Short Story: A Humorous Wedding

Words: 1290
Pages: 6

“Sire?”
“Yes, Lionel?” asked Arthur, giving his horse and rubdown in the castle stables and purposely avoiding going upstairs and into his shared chambers. He needed time to collect himself before he faced Guinevere. Apparently, the hours-long ride home had not been enough.
“I hate when people ask me what’s wrong constantly,” said Lionel, giving Arthur’s horse a friendly pat, “but if something is wrong and you need to discuss it, I’m here. I’ve served you from the beginning and your father before that. I am loyal to you. That’s all.”
A part of Arthur wanted to tell Lionel the whole sordid story, but he’s already shared it with Perceval and Ulrich, obviously Gawain knew… more than enough people were aware of the goings-on.
“I’ll consider it,
…show more content…
“It was nothing!” she cried. “Please, it was only a couple of times just to be sure. I didn’t enjoy it.”
“That’s a lie,” he croaked, unable to find his usual voice, his entire body trembling now, the gorge rising in his throat.
“No, please.” She sobbed hard now. “I love you and want only you. It’s your touch I crave, no one else’s. That’s the honest truth. Please don’t go…”
“I can’t… I can’t even look at you.”
He ran from the chamber and out of the castle as if his life depended on it. Fortunately, Arthur made it to a secluded spot in the gardens before he bent forward and vomited. After several long heaves, he stood up and wiped his mouth, carefully considering if he should go back upstairs and kill Gawain, or go to the Cup and Sword and get blind drunk. For the moment, escaping into blind drunkenness sounded more appealing, so he rushed his way through the cold, dreary afternoon to the tavern.
At the entrance in what seemed like moments later, Arthur drew his cloak around his face and walked inside. When he concealed his face like this, residents understood that meant he wanted privacy, and most would leave him alone. He made his way to a table tucked in the corner, grateful this was a slow time a day and only another few patrons were there, and they paid him no