Arthur and Eira

**Arthur Pendragon** and **Eira Prowell** are the main-streamed couple of the *Rays of Gold* series. The two first met upon Eira's arrival to the time of Arthur's world, wherein she was prophesied to be the Unknown Seer who'll help him be the legendary King of Albion. Though the two of them were at odds and in contrast at first, the two slowly grew affectionate with each other; realizing later on that they were deeply in love and would battle everything just be together, even their fates try to separate them.

## History

### Background

Arthur Pendragon was the born crown prince of Camelot; being the only son and eldest child of King Uther Pendragon and his wife, Ygraine. In order to fulfill the prophecy of his birth, his father had his mother's husband killed in order to have her as his wife. His mother died at the birth of his younger sister, Anna, when he was about two years old. As a kid, he was sent to Forest Sauvage to learn the Code of Chivalry until his knighthood as Sir Hector's ward, wherein he befriended the latter's son, Kay, and been guided also as his manservant by Merlin.

Eira Prowell, born Gwyneira Prowell, was the only child of a famous Scottish archaeologist Ernest Prowell and history professor Catríona Prowell. Little was known about her childhood, but she defined herself to be an introvert, nerd, unlucky and clumsy. Shannon is her only best friend, who shared the same interest as she has regarding books. She dreamed of being a successful archaeologist just like her parents in the future that gave her a fond love with history and ancient relics.

### Acquaintance

Due to unknown forces, Eira was sent to Arthur's time during her trip to Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum in London as part of her school's trip. She was helping a hobby out of its string when the two of them first met, and Arthur had been pointing his sword at her in suspicion. Merlin later assured and introduced the two to each other, igniting the start of rivalry and heated arguments between the two. Arthur had been assigned then, with Kay, Sir Hector's son, to oversee Eira's training that is equivalent to that of a knight in order to fulfill her duties as the Unknown Seer in the future. Though Arthur's training had been harsh and they've continued to be at each other's ends, they slowly establish a working relationship that resembles the start of building trust with one another.

Slowly, their relationship became harmonious to almost friends. Though Arthur remained indifferent of Eira by calling her "Stupid" than her name and her actions being described as such as well, and Eira considered Arthur as a "Brat", the two seemed to consider such as part of teasing and of normalcy. Eira helped Kay in preparing Arthur's nineteenth birthday, just as Arthur helped her being in deep waters for the incident of Duchess Elaire's missing earrings. When they've been caught in a storm during a hunting session and was forced to deal with Balor to save a lady in distress, Arthur and Eira's relationship also deepened as the first hint of their trust to one another had been visibly seen. Eira even became guilty upon finding out, later on, that Arthur was poisoned by a wound inflicted by Balor and was worried herself that she had caused it or it may lead to something else much worse.

When the mission arises that Arthur needs to summon Lancelot, Eira aided him on his journey to meet the knight. And even during Arthur's knighthood ceremony, Eira, realizing that something is wrong, had saved Lancelot and Arthur's father, King Uther, from not making it to the ceremony. Because of her absence, Arthur had saved her first before proceeding on with his knighthood. Before King Uther leave Forest Sauvage for Camelot another time, Eira encourages Arthur to at least show to his father that he cares about him, insinuating that it is with her help that he starts opening up about his feelings and emotions that he'd been hiding away and is too shy to reveal.

When Arthur's twentieth birthday had been assembled in the capital by the King, Eira received proper Court manners under Arthur, Kay and Lancelot; with Arthur teaching her how to dance. It had been mentioned that their lessons were conducted at night and in private, at the tower of the Castle of Forest Sauvage that the two consider to be their hideout. During Arthur's twentieth birthday, the two met Princess Guinevere of Cameliard, who is expected to be Arthur's wife. Eira started having doubts about her feelings toward the two and Arthur appeared to have no interest with Guinevere by saying that she was a "cunning woman". He then searched for her and saved her from an awkward moment with Syra Eugenius, and when they were left alone, he asked her for a dance being his partner.

