Page 27 of The White Knight

“It doesn’t seem fair,” Galahad pokes at a bone on his dish.

“What is not fair?”

“You and my mom are married. According to the archbishop, marriage is a binding vow that cannot be broken. Even though mom married father, doesn’t that second marriage become illegitimate?”

“You are right about marriage being an unbreakable vow. Unfortunately, because I was believed dead and had been gone for a long time, the vow we made could be invalid now. It is a dreary situation.”

A smile curls up on Galahad’s face as I attempt to try out my newly learned word. I reach over to him, scooping his shoulders into my side, not caring that I am outwardly displaying my paternal love for my son. “But know this. You are meant to be king. I can feel it in my bones. Everything your mother and I have endured, it was meant to happen so that you could be born the way you were. Excalibur has chosen you. It was always you. No one can deny you what is rightfully yours.”

“But Mordred—”

“Mordred is no one,” I interrupt. “He is nothing. Only a jealous man who has lived his whole life thinking that Arthur would one day name him his heir. I can tell you for certain that Arthur never intended to do so.”

Galahad mumbles an agreement.

“What was that?”

“Okay!”

“Good. It is important you know who you are. I know it is a lot to place on your shoulders. You are so young, but I can already see the man you will become, the leader you were made to be.”

A small hand quickly wipes away the glistening tears threatening to fall from Galahad’s eyes. “Okay, dad. I will write to mom tomorrow. Ask her to visit us because I miss her too.”

I wake in a pool of sweat after dreaming of fighting that dragon again. My breath heaving as if I was back on the dragon’s spine. Falling back to my bed, I wipe the drops of sweat from my browand turn over, looking to the side of the bed Guin used to lie on. How I miss her.

Guin promptly replied to Galahad’s letter, informing him that she and Arthur will arrive in the spring to avoid the dangerous winter weather, which will soon begin. My heart sank when Galahad told me they would not be here for months. But I understand. Winters up here can be harsher than the south, where Camelot is located. So we waited. Galahad’s birthday passed with a modest celebration in the great hall. My birthday passed in a quiet, lonely bed.

Now it is a new year. Another year of waiting for my Guinevere. She will arrive in just a few weeks with Arthur at her side. Arthur has not visited my home since bringing Guin back to Camelot as his wife and queen.

Joyous Gard was Guin’s hideaway, and I think Arthur understood this. He is a good man. He truly is. As much as I want to hate him for taking my wife, claiming my son, ruining my beautiful life. I cannot. I know he is doing all he can now to make it right. What he is trying to accomplish is impossible, but if anyone can make the impossible happen, it is Arthur.

I wish with all my heart that they will arrive with good news. That Guin will be mine again. But doubt is much stronger than hope.

Galahad is the one thing that brings me joy now. We fill our days with sword training, swimming, castle duties, and chess. He seems to have the same love for pizza that Guin did. I only had it the once, right before I left to fight the dragon. Now, once a week, we have what Galahad calls “pizza night,” something he and Guin would arrange on their visits to our home.

Faina most likely kept the tradition going, even when the lady of the castle was not in residence. Pizza has become a favorite of all who reside at Joyous Gard.

As Galahad and I prepare for the King and Queen’s visit, we sit in the kitchens discussing the feast days and what dishes to serve. Pizza was never a dish served at Camelot, or so Galahad says. “I don’t think my father has ever had it. But I know he’ll love it.”

“I had my hesitations at first, but have grown to love it. I am certain Arthur will too. Let us put this on the menu for one of the informal dining nights.” I turn to Faina, seeing her nodding in approval.

“What toppings would you like on this pizza?” She asks, turning to Galahad.

“Can we do a pizza buffet? Have a variety of pies. All the pies you’ve come up with have been delicious, Faina.”

“Thank you, master Galahad. You honor me with such a compliment.”

“Mom will be so excited to eat pizza again. Maybe we should serve it every night! It’s been over a year since she’s been home…uh, here.” Galahad corrects himself, but I heard him refer to Joyous Gard as home. I cannot help but smile.

I place my hand on Galahad’s shoulder, ushering him out of the kitchens. “Now let us check on the fields and see if we can offer some assistance.”

Chapter 17

Guinevere

The embers of thefireplace flicker to life as a servant builds a fire to warm the chill of the late afternoon air. Spring is upon us, and in two weeks, Arthur and I will leave Camelot for a six-month trip to my former home to visit Galahad and Lance. To say I’m excited would be an understatement. To say I’m terrified would also be an understatement.

Lance had left so quickly after I had found out he cheated on me. Cheated seems too harsh a word, but it’s the only word I can think to use. We aren’t together, but we are still married, and he let another woman touch him. My heart had forgiven him quickly, but my mind still wanders to unwanted thoughts of Elaine and Lance together.

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