The Lost King

by Leilani Love

  She pulled the bow from her back and grabbed two arrows. Taking aim, she pulled back on the string. As she exhaled, she released the arrows, and fired them into the guards. They released the man they were dragging and fell to the ground just as she grabbed two more.

  A growl filled the air. A flash of white between the trees showed something was moving quickly causing her heart to race. “Wolf,” she whispered as it jumped over the fire and attacked one of the guards. She paused for a minute as it attacked a King’s guard. Taking aim again, she shot another arrow at the guard above the man kneeling.

  When the guard staggered back, the man on the ground rolled away, and a blade popped out of his gauntlet as he got up and quickly stabbed the guard that was closest to him. She urged her horse to the man who had been dragged, but before she could get off the animal, the wolf raced up, and her horse reared up backing away from him. She felt herself slip and she scrambled to stay on, all to no avail. With a grunt, she fell to the ground and with an oomph the wind left her body. Gasping, her eyes closed. Get up.

  As she tried to catch her breath, footsteps padded toward her. A snarling guard stared down at her. “You’ve been a problem for way too long.”

  Gritting her teeth, she considered her options. He was too close for her to shoot with an arrow, and too large to be taken down by hand. She sighed, unable to see a way out. Oh, well. At least I won’t have to marry the prince. As he pulled back his sword to stab her, a loud growl near them drew their attention and the wolf she’d seen earlier jumped on the guard, giving her a moment of reprieve.

  She rolled away and regained her feet. The cover over her hair and face fell. She looked into the eyes of the man who had saved her earlier.

  “You,” he said, eyes widening.

  She quickly fixed the wrap covering before any of the guards saw her, and then tilted her head to stare at him. There was something about him that was familiar, but she couldn’t place him. He opened his mouth as if to speak, when she whistled. Dante came thundering back. She reached out, grabbed the saddle, forcing the horse to slow down just enough for her to kick her leg over, and hop back up.

  She rode back through the forest, quickly arriving at her meeting spot with Elizabeth.

  “Everything okay?” her friend asked as she pulled to a stop.

  “My cover fell.”

  Her brows knitted together as she pulled back. “Did the guards see you? Did they recognize you?”

  She shook her head. “None of the guards, but the one who saved me did. He seemed to recognize me.”

  Elizabeth’s eyes widened, and she leaned forward touching Guinevere’s hand. “Do you know him? Was he at the castle?”

  Guinevere let out a small sigh as she wracked her brain. “No, I don’t think I’ve seen him there. He looked surprised, but I don’t think…” Biting her lip, she struggled with how to finish her sentence. “I don’t think we have to worry about him. I’m not sure why, it’s just a feeling I have.”

  Elizabeth glanced around. “We better get back to the castle before the cooks start to wake up to make breakfast for the guards. Good thing women of your status are meant to miss breakfast and sleep in late.”

  She chuckled as they snuck back into Camelot and quietly led the horses to the stables. The stable boy, Micah, was there waiting for them. Guinevere had rescued him several years ago and Bors had trained him with the animals. As soon as she pulled her horse to a stop, he rushed forward, an eager smile on his face. Elizabeth handed her reins over to him with an equally bright smile.

  “Thank you, Micah,” Elizabeth whispered, kissing him on the cheek.

  His cheeks flushed crimson as he took both horses to remove their saddles and rub them down. They crept across the courtyard, in through the servant’s entrance, and up to her room.

  Guinevere told Elizabeth to take care of herself and get some sleep. Elizabeth thanked her and went to the adjoining room. Once she was alone, Guinevere slowly removed her clothes. She loved the freedom of men’s leather breeches over dresses. They made jumping up onto horses much easier.

  Letting her hair down, she slipped between the sheets and stretched. Her mind was racing over the night’s events. When Bors found out that someone saw her he would try to convince her that what they were doing was dangerous, and that she was putting more than just her life own in danger.

  And he was right. If she was caught both he and Elizabeth would be hung beside her.

