Chapter Two: Answers

When the trio reached the fairly new castle, Meridyth was still sound asleep. Galahad slowed his horse's pace and attempted to wake her.

"Meridyth, wake up, we're here!" he said softly. Meridyth opened her eyes and leaned back slowly. Galahad steered his horse towards the stable as Meridyth rubbed her tired eyes.

Meridyth looked up at the looming castle for a moment as Galahad got off the horse. He reached up to help Meridyth down and was surprised when he grasped nothing but air. Meridyth was standing in front of him, looking around like a child who had just arrived in market.

"You know, I'm surprised," Galahad said as he removed his horse's saddle. Meridyth looked at him curiously.

"At what?" she asked him, suspicion lining her voice. Galahad closed the stall door and turned to face her.

"At the fact that you didn't snore," he replied with an evil grin. Meridyth glared and him and prepared to strike him when she noticed that the king had entered the stall with his queen beside him. Gawain was eyeing Galahad from behind the king and queen with Bors standing next to him trying to catch a glimpse of the new arrival.

Meridyth lowered her hand and turned to face the king, smiling pleasantly. Meanwhile her foot had found Galahad's and made quite an impression when she crushed his toes with her heel. Galahad stifled a scream of pain and stood wincing.

Arthur embraced Meridyth lovingly, and then held her out at arm's length to look her over. She had grown to be the spitting image of Lancelot, with her dark brown hair and her dark eyes.

"Gawain was right, you have grown, into a beautiful young woman," Arthur complimented. Meridyth smiled and blushed slightly.

"It's wonderful to see you as well," Meridyth replied. Arthur led her into the castle with Guinevere beside him. Galahad limped slowly, attracting the attention of Gawain.

"What on earth are you doing?" asked Gawain. Galahad winced as he limped after the leaving crowd.

"She crushed my foot with her damned heel!" Galahad replied through gritted teeth. Gawain rolled his eyes and helped the ailing knight into the castle.

Meridyth stood in the throne room quietly, looking around and marveling at the many weapons and tapestries. A maid had appeared and took her cloak and weapons from her, leaving her in her simple dress that was covered in dirt.

"So, what brought you here, Meridyth?" Arthur asked as he sat down in his chair. Meridyth turned to face him, smiling sweetly.

"I came to find my father," she replied sweetly. Arthur's smiling face slowly disappeared and was replaced with a face full of regret. Meridyth read his expression clearly, her heart sinking into oblivion. She began to shake her head like a child, slowly and refusing to accept the silent answer.

"Lancelot was killed in battle, Meridyth. His remains were burned as he had requested. I'm sorry Meridyth, very sorry," answered Arthur. Meridyth blinked allowing the gathered tears to fall from her eyes. She brushed them away, refusing to cry like the child she felt she was.

"I s-see, that explains things. At least he didn't die a coward," she said, her voice shaking with sorrow. Tears streamed from her eyes and she didn't brush them away. She hung her head, hoping to conceal them instead. Arthur put a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"Lancelot was my greatest friend. I would deeply regret sending you back to the village full of sorrow. Please remain with us," Arthur murmured. Meridyth raised her head and wiped her face with her sleeve. She nodded. She had no other place to stay otherwise.

The maid who had taken her things, led her to her chambers. Meridyth's chambers consisted of an outer room that housed some furniture and a grand fireplace. Near the door was a small table that had her cloak and weapons resting upon it. Her bedroom lay behind an oak door that was on the opposite wall. In the bedroom there was a large bed that was dressed with cotton sheets. To the left of the bed were a small night table and a wooden chair that rested against the wall. To the right was a decent sized window which was opened, letting in the cool autumn air. A polished mirror hung opposite the bed with a little table underneath it.

A small mahogany chest sat on the table. Meridyth ran her fingers over the rounded lid and brushed over the iron clasp. She opened the chest and pushed back the lid revealing a few treasures. Meridyth lifted a silver pendant and chain from the chest and recognized the piece to be the one that her father intended to give her when she was old enough.

"Arthur had Lancelot's personal items put in that chest before he was burned. Arthur thought it would be best if you had them," a soft voice said from the door. Meridyth looked towards the voice and saw Galahad standing there, leaning against the door posts.

"I'll have to thank him," whispered Meridyth, who had begun to cry again. Galahad stood up straight and walked over to her, touching her shoulder gently.

"Your father was a good man and died loving you on top of everything else," he murmured gently. Meridyth nodded silently, still crying. She then lunged forward, clutching Galahad's black shirt as she cried openly. Galahad was stunned for a moment, his arms suspended in midair. He then relaxed and held Meridyth's shuddering form close. He looked down at her for a moment before resting his cheek on her head.

