Fic a Day 4
I felt that this story worked best without the smut, so I removed it for this copy as well as restored what I had to edit out for word count purposes.
Title: Can You Take Me Higher?
Fandom: Merlin
Verse: None
Warnings: None
Word Count: 853
Summary: Challenge #4 - First/Last Times
Status: Complete - Edited - Original #28
“Do you trust me?”
Gwen looked up at this mysterious out of nowhere prince, all at once familiar and intriguing with those words. She knew him now that she had time to study him in the lamplight. His dark hair and playful smile eased a pain in her heart caused when she thought she’d never see those warm eyes again. At the time she hadn’t known he was a prince, but then again she hadn’t told him who she was either. After the guards caught them it certainly hadn’t been a time for sharing secrets.
She had truly thought the man dead, yet here he was, asking her to ride on his funny little carpet, and as she smiled up in return there was only one thing she could say as she took his offered hand.
“Yes.”
Stepping up onto the carpet felt like walking on sand, the cloth shifting beneath her weight, and she would have fallen as she settled if it weren’t for the steady support of the prince. She glanced down only once before they took off, the ground was a long way down, but the thought of flying excited her, and when they took off any fear of falling was wiped away in the wind.
The world disappeared beneath them. They plunged into an ocean of clouds, dew coating their skin. Gwen shivered and leaned into the prince, but didn’t want to return just yet. The sky was expanding above them, the stars so much closer and more beautiful than she’d ever seen. They floated comfortable for what felt like eternity before finally diving suddenly back into the clouds. Gwen let out a sharp cry and tried to cover her eyes, but he caught her wrist and she was reminded by his smile that she trusted him with everything.
Neither of them spoke as their descent slowed, revealing a brand new world sprawled below. There were no words for the lush beauty that surrounded them. Everything was green, not a single trace of desert, with a river sprawling lazily across the land. There were all manners of creatures she’d only seen in books, and the wild horses were far more lively and spirited than the horses she’s seen people ride. The river was cool over her fingers and, delighted, she pulled off her slippers so she could dip her toes in as well. She never wanted to leave this place, even though come morning she needed to be back at the palace, and it struck her that it didn’t matter. This magical man could take her anywhere, was willing to take her anywhere. They could fly away any time they wanted.
She smiled to herself at the though. She could be free all while remaining her father’s daughter. That was giving her more than she’d ever dreamed of having.
They eventually left the river behind to watch fireworks at a local festival. Gwen no longer knew where they were, and she didn’t care as colors burst across the sky in a magnificent display, and people danced in elaborate costumes on the ground. Her awe having faded to comfortable appreciation, she wanted to strike up a conversation with him, and never one to sance around the subject, she went straight to the point.
“Lancelot, are you really from Northumbria?” She asked, her gaze knowing.
The prince started in surprise and flushed, not even trying to cover the truth. “Am I that obvious?”
She studied him for a moment. “Only a little.” After all, he didn’t act like a prince.
“I could never lie to you, my lady.” He gazed upon the celebrations with a nervous fear, and she smiled, reaching over to take his hand. “You are the most beautiful, courageous, intelligent woman I have ever met, and it would be my honor to love you.”
It was Gwen’s turn to blush, flattered. Most only saw her beauty, or her position as the Sultan’s daughter, and this humble man saw her. Just her. She studied his face as he snuck a side glance at her, openly honest, and wanting so much to earn her favor that he would leave himself vulnerable. It was sweet.
Gwen knew at that moment that she wanted nothing more than to marry this man, confident that he would be a wonderful husband as well as a leader for their people ever though, or perhaps especially because he never would ask for it. He just wanted her love, and by the sand it was his. Forever.
She had no words for the second time that night. Gwen tucked herself into Lancelot’s arms and tilted her chin up to kiss him. She could feel happiness bloom across her tongue as he folded his arms around her and she opened herself up to him. Love connected them and they both had everything they ever wanted in each other.
“Never leave,” Gwen whispered, feeling him slip away.
“I never will,” he replied, his voice fading, and leaned down to kiss her sweetly.
