A/N: Alright! Now comes a barrage of my favourite chapters! You will all see in good time. .smiles. Glad so many of you liked Chapter 38! Let's see if Chapter 39 can tickle your fancies even more! .wink. Enjoy!

Also, I was inspired to write another Tristan.OC fic entitled "When Worlds Collide". This is a real story this time, not a oneshot. For sure, it won't be as long as this story, but I just needed to let out some inspiration and write this little "side fic". So, if you have time to check it out, please do so! .smiles. I'll try to update that as much as I can, but I'll be concentrating on finishing this story first, since ya'll seem to like it so much! .salutes.

Kalanie: Yeah, it took Lancelot a while, didn't he? lol But at least he finally did it! We'll see if he can keep redeeming himself! I think you'll really like this next chapter. .grins.

And Tristan, I love that guy. That's why I'm writing a fic about him! haha Hopefully it's good...I have a bunch of ideas floating around. But yeah, only Lancelot would have the nerve to trick someone into kissing him! hahaha He's smart in that way, I guess! Enjoy this next one!

Raging Raven: haha You think this is steamy? .nudge. You're in for a treat later on! lol And I totally agree with you about Gerald! Enjoy this next one!

Jenni: Yaye, I'm glad you liked CH38! Yeah, keep your fingers crossed that Lancelot will know how to act in a relationship! .cough. And I love you for reading and reviewing! Enjoy this next one!

"The fan": You're too kind! .smiles. I'm just surprised that I stretched out Lancelot revealing his feelings to her for 38 chapters! lol I'm crazy. Oh, and you're definitely right -- there is a lot of angst, romance, drama and action left in the story. And Galahad is not yet dead! Everyone has to remember that. .laughs evilly. Enjoy!

DeathDealer210912: Galahad is on a path to self-discovery. (No really.) All will be explained in good time, trust me. I miss Galahad too, but he'll have a bigger role to play later on... dun dun DUNNN! Oh, and Raoul and Christine are the main characters in the Phantom of the Opera. The labels were just to say who was singing which part, and I just matched it up with Lancelot and Lourdes.

delusional anvil.: I know, I know. .frowns. I'm a Galahad fan too, don't worry! You can probably breeze through these next chapters, but I assure you that Galahad will show up. Trust me, this is all for the sake of the plot! .hugs. I hope you enjoy this next one...but even if you don't...well...check out my Tristan.OC fic? lol! Love yah!

Angels-Giggles: Good to hear from you! Oh yeah, there will be a LOT more kissing now! .winks.

Withered Lover: aaaaahaha I just loved your reaction! Let's see if this next chapter makes you just as happy!

t t t

CHAPTER 39

"Did you enjoy the celebration yesternight, dear sister?" Lucas asked Lourdes good-naturedly as they walked languidly throughout the castle hallways. The dawn had reached its peak by this time, the sun emanating beautiful hues of orange and yellow through the castle windows and balconies, making it seem as though the entire castle was aglow. Most of the guests at yesternight's celebration were still, rightly so, in bed. The only bustle and activity in the castle at the moment were yawning guards and servants scurrying about to complete their daily errands.

"I did, very much so." Lourdes had to tilt her head away from her brother's curious gaze in order to hide the blush that glowed fervently upon her cheeks. How she felt about the occurrences of yesternight, to succinctly describe it, was simply indescribable. She had not felt so happy, so fulfilled, so impassioned in so long that she welcomed those feelings with open arms. And yesternight, they were feverishly brought about by one knight, unlocking such feelings within her that she had thought had died so long ago. She was astonished to feel the tiny chill that used to always run down her spine whenever she was near him, to have their breaths mingling in the crisp air, to have her nerves and reason unsettled when they touched.

Lucas gave her response an accepting shrug, though continued, "I was a little worried, for I did not see you after you were prodded to dance."

