Author's Note: Finally! After three months of dilly dallying, this chapter is finished. I did not end the chapter with how I originally intended it to end, but that is because I simply wouldn't have been able to update this at all. But in any case, that is not the important factor needed to be discussed here. I am so so so so so sorry that this chapter is late. I really had not meant to wait this long to post, but over the summer I started working and then now school started so I have just about all the excuses I could to put off updating for the next six months.
I want to thank every single person who read and reviewed this story, and I hope I haven't lost any interests. You may have to be accustomed to my habitual tardiness at updating. I feel awful though, for missing out on everything that has been happening (ahemahem, Cardeia, I promise I will get to your stories!) I'm like an old maid, being so outdated. Well, anyway, as to not lose interest with this boring author's note, I hereby present to you the third chapter of the story.
Pee-Ess: Sorry for the grammatical errors towards the end of the chapter - I was in a rush to do this tonight, and I don't have time right now to revise anything.
Chapter III : Recuperating Into A Fancy
The sun shone brightly and disrupted the sound resting that Lorelyn had just been having. She groaned and pulled the furs over her head, willing her eyes to stay closed. But alas, her inner clock knew when it was time for her to wake up, and a minute after the coverlet was roughly pushed back and Lorelyn sat up, cursing her damn body for getting up at precise times.
Her head was slightly throbbing from the rough intake of alcohol she had consumed the night before and her stomach was demanding for provisions, but the thought of eating made Lorelyn even more sick and she tiredly rubbed her eyes, squinting as the sun poked incessantly at her, mocking her state of wellness at the moment.
"Never again will I drink wine, never, never, never," she muttered as she got up, stretching her arms up somehow greeting the day with welcome. She had always been a morning person, and whether she was hung over or not, there was always a smile for the beautiful morning sky every time she looked out her window.
Lorelyn decided that she needed a day in the baths today, and proceeded to gather her lathers and dresses, bundling them up in a neat ball and tucking it under her arm. When she exited her room, people passing by immediately greeted her and she smiled warmly at them, returning their joyful greetings.
The air was fresh and crisp as Lorelyn walked outside, towards the hall that housed the baths. The sun was just about done rising, and the court was starting to pick up its daily measures with people bustling about getting things ready for the day.
When she entered the baths, there wasn't anyone else inside except for an elderly woman, whom Lorelyn knew since she was a child. She was in charge of the baths and when she saw Lorelyn walk in, she greeted her with a hug.
"Sweet child, I haven't seen you in a while!" she exclaimed and patted at Lorelyn's hair.
The younger woman laughed. "Oh, Alis, I missed you so! But I've been very busy lately with all the orders and such." She sighed and looked around the hall. "Where were you the last time I came here? That was not too long ago."
Alis returned to the work she had been doing. "I was busy myself. Had to help with the spring harvest. You are lucky you are not among us women who have to do such chores."
That simple statement made Lorelyn frown slightly. Even though Alis did not mean to say it in a condescending way, it still made Lorelyn feel very cautious of herself and her standing. She never experienced the joy of having to plant the vegetables for the season and would gladly trade the duty of making the harvesting tools for the duty of using them. For once she wants to do a woman's job around here.
She sighed and turned to Alis. "I would have liked to help," she said sullenly.
Alis paused in her actions and looked towards Lorelyn, understanding her silent grievances. "Do not fret over yourself for not helping out, dear. You do more than enough already. And, you really do not desire having to spend the days in the heat, bending and straining your young body, do you?"
Lorelyn smiled softly. "Actually Alis, I do. Just once would I like to…be one of the women here."
Alis sighed and resumed her chores. "Lorelyn, your life has a while yet to grant you the duty of our work. The people here rely on your abilities as a blacksmith foremost." She looked up again and smiled warmly at Lorelyn's perplexed expression. "Dear, just go into the bath and clear your head. You look stressed."
