Theirbedroom, technically.Galehaut hadn't even bothered with securing his own quarters when he'd arrived at Camelot the first time, simply moved right into Lancelot's.As Captain, Lancelot had merited quite a large room, and while technically he was meant to share it with Elaine, she had spent all of her time in Guinevere's chambers.
Rumors had flown, of course, as they always did, but nobody would dare speak against Arthur's inner circle when that circle was what kept them safe and wanting for nothing in Camelot.Naysayers and troublemakers did not last long there.
How many times had he lain there waiting for Galehaut to come into the room at the end of day?The very first time he'd sprawled out naked on their bed, awaiting Gale's arrival, he'd thought at first that he'd made some terrible mistake.
Gale had simply stared for several minutes, the silence stretching on, until Lancelot nearly crawled out of the bed to put his clothes back on and apologize.He'd been so terrified he'd proven himself a harlot instead of simply a happy, eager lover.
Then Gale had finally spoken, those five words that always set Lancelot aflame.Look at you, pretty thing.
"I miss you," he whispered to the empty room."I miss you so much the pain never stops.Whatever it takes, my gentle giant, I will reclaim you."
Tournament
"Of course Morgan didn't tell us you had to pick a name for your team," Percival said."I'm astonished we were allowed to be ourselves."
Merlin replied with his sly smile, "As though I would let it go any other way.Maleagant's systems are getting better and better at resisting me, but I can still hack in to do pissy little things like make certain only the true Knights of the Round Table get to use that name."
"We are going to be mocked relentlessly, which is so unfair, because we're the real thing," Tristan said with a sigh."Life is cruel."
Arthur looked at him in amusement."Think positively, Tristan.Nobody is going to be mocked more ruthlessly than the stupid bastard coping by declaring himself King Arthur."
"That's true," Tristan said thoughtfully."I doubt anybody remembers me anymore.I hope they don't, because those stupid ballads got literally everything wrong.Why were they so popular?"
"They're still popular," Merlin said."There's a really popular web play, with an X-rated version, and—"
"And nothing, I don't want to hear it.Never tell Iseult about it.My beloved does not need to be afflicted with such terrible abuses."
"Iseult is filthier than a whole ship of pirates," Percival retorted.
Tristan shot him a look that was equal parts amusement and affection.Lancelot had never confirmed it, but he was fairly certain there was friendly bedhopping between those four."Enough," he finally said."I don't want to hear all the directions this conversation is likely to go.We're nearly there, so focus."
"Play the role, ham it up.Be yourselves as aggressively as possible.Make them call us riff so many times the word loses all meaning," Arthur said."We want Ethelfleda to be unable to resist coming to investigate and take the opportunity to catch us, no matter how obvious the trap seems."
Tristan and Percival exchanged fistbumps.They were young, only in their early twenties, and Bran would be right there with them under normal circumstances.The age where things like tournaments were still exciting, and the adulation of a crowd more irresistible than a mountain of gold.
When this nightmare was over, Lancelot would do everything in his power to ensure they got their moment in the sun.Got to havefun.How, he didn't know.By the time they were done, they'd all be destitute, but one problem at a time.
The tournament had multiple competitions of course, but as it turned out jousting against centaurs proved to be the star of the show.Tristan and Percival had claimed it eagerly.They were welcome to it.Lancelot and Dred would be doing the hand-to-hand combat, and Arthur and Galahad would be doing the archery.
"Can't wait to see you get knocked on your ass," Galahad said cheerfully."Centaur will send you flying at least ten yards."
"Fifteen, easy," Dred said.
Percival, true to form, replied, "They won't even unseat me."
"Bet," Dred replied immediately.
Lancelot rolled his eyes and tuned them out as they bickered over stakes, which were likely to be something beyond absurd.Their last bet, just a month or so before things had gone from bad to worse and nobody had time for any but the smallest, slightest joy, had entailed one of them wearing gowns for a month.
Sadly, Lancelot had not been around to witness it, but apparently Dred had managed the look as flawlessly as Guinevere herself.
Arthur moved to ride beside him, leaving the others to their mischief.In the back, Gawain, Merlin, and Morgan continued to refine their plan for laying the wards."They do remember that Sir Lancelot du Lac was good at stealing the show, right?"
"I donotwant to talk about it," Lancelot grumbled.He never wanted any attention.He was happy always a step back, trusted to execute the orders given to him and otherwise left to his own devices.More than a few people had accused him of wanting to take Arthur's place, but that only proved how little they truly knew him.
People had ever been fascinated, often morbidly and obscenely, with the mysterious man with power over water who was ever at Arthur's side, his right hand dispensing justice, while Merlin, his sly left hand, worked mischief from the shadows.
So often wherever Lancelot went, he drew attention.People whispered his name, approached him brazenly with rude questions, showed up naked in his room—that, thankfully, had stopped once Galehaut had terrified enough of them—and challenged him to duel to prove things Lancelot had never entirely figured out.Always people wanted to challenge Sir Lancelot du Lac to a duel, put him in his place.The only people who could best him in a duel were Arthur, Dred, and Galehaut, and he beat them nearly as often.
