“Shit, shit, shit, shit!” growled Ulrich as he made his way to Perceval’s chamber. He didn’t know where else to turn for advice. There was no way he would see his Knight Commander, as the man would probably chastise Ulrich until sunrise. Even though it was late and Percival likely sleeping, Ulrich turned up anyway.
Perceval turned up in his doorway, shirtless and sleepy-looking. “It’s never good news when someone shows up at my door at this hour. Dare I ask what’s happening?”
“It’s the king. He left the castle with Drea, unescorted, and ordered me not to come.”
Perceval let out a groan, then stepped back into his chamber to drag on his tunic and boots. “Is he mad? Do you have any idea where he might be going?”
“None.”
“I have an idea.” …show more content…
He was grateful the moon shone brightly, otherwise, it would have been a challenge trudging their way through tall grasses, even with the lantern.
And luckily, spring had arrived early this year, so the temperature had grown mild and the ground thawed, so Arthur spread out his wool blanket next to the water. He and Drea sat in amiable quiet for a time, admiring the way the bright moonlight glinted off the slow-moving waterfall.
“Drea, I want to thank you for all you’ve done. I’ve enjoyed our time together, and if I can be honest, I’ll miss you. You’ll make a fine wife one day soon.” He paused glanced at her. “Why did you never remarry?”
“Many reasons,” she replied, peering at the waterfall. “The first year I was a widow, I was pregnant and terrified. After that, I needed to focus on raising Wallace. Then the fear settled around me, the fear of loss. My heart froze, if that makes sense, and I didn’t have a place in my heart for another man. But I may now; my time with you has helped.”
A mild pang of jealousy crept into his heart, but Arthur dismissed it. “Any man would be lucky to have …show more content…
“Yes, about that. Will you tell me when you’re sure about a pregnancy? And when might you know by?”
He imagined Drea, plump and beautiful with pregnancy, and sense of pride welled up within him, a sense that was instantly replaced by shame; he must not dwell on such thoughts, not if he and Guinevere stood a hope of salvaging their marriage.
She took Arthur’s hand. “I’ll know in about two or three weeks’ time. And Arthur? I’ll miss you, too.”
“I’m sorry we’ll never spend much time together after today. My wife… I love her and must focus on her needs now.”
“I understand. I need to move on with my life, too. Still, we may somehow find ourselves in close contact again. Not this close, of course, but who’s to say what the future holds? Maybe the queen and I will become friends after