Disclaimer: I do not own any of the character names, save my own original creations. I do not wish to be compensated for this work, nor do I wish to infringe on any copyrights held by any stakeholders of the movie King Arthur. This work is an original creation, based on the legend of King Arthur and his Knights.
Scribe Notes:
All:Ok, the last three chapters are posted together. I know I know... a lot to read. But...
I have reached a goal that has made me very very happy. I have finished my first large body of work in four years! Yep, you guessed it... Cerys at Knight is complete! These last three chapters finish it up.
On to comments (for the last time!) I want to try and remember everyone who helped me get to this point, so please, take a moment and read these responses to others. There are so many people who helped Cerys become what she is, and I want to share those inspiring people with everyone! They have stories too, read them, and I hope that all of your are able to further the collaborative atmosphere that this website has. I feel blessed to have been granted so much of it.
A.K Anonymous: Without further wait, here is your wedding. (grin) Thank you for your reviews.
Calliann: Those two chapters were very emotionally cleansing. these next two, and the third... well, I saved the last one with this really "full" feeling, knowing that I think I ended where it needed to end. I have been on such a journey with this group, and Cerys and Lancelot have gone on such a journey of their own! Your reviews helped me so much along the way, your support, and your enthusiasm drove my pen to new places, making this story so much bigger than I imagined when I first posted. Thank you.
annalon: This is the chapter(s) that you are waiting for. I hope that you enjoy. Thank you for your words over the course of this story, knowing I touched you, and helped you with mine has made this journey so much more fulfilling. I thank you, and hope that I can continue to inspire and make you smile in the future with my other stories.
Hessa: Now, this wedding ceremony coming up is completely made up. I had no idea what to do, didn;t want to make it a Roman ceremony where she wears as veil and hideous yellow shoes, nor did I want to make it pagan with blue people and sacrifice... so I made a ceremony up that I thought would be poignant and meaningful, but still hold some sort of Druidic symbolism. I hope that is still rings true, despite the lack of historical accuracy. it was very emotional to write. I hope that my wedding someday feels this way.
Thank you for your reviews over the course of this story, and your compliments on all the research I did paying off!
plzkthz101: You made me really really cry happy tears when I read your review. To know that you feel I am a worthy writer to stand beside Ms. Rowling or even the deity-like Tolkien is beyond my comprehension. Someday I hope to stand beside the Janet Daileys and Nora Roberts' of this world...
So know that your enthusiasm for my work has made me realize that I am capable of doing this, achieving my dream of publishing my stories. In a way I have, by posting them here... but someday, I will see my name on the cover of a book.
Thank you for your words. They move my pen.
Melosine: So glad that you got visual richness and memoriesfrom these chapters! I hope I can do that with these next ones. Part of the reason that I have been able to give these characters depth is from your reviews, your understanding of how they work, and through your stories, showing me different sides of characters that I had not yet tapped. Your reviews mean the world to me and I am so very thankful for them. So thank you.
ElvenStar5:To encourage someone is to give them a sense that what they do is valid. I am so glad that you have been able to find encouragement from both my stories and my advice! I am glad you enjoyed my chatpers. No, I have no clue if decorating teh marriage bed is a tradition, I just thought it would be a fun "fictional" one. The ceremony coming up is completely made up as well. I wanted meaning with emotion, I hope I acheived it.
Thank you for your support over the course of this story, and if you ever need more nudges, you know where I am!
Cricket05: Ahh so sorry you are not feeling 100! Here are three more chapters, and I hope that your sniffleys have cleared, as they are emotional as well! Thank you for your reviews throughout this story.
Elsfire: Everything turns out. These last three chapters will prove it. I am so glad you liked this story, and thank you for reviews.
Ailis-70: Ok... you, above all, know how much this means to me to complete this story. Your words helped me get here, period. Without you, I would not be writing these "goodbye" reviews for this story.
Your Tristan inspired my Tristan, and Wynn is as much yours as she is mine. Your insight into my characters spurred extra chapters, new directions and above all else, a sense that what I was doing was valid! That what I was writing made sense. This was a journey for me, made better by your footsteps with me along the way. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Hypersquishy: So happy you did! Here is the finale for you. Thank you for your reviews.
gwenn0: When you first reviewed, I was amazed that I was reaching people so far away. From South America! Your reviews brought smiles to my face, and this wonderful feeling that I was writing something wonderful. Thank you for your reviews. I am glad I was able to inspire you to post here, and may you keep right on posting!
