ACCOLADE.
inspired by 'the accolade' painted by edmund blair leighton.
From beneath the fringe of his hair, he strains his eyes for a glimpse of the queen whose feet he kneels at. Sunlight streams from a window high above them, her hair glowing as brightly as molten gold. It hangs to her waist, loose and heavy, held only by an embroidered white ribbon.
He hears the king's voice as if from a distance - "…by right of arms, King and Queen of Camelot, do dub you with Our sword, Caliburn, and by all that you hold sacred, true, and holy… Once for Honor… Twice for Duty… Thrice for Chivalry… Arise, Sir Lancelot!"
Lancelot stands, lifting his gaze to look upon the beautiful Queen Guinevere. She smiles sweetly. Someone hands her a sash the same tint as her gown, and Guinevere lifts it up towards him like an offering while laughter dances in her eyes.
"Accept this white belt, symbolizing the purity of your honor, the sign of the Order of Chivalry, and of your knightly rank and station." Her hands, skin pale as milk, reach to tie the sash 'round his waist. Lancelot holds himself still as stone, swallowing hard and praying for noble thoughts - his strength limits itself to his sword arm and heart.
The ceremony continues - a chain hung around his neck by Arthur (a metal noose, he cannot help but think, like the rope that would take its place if the king ever guessed, ever knew-) and a scroll read aloud, ringing out over the ever-present murmur of the court. Lancelot remembers none of the words - his ears are only for the soft whisper of "my sir Lancelot" from his queen's red lips.
Arthur does not hear her, but that is to be expected. arthur never listens, never realizes what preciousness he holds. For their sake, the king's flaws are a blessing.
In the throne room, he voices, "your majesty," clad in silver steel, stiff and cold.
In the safety of night, Lancelot kisses the smooth bare skin of Guinevere's shoulder and murmurs, "my queen, my lady."
(His to cherish, to protect, to lie with on plush grass when they could not find silken sheets. Arthur could have her in name.)