Now, Lourdes had to pretend that something else had caught her attention, for she knew that if she made eye contact with her brother, her self-control would utterly fall apart and she would be in hysterics before him. Indeed, he would not have seen her after that little incident, for she had stayed with Lancelot on that blessed balcony for hours. They barely even noticed how much time had passed by as they remained in each other's arms, their lips locked in a whirlwind of passion, hands roaming with reckless abandon all over each other's bodies. The fear of being caught only heightened their desire for one another, and they became lost in each other's touch. They had been denied each other for so long that, as the opportunity for them to remain together -- alone -- was presented, they could do no such thing as to let the moment pass by.

"Are you alright?" Lucas lightly poked her arm, waving a hand in front of her eyes. He eyed her thoughtfully. "You seem a bit...dazed."

"What?" Lourdes shook her head once, as if snapping out of a trance. She glanced at Lucas, whose laconic eyebrow was now raised, before replying tersely with, "Oh, I'm fine, do not worry. Actually, I should begin to prepare for my training today."

"Oh, alright." Lucas replied, almost suspiciously. With an acceding nod and embrace from Lucas, the two parted, and Lourdes hastily made her way towards her chambers. Lucas had not known her for that long, but she knew that he had a natural instinct within him, and that, coupled with the transparency of her emotions, it would certainly not take much for him to discern what was really going through her mind.

As Lourdes pushed on the latch mindlessly, the swinging door quickly revealed the backside of Lancelot, the knight scratching his head in confusion. Lourdes jolted up at his sudden appearance, wits started out of her, as he cocked his head back to the creaking sound of the door. He smirked at her and began in minor relief, "Ah, there you are..."

Instantly, Lourdes ran into her chambers, squealing lightly as she kicked the door closed behind her and clasped her hand over Lancelot's mouth. Taken completely by surprise, he mumbled something through her palm, raising his eyebrow in question.

"Hush!" hissed Lourdes, still keeping her hand pressed upon the knight's mouth. She eyed him in reprimand. "Lancelot, what are you doing in here? If someone finds you in my chambers, they..."

Lancelot gently pried Lourdes' arm away from him and finished with a smirk, "...would certainly be in for a spectacle."

At this, he pinned her onto the door, arms fixed on either side of her waist, as he looked upon her with twinkling, mirthful eyes. Feeling herself blush at this intimacy, her coming admonishment of the knight had all but dissipated, only to be replaced by speechlessness. As his lips began to brush against her neck, Lourdes eventually managed to croak out, "You have yet to tell me why you are here, Lancelot."

"I would think that it would be quite obvious."

Mouth immediately agape at his bluntness, Lourdes pushed him away slightly, pinching his cheeks, "Fie on you, sir! Even at the peak of dawn, you..."

Without warning, he gently bit the bottom of her lip teasingly, replying huskily, "You arouse my passions day and night, Lourdes. I certainly cannot wait for a particular time in order to shower you with affection."

Lourdes could barely take any more of this! She was more than aware that Lancelot was indeed a charmer with many beguiling words, but she was surprised to realize that she definitely missed how those words affected her, how they were meant for her.

Kissing him lightly on the nose, which he promptly wrinkled, she was finally able to uproot her feet from the ground in front of the knight and move towards the side of her bed. Lancelot only eyed her with curiosity and amusement flickering in his brown orbs as she gathered her belongings in her arms, setting them upon her bed.

"Akira and I are to practice the whip and with kendo sticks today." she informed him, placing all of her belongings in a large, linen sac. "I think this practice is definitely needed, for I am horrible at the whip...as you might already have witnessed."

Slightly wincing at the memory, Lancelot strided over to her side, taking her sac and flinging the strap above his shoulders. With a tilted head, he said, "I am not skilled with a whip, but I can wield a wooden stick." In answer to her questioning eyes, he proclaimed, "I have not yet seen Akira this morrow, so, I am taking it upon my shoulders to tolerate your presence for today."

Pushing at his chest lightly in mock anger, she pursed her lips. "I wonder if Akira is in her chambers?"