Without a word, Lorelyn followed Alis's command and walked into one of the bath rooms. She removed her dresses and set them on a wooden bench in the corner, then sank into the steaming bath. She sighed and settled herself into the water, letting herself go lax. Since the last time she was in here, she noticed that she had been getting stressed and it felt nice to let it all go and relax.
After Lorelyn got used to the water's temperature, she picked up one of the lathers and began to scrub away the dirt and everything that got into her skin from the hot environment. As a child, she used to make it an adventure whenever she was in the baths, because she was so small it they seemed so big. Her mother used to tell her that it was the sea and with wide eyes and cautious movements, she had great expeditions among all the great tubs of water. Now, she still giggled when a bubble floated across her face and popped when it touched her nose.
"How are you and that knight of yours?" Alis's voice brought Lorelyn from her childhood musings and she looked to the older woman's frame in the hall.
"I beg your pardon?"
"Well, I saw you leave with him last night for the gardens. Alone. Am I right?" Such the woman Alis was to make fancy over a simple observation.
"Well yes, but he is in no way any knight of mine, Alis. And I am not one of his harlots either," Lorelyn said with a shake of her head. Just like Lancelot to make a name for himself, only to drag Lorelyn into the pit of rumors.
"I did not accuse you of such thing! Lorelyn, I know you better than to think you a woman like the rest. But you two do make a lovely sight, if I may say so." She was now at the doorway and Lorelyn turned to look at her, bewildered.
"What! Me? And Lancelot?" she laughed and slid deeper into the water. "How is that possible? He frolics with too many women and I…well, I'm just not womanly. He sees me nothing more than a friend."
Alis shook her head. "Dear girl, you are much too blind to see it."
"See what?"
"The way he looks at you. I reckon that man has seen his share of beauties in his life, but never once have I seen him look at you the way he does," Alis said easily, making Lorelyn frown.
"Of course he looks at them differently. That's because he is attracted to them, Alis. When he sees me, he only sees his friend, not a woman," she countered. Lancelot couldn't see her as anything else because well, she never really thought of having him look at her in any other way.
"No. He looks at you with care in his eyes, Lorelyn. Love. Happiness." Alis sighed happily and smiled at Lorelyn.
She shook her head. "How are you certain of this? What business does he have wanting me?"
"Because that is the same look my husband had in his eyes for me. Lorelyn, why do you question your attributes? You are a beautiful woman. You are smart, strong, and you have a good heart. I do not blame him for choosing you over everyone else." She remained in the doorway for a moment more then went back to her work, leaving Lorelyn confused.
Surely Alis was just teasing her. She has seen Lancelot look at her with her own eyes, and not once has she seen any thing other than his playfulness. Sure, maybe he had love in his eyes, but that was just for their friendship. Nothing more. There was no reason for him to be fancying the likes of a woman as herself.
But Alis never lied to her before. Lorelyn loved and trusted that woman as her own grandmother, and she always knew to take whatever wisdom Alis gave her into deep consideration. But this? How can she be so sure? Maybe she was forcing Lorelyn to finally settle down with someone and used Lancelot to stir emotions within her.
But why Lancelot? Why him of all men?
Lorelyn felt a flush come over her, making her skin feel even more heated as she thought back to her reactions whenever Lancelot did something in any way intimate last night. But surely that was just the wine, causing her to lose her inhibitions and act foolishly. And well…this was Lancelot. She couldn't afford to be thinking such thoughts about him now. He's her dearest friend, and if she continued musing over having affections for him, it would have her going crazy.
And what thoughts exactly was she thinking? Now that Alis had brought it up, there were new ponderings swirling around in her head that she didn't know she possessed.
Lancelot was…for a lack of better words, Lancelot. He's the man that women vie after and all the young boys look up to. He's strong, witty, knowledgeable beyond his own understanding, caring, protective, sweet, funny - everything Lorelyn appreciated him for. And what's more was that he was her best friend. He was the brother she never had, and he was her sturdy rock. He taught her how to fight, how to fend for herself; he taught her about strength. He's always there for her and if she had a choice, she would never trade him for someone better.
