In The Name of The King (#Wattys2016)

Her Highness's Obsession

Chapter 18

"I'm tired and my backside is killing me," Guinevere whined, clutching onto Arthur like a leech

It's been a full two days and we still weren't anywhere near Bristol. I started becoming impatient and annoyed. Guinevere for the past couple of hours had taken every opportunity to rub it in my face that she was riding with Arthur. I'd be lying if I said it didn't bother me, but I had no right at all to those feelings. If Arthur wanted some noble woman hiking up her skirt every time she sees him than so be it. I wasn't in the place or mood to judge who he spent his time with. We were after all just friends, if I could even call him that.

"As much as I hate to admit it, Gwen's right," Adrianna agreed, reaching her hands up to the sky in an attempt to stretch the kinks out of her spine.

"Yeah," Gavin whined, looking exhausted and irritable.

"Man, agreeing with me twice in three days? What a privilege," Adrianna smirked, giving Gavin a playful wink.

"Don't get used to it Witch," He grumbled, rolling his eyes in response to her gesture.

"We can't afford to waste time," Arthur raised his voice, seeming weary as well.

"Arthur, I think it's best for everyone if we set up camp," I interjected, knowing perfectly well that if we keep up like this Caldwell will surely win whatever game he's playing at.

"Pleassseeeeee???" Everyone whined in unison, even Guinevere.

After awhile, Arthur finally gave in to everyone's pleads. We steered the horses into the woods, tying them up on a nearby tree as Gavin and Arthur set out for sustenance. Meanwhile, Adrianna, Guinevere, and I laid out the blankets in numerical order around the blazing fire. Granted, Adrianna and I did most of the work while Guinevere complained that it'd break her nail.

"Spoiled princess," I mumbled out, causing a snigger of laughter to leave Adrianna's lips.

"What did you just say Peasant?!" Guinevere shrilled, tilting her head and eyeing me incredulously up and down.

"Nothing m'lady," I sarcastically smiled, trying to hold back the rage I'd been keeping in for the past week.

"That's what I thought," she said, going back to inspecting her nails and the ground below.

"She's so maddening," I whispered to Adrianna, already wanting to throw myself off a cliff.

"Tell me about it," Adrianna responded back, rolling her eyes in irritation. "She's always been this attached though, especially since you're here,"

"What do you mean?" I asked, genuinely confused by Adrianna's cryptic sentence.

"Well, Guinevere has always been infatuated with Arthur, even when we were kids," She smiled a sad smile, sliding her hands across the rumpled blankets. 

"Wait, they've known each other that long?" I wondered in surprise, feeling a certain emotion I couldn't quite put my finger on. Maybe it was...jealousy?...No that can't be it.

"We all have, besides you of course." Adrianna nodded, smoothing out the last of the quilts. "Except, lately, her infatuation has been bordering around obsession," she whispered in my ear, looking from one side to the other. "It's quite disturbing actually."

"I can imagine," I quietly replied, taken aback by Adrianna's honesty. If Guinevere was really as obsessed with Arthur as Adrianna admitted, then there was no telling what she might do to eliminate her opponent. Gulping, I started feeling nauseous at the thoughts circling around inside my head.

"Artie!" Guinevere suddenly shouted, throwing her arms around Arthur's neck, trying to gain his undivided attention.

"Whoa Guinevere!" Arthur verbalized, trying to keep his hold on the large basket that was firmly grasped in his hands.

"Don't go droppin' it," Gavin laughed, setting down his respected basket next to the fire pit. A countless number of bright and colorful berries stared up at the group. The fire that was crackling and flickering illuminated the different colors in a heated glow. My mouth couldn't help but water at the sight. It felt like an eternity since the last time I had the privilege to consume such fresh fruit.

"I'm not dropping it," Arthur uttered, setting down his basket adjacent to Gavin's.

"Wow! Arthur you could be an expert fisherman!" Adrianna exclaimed, rubbing her palms together in anticipation.

"Um...I don't know about that," He mumbled under his breath, scratching the back of his head awkwardly.

"Well it looks incredible," I smiled up at him, causing Arthur to connect his hazel eyes with mine. As quickly as he gazed down at me, he adverted his eyes to Guinevere who was positioned rather close. For the past couple of days, Arthur had been avoiding me for reasons I was unsure of. Whether it was eye contact or the occasional brush, he'd purposely withdraw from my presence. However, I have a nagging feeling that it has something to do with the night prior to this one. Clearing his throat, he disregarded my compliment, quietly beginning to cook the fish over the heat of the fire.

"This is so delicious," Adrianna smiled, chewing her meal with a satisfied expression plastered onto her face. Nodding in agreement, I savored
each and every morsel I shoveled into my mouth. My tastebuds felt as if they were dancing in rhythm with the food I devoured. Consuming food that wasn't cold or stale felt heavenly and I couldn't help but want more.

After everyone got there fill, we laid down for the night, discussing and laughing with one another. Slowly but surely, I drifted off to sleep, content and happy for the first time in months.

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Sounds of footsteps and shuffling awoke me from my slumber. I peeled my eyes open as I started hearing hushed voices. What is going on? I asked myself, getting up from fetal position. The night was cold, dead, and worst of all, quiet. Just then, a breeze kicked up, chilling me to my core. I wrapped the cloak firmly around my small frame, not wanting to feel the uncomfortable chill that was starting to creep up my spine.

That's when I realized something, something I paid little attention to when I first stirred. The fire pit was out and Guinevere was nowhere to be seen.

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Oooooo another early update! Man, I'm on a roll ;) haha anyways, I wanted to get out this chapter because it's summer and I want to try to get at least semi close to the end of this story XD Even though we're nowhere close at all. But, I'd love feedback from you all! Also, If you liked this chapter don't forget to comment and vote! Love you guys and tell me what you thought about this one :)

Xoxo,
Natalie