More thank you's, that I hope make it to their respective people when they read this:
Sokorra Lewis, who helped me spawn the bunny turned story for Dust Devils, in the reviews for A Golden Circle. Thank you Sokorra for your humour, your inspiration and your reviews! I hope you enjoy these last few chapters.
lilstrummrgrl527 for her image of Gawain as a hippie-lion, which will be how I see him forever. Your light and wonderful tone in your reviews always made me smile and laugh, knowing that I was able to make you do the same.Thank you so very much for your support through this story.
petpoor, who joined just to leave me a review, and inspired me with her emails. Thank you for your reviews, and your inspiring story, it really made me believe that anything is possible if you believe. I wish you the best of success with your gelding and his leg.
Babaksmiles: I know you must still be on vacation, but know that I look forward to your reviews of this completed story when you return! Thank you so much for your support over the course of this story, your words helped me so much!
To et cetera et cetera, whom I hope is still reading. Your reviews have always been inspirational and I really enjoyed them. Thank you, and I hope that you continue to write.
for Lovelyheidi, who is a fellow Ontarian! Thank you so much for your reviews, and of course, your wonderful comments.
For History2, for although you stopped reviewing at chapter 42, you inspired me in ways that I am so grateful for. Your reviews were so insightful, you GOT me... You got what I was trying to say. So thank you, and I hope someday to see another of your wonderful reviews in my inbox.
The Wild Woman: You haven't reviewed here yet, but if you ever do, know that your work inspired me very much.
And finally,Rowan Dash, Winged Seraph, Nitestar, bloodredcherry, Burnt Alice, MissBubbles (my first reviewer!), LilChOkLaTePiG, Sarita04, Samli (despite the fact that your review was kind of negative and not very nice), Lady11occult, Sea Cucumber (Will you be adding more to your story?), Mlle Opera Ghost, AnnePendragon (honest I plan on posting to the KA group soon, busy girl...)...
THANK YOU!
Ok folks, here you go. I will leave Dear Reader notes until the end of Chapter 69, which is... The end!
Chapter 67: He's Gone Soft in The Head
Arthur saw the train of women first, their lanterns bobbing in the moonlight. He saw their dresses swaying quietly as they walked, all surrounding...
Cerys.
She looked incredible. Arthur swallowed as he looked from Cerys' face to Guinevere's, and saw the same excitement on it. How Guinevere had looked forward to this night. He smiled. She was waddling along as best she could, her face red from the exertion up the hill, one hand under her belly to support the weight as she leaned into the incline. He had tried to tell her she should stay at the foot and some of the men would carry her up, but she had refused.
Stubborn woman.
Soon they would have a son to bring into this happy family, assembling on the hill. He was feeling very full of joy right then and willed himself to hold it in check. He needed to be a King and Cousin now, not a husband and friend.
Arthur was to present Cerys to Rhia, and he strode to meet them as they crested the top of the hill. Guinevere was chanting the rites of the great marriage as softly as possible, the remainder of the women keeping time with her. Cerys seemed excited, but was listening quietly. She was not to chant these words, for she was the one that they were protecting as they made their way.
The six women stopped their chant as Arthur met them. Guinevere held out a hand to him and he grasped it, pulling to his mouth. She smiled and tilted her head to Cerys.
"Cerys, cousin..." Arthur said, then stopped as Cerys stepped forward. The rustling of her skirts made him remember his own wedding suddenly, and how beautiful Guinevere had been. He felt a bit at a loss for what to say and blinked slowly.
His closest friend was to marry this wonderful woman, and truly become family to him. It was almost too much and again he felt himself welling with emotion.
"Cousin, it's just a dress. Stop it." Cerys admonished.
Arthur cleared his throat and smiled, realizing that he had been gawking at her. "It's more than that, but... Of course... You look beautiful. Lancelot will be knocked sideways."
"Why does everyone keep saying that?" She asked suddenly. The group of women giggled.
They moved ahead to arrange themselves for the procession into the circle that was gathered. It was the women's job to present the gifts to Rhia, and for Rhia to then perform the rites to present them to the Gods that would be watching. Bread was a gift of nourishment, Cloth for shelter and warmth, an egg and a bunch of new flowers for fertility and abundance of life, coins for prosperity, and water in clay for purity of spirit. All symbolic in some way.
