wanted and believe herself capable of being a mother. “Yes, please.”