His charm was something to compromise, but he is still the same person that she always saw to comfort her, to assure her that things will be better. Underneath his roguish demeanor, she knew the man he was, the man who had fears and was apprehensive to make vast decisions. The man who hated to fight for pleasure, the man who was afraid to love because he wasn't sure he was capable of doing so.
Lorelyn knew this man. And she admired him for his strength and his pride and his love.
His love…was it even a possibility that he could somehow see past their current relationship to even think of Lorelyn as a woman? Was it even a possibility that Lorelyn could feel these things for him?
She sighed. These thoughts of Lancelot and love were making her confused and distraught. She didn't know what to think or feel. Of course she wasn't going to push to prospect of being in love with him on herself right away, but she was slowly beginning to see that he was exactly the kind of man that she always dreamed of spending the rest of her life with.
Lorelyn didn't want another headache, so she removed all thoughts of Lancelot from her mind and focused on relaxing. She would need someone else's opinions on her situation anyway. She would find Guinevere later. She would know what to do.
After Lorelyn thoroughly felt refreshed and clean, she dressed herself and gathered up her dresses from the night before, leaving the baths and Alis, who winked at her with a sly smile.
The time away from the early morning bustle only furthered the amount of work that was being done around the fortress. In the court, people were moving to and fro, the women were hauling vegetables and the men were busy with their own duties.
Lorelyn was heading back to the quarters so she could return her clothes and then she would head out to the commons to see what food was left for her to eat. She walked toward the armory and as she was walking past, she stopped to watch the children practice. It made her smile as she saw their adamant wishes to learn how to swordfight and yearning to be great knights in their eyes, knowing that when the time came, they would become great knights of their time.
She leaned against the gate of the training area and her eyes roamed around, taking in the children with swords in their hands, and she grinned, thinking of all the swords she will soon be wielding for the older ones there, helping to teach, as well as practicing their own swordplay. She liked watching them, because it helped her know who did well with what weapon so she could make each one their own weapon they were best at. It always gave her pleasure to see the bright excitement in a young one's eyes as she handed them their own fighting tool.
The sound of cheering and jaunting brought her eyes toward the rear of the training area and she saw one of Bors and Vanora's children fighting with Lancelot. The other children were all yelling and soon the other practicing around had stopped and all the children were watching with interest the exchange between their own learning mate and the older and great knight.
Lorelyn watched with her own interest piqued as Lancelot struck and swiftly dodged the young boy's blows, parrying each attack with smoothness. Of course, he was being much easier with the boy and letting him have his strikes, but Lorelyn saw the languid movements Lancelot seemed to encompass, whether he was fighting or not. Just thinking that made Lorelyn flush.
With a sly grin, Lorelyn walked around the fence and into the armory, greeting the men working there with a smile. They all cried cheerfully at Lorelyn's return, since it had been a while since she had not practiced her fighting skills in a while. She set her bundle down and walked out to the training ground, where no one noticed her entrance. She stood to the side and smiled, already feeling the tingling of the collision of his sword against hers.
After a few minutes, Lorelyn noticed that the young one was getting tired and she cleared her throat, stepping up and receiving a few surprised looks. Lancelot stood there and gazed at her with a glint in his eyes and Lorelyn tried not to feel the beginning of a churn deep in her belly.
"May I cut in?" she asked and the boy nodded, thankful to be done with his training.
He looked up at Lancelot with wide eyes. "Is it alright with you Sir?"
He nodded and smiled down at the boy. "Yes. You did well today. You've been practicing hard, have you not?"
The younger one nodded enthusiastically and grinned toothily. Lorelyn wondered at how Lancelot interacted with the children, and the smile that was on his face.
Lancelot looked down at the wooden sword in his hands and then at Lorelyn before walking to the corner where the weapons were held, taking two swords. When he came back, the circle around them widened as the children started talking excitedly with hushed voices.