It wouldn’t be the last time she’d woken up with the ghost of his kiss on her lips.
Title: Can You Take Me Higher?
Fandom: Merlin
Verse: None
Warnings: None
Word Count: 853
Summary: Challenge #4 - First/Last Times
Status: Complete - Edited - Original #28
“Do you trust me?”
Gwen looked up at this mysterious out of nowhere prince, all at once familiar and intriguing with those words. She knew him now that she had time to study him in the lamplight. His dark hair and playful smile eased a pain in her heart caused when she thought she’d never see those warm eyes again. At the time she hadn’t known he was a prince, but then again she hadn’t told him who she was either. After the guards caught them it certainly hadn’t been a time for sharing secrets.
She had truly thought the man dead, yet here he was, asking her to ride on his funny little carpet, and as she smiled up in return there was only one thing she could say as she took his offered hand.
“Yes.”
Stepping up onto the carpet felt like walking on sand, the cloth shifting beneath her weight, and she would have fallen as she settled if it weren’t for the steady support of the prince. She glanced down only once before they took off, the ground was a long way down, but the thought of flying excited her, and when they took off any fear of falling was wiped away in the wind.
The world disappeared beneath them. They plunged into an ocean of clouds, dew coating their skin. Gwen shivered and leaned into the prince, but didn’t want to return just yet. The sky was expanding above them, the stars so much closer and more beautiful than she’d ever seen. They floated comfortable for what felt like eternity before finally diving suddenly back into the clouds. Gwen let out a sharp cry and tried to cover her eyes, but he caught her wrist and she was reminded by his smile that she trusted him with everything.
Neither of them spoke as their descent slowed, revealing a brand new world sprawled below. There were no words for the lush beauty that surrounded them. Everything was green, not a single trace of desert, with a river sprawling lazily across the land. There were all manners of creatures she’d only seen in books, and the wild horses were far more lively and spirited than the horses she’s seen people ride. The river was cool over her fingers and, delighted, she pulled off her slippers so she could dip her toes in as well. She never wanted to leave this place, even though come morning she needed to be back at the palace, and it struck her that it didn’t matter. This magical man could take her anywhere, was willing to take her anywhere. They could fly away any time they wanted.
She smiled to herself at the though. She could be free all while remaining her father’s daughter. That was giving her more than she’d ever dreamed of having.
They eventually left the river behind to watch fireworks at a local festival. Gwen no longer knew where they were, and she didn’t care as colors burst across the sky in a magnificent display, and people danced in elaborate costumes on the ground. Her awe having faded to comfortable appreciation, she wanted to strike up a conversation with him, and never one to sance around the subject, she went straight to the point.
“Lancelot, are you really from Northumbria?” She asked, her gaze knowing.
The prince started in surprise and flushed, not even trying to cover the truth. “Am I that obvious?”
She studied him for a moment. “Only a little.” After all, he didn’t act like a prince.
“I could never lie to you, my lady.” He gazed upon the celebrations with a nervous fear, and she smiled, reaching over to take his hand. “You are the most beautiful, courageous, intelligent woman I have ever met, and it would be my honor to love you.”
It was Gwen’s turn to blush, flattered. Most only saw her beauty, or her position as the Sultan’s daughter, and this humble man saw her. Just her. She studied his face as he snuck a side glance at her, openly honest, and wanting so much to earn her favor that he would leave himself vulnerable. It was sweet.
Gwen knew at that moment that she wanted nothing more than to marry this man, confident that he would be a wonderful husband as well as a leader for their people ever though, or perhaps especially because he never would ask for it. He just wanted her love, and by the sand it was his. Forever.
She had no words for the second time that night. Gwen tucked herself into Lancelot’s arms and tilted her chin up to kiss him. She could feel happiness bloom across her tongue as he folded his arms around her and she opened herself up to him. Love connected them and they both had everything they ever wanted in each other.
“Never leave,” Gwen whispered, feeling him slip away.
“I never will,” he replied, his voice fading, and leaned down to kiss her sweetly.
It wouldn’t be the last time she’d woken up with the ghost of his kiss on her lips.