The King's Seneschal

“Then I’ll be there,” Ceri nodded, giving Kay a small smile. She would be back before the ball ended and she didn’t actually mind it all that much. “You go be serious and important and I’ll make sure there is no disturbance in the forest.” She moved in to kiss him one last time.

“Alright then.” Kay smiled, and leaned in to meet her kiss. It was with great relucantance, and only because he knew he would see her in a few hours, that he pulled away and started back down to the castle.

Ceri smiled apologetically. “Thanks. I need to check on some things and get out of this dress. Should I meet you in your chambers later or do you want to get rest alone after the ball?” If she was going back to the castle later that night, at least she’d have an excuse to sneak in and watch Kay while working.

“I’d like to see you later, if you want to come,” Kay said with a little shrug. Truthfully, these days he alway wanted to see her, whenever she could spare him time. And that scared him a little.

Bedivere could not help but return his old friend’s smile. He could nearly imagine the conversation between Kay and Lucan as his request was fulfilled as often as Kay could and not nearly so delicately as Bedivere himself would have handled it, “I’ll just have to ask Lucan then to stand in for me and come to your rescue”

“I will no doubt need it,” Kay said with a self aware grin. After all, they both knew that his temper had gotten him into trouble with the nobility more than once - and often it had been Bedivere’s calm diplomacy that had helped smooth things over. “But I’ll do my best to make sure the court is still standing when you return.”

“Will you be angry if I won’t?” she asked. If she was to be honest, getting out of the ballroom reminded her how much she preferred the fresh air and close to no people around, it was hard to imagine having to go back. “You have to be very important anyway, I’m sure.”

“Not angry. Just bored,” Kay said with a shrug. He understood why Ceri might not want to spend the rest of her night at the ball, and was just glad to have been able to have a little time with her. “Oh, yes, very important and official. With a very smug, imperious look.”

“I’m glad I’m here too,” she sighed. At that moment, she couldn’t even imagine going back to the forest. She would, eventually, of course, but she was so content there and then it was easy to imagine it would never end. “Won’t you be missed at the ball?” Ceri wished they could stay there at least for the rest of the night but knew it was improbable.

“Eventually, yes,” Kay had to admit with a sigh that made it clear he would far rather have stayed up here with her than return. Brushing a loose strand of hair back behind her ear, he leaned in to sweep another light kiss over her lips. “I’ll go back in a few minutes.”

Bedivere knew that he really should work on his socialization more. He spent all of his time with horses and could navigate a brief discussion easily enough but he had always floundered when it came to anything more than that. Saying goodbye to those he cared for shouldn’t be so difficult and it likely wouldn’t have been if he didn’t fear it would be his last. This particular mission wasn’t too likely to bring him an abundance of danger, but that wasn’t always necessarily true. “Alright, then i’ll see you soon” he offered, “Remind my brother to take care of himself, yeah?”

“As often and as aggressively as I can,” Kay said with a smile, musing briefly on the irony of him of all people giving someone advice on their social skills. Ask the court and the vast majority of them would say that liked Bedivere far better than Kay any day. “Come back soon, or there’s a chance you’ll return to find me in jail for killing half the nobles.”

Ceri wasn’t used to this feeling. Usually, she’d have her spots, places where she would go if she wanted to be alone. But this was different, this place was now theirs and for her, it meant a sense of certainty, that even if he wasn’t available for whatever reason, she could come here and feel as if he was near. She was also sure that at some point in the future, they will find each other there when necessary. “How gracious of you, sir seneschal,” she said mockingly, nudging against him with her head gently. “I am so very honoured you decided to noble-minded.”

“I am generosity personified, it’s true,” Kay acknowledged with a solemn nod, before his lips twitched into a smile. He tightened his arms around her slightly, pulling her back against him and leaning in to kiss her. It was strange, but in a wonderful way, that just being in the same place together could make them him feel so much closer to her. “I’m glad you’re here.”

Lancelot: No, we didn’t!

“My … I don’t even smile that much.” Kay frowned in confusion at the note he had found on his desk before slow realisation began to trickle in. Oh. Was this from Ceri? It didn’t seem like something she would do, but he had no idea who else would leave him a note like this.

She leaned back to rest her head against him as he held her close. “I have to admit, I had my doubts but you surprised me,” Ceri chuckled. “And here I was, thinking I knew this place like the back of my hand.” The truth was she didn’t really look for a viewpoint specifically as she was more practical. But being here with Kay was somehow different than just simply watching the city. “I do like it, I think this should be our spot,” she pointed out.

“Well, I’m just full of surprises,” Kay said with a grin, dropping a light kiss at the junction of her neck and shoulder. He had always liked this place - felt it gave him a sense of perspective - but being her with her made it different something. More special, more intimate, just . . . more. “Well, it already is my spot. But I could be persuaded to share.”

Ceri has seen the city from probably all the possible angles, or so she thought. She’d seen it from the forest and from the hills by the forest, she thought it wouldn’t surprise her. And yet, somehow, this place made her eyes widen, just slightly, and her breathing slow down. Of course, it could’ve been affected by the company she was in, too. “Well,” she said, biting on her lower lip as she overlooked the view before them. “That is something.”

Kay watched her taking it in with a smile, happy - and a little relieved - that she did clearly like the view. It was one of his favourite places; looking down over the city always improved his temper when things went wrong made him feel proud, reminding him of everything that Arthur had achieved and all they had fought for. Coming up behind Ceri, he slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her back into an embrace. “I’m glad you like it.”

Bedivere would recognize that voice anywhere. Without turning he gave a nod, “I’ve never been particularly good at goodbyes”. Truthfully, he avoided them at all costs. Before his last quest he had left a note for his friend and brother to let them know that he had gone, just as he had done near about every time he had left them in previous years. 

“Usually the way to get better at something is to practice,” Kay pointed out, coming a little further inside. He knew Bedivere almost as well as himself and was never angry when he left his notes, but he did always feel ... a little disappointed not to seem him in person before he went. “You could just say I’ll see you soon.”