Wandering after my Flower [Lancelot]

[neav]

Neav gazed thoughtfully at the knight, not realising that it could be seen as rudely staring. Sir Lancelot du Lac had actually gone backwards in his journey simply to escort a stable-boy back home. Gillyflower stopped walking and also turned her head to regard the knight. The effect of the double stare was almost comical!
Neav had assumed that when Sir Lancelot offered to escort him that his was travelling in that direction anyway.
He must be sick of me, Neav thought. First I have to be saved from a boar and now he has taken me in his reverse direction.

But why did Lancelot think he would not be welcome in Camelot? Maybe he had a fight here once, with someone important... but Lancelot seemed nice. It was funny to imagine him fighting.
Idiot, Neav told himself, realised how silly his last idea had been. He's a knight. Of course he fights! Killing people is his job.

It was then Neav noticed that he was staring. Quickly he dropped his gaze, embarrassed. The mare Gillyflower lowered her head to nose the grass, for all the world as though she were embarrassed herself.
"Oh, no sir," Neav said quickly. "Of course I cannot ask you to go anyway you'd be unwelcome." Though he would have liked to ask why Lancelot was so sure he would not be wanted, Neav did not. He had been rude enough already.
"And... thank you. For saving my life." Neav looked back up, icy eyes bright and earnest. "I owe you the deepest of debts." He did not know how he could ever repay such a debt.... He was only a stable-boy, and not a very brave one. But one day he hoped that he could.

[Deleted]

Lancelot had come to the realization that Neav not only didn't talk to people much, but did not have many of the basic social graces, even that most of the peasants might have. He did have a tendency to stare or do an obvious double-take. At the end of Lancelot's little story, he noticed that he was getting the long stare from the young man, and he wondered what he could have said that caused this particular reaction.

"Neav ..... is there something wrong?" For all of the boy's lack of social interaction skills, he could definitely hide whatever true feelings he had quite effortlessly behind a mask. Lancelot had learned fairly quickly that neither his face nor his eyes would betray very much. As a result, Lancelot wondered exactly what was on the young stable-boy's mind.

As a result of Lance's wondering what Neav was thinking, and looking at his eyes, trying to discern some clue, he found himself staring at the lad. Lancelot was unsure if it was a reaction to his staring at Neav, or Neav realizing he had been staring at Lance, and he dropped his gaze. Probably in an effort to say anything to break the silence, the boy answered Lancelot's comment about returning to Camelot.

"Well, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to drop you off at the stables. Then I could just be back on my way. Its not that far off up ahead anyway, eh. Saving your life? Think nothing of it. I was glad to be of service. If a knight cannot do that, at least, we wouldn't have much of a useful purpose. Besides, I had been needing some practice with my bow," he smiled.
"There is no debt to be re-paid. I was merely doing my duty as I saw fit to do it. I just wouldn't mention that you've seen me to Prince Arthur or anyone else up at the castle .... all right?" he winked.

[neav]

Neav gave a small smile as Sir Lancelot once again broke into a flow of talk. He was beginning to get used to it now. He was almost glad for it. The long speech gave time for the embarrassment to cool from his cheeks, and he gave the slightest pressure on Gillyflower's reins. The mare knew at once what he wanted and lifted her nose from the grass. The smile stayed on his lips because Sir Lancelot had decided he would come to Camelot after all.

Though Neav was getting used to the knight's flow of speech, he was not used to all the ideas that were being put before him. He had not known that a knight's duty was to save people's lives. He had always supposed their job was to kill anyone who looked like they might hurt the King.

"I can find water for Sher-Fore at the stables," Neav said, his own way of showing his gladness that the two would be with them a little longer. "Food and rest too, if he wants it. And..." Neav continued, suddenly shy again. "Of course I will tell no one. If it is what you want." No matter what Sir Lancelot said his duty was, Neav still felt he owed him a huge debt. So he would have done far more for the knight then just not tell anyone.

