Guinevere (Book 1)

Chapter 8

I am awoken by a rustling noise in my room. Bolting upright and blinking into the dimly lit room, I see it's only Enid. I groan and flop back down onto the pillows, my head pounding and my stomach uneasy.

Enid hears me and cries, "Ah, you are awake!"

"That's a matter of opinion... I thought I said not to return so early, Enid. That you should enjoy yourself."

"Well, first of all, I greatly enjoyed myself, thank you. And second of all, it's not early; it's almost noon. Therefore, it's high time you got washed and dressed!"

Her voice resonates harshly in my throbbing head. "Shhh, not so loud! I'll only get up if you stop shouting at me."

Enid laughs at my self-induced pain. "I'm not shouting, my sweet. Last night must have been full of frivolity, judging by your current state. Was it all that I have heard it be?"

Last night...last night. I rub my throbbing temples to try and recollect the details of last night's victory feast; all is a little blurry. Slowly the music from the orchestra begins to repeat in my mind, then the food and drink. A lot of drinks... Then I remember dancing with Arthur, with conversation and laughter. I danced with Lancelot too, remembering how comfortable I felt with him and the ease with which we danced and spoke. The memory of the closeness between us on the dance floor makes me feel a little giddy again. Though, that could still be the wine.

I smile dreamily at Enid. "Oh yes, it was a truly amazing evening, Enid. Father was laughing and socialising. I danced with both King Arthur and his handsome knight commander...and drank rather too much, it seems."

Enid looks up at the ceiling in thought. "Which one is he again? There are so many of them."

"Sir Lancelot, of course!"

"Tall lad, dark and handsome with those lovely blue eyes?" she coos.

"That's him, yes. It appears he has recovered quite well."

She scurries over and perches next to me on the bed, eager for some gossip. "You say you danced with King Arthur too? What was he like? Pompous I suppose."

"Not at all! We actually have a lot in common and we talked a great deal. He gave me that necklace as a gift in thanks for helping his men when they were brought back here," I smile, pointing to the dressing table. "He even walked me back to my chambers; he was a complete gentleman."

Enid raises her eyebrows at me. "This King Arthur seems rather taken with you, my dear."

I roll my eyes. "You sound just like Father! I think Arthur is just overly generous."

"You call that rock 'overly generous'?" she says, pointing at the necklace. "Your mother never had anything nearly as ostentatious as that! You say you get along well, that he dances with you and then escorts you back here. I'd say that exceeds 'overly generous', dearest."

I sigh with exasperation. "He's a King of the mighty and wealthy Camelot, so I'm sure he can't help it. We're just friends, Enid."

It's now her turn to roll her eyes at me. "I forget how young you are... Think about it, just for a moment. All of these things don't seem a little...much, for the sake of just duty and friendship?"

I backtrack on all these moments from last night, as well as when he held my hand, wiping my tears from my face. Then he kissed me goodnight after escorting me back through my on Keep. Enid was right; no man would give me such attention if he were not...

"Oh my goodness! You think he was courting me?"

Enid looks up at the ceiling in relief. "Good grief, you've finally gotten it! That's certainly what it looks like to me, child."