With Lynette I had been happy. For those few days of riding with her, my burden of fate had lifted from me as if it had never been. If she would be my lady love . . . if this blessing could be, then King Arthur would live to be old and die in his bed. I would put away my sword and spend my days sweetly in love with Lynette.

Well-rested, my horse ran willingly. Gull ran happily beside me, her tail cutting a white smile in the air; when she grew tired, I carried her on the saddle before me. Knights challenged me; I declined them and galloped by. I was no longer afraid of being called a coward.

In a mere three days, as quickly as the steed could carry me, I cantered up to the gates of Tintagel, amid the roar of the sea crashing on the sea cliffs below the towers.

I got there just at sunset. The portcullis was being cranked down, but the guards halted it for the sake of the bold Knight of the White Brachet.

Two other knights arrived just as I did and rode in with me, fine strong knights in handsome armor. Their horses shone as if they had ridden but a short distance, even though it was late in the day. They bore shields argent, a canton gules, with eagles: the device of Lothian.

“Well, Gawain, my brother, and Garet,” I greeted them.

In their helms they turned as if they were hooded hawks, lifting their visors to stare at me. They had taken me for a weary old knight-errant in hacked and battered armor, but now they saw that I carried Gull in my arms.

“Mordred?” Garet sounded incredulous.

I lifted my visor so that they could see my face.

Garet stared. “You’re scarred. Have you finally learned to fight, then?”

Before I could answer, or think of an answer, Gawain began to laugh. “Mordred! Have you come to visit our lady mother?”

“Yes,” I said, which was partly true; I knew I would not be able to avoid her.

“Well met! Our lady mother seems much courted these days. We must visit her together.” He rode across the inner ward to the keep, where he dismounted, but instead of sending his horse to the stable he told the boy to hold it for him. Garet did likewise. I wondered why, but did not ask. My thoughts were all for my lady love as I sent my weary steed to the stable and followed Gawain and Garet into the great hall with Gull trotting behind me.