Part 5
660 Words
FIVE
Guinevere heard her name, but the roaring in her ears blocked out everything else. A path opened up before her, walled with people on either side, and she marched forward, her head held high.
Every woman wore a veil – she was the only one with her head uncovered. And why had she chosen to wear white? Artorius' court all wore dark, sombre colours, making her look as out of place as snow in summer.
Yet the wall of humanity wilted as she passed – bows and curtseys, as one would expect for a princess. The only ones who remained standing were a crowd of men off to the side of the King's dais. They looked like knights tricked out for a tourney, with their brightly coloured surcoats. Every one of them stared avidly at her.
She did her best to ignore them, and curtseyed deeply at the foot of the King's dais.
"Princess Guinevere of Flamand. What brings you to Castrum?"
She looked up, fixing her eyes on the King's bushy, white, raised eyebrows. "I have come to offer myself in marriage, to forge an alliance between our two countries."
The eyebrows bunched, almost meeting in the middle. "I told your father I have no need for another bride. I will send you home with an honour guard." He motioned toward the knights. "Lancelot, assemble a squad of your best men. You shall escort the princess home to Flamand, and you shall tell King Ludgar – "
"No." Guinevere held up her hand to stop the King, and found she had stopped the bright blue knight, too, whose sword-emblazoned surcoat stood mere inches from her hand. She met the knight's eyes, and was surprised to find they matched his surcoat, despite his dark hair.
A knight in her father's court would have ducked his head instantly, knowing he was not worthy to read the princess's soul, but this knight held her gaze with a mix of curiosity and approval.
You will be much happier with some handsome knight, the memory of her brother's voice whispered.
He was so handsome, just looking at him made her heart sing, this blue knight. But no amount of singing would keep her safe. Only the King could do that.
"No, King Artorius. I did not undertake the perilous journey from my father's kingdom to yours only to fail in my quest now. My father does not forgive failure. No matter how many knights you send, they will not be able to protect me from my father's wrath. I am a dutiful daughter, and I will be wed." Or she had been a dutiful daughter until now. Damn Father for driving her to this. A tear slipped down her cheek, and her voice dropped to a whisper. "Please, Your Majesty, do not send me back."
Silence fell, before the whispering began. Guinevere held the King's gaze, letting her eyes speak for her. Help me, please.
"Come, Princess." Artorius extended a hand toward her, palm up, while he waved away the blue knight with the other. "Come and sit beside me."
She grasped the King's hand, and rose. He guided her to the throne beside his – the queen's throne – and made her sit.
Then he called for the next petitioner.
Numbly, Guinevere sat beside him, only half listening to the endless stream of petitions and the judgements Artorius made. The words washed over her, but some things she did notice.
Unlike her father, Artorius never raised his voice, or lost his temper.
The blue knight never took his eyes off her.
And at the end of the audience, when Artorius rose to dismiss his court, he still kept hold of her hand.
"Three days' hence, there will be a celebratory feast, to mark the marriage of two kingdoms, when I will take Princess Guinevere as my bride," Artorius announced.
Guinevere almost cried with relief, but managed to restrain herself, for she felt everyone's eyes upon her.
Everyone but the blue knight, who suddenly found the flagstones at his feet far more fascinating.
- Writer
