"Terence?" Arthur said, looking up at him. "How did you know?"

"What? Terence asked, confused. "How did I know what?"

"How did you know about the ring?"

Terence frowned. "Ring? What ring?"

"The ring that you stole from the five kings when you and Gawain had just arrived at court. As far as I know, there were only two people who knew about the ring and its significance: Merlin and myself."

Gawain looked up at this with interest. "Is that the ring that you asked me to give to Arthur in private?" he asked Terence. "I don't think you ever told me why."

"I think so," Terence said, glancing over at Arthur for confirmation. Arthur nodded. "Yes, that one. It has always puzzled me how you knew what it was."

Terence laughed nervously. "Sire, I had no idea what it was. It just seemed important, so I grabbed it."

Arthur raised an eyebrow. "Really? You invaded an enemy camp, found a ring, and stole it at great danger to your life because you thought it looked important?"

"Wait, I'm confused." Gawain interrupted. "Why did the ring matter? I thought it was one of their signet rings, and that was why you told me to give it to him."

"Whoever has possession of the ring can stand and claim the right to be king over the land. It was stolen from my father's treasury," Arthur replied. "Now," he turned back to Terence. "How did you know?"

Terence bit his lip, glancing over at Arthur. "Would you believe that I am a secret fairy prince and one of my minions told me that I needed to steal the ring in order to cement the legality of your rule because my father has an eternal rivalry with one of your enemies and likes to interfere in the affairs of humans?"

Gawain choked in surprise.

Arthur laughed. "Really? Is that what happened? Now come on Terence, tell me the truth."

Terence smiled. "The truth is, I overheard the five kings talking about it. They said that it was proof of their right to the throne, so I made a hurried decision and grabbed it."

Arthur rolled his eyes. "Thank you, Terence. Now, was that so hard to say?"

Gawain just stared at Terence in unbelief.

Later that night, Terence stood behind Gawain's seat at dinner, trying to pretend that he was the model of a proper squire while also trying to resist the temptation to spill wine on Gawain's head. As he reached over to top of Gawain's drink, he could feel eyes on him. He looked up surreptitiously and caught Arthur's gaze. Terence flinched and almost spilled the wine when Arthur winked at him. As Arthur turned away chuckling, Terence looked down, wondering how much he really knew.


"Squire Terence?" the king said. Terence jumped with surprise. "For your part in this adventure, I also thank you. Will you do me the honor of accepting a small gift?" Terence gulped and nodded. Arthur took a thick yew longbow from a page and extended it to Terence. On his outstretched hand was the ring that Terence had taken from the kings. At Terence's request, Gawain had given it to the king privately. Arthur saw him look at the ring. His eyes glinted with a secret smile" (The Squire's Tale. p 49).