(no subject)

[insulaavallonis.insanejournal.com]

Who: Lancelot and Guinevere
When: I'm going to go with the 11th Century
Where: Outside of Camelot, in England
What: Lancelot is to bring Guinevere to Arthur for their wedding.
Note: Reposted as a favour



Lancelot had not long been knighted before he was given his first quest. He was now at least into his twenties. "Bring the lady to me," Arthur had said. Safely. Out of all his knights, Lancelot was the one he trusted with the new bride. Already, Lancelot had gained Arthur's favor. He intended to keep it and his oath as a knight. He was not yet indited into the Round Table, so he intended to bring the lady back and quickly. He would not delay this journey for any reason.

He would second guess that the moment Guinevere appeared before him as he waited for her. It was in that instant that he felt his heart pound unnaturally as he looked upon her face. She wouldn't dare think something of it, she would likely turn her head in the other direction. She was beautiful. So he kept quiet. It was his knight's duty to bring her to Arthur. He wasn't about to let the flesh get the best of him with impure thoughts.

He bowed taking his eyes off her. It was when he looked to the floor that he realized he could breath naturally. "My Queen."

Although Guinevere had been betrothed to Arthur for some time now, preparations to send her and her dowry had only been made over the course of the last two weeks. With her came a hundred knights and many jewels. With her came a great power the two would bestow upon their subjects and Guinevere had every intention of being a good Queen to not only them, but to Arthur as well. She had been brought up to respect her husband, to love and obey him, to trust him and to be there when no others were. That she had known him since her days as ward of Cador, Guinevere knew she could accomplish this. She had come to love Arthur, even if she saw him very little at this point. Soon it would be daily.

When the day came for Guinevere to leave her home and bid farewell to those she knew and loved most, it was difficult. But a Princess was meant to stay strong and so she said her goodbyes publicly the day before; she was afraid if she did this privately she would break down. With everything in order, Guinevere checked on every last parcel that was leaving with her. She wanted to be sure nothing was left behind, as a return trip would not be possible for some time and she could be delayed no longer.

Guinevere merely bowed her head, "Everything is in order.."

He held out his ARM for her to take as he lead her outside. "The King awaits." Looking across his shoulder he caught a better glimpse of her face. Her hair was raven-colored, deep eyes and flawless skin. She was a vision. A true and miraculous vision. Arthur was a lucky man. "I am one of his knights. The white knight." He was raised by the Lady of the Lake. "Lancelot."

He stopped releasing her arm. "Your horse milady."

It was a bittersweet goodbye for Guinevere. She was happy to be doing what she was meant to, but she was not happy to leave her home behind. Putting on a happy face was expected of her, and so she did. She took the knights arm and allowed him to lead her to where they would be departing. Her own knights had been given strict instructions: Guinevere was to ride in a carriage.

She waved a hand dismissively, "I always travel by carriage. I do not ride." It was probably more of an explanation than was needed, but he was new; he needed to understand. She walked to the waiting carriage where one of her own knights waited for her to help her inside.

Lancelot held out his arms. "I'm sorry milady." He bowed again, closing the door behind her as her knight stepped aside. Carriages were hard to come by, he should have assumed she had her own. But he could keep a better eye on her if she rode by horse. "It is my duty to be sure you get there safely. Let's hope your carriage can take the tread." He gave her a half smile tapping the side. He mounted his horse, keeping his pace the same so he could watch from the window of the carriage. "Comfortable?" he asked making a little small talk. It was inevitable, he needed to speak with her.

Guinevere dismissed it, as he clearly hadn't known before and she could see no fault in this mistake. Although she would have forgiven it whether he'd known or not; Guinevere had a reputation of being kind and gentle to her servants. "This is not the first time this carriage has traveled. It will do well." This being a new knight, Guinevere wasn't entirely certain pleasantries were a good idea. She had her maids to chat with if she felt the urge, but when she did little more than nod to his question one of the maids motioned for her to say something. "It is comfortable enough, considering we feel every jolt."

She was good at being silent. It made her come across as stubborn, haughty even. Could such a pretty face be that cold? Lancelot gave her maids a soft smile, a nod of appreciation. He'd told Arthur he would keep her safe, to Lancelot that meant every second he would be sure she was within his eyesight. It was why Arthur trusted him. No other knight would be as bold, or take this duty so seriously than the ones that were true knights of the Round Table. Lancelot may not be indited, but he was the example of utmost chivalry.