Neav asked Gillyflower to move forwards, to head back to the stables. He was wondering if he dared to ask about the nature of the duty of a knight. He could not help feeling that Sir Lancelot must have got it wrong. All the knights he knew seemed far to important to bother with the life of a stable boy.
Neav glanced sideways at the Knight, and decided that he did dare.
"I... I always thought..." Neav began softly. "That a knight's job was really to protect important people. Not to bother with stable-boys...?"

So asked the question as best as Neav could manage.

[Deleted]

Once again, Neav had fallen into silence, as they approached nearer and nearer to Camelot. So, as he had done before, Lancelot filled the void of silence with words ..... places he had been .... battles he had been in. The one thing that he tried to thread through his monologue, were the horses he had seen and ridden. He saw the small smile begin on the boy's cheeks. It was as if he was more than willing for Lancelot to entertain with words, so long as he did not have to contribute anything. Of course, Lancelot continued to be amazed how the horse Neav was on seemed to change direction without any physical command to do so.

Lancelot wondered, though, just how much Neav wanted him to travel on to Camelot with him. In fact, did he simply want Lancelot to go away at this point? He didn't think he did, but he did wonder whether he seemed to be more agreeable to the story-telling than he was to the knight himself.

"That would be well and good," Lancelot said. "I would be a poor companion and friend to my horse if I didn't try to supply his needs when I was able, even though it has been a short time since we have left Camelot. I am glad that you are concerned for him." Lancelot wondered if he did not care more for the horse's welfare than for the knight's. The boy almost acted insulted when Lancelot had indicated that he wanted nobody to know, especially among those who dwelt in the castle, that he was back in Camelot, even for a short time. "Yes .... that is what I want."

As they moved through the gates and toward the stables, Sir Lancelot, got the distinct hunch that there was something that Neav wanted to say or ask. If left alone, Lancelot figured that it would eventually break through the calm and quiet that the boy projected. Even though it was obvious that he did not like to speak, Lance was sure that on the right subject he could speak without much hesitation, besides horses.

Lancelot did not have to wait long. He listened to the boy's full comment and question, before responding. "Yes .... depending on which kingdom you serve ..... that is a prime function. However, a knight not only serves a monarch, or a group of nobles. He serves the whole of the kingdom, and it is his duty and responsibility, as long as it is within his reach and power, to safeguard all of the members, from the very highest, to some of the lowest. Besides, I think stable-boys are among the most important. Don't you?," he asked with a broad smile.

[neav]

This story-telling was new to Neav and he simply lapped it up. None of the men he worked with had much inclination to story-tell. Some of the younger grooms were boasters, and though Neav listened to their self-praising tales he did not enjoy them.
And if someone accused Neav of liking Sir Lancelot's stories and stallion more than the knight himself, he would have to agree. The boy had no practice in actually liking people.

He was glad when Sir Lancelot said he might care for Sher-Fore and grinned happily at the stallion. It was what he wanted since they had met! But as Sir Lancelot explained a knight's true role, the smile shifted to a small frown. It was different to how he thought it and a person could not change their ideas all in a moment.
Then Sir Lancelot said with a wide grin that stable-boys were most important. Neav gave him a quizzical glance? Was he teasing? He could not be serious.... Neav sighed. It was so hard to guess the meaning behind a person's words.

But he was saved having to find an answer by their arrival at the stables. At the sound of hooves, the head groom came rushing out. His brown eyes looked hassled as he took in the two riders.
"Sir Knight!" he bowed to Lancelot, and then turned to Neav as the boy slid from his horse. "You need to teach this mare not to bolt when she looses her rider! And see to the Knight's horse at once." No thanks for catching the runaway, but Neav did not expect it.
He darted over to hold Sher-Fore's reins so Sir Lancelot could dismount. Neav gave the knight an apologetic grin. He knew this help was not needed, but the boy would be in trouble if he did not do it.

