Thank you to CuttlefishShiz and FireChildSlytherin5. Yes I am an evil writer to leave you with cliff hangers but it's fun
Gold hair, so like Igraine's, came into view. Blue grey eyes looked at him
"RUTH!!!" Uther yelled her name in delight. His daughter raced headlong down the length of the council chamber, throwing herself into his arms. "Oh Ruth" sweeping her into the air he spun round several times
"Papa you're making me dizzy" came the small voice from near his shoulder. The king set her down on the throne
"We've been so worried, your mother's been in hysterics. Where have you been?"
Ruth shivered slightly, "Miles away, I don't even know which Kingdom I was in. If it hadn't been for Lancelot I would never have found my way back" as she said the name she nodded over her father's shoulder towards her companion.
Uther blinked and recovered from a slight shock "Ruth, go and surprise your mother, then tell her to come down here alone; without Gwen" she jumped down and headed towards the door, Lancelot's voice stopped her
"If you meet Arthur, tell him a commoner brought you back and they have already left, please" Ruth half turned and nodded sadly
"I'd hoped to let you meet him Lancelot, you'd get on well"
Once Ruth was out of hearing Uther turned to her returner "Take your hood off Sir Lancelot, no need to hide your face any longer." The once knight did as he was asked, frowning
"Why do you call me Sir Lancelot, sire? You stripped me of my knighthood"
"Now I am returning it. But this time Lancelot you earned it on your own merit; killing the griffin and now returning Ruth to us" a warm smile was on Uther's face
"Sire you do not have to go back on your choice, I didn't do either of those for such a reward"
"Which means you've won the reward" the sentence was sharp, then he sighed "I chose wrongly; blinded by rules to not see what a true knight you were... until it was too late. I saw it when you made that farewell speech and if I hadn't known that you would now refuse the knighthood because of your belief, I would have knighted you there and then" The king dropped his eyes in shame. Lancelot made to speak but a hand movement stopped him "1...2...3" as the three was spoken there was an enormous clatter and a scream rang from somewhere above them
"Ruth, you're alive!!" it was two screams really, Gwen's voice could just be identified. Uther shook his head with a grin
"She'll work herself into more hysterics at this rate"
"I will not" the lady in question walked in
"May I present my wife and Queen; Lady Igraine Pendragon" Lancelot bowed to the lady, noting her resemblance to Arthur
"Igraine this is Lancelot, he has just returned Ruth to Camelot" Uther completed the introductions
"You are welcome" Igraine smiled at the well mannered man before her. "My son will be grateful to have his sister returned after such a time, as am I"
"Your son, my lady?"
"Arthur, the prince of Camelot. He is Ruth's elder full-brother" she didn't seem offended by his confusion.
The king stepped back in "Igraine I have a favour to ask you. Could you sew this man a surcoat, on your own, by tonight?" the queen looked Lancelot up and down before answering
"Yes I think so. It depends on the complication of the design"
"It shouldn't be that hard" he turned to a side table and sketched something on a piece of parchment.
"I can manage that Uther. Will I have help?"
He shook his head "too risky. There are only three people in this castle who know this man's true identity; You, me and Ruth."
"Arthur?"
"Lancelot asked Ruth to lie to him and the knights, we'll save it for tonight" She nodded, took the parchment and walked out.
"I wonder what Arthur will think when he sees Ruth" Uther addressed the room at large.
Good to see Lancelot back.
I'm on a deadline to get this story all up before Sept 19th, when series 2 starts. I will manage
Nearly 20 reviews. extra credit to whoever posts the 20th, particularly if you're a first timer for this story