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Spring stole over Britain, carried on the shoulders of a warm Southern wind. Even as the wildflowers blossomed in the tangles of the farmers' freshly-turned fields, so too did a bustling hive of workmen and craftsmen raise a great keep toward the sun: King Arthur's Camelot. Fair and tall it was, with banners at every tower, overlooking the wide expanses of river and forest which the new King had won back for his people from the foreign invaders. And as the magnificent walls were completed, Arthur began to think more and more of the Round Table which Sir Leodegrance of the West Country had pledged for his Knights. What greater symbol of equality and brotherhood could there be in his new land?
On a fair morning, Arthur gathered his closest Knights to him -- Sir Gawain, Sir Bedwyr and Sir Kay, his own foster brother -- and they took horse upon the western road toward Leodegrance's lands. For many days they travelled, laughing and joking with each other like siblings and reveling in the freedom their wars had bought. Everywhere they went they asked what the people thought of their new King, for Arthur himself wore no crown and looked no different than his Knights. The answers varied, but all folk in those days looked forward with hope.
As the companions entered the West Country, the season was in full bloom. Songbirds courted high in the air, the sun glowed bright through the budding leaves, and the air was sweet with the sounds of celebration for the First of May. As they travelled through an orchard at the very edge of Leodegrance's lands, the King and his Knights happened upon a wild and joyous parade of villagers. Among them was a beautiful young maid crowned in flowers -- the traditional May Queen on her white steed. It is said that the ancient procession of the May Queen assured the health of the land from the oldest times. The men alit from their steeds to make way, and with a great whoop Gawain joined in the dancing, much to the delight of the villagers. Soon they were all laughing and dancing to the sounds of pipe and tambour, and Arthur found himself standing with the golden-haired girl.
"You do not kneel before your Queen, good sir?" she inquired sweetly, a smile flirting on the corners of her mouth.
"Nay, my lady," Arthur replied with a polite bow. "I am on the King's Business, and may kneel before no Queen but his own."
The maid turned to him in interest and inquired which King sent knights into the West Country.
"Arthur... the King who led the defeat of the Saxons," Arthur said diffidently, playing the part of the devoted Knight to perfection.
At the mention of the name, the maid graced Arthur with a brilliant smile. "The Round Table," she whispered as though it were a secret only they shared. "I have heard many things about him which do him honour. But there are many Kings in this land, and it remains to be seen if this Arthur will stand out among them."
Arthur was quiet for a moment, considering the strangely astute girl beside him. After a moment, she shrugged and looked with affection at the people dancing with Arthur's Knights. She added with a sigh, "I can only hope he will remember the common people -- they are so often left out of a man's dreams of glory."
"I can assure you, milady, that the people are his highest priority." He met her intent gaze with his own. "May he choose a Queen as wisely as these folk have chosen theirs." And with that, he bowed once more and called his Knights back to their horses.
For the rest of the journey Arthur stayed silent, pondering both the words of the May Queen and the young woman herself. When they reached Leodegrance's keep, the lord of the West Country greeted them jovially and called for a great feast in their honour -- and no one could say who was more surprised when Leodegrance's daughter Guinevere, now without her crown of flowers, was introduced to the King of all Britain himself.
Arthur and Guinevere's first affinity grew into a deep companionship over the course of Arthur's stay in the West Country. When the time came for the King to convey the magnificent Round Table back to Camelot, he pledged to return in a few months' time to claim the hand of his future Queen. But none could know at that gentle parting that Arthur would not return for her, nor that the man who did could kindle in her an even deeper love
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