Mal and Violette were wandering the market square when Jols stepped up beside them. "Mary, Violette," he nodded slightly, "Arthur has asked me to bring you to the meeting."
Both girls looked at each other trying to supplicate why they were being called to the knights' assembly as they followed Jols, who now led them down a long hallway, with a large wood door at its end. As they neared they door Violette noticed the carving of a dragon in the center of a large shield in the middle of the entry, she traced her fingers over the intricate design as it swung open and the girls were ushered inside.
The knights were seated around a table and Violette smiled intensely. "It's the round table!"
"So what? I have a round table in my kitchen!" Mal grunted.
"No, no it's the round table that presents free-will and equality!" Violette shook as the words slipped out of her mouth, she was almost brought to tears looking from one knight to the next and taking in the grandeur of the room.
Arthur walked around the table and bent down to Violette so their eyes were level. "You understand, like few others do; you are welcome to sit at the table with us." He said the words with compassion and he kindly led them towards the table.
Mal sat down closest to Lancelot. "We're like in history! This gets better every day!"
Violette went around the table and settled next to Galahad, she placed her hands on the table just beaming with wonder.
"I never thought a table would impress women?" Lancelot declared as he looked towards Arthur, "When we've finished our duty, can I take it with me?"
The room filled with laughter as Arthur replied, "Perhaps, but now we must speak of this duty." He paused before continuing, "We still have 5 years of service and so we must continue with the missions we are given. Even though we would rather stay…" His words drifted off in the silence, the only sound was the faint breathing and each of the knights looked fixedly on the girls.
"We leave tomorrow morning at daybreak and will be gone for some weeks." Arthur hastened to get the words out.
Mal and Violette shook their heads violently, unbelieving.
"No! You can't just leave!" Mal, in her stubbornness, would hear none of it, "We're your mission now!"
Arthur took in a deep breath and leaned back in his chair, "I'm sorry, but…this is the life of a knight."
Violette stood up, as Arthur rubbed on furrowed brow, "But, isn't there something…"
"We'll go with you!" Mal shot up and stood beside her friend, who gave her a side-ways glance, "We will?"
Mal nodded and both of the girls exchanged introspective thoughts; Violette agreed, "Yes, we will go with you!"
Some of the knights looked hopeful, but others looked wary. "Absolutely not!" Arthur declared in a voice so strong that no one could argue. "It will be too dangerous…"
"You can't go then!" Mal's worry was immediate.
Arthur sighed again and stood up as though he were an old man; he walked over to the girls and hugged them tightly. "We must go."
Violette mumbled softly, "Then what are we to do?" She began crying and Arthur leaned over, "You believe in God?" Violette and Mal nodded, "Then pray for us." He let go of the girls and simply left the room.
The girls both began crying, but Bors walked over and hit the table with a loud thud, "We haven't died yet!"
The knights nodded their agreement, "We've survived much worse and now we have something to look forward to on our return! We'll fight twice as hard!"
The merriment continued, but still the girls felt unsettled, until Lancelot swooped Mal into his arms, "Shall we make tonight memorable?" Mal smiled her agreement and they headed out the doors, the others followed until only Violette and Galahad remained.
Galahad walked over and put his arms around her; Violette opened her mouth, but instead Galahad leaned over and kissed her. As he drew away tears were rolling down her cheeks; but Violette put her hands around his neck and began kissing him again. They stood their holding each other in the twilight as the light faded into darkness.