[Deleted]

Lancelot quickly noticed that when he was talking, especially when he was relating a story, that he had the boy's rapt attention. He was unsure, though, what that really meant. Was he really interested? Or was it the boy's experience that if he did not pay attention, and was tested about it later, that he would be punished if he had not paid enough attention? This Neav was certainly hard to read he thought. However, as long as he kept his attention, he thought, it was all to the good.

He did notice right off, though, by the happy expression on Neav's face, that he would be quite pleased to care after Sher-Fore the short time that Lancelot would be in Camelot. Lancelot would surely not want to advertise his presence. "Treat Sher-Fore well and he will return the favor," he said, assuming that Neav was already well aware of that. Sir Lancelot had noted by now that the boy's expressions and body language were the easiest ways to read him. He saw that what he told him about the duties of a knight were not readily accepted. Probably the boy had been mistreated by some who were or had represented themselves as knights.

He saw the quizzical look on Neav's face at his comments about stable-boys. Lance did not really expect a response .... it was probably putting too much pressure on the lad. So Lance answered for them. "Yes .... they are quite important. How could a knight expect his horse to ride into battle and perform well if his mount had not been cared for and fed properly. So, stable-boys can be just as important to the the outcome of a battle as the knight. After all, what good is a knight without his horse, especially this one," he said patting Sher-Fore's head.

Within moments the two riders and their horses were in the stables and he got to meet the head groom quite quickly. Sir Lancelot took first impressions as being very important, and his first impression of the head groom was not a very good one. Sir Lancelot gave the groom a perfunctory nod of the head at the head groom's greeting.

"I think .... kind sir .... that the way each horse acts is a result of their personality. There you go Neav," he said as he slid off is horse. Despite having dismounted he still towered over the head groom. "The boy did his job and his task well. He should be congratulated. He could not have done a finer job. I would hate to have to speak to Prince Arthur about any of his servants being over-worked and under-appreciated. I would love to inform him of the excellent work you are doing here," he said, giving Neav a friendly wink, knowing that the Prince would have little reason to speak with him on any subject.

[neav]

"Yes .... they are quite important. How could a knight expect his horse to ride into battle and perform well if his mount had not been cared for and fed properly. So, stable-boys can be just as important to the the outcome of a battle as the knight. After all, what good is a knight without his horse, especially this one,"

[/i][/color]

Neav was rather struck by this. Not because he didn't understand, but because he did. It seemed so logical. He could think of no argument against it. Why, then had no one mentioned it before?
Neav stored it in his mind as another thing to think about later. Sir Lancelot had given him so many new ideas he wondered his head did not explode!

*

The head groom (Aaron Williams, to give him his name) blinked, surprised by the knight's words. It was uncommon enough for a knight even to notice his stable-boy, and never to speak out for him! However, he recovered himself quickly enough. It would not do to have anyone complaining to Prince Arthur.
"Of course, Sir Knight," he said smoothly. "Forgive me if I seemed harsh. The day has been busy, and this runaway mare caused much trouble." Typical that he apologised to the knight and not the boy. Head grooms did not say sorry to stable-boys.

Neav caught Sir Lancelot's wink and ducked his head to hide a grin. It was not often he saw Master Williams humbled.
He lead Gillyflower and Sher-Fore to the outside rail, thinking that he would tie them both here for now and later return Gillyflower to her stall. That way it would be faster for him to care for them both. Gillyflower looked very pleased with this arrangement. She pressed close to the stallion, nibbling his mane. Neav sighed.
"Silly girl," he teased her, pushing her gently away so that he could removed Sher-Fore's saddle. He glanced up to see what Sir Lancelot meant to do now. If he did not want the Prince to know he was here, where would he go?

[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Deleted]

Lancelot watched what he said register on the young man's face. It was such a logical and obvious thing, it must have occurred to the boy at some point, shouldn't it have. Surely for the average person it should be quite apparent, he thought. However, he considered, he knew that some of the most obvious of facts often had to be pointed out to people.

