After Crystal moved out of the Fortress, DeBracy not only had to deal with losing his woman and son, but he also had to hear it from the other men. The Fortress was a very masculine place. And as tough as these men were, they still wanted their Ladies Fair about.
Gawain was fortunate in having his own lady, Shannon, available to him whenever he went to her home, the one he lived in part time; but he could sympathize all too well with most of the others, who were not as blessed. So it was with a hopeful heart that he went to Lady's office, when he was summoned there as special escort for a new lady to the valley.
He entered the outer office and told Tully he was there by Lady's request, to meet someone and bring her to the Fortress. Then he stood quietly and waited to see her.
The door opened and the men, Tully and Archie included, automatically rose. The woman with Lady was so obviously a Lady herself that they were stunned to silence. She was delicate and blonde, wearing a gown of lush velvet that had been in vogue when Gawain had lived outside the valley. Lady smiled as she saw the way the men fell silent, and said, "Is this what the guys at the Fortress were asking for?"
The tall knight was the first to recover. "She will be very welcome indeed at the Fortress, Lady!" Going to the young woman, he went before her on one knee, and said, "Sir Gawain of King Arthur's Court, my lady. His Majesty sends his regards; I am here to escort you to your new home."
She smiled, looking at him. "The famous Sir Gawain! Could it be possible that my humble self will actually meet the great King Arthur this day?"
"It is, lady. More than likely, both of them." At her puzzled look, he rose and smiled, "My liege has empowered me to sign papers on his behalf, if need be." He directed this last to Lady; he knew paperwork made things work in this place.
Lady laughed. "Already snapping her up, eh?" She turned to the girl. "Lady Melissa, would you like to be the Officer in Charge of King Arthur?"
Melissa seemed dumbfounded, then nodded. "What an honor!"
"Tulles?" asked Lady, but the papers were already heading for her hand.
Gawain did have to sign some papers, to show that the new arrival was being transferred to her new home; then they were free to go.
Once they got outside to where two horses were patiently waiting, Gawain smiled, "This is Classy, Lady Melissa. She's my lady's own mare; we wanted to be sure you had a gentle ride back, and Lady Shannon graciously loaned us the use of her." The little mare regarded the new woman with a soft nicker, extending her head to have her nose petted; she really was one of the friendliest horses in the Valley. Beside her, his gelding waited patiently. When he also whinnied in greeting, Gawain went on, "And this is my horse, Greygable. He enjoys greeting our new residents as well." He patted the large horse's nose affectionately.
Melissa nodded and smiled, petting both animals. She noted that the saddle was the kind used by men, usually, and she tilted her head curiously. "Your Lady Shannon rides astride? I mean no disrespect, fair knight, but. . .?"
"Yes, she does; she is a very modern young woman, although she does indulge me often by riding sidesaddle even in her jeans. I am sorry, I should have remembered to change that for you." He closed his eyes, thought of a sidesaddle instead of the one now on the horse, and in a moment, it had magically changed to a lady's sidesaddle. "There; it is now suitable for you. This place has a magic called a computer; all you have to do is wish for something to change, and it does." He looked quite pleased with himself for doing the saddle change.
Melissa's pale blue eyes opened wide as she saw this. "It is good sorcery, not black magic? Merlin, not Morgana?"
"Definitely Merlin. The computer is a benevolent force; it gives us fine weather, and as you can see, the forests are lush. The terrain around the valley is also beautiful; perhaps one of our other knights can escort you to see it, once you're settled." He held his hands in a cup, offering them to Melissa to help her mount.
"It also gives us handsome knights to help a maiden," she teased, mounting. She rode the sidesaddle like she was born to it, and he noted on the way back to the Fortress that she was actually quite the horsewoman.
When they got there, a surprise indeed awaited the two. Standing just outside the drawbridge, enjoying the air as he awaited the newest resident of his home, was a good-looking man, tall and slender with warm blue eyes. There was nothing about his clothing to indicate his status, but after Gawain dismounted and helped Melissa from her horse, he immediately went to one knee before the man and said, "Your Majesty; this is Lady Melissa, the woman I was sent to bring back." Rising, Gawain smiled, "Lady, I have the honor of presenting His Royal Highness, King Arthur of Camelot."
The other man smiled at her warmly, taking her hand and kissing it gallantly before saying, "Welcome to our home, Lady Melissa. Your rooms have been prepared in a manner we hope you approve."
"I am speechless, my liege. All the more so because I find I have the honor to be . . . your officer?" She asked the last daintily, but with curiosity, as she still did not understand SIM Valley's ways.
He laughed. "That would seem to be my honor, and my pleasure as well. Come, let us go inside; a meal has been prepared to celebrate your arrival, and the other knights that reside here are anxious to meet such a lovely maiden. My counterpart could not be here, unfortunately; his lady, Jessica, recently gave birth to a daughter, and he is visiting them just now. He asked me to give you his regards, and would be certain to introduce himself to you properly later. My lady?" He offered his arm to the young woman.
She took it like she knew how to behave; she was clearly a lady of birth, though not exactly a queen. At least, not yet.