Arthur remembered their own wedding ceremony again and he looked to see bundles in each of the woman's hands. They had done both a Christian and Druidic ceremony for he and Guinevere, and in truth, he had enjoyed Merlin's part much more than the stuffy Bishop they had brought in. A brief flash of memory hit him, and he played the image of Guinevere mocking the bishop with her facial expressions when his back was turned to retrieve the goblet they were to drink from. It had been all he could do to keep his laughter in check. He remembered the men had not. It was a happy memory for such a night. But tonight there was no Bishop, thank heavens. Guinevere was dead set against it.
He wondered where Merlin was now. All these years he had just been gone. Guinevere would miss her father, he realized with a start. He must see about finding the man this summer.
Such memories were invading when he needed to concentrate! Where was his head this night? Bors would tell him he was going soft in the head. He straightened his shoulders and pushed the thoughts from his mind.
"Is all ready, my Queen?" He asked his wife as she straightened her skirts over her swelling belly. She nodded and shifted the basket of bread in her hand. She was to offer the gift of nourishment.
Arthur's stomach grumbled loudly and Guinevere held the basket away from him, her eyes dancing with mischief, her head shaking a silent "no". They both giggled as he pretending to try and swipe some from it.
He gestured outward with his hand, and the women slowly made their way towards the circle, alight with torches. A few upright stones around the centre of the circle made way to the bower, where Rhia stood waiting. More torches were lighting her and the bower, and there were seven other men standing ready for them. He counted in his head, and swept his eyes over the gathering. All was in place, and he nodded quickly.
He could hear flags and pennants snapping in the breeze, and it was a comforting sound to him right then, for some reason.
"Then let's get started." He said. He took Cerys' hand, brought it to his lips and she smiled again.
"Nervous?" He asked.
She shook her head to say no. He raised an eyebrow and looked down at her amused.
"Yes, extremely." She relented finally, biting her lip. "I am trying my best not to cry."
"Cry?"
"Happy tears, cousin... happy."
He tucked her hand into his arm, his own huge fingers curling around it with a soft squeeze, and waited for the women to finish their part. He himself desperately trying to stay stalwart as he kept her in the corner of his eye.
His little cousin was breathtaking. Lancelot was going to be knocked sideways. Literally.
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
Tristan watched Wynn enter the circle with her gift of cloth. Her hair was bound back by a circlet of silver, the rest of it tumbling down her back in a riot of red waves. He caught his breath. She was wearing a dress so red, it matched the mass perfectly. He felt as if his heart was going to explode, and flip itself up out of his mouth. He was a knight; these sensations did not affect a knight. He grimaced and steeled himself.
Bors would tell him he was going soft in the head.
Her outfit was new. He had never seen that dress before.
He knew he was supposed to be watching the ceremony but he could not tear his eyes away from Wynn. As the other women put down their gifts in front of Rhia, he watched her adjust her skirts, flip some errant locks over her shoulder, and lick her lips. He could hear her reciting under her breath the words she was to say, the rustle of her dress as it moved around her tiny gestures.
He itched to just reach out and grab some of her hair. So many times lately he had just lay and watched her sleep in the mornings, playing with that hair, running it through his fingers. It was almost a routine now.
He shifted his weight to his other leg and caught Percevals's eye. Perceval nodded and flicked his glance to Wynn, wiggling his eyebrows. Tristan bared his teeth and growled under his breath.
He hoped Perceval knew that meant leave off his woman. He still felt sometimes that she was humouring him, and someday she would tire of him and the lifestyle he led. He was happy, and felt her happiness as well, but sometimes, he doubted. He shook his head slightly to clear it. He needed to have something to eat, he hadn't managed to find any lunch and it was well into the evening now. His stomach growled. He pulled at his gloves with his fingers.
And he could not wait to get out of this damned armour.
She looked very good in that dress, and he let his eyes slide over her form, drinking it in to remember. He would make sure that she was marked as his later this night or men would be pawing at her. He crossed his hands out in front of him and raised his chin. That was his woman out there. He was proud, suddenly, to be there with his companions, sharing this moment.
Tristan was quite sure that Cerys would be just as beautiful, and he looked forward to seeing her come through the crowd, and to do his part, her acceptance of his ceremonial pledge as was part of the rites needed on this night. His sister in his heart was to be married. It made her happy to be doing so, and that was good. She deserved this, after the years of hard work she had put into this place. Wynn was slowly indebting herself here as well, and Cerys had told him earlier in the week that Dafydd was quite keen on training her to take over from him.
He liked that idea.
It was the start of a new year, with Spring in full bloom, and he, for the first time, looked forward to just being there. For once he didn't have the desire to jump on his horse and ride out. But, in truth, he realized that the reason he was riding out for the past four years was now walking into the lit circle with cloth draped over her arms.