The expression on Neav's face indicated to him, surprisingly, that even someone who apparently understood hoses as well as he did, this was not something that had struck him before. He hoped that, at the least, in the short time that they would probably be together he could get the young man to look at some things differently.

While Lancelot had much patience and willingness to explain things to Neav, he had no such leeway to give this idiot who was masquerading as the head groom .... at least masquerading in Lancelot's eyes. He had little tolerance for those who used their positions to lord their power over others, especially when those others did much of the work that they took credit for, and when anything went wrong, they were the first that were blamed.

Lancelot would have none of that if he could help it, and he had verbally lashed at him in kind. Lancelot could tell that he was surprised at Lance's outburst, but as expected he did recover quickly. "Very well .... it is forgiven, but not forgotten. I am still waiting .... groom .... your words for the boy?"

Lancelot had seen the expression on Neav's face when he winked, so he was sure that the boy had seen it and was quite aware of its meaning. He even had seen the beginnings of what he thought was a smile before the boy had turned away. There was no doubt in Lancelot's mind that this type of nasty treatment was something that Neav had grown used to in his time at the stables'.

Lancelot watched the boy take the horses off to the side to care for them, and saw him separate the two horses at the rail, and remove the saddle from Sher-Fore's back. He thought that his stallion appreciated having the extra weight removed from his back. "How long will you be with Sher-Fore Neav? Head Groom .... send the boy out into the market with my horse when he is finished. I expect him to deliver my stallion to me personally. I will take it from no other," he said as he walked away, pulling on his old traveling cloak with a hood, figuring it would be the best way not to be recognized.

[neav]

Aaron Williams refrained from rolling his eyes. In his opinion, some of these knights took the whole justice-for-everyone thing a bit too far. They believed that people should be upright and honourable and did not seemed to realise that the world was just not like that.
However, a knight was a knight and a noble also, and so had to be obeyed.
"Apologies, Neav," Aaron Williams hurled the words over his shoulder.

Neav looked up, startled. Then he grinned. Of course. Sir Lancelot was using his funny thoughts on Master Williams too.
Neav flipped the saddle-blankets over the rails, inside-out to air. Sher-Fore had his nose in the water trough and Neav eyed him critically. How long?
"An hour?" he asked, hopefully. Of course he could get Sher-Fore ready in much less time than that, but an hour would give him a rest.

Aaron Williams raised his eyebrows but replied politely enough.
"Of course. Neav will bring the horse to you." And then, once the knight had gone. "Well. You have a powerful friend now, boy. Strange."
Neav did not reply and the head groom went back to his own work.

*

An hour later, Neav rode the stallion toward the market place. Sher-Fore was fresh now, picking up his feet in a way that made Neav smile. His coat shone with good grooming. In the short hour that Neav had worked on him, the boy had grown to love Sher-Fore and his calm, noble bravery. The perfect horse for a knight like Sir Lancelot.
Now Neav scanned the crowd, looking for the knight. The place was so busy at this time of day.

[Deleted]

At least the groom did not make the mistake of talking back to him or even making some expression that Lancelot would have no choice but to respond to. However, he considered that something worse could have happened, and the head groom could have called his bluff, since the last persons, outside of Gwen, that he wanted to see were either of the primary Pendragons. Well. at least he apologized, even it was without eye contact, he thought, as he cast a smile and glance Neav's way. He hoped that the boy enjoyed the moment.

It appeared that he did, from the look that Neav had on his face. He was apparently enjoying himself so much that Lance's question about when Sher-Fore would be ready had not apparently registered much yet. Lancelot decided not to press him on it too much for right now. He just stood there leaning against a rail with his arms folded and a piece of straw in his mouth, waiting on the boy patiently, as Neav had started to change the blankets on the horses. Finally, though, he did respond. "Yes .... yes .... an hour would be fine .... see you there." Lancelot immediately propelled himself to the doorway to the stables, turning to flip a coin in Neav's direction. "There will be another of those for you on delivery," he said with a friendly nod to both as he left.