  But that didn’t mean she could sit back when she knew that men and boys were being taken. She had found out about the kidnappings by accident, during her last visit to Camelot. On a midnight ride to clear her head, she had stumbled on a group of guards who were laughing about the prisoners they were bringing in. By bribing a few of the maids, she was able to find out that the King had started taking offenders to be used as slaves in one of his mines.

  They were gearing up for war, and the King had decided they needed more weapons. Despite her father’s initial protest, Bors had taught her and Elizabeth to shoot arrows and how to handle a sword. He had even made them both lighter swords so that they could be handled easier. Guinevere decided to use what she had learned to help the men and boys escape.

  She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, trying to put the night’s events out of her mind so she could get some rest. Still, the man who had spotted her floated into her thoughts. Even though the light had been low, she could tell that he was handsome, with a chiseled jawline and full lips. His lips were easy to remember because they had parted, probably in surprise that she was a woman. She still couldn’t place where she had seen him, but the fact that he’d escaped made him someone the guards would be looking for. She hoped he was smart enough to get far away. The man was still in her thoughts as she drifted off to sleep. Apparently, she had a wedding to plan tomorrow.

  Chapter 5

  Arthur and Lancelot rode hard for several hours not slowing until they were safe from their pursuers. Even though Wulf was out of sight in the woods, Arthur knew he was close. He could always sense him in that way. As they pulled their horses to a stop, he glanced over his shoulder. “What the hell was that?” Lancelot asked, his gaze scanning the surrounding woods.

  “I can’t believe they tried to kill all those people when those riders showed up. One of those archers was a woman,” he said, his mind going over the events of the night.

  Lancelot scoffed, kicking his horse into a slightly faster gallop. “How do you know? They were covered.”

  He nudged his horse, keeping pace with Lancelot. “The archer that came back. When she fell off the horse, her covering fell off, it was Princess Guinevere.”

  As soon as the words were out of his mouth, Lancelot started laughing. “You must have hit your head when they were dragging you. There is no way a spoiled princess could ride like that. Let alone shoot arrows. Those archers were precise. The two of them and that man with an ax took out all those guards.”

  “It was her. Trust me.”

  Lancelot shook his head. “You better hope you are wrong. I don’t know what was going on, but if that was the princess and they find out that she has been releasing their prisoners, I doubt even her status would save her from a hanging.”

  Arthur let out a deep breath and rubbed the back of his neck. Lancelot was right. If Guinevere was caught, they would hang her. His mind kept reeling from the night’s events. Where were they taking those men? Why were they willing to kill them? Any why was the princess riding in the middle of the night?

  They rode to a nearby Inn. Exhausted, he could barely get the horses fed and watered in the stables while Lancelot went to secure their rooms. He finished with the horses, and then sauntered into the room. Lancelot pointed at the ceiling. “Second floor.”

  He nodded and followed his friend upstairs. The moment Arthur’s head hit the pillow, sleep overtook him. His dreams were haunted by the dark-haired beauty with sapphire blue eyes. Her skills with a bow and arrow rivaled his own.

  He aw
oke alone in the room. There was a basin filled with water on the chest near the door. With a yawn, he got up to clean his face and hands. Staring down at the browning water, there was a strange pull to get back to Camelot. He needed answers. In that moment, he made up his mind, and went downstairs to find Lancelot.

  Arthur found Lancelot sitting at the corner table with a young maid in his lap. She was a pretty young thing, blushing at the attention. He walked to the table and smiled at the girl, who quickly got up, and went to fetch him some breakfast.

  Arthur smirked at his cousin. “I see you are making friends this morning.”

  Lancelot’s lips quirked up as he chuckled. “You should have stayed upstairs. In a few minutes we would’ve become better friends.”

  He was chuckling when the maiden came back. There was a blush on her cheeks as she set down a plate of hard-boiled eggs and stew. The maiden looked at Lancelot her lips parted, a seductive grin playing on them. Lancelot returned her invitation with a wink and blew her a raspberry. She let out a giggle and walked away.

