Perceval In Sir Gawain's Narrative

Gawain pressed the heels of his palms against his eyes, trying to push away the memories. If his love for Drea and Wallace remained in the forefront of his thoughts, and she did not want him, what was he to do? Clearly, drowning himself in drink did not work, and taking other women to bed to help him forget was no longer an option. What did other men do in these circumstances? Maybe he should discuss his troubles with Perceval and listen to the man’s advice for once.
Still reclining, Gawain heard the heavy footsteps in the corridor, which had to be Perceval. Perceval was light on his feet when he wanted to be, but when annoyed, he banged around like an angry boar.
Much to Gawain’s confusion, Perceval often brought up that day in Selcovia, …show more content…
“Looks can be deceiving.” Gawain pulled down the covers and stared up at his friend, who held a small brown clay bottle in his first. “Is that what I think it is?”
Perceval handed over the vessel. “Pawl’s famous hangover tincture. I thought you could use it.”
Pawl, the Court Healer and a widower, had a problem with drink for years and years until he’d recently married Lady Lindara. Now he was fit and happy, but still brewing up his tincture for those in need, like Gawain.
“Bless you, Perceval.”
Gawain uncorked the bottle, pinched his nose, and downed the thick, repulsive fluid in one go, gagging the moment it slid down his throat. However, since this was the only effective remedy he knew of, he endured.
Perceval took back the empty bottle and stuck it in his belt. “Now start talking.”
“About what?”
Perceval dropped his hands to his hips and glared.
“Oh, fine, big man.
“I met Drea a few months ago, right after that whole situation between her and King Arthur. The queen wanted me to deliver a horse to Drea, and help fix her roof. I met her son that day, and I took him for a ride. The little fellow – he’s four – claims he wants to be a knight and I couldn’t resist offering to train him. He’s a great child. I end up eating supper there most nights and…” he shrugged his shoulders “…I’m in love with …show more content…
Her neck ached, her arms burned… But this discomfort meant she was plenty busy with weaving work, which meant fewer concerns about money. And that was a constant worry – money.
Drea had learned to weave as a young girl, sitting on her mother’s knee, and after Drea’s husband died, it had been how she supported herself and Wallace for the last four years. This happened to be a busy time, which pleased her, but she remained well aware that a downturn in requests might happen at any moment.
That was one of the many reasons she had agreed to go to bed with King Arthur months ago and carry his child, to ensure she had enough resources to care for Wallace comfortably until he came of age. But that was not the sole reason why Drea accepted acting as a surrogate – hearing the story of how broken and bereft Queen Guinevere was over the fact she could not conceive touched Drea. It moved Drea to want to help, but she was also motivated for other reasons, one of which was to open her heart again in small ways. She found the king attractive, and they had shared two wonderful, passionate evenings together, and a friendship blossomed, just as she had hoped. It made her realize she possessed the capacity to care for another man, but once Drea lost the pregnancy and Queen Guinevere conceived, a dark shadow of loss cloaked Drea’s heart again. She understood the baby would be