Due to time constraints I am posting this chapter after just three reviews. Thank you to Poemwriter98, FireChildSlytherin5 and anonymous reviewer C for their comments
Ruth fidgeted as Gwen did up her favourite dress, they were going down to join the party, all four of them.
"Will you stand still Ruth" Gwen understood the fact that both her mistress's were excited, it was rare that the actual Royal Family joined the knight's celebration (Morgana and Arthur didn't count). "There" she tied the final knot in the laces and stepped back.
Uther poked his head through the door "Are you ready?" Offering Igraine his arm he passed a silver jug to Gwen "Spiced wine. Put it with the other drinks when we get there" she nodded and, in formation, they set off.
Arthur and Lancelot sat side by side on the table.
"To Camelot" Lancelot grinned, downing his ale in a gulp as Arthur choked on his mouthful. The young man glanced at his new master "Sire?"
"Here comes trouble, lots of it" the prince gestured with his mug, indicating his family "They never come down here... Lance?"
Lancelot had vanished into the crowd surrounding them.
"Ruth" ignoring her parent's presence the knight pulled her into a hug. "Sire, my lady" he bowed to Uther and Igraine "It is an honour to see you joining us"
"An honour I am please to bestow, Lancelot." He put his head closer to the knight's "Have you seen my son?"
"Over there on the table Sire" Lancelot pointed
"Good... Come with me" Uther swiftly grabbed Lancelot's collar and hauled him along.
Obeying a signal from the king Gwen filled the goblets she handed out with spiced wine. Just as she picked hers and joined Merlin Uther lept onto the table, pulling Lancelot up with him.
"Knight's, Ladies and all present. Join me in a toast... to our new member... our new knight for Camelot; Sir Lancelot"
The hall rang with cheers as he and everyone else raised their drinks to the young man, calling his name; "Lancelot".
"May the celebration begin" the king climbed down as one man shouted
"It already has" to universal laughter. Musicians struck up a country tune, Lancelot walked over to his Princess
"May I have this dance?" he bowed
"I'd be proud to accept" she bobbed a mock curtsey and side by side they stepped onto the clear section of floor. Lancelot bowed, Ruth bobbed a curtsey; taking his hands as she rose. Light as deer the pair leapt away in a May-step polka, the lively skipping dance that was part of many a spring celebration.
"Shall we" Igraine stepped to her son, offering an arm. They joined Ruth and Lancelot, keeping perfectly in step. As more couples took to the floor a merry hand clap began. Under the cover of noise Merlin ambled to Gaius's side
"Why isn't Uther dancing?" the king stood at the edge, watching his wife and children lead everyone else
"He's blessed with two left feet." The physician whispered back with a wry smile. Merlin giggled slightly, Uther could fight well and his foot work was decent in the arena but in other situations...
"Igraine tried to teach him, but it never went anywhere" Gaius turned his attention to the dancers, indicating that he wouldn't talk anymore.
Gwen watched Ruth and Igraine wistfully, she knew this dance but protocol wouldn't allow servants to dance on the same floor with their masters or mistresses. Then she met Igraine's eyes and saw the queen tap Arthur, whispering something in his ear. He turned his head slightly and flicked a finger; indicating they could come and dance. Not believing her eyes she mechanically followed Merlin out on the floor, giving the jug to another servant as she passed. Out on the floor she was free, her feet found the rhythm and side by side the Royal Ladies maid and the Prince's manservant put most of the court to shame with their ability, weaving in and out of the other couples; narrowly avoiding collisions. The clapping grew faster and faster, the music whirling towards its climax. Couples fell back into the audience, unable to keep up with the pace, until only two pairs remained; the servants and Lancelot with Ruth. Realising this, Merlin and Gwen drew away to allow the Knight and his Lady their finale.
Lancelot checked his strides, letting Ruth keep the pace. It wasn't hard to dance with her, inexperienced as she was. She seemed to just follow him and match his movements to the second. But now he would test her, could she understand his signals for the finale?
Ruth twirled away, released by Lancelot to spin on her own. The crowd gasped as he slipped, falling almost to one knee. Whirling back to his side she could see the step he was creating. One hand on his shoulder she half-raised the foot closest to him and felt a hand grip it. Confident now she put the other foot onto his bent leg, trusting her whole weight to him. Suddenly the leg vanished as he stood but before she could drop his arm caught both her legs under the knees.
