Chapter 75 [Banquet Hall]
[A/N: A little break in the Merthian sentiments to set the other three pairings up…..]
While the palace proper had pulsated with celebratory activities, the servants transformed the central hall into a decorative masterpiece. They swept and mopped the floor so that it gleamed in sun and candle light. They moved the tables into a long rectangle before dropping fine white cloths over them. Floral waystations of rose and liliac bliss sat along that elegant surface. Minstrels tuned their instruments. The cooks insured that the meats and wares stood as top notch for the royal family and guests.
Truly it was a sight to behold…worthy of this one in a generation celebration….
Lancelot leaned back and smiled warmly. Despite the standoff on the steps outside, it had proven a most astounding day indeed. On the morrow, he and his ladies would be off to meet his future father-in-law, Bernard of Astolat, and survey his own adjoining estate of Humbarton. Within the fortnight, he'd be a married man and a father officially.
"You seem content, Milord," Elaine presumed with a hopeful tone.
"Of course, Elaine. Why would I not be?" he queried albeit patiently. "Meantime we have good food, land, titles, our health and Marie. What else can I want?" He rubbed the little girl's shoulder affectionately.
"Thank you for caring, Sir Lancelot," Marie expressed courteously. She appreciated the wooden crutch so she didn't have to labor as hard to get around.
"It is my pleasure. Let's see if the good lords and ladies will talk to us?" he broached while eyeing his fellow knights milling about by the door. He could see the strange looks from them in that direction. "It seems we have been discovered."
"Perhaps I should retire?" Elaine proposed.
"Nay. I want you at my side," he assured her. "Perhaps you would like to meet some people though?" He saw Arthur and Gwen enter the hall. He felt his heart momentarily suppress a beat before it picked up again. "I shall return." He crossed the area quickly before stopping next to the royal couple. "Good evening, Arthur and Guinevere." He bowed to them.
"Good evening to you, Lancelot. It is quite the affair," Arthur replied while surveying their fellow guests. "Why aren't you with the other knights?"
"Perhaps it might have something to do with some news I heard earlier?" Gwen presumed with a smile. She peered over toward where Lancelot had come from.
"Really?" Arthur raised an eyebrow. He saw Elaine and Marie at the table but wrinkled his brow. "Lancelot?"
"Milady, you are perceptive as ever," Lancelot complimented with a warm smile. "There are two ladies I'd like to introduce you to if you have a minute?"
"Then the Princess was right! How splendid!" She clapped her hands enthusiastically.
"Right about what? Gwen?" Arthur narrowed his eyes in frustration.
"Follow us, Arthur," his wife bade almost tugging him in their wake across the room. "So it is happening then?"
"Give me a minute, Gwen," Lancelot requested as they reached his two ladies. He helped Marie to her feet. "King Arthur, Queen Guinevere, this is my fiancée, Lady Elaine of Astolat, and our ward, Marie. Lady Elaine, Marie, King Arthur and Queen Guinevere of Camelot."
"Fiancée? Congratulations are in order then, Lancelot!" Arthur clasped hands with his former liege man enthusiastically.
"Thank you," Lancelot accepted. He smiled at Gwen. "I apologize. I did not wish to interrupt. I wanted the surprise is all." He added a shrug, a smile and a twinkle of his eye.
"Oh I completely understand." Gwen grinned. "Princess Mithian already told me in confidence. I am so happy for you both!" She strode over to Elaine. "Congratulations, Lady Elaine! It is a pleasure to meet you!" She enthuasiastically embraced the other woman.
Elaine returned the gesture cautiously. "I am honored, M…Milady, you would consider me as such."
"And why ever not? From what I heard, you have a good heart and more value to your court and king, our friends, than just that. You will make Sir Lancelot very happy. What else is there to say? Be sure of yourself, Lady Elaine. Princess Mithian speaks well of you. Your humility does you justice but be confident," Gwen advised gently.
"Thank you, Your Highness," Elaine bowed in acceptance.
"And you, Little One. They will make fine parents for you. I wish we could heal your leg," Gwen noted.
"It hardly hurts, Milady. Thank you though. Sir Lancelot's gift of this new crutch is wonderful! Master Wyngate put some padding on the top so it doesn't hurt my arm to use it. I'll help out. I'm just a little slower is all," Marie explained.
"You take your time. I'm sure everyone will work with you," Gwen concurred warmly as she hugged Marie. "Have a good time tonight. Be well."