Time seemed to stand still as Meridyth's sobs slowly faded away into nothing. Meridyth had stopped crying, but remained in the comforting arms of Galahad. After another few minutes, Meridyth gently pushed Galahad away and wiped her faced. She took a deep and calming breath.

"Thank you," she said calmly. Galahad nodded, glad to see that she had stopped crying.

"Yes, well, I actually came by to see if you were ready to apologize for crushing my foot earlier," replied Galahad, teasingly. Meridyth laughed a little and smiled as she wiped the last of her tears away.

"I see, then I'm sorry," she said, complying with his joke. Galahad began to leave the room, but stopped at the door.

"I'll be back in a bit to take you to the dining hall," he said before leaving the room. Meridyth nodded and sat on the edge of the bed looking out the window at the sunset. A soft knock at the door caused her to turn away from the calming view. Guinevere had entered the room with a servant, who was carrying a load of gowns and dresses.

"Hello, I came by to give you these. We're about the same size, so I thought these would fit you," she said cheerily. She motioned for the servant to put the clothes in the wardrobe next to the mirror. Meridyth stood up and smiled gratefully.

"Thank you," she thanked. Guinevere returned Meridyth's smile.

"You're very welcome. You've been very strong and I'm sure that your father would be proud of you," the queen replied sweetly. She then left the room, her servant following close behind. Meridyth looked down and smiled, she knew the queen was right. She then looked up and sorted through the clothes, finally picking out a forest green dress with lighter green sleeves.

Meridyth changed out of her soiled traveling clothes and put on the rich dress. The queen had made an accurate guess about her size for the dress fit perfectly. The bodice hugged her gently, not too tight, but not too loose. She then undid the ribbon that held her braided hair and let her hair hang loose about her shoulders and back. Meridyth took up the brush that had been set on the table under the mirror and brushed out the few tangles and knots that she had accumulated.

She then set down the brush and opened the mahogany chest. She took out the silver chain and pendant, touching it gently. The pendant was in the shape of a crescent, with the two ends meeting at the top where the chain connected to it. In the center of the pendant was a round black sapphire. Meridyth put on the necklace and exited her bedroom as another knock came at her outer chamber door. Meridyth opened the door and smiled as Galahad stood before her, his clothes clean and his face washed and shaven.

Galahad took a second to look at Meridyth and caught his breath as she stepped out into the hallway. He stood still for a moment, lost in thought when Meridyth looked at him.

Meridyth coughed quietly and brought Galahad back into reality. He smiled sheepishly and walked down the hall quickly. Meridyth followed quietly, playing with her necklace out of nervousness.

They reached the hall doors quickly, considering Galahad was walking faster than he normally would have. He paused and looked at Meridyth, who was gazing at nothing.

"Are you ready?" he asked her softly. Meridyth took a deep yet silent breath and nodded. Galahad opened the doors to reveal a loud, but happy dining hall. Meridyth caught her breath and couldn't help but smile to herself.

At the head table, the king looked up from his plate and saw Meridyth standing at the top of the stair. Galahad held out his hand and walked a few steps downward. Meridyth took his outstretched hand and allowed him to gently lead her towards the head table. Meridyth felt every pair of eyes fall on her as she made her way to sit at the head table.

"Who is she?" she heard a man ask.

"I don't know, do you?" replied a woman. Meridyth blushed several shades of red.

Arthur took his golden cup and stood, capturing the attention of everyone. "To our guest of honor, Lady Meridyth!" he exclaimed, his voice booming in the hall.

"To Lady Meridyth!" the crowd shouted joyously, glad that their mystery guest had a name. Meridyth blushed and looked at Galahad, who was watching her. He smiled at her, causing her to blush even more.

Galahad picked at his piece of bread as Meridyth gazed at him. He was still the headstrong fifteen year old boy she had remembered him as. She placed her hand on his gently, causing him to turn and face her with a red blush appearing on his face.

"I want to thank you for being so kind to me. I really do appreciate it," she murmured. Galahad nodded and watched her leave the hall. Gawain, who had been sitting next to Galahad, noticed how Galahad had been staring at the door after Meridyth had already disappeared from the hall. Bors, who noticed it as well, stood, with slight difficulty and pounded the top of Galahad's head gently and sat in Meridyth's empty seat.

"Boy, keep staring at the door and everyone here will know you're in love," he said in a sneering tone. Galahad blinked and turned to stare at Bors. He then laughed, hoping to conceal the fact that he was in love.

"In love? Ha! I'm not in love with her; I'd rather die from too much wine!" he exclaimed, lying completely. Bors and Gawain glanced at each other and both handed Galahad their unfinished cups of wine.

"Then start drinking, you lovesick idiot," Gawain said with a sigh. Both knights left the table and a thoroughly surprised Galahad. Galahad sighed and took a large swallow of wine before he sighed again with defeat.