Pat

Two years later...

I spied Lancelot across the field, sitting at the table with the other knights, enjoying a bit of food and drink before returning to the tournament. I didn't mean to startle him, but I had to approach him from behind. When I arrived at the table, those who could see me stood politely. I nodded my head at them as the rest looked around for the reason explaining this strange behavior.

"Sir Lancelot?" I asked. He whipped his head around at the sound of my voice. I smiled as he jumped up and stammered, "Your—Your Highness!" He struggled between standing in the presence of a woman and kneeling in the presence of his Queen. I solved his problem. "Walk with me?"

"Of course, Your Highness. It would be my honor." He came to my side and offered me his arm in the proper, chivalrous way.

With butterflies in my stomach, I took it and led him away from curious ears. I knew my actions were our fate, as well as that of Arthur, but there was no way around it if I wanted to preserve history. It would look as if we were infatuated with each other from a distance. The reality couldn't be further from the truth.

Aware of the eyes on us, I looked up at him and smiled. "Play along with me, Lance. I hope I can call you Lance?"

He bowed his head. "Yes, of course, Your Highness. You can call me anything you wish."

"I will be blunt," I began. "I know that, while you pursue women as the other knights do, and you've were married to Elaine, God rest her soul, you prefer the company of men."

He stumbled just a little as his breath hitched. "Your Majesty? I—"

I added my free hand to his arm and leaned in a bit. "There is no need to protest, Lance. I understand your desires better than you think."

He blinked, and I saw understanding spread on his face. I turned my head away as if he'd said something embarrassing, then laughed lightly. Now, those looking on would think we were flirting.

"You are a lover of women," he stated.

The butterflies fluttered all at once. I hadn't admitted I was a lesbian very often. "I am."

He breathed a sigh of relief.

Knowing there wasn't a way to soften the blow of what I was about to say, I blurted, "Arthur finds you very attractive."

He stopped, and I dropped my contact as it wouldn't be entirely proper to be clinging to him while we weren't walking. His jaw worked as he tried to figure out what to say.

"It's okay, Lance. I'm here at his behest. He is curious if you share the sentiment and, at great risk, wants to know if you are interested in pursuing this interest. I will, of course, deny everyone mention of this conversation as well as any relationship that might develop."

He cleared his throat. "I don't know, you Highness. It is a heady, but dangerous, thing to pursue a King."

"Well, to the outsiders, it would look like the two of us are in love. But, every moment we steal, Arthur will be there. I will, in essence, stand guard." I reached up and took a ribbon from my hair. "Take my token. Wear it during the tournament. If you wear it on the right, we will know you are refusing the offer, but wear it on the left, and we will know you agree."

"Thank you, Your Grace. I will be wearing it for the next joust."

"Good. Now, walk me back and laugh with me." I smiled and winked at him. "Tell me a dirty joke."

He turned beat red. It was endearing. But he did as his Queen ordered.

Stomach much calmer, I returned to Arthur's side.

He was as nervous as a teenager. "What did he say? Does he like me?" He leaned in my direction, and I mirrored the effort to exchange a kiss. The impersonated affection between us had become second nature over our years together. Kat assured me it looked natural and convincing. In the meantime, I had finally found the woman of my dreams and had installed her as my Lady in Waiting. Arthur was true to his word, ignoring the whole thing and encouraging my recently developed habit of an "afternoon nap."

"I think he does, but he's afraid to say so just yet. You have to remember this it is politically complicated to be the object of a King's affection."

Arthur sighed and held out his hand for me, so I slid mine into it. "I can understand that." He looked at me. "I appreciate your willingness to try and find out."

I ducked my head. "Of course, Arthur. This way, you have plausible deniability if this should go wrong." I knew that it wouldn't; Lancelot and I were destined to have a grand affair, and the only way that was happening was as a ruse.

The trumpet sounded, bringing out attention back to the field. The herald was about the announce the next joust.

"Your Highness," he said, bowing to Arthur. To me, he inclined his head, "Your Grace. I present our next pairing of knights: Sir Gawain and Sir Lancelot."

Arthur squeezed my hand. "An excellent choice, Herald."

We both watched eagerly for Lancelot to emerge. When he did, he made his answer known.

Lance sported my favor on his left arm; his interest in Arthur proclaimed to us.

Our fates, the three of us, had been sealed.

⚔♡⚔♡⚔