Page 17 of The White Knight

“I agree with Guinevere. Announcing the truth of Galahad’s paternity will do more harm than good.” I squeeze Guin’s hand before I continue. “My only concern is that if we allow the people to think Galahad is Arthur’s child, he would be considered a bastard. Perhaps the archbishop will deem your marriage to Arthur invalid, given the circumstances, which may worsen the situation. Acknowledging Galahad as King Arthur’s bastard child is a better option than considering him as the son of your estranged husband. Arthur has no heir of his own and has everyright to claim an heir of his choosing. A bastard, and a well-loved one, would be a welcome choice.”

I pause to take a breath, pain ripping through my chest as I decide to give Arthur the son I did not know I had. “The kingdom believes Galahad is your son, Arthur. To say otherwise will break their trust. I know that me being alive complicates the validity of your marriage, but I do not believe it will affect Galahad’s claim to your throne. As long as he is seen as your true son.”

Guin squeezes my hand tightly. I can feel her internal struggle. She knows I am right. She knows this is best for Galahad. “Lance…I—”

“I know, Guin.” I am desperate to kiss my wife, to let her comfort me in the way she needs. Before I act, I glance over to where Arthur is standing. He looks over at me. His face is blank, unreadable. “Arthur, may I…uhhh—”

Arthur nods at me, looking away to give Guin and me a moment. I wrap my arms around her waist and she pulls my head to her chest, resting her head on top of mine. She cradles me like a child as I absorb all of her love into my soul. Hot tears fall down my face and splash into her cleavage. I close my eyes, remembering a time when life was simpler. Walking hand in hand along the shore at Joyous Gard, waking up to a mane of wild red hair entangled on my chest, falling asleep in exhaustion after a night of lovemaking.

Guin pulls away from me, forcing me to look at her face. “I am sorry, Lance. I cannot say I regret allowing rumors to turn into the truth about who Galahad is, but fuck, I wish there was a way to shout to the world that he is yours.”

My hand wipes the tears from Guin’s cold cheeks, tracing the line of her jaw to her throat. I slowly guide my fingers through her hair, feeling the silky strands I so missed. “I never knew I could love so fiercely in an instant. The moment I saw Galahad,I knew he belonged to me. But I accept the truth that must be, so should you.”

“I love you.” Guin’s lips tremble as she attempts to abide by what I have said. “Arthur,” Guin says with more confidence, turning to her other husband as he brings his attention back to us. “What about the marriage issue here? Should I step down as queen? Can I?”

Arthur clears his throat. “This is what troubles me. I have crowned you as my queen. Your coronation is as binding to me as your marriage nuptials are to Lancelot. Even if our own vows do not hold up against previous marital vows…I promise, Guin, I will set this right.”

“It feels impossible.” Guin rests her head on my shoulder. I feel her tears through the thin fabric on my shirt and want nothing more than to scoop her onto my lap and hold her close to my heart as she did to me just minutes before. Arthur looks at us with kindness, or perhaps it is sadness in his eyes. He nods to me as if reading my mind.

I trust Arthur will find a way for us to be together again. But I know this is the closest we can get to each other before that happens. I need to be patient. I waited eight years. I can surely endure a few more weeks. Though I am not sure I can wait for much longer.

Being around Guin again is intoxicating, suffocating, and exhilarating. I should feel happy as well, but it is difficult to find happiness when my life is uncertain. Will I ever get to hold Guin against my naked body again? Feel her breath mix with mine. The biggest uncertainty for me is whether Guin wants me as her husband.

Guin has a life at Camelot. Guin is queen. Though she married Arthur for security and to give our son a loving father, I know it has been a genuine marriage. Guin kept no secrets from me.She told me everything. Even that the two of them were intimate with each other.

How can I fault her for falling into another man’s bed when she thought I was gone forever? Still, Guin is mine. I want to claim her as mine. I want the entire kingdom to acknowledge her as my wife, mother of my son. This cannot be, I know, yet my heart is in agony at the truth of it all.

I was naive to think that my life would continue as if I had not been gone for years. My only blessing is that Guin has not returned to her time. At least she is still in my life and there is a chance we could be together again.

Chapter 11

Lancelot

Before the big revealin a few days, Arthur brings his most trusted knights together in his receiving room to explain the situation and prepare them for the announcement he will give to his kingdom. The announcement that I am alive. He feels it is best not to shock the knights in front of everyone. A wise decision on his part.

When Gawain enters the room, he looks at me as if seeing a ghost. After several attempts to speak, he finally says, “Either Sir Lancelot has finally decided to haunt me, I am going insane, or…”

I stand up and embrace my dear friend. “If I was dead, I would most certainly haunt you, my friend.”

“Lancelot, how is this possible?” Gawain grabs my shoulders, holding me an arm’s length away to examine my face. I pat him back on the shoulders before giving him another embrace.

“A story for another day, Sir Gawain. Please take a seat as the others will be here shortly,” Arthur speaks with calm authority, motioning us to sit down. As we take our seats on one of the benches in the room, Guin enters with Elaine.

Guin had told me she and Elaine have become friends since my untimely death. I offer a friendly smile to the lady and a deeper one as I turn to face Guin. Every time I look upon her face, my heart stops for an instant before racing at a speed that should frighten me. This woman. She is the reason I fought my way through wild lands, mystical beasts, and countless obstacles for the last eight years. This woman is why I am alive.

“Lancelot, the others have arrived. Try to calm yourself.” Gawain places a hand on my shoulder, returning me to the present situation and why we are all gathered together. Kei, Bedivere, and Gaheris have arrived and are staring at me with the same shock and confusion Gawain had on his face moments ago. Before I can properly greet them all, Arthur begins his speech.

“As you all can see, Sir Lancelot has miraculously returned to us.”

“So that vision of Sir Lancelot is not a ghost. He is real?” Kei has not removed his gaze since entering Arthur’s study.

“Yes, Sir Kei. I assure you, I am real,” I say with a smile.

“Sir Lancelot returned to us a few days ago and has been staying with the queen and me. I apologize for keeping such a secret from all of you, but there was much we needed to discuss. And Lancelot needed rest. He has been through much to get back to us.” Arthur pauses to let the shock of my presence settle among the men.

“I invited you here today to discuss those same matters with you before gathering the whole of Camelot together. You all have shown yourselves to be loyal, trusting servants to both Guinevere and me. Even when you believed Galahad was fathered by Lancelot, you fought the rumors and ensured that Guinevere’s position as queen was recognized throughout the kingdom. I am grateful for that.” Arthur pauses again to look at me, for he needs one last consent to take my son from me. I nodso that only Arthur can see the gesture. “A few nights from now, in the throne room, I will acknowledge the paternity of my son. Galahad is my son and heir. He might not have been born in wedlock, but I have made that right. I have married his mother and made her my queen. I need this to be the truth.”

“Is the queen still married to Sir Lancelot?” This brazen question comes from none other than Elaine. Though a friend to Guinevere, I can tell she has not fallen out of love with me. She has fixed her gaze on me since she walked into the room and saw me beside Gawain.

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