Lancelot finished arming himself. He took a deep breath. The knights were assembling in the courtyard. Queen Guinevere would be there to see them off.
He turned when he heard a knock at the door. Arthur walked into the knight's chambers. "Sire." Lancelot addressed him.
Arthur smiled, weakly. "I have just gotten word that Elaine's father wishes her safe return. I don't know how to accomplish this Lancelot. My kingdom is in a war, yet Pelles wants his daughter delivered safely back to him? He is relying on my knights for her protection. Lancelot, I saw you at the banquet last night. I believe you are fond of Elaine. Am I wrong in that assumption?"
"I wish no harm to come to her."
Arthur nodded. "Then you will respect my decision to have you escort her back to her kingdom."
Lancelot paused. He would not be going into battle?
"After you deliver the princess, I am sure that your help will be needed here."
Lancelot nodded. "As you wish, my king."
"Thank you Lancelot. I am confident you will not fail me. You will leave tomorrow at dawn."
Once Arthur left, Lancelot sat down, contemplating. He would be in Camelot. Arthur would be at war. Maybe, finally, he could convince Gwen that she still loved him.
On the other side of the door, Arthur scowled. Merlin, who had been waiting outside the room, addressed the king. "You'll have nothing to worry about."
"Merlin, I trust Guinevere. I do, but I am afraid that Lancelot will stop at nothing to persuade her to betray me."
Trying to soothe his friend, Merlin said "Maybe our plan will work. Lancelot will fall for the Princess Elaine, and he will forget all about his feelings for Gwen."
"Am I being fair?" Arthur asked. It seemed he ignored Merlin's optimistic opinion on the matter. "I have deprived a knight of his chance to defend the kingdom."
"You are protecting your kingdom. At the heart of it." Guinevere turned the corner, facing the two old friends. Merlin continued. "I'll be here watching his like a hawk." He said, with conviction. Merlin did not appreciate the fact that Lancelot could not move on from Guinevere. Arthur nodded, hearing Merlin's word, yet fully engrossed in the vision of his wife. This would be their first separation as husband and wife. While they both knew that it was necessary, and that this would be the first of many. Those facts did not make it any less painful. Guinevere hugged him to her. "Come back to me." She whispered.
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