Disclaimer: I do not own William, Geoff, Wat, Roland, Kate, Jocelyn, Christiana, Adhemar, The Black Prince (Edward), Adhemar's herald, William's father or the storyline of A Knight's Tale. This story is completely out of my own head, any similarities are accidental, and I apologise. Please don't sue, I'm extremely poor, and trying to save up for Uni. I do own any other characters that I choose to create, and this story is mine. Enjoy!!
Will stared at the woman sleeping beside the fire. Jocelyn. The woman he had been chasing for months. But now he started to feel a change within himself. Where was the passion, the fire? Within just a few weeks he had wearied of her company, and increasingly sought solace with his friends. She had become demanding, complaining of the conditions they found themselves in upon the road. Where now was her willingness to "sleep with the pigs" if she could be by his side?
He sighed, and shifted his position, so that his view now encompassed his friends. A smile stole over his face as he thought of their loyalty to him, their dedication. Even though he had been knighted, by no less a person than the Black Prince himself, they were not resentful. Jousting had always been William's dream, they were happy to serve him, look after his interests. And he made sure they were well compensated for the trials of the joust circuit, even Kate, the feisty blacksmith. Now there was a truly courageous woman. Despite what must have been devastating, the death of her husband, she had carried on, and made a living for herself. And not a mean living either. Now she forged the special armour that had been so successful for William. William wondered what her fate would have been if she had not joined their merry band. He was glad she had, she made him laugh, and inspired him with her courage and cheerful determination. Now she would make an excellent partner in life...... William was shocked. Where had that thought come from? It was Jocelyn he loved, not Kate. These last dew days, however, he had begun to doubt whether he really did love Jocelyn, or whether it had in fact just been an infatuation. He decided to talk to the very best of his friends, Roland, the next day, and with the long journey of the next day in mind, rolled over and went to sleep.
Upon arrival at Amiens, William ordered that the tents be set up, and wandered off to familiarise himself with the jousting arena. He felt a thrill run through him as he saw the central arena, with it's long fence running through the centre. He wandered for a little more, and then returned to the camp. He was amused to see Wat, his face redder than his tunic, taking a swing at Geoff who, being the lighter of the two, was easily ducking the punches.
"What's going on now?" He asked Kate, his amusement evident in his voice. She chuckled.
"Geoff said Wat was a girl, because he couldn't hammer the pegs in properly" She smiled again, and walked into the tent she was sharing with Christiana, Jocelyn's handmaiden. William watched her go, and then cleared his throat. He must seek out Roland tonight, and talk to him.
As it happened, however, no talking was necessary. As he and Jocelyn were preparing for the opening banquet, a messenger arrived with a letter for Jocelyn. She read it silently, pursed her lips, and continued arranging her hair. William was curious, but checked himself. Jocelyn must have sensed his curiosity, however, as she turned around and smiled.
"My father is here, in Amiens. He requests that I join him at the banquet. I need hardly say that it is not so much a request as an order." William nodded. He was curious to meet Jocelyn's father, she talked a lot about him, and obviously held him in the highest respect.
As they entered the banquet hall, Jocelyn bent her head towards William and whispered.
"That is my father. Come, we should greet him." They moved gracefully towards a tall man in a very elaborately embroidered tunic. He turned, and William could see immediately where Jocelyn got her exotic good looks from. He smiled when he saw his only daughter, but his smile immediately turned to a frown as he saw William.
"Jocelyn, my dear. How have you been?" He bowed stiffly to William, and then drew his daughter's arm through his own, and walked away with her. Neither of them looked back. William was momentarily at a loss, until he saw some friends of his, knights who he had met at the World Championship in London. He hailed them, and when they gestured to him to join them, he settled down for a night of merriment.
When he returned to his camp, he could sense immediately something was wrong. Wat was furious, he had gone beet red and was muttering under his breath, Geoff was pacing round, muttering to himself, and Roland and Kate were sitting by the fire, talking with serious face.
"Well you all look miserable. I'm sure we can't have been found out, I'm a legitimate knight now, You can't be about to tell me we're being thrown out." He looked at them questioningly, but they all just stared back at him, with the expressions on their faces ranging from dispair (Geoff) to rage (Wat) to sympathy (Kate and Roland). Will paused, and then looked around, realising for the first time that something was missing.
"Where is Lady Jocelyn? The usher told me she had already returned to the camp." At his words, Wat turned, if possible, even redder and began punching his fist into his other hand. Roland opened his mouth as if to say something, but evidently didn't have the words, as he shook his head and closed his mouth again. Only Geoff seemed to have the courage to speak. He came up to Will, clapped a hand on Will's shoulder, and looked him straight in the eye.
"She's gone Will. Lady Jocelyn left."