waits at his hostel for Guinevere’s party)
To the Knights and Ladies;
The religious festival, “Feast of Whitsun at Winchester” has
arrived and our illustrious Arthur has finished reviewing the past year with his
accountants, and on bridging those individuals’ discrepancies with the clergy. I
know of this festive celebration because I’ve attended many, and after, left
only with a smattering of the gala’s spiritual wealth. This year I expect
Lancelot will be the celebrity of the celebration. Sir Perceval and Galahad
should be receiving their accolades for noble actions too. At this festival,
Arthur shall again bestow his/ and the kingdoms gifts upon his Roundtable
Knights; moreover, and as usual the counts and barons shall also receive their
fair share. I hope that the event goes as well as it has in previous years, I
have a hunch it will.
Again, I wait for the party and wonder about that merrymaking,
and how it will affect the Ideal of the
Roundtable, myself. Although, mine treatment to date, then/ as now being
expressive of those with less, I’m still cheerful. I am hopeful things will
change. It has given me strength, and as a witness to past gift giving, the
festivals have bestowed awareness. I know if my intuitions are right, Arthur and
his (extra, ha-ha!) knights will be expecting me at this feast, to attend and
lift their gratuitous spirit with a story. It has been my providence to know
whence my presence is most desired by their company. Also, I still hope the
Roundtable Knights are not too curious about my past vows of poverty. My recent
display of kingly generosity most likely has brought their mind to that
otherwise less known secret. I must keep Arthur’s spirit alive; furthermore, let
none know too, of my newfound lady and her generous love. She will cease to be a
part of my life, if anyone finds out about her.
*(Gawain and his entourage converge on Lanval’s hostel, and beg
him to go to Guinevere’s party. Lanval finally arrives at the party.)
You would have had to have been there to believe the amount of food, wine, and grog
that was being served at Guinevere’s party. In amount I cannot remember such
abundance at an occasion. The women were beautiful, and the other charged
Knights stoically waited for their favors. I ducked out, and kept a fair
distance from the festivities. A little later, and by chance Guinevere came over
and we talked; furthermore, and to the point about making love. I demanded she
let me go, and told her that I would not betray Arthur. I was later arrested for
propositioning the Queen, but realized it was for my knowing a fairer more
attractive women than her. I was finally overjoyed when my beloved (lady)
sauntered into court, because it was the prerequisite for my being freed from
protective custody.
(After, Lanval reflects on the future King Arthur’s Court)
It all kind of fits and falls into place, my destiny it was inevitable, my arranged
meeting with the fairy lady too. Now, my strength in character comes from
knowing that what was most important in my life King Arthur, and being a Knight
has been battered, and it steers with the blustery weather towards a new quest
of recapture, one reminiscent of the true spirit of my younger
days