Queen Of Knights by David Wind

left sat Miles.  Along the tables set beneath theirs, was a mixture of Hughes’s and Richard’s knights, ten of them to each table.  Behind the king stood his squire, and behind each of the knights stood theirs.  Gwendolyn noticed that only one of the twin squires stood behind Miles.  As was fitting, the squires were dressed in the colors of their lords.
    Gwendolyn realized that the most powerful man in the world graced her grandfather’s table.  She knew it would be a night that would be spoken of in Kildrake for years to come.
    Stepping completely into the room, Gwendolyn walked toward the table .  Conversation froze when she neared the men.  Finally, when she was within speaking distance of the king, she stopped.
    “I pray everything was satisfactory, your Majesty,” she said.
    “Would that all my subjects feted me in this manner,” he replied.
    “Thank you.” Gwendolyn bowed low before the king.
    “Chambers have been prepared for you and your knights, Sire, and pallets have been laid for your squires.  I pray you enjoy our home.  Good-night, your Majesty.”
    Rising, Gwendolyn nodded to Miles, turned, and started gracefully from the room, her heart pounding with each step.  She sensed something important would happen tonight, and hoped it would happen before she left the room.
    “Lady Gwendolyn , ” Richard called out.  Turning, Gwendolyn stared at her king.  “Please join us for a moment.”
    “Your Majesty.” Gwendolyn blushed as she gazed at her grandfather and waited.  Although the king had commanded her, it was still her grandfather’s castle, and he, not Richard, was lord of the manor.  Gwendolyn knew that Richard ’ s request should be obeyed by both her and Sir Hughes, but the request itself was fil l ed with impropriety.  This was not a public feast where men and women sat together.  She stood still for a moment, glancing at her grandfather.
    Hughes, because of his expansive mood, nodded and smiled at Gwendolyn.  She returned to the table and sat directly across from t he king.
    After she was seated, Richard exchanged a quick look with Miles.  He lifted his hand to tug at his beard before continuing.  “I have been king only a short time, and in that time, I have fought more battles than I had thought possible.  Soon I will have to return to the Holy Land and fulfi l l my commitment to the pope.  Before that, I want to unite my kingdom.”
    Gwendolyn listened to Richard while she gazed at the knights sitting at the other tables.  They all seemed entranced by their warrior-king and listened to his every word.
    “It is with this in mind that I have ridden here, to Kildrake.”
    “Sire, you wish me to renew my pledge to you?” Hughes asked.  It was not unheard of for a king to seek out individual members of the nobility and ask for a renewal of their oaths.
    “Nay, Hughes, we have no doubt of your loyalty to us.  I am here for another purpose.  I am here on behalf of Sir Miles.”
    “Sire!” Miles cut in, his voice hard as he looked at the king.  Suddenly the smoky air of the hall grew tight with tension.  Not even the sound of the squires’ feet on the rush-covered floor could be heard as the boys themselves stood frozen.  The knights stared at Miles and the king, and Gwendolyn’s breath once again froze in her chest.
    “Very well, Sir Miles Delong, speak your piece!” Richard ordered with a sardonic smile.
    An uneasy silence lingered across the boards when Miles gazed directly at the old duke.  He stared steadily at him for several seconds before glancing at Gwendolyn.  When his eyes swept across her features, his face eased the harsh planes.
    “Sir Hughes,” Miles said in a clear voice for all to hear, “I have come to ask you for your granddaughter’s hand in marriage.  “
    Hughes stared at Miles silently for several seconds before looking at the king.  Finally, Sir Hughes, Duke of Devonshire, understood the reason for this unexpected visit.  He