Lady Scarlet of Camelot

Chapter 9

A harsh pounding on my door wakes me in the earlier morning hours. Isabella is not even up yet. I cover myself with my robe before answering the door. Leon and Arthur both stand on the other side, "What on earth is the matter," I hiss.

"You said you wanted a knife and to be trained," Arthur grins at me, "Hurry and dress so that I can take you to the treasure room to find one small enough for you.

Doing as he says, I join him in under ten minutes. I shot him a look when he went to say anything about how long it took me to get dressed. Instead, Leon chuckles, and we head on our way. We pass a few servants on the way, but none of them give us a second look. The treasure room is filled with different shields, armor, jewels, and gold items. After looking over a few pieces, I find a beautiful gold belt that has the Pendragon coat of arms where it meets in the middle.

A small clasp on its side draws me in. I undid the latch and give a small tug on the head and it slides out with a knife revealed. The head of the dragon acts as the handle to the knife, and the blade is about five inches long. The whole dragon is six inches in size, and the blade has a safe place to be stored. The dragon is thick enough to hide the blade but not thick enough to draw your eye to it. The delt hangs from a gold chain with circles and gold squares holding a single ruby each.

"How about this one," Arthur yells over his shoulder to me.

"Arthur," he turns and watches as I pull the blade from the dragon's body. His eyes widen in surprise, "I think this is the one."

"I agree, My Lady," Leon states, "No one will know that you would be carrying a blade."

"Do you think the royal blacksmith could make one in silver," I inquire, "Gold does not go with everything, and I will want the blade on me at all times?"

"I don't see why not," he replies. He hangs onto the blade he picked up. It is similar in size but more common looking, "Take this one too. In case you and Morgana get the itch, leave the palace alone again."

"Thank you both," I clutch onto my main blade. We exit the treasure room, "I don't ever want to be helpless like I was when my family was attacked."

This stops both men in their steps, "We will gladly show you how to defend yourself," Leon starts, "That does not mean that you charge headlong into battle."

"I understand," we continue our walk outside, "Maybe once I mastered my knife, you could teach me how to handle a sword?"

"I don't think my father would like that," Arthur stops my dreams in its track, "However, we can always see what the future holds."

Instead of heading back to the market like Morgana and I had planned we instead take a stroll around the palace grounds. The servants are too busy preparing for the feast this week's end. The one to celebrate the 20 years of peace that Camelot has had. Not like Uther had killed many innocent people or anything. Uther has even paid a well-known singer to come for the feast to entertain us.

Morgana and I can't help but giggle because every time we get near any gate that could lead out into the town, the guards seem to shift closer together and be more alert till after we pass. Arthur and a few of his knights have gone hunting today. Hope to snag a beast that would be presented at dinner tonight. They will most likely be gone till late this evening or even till tomorrow. 

Gwen leads us over to a grassy area that remains inside the castle fence. Where the knight typically train, it seems they have finished for the day, as it is empty when we arrive. Isabella and Gwen have laid out a beautiful spread of fruit, cheese, and bread for us, "Gwen, Isabella, this looks amazing," Morgana praises them both.

Sitting down on the blanket laid out for us, "You both must join us," I order, sending a playful glare at them both, daring them to challenge me.

"As you wish," Gwen's smile lights up the group.

I do remember the tales of Queen Guinevere. How kind she was and of course, her beauty. However, it goes much deeper than that. She is loyal and caring, even to people she does not know. I enjoy getting to know the person behind the legend—the poor servant girl who would become the Queen of Camelot. I wonder what Uther would say if he knew that the world would remember her name and Arthur's. 

This becomes our daily outing as to keep everyone happy. Uther, as we are not going out on the town alone, Morgana and myself as we get some time away from everything, and the knights as they can focus on their tasks. On the fourth day of us doing this, When Morgana and I start heading down to the castle entrance, Gwen stops us with Leon and a new knight that I have not seen before.

"My Ladies," she greets us, "We can't have our picnic today."

"Why not," Morgana asked, glaring straight at the knights.

"We seem to have run out of fruit," Gwen starts smiling, "so we must go to the market to get some. Sir Leon and Sir Matthew will be coming with us."

"Truly," I gasp. I love the castle but enjoy getting away from it as well.

Leon smiles, "Yes, My Lady," he joins in the fun, "We are ready to defend you from any fruit that might make you faint or attack you."

We all break out into laughter. Except for Matthew, he looks as though he is trying to figure out how to respond, "Sir Matthew is it," I ask, hoping to get him to loosen up.

"My Lady," he replies with a slight bow, "My name is Sir Matthew Robertson. I trained with your brother, Sir Jackson. We are pleased you have returned and pray for your brother's return."

"Thank you, Sir Matthew. It brings me comfort that my brother was well-liked and thought of by the men he served with."

Isabella, who had not been with us comes from behind and hands us our cloaks. They have hoods which we will be using. That way, when we leave the castle in normal clothes, people will not notice us. A green cloak covers my silver dress. I remove the white veil that covered my hair since it would catch on the hood—Morgana's red dress pairs well with her blue cloak.

"Isabella, would you please make sure that the cook knows we will be bringing more apples back for diner tonight and," I lean close to her, "there will be enough to cook and feed the knights."

"Of course, My Lady," she replies, "Do you want me to find you afterward?"

"No, check to make sure that Arthur's rooms are ready for when he returns, also, check to see if King Uther needs anything taken care of."

"As you wish."