Right after the celebration of Arthur's birthday, Eira had been restless that she can't sleep and some sort of voice had led her right in front of the King's Quarters wherein Arthur had drunk a poisoned wine and had been attacked, with King Uther, by assassins. She didn't hesitate to kill one of the assassins and ensured that Arthur will make it through by staying by his side the same way as the King until he completely heals. And even though someone had attempted to kill Arthur, he still insisted to proceed on a quest as planned, and Eira, though hesitant let him, thinking that it is her duty to believe in him as the Unknown Seer. Before leaving, she handed her an embroidered handkerchief, which he had taken with him and had been his consultation throughout his quest. After seeing a dream of his death, she, along with Merlin and Lancelot, followed after him, and saved and helped him to complete his quest. It is also at that time that Eira acquired a baby dragon, whom Eira had named "Wynn", who've started calling her as "Mother" and Arthur as "Father".

### Acceptance of feelings

The first time that the two of them had felt that each of them had fallen in love with one another was just right after Arthur's successful trial of freeing the Sword in the Stone. After the conflict that happened since the death of King Uther, Eira had shown immense concern towards Arthur, just as the latter had comforted her that he is fine and presented her the ruby necklace that belonged to his mother, saying that his father had been avid that she received it. When Arthur had been magically turned into an eaglet, Eira became his protector and guardian on their way to the capital, wherein they've evaded assassins headed by Percival with the help of Tristan, Bedivere, Lucan and Griflet, who then assisted them along the way then to the capital where Merlin undo the magic spell.

Though finally allowing such feelings, the two remained hesitant of revealing it to the other. However, they started to show it through small affections and the people around them started noticing how they love each other, despite the two of them being openly in denial verbally. It was first shown when Eira stayed all night outside the throne room as Arthur mourns the death of his father right after freeing the Sword. And in return, Arthur had presented him with the remaining of his mother's ruby parure (the earrings and bracelet) as his birthday gift to Eira for that year, revealing then that he had always known that he had gifted her the sword the previous year, and even said that despite having no reason to celebrate his ascension to the throne as king, Eira's birthday is worth celebrating.

According to Eira, she had wanted to comfort Arthur when nobles had challenged him for the jousting tournament. And Arthur's jealousy had been hinted when he found her in the royal gardens with Lancelot the night before. Throughout the tournament, he kept Eira close to him that he even asked to escort her for the event. However, due to the suddenness of Lucan's injury due to the aggressiveness of the opposition group, Eira, who decided to check on Lucan, came across Kay who was unfit to fight. She then replaced Kay for the round without Arthur even knowing that it was her. Upon being injured and won the round, Arthur was fueled by anger that he had convicted punishment for those involved in fighting and contradicting his claim to the throne without even additional trial. Since then, Arthur had ordered his manservant, Ewias, to deliver red roses and magnolia flowers to Eira's room.

When King Leodegrance and Princess Guinevere of Cameliard had visited Camelot another time to honor Arthur's ascension to the throne and offer a marriage proposal, it had been evident that Eira had been jealous with it. Still, she decided that Arthur needs to marry Guinevere as expected of their futures that resulted to a heated confrontation between the two. During the ball, Eira gathered her courage to invite Arthur for a dance, vowing to herself that after that, she'll focus in her role as the Unknown Seer and throw her emotions toward Arthur. However, Arthur declined the marriage proposal, prompting then the problem concerning the Round Table. Despite such problem, Eira promised Merlin that she'll ensure that the Round Table will be made; however, they'll need to wait for seven months, for the location of the magical seed for the wood to be used will only be open for a day during Good Friday.

During Imbolc Eve, Arthur had invited Eira to come with him in order to visit town for the celebration. The two spent the day shopping, doing the traditional activities of the festival and looking at stalls. At the end of the day, before the very celebration in the castle, Arthur led Eira to the royal cemetery and told her that since no one could tell the exact day of his mother's death, he visited on that very day. He gave a brief preview of his mother and told her that someday, he'll need to rest there, too. To which Eira replied that he will not be alone since he'll have a queen who'll rest next to him.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 *Rays of Gold*
2. ↑ *Sword of Light*
3. ↑ *Isle of Knights*