Page 124 of Propriety
“Then I’ll die knowing I finally gave you a way out.” The smile that turned his lips was gentle, kind.
“I won’t let you die alone.” She whispered, tears burning at the edges of her vision.
“I look forward to hearing the tales they will certainly spin about us, my love.” He kissed her again, softly, gently, as if he held the entire world in his hands.
46
The days passed quickly, quicker than Guinevere would have liked. Especially with such an event on the horizon. She and Lancelot had agreed to spend time apart from each other in order to spin their tale more truthfully.
However… she found herself at his door in the middle of the night, desperate for his touch.
And on the nights she was strong enough not to search for him, she would find him curled around her when she awoke.
He kissed her hard the morning of the tournament, his hands gripping tightly to any part of her he could find. It felt like a goodbye, the way his lips lingered, the way he spoke her name like a prayer.
She was crying before she had time to react.
“Je t’aime.” He whispered against her skin, over and over again.
His own cheeks were stained with tears when he pulled back from her, framing her face in his hands. “I love you, Guinevere. In this world and the next.”
She brushed a loose piece of lint from his tabard. “I love you, Lancelot.” She stretched up to kiss him softly. “Thank you for digging me up.” Her voice was a whisper, as if speaking too loud would bring reality crashing down around them.
“Is there a world where I can convince you not to stand for me?” She asked, laughing through her tears.
“Not a chance,mon amour.” He kissed her forehead softly, a sad sort of smile appearing on his face.
“Go, before I refuse to let you leave.”
Her hands trembled as he turned to leave, to join the tournament with his fellow knights.
Bors came to fetch her moments after her knight departed. “M’lady.” He bowed deep, offering an arm.
They walked in silence through the halls of the castle, through the grounds and the garden, until they arrived at the tiltyard. A crowd had already begun to gather as they weaved behind the arena.
“Be good, your grace.” Bors bowed once more, and Guinevere caught a flicker of crimson tying back his hair. “It has been my honor.” And with a nod of his head, he took his leave.
Arthur awaited her on the dais, Morgana and Mordred to his left. “A pleasure, wife,” He greeted her with a sneer, “Do have a seat.”
Her fingers shook as she took her place, eyes scanning the crowds of warriors just below them. She clenched her hands in her lap, trying to hide the tremors.
A bell sounded, and the men below sheathed their weapons, withdrew their bows, and fell into position in front of the king and queen.
Lancelot’s eyes caught hers, and her stomach settled.
“Greetings, knights of Camelot, and welcome knights from far and wide.” Arthur stood, arms outstretched, as he spoke to the tournament contestants. “It is my honor to host this challenge today. A challenge to celebrate the birth of an heir. And to challenge the place ofanother.”
Her breath stuttered in her chest. She knew this would be coming. He had warned her.
“My wife, Queen of Camelot, has yet to provide an heir for the throne. She leaves me without a legacy, without a son, and without a future for Camelot.” There was a rumble of hushed whispers throughout the tiltyard. “One might worry about her eternal soul, if the Lord does not see her fit to bear a child.”
Her face flushed. She couldn’t help it. When he told her she would stand trial, she didn’t realize he would expose her supposed sins to the world.
“Is there a man, from Camelot or otherwise, that would be willing to stand for her sins today?” Her husband’s eyes never looked at her, never left the men in front of him. “The Queen needs a champion to spare her reckoning.”
Guinevere couldn’t look at her knight, couldn’t look anywhere but at her wringing hands. There was still a piece of her that prayed he would stand down, live his life without her.
“I will stand for her.” Lancelot’s voice rang out, clear and unwavering. “Today, and every day henceforth.”