The maids giggled very softly. He was very handsome. Their lady would be blind to have not even noticed. Especially when he smiled. "Good." Lancelot replied, "When we reach the pass, perhaps you and your ladies would like a moment to step outside, get some fresh water. I can't imagine riding in such a confined box." He smiled in jest, patting his horse on the neck. He was of the mind that ladies could ride just as surly as men, but as his code of knighthood went, it wasn't up to him. Whatever the lady requested, he would follow.

Guinevere wasn't sure she liked how friendly her maids were acting right now. They were allowed to, but it was of the utmost importance that this trip be as uneventful as possible. The knights needed no distractions and while they could be heard communicating directions or occasionally making conversation, Guinevere didn't like that she couldn't heard the solace of the trail. All she really wanted to hear right now was the soft clop of hooves.

He was a strange knight, this Lancelot. It wasn't against the rules to speak to her or to her maids. In fact, it was encouraged so as to make a strong friendship between them all. Being close and strong together made the kingdom strong. But this knight was much more friendly toward a Lady than Guinevere thought he ought to be. She nodded without taking her maids' opinions into consideration. "Yes, we shall require a short break. But it must not be longer than an hour. His Majesty requires my presence as soon as possible." As she spoke she kept her eyes forward and there was even a hint of anxiety in her voice. Not so much for being wed, but getting there on time without any trouble.

His voice wasn't as velvet as hers, nor as cold. It was soft with a nice huskiness to it, only minorly abrasive. He played it off with decorum when she coldly kept her eyes forward. "I'm not sure to take the Lady's tone as instruction or coldness." His horse stopped in his surprise. "I know the time constraints milady. Arthur trusts me. So should you." He clicked his tongue to urge his horse and start his rhythmic trotting.

Guinevere looked at him now. She clearly did not appreciate his words. "It is instruction, as my knights well know. Only if we are in danger should my captain begin giving orders. We will have a rest and a drink of water, and we shall leave when I say it is time to do so." She felt as though this knight was trying to chastise her. "As such, I have only just met you, Sir. His Majesty," she said as though to show him his error of using Arthur's name, "may trust you, but it will take more than a half hour for me to know your character and whether I like it."

The maids gave him a sympathetic look, but they respected their Lady. Lancelot opened his mouth to say something in retort but he bit his tongue. It wasn't his station to be so blunt, but he couldn't help it. He gave her the bow of his head, clicking his heel against the horse to push forward. He'd keep his pace a little ahead of the carriage, but not out of his view.

"As the Lady wishes." With that comment he said nothing else, keeping his tongue held until they came to the pass, the carriage coming to a halt.

Maybe Guinevere was being a little to harsh, but for now she just felt that if she didn't keep strict time on this trip they wouldn't arrive. It was the one thing that was really on her mind now. Thoughts of home were beginning to mingle with her future with Arthur and as her maids kept watch on Lancelot, Guinevere remembered Arthur's face. It had been too long since she last saw him and the next time they met it would be their wedding day. For several minutes her mind was set on her gown, veil and jewels that had been made especially for her for that day. She had only tried it on once before leaving, just to be sure it fit. That memory hung bright in her mind and for now it was all she thought of.

Any moment of hostility, though unintentional as it had been, had passed. At least for her. Guinevere had other things on her mind for now. It was when the carriage came to a steady stop that she came out of her daydream. In it she seemed very calm and peaceful, happy. She hadn't felt that way in the days since her things had been packed away, ready for the journey to her new home. She looked up just in time to see one of her knights opening the door for her. She took his hand and stepped down. "It does feel nice to stretch," she told her maids, who seemed in agreement.

Her knights treated him with the same coldness. Neither of them spoke as if they were made of stone. Lancelot attempted to keep his mind forward. Of Camelot. Certainly, this would be a successful quest.

As one knight helped the Lady Guinevere outside, Lancelot helped her maids, giving each one of them a proper bow and smile. He shut the carriage door and followed to where the ladies set to stretch.

