As King Arthur took my hand, I couldn't help but feel a shudder of revulsion run through me. I forced a smile onto my face as the music began to play, announcing our arrival into the banquet hall. The room was imposing, with high vaulted ceilings adorned with gilded detail and walls decorated with tapestries. Long tables were laden with food: greasy, charred meats, fruits, and stale pastries. The stench lingered, pungent and nauseating all at once. I found human food disgusting in comparison to the delicate fae meals.
We made our way to the main table, where King Arthur pulled out a chair for me. As I sat down, my mother, Lir, took her seat next to me. She gave my hand a reassuring squeeze, knowing that this was a difficult time for me.
"You did well, my dear," she whispered softly in my ear.
"Thank you, Mother," I murmured, trying to sound grateful despite the turmoil inside of me.
I was dreading to start a conversation with King Arthur, with whom I had never spoken. Fortunately, Arthur was immediately swarmed by other human nobles who wanted to congratulate him and he left my side without so much as a second glance, completely ignoring me.
I tried to force down some food, but it was hard for me to stomach anything, so I observed my surroundings instead. The fae from Avalon were scattered throughout the room, their ethereal beauty standing out among the humans. They wore dresses made of shimmering fabric that seemed to change colours as they moved, and their delicate features glinted in the candlelight. Their eyes held a mix of curiosity and caution, each one keenly aware of the potential danger in every interaction. Facing them were the humans from Arthur's territories, easily recognizable by their more practical attire and hardened expressions. It was clear that they did not trust these magical beings, and I could practically feel the tension crackling in the air between the two groups. Their interactions were stiff and formal, the threat of violence simmering just below the surface.
I was focused on the music, one of those raucous songs humans enjoyed, when my attention was suddenly drawn to a commotion near the entrance of the hall.
"Watch where you're going, fae scum!" a burly knight with blonde hair and a thick moustache snarled, shoving a fae noble who had accidentally bumped into him.
"Don't touch me!" the fae noble hissed, his eyes flashing with anger as he shoved the burly knight back. The tension in the room spiked as both groups watched the exchange.
"You don't belong here," the knight sneered, gripping the fae's slender wrist painfully tight.
The fae, his silver eyes flashing with defiance, yanked his arm free and snarled back, "We were invited, human. Show some respect."
"Enough!" I thought, my heart pounding in my chest. But before I could intervene, the knight unsheathed his sword, its steel gleaming menacingly in the dim light. The room held its breath, waiting for blood to be spilt.
"Put that away!" A new voice boomed in the hall, commanding everyone's attention. A handsome knight with auburn hair and emerald green eyes strode confidently towards the knight with a moustache, his gaze locked on the enraged man.
"This is Arthur's wedding, not a battlefield. Do you really want to spill blood at his feast and dishonour him and his new wife?" The blonde knight hesitated, breathing heavily, his grip on the sword wavering. The auburn-haired knight placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, urging him to calm down. "Here," he said softly, taking a goblet of wine from a nearby table and offering it to him. "Let us drink to the health and happiness of their Majesties instead," he suggested, guiding the still seething knight towards another table, as he accepted the goblet. They walked away and the tension in the room began to dissipate.
"Thank goodness," I whispered under my breath, my heart rate returning to normal. I couldn't tear my eyes away from the auburn-haired knight who had come to the rescue. There was something about him that captivated me. "Who is he?" I wondered, silently admiring his poise, bravery and grace.
"Your Majesty," my mother whispered in my ear, "that is Sir Lancelot, one of King Arthur's most trusted knights," she said as if reading my mind.
"Sir Lancelot," I repeated, the name rolling off my tongue like a secret. As if sensing my gaze, he turned and our eyes locked for a brief moment. My breath caught in my throat, and I felt a flush creep up my cheeks.
I scolded myself internally, tearing my gaze away from the charming knight. But even as I tried to return my attention to the feast, my eyes landed on him once again. He was strikingly handsome. His face was well groomed and his chiselled jawline held a hint of stubble. His green eyes sparkled with intelligence, and there was an aura of grace and nobility about him. He wore a simple green tunic embroidered in gold that accentuated his tall, muscular frame. I was almost certain that he must be a prince from Avalon - the most handsome human or fae I had ever seen.
"More wine, Your Majesty?" A servant offered me to fill my goblet, but I waved it away, my stomach churning at the thought of drinking in celebration of my own defeat.
To my dismay, King Arthur returned to my side, a satisfied smirk on his face as he surveyed the room. The Knights of the Round Table soon surrounded him, their boisterous laughter and energetic conversations filling the air. Sir Lancelot was among them. He locked eyes with me across the table and his lips tugged into a coy smile as he raised his goblet ever so slowly, and I nodded in recognition. But even as my heart fluttered, I could not forget that Lancelot was one of the most trusted among King Arthur's men. No matter what our exchange meant, I could never trust a knight of the Round Table. I couldn't help but resent them for their role in the fae's humiliation and subjugation. They were powerful men, loyal to Arthur, some wielding magical artefacts stolen from fae during the war. King Arthur himself had stolen Excalibur from the Lady of the Lake.
"Enjoying the feast, my queen?" one knight asked me with a cheeky grin, raising his goblet in salute.
"Indeed," I replied through clenched teeth, forcing a smile as I took a bite of food that I forced down my throat.
Just as I felt my frustration beginning to boil over, sweet, otherworldly music filled the air, instantly calming me. Fae musicians from Avalon had taken the stage, and my heart swelled with nostalgia for my homeland.
"Guinevere," my mother whispered, "It's time."
I swallowed hard, suddenly recognising the melody and realising what she meant. "The Lovers' Dance," I thought to myself. This ancient fae tradition was meant to bless newlyweds with love and happiness. My mother had insisted that Arthur respect our customs.
And so my mum, Queen Lir, approached King Arthur, her regal presence commanding the room. "Your Majesty, it is time for you and Guinevere to perform the Lovers Dance," she said, her voice firm yet gentle. "It is an important tradition among our people, and we ask that you honour it."
Arthur hesitated, glancing at me before sighing in resignation. "Very well, your request shall be granted as agreed."
"Thank you," my mother whispered, squeezing my hand reassuringly.
Reluctantly, Arthur took my hand and led me toward the musicians. The Lovers Dance was a sensual, intimate display of love and unity between partners. The mere thought of performing it with Arthur made my skin crawl, but I steeled myself, unwilling to let my emotions show.