Here it is, finally! Chapter 3! And just to recap, I own none of the characters you recognise, all of the ones you don't. Enjoy! Aileanor x x x
William remained in his tent all night, whilst his friends sat outside round the camp fire. Wat was still all for "fonging" Adhemar, King Louis, Jocelyn, and anyone he could get his hands on, but Roland was more prudent.
"We must beat them at their own game, lads." Kate glanced at him, and caught the evil glint in his eye.
"First we have to get William out of the tent" she pointed out. Roland stood up, but Geoff laid a hand on his shoulder.
"Let me go." He smiled ruefully. "I've been told I have a way with words"
William had been lying on his bed, listening to the low murmur of voices outside his tent when he heard the gentle swish of the hangings being parted and saw Geoff ducking his head to enter the makeshift chamber. William turned his back, but not before Geoff saw his red puffy eyes. Clearly, William had not been to sleep.
"Will..." Geoff tailed off, for once unable to voice his feelings. William murmured
"It's okay Geoff. You don't have to say anything." Geoff clasped William's shoulder, and gave it a gentle squeeze. He knew William's pain, having once been in the same situation. He began to remember her, unheeding of William getting up and beginning to dress. Her hair, tumbling down her back....
Kate was checking over William's armour when she found a small dent. Grabbing her hammer she began to furiously pound at the fault, but a movement from the main tent caught her eye. She paused, her arm aloft to batter the metal further as William came walking towards her.
"Careful Kate, or I'll have no armour left!" he joked. Taking the hammer out of her hand, he lifted her hand and brushed his lips against it. As sudden as the gesture was, he dropped her hand as if it was a hot coal and cleared his throat embarrassedly.
"What time is my first match, Wat?" he called, walking quickly away from the bewildered blacksmith. She watched as he helped Wat and Roland unloading the cart, saw them share a joke, and saw William's rather forced smile. She shook her head. Today wasn't going to be easy for William, there would be sure to be gossip, tournament camps were notorious for that sort of things. Kate sighed. She and the lads were just going to have to do their best to stem the tide of gossip, not an easy task by anyone's standards, but miles better than what William was going to have to face. She picked up her hammer and started pounding again, working on a plan in her mind.
The day was every bit as bad as had been imagined. William faced a barrage of jokes and insinuations from practically every corner, from hints that he could not keep a woman, to overt suggestions that he was not good enough, and his knighthood by the Black Prince was a mistake. William gritted his teeth, and unseated every knight he faced, and Wat was involved in a few scuffles, so altogether the small group were glad when the evening came and they could retire quietly to their tents. Sitting round the fire, staring moodily into the cooking pot Kate was stirring, William, Roland, Wat and Geoff were all reflecting on the day when William broke the silence.
"Listen, guys. I just want to say....thank you. You've all been great today. I couldn't have done it without you."
Roland replied for the group. "Just you keep unseating them knights, and putting all your energy into the tournament, and we'll be happy." William nodded, and smiled at Roland, and then picked up his plate.
"I think I'll eat this inside. Night everyone, night Kate." He nodded to them each of them, and then walked through the flap into his tent. They all watched him for a moment, and then Kate turned to Geoff.
"Well, what did you find out? Has Adhemar left?"
Geoff nodded. "Apparently he and My Lady" he spat the words out "were married last night in a make-shift chapel, by the Bishop of Mons, who just happens to be a close personal friend of Jocelyn's father. There's no chance of getting Jocelyn back now."
Kate opened her mouth to tell Geoff her plan, but before she could, a messenger rode up and came to halt outside their camp.
"Sir William Thatcher?" Roland, sitting closest to the tent, lifted the flap and called "Will" William appeared at the door.
"What is it Roland?"
"Message for you, My Lord. Edward, Prince of Wales sends his greetings, and requests the pleasure of your company, and that of your lady guest, at a small meeting in his lodgings. Present yourself at 8 tomorrow evening. Good night, My Lord."
With that, the messenger rode off into the night. William stared, open mouthed. Roland turned his mind to more practical matters.
"Well, I don't know what you're going to wear. You've worn the green one twice already, and Prince Edward will expect the best. Kate, what colour is your tent?"