"Thank you, Milady. May you be healthy and blessed too," the child wished.
"Why thank you! With such sentiments, how can I not?" Gwen kissed the small forehead affectionately. "I am sorry I cannot spend more time with you, Lady Marie. Perhaps we can visit again?"
"Oh I'd like that!" Marie exclaimed. She looked enthusiastically toward Lady Elaine.
"If opportunity avails us such. I would appreciate such a gift as your time, Queen Guinevere. It makes me realize how fortunate we are indeed that Nemeth has friends such as you and King Arthur," Lady Elaine accepted tentatively while curtseying again.
"Such a visit would be a fine gift to me as well, Lady Elaine. I am happy that Sir Lancelot and you have found each other." Gwen smiled reassuringly at Elaine. Then she turned to Lancelot. "A fine woman indeed she is. I am so delighted for you both!"
His heart admittedly struggled—caught between the dual feelings for the woman he embraced and the other he would soon be bound to. Still it didn't burn or resent Life as it had. We still have both! For that we should be glad!
It gladdens me that you say that even if our duty is to Elaine now. Gwen is a friend. No more than that, his brain told the torn heart. Let us move in harmony thereforth.
"I am glad she and Marie are pleasing to you, Milady," Lancelot accepted with relief.
"To us both, Lancelot. You are a true friend. Why would we not be happy for you both?" Arthur offered. He raised Elaine's hand and kissed the back of it in court fashion. "Milady."
"I thank you, Your Highness. Your attention is more than I deserve. I…" Elaine doubted.
Arthur quirked his brow at Lancelot and then at the anxious woman again. "Lady Elaine, I give my attention to those I see fit to. Thank you for making him happy. Congratulations to you both. Gwen?"
"Best to you both," Gwen concluded as they departed toward the other attendees.
Elaine stared wide eyed. "They actually…talked to me?"
"And why ever not? Elaine, it will be all right. Please. As they advised, have confidence. We shall be all right," Lancelot assured warmly. "That goes for you as well, Marie."
"Aye, Sir Lancelot," Marie concurred dutifully; her mind still soaring from the visit with Gwen.
He relaxed feeling glad for his friends' acceptance. With Merlin, Mithian, Arthur and Gwen's support, we have what we need indeed. King Rodor has bound us legally. Let us move forward. He glanced toward the door where Gawain glanced around for someone or something. Now whatever is he up to? Gawain, look to the Lady Britomart instead of that cask! He sighed while sipping from his goblet. He glanced warmly toward Elaine. "Now are you content?"
"I am now, Milord. I appreciate the support," Elaine expressed with satisfaction.
"As do I." He turned back to his developing family letting the drama across the chamber develop as it would…..
Gawain entered the room feeling perplexed. He'd searched practically every room and chamber along the palace's east wing for Merlin and Mithian. Rodor's going to be in a snit if we can't find those two! Brit, hope you're having better luck! As much as Ol' Merlin's due some time with the Princess, his timing rots! His eyes scanned the faces warily seeking out the newlyweds and not finding them. He frowned deeply and folded his arms across his chest in frustration. At least it keeps Brit's mind going. That one—she's fussing after Mithian if it ain't me! He shook his head while feeling his own consternation welling up inside of himself.
Much as with Lancelot, his heart remained divided….
Adventure and fellowship beckoned as always. He wanted to continue his quests and taking on all comers. He craved the nights with comrades in the tavern drinking and wenching until dawn. He still wanted freedom….
On the other hand….Thoughts of domestic bliss had established a beachhead on his brain's shores. As much as he teased and gibed Arthur, Merlin and Lancelot about their ball and chains, he'd definitely developed an attachment toward a certain fellow knight.
Frankly nobody—not his mother, any of his lovers or liaisons—had cared enough to tear into him as Britomart was doing. Sure they'd love him for a while, share a few drinks and some laughs…but never anything permanent.
The new knight, however, cared enough to pull his bacon out of the fire several times. They could be companions on adventures and in the hearth. They could care about each other….
…if they didn't kill each other first….
She'd limit the carousing and stop the wenching. Still one can't always do that. He frowned at the thought. Never thought I'd see the day when I'd think that! He rolled his eyes at the thought of taming his inner wild child. He stole a glance across the room at Lancelot and nodded in satisfaction. Never thought I'd see him moving past Gwen like that. Good for him. She can be happy with the Prat. He can make that lady happy. And what's the deal with the kid? Already? Wow.
