I wrote this story in answer to a challenge by Beater101 who wanted a story based on the song The Trial of Lancelot, by Heather Dale. The song may not be what I would typically listen to, nor is it a standard rock song; it's kind of new agey and very soft. However, since it is quite literally based on the Trial of Lancelot, and I absolutely loved the tale of King Arthur, I couldn't help but read the lyrics and therefore be inspired to write a fan fiction based on the song. If you're curious about the song itself, it's on YouTube (song and lyrics).

This was meant to be a quick story, with a brief intro, the song and a one paragraph conclusion. I underestimated by own mind and love of King Arthur, and went overboard. This is my first fantasy fanfic, so please go easy on the reviews if you don't like it.

Disclaimer: Don't own Brian, Justin, QAF, or King Arthur or Camelot, or any other character, time or place fantasized below. They're all owned by other people, aye me to not be born unto a time of epic tragedies and romances… but then again, I probably would have been a witch and burned at the stake, so it's not so bad.

King Arthur was the most powerful king Britain had ever seen, and he was the most well known King Britain had ever had. But he was also a just and humble king, for, you see, he never asked to be king. He became King through a very unusual series of fantastical events. The people respected him, his knights protected and fought with him, and his reign was magnificent.

There was however something about King Arthur that few people knew, and that history changed in order to fit with most people's acceptance of today's life. It was not Guinevere that Arthur loved, at least not the way most thought. Oh, he loved her, as you would your best friend and confidant. She was very close to Arthur indeed, but as an advisor more than a lover. No, people would never have accepted who Arthur truly loved, loved with all his heart, mind, soul and body… it was Lord Justin. You've heard the phrase if walls could talk… well, if Camelot could tell you what it's seen and heard… nay, no one would believe it. For how could the greatest King of all time be gay?

Very easily Arthur would tell you. You see at the time of kings and knights, there was also witchcraft and magic, white and black magic, spells, potions and sorcery. It was a time many now would consider primitive, but it was also a time of open-minded free thinkers who accepted and loved and protected. True, there were those who did not accept, but they simply refused to believe, for they did not have direct contact with the King, who so often strolled through the streets of his kingdom with Guinevere. Partially because it garnered respect for the King and Queen to be seen together, in all their sovereign glory, but partially because he wanted to protect Justin.

For you see while Guinevere knew all the Kings secrets, being his most trusted advisor, she could also take care of herself, so he never feared any harm coming to her. Justin, on the hand, while certainly strong of will and heart, his body, while so perfect in all forms of pleasure, was not so perfect against those enemies who would want to capture someone close to such a powerful King. And King Arthur's greatest fear was that Justin would be taken away from him. So Justin primarily stayed in the palace doing his King's bidding, he loved to draw and paint, so many of Camelot's paintings and tapestry was by Lord Justin.

Now Justin was very special you see. Everyone in the palace loved Justin as well. They knew his place in the King's heart and in the King's bed. Only few knew something else, something very few knew and they kept to themselves, for they saw what really went on. They also knew how Justin felt and how much it meant to him to have a few moments of peace and true happiness to be himself, and not the King's secret lover.

Justin helped regularly in the kitchen, for he did not think it's servant work at all, he loved being in the hustle and bustle of the palace's busy kitchen with the warm welcoming bakers and cooks, especially the palaces head baker, Lady Debbie… the best baker in all of Britain, some would say, and she would heartily agree with you. Her son worked in the kitchen, too… Michael and Justin would spend hours together talking about all the goings on in the palace. Justin loved to hear all the happenings outside in the real world, within and outside of the kingdom's boundaries. Michael dealt with all the local farmers and butchers to make sure that Camelot always got the best. So he always had the most amazing stories. Justin's favorite stories to hear were about the kingdom's best party planner, Lord Emmett, for he not only had the best outfits Justin had ever heard of, but no matter how queen-like Emmett was his parties were always the talk of the kingdom… nay, the country!