Lancelot could not help but look at her again, as if every pore of her face captured his attention. He hadn't looked at her so closely since she had set him in his place miles back. "Camelot is but a few hours. I trust you feel well?" The maids looked him over now. He was taller than some of their knights, darker, far more handsome.

Even if they did breathe in fresh air in the carriage, Guinevere liked to think it was better outside. Less stuffy and more open. It was likely just her mind playing tricks, but it was still a good enough reason to take a rest. She would let the knights drink and eat what they needed for the journey ahead. It was good they left early; she could tell it was only eleven o'clock and that set her mind at ease. She suddenly seemed more cheerful, more approachable.

Guinevere nodded to one of her maids, who set out a blanket for them to sit on, just as one of the knights brought their lunch over. "Thank you," she said after the basket was set in the middle. "Eat, ladies. You will need your strength today."

She seemed oblivious to Lancelot looking at her, as she had pleasant conversation with her maids and one knight who stood close by. Clearly, it meant time before she could speak openly with a knight. This one she had known many years and had been appointed captain two years before. When she heard another voice speaking to her, she looked up to respond, "Yes, I am well. This is not my first journey. Though it is my first time to Camelot. I have heard nothing but good things and I look forward to seeing it for the first time." She made a motion for him to sit. "Please, sit. I feel we have gotten off on the wrong foot."

To the other knights it appears that Lancelot was using his handsome good looks to flirt with the ladies. In actuality he was surveying the wilderness around them. Any number of situations could arise and present problems. It was his duty to make sure that didn't happen.

He gladly took the seat beside Guinevere, only waiting until she asked beforehand. Lancelot shook his head. "You were right. I am too bold at times. I wish to do right by my King. I spoke out of turn."

Guinevere sipped from the small goblet one of her maids handed her. So far the day had been beautiful; the sun shone above, the sky was clear, the birds chirped, there was a gentle breeze. It was a perfect day, if there ever was one. Being outdoors like this with her ladies was something she enjoyed greatly. And even Guinevere enjoyed the games children played around them. Now she would meet new children and learn their games. In this moment she longed for them to appear so that she might move about, but that was not the purpose of the day.

"I have known Arthur a long time. We have become good friends and I love him dearly, not just as my King but as my friend. What I hope to achieve by becoming his Queen is a united friendship among all our subjects, from those who work the fields to those who sit with us at suppertime. Forgive me if I have been harsh, but I hardly know you and although I hope to be your friend as well it will not happen in a day. Being Arthur's knight certainly helps your cause." She raised her goblet and took a sip.

"Arthur is a generous King and lucky to have such a woman." He sat back on his hands, relaxing a little while the other knights reserved themselves further away. Lancelot looked to Guinevere as she spoke, never dropping his gaze. "Then I must make it my duty to prove to my Lady that she will have no greater knight at her side than I when the time calls for it." He gave her a half-smile.

"I wasn't always a knight. I was from a French providence. Was raised by Vivian of the Lake and made it my personal goal to be one of Camelot's famous knights."

Guinevere looked pleased at his reply. "If I can be half as good a Queen as he is a King I will have done a good job." She had yet to rule any amount of land, though she had had her own subjects since birth. She knew what it meant to lead others, but she would not take the reigns without Arthur's approval. She intended to be a kind and gentle Queen who loved all. "No," she said with a shake of her head, "your duty is to his Majesty. Whatever he commands, whatever pleases him. I will make my own decisions based on your actions for the King."

Guinevere nodded once, "Knights come from many places. It takes strength and courage to do what they do and it gives me great comfort to know they protect me." She glanced up at the sun and the trees. "We should be on our way. It will take at least ten minutes to pack things back up."

Guinevere was a real tough one. He could honestly attest to never knowing a woman quite like her before. "You have a knack for putting me in my place," he stood then, offering her his hand. "Let me."

Guinevere took his hand and stood slowly. "Thank you, Sir." She helped her maids with the food and blanket. "I merely make sure that things are as they should be. Distractions, no matter how innocent, are often best to be avoided. Besides, a knight of Arthur's should always be focused on pleasing his King."

"I would never dream of displeasing him, my Lady. I've not stopped just to chat. I've been watching our surroundings." He led her back to the carriage, followed by her maids and helping them repack everything in its rightful place. He mounted his horse ready to make the last few hours of this trip a comfortable one.