That thought made him do a double take.
Everyone's figuring it out. Maybe I should too. As long as she doesn't make me get a haircut or anything. I'd never live that one down. He shook his head at that thought knowing what he had to do. Whatever she's doing, it's worth it. He exhaled deeply determined what to do next.
"Don't tell me you're drinking while I was looking for them!"
He rolled his eyes and snickered. Speak of the woman in question! He turned to face the firehaired lady in question. "No. I just got in here after coming up empty in the east wing. You find them?"
"Yes." She arched an eyebrow assessing his introspective expression. "What's with you?"
"Mmm…just thinking of things," he muttered low. "So where were they?"
"Talking in the back. Did King Arthur and Queen Guinevere return here?" she queried.
"Oh yeah they did. They were talking to Lance and his new girl over there. What was the deal with them?" he supposed.
She coughed. "You really need to pay more attention, Gawain. I suppose the King and Queen were congratulating Lancelot and Lady Elaine about their engagement."
"Engagement?" He whistled in surprise. "Rodor's working fast. Wonder what he has planned for us?" he noted recalling the whole 'rules of behavior' talk back in Camelot.
"He has not said anything. Not that you would notice anything, mind you," she blurted out; her own inner frustration driving the words out.
Her tone grabbed his attention. "And what's that supposed to mean?"
"What is what supposed to mean?" she queried tersely.
"That I don't pay attention!" he countered.
She rolled her eyes. "Just what I said! You don't! You go and carouse and act like the bloody demon out there! Some of us actually care and are responsible! Can you make a decision? Did you seriously look for the Prince and Princess?"
"Now wait a bloody minute! I DID! And I DO CARE!" he snapped at her. "You want me to make a serious decision?"
"YES!" she insisted; her hands on her hips.
"FINE!" He grabbed a goblet and filled it with wine. "I'm bloody going to need this!" He downed the whole thing and tossed it over his shoulder. He took a deep breath. "Okay. Fine." He got down on his knees. "Brit, I may not say it but I love you. Okay? I want to be with you. We could get married but you'd say no and…."
Before he could go any further, she stopped his mouth with hers. For almost ten seconds, she laid a demonstrative lip lock on him before breaking it off. She sniffed indignantly. "Does that seem like a no?"
"Uh…no." He stumbled back numbly; his senses overwhelmed by her impact. He collided with the wall and slumped down to the floor.
She rolled her eyes. "Get up! You're making a scene."
"Funny…Here I thought…you did." He rubbed his head while pulling himself to his feet. "So you would say yes?"
"Depends on what you're asking. The dinner is supposed to start at some point," she hissed impatiently.
He rode the euphoric wave letting it overwhelm the last bastion of his inhibition. "Fine, Brit. You marry me already?"
She frowned indignantly. "You call that a proposal?"
"I asked, didn't I?" he retorted not believing that the words actually came out.
"What am I going to do with you? HONESTLY!" She shook her head. "So that's what I merit?"
"Hey! I LOVE YOU! I WANT TO BE WITH YOU! WHAT THE BLOODY HELL ELSE IS THERE?" he insisted.
She snickered. "What else is there? Yes you would say that." She sighed. "If I don't say yes, who else is going to?" She let her eyes sparkle into his. "Yes, Sir Gawain, you incorrigible man child, yes I will marry you. Someone has to keep you straight."
"Who's keeping who straight, Brit?" he fired back without blinking an eye or missing a beat. Then he shrugged almost playfully. "Got you." He filled two goblets and handed one to her. "Toast?"
"Fine. To finally getting you to wake up to common sense!" She almost shoved the cup at him making contact with his before he could take it all back. Then she gulped her wine down and set it down on the table next to her firmly.
He drank his wine and set the goblet next to hers.
As he did so, the entire chamber erupted in cheers and wolf whistles.
"Think we're stealing the show," Gawain surmised almost gleefuly.
"Think so, do you?" Britomart retorted sarcastically almost yanking him toward their assigned seats with the rest of the knights.
Still Gawain didn't really care. While he knew Rodor would lecture them about disrupting the proceedings, it really didn't faze him in the slightest.
Merlin finally had a deserved title and an awesome woman at his side….
Lancelot finally was getting respect and a woman who could love him….
And Britomart just committed to him forever….
Adventures and hearth together always….
Suddenly life didn't seem so bad after all…..