The Lady of the Lake: Chapter 1Lady Valerie waited many weeks in the gardens and castle of Camelot lost in sweet dreams of her love and learning the ways of the court. After living much of her life on Avalon, Lady Valerie had no knowledge of court rules and there was much for her to learn in order for her to take her rightful place as one of the ladies of King Arthur’s court. There were many in Camelot who mistook Lady Valerie’s innocence for childishness and only her sister-in-law and Queen, Guinevere, saw the keen intelligence and virtue in the childlike demeanour.
It was to the Queen that Lady Valerie confessed her love for Sir Galahad. And it was Guinevere who petitioned her husband to allow a marriage between his half-sister and Sir Galahad to take place.
For Guinevere too was certain that as soon as Sir Galahad would learn of Lady Valerie’s love, he would acknowledge that he loved her too. Guinevere knew that it had been Lady Valerie from whom Sir Galahad had sought assistance to prepare for his quest, it was Lady Valerie’s favour that he wore in jousting tournaments, her colour of vermillion that he chose for his tunic instead of his father’s maroon, and it was Lady Valerie that Sir Galahad had danced exclusively with at the Yule Ball. Yes, Guinevere was certain that Sir Galahad did return her sister-in-law’s love had he been able to allow his mind to conceive of courtly love.
Reluctantly King Arthur agreed to the absentee betrothal for he was not certain that his half-sister was not a simpleton. Reluctantly, Sir Lancelot too agreed to the marriage of his son Galahad. However, he remained unconvinced that the affection with which his son regarded Lady Valerie would ever become an earthly love, such was Sir Galahad’s purity. But still, he prepared for his lands at Joyous Gard to be given to Sir Galahad after the marriage.
Lady Valerie returned briefly to Avalon and said goodbye to the woman who had been her foster-mother, step-sister and friend, Morgan le Fay. She then left for Camelot taking few possessions but many elixirs, key collectable ingredients and ten of each perfect harvestable. She brought with her only two servants, her maid Bronwyn and Bronwyn’s husband, Alun.
Lady Valerie’s servants constantly fussed over her with Bronwyn particularly worried about Lady Valerie as the months passed slowly. Every bugle call that announced the approach of horsemen, made Lady Valerie’s heart beat fast in her chest. She would run to the tower of the keep and watch the approach of the horseman. As Camelot was the administrative centre of the kingdom, many horseman arrived with messages and requests for King Arthur.
Meanwhile, Lady Valerie dreamed of her first kiss from Sir Galahad which would break the curse of eternal youth. She planned carefully for their wedding and life at Joyous Gard, where she hoped that she and Galahad would grow old and prosperous together surrounded by many of their children. She reassured Bronwyn that there would always be a place for her and her husband in her new home and that her upcoming marriage would not change Bronwyn’s status.
Then one day, Lady Valerie saw that the approaching horseman wore the livery of King Pelles, Sir Galahad’s grandfather. Lady Valerie noted among the riders, the colours of Sir Bors, who she knew rode off with Sir Galahad on the Grail quest. She ran down the tower’s narrow steps and through the castle at an unseemly pace for a future lady of the court, but Lady Valerie didn’t care. She would at last have some news of Sir Galahad and the quest.
“My lady!” admonished Bronwyn, “You cannot go into court in such disarray. Come to your rooms and I will bathe and dress you fitting for attending court.”
“I must hear the news King Pelles’ messenger brings!” she replied.
“Your cheeks are red and your hair needs a brush. Nor is that dress suitable for being at court,” Bronwyn reproached. “It is not King Pelles’ messenger who arrives, but the King himself. Come and allow me to dress you for the honour of your betrothed’s kinsman.”
Reluctantly, Lady Valerie allowed Bronwyn to prepare her for court. She had just finished her hurried toilette when she heard a knock on her chamber’s door. Alun answered the knock and the distinctive voice of Sir Lancelot echoed around the small antechamber. “I must speak with the Lady Valerie.”
Valerie ran into her small sitting room and bowed low as befitting a future daughter-in-law, “My Lord” she said then lifted her head, eager to hear news. As her eyes rose she could see a distinct rigidity in his bearing, the grim set of Sir Lancelot’s jaw, and the pallor of his face. Tears welled in her eyes before he gently took her hand in his.
“My Lady, I bring you sad tidings. My son, Sir Galahad will never return from the Holy Land. Nor will many of the brave Knights of the Round Table who accompanied him.”
“Did Sir Bors bring back his urn or his tombstone?” she asked, tears silently sliding down her cheeks.
“No, my Lady, nothing remains. Sir Galahad was carried aloft not by Grim but by a choir of angels.” Sir Lancelot held Lady Valerie as she wept on his shoulder.