Tristan tried valiantly to keep his mind on the reason they were there.
Truly, lately every second thought was of Wynn. He was worried he was getting himself too deep, and it would distract him from his job. But, part of him was blissfully disobeying his instinct and loving every thought and picture of her in his head. Even when out on the runs. It was as if she was not just part of his life now, she was his life.
That thought had brought him to a stop a few days before this, and he had been mulling it over ever since.
As Wynn laid the cloth at Rhia's feet, repeating the words that Guinevere had coached her to say, she let her gaze slide to Tristan, and their eyes met. When she passed the knights on her way to the other side of the circle, she let her hand come out, and she softly trailed it over his. It was like fire touching him and he felt himself wanting to reach out and grab her to him. He restrained himself with harsh words in his head, and biting the inside of his cheek.
"You look wonderful in your armour." She whispered.
He blinked. She had never seen him in his full battle armour before. And it never occurred to him that it might worry her.
He should have thought of that. Why he hadn't was beyond him.
As she settled into place beside Dory, smiling over at him and winking, he tried to keep his mask, he really tried.
He realized too late that he was smiling back.
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
Lancelot watched the women come into the circle with their gifts. He stood off to one side, the men flanking him on his right side. He looked about at the crowd as they watched the women bring in the gifts, walking slowly towards Rhia, then speaking their parts, laying the gift at her feet.
He could not see through the crowd, and all he could get was the top of Arthur's head. He craned his neck, but he could still not see her.
"She's there, don't worry." Gawain mumbled out the corner of his mouth.
Lancelot gave a meek grin and the men chuckled under their breath. He was dieing to get this over with and get to the fun part of celebrating. But in a way, he was anticipating the moment he would get to join hands with Cerys and declare her his wife.
Forever.
A year ago that would have made him laugh, the idea that he would settle down. Probably would have made the others laugh as well! But, since he had realized his feelings for that woman, his life had been one heaving mass of emotions he never knew possible. The uncertainty, the painful ache in his heart when he debated whether she would ever love him or not, the overwhelming rush of happiness when they were together that first time... the anger when he knew she had been hurt with the harvest. The contentness he felt each morning when he woke up beside her, wondering if it would ever abate, or if he would always have such swells of emotion. It was making him think strange thoughts, and he mulled over it as the ceremony droned on a few more moments.
The mint from behind his cuirass wafted up to him softly, reminding him that she really was his life. She was there in every way that mattered, and he was happy with that.
He was going soft in the head, as Bors would say. Next thing he knew, he would be picking flowers and singing songs about her.
It was much for any man to take in. He wondered if any of the other men felt for their own women. He knew that Galahad was so engrossed in Dory that he was forever thinking of things to get her, bringing her food, taking her on picnics... Picnics! And Bors, despite his gruffness, would treat Lorina with such gentleness sometimes. When he thought the men weren't looking of course. Arthur, well, he knew that man was a romantic fool when it came to his wife. He let her get away with everything.
He wondered if Tristan was as wooden in private as he was with them. Lately he had been more relaxed... so perhaps not. He looked over to Tristan and saw the man smiling, his posture as straight as possible in his armour. Lancelot followed Tristan's gaze and realized that the man was completely bewitched by Wynn, who was demurely smiling back. That made him smile himself. She was good for him.
He cleared his throat and sighed, setting his jaw and returning his gaze to the break in the crowd where the women had come through. He really needed to get his head out of his arse and concentrate. All this flowery thought about love. Wasn't he supposed to be the brave strong warrior? The noble man who would be her saviour and caretaker?
She had him completely wrapped around her finger. He knew then that he would do anything for her. Even pick bloody flowers, if it was what she wanted.
He craned his neck again to see over the crowd, and suddenly they parted wider, going quiet. Slowly, into the firelight of the clearing, Arthur appeared, his burnished armour reflecting the light for a moment until he was fully in the circle. Then, with a graceful movement, he swept his hand back and grasped a tiny white hand behind him, pulling it forward through the gap in the crowd.
It was all Lancelot could do not to stride forward to her at that moment, and take her into his arms.
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
Galahad leaned over to Gawain in line. "I think she's knocked him sideways." He whispered.
Gawain looked up at Lancelot, and held back a guffaw. The imposing knight, fully armoured with his swords on his back and his dagger at his belt...
was was staring , jaw agape, like a blithering fool.
"He's gone soft in the head." They heard Bors rumble quietly, and all the men in the line, right then, save Lancelot, chuckled under their breath as one.