  After a few bites, Arthur looked at his friend. “I think we need to go back and see what is going on in Camelot.”

  Lancelot gave him a glare, “What do you mean you want to go back? We barely made it out last time. If those people hadn’t shown up when they did, we probably would have been in that carriage with the others...”

  He knew Lancelot was right about what the guards would have done with them. Arthur had no doubt if those people hadn’t showed up when they had, they would have also been taken. “Yesterday I heard the women talk about how things have been slow lately with more and more men being taken away. One even mentioned seeing a boy getting arrested for taking an apple off a cart.”

  Lancelot shook his head. “Those guards that were talking to you, if they see you again they will recognize you. You really want to press your luck and go back there?”

  Arthur nodded. “We need to find a way to talk to the princess and find out what is going on. I need to know.”

  Lancelot snorted. “Is this really about finding out what is going on, or is it about talking to her?”

  He shrugged. “Joke all you want but she was one of the archers. She must know something.”

  Lancelot smiled before sliding from his chair. “Tell yourself whatever you want to, my friend. I am going to see if anyone here has any information.”

  As Lancelot shuffled away, he turned around to follow his movement. His friend locked gazes with the young woman from earlier and followed her out of the room. Arthur laughed. Arthur had no problem with the maidens, but women flung themselves at Lancelot. His dark, wavy hair and long lashes seemed a favorite, and his charming smile seemed to melt even the iciest hearts. Even his own mother had giggled when Lancelot flashed her a smile.

  Alone again, Arthur knew his friend would come with him, even if he protested the entire time. Lancelot was his cousin and older than him by a few days. His parents had moved to the coast shortly after he was born, and he didn’t get to meet his cousin until they were both in their tenth summer.

  He always wondered why his family had moved so far away from his father’s family, especially since his father was close to his sister. Neither one of his parents gave him a better excuse than that they had decided it was a good time to move and start a new life. Arthur always suspected there was something they were hiding, but never pushed the issue.

  Once finished with his meal, he got up and walked outside to check on the horses and get them saddled. As soon as he entered his horse, Fury, snickered, something she always did when she decided she wanted his attention. “Sugar cube, girl?” he asked, retrieving treats for both his, and Lancelot’s horse, Duchess. As the horses licked the sugar from his palms, he stroked the side of her neck.

  They were twins and gifts from his father when they were born. Well-trained and even-tempered, they were perfect for riding.

  He brushed the horses down before saddling them. As he led Fury and Duchess out of the stables, he noticed Lancelot approaching, tucking in his shirt. “Think you are up for a ride?” Arthur asked.

  He grinned. “I already rode once today. But two won’t hurt. Lancelot paused before giving him a serious a look. “You know you are a fool for wanting to go back. If any of those guards see us…”

  He chuckled. “What’s the worst that could happen? I bet they won’t even notice us.”

  Chapter 6

  Guinevere sat dutifully next to King Edward during the noon day meal. She’d slept straight through breakfast and even now had to fight the urge to yawn. The king must have noticed because he chuckled. “I was surprised when you were one of the first to leave the ball last night.”

  Guinevere blushed at being caught. “It was all the excitement, Your Highness. I wasn’t expecting a date for the wedding. My father didn’t mention to me that you two had finalized any plans.”

  He shrugged and looked away, letting her know that her father hadn’t been consulted. “There’s no need to put it off any further. Besides, my son needs an heir.”

  The blood drained from her face. She knew what was expected of her. To save her people from war, she was expected to marry the prince and produce an heir. She would do her duty. There was no way out of it, but the idea of him touching her made her skin crawl.

  The king continued to talk about the upcoming wedding tour they would be expected to go on. Guinevere nodded, making sounds of agreement as he spoke. They were interrupted when Prince Greggory walked into the room, Rebecca on his arm. When he looked up and his eyes met hers, he excused himself, and sauntered over.

