Page 43 of The White Enchantress

“You have no idea.”

“I think I might have some idea.”

“I apologize for not speaking to you sooner. I was unsure where your heart lies. Now I know it is open. Will you let me try to fill it?”

“Yes,” I say without hesitation.

Thoughts of Josh attempt to pry their way into my mind. I push them away, making room for Lance. He is the one who is here with me now. And though it isn’t Josh’s fault that I fell through time, I cannot wallow in ‘what ifs.’ I need to live the path set out for me here. And that path is Lancelot.

Chapter 21

Lancelot

Using all my willpower,I am able to stay strong and turn down Guinevere’s offer to accompany her to bed. Though as I walk back to the great hall, my mind is still with her. I imagine what I would have been doing to her had I stayed. After drowning her in more ferocious kisses, I would take my time undressing her. Pulling the strings on her dress to loosen the fabric at her waist. With a finger on her shoulder, I would tug at her dress, revealing the soft pale skin underneath. My lips would follow my fingers down to her exposed breasts. With a flick of my tongue, she would moan in delight, looking down at me with those dark green eyes. Looking into Guinevere’s eyes is like losing my way in a forest. I do not want to find my way out. I want to wander deeper into the dark green trees.

Arthur gives me an all-knowing smile when I re-enter the great hall. I must look like the drunk-in-love fool I am. I have been so long without the warm touch of a woman. Guinevere’s touch is fire. She nearly consumed me with it.

“Lancelot, my friend. Where is your drink?” Gawain asks, pulling me out of my trance.

“Most assumably, someone else has finished it for me.” I left in a hurry when I noticed Melwas sneak out to follow Guinevere, leaving my drink and supper on the table where I had been sitting. At the thought of King Melwas, I look toward his brooding corner. He is not there, nor are his men.

“Where is Melwas? Did you see him return to the great hall before me?”

“I did notice his menacing figure storm into the hall. He approached his men, who seemed rather unhappy with his commands.” Gawain’s face became serious at hearing the panic in my voice.

“Where are they now?” I ask, trying with all my might not to yell.

“They left. Lancelot, what is it?”

“I must check on Lady Guinevere. I fear Melwas is up to no good.”

“I am coming with you.” Gawain takes one last swig of his ale, slamming the beaker on the rough wooden table before pushing himself up. “But you must tell me what occurred in the hour you have been gone.” Turning to the men at the table, he shouts, “Bedivere, Gaheris, Perceval, with us.”

As we run to the keep where I hope Guinevere is sleeping soundly, dreaming of me, I recount to Gawain what had happened in the chapel. How Melwas attempted to force himself on Guinevere again. The anger I felt radiating from his body as he stormed out ofthe chapel without his prize. I also explained to Gawain that I had escorted Guinevere back to her quarters, leaving out the details of our kiss and her invitation to join her in bed.

We sprint up the stairs, out of breath as we approach Guinevere’s door. It is propped open. My chest pounds rapidly and not from the strenuous exercise my body endured from the long run here. I push the door open, whispering Guinevere’s name, begging the gods for her to reply. But I know she is gone.

When I left her door earlier, I heard her bolt it behind me. Though the bolt is still intact, it is obvious that someone forced their way inside her bed chambers. She fought, throwing whatever she could find at Melwas to stop him.

Gawain instructs the men to find King Melwas, or any of the men from the Summer Region as I walk over to Guinevere’s bed. The bag she carried with her from Avalon is open on the ground. Her belongings are scattered. I quickly put everything back in her pack, picking up strange objects unknown to me. Though I pretended not to notice, I had seen her use a shiny object that produces a strange, ethereal light. She said she was not a witch. I believed her, though only slightly.

“What is that?” Gawain points to the metal lining that closes up the bag.

“Guinevere called it a zipper.” I quickly use the zipper to block Gawain’s view of the mystical items inside.

“What will you do if we cannot find the lady within the castle?”

“I will go after Melwas. I will kill him.”

“Arthur would not condemn such an act of violence. But if Melwas kidnapped the White Enchantress, the keeper of the sword Excalibur, he would understand. Let us not waste any time telling him what has happened. I will rally the men. We will follow you, Lancelot. But tell me honestly, do you love her.”

“Yes,” I say without hesitation. Neither of us are surprised by my confession.

“I will have our horses readied now and gather what men I can find still clearheaded enough to ride.”

“And I will go to the south gate, confirm with the guards that Melwas and his men have taken that route home. If you are not at the stables when I get there, I will not be able to wait for you.”

“Do not worry, brother, I will catch you up.”

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