*
Lancelot had kept his old traveler's cloak on the whole time that he had wandered through the market. He did not want to be recognized as either a knight or a noble. There were more than enough stall of crafts and food to keep him occupied and out of mischief. And true to his word, Neav appeared with the striking black stallion in an hour's time, as he led the prancing Arabian to the center of the market area. It was obvious, given the smile on his face, that Neav was well proud of his work. To recognize his good work he flipped him two coins instead of just one. "Good work Neav .... as good an investment of an hour's time as I've ever seen. Besides, you can see what he really looks like when he's all turned out, and see that he is indeed my better half," he grinned.

[neav]

Neav was delighted by the coin Sir Lancelot had given him. He slid in into his left boot to hide it - the right one had a hole in the side and Neav did not want to loose the money. The only time he had coins to spend was when a knight or noble tipped him.

Neav grinned when Sir Lancelot came from the crowd. He dismounted the great horse and gave him a finger-nibbling of thanks. Neav took the two coins and quickly slid them into his shoe with the first. He had never been given so much before and though a small part of him would have liked to argue... it really was a very small part. Neav was not so rich that he could afford to pass over any coin that someone might give him, even though he would have groomed Sher-Fore for nothing.

"Thank you sir," he said. Then he grinned again when Sir Lancelot said that Sher-Fore was his better half. In Neav's opinion, the horse was the better part of any partnership but not many knights would have agreed with him!
"He is the most beatiful horse," said Neav and he did not just mean the stallion's looks. "Sher-Fore will gladly do anything you ask. Even if he is afraid, even if he is so tired he can hardly move, Sher-Fore would run to the end of the world for you."
It was a strange, serious thing to say. And strange that someone as shy as Neav would dare to say it. But the boy had been looking at Sher-Fore as he spoke and had said it almost as if he were dreaming. Then he suddenly seemed to wake to himself. Neav blushed and handed the horse's reins to Sir Lancelot, murmuring some kind of apology.

[Deleted]

Lancelot had noticed both how surprised and pleased that he was to receive the coin as an initial tip for the care of Sher-Fore at the stables. Lancelot doubted if this was a common act by other nobles for the young man, and if it did occur, that the coin made it into the head groom's pocket and not Neav.

One of the things that Lancelot had always enjoyed, even before he was a knight, was to wander about the stalls in the market. He not only enjoyed looking over the variety of goods that were there, it was an excellent place to listen in on conversations and gain an understanding into what was uppermost in the minds and in the mouths of the average person. Lancelot could have lingered there the whole afternoon in his traveling cloak and hood, but he had told Neav to bring by his horse in one hour, and of course he appeared with Sher-Fore at the appointed time.

Of course Lancelot had expected him to appear at the appointed time. After the expert grooming and care that Neav had given the stallion, he stood out more distinctively from the crowd than he normally did. Of course the beaming face of the young stable-boy was difficult to miss as well. Neav, himself, had picked out the tall form of Lancelot easily himself, and he dismounted the horse as they drew near to the knight. Quickly and effortlessly, the knight stuck a couple of coins into the lads hand as he came off the horse. This time he was not surprised like he had been the first time, but the look in his eyes were just as appreciative.

Lancelot saw that the lad quickly moved the coins to his hiding place and just as quickly thanked the knight. "You are quite welcome, master Neav. It is small payment for the excellent work that you have done." He thought, but couldn't be absolutely sure, that the follow-up smile from the boy was in response to what Lancelot had said about his junior position in the relationship with the horse. "Yes, there is no doubt he is a beautiful horse, and I would agree with what he would do for me, just given what he has done for me in the past. However, how would you know that to be true? After all, you have only spent the last hour with him."

Lancelot saw the blush on his face, as if he had said something that he shouldn't. "There is nothing to apologize for. I just found it to be a curious thing to say. By the way, would you like to care for him on a more regular basis," he asked looking at the young man out of the corner of his eye.

