UFP

The three of them had been talking nonchalantly about inconsequential things for a while now, waiting for Arthur to deem them far enough away to avoid be overheard by anyone. They were still within sight of the wall with the dark forest silently standing on their right and no one in sight. Arthur dismounted cuing Cador and Guinevere to do the same. They let their horses graze while they talked.
“Do you want to talk about the priest and that scene now?” asked Cador with a barely disguised grin on his face.
Arthur laughed. One of the things he liked about his foster son was how directly he faced problems. He was not one for letting the taboo subjects remain unspoken and neither was Arthur. “Yes, I do,” he said smilingly. “I suppose you’ve figured out that you’ve warranted more than a warning this time and I hope your rebellion has reached a satisfactory point before I shut you down.”
“If you want to just give me a warning again,” suggested Cador, “I’m sure that I can guarantee an end to it.”
“Oh, and why is that?”
“Well, I think I’ve pushed Paulus as far as I can without tossing him directly over the edge. I’ve antagonized him enough now. What do you say? Just this one last time?” Cador was throwing this argument in on the off chance that it might work out, but he did not really believe it would. He looked over at his mother and winked impishly.
“I’m afraid not, Cador,” sighed Arthur. “There is more to it than just keeping you from teasing Paulus. Right now it seems as though the only man in Luguvallium who can ignore me is you and that cannot be allowed to continue.”
“I suppose you’re right,” he agreed complacently. “I suppose the punishment has to be somewhat public as well as inconvenient for me. What did you have in mind?”
Guinevere, who had not really intended to interfere with the negotiations between father and son, exclaimed disbelievingly, “You’re not even going to argue?” This was not like him at all.
“Of course not!” he said placidly. “Who am I to argue with the king, let alone my father. I knew that eventually my fun with the priest would have its consequences. But it was fun anyway. Did you see how he was jumping?” Cador laughed gleefully.
Arthur struggled to keep his own mirth under control. “I appreciate the understanding and ease with which you are accepting this,” he said. “You will stand out the night watch on the wall for a fortnight, starting tonight. I’ll make sure the captain of the guard is aware of it.”
“Very well, Arthur. I shall abide by your judgment.” He cast an eye at the sun, which was starting its decline.
“I also expect you to lay off Father Paulus,” added Arthur firmly. “I don’t want him coming to the house to complain about you again.”
“What? He is so very eloquent when he whines about me. Why would you want to miss that?” Arthur just gave him a warning look, prompting more laughter. “Alright, alright. I’ve finished with him anyway. If you will excuse me, I have to return my horse to its rightful owner.”
Guinevere walked with him to retrieve his grazing mount. “What do you have up your sleeve?” she asked knowingly.
“Now, why would you say that?”
“I know you better than that. Now, tell me what it is.”
“You’ll just have to wait and find out like everyone else, Mother,” he said, giving her a hug. “I can’t be seen to play favorites. Besides, you would tell someone and spoil the surprise.”
“I’ll have it out of you eventually,” she threatened as he mounted up.
“You can try,” he taunted, spurring his horse to a trot. He waved at them as he rode back to Luguvallium.
“He took that well,” commented Arthur.
“Too well. When was the last time you knew Cador to take any adverse incident so well? You can’t. Its Cador.”
“He was in the wrong and he knew it. He did try to argue a little bit.”
“Not enough. When he was younger, the more he argued, the more you knew you were right to punish him. That hasn’t changed recently.”
“Do you think we’re missing something?” asked Arthur, uncertainly. “It was pretty plain before that he was gambling.”
“You should know by now that with him things are never quite what they seem,” she said, alluding to his first meeting with Cador. “I’ll try and find out what’s going on with him.”
“That’s your prerogative as his mother,” he said, gathering up the reins to his bay. “I’m just glad we diverted a potential problem and that he handled it so well. I won’t look a gift horse in the mouth.”
“Something to be thankful for, I suppose.” She grabbed him impetuously by the arm and kissed him soundly on the mouth. “Now, I have my own devious plans. I will have to leave you at the gate, I’m afraid, but I’ll see you tonight.”
“You had better,” he said with a grin, “or I will be forced to greet Madoc myself and that would be a tragedy.”
“It would, wouldn’t it? I think he might turn around immediately and go home.”
“Of course he would. I’m convinced you’re his favorite. I’m merely his nephew, you know.”
“And a right terrible nephew at that,” she said mischievously, “or so I hear. I do believe that Madoc’s wife still retains a fear of birds to this day because of you.”
“That was an entirely isolated incident and I would suggest you not listen to any of Luned’s tales. She can hold a grudge, that one.”
“I would, too, if you let a hawk loose on my head.” Guinevere laughed gaily at the look she received from her husband. She kissed him lightly on the cheek in a conciliatory way. “I’m only having a bit of fun at your expense, my love. I shall certainly be there when Madoc arrives. Now, come on. There is only so much light in a day. Let’s not waste any. Race you to the Wall!” she cried, spurring her horse onward, leading Arthur on a merry chase all the way back to Hadrian’s Wall.


I am quickly making up for my lack of posts last week. Enjoy and don't be afraid to leave feedback!

6/16/09
Revised with the new ending that occurred, unfortunately, after it had been posted. Its a risk you run, but probably worth it somehow.