"Well, I suppose we shan't be needing wooden swords," he said, handing one over to Lorelyn. She gripped the hilt of the sword and weighed it in her hand, the familiarity of handling a sword in this kind of situation coming back to her. With the sword in her hand and challenging Lancelot, Lorelyn felt like she was young again, when they would practice fighting every day, for Lancelot's own training.
Before they started, Lancelot turned to the younger ones. "Who do you wager will win?"
Lorelyn rolled her eyes at his gambling habit and set her hands on her hips. "Lancelot, what are you doing?"
He turned to her and winked. "Well, these children haven't seen us fight yet, and they must be anxious to see your fighting skills," he said smoothly and Lorelyn raised a brow at him.
"So you want them to bet on whether or not I'll beat you."
"Right." He turned back to the children. "Alright, so do you think Lady Lorelyn will beat me?"
His reply was many cheers from the children, crying out both their names. He laughed and turned back to Lorelyn who was watching him sternly, but he saw the mirth in her eyes. He shrugged at her, now getting ready to fight.
She stood there, getting into stance and watched Lancelot raise a brow at her, getting into his own position. Lorelyn grinned, the feeling rising up her belly.
The moment before any of them moved felt like a lifetime. It seemed that they were in their own world, not observing anything else but each other's movements and eyes. Lorelyn narrowed her eyes at Lancelot, calculating his first move.
With a wink and half a smirk, the long lifetime turned into a second and Lancelot had moved forward and struck at Lorelyn, but she angled her sword and blocked his hit. The clashing of the steel made her smile. She really did miss doing this.
Swords still attached together, they both subconsciously moved forward and Lorelyn didn't notice until Lancelot's curls were brushing against her forehead and she bit her lip, quickly backing away from his closeness and his sword. He quirked his brow at her and the fiery passion for fighting returned to her and she regained her stance, this time calculating her own move.
Lorelyn struck forward at Lancelot, the force causing him to back up but he gained strength and pushed her back, then striking at her. She parried and stepped to the side, swinging her sword to get his side, but he shifted, catching her sword in time, throwing her a grin.
They got back into routine and their waltz started. Soon after beginning, they had forgotten about everyone around and were focused only on each other, their eyes never leaving their movements, gaze catching gaze, sword clanging sword. Their techniques were much more advanced than what Lancelot had been teaching the children, and all the young ones stared in awe at the two, staring at fighting they had never seen before.
And not only were the children watching, but a small group had formed around the outside of the training ground to watch one of King Arthur's knights fight their own blacksmith. Most of the older ones had already seen them fight many times in their youth, but it was always amazing to see their exchange. The women were sighing at Lancelot's lithe movements and the men were watching at their own interest of seeing how Lorelyn was going to go about beating Lancelot.
They had been going at this for fifteen minutes and Lorelyn was starting to figure how to get Lancelot down. That was the only way to get him unfocused so she could finally defeat him. Warding off a blow, she quickly glanced down and found her solution. She made sure that Lancelot's sword was still trapped and brought her foot behind his knee, kicking forward, making Lancelot lose his balance and fall backwards. She set her sword against his chest and smiled.
"Do you yield, Sir knight?"
Lancelot looked at her for a second then down, and then back at her, smirking. Suddenly, Lorelyn found herself on top of Lancelot, her sword a good length away from her. She raised herself on her hands and looked down at Lancelot's smiling face.
"You have forgotten to distance yourself from your opponent's feet once they are on the ground," he said, making Lorelyn frown.
She didn't reply to his criticism and they stayed in their positions for a few seconds, just staring at each other. But when she felt Lancelot's breath stir her strands of hair, she blushed and rolled off him, getting off the ground. She held a hand out to him and heaved him back on his feet.
After dusting themselves off, Lancelot smiled at Lorelyn. "Shall we call this a draw?"
She picked up her fallen sword and laughed. "If we must."
She looked at him and they held each other's gaze for a moment until the children's voices interrupted their content stare.
"Who won?"