As Lourdes gripped Lancelot's hand, the two walked out of Lourdes' chambers and into the long corridor. As they reached the corner that led to a perpendicular corridor, they heard a chamber door slowly creak open. Lancelot, who was walking in front of Lourdes, suddenly halted in his tracks, holding Lourdes back stiffly with an arm as he hid, body stick straight, behind the corner. Placing an index finger on his lip, he motioned his head silently towards the next corridor. As Lourdes tiptoed to his side, the voices now became clear. She recognized them immediately as Tristan's and Akira's.

"Sir Tristan, I...I do not quite know how to simultaneously apologize and thank you for..."

"'Twas nothing. You are lucky that you are not experiencing any throbbing pains in your head at the moment."

Akira groaned. "I do not think that I will ever touch ale again, lest I begin to act as foolish as I did yesternight."

"You did kiss me. You think that is foolish?"

At this pause between them, Lourdes and Lancelot glanced at each other with wide eyes, hands covering their agape mouths. They shifted slightly as they tried to contain themselves, even pushing one another lightly as they encouraged one another with facial expressions.

The sudden shadow that appeared above them immediately erased all traces of giggles from their faces. Ever so slowly, their eyes landed on a pair of tapping boots, then gradually made their way up to Tristan's more-than-annoyed expression. Before the scout could speak, Lourdes tugged on Lancelot's hand with a squeal and ran back in the opposite direction, freely laughing now, no longer able to contain her suppressed feelings. Lancelot joined her, and the two ran hand in hand, as fast as their feet could carry them, outside of the castle.

Looking around desperately for a desired destination, Lourdes finally decided to run towards the now luscious gardens, a beautiful display of more than a dozen types of flowers, masterfully trimmed bushes, and a large, marble grotto, truly a masterpiece of Shinodian art. A tiny creek ran through the middle of what seemed like paradise, emptying into a tiny pond, just before a row of stone statues. Finally content, Lourdes halted her running. Though, before she could regain her breath, Lancelot pulled her form to him, and she swirled back, hands colliding upon his chest. He inhaled sharply as he claimed her lips in his once more, the flung bag back over his shoulder now laying on the ground, abandoned, as he used both his hands to cup her face. Taken aback by his sudden show of affection, she mumbled something to him through their kiss, making Lancelot peek at her in question with one eye open.

Finally breaking her lips from his, Lourdes hissed, "Lancelot, there are people over there!" She poked his stomach, making him cry out in surprise. "Now, behave in public!"

"Right." the smirking knight answered, taking a whip from the ground. As he wrapped the weapon around her waist and pulled her closer, he breathed out, "How about we spar a little, hmm?"

Lourdes bit his lip teasingly as she smiled. "I thought you'd never ask."

Simultaneously grasping kendo sticks from the ground, they stepped back a few paces from one another, standing in their readied positions. Smirking, Lancelot examined her form from top to bottom playfully as she pursed her lips tauntingly at him. With no warning, Lourdes, with much speed, stroked out at Lancelot, catching the knight off guard. The wooden stick smacked him on the left arm with a clack, making him curse out loud.

Lourdes clucked her tongue in mock admonishment. "Watch that mouth of yours, sir knight. You are in the presence of a princess."

Lancelot scoffed, shaking the blow off, moving his head from side to side. He retorted with, "I'll show you what my mouth can do to a princess."

With mouth agape, Lourdes was forced to step back many a pace as Lancelot came at her at full attack. Swinging his stick from left to right, the knight used just enough force against her, neither overpowering her with brute strength nor letting her believe that he was not giving her a true fight. He was definitely surprised at the skill she was exhibiting, blocking every one of his strikes, even managing to counterattack. This wasn't a fair fight, he thought -- not because he could clearly overpower the maiden, but because he was definitely distracted at the moment! Though, with lightning wrists, Lancelot managed to strike Lourdes' weapon from her grasp, sending it to the ground a few metres from her. Resting his kendo stick on her neck, he gave her his trademark smug look, tilting his head to the side.