Now, my dear friends, comes the interesting twist to our tale. Justin did indeed enjoy his time in the palace, in the kitchens, in all the rooms, while he was painting or drawing or weaving or cooking. He loved spending time with Arthur, too. He was an amazingly sweet, soft, romantic lover, and the times that he was able to step aside from his kingly duties the two men spent many hours enjoying each other's company and bodies. Lord Justin loved Arthur very much, he would have done almost anything for him…yes, you heard correctly… almost anything. There was one pleasure, one secret, one joy, one love that Justin would never give up, even under direct order from his King and partner, and that was give up Sir Brian.

Thought I was going to say Lancelot, did you? Well, I would, but that was not the name he was known to Justin. You see Sir Lancelot did not want fame or praise, he simply wanted to serve his King and kingdom and fellow knights. He knew he was the best Knight there was and he had long been an advisor and trusted companion of King Arthur. He would do anything for his King and kingdom. He was dedicated to his station and his mission. Never would he be conflicted in his most esteemed role. But little did he know that events were put into motion that once started he could not stop, nor would he want to once started.

Lancelot had heard of, met and spoken to Queen Guinevere and he loved her greatly, as did all people who met her, she was a truly marvelous, honest, noble woman. Lancelot enjoyed his time with her and Arthur. Again, tales now have been twisted for the commoner to believe that it was Guinevere that Lancelot had an affair with, oh no my friends… it was Lord Justin. How, you ask? How did this transpire, that this key piece of the puzzle be excluded? Twas easy my friends, for only a very select few knew about Justin and Arthur's relationship. As I have mentioned it wasn't on purpose that Arthur hid Justin away, he felt he was protecting the small, weak bodied, strong hearted and minded man.

However, as fate would have it, King Arthur's knights did meet Sir Justin, not all at once, and the first time might have not been accident, but it certainly wasn't meant to ever hurt anyone involved. You know already that Justin loved Arthur… but what if you loved one man, and then met your soul mate? What would you do? How would you handle breaking one man's exceptional heart or deny your own destiny?

Rarely did the Knights make an appearance in the kitchens, for everything needed was brought to the main part of the palace regularly. It was after nightfall, long before the sun rose and Lancelot had not been sleeping well at all. He rarely wondered the castle alone late at night for it was very dark in places and difficult to see where one was going, even with a candle stick, it was uneasy. This same night Justin also did not want to sleep, although he simply wanted some time in the kitchen alone. Arthur was traveling with Guinevere, Justin lamented, and he would never be able to travel with him. Not that people of an alternative lifestyle weren't accepted, but with Arthur being King and married to, of course, the Queen, they were expected to travel together, visiting other family, not as sovereigns. So Justin didn't travel with them, not that Arthur would have taken him anyway, thinking he was weak and small. He might have been small, but he was hardly weak. One would think that after some of the activities they shared in their private chambers would teach Arthur how strong Justin was, but, alas, no, it did not.

It was rare that Arthur traveled without Sir Lancelot, his most trusted Knight. But this time Lancelot had just finished a mission for the King and Arthur felt he needed time off, so he took a couple of other trusted Knights with him instead. He rarely was away from his king, hence his uneasiness in the middle of the night. Justin, while used to being alone in bed at night, without his King and Queen and less Knights than normal, the palace was unusually quiet, hence Justin's uneasiness. As fate would have it, two uneasy souls were about to meet which would change their hearts and minds forever.

Justin was working in the kitchen, trying to transfer his ideas for a sculpture into a baked masterpiece. Of course it couldn't be large, due to the oven size, but it could be beautiful, and he knew what grains and seeds and berries and herbs to use to make the right colors for each part of bread.

Lancelot was wondering, learning the palace, he had never been to the kitchens, and having not eaten well at supper, having eaten alone, in his room, he was slightly hungry and hoped there would be some bread or something in the kitchens. He didn't want to wake up any servants. As Lancelot walked into the kitchen his feet froze, his heart stopped and his breathing increased. For before him was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. Even covered with a dusting of flour and hands dyed from the various ingredients he was using… who knew that servants worked this late, or that said servants would be so breathtaking.