Lorelyn glanced around and noticed that there were a large number of people gathered around the training ground and flushed at the display she had created with Lancelot. He, of course, was brushing off dirt; immune to all the attention he was getting from everyone. She looked to the children and laughed a little, looking back to Lancelot.
"Well, what do you think?" she asked him.
He twirled the sword in his hand and raised a brow at her then turned to the children. "It is entirely up to you young ones. Between me and Lady Lorelyn, who do you believe won?"
The children all looked at each other and started talking in loud voices; the only words audible were Lorelyn and Lancelot's name. Lorelyn watched them with a smile and glanced at Lancelot who was chuckling at their serious conference.
Finally, the one who had asked the question turned back to the front and with a bitten lip, he pointed to Lorelyn. "Um, we think that Lady Lorelyn should be the winner because you kicked her down," he said, his eyes wide.
Lorelyn's eyebrows rose at their conclusion as she turned to look at Lancelot. On his face was a slight look of shock at his defeat, and it made her laugh to see his big ego deflate…all because of the children's decision. But as soon as it came, he wore it off and grinned.
"Well then. Now that I have lost, what will be my punishment?" he asked, thus stirring the children into another frenzy.
As they formulated, Lorelyn watched Lancelot as he gazed down at the children with a soft look in his eyes, such a look that resembled yearning.
Ah yes, Lancelot really does want children.
Then suddenly, an incredulous thought appeared in her mind. What if she were the one to bear his children? Stricken with shock, Lorelyn tried to shake the idea from her mind. How in the world did that stream into her musings? Lorelyn scowled and blamed everything that had crossed her mind that involved Lancelot earlier that morning. She stole a look at Lancelot and her eyes widened with horror at the absolute thought of actually conceiving his child.
With a stern shake of her head, she deliberately stopped thinking about that and focused her attention on what was happening in her immediate surroundings. She watched as the children came apart from their conclusion and the same boy turned to Lancelot again, this time with merriment in his eyes and a giggle along with it.
"Tonight you have to sleep in the barn with the animals."
Lorelyn's eyebrows rose again, this time in amusement at the consequence. She laughed and Lancelot stood, facing her with a brow quirked.
"Well now, you get to sleep with those that resemble you," she smartly commented, grinning at his annoyed look.
He opened his mouth to say something, but closed it realizing that the children were still there. Instead, he shook his head and turned to the children again, but with a smile gracing his mouth.
"Then sleep there I shall." He then proceeded to shoo the children back to their previous practicing, the display for that morning now finished. He took Lorelyn's sword and brought both of theirs back to the weapon holding area. She walked with him, her duties for the morning now pushed back even further with her dillydallying. As they continued into the armory, the men there were laughing and applauding Lorelyn's victory and she shushed them all, her face reddening.
She quickly gathered her clothing and together she and Lancelot walked out and back into the sunshine. Lorelyn looked up at Lancelot and saw the content look on his face.
"You are not angry at their resolution, are you?"
Lancelot looked down at her and she could see the merriness in his eyes. "I am not excited about sleeping with animals tonight, but you cannot help being angry at a child's judgment," he told her, smiling deviously at the women they were passing by.
Lorelyn rolled her eyes. "As great as you are in their eyes, they did not let that fact falter their decisions." She laughed. "In other words; they just did not like the fact that you kicked me down."
He shook his head. "They are too young to understand that an opponent is an opponent. It matters not whether it be a man or woman, because they only have one intention," he replied a little sourly. But he removed unpleasant thoughts from his mind and glanced down at Lorelyn. "Where are you headed?"
"Back to my rooms. I need to return my clothes and get ready for work. And yourself, have you any plans for this morning?"
Lancelot nodded. "I have to go to the stables and check up on Jols and the inventory for our journey. I already checked the weapons earlier. But I have time to accompany you, if I may."
She smiled and looked ahead. "I suppose."
They changed their direction and headed for the apartment wing of the fort. Lancelot followed Lorelyn wordlessly as she made her way towards her room and when they reached her lodging, he stood at the door as she went in and regarded the setting.