"I win."

Rolling her eyes, Lourdes instantly grabbed the stick and pulled, attempting to pry away the weapon from his grasp. Unfortunately for Lancelot, though, she only managed to pull the knight towards her, as his grip on the kendo stick did not falter, and...

...accidentally knee him in the family jewels.

Groaning, Lancelot immediately doubled over, throwing the stick to the ground. He inhaled and exhaled audibly, gritting his teeth in utter anguish, as he rested his hands on his knees. Lourdes' mouth was frozen agape as she stood in front of him in disbelief, not knowing whether to laugh or to comfort the poor knight. Covering her mouth, she bent over, examining his squinted eyes.

"Lancelot, are you..."

"I'll be fine!" he answered shakily, waving a dismissive hand at her, squeaking. "I've had worse."

Biting her lip, Lourdes' body utterly shook as she tried to suppress her laughter. It became even harder to do so when she observed the knight waddle away slightly from her, knees bent, arms shaking at his sides. He paced back and forth in front of her, gradually standing straighter as he slowly regained his composure, heavily breathing in and out. When he was able, he picked up his kendo stick from the ground, holding it shakily back up towards Lourdes.

"Now, where was I?" He feigned a smile, still feeling the painful throbbing in his breeches.

In an instant, Lourdes rolled away from him, grasping her fallen kendo stick before she propped herself on one knee. Smiling sweetly at the (still) pain-filled knight, she lunged forward, the point touching Lancelot's abdomen before he could block it.

"Truce?" Lancelot called out breathlessly, his hand outstretched towards Lourdes.

Lourdes eyed him distrustfully, raising an eyebrow at him as she lowered her kendo stick from his form. Lancelot only gazed at her expectantly, a smirk pulling on his lips as he moved his hand closer to hers. Breathing out a sigh, Lourdes finally dropped her stick, gingerly taking his hand in hers. At this point, Lourdes knew that she should have trusted her instinct, because before she knew it, Lancelot had hauled her up onto his shoulders, her feet dangling in mid-air as his hands wrapped around her waist.

"Lancelot, what are you doing?" she squealed, squirming in his grasp as she kicked and flailed her arms wildly in front of her. She repeatedly smacked his back as she commanded, "Put me down this instant!"

The knight only had to take a few steps, and, proving her instincts correct once more, Lancelot chucked her into the water, creating a monstrous splash that would make any child cry out with excitement. Lourdes heard him laugh maniacally as she bobbed her head from the water, sputtering the liquid out of her mouth and pushing her drenched hair back from her face. Before she could yell out at him in irritation, the knight had taken off his tunic and had jumped in after her, splashing even more water in her direction! Squinting her eyes, she tried to keep steady as the waves hit her body. Giving out a shriek of annoyance, she surveyed her surroundings, the water around her now becoming progressively still.

Lancelot was nowhere in sight.

"Lancelot, you bloody oaf!" she cried out exasperatedly as she waded in the water, which was now up to her neck. "You are acting like such a child!"

Silence.

"Lancelot, this is not…"

Before she could complete her sentence, she was attacked from behind, her head being dunked into the water once more. As she resurfaced, she turned towards the sound of Lancelot's uncontrollable laughter, her mouth turning into a snarl. By this time, her long, raven hair was covering her face, giving Lancelot even more reason to laugh at her! After a few moments of great amusement, he swam to her side with a pout, then gently pushed the hair away from her now irritated face. Her eyes looked at him with a mixture of fatigue and disdain. As she began to reprimand him once more, a roguish smirk appeared upon the knight's face, his hands now resting on the sides of her waist. She lost her breath and will to speak as he moved closer to her, bringing his lips to the side of her ear.

"I never liked losing, you know." He whispered, his lips now trailing down the side of her cheek.

Even though she shivered at this, Lourdes raised an eyebrow, mimicking the knight's actions as she placed her lips beside his cheek. "But I always liked winning."