Guinevere looked around as she walked back to the carriage. "Do you believe we should be more alert?" Now she was more interested in making sure they were all safe. It may be everyone's job there to make sure she arrived safely, but that did not mean Guinevere was only concerned for herself. Of course she wanted to be safe, but her knights and maids were important to her. She took her seat once more, this time watching the trees beyond.

"These roads can be laid with the unfit and those ready to rob you. I've seen no such concern yet, but I've traveled this road many times before. It is not always just pretty scenery." He headed up to the front of the carriage, keeping a steady eye and making sure there were no casualties ahead. At most he found a fallen tree which did bring them to a stop. "Tread carefully!" He commanded steadying his horse to a slow walk to check out the tree. If it had been cut then he would prefer they move hastily. Before the sun started to set.

He may need her band of knights to move the tree with rope and any available horse.

Guinevere continued watching the tree line. She was not trained in combat or tracks or anything that might be helpful in determining whether any with ill will were nearby. However, when she felt the carriage slow down she frowned and looked at her maids. They were concerned but said nothing to alarm their Lady. It was what Lancelot yelled to the others that really concerned her and she aas suddenly very an anxious.

"What's happening?" she asked one of her knights as he passed by, to which he stopped to briefly tell her what was going on.

"I need any able horse, except those hauling the carriage." He motioned to her knights, those in the front who did not like him commanding orders, but did as they were instructed. Lancelot stopped by the carriage to tell the ladies to be patient. He oils have stayed back and let her men do the work, but he was right up there with them with rope and sheer body and horsepower to move the fallen log. It had not been cut which would be a relief to all.

It was no massive tree, but put a dent in their travel time by an hour.

This made Guinevere extremely uncomfortable. She and her maids had no idea if things were really alright of if this was a trap.

Guinever, unable to sit still, stuck her head out of the window. When that wasn't enough, she stepped out. "My lady," said both of her maids at once to protest her leaving the carriage. "I'm just standing here," shesaid in return. She could now see what was going on and returned to her seat. "It looks as though it should be over soon."

Lancelot was too busy helping move the tree before he noticed that Guinevere was outside the carriage. Once the tree was out of the way enough to let the carriage pass, he mounted his horse a hopefully a final time before starting back on the trial. He needed time to rest, but instead let the other knights have a breather.

"Nothing to worry over. Just a fallen tree." He wiped the sweat from his brow. "We'll still make good time. I promise."

Curiosity was one of Guinevere's downfalls. Much of the time she liked to know what was going on, and that had landed her in less than desirable situations. Fortunately, she hadn't had any problems for some time now. And she was quite lucky no one was there to try and take her.

She glanced at him, still feeling very anxious at the whole thing. "It was no trap, then?"

"No," he said reassuringly. "The tree wasn't cut. There is nothing to be concerned about. We'll continue on this path and reach Camelot before dawn." It would be mid-day by the time they saw the castle ahead. It was like a towering fortress peaking out from the hills. It looked magnificent.

Guinevere and her ladies each heaved a sigh of relief. They even smiled and giggled at one another over the ordeal. It wasn't every day they were put into bad situations; they were under constant supervision and care. But already the trip had been shortened by nearly two hours. Guinevere wanted to tell the driver to take the carriage as fast as it could stand, but that wouldn't really accomplish anything. It would just make for a very bumpy, very uncomfortable ride.

"Well done," Guinevere said and then sat back with her ladies to wait out the remainder of the trip.

Though Lancelot had promised his King to bring the bride, the closer they came to Camelot the less he wanted to walk her to the front gate. It wasn't as if she could turn around and sneak off, it wasn't as if he wanted her to---he just felt his heart ache in a strong way.

Once inside the castle walls, both their lives were about to change in a catastrophic way.

Inside the carriage, Guinevere and her maids had all fallen asleep. The trip, though not incredibly trying on any of them, was quite long and sitting inside a carriage for a long time tended to make one quite tired. Although the maids had told Guinevere they would inform her the moment either of them saw the castle in the distance, they had fallen asleep before then and had been asleep until they were nearly there.

A sudden jolt made Guinevere return to the waking world and she looked around, bleary-eyed. "We're nearly there," she said under her breath, seeing that despite the sun had begun to set she saw the castle towering before them.