"It's been quite a while since I have last been in here," he said, not waiting for Lorelyn's permission to walk in.
Lorelyn set her clothes on her bench and turned around only to bump into Lancelot. Startled, she jumped back and frowned at him. "What are you doing in here?"
He shrugged his shoulders and walked around her room, casually tinkering with various items around. He picked up a wooden bear ornament and studied the handiwork, the carvings of a child. Turning to Lorelyn, he held it up for her and grinned.
"You have kept this since you were young, have you?" he asked and she smiled demurely, walking up and taking it from his hands. She looked down at it and ran a finger over the edges, smiling fondly at the memory of almost fifteen years ago when she received it.
Lorelyn looked up at Lancelot and tilted her head at him in question. "You do not remember do you?"
His eyes looked down at her and he furrowed his brow. "Remember what? Did someone important give this to you?"
She shook her head and walked around Lancelot, placing the bear back on its small pedestal. "Silly man. You gave this to me," she quietly said, keeping her back to him to hide the embarrassment.
Lancelot racked his brain and frowned at her back before coming to the recollection of their first encounter where he gave her the bear, his first figurine carved. He laughed and walked to Lorelyn, putting his arm around her shoulders and started to direct them towards the door.
"Well, now I remember. My first carving ever. A bloody good job I did with it, don't you think?" he said and winked down at Lorelyn, making her break into a grin.
As they exited her room, Lorelyn shook her head and smirked. "Lancelot, you do not give yourself enough credit do you?"
He chuckled and said, "You do not even give me any credit Lorelyn."
She pulled away from him and swatted his arm. Lancelot just laughed. "Maybe that is because you do it enough for the both of us! You are such an egotistical pig, Lancelot. I cannot believe how I've managed to stick with you this long."
Lorelyn kept her arms crossed as they headed towards the stables and turned her head away from Lancelot. Surely, she was just joking, but it really aggravated her that he can be too into himself at times.
Lancelot glanced down at Lorelyn's childish display and frowned. "Lorelyn, do not resort to your foolish antics. The sun still has yet to rise completely and already you're being like this! You know I was only kidding. Lorelyn," he pleaded and lightly touched her shoulder, but Lorelyn quickly moved away.
"Do not touch me. I don't want your conceited hands on or near me," she haughtily retorted and stuck her nose in the air.
Lancelot threw his hands up and sighed in exasperation. There were times where he was bewildered by Lorelyn's actions – now not any different – and it sometimes made him wonder if she had a different personality. He glanced around them and noticed that some of the townswomen were gazing upon them with amusement and gossip glazing their tongues. They must be thinking that him and Lorelyn were having a lover's quarrel or whatnot and it made him angry. They had no right making such accusations about Lorelyn!
Lorelyn stole a glance at Lancelot and saw that he seemed distraught about something. She blamed herself for this and let out a breath, moving close to Lancelot and took hold of his arm.
"You're not blaming yourself, are you? I was only kidding, you know that. Oh Lancelot, do not look like that! You are making me upset!"
He raised a brow down at Lorelyn. "Well, if you are to fawn all over me like that, then I have no choice but to remove any unpleasantness from me," he said and laughed when Lorelyn made a disgusted face.
"If you want me to be horrid again then keep at what you're doing right now," she told him. Just for a little bit that Lorelyn wanted him to be serious.
Lancelot smiled softly and wrapped a strand of Lorelyn's hair around his finger. "Are you now getting annoyed with my demeanor, my fair lady?"
It took Lorelyn a few seconds to understand what he said with what he was doing. But before he could notice that she wasn't quick to answer, Lorelyn swatted his hand away and scowled. "Lancelot, stop that! What if someone sees!"
He laughed a deep laugh and shrugged, but he did uncoil her hair from his finger. "And that is any threat to us?" When she didn't say anything, he sighed. "Lorelyn, I feel no shame in showing my affections for you."
Lorelyn's eyes widened. "What?" she sputtered out.