Before Lancelot could respond with anymore beguiling words, Lourdes dunked his head into the water, then promptly swam away from him as she laughed in victory. Resurfacing instantly, Lancelot glared after her incredulously before starting to give chase. As Lourdes looked back, she shrieked, seeing the knight quickly coming upon her. Unfortunately, she could not swim as fast as the skilled knight, and, in no time, he caught her once again in his arms, tightly holding on to her.

"You're a mischievous one, aren't you?" he asked huskily, pulling the length of her body closer to his. He brought his lips to the nape of her neck, brushing upon them teasingly. "You know, those who cause mischief deserve to be punished."

Lourdes' heart was beating at an erratic speed by this time. Feeling breathless, she turned her head ever so slightly towards the knight as she responded quietly, "And...and how am I to be punished, sir knight?"

In answer, Lancelot buried his lips into her neck, gently running his fingers through her entangled hair. As he nipped at her neck, jaw, then side of the mouth, she cried out in surprise, the warmth of Lancelot's touch making her shiver. His bottom lip then traced over her jawline as she lifted her head, taking his hands, which were rested on her waist, in hers. They entwined their fingers as they moved even closer, the pressure of each other's bodies igniting their innermost passions.

"This is...this is no punishment." Lourdes managed to breath out as Lancelot's hand moved within her tunic, running his palm from her stomach and teasing to go higher. She turned to face him, their eyes both glazed over with desire as their lips met, water trailing from their forms as they pressed their bodies onto each other's. Lancelot kept his hands underneath her bottom as she raked her fingertips over his hard abdomen, then resting her palm on his rock-hard chest. Parting her lips from his, Lourdes kissed his chin, jaw, then down his neck, evoking a burning sensation throughout his body. She held him closely, as if in fear of ever letting go, as his hands rose from her hips, then rested on her waist.

The clearing of a throat made them freeze.

Immediately gaining her senses with wide eyes, Lourdes raised Lancelot's arms in the air, receiving an incredulous look from the knight. Keeping them there, she twisted his body around, then pointed in the distance.

"Now, I want you to show me everything that I have taught you and swim over to that tree." she instructed the bewildered, frozen knight, voice not even faltering. "Remember, you keep kicking even as you stroke. You do not stroke, then kick. That will get you nowhere." She pointed a hard finger at his nose. "Understand?"

Lancelot only managed to nod at this, eyes still wide with shock and disbelief. He then began to do as Lourdes had instructed, swimming slowly away from her form.

"Good! That's it!" Lourdes clapped encouragingly as she widely grinned. "Kick! Kick!" Lancelot could only groan inwardly, though unable to wipe of the seemingly permanent smile off his face. Breathing out in mock satisfaction, Lourdes looked up towards the visitor, beaming her best smile. "Akira! So nice of you to join us! Lancelot here just wanted to learn how to swim, so I took it upon my shoulders to teach him!"

Lourdes began to nervously laugh as she recognized Akira's tired expression. As her laughter died down, Lourdes cleared her throat, then bit her lip as she looked away from her friend.

"Nice try, Lourdes." Akira shook her head, ticking her tongue as she crossed her arms. "That will not work with me."

Now groaning audibly, Lourdes glanced up towards the sky before wincing at Akira. "Why must you know everything?"

Akira actually burst out laughing at this before she called out, hands cupped around her mouth, "Sir Lancelot! You can stop pretending you cannot swim now! I saw through Lourdes' unsatisfactory lie!"

"Just a minute! My foot is stuck in some weeds!"

The two women shared a laugh as Lourdes waded out of the pond. Twisting the water out of her hair, she walked towards Akira's form, slightly blushing at her knowing look.

"You interrupted my moment with Sir Tristan, so I do not think that it is that much of a crime to do the same with you and Sir Lancelot." Akira joked, receiving a light push from Lourdes. "Well, your father has sent me to find you and your knight, for he desires to hold counsel with all of you." She eyed Lourdes from top to bottom, shaking her head disapprovingly. "Most of them are in the main meeting room now, so I suggest you and Sir Lancelot change your clothing this instant." Akira couldn't help but poke. "Not that I think you will need them later, but..."

