So I reread the first few chapters and I didn't realize that I did not describe Destiny. Sorry! I promise I will. I was just so excited about getting this idea I had out on paper that I rushed it a bit. But I hope you all are still enjoying it. Now that I am on summer break I will have more time to write. And the more you all review with comments and suggestions the more excited I get to write so keep 'em coming!
They led me through the cobblestone streets of what looked like a village and up to the giant wooden doors of the castle. Everything around us was stone, the walls of the castle, the courtyard that we stood in and the statues that stared down at us from atop the tiled roof. We stopped at the bottom of the stairs and one of the knights stepped up to me, taking Destiny's reins.
"Hey!" I said, yanking my hand back. "What are you doing?"
He looked bemused. "Taking the horse from you."
"Like hell you are."
"She speaks in such a strange way." One of the other knights said and I shot him a scalding look. "Do you think she is an enchantress?"
The other men stiffened and I smiled. Enchantress, hmm, I liked the sound of that. But before I could open my mouth to confirm what he had said, Arthur spoke up.
"Enough!" He said, his voice ringing off the walls, making it sound like he was coming from all around us. All of the men froze and even Destiny and I stood still for a moment, waiting to hear what he would say. He slid off his mount and handed the reins to one of the knights before making his way over to me. "You are causing far more trouble than would be desired. Now, I would like to take you to see Gaius, our court physician. The men will take your mare to the stables. I assure you she will be cared for."
Despite his comforting words, my hands still tightened on the reins. "I don't want to leave her." If all of this was real then Destiny was the only link to my real world and I was afraid that if I let her go I would never be able to get back.
Arthur's eyes softened for a moment. "I understand. But I assure you she will be safe. If you like I will allow you to visit her after you have seen Gaius."
Allow you. As if I was his prisoner. I hesitated for a moment shifting uneasily on my feet. I was still too afraid to give in but something in Arthur's eyes weakened my resolve. He looked like he meant the words that he said. If only I could ensure that he would keep to his word. His word. Something clicked in the back of my mind.
"Swear it."
"What?" Arthur blinked.
"Swear it." I repeated, my voice coming out stronger. "Swear that she will be safe and that you will allow me to see her as soon as I've done what you ask."
"Clever girl," one of the knights said softly and I smiled.
Arthur eyes looked me up and down as if he were sizing me up before he nodded. "Very well. You have my word."
I sighed, feeling my shoulders relax. Then I nodded. "Alright." I turned to Destiny, running a hand over the white patch that stood out against the black of her nose. "It's okay, girl." I said softly, not caring if the other men heard me speak. "I'll be back soon. I promise. Be good for them."
Destiny tossed her head and whinnied, almost as if she understood me and I finally handed her reins to the knight in front of me. He took them gently and smiled reassuringly.
"She will be taken care of, milady."
Milady. The word felt so strange to my ears. I wasn't sure if I was supposed to curtsey so I just shifted awkwardly on my feet before deciding on a nod and a polite smile. The man nodded as well before leading Destiny away.
OooooooO
I followed Arthur up the stairs and into the castle, trying not to gawk at everything we passed.
"Is this the way to see Gaius?" I asked as my eyes swept over a painting that hung on the wall. It was a picture of the country side, beautiful and so brightly colored that I wondered how anyone could every have painted it. But as I looked closely I realized that it wasn't painted, but woven.
"No, this is the way to see my father."
"Your father?" I pulled up short, stopping so fast that the knight behind me had to stumble to the side to avoid hitting me. "You mean the king?"
Arthur glanced back over his shoulder and raised an eyebrow. "Yes. That would be correct." I bit my tongue to keep from snapping at his condescending tone. I wasn't afraid to lip off at the prince but I didn't want to push my luck.
"Why are we going to the king?"
"You were found wandering aimlessly outside of the palace."
"I wasn't wandering-"
Arthur ignored me. "And that is something that the king should know about." He continued walking, forcing me to follow. The halls of the castle were dimly lit and I tried to ignore the way the torches threw shadows across the floor. They writhed and twisted like they were alive, reaching for me with dark hands. I cringed, shying away from them. None of this felt real. I still wasn't convinced that this wasn't just a bad dream. We came to another set of doors and Arthur pushed them open. They swung in with a deep rumble and he motioned for me to follow him inside.
"Wait." I said and all eyes swung to me.
"Yes?"
I looked down at my outfit. The standard uniforms of Medieval Times varied depending on your job. Since I was in charge of the horses I pretty much was allowed to wear what I liked as long as I could move around in it. But I doubted that the jeans and black V-neck t-shirt that I wore were appropriate to meet a king. I thought back to my history lessons and cringed. Kings had sentenced people to death for far less than wearing the wrong outfit.
Someone cleared their throat and I suddenly realized that I had been silent for well over a minute.
"Shouldn't I wear something more-" I searched for a medieval word, "becoming?"
Arthur raised an eyebrow. " Do you have something more becoming."
Ouch. And shit. Because I realized that he was right. I hadn't exactly brought along a suitcase for my trip to Camelot. What would you even pack for a trip to another time?
"Um," I cleared my throat, pulling my shoulders back to I would stand tall. Well, real or not, if I was about to meet a king then I should at least appear confident. Walk like you own it, even if you don't. "Guess not. Okay. Let's go."
So I held my head high and followed Arthur into the room, readying myself to meet the king.
There you go! Sorry for the wait. That last quote 'walk like you own it, even if you don't' is something that I actually made up. It was like my motto in high school any time I was feeling insecure. Good words to live by. Let me know what you guys think!