Everyone cheered as Lancelot turned to face the King with Ruth scooped up in his arms and smiling. Whistles of appreciation came from the servants and some of the knights who were furthest from Uther. One daring shrill was followed by Ouch as the king cuffed his heir. Most people who could understand the joke tittered.
"I am delighted to return your daughter Sire, she has been a fine partner" Uther nodded as Arthur took command of Ruth, steering her to Igraine
"One dance each with your father and Arthur, then bedtime" Igraine's voice was firm but kind and reasonable, some courtiers had packed children of to bed after the first dance when she'd been Queen before. That was definitely unfair. Her daughter nodded then put on her best 'good girl' look, with half an eye on the wine goblet.
"Oh alright... one mouthful but no more" The queen offered the glass, letting her daughter take a sip. Ruth pulled a small face
"It's not that nice, but the spices make it a bit tastier"
"Think what neat wine is like" Ruth shuddered at the thought and headed off to accost her brother. Uther took the chance to choose Igraine as his partner, this dance would be a slightly slower gavotte and she felt safe enough to agree.
The royals were allowed full floor as the music changed speed. Immediately something seemed unusual to Merlin but it took a while to put his finger on it; Igraine was leading her husband in the dance, rather than the proper way round. Standing next to Gaius and slowing the dance slightly to enjoy it more he began to notice the occasional wince from the Queen, Uther kept treading on her toes. Stalwart as always she carried on, taking as bigger strides as she elegantly could to keep out of their path. Arthur and Ruth seemed to have much more success. Merlin mentioned that to his mentor
"hmm; they must have both inherited Igraine's footwork as well as her hair" Both the children were blond like their mother, something that had caused the odd comment. Partners changed on the dance floor as a slow Pavane began to beat. Merlin found himself dozing rather than actually enjoying himself, only to be startled awake by loud clapping; the dance was over.
"Ruth" Gwen stepped up to the king and his daughter "you've had your dances...
"I know... bed time now" she sighed "Goodnight father" she kissed Uther on the chin
"Why so soon? Not midnight yet" his voice was ever so slightly softer than normal, the only hint of drinking.
"Her Majesty says so" her voice was firm and Uther gave in.
As she tucked Ruth into her bed in Igraine's room Gwen whispered "Your father is going to have a nasty headache tomorrow" the young girl giggled and snuggled under her covers "Goodnight Ruth, don't stay awake for us"
"Goodnight Gw...ee...n" Ruth yawned, dozing off immediately.
When Gwen returned to the celebration she found Igraine firmly resisting any attempts to refill her glass with ale.
"I've had one drink and that's all"
"Ah cum on Igraine, one drink isn't in the party spirit" Pellinore was relaxed and floppy voiced
"No ale thank you" she walked away from the knight and, spotting Gwen, headed over to her
"Tough time?" her maid was sympathetic
"Talk about it... one goblet of spiced wine is all I'm having tonight. I'd quite like to have my wits attached tomorrow morning" Igraine shook her head slightly "At least we can laugh when everyone else has to drink Gaius's hangover remedy"
Uncertain if she was going to be offensive Gwen phrased her question delicately "Have you... er..."
"Gwen, just talk straight"
"Have you ever had to take it... the hangover remedy?"
"Gwen!" Igraine pretended to be shocked then relaxed "Yes; after our Coronation feast, it tastes horrible" Both girls laughed together, enjoying a moment of easy friendship. Owain wobbled up to them and claimed the smiling queen for a few turns round the floor.
It got later and later. Wine went in, common sense began to vanish. The knights, the servants and quite a few of the ladies were drunk or at least tipsy.
"A song, a song from the lads" Old Ector proclaimed, waving his goblet around. One of the very drunken younger knights stood up
"Lets go to bed now Gwen" Igraine hissed into her maid's ear. Quickly they made an unnoticed exit.
"I figured we should get out of there before it got too rowdy and foolish" Igraine spoke softly so as not to wake Ruth while they got ready for bed "Men can go too far when they've been drinking in that manner"
"You mean when they start treating ale and wine like its water and they're in a desert"
"Exactly Gwen" The queen rolled her eyes "and you know what the only way of bringing them to their senses is?" the girl shook her head "Being shoved into cold water; preferably a lake or moat"
Both smothered their giggles in blankets as they each curled up in their respective bed.
Uther's inability at dancing comes from Arthur's comment in Excalibur about "sorting out footwork"
Note; a polka is a lively continental dance. Gavotte and Pavane are both old style English chamber dances