Justin heard light footsteps before they entered the kitchen, but was not going to stop mixing, that is until he heard a deep, fast intake of breath as one would do if startled. He looked up…into the face of a god. Wondrous hazel eyes, perfectly bronzed skin, the most amazingly sculpted, yet wavy and soft chestnut hair he'd ever seen. Such a perfect specimen of a man. Never had Justin so wanted to paint a picture in all his life as right now… better yet, trace those perfect muscles with his hands… or tongue. Now his breath caught. He'd never seen this man before, didn't know where he came from or what he was doing in the castle, but with Arthur away, and surely since this man was simply dressed in plain clothes (as was Justin) then it was most likely that Arthur knew he was here while he was away. Of course there were many people that dealt with the King and his Knights that Justin had never met.

Lancelot didn't know what to do. He should undoubtedly say something to this beautiful man with eyes a deeper clearer blue than the sky on the most perfect day. Hair that shone brighter than the sun on the clearest of days and skin such a splendid alabaster tone, he must not leave the palace. How could one so small and light and beautiful never leave the palace. Something told him this man was not weak, though, sweating and working hard in a kitchen is not simple work for the meek or timid. He had never seen this man in the palace either, and he knew many of the servants and workers. He wondered if he was new to Camelot, or if he just didn't prefer company. Oddly enough, he could almost sympathize if that was the case.

"Good evening, kind sir."

What a melodious voice, a choir of angels in heaven could not sound better.

"Good evening, to you, as well…I did not realize the kitchen ran this late."

Oh, of all the stupid things to say, how obvious can one be, try and be more clever next time.

"Typically they do not, but I have wanted to try something for quite some time and with the King and his Knights out of the castle, the whole palace slows down and Lady Debbie allows me to use the kitchen at times to experiment combining my art and my cooking ability."

"Well I did not mean to interrupt; I could not sleep and was thinking of finding myself something to eat quickly before trying to settle back down in…bed."

Just the thought of mentioning his bed to this man seems almost sinful; certainly Lancelot was not so lucky as to hold the interest of such an angelic man.

"You're not interrupting, per se, I have yet to start on the next part, but if you are hungry, might I offer that I fix you something. I am certain I can find something that is to your…liking."

Goodness, how to respond to that… something to his liking, Lancelot felt certain that had his answer been what he first thought "you" was not only too straight forward, but even were he to entertain such thoughts, Lancelot was an honest man who would seek to court this man fairly, if at all possible.

"I wouldn't want to impose, but since I have never been in the kitchens I wouldn't know where anything is. You could show me and I could get something myself. A little bread or meat would suffice, perhaps some drink as well. If it's not too much trouble."

Not too much trouble at all, Justin thought, for this exquisite man before him. He would interrupt anything, anything at all to be able to serve this man. Justin wiped his hands off and retrieved a loaf of bread, one that he had made earlier so it was not only fresh, but still slightly warm. It would be a pleasure to see what this man thinks of his baking. Justin also retrieved an apple that had arrived earlier in the morning from a local farmer, through Michael, along with some wonderfully aged mead that he knew was served to the Knights and Arthur regularly. He knew his way around the kitchen very well, and what it did to his head, heart, breathing, and another certain part of his anatomy that he was thankful was hidden behind a very thick apron, to have this man sit with him and watch him prepare his food. Maybe it sounded too romantic or too fairy tale like, but to serve this man with his hands, food that he had prepared, words could not do justice to what he was feeling.

"You are welcome to stay in the kitchen, if you'd like, you know, with the fire this is a very warm room, especially on a night like tonight when the castle can get very cool, very quickly. However, if you would prefer to retire to your room, I'm certain I could find a tray for you."

Justin was almost about to suggest to take the food to his room for him, but that would be far too much of a temptation, not to mention he did really want to keep working on his bread, he was almost done.

"If you wouldn't mind, I would prefer to stay here, it is rather warm. You are right about the castle being dark and cool. I've never really watched anyone bake anything, it would honor me if I could watch what you are doing."

"Ummm…of course, it would please me to have you watch me…that is, to have company and to watch me bake."