"Akira!" Lourdes hissed, mouth agape, pushing her from behind. The Shinodian woman could not help but laugh mirthfully as Lourdes pushed at her back continuously. "Now, you, go! Sir Lancelot and I will be there in a few moments!"

Akira pursed her lips playfully. "I fear to leave you two alone once more..." she cleared her throat, receiving another look from Lourdes. As she turned around, she tilted her head back to the blushing maiden and said lightly, "Just a word of advice?"

Lourdes felt her heart skip a beat at this, somewhat dreading what Akira was about to say. "Yes?"

The Shinodian woman merely motioned her head towards Lancelot form. "I think you should go help him."

Lourdes rightly doubled over at what she saw as she turned around. In the distance, Lancelot was still splashing around in the water, desperately trying to pull out the weeds that were wrapped around his foot.

t t t

"You know what I heard, Dag?"

"What is it now, Bors?"

"Lancelot is now a one-woman man."

"You're daft! Where'd you hear that from?"

"A little bird told me yesternight. Perched upon my shoulder, it did."

Dagonet raised an eyebrow. "Gawain?"

Bors hung his head low. "...Aye."

The brothers spoke in hushed tones as they sat beside one another in King Lothair's large meeting room. It was adorned with many Shinodian relics, art and artifacts, simply exhibiting the wonders of their culture. When Arthur and the knights -- save for Lancelot, of course -- had entered, all they could do for many moments was to survey their surroundings in awe, breaths being taken away by the beauty and majesty of a single room. They all chuckled inwardly as they saw what was before them: a round table.

Upon their entrance, Arthur had even commented to King Lothair, a smile pulling upon his lips, "It seems as though we are not so different after all, your majesty."

Lothair had given out a mirthful laugh and placed a hand on Arthur's shoulder. "Yes. Arthur and the knights of the Round Table. I have heard many stories about you and your deeds." He had then motioned his hands for everyone to sit. "To be honest, sir, it was your table and the philosophy behind it that inspired me to build this one."

The men guffawed then, suddenly all filled with pride that their livelihoods and the principles that they stood for did not go unnoticed -- nay, it was even appreciated and adored. Hearing this from King Lothair had certainly given their lives, trials and sacrifices a much deeper meaning, erasing some of the bitterness in their hearts. All taking their respective seats, they sat in a comfortable silence, waiting for Lourdes and Lancelot to appear.

Now, about an hour later, they sat -- tapping their fingers on the table, tapping their feet on the stone floor, whistling random tunes -- as they eagerly and anxiously awaited the arrival of Lourdes and Lancelot. Tristan had even begun to doze off, his arms crossed and his head bobbing up and down as he leaned back quite comfortably on the wooden chair. Gawain yawned, looking mindlessly around him as he rested his chin on his hand. Arthur, Lucas and Lothair occupied themselves by speaking with one another -- the subject being Lourdes and Lancelot's tardy arrival, of course.

A few moments later, the men heard hasty footsteps coming in their direction. As each of them turned their gazes upon the door expectantly, it finally opened abruptly, revealing Lourdes and Lancelot, hand in hand. The two were still dripping wet -- although they had changed from the clothing that they were wearing earlier -- and their footsteps squeaked as they walked inside. The knights shot each other knowing looks as Lothair and Lucas glanced at each other questioningly, eyebrows raised.

Upon seeing their expressions, Lourdes immediately released Lancelot's hand, standing upright as she stated meekly, "Sir Lancelot did not know the haste that was needed in order to come here," Lancelot rolled his eyes inconspicuously at her futile attempt to explain their closeness, "I positively had to drag him." She cleared her throat once more, seeing that the men's expressions did not change. "Reprimand him not, for he...pulled me out of the water when I...accidentally tripped and...fell...in it."