  For appearances sake, she tilted her head up for him to kiss her cheek. Under the table, she clasped her hands to keep from giving in to her instinct, which was to pull away.

  “Guinevere, what a pleasant surprise. I thought you might be sleeping in after last night’s celebration.” He took his spot to the left of the king.

  She glanced at Rebecca before giving him an overly innocent smile. “So, I see.”

  Greggory at least had the decency to blush. “I ran into Rebecca in the hall. She wanted me to express her desire to help with the wedding plans. Rebecca is really hoping the two of you can become fast friends.”

  Forcing a polite smile, she did her best to hide her outrage. “That is very kind of her. Unfortunately, I’ve already picked my ladies and I will be sending them invitations to let them know that the wedding will be in a fortnight. Hopefully they can arrive in time.”

  Greggory narrowed his eyes and his lips thinned in anger as he let out a loud exhale. His hand fisted on the table.

  Before he could reply, the king chuckled. “Greggory let her have her way for now. Besides I am sure Rebecca understands.”

  Greggory took several deep breaths. Slowly, his color returned. “Of course, I am sorry. We will discuss this later.”

  She might have smiled at winning that battle if she didn’t know she would lose the war on her wedding day. After eating the rest of her meal in silence, she excused herself and walked down the long hall, and then up the stairs to her room. When she reached the third floor she ran into Rebecca, who appeared to be waiting for her.

  “Good afternoon Your Highness,” Rebecca said, taking a step toward her.

  “Good afternoon to you, Rebecca,” she replied, quickening her steps as she tried to hurry back to her room.

  Rather than step aside, Rebecca placed herself in her path and squared her shoulders. “Did Greggory talk to you about me becoming one of your ladies? I do hope you will consider it. I would love to help you with anything you might need.”

  “The prince brought it up,” she replied, raising an eyebrow at Rebecca’s intentional slip of using his first name. “I made my choices before I left home. They should hopefully be arriving before the wedding.”

  Rebecca’s smile was cold and calculating and didn’t reach her eyes. “You may want to reconsider your decision. Greggory respects my council and I would hate for you to misstep when it c
omes to anything here around the kingdom.”

  “I will take your words into consideration. But I wouldn’t worry about me, I don’t require council on my decisions.”

  “Camelot is a very dangerous place. I would hate to see anything happen to you.” With that obvious threat, she turned and left Guinevere there wondering what the woman was up to. With a sigh, she continued down the hall.

  When she opened the door to her room, Elizabeth was standing near the window, looking out in the direction of their home. When Elizabeth turned toward her she could see the exhaustion on her friends face as she unsuccessfully tried to stifle a yawn Guinevere gave her friend a sympathetic smile, “Well, at least after the wedding you will probably get more sleep,” Guinevere said.

  Elizabeth snorted. “I will not be getting a wink of a sleep. I’ll be outside your room with my dagger in my hand, waiting for you to give me the word to come in and stab him.”

  Grateful for her friend, she chuckled at the image, taking a seat in her own chair. She leaned back and sighed. “I think Rebecca just threatened me.”

  Her friend laughed softly. “I wonder how she would feel if she knew how much you didn’t want to marry her Greggory, let alone touch him.”

  She couldn’t help but smile as she imagined Rebecca’s outrage. The woman seemed very happy to think that Guinevere was envious. To be honest, she was a little envious that Rebecca had more freedom than she did to go where she wanted. The fact that she chose to sleep with Greggory baffled her, but at least it was her choice. Guinevere had lost that choice and wondered how her life would have been different if Morgana hadn’t attacked the kingdom all those years ago.

  Her father would tell her stories about how Camelot used to be a beacon for people from all over the world. It was known for its clean streets, plentiful trade, and wise king. The queen was beautiful and kind. Guinevere wondered if his son would have been like his father? Would he have loved her? Would he have treated her the way her father treated her mother?