If Justin only knew the pleasure Lancelot was receiving from watching him, baking or not.

"If it's not too forward, could I ask your name and why you're in the castle? I know most of Arthur's Knights and many who come to and from the castle, but I don't believe I've ever seen you before and I know I would remember you… I mean, I remember people I meet very well."

At this point Lancelot was nervous, it wasn't often he didn't appear as a Knight, and he had forgotten he was only in his night clothes. If he introduced himself as a Knight to a baker who he'd never seen before, he wasn't sure what would happen. He did not like deceiving people, but he certainly did not want to leave this man's company. And he was very concerned that if this man knew he was a knight, the same thing would happen that always happens, they would bow and scrape and serve… and he did not like that at all. It was nice to enjoy someone's company free of his station and purpose, especially the company of someone so beautiful that could so capture his mind, body and heart. So Lancelot did the only thing he could think, he would tell this man the name that only his family had known him by… Brian. When he was but a boy, that's what he was to his family. Lancelot was a family name, and a proper name for a knight, who would believe that King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table had a Sir Brian?

"My name is Brian and Arthur and I grew up together, I stay here frequently, though, so you must be new to the palace."

"Oh, ummm, my name is Justin and I am…a friend of the king as well, and I do many things around the palace. I am an artist and baker, occasionally a cook or cleaner. But I have been here since shortly after Arthur became King. It's odd that we haven't crossed paths before."

"Justin, it's an honor to meet such a fine baker and artist. I am surprised that you have been here that long, but no matter, I am curious, you said artist, does that only apply to what you are doing now? As it certainly looks as though you are an artist in the kitchen, although I would be interested in knowing what something you baked would taste like."

The kitchen was certainly brighter than other parts of the castle at the moment, but it was still moderately dim, with only the fire from the oven and a few candles just over head for Justin to see his bread. But even with limited light, Brian could see the redness of Justin's cheeks from the blush that statement caused.

"Well, then you might be interested in knowing you do know what my bread tastes like since the bread you are eating now I made just a little while before you came in."

"You did…then I must say it's delicious. I wasn't going to say anything as I didn't know if you knew the baker or not, but the flavors are wonderful."

"Thank you… Ummm… you asked about my art. I paint, draw, sew, and bake, but what I'm working on right now is something I've wanted to try for a while. I know all the various ways to get the tints of paint I need, and I wanted to see if I could get similar tints in bread. The idea came to me a while ago while I was watching the sun set, such wondrous yellows, oranges, reds and golds. Lady Debbie had made a loaf of bread a day later that was a similar yellow, and it got me thinking that maybe I could work out some tints to duplicate the sun in dough. This is the last part. Then I'll pull out all the different colored dough's and hopefully braid them in a way to best represent the sun."

Brian's speechless, but not for lack of wanting to say something, but because of wanting to remember Justin's voice without his own voice clouding the air. Such a delight to listen to, to watch, to be near. He doesn't know if anyone else in the castle shares his proclivities, but this young man… if they were to share…what good fortune that would be. So Brian sits and watches to his heart's content while eating his bread, his meal Justin prepared for him. He weaves his varied colored dough's together (never had he thought that bread could be so many colors) as a seamstress would weave her needle and thread. Although he should guess if he sows, that would be appropriate. Now Brian has to ask.

"So what do you paint, draw or sew? I've seen your baking and it's remarkable. I would love to see some of your other work. Considering I've been in this palace a number of times, I have probably seen your work, if there is any out to see."

"Oh, that would be… of course, I've painted many portraits around the castle, along with a few tapestries and several small portraits in the smaller chambers. I think the couple I am most proud of are in my chambers, of course, there is one painting in Arthur's chambers that I did specially for him. Then the one tapestry that, well, it wasn't my first, but it was my best. It's of my village, right after the start of Spring when there's still a little snow on the ground and the roofs and trees, but the sun shown bright and the grass was green as can be and the hillside in the distance was majestic and the sky, the sky was a most perfect blue… I have a painting in my room of the same scene, but I wanted to do a tapestry as well, so I did. And when the sun hits it at the right angle it's magnificent."