"Did he now?" Lucas questioned lightly, even mockingly, crossing his arms as he sat back. "Well, then I thank you, Sir Lancelot, for being of such service to my sister."

Lancelot straightened, fixing the front of his wet tunic nervously as he replied with, "'Twas no trouble at all, Prince Lucas. Your sister here certainly braved that...pond...quite well."

"Pond?" Bors and Dagonet asked simultaneously, their doltish expressions identical.

Lourdes and Lancelot eyed each other, knowing that speaking more about their awkward situation would certainly increase the awkwardness in the room. As Lancelot pulled Lourdes' seat out for her, she smiled upwards at him before her gaze turned towards the rest of the men. Lancelot took a seat beside her. When silence still lingered about the room, Lourdes began, "Forgive our tardiness, gentlemen. I hope we did not miss much?"

"You missed nothing at all, daughter, for we did not want to start without you." The expression in Lothair's eyes was inscrutable, and this certainly filled Lourdes with dread. Seeing that her father did not have a mirthful expression in his eyes, she swallowed, doing her best to try and keep her calm composure. Lothair cleared his throat lightly, finally tearing his hard eyes from Lourdes. "Now that we are all present, I shall begin." He claimed all of their attention as he informed them, "A dozen of my scouts have just returned this morning and have recently informed me that they had spotted about thirty Sarmatian warriors near the Sarmatia/Shino border."

A chorus of murmurs lined the room at this revelation, the knights all catching each other's glances.

"Think you these are the knights that we were supposed to meet?" questioned Gawain curiously, eyes automatically landing on Arthur.

"I am not sure." Arthur had the same quizzical expression on his face as he replied, "They are nearly two months late for our scheduled meeting."

Dagonet cleared his throat, pointing out, "We did not even meet them at the scheduled location and time, remember?"

"Whether they are the knights we were supposed to meet or not, this only means more reinforcements for us." commented Tristan gruffly, shaking his head once to become fully awake.

"Aye, 'tis true." Bors nodded, a grin plastered on his face was he wagged a finger at King Lothair. "At least they were not yer rebel Shinodians."

"What are we to do?" Lancelot questioned as he leaned back on his chair, eyes surveying the men in front of him before keeping a longing gaze on Lourdes. She blushed at this, and, unexpectedly, rested a hand on Lancelot's thigh underneath the table. The knight gulped at her sudden expression of affection, fighting with all his might ot keep his countenance neutral.

King Lothair raised a hand at this point, all eyes drawn to him once more. "Seeing as you all seem to be fond of Kenji," he proclaimed, a smile finally pulling upon his lips, "And seeing as none of us seem to be fond of Lord Theodore, I thought that sending him and his knights to meet your fellow Sarmatians would be best. If you agree, I estimate their leave to be in a fortnight, after all of the men, supplies and provisions are gathered."

With virtually no hesitation whatsoever, the king received acceding nods from the group as a silent consensus was made. True, they were fond of Lord Theodore's knights, especially Gareth, Bedievere, Kay and Percival, but seeing as this was an opportunity to pry Lord Theodore from their hairs for a little while, this idea was quite fortunate. Lourdes even began to clap, nodding her head profusely.

"Father, that is simply a marvelous idea!" She beamed widely, receiving chuckles from all in the room. She raised a hand. "I will even volunteer to escort him out of Kenji myself!"

"I second that." Lancelot nodded to her, eyebrow raised as he smirked.

Waving a hand, Gawain said enthusiastically, "Third!"

"Fourth." Dagonet stated with a low laugh, then nudged the drowzy Tristan.

"What?" the scout mumbled, blinking slowly as his eyes wandered around the room. "Oh...fifth?"

"Sixth." Arthur said steely, curtly nodding.

All eyes then turned to Bors.

Bors looked around him, seeing as though it was his turn. He scratched his head and said slowly, "What comes after six again?"

t t t

A/N:Finally some fun and happiness, eh?