Lancelot shook his head. "No no, that's not what I meant. What I mean to say is, that how I convey my feelings shouldn't be such a disregard to you. Who cares if all the people in this town sees? All the more to show them that you are my dearest friend."
She was still trying to wrap her mind around Lancelot's words, but they were all jumbled together. "Oh."
They finished their walk to the stables in a silence too awkward for Lorelyn. She found it strange that Lancelot was suddenly starting to show affections for her in any way in public other than throwing a long arm around her shoulders, after over ten years of friendship. It just didn't seem…right. Lorelyn hated to admit it, but she almost felt disgusted at the thought of being treated like one of Lancelot's fancies.
"Lorelyn?"
She shook her head and looked up at Lancelot. "Sorry, did you say something?"
He looked at her questioningly. "Are you all right? You seem very peculiar at the moment."
"That's because I am," she grumbled, too low for Lancelot to hear her, but he couldn't have any way because his attention was drawn away from her. Lorelyn rolled her eyes and walked to Sera's stall, greeting everyone working as she passed.
Her mare was waiting for her already saddled up, and Lorelyn stopped in surprise. She was always the one to saddle her own horse in the morning, and she didn't think that she was late in coming here. Blinking away the shock, she cautiously took a step forward and quickly glanced around to see if this was a trap. Of course it wasn't but she just wanted to make sure before she made a fool of herself.
Sera neighed quietly as Lorelyn stroked her neck, loving the attention that her master was giving her. Lorelyn smiled softly at her horse's reactions, how she pushed her snout against Lorelyn's neck, earning a laugh and a pat. She wondered though, of who could have saddled her horse for her. She had not asked anyone last night, she was sure, and no one owed her anything.
Sighing, Lorelyn decided to not question it and pulled away from Sera, getting ready to mount when someone cleared their throat from behind her. She spun around midway coiling her hair into a knot and saw Galahad standing behind her. She smiled widely and walked to him, giving him a hug.
"Galahad! What brings you here to the stables so early in the morning?" She narrowed her eyes at him curiously and noting his sheepish expression, she laughed. "Was it you that had readied Sera for me?" she asked him.
His eyes widened and he raised his hands up, shaking his head. "No! Lorelyn, have you not forgotten that your mare does not like me in the least way?" he exclaimed, his face contorting to horror for a second.
Lorelyn frowned. "Well then who could have done it?" It was annoying her now, that she did not know.
Galahad offered her a shrug, eyeing the horse guardedly. "It could not have been a man, could it? Sera does not respond well to most men, right?"
She nodded. "Well, most men except for Jols and…" Lorelyn paused, a realization dawning upon her. Could it have been Lancelot? He was the only other man who didn't have a problem with Sera, and Jols wouldn't have, because his mornings are always busy.
But why would Lancelot saddle Sera for her? And so early in the morning. He must have had it done before they jousted, but what motivation would be behind it? Lorelyn sighed and didn't really want to bother with anything else that involved thinking about Lancelot.
Galahad was still looking at her expectantly so Lorelyn smiled and said, "Oh never mind, I may know who did it for me, but it is no matter now. You, Sir, have work to do today, have you not?"
He laughed. "Aye, I do, but the day is still fresh! I decided to go around and observe everything before I am submitted to the nonsense of preparing for our journey," he said, causing Lorelyn to giggle.
"Well, you may have the morning to walk about, but I do not, and I must be going now."
Galahad helped her mount Sera, trying to keep his distance as far as possible with a gleeful look thrown from Lorelyn. Once she was settled, she took the reigns and pulled on it slightly, directing Sera towards the stable doors. She looked to the front and saw that Lancelot was now busy with Jols, and she didn't want to bother him so she looked back to Galahad.
"Tell Lancelot that I will see him later. I would go there, but he is far too busy at the moment."
Galahad nodded. "Will do."
She grinned and winked at the young knight before moving Sera into a light trot out of the stables and toward the hills off near the edge of the main fortress, her head now full with thoughts to busy her mind for the rest of the day.