"That sounds like a most impressive tapestry…but I'm not sure if it's as good as the tapestry in my room, although it sounds very similar, did you do more than one?"

"I only did the one tapestry of that scene. What room are you staying in?"

"Near Arthur's chambers, in fact two doors down from his, to the right."

"Oh… really? That close to the king, I would have thought that…never mind, ummm…my tapestry, it is indeed two rooms over from Arthur's. It must be one in the same."

"Well I have stayed in that room anytime I'm here and I love the tapestry, although I don't think I've ever given it too long a look, I know how beautiful it is. If you made it, then perhaps at first light I will have to look at it more closely, you say at sun rise is the best time to view it?"

"Ummm, yes, sun rise… in fact that's why I chose that room to hang it. The window in there is right across from it. And I believe it's near sun rise now. My bread is almost done and I was down here for a while before you ventured in, if I were to guess sun rise would be shortly."

"One would almost think you designed your bread to be ready at sun rise so you could compare the two."

Again, Brian was practically speechless at the blush that ran across Justin's alabaster cheeks.

"Actually, I did, at least I hoped it did. Maybe not quite to compare the two, but since you can just see the sunrise in here through that window over there, it would be perfect."

"And that window happens to be facing the same direction as my window. Would it be a safe guess to say that you could see the sunrise even better from the upper window in my room?"

Ah, that beautiful blush again…Brian could all too easily learn to live for that blush.

"Ummm…yes, I could, that is, I mean you could, you know, see the sunrise from your room better than…down here."

"Well, I can see the sky lightening slowly from here, perhaps you would accompany to my room when your bread is done, and you could introduce me to your tapestry and maybe tell me about your village, so that I would be seeing what is meant to be seen, of course."

Oh dear… to be in Brian's room, Justin doesn't know if that's a good idea. Nothing needs to happen, right? Just show him the tapestry and then come back down, right? Right. He can do this. Justin keeps saying he's stronger than people think. And to be able to be in the company of just someone like a friend. No expectations, no assumptions, to be able to talk to someone who actually doesn't expect anything other than friendship. What a rare gift that Justin would be a fool for not taking advantage of…the situation, of course, not the man.

"Of course. I'd be glad to tell you all about my village, as time permits. Ummm… shall I bring my bread up as well, we can compare it together. I could bring some preserves and we could enjoy it sitting at, I believe there is still a table and chairs in there, under the window, is there not?"

If Brian were less a virtuous man he would certainly wish that the only surface to sit on would be the bed, but that would be not only too presumptuous, but also too forward for any civilized company.

"Yes, there are indeed chairs and a table. And I would be honored to try some of your bread and preserves. Would it be alright if we took some tea instead of mead, though, I believe that would fit a sunrise rather than ale."

"It would indeed, although, depending on the ale, that might work as well."

If Justin's blush was tantalizing, then Justin's laugh could be downright addictive. Never in Brian's life had he heard such a dazzling sound. Justin pulls his bread out of the oven a little before it should be out. The sun hasn't quite risen yet, but by the time they get back to *gulp* Brian's room (private chambers…oh my, Justin's not quite sure about this decision, yet, but to think about refusing this beautiful, kind man causes a pain so deep he's not sure how to process that hurt) the sun will be risen enough and the bread will have enough time to continue to cook and cool on its own. He gets a tray and prepares two mugs for tea, a small container of cream from the small ice box (a wonderful invention that Richard the Lion Heart had brought back long ago from China) along with some sugar cubes and one of the jars of preserves he helped make.

Brian offers to carry something, but Justin refuses, insisting that he can carry the heavy loaded tray, and based on the look of stubbornness and determination on Justin's face Brian can do nothing but allow Justin to carry it. The look of happiness of Justin's face at being allowed to carry this on his own without having to press the issue is worth letting Justin have his way. His smile lights up his face like, well, they're going to watch the sunrise together, and after watching Justin work and sweat in the kitchen and the passion so clear on his face by the light of the fire while talking about his art, he would bet that Justin's smile in sun light could rival the very sunshine itself.