[neav]

Cheeks still blushing a fierce red, Neav stared at his feet. He muttered something that tried to be an answer for the question 'how do you know?' but all that could be heard was a soft ...just something about him... and braced himself, waiting to be cuffed for his forwardness.
Nothing happened.

Neav risked a glance up at Lancelot said that there was nothing to apologise for. He blinked. The knight was not angry in the slightest... then Neav reminded himself that he had given up being surprised over what this strange man did.
But even with that reminder, when Sir Lancelot casually suggested that Neav would want to look after Sher-Fore regularly, he gasped aloud.
"Really?" for a moment his eyes shone. Then he checked his excitement. It was a silly thing to get excited. There was no way he could care for Sher-Fore again: the knight was leaving. He had not even wanted to come into the city. He had been going somewhere else.... so what did he mean by his suggestion?
"But... are you not... leaving now? Sir?"

[Deleted]

Even though Neav was looking down at his feet it was easy to see the embarrassed glow in his cheeks. It was as if, by his question, that Lancelot had discovered something, something comparable to a little boy stealing cookies out of a cookie jar. It wasn't anything that Lance had intended to do.

A blind man would have noticed that the boy had a special way with the horses, almost as if he could speak their own language. Lance was not sure if it was something instinctual with the boy ..... or if it was magic ..... and frankly he didn't care. He wasn't Uther and had no ingrained hatred for the practice. His friendship with Merlin should be proof enough of that.

He heard Neav mumble a response. It wasn't necessary. It wasn't like Lance expected a real answer. He saw the hesitant and tentative way that Neav looked up at him, as if he expected to be reprimanded in some way, somewhat surprised, it appeared, that he wasn't. It appeared, though, that this wasn't the only thing that surprised the boy. Lancelot had not only told him that he had nothing to apologize for, but had asked in an off-hand way, something about the horse. Lancelot was looking out of the corner of his eye, just to see if Neav reacted the way he expected him to.

First he heard the gasp, and then he heard the word of disbelief. Finally, after Neav had asked a bewildered question, in response, Lancelot answered him. "Well, I was thinking that enough time had passed, actually. I may not have reason to worry much from staying. Perhaps I should stay for a longer visit, until, of course, if they send word for me to return to Wessex, or the Pendragons send me away. So, do you think it would be a good idea, or would you not be interested in watching over my stallion again?"

[neav]

Neav's eyes grew wide with curiosity. It was all so... cryptic, he thought, feeling rather proud of that complicated word. He was filled with questions, wondering over what Sir Lancelot could have done to make the Pendragons hate him so much.
It did not occure to Neav that he might get in trouble himself for keeping secret a man who was in trouble with the Prince and King. The blush faded from Neav's cheeks and he gave a shy grin.
"Of course I will care for Sher-Fore as long as you wish it."
Another boy might have sighed about the extra work, the extra stable to clean, the extra hooves to pick out. But not Neav. Working with horses was his delight and he did not care if he spent his whole life as Camelot's stable-boy. He grinned again.

"Are you riding him now, sir? Or do you wish me to return him...?" Neav asked, cautiously. He hoped the knight would give his mount a run or at least let Neav do it. Anyone who had half an idea about horses knew how they loathed to be groomed and tacked up as if they were going for a ride, and then be un-tacked and stabled again.

[Deleted]

Lancelot could see the strange and questioning look in the boy's eyes. It was as if Lancelot could actually see and hear the gears at work in the boys head as if he were trying to figure out the meaning behind the knight's words. Lancelot knew that there was much that he could explain, but it would not benefit the boy any, and as with many things in life, a little bit of knowledge, could be dangerous, so Lancelot merely smiled good-naturedly.

