Braver than Knights

Chapter Four: Camelot

Before they can respond, I charge the horse in the direction of the castle. You could see it from where we were. I here hooves charging the ground behind me. I look to my right to see Joshie has caught up. He looked different. His slightly shaved beard, brown short hair, hazel eyes. He chuckled and pulls ahead. I catch up. Still has that competitive streak that I remember. The town at the foot of the castle is in view. We stop our horses. The others catch up. The town. Civilization. I gulp. "Osh aye! Don't be nervous!" Steve said. "So many people..." is all I could muster. They dismount their horses. I do the same. We enter. My bow and arrow case tucked under one arm, I take a deep breath. We lead our horses through the crowd.
We finally get to the castle. Two men run towards us. "Well, look who the cat dragged in! Where have you been?" The one on the right said. He notices me. "Pick up a special package on your way back?" He says. "Hush! Geez, Jake! How nosey must you be?" Joshie said. "George Slat at your service." The other said, bowing to me. I curtsy. "Madeline Skylark." I return. They step back. "You found her?" Jake said. "Uthur will go nuts!" George said. "Come on!" Jake said. George tries to take my case, but I jerk it back. "My my. Someone's touchy." He says. They lead me through the castle to the throne room. "Stay here." Joshie said. They enter, and I stay. After a few minutes, George comes to get me. I take his hand and we enter. The huge throne room was just as I remember it being. Red velvet walls, red velvet curtains, black marble floor, and two wooden thrones with red velvet cushions. Two men were siting in the thrones. The one in the larger one was the king. His brilliant golden crown on his gray head told me so. The one on the right was fir the prince. His dirty blonde hair and emerald eyes and freckles made him hard to forget. The prince stands, looking shocked. "Madeline?" He said. I remember him. "Arthur?" I say. "Madeline!" He says. He runs to me. He looks at me. Our eyes lock. "Son?" Uthur says. I come back to reality. "Oh, Arthur." I curtsy. "I'm sorry for being so rude, Your Majesty." "Calm down with the formality. My coronation is this Friday." He says. "Is it her?" Uthur asks. Arthur turns to his father. "Yes sir. It can only be Miss Madeline Skylark." He says. Uthur walks over. "Aye, it is." He puts his hands on my arms. I hold my case with both hands. "Welcome back to the court, Miss Skylark."