Finally, though, from Lancelot could tell, especially since he was not offering up any new information, that Neav settled on the subject that he cared most about, the horse, whose care Lancelot had implied. The young knight nodded at the boy's response. "Yes .... yes .... I thought you might say as much. It is obvious that you enjoy your work, and by his response, that Sher-Fore is appreciative. I cannot promise how long you will care for him, but I know that it will be at least through the afternoon ... maybe longer," he mused. "I think I would like to wander around a bit more. I do not get back to Camelot often," he said as he gathered his hooded cloak about him.

Lancelot saw the grin on Neav's face and returned it. He found it to be quite infectious. "No .... no .... obviously not. I will prefer to walk. I was intending on him having a long ride today, and he was fed for such this morning. It would probably do him some good to burn some of that fuel off with a good ride. So, if you don't mind, and have not been assigned other duties as well, I would appreciate it, and would be willing to pay you for your trouble, of course," Lancelot said, giving the boy a telling wink, as he waited on Neav's response.

[neav]

((I am so so sorry, but I am confused. Are you asking Neav to take Sher-Fore back to the stable or ride him? I did not understand... I am so sorry for not understanding.... ))

[Deleted]

I was telling you to ride him unless you had other duties to attend to.

[neav]

Neav gave a small bow to hide his growing smile. He would be glad to be with Sher-Fore for even another hour. And then when Sir Lancelot said he might ride the stallion to wear off his energy, his eyes danced. He raced through a metal list of duties - all that was left was the exercising of Rising Sun, Comet and Embers before settling the horses for the night. He had lost some time chasing Gillyflower through the forest, but it was not yet midday. He would have time to race Sher-Fore.
The only thing that was beginging to trouble him was the extra money that the knight was promising. He had already given more than the boy had ever been tipped. A flash of worry chased at Neav's smile.

"I will be so glad to run him," Neav answered catiously. "But please do not give me more coin, sir... It is my job to work a horse as any visiting Knight asks me. If Master Williams knew I was taking so much coin from you..." he trailed off, biting his lip. Fear of what would happen was clear in his eyes. Sher-Fore seemed to sense it, gently nudged the boy's shoulder. Neav rubbed his nose, whispered him a word. Then he waited anxiously for what the knight might say.


((Thank you so much for explaining))

[Deleted]

Lancelot watched Neav give him the small, once again seeing what he thought was the hint of a further smile. He thought the boy would be quite pleased with the opportunity to not only take care of Sher-Fore, but in fact, to bond with the black Arabian stallion a bit more. It was obvious that, as far as horses went, that this boy was far more than a simple stable boy. It was as if the boy spoke the horse's own language, felt what they felt, he thought. Lancelot knew that he owed his honor to the world of men. Neav, it seemed, had an honor that he exercised toward horses more so than men. Well, to each their own, Lancelot smiled inwardly.

It seemed, though, as the two of them stood there, Lancelot and Neav, the the knight could see and feel the tumblers of the boys mind turning over as he thought about the black stallion. However, suddenly, Lancelot noticed that the smile had suddenly disappeared from the boy's face. It was obvious that something not entirely pleasant had crossed the boy's mind.

The first thing the boy did, as one would expect from a stable boy addressing a knight, was his thanks for being given the opportunity to care for Lancelot's horse. These words of thanks seemed to come without much effort. His next words, however, seemed to be chosen more carefully, and come out of his mouth in a more tentative manner. In fact, the comments were more of a request and Lancelot listened to them carefully. In response Lancelot nodded his head slowly. "You have thought on this carefully it would seem. Your words are wise, young one. Most men of my standing would probably not even think to give you coin."

"Others would not listen to your words and pay them much heed, I expect. This knight, however, will grant pay you the honor that is due you. I understand that you do not wish to fall into the bad graces of your Master Williams. However, even though I cannot show you my approval of your work and care through coin, you still have my gratitude. We both know that horses such as these always deserve the best that we can give them, don't we?," he said with a smile and a wink as he patted Sher-Fore on his side. "Now go, take him and ride him well, before I change my mind," he said in a joking manner.