Reece shrugged.
“I was ordered to bring you to father. Besides, you’re my sparring partner. And it’s been a long time since someone came through my age here who I thought could be worthy.”
“But what makes me worthy?” Thor asked.
“It’s the fighter’s spirit. It cannot be faked.”
As they continued to walk down the aisle, towards the king, Thor felt as if he’d always known him—it was strange, but in some ways he felt as if Reece were his own brother. He had never had a brother—not a real brother—and it felt good.
“My other brothers are not like him, don’t worry,” Reece said as people flocked around them, trying to catch a glimpse of Thor. “My brother Kendrick, the one you met—he’s the best of all. He’s my half-brother, but I consider him a true brother—even more than Gareth. Kendrick is like a second father to me. He will be to you, too, I am sure of it. There is nothing he would not do for me—or for anyone. He is the most loved of our royal family among the people. It is a great loss he is not allowed to become king.”
“You said ‘brothers.’ You have another brother, too?” Thor asked.
Reece took a deep breath.
“I have one other, yes. We are not that close. Godfrey. Unfortunately, he wastes his days in the alehouse, with the commoners. He’s not a fighter, like us. He’s not interested in it—he’s not interested in anything, really. Except ale—and the ladies.”
Suddenly, they stopped short, as a girl blocked their way. Thor stood there, transfixed. Perhaps a couple of years older than him, she stared back with blue, almond eyes, perfect skin, and long, strawberry hair. She was dressed in a white satin dress, bordered by lace, and her eyes positively glowed, dancing with joy and mischief. She locked her eyes on his, and held him completely captivated. He couldn’t move if he wanted to. She was the most beautiful person he had ever seen.
She smiled, displaying perfect white teeth—and as if he weren’t transfixed already, her smile held him there, lit up his heart in a single gesture. He never felt so alive.
Thor stood there, unable to speak. Unable to breathe. It was the first time in his life he’d ever felt this way.
“Aren’t you going to introduce me?” the girl asked Reece. Her voice went right into Thor—it was even more sweet than her appearance.
Reece sighed.
“And then there’s my sister,” he said with a smile. “Gwen, this is Thor. Thor, Gwen.”
Gwen curtsied.
“How do you do?” she asked with a smile.
Thor stood there, frozen. Finally, Gwen giggled.
“Not so many words at once, please,” she said with a laugh.
Thor felt himself redden; he cleared his throat.
“I am…I… am…sorry,” he said. “I’m Thor.”
Gwen giggled.
“I know that already,” she said. She turned to her brother. “My, Reece, your friend certainly has a way with words.”
“Father wants to meet him,” he said impatiently. “We are going to be late.”
Thor wanted to speak to her, to tell her how beautiful she was, how happy he was to meet her, how grateful he was she had stopped. But his tongue was completely tied. He had never been this nervous in his life. So, instead, all that came out was:
“Thank you.”
Gwen giggled, laughing harder.
“Thank you for what?” she asked. Her eyes lit up. She was enjoying this.
Thor felt himself redden again.
“Um…I don’t know,” he mumbled.
Gwen laughed harder, and Thor felt humiliated. Reece elbowed him, prodded him on, and the two continued to walk. After a few steps, Thor checked back over his shoulder. Gwen still stood there, staring back at him.
Thor felt his heart pounding. He wanted to talk to her, to find out everything about her. He was so embarrassed for his loss of words. But he had never been exposed to girls, really, in his small village—and certainly never to one so beautiful. He had never been taught exactly what to say, how to act.
“She talks a lot,” Reece said, as they continued, approaching the king. “Never mind her.”
“What is her name?” Thor asked.
Reece gave him a funny look. “She just told you!” he said with a laugh.
“I’m sorry…I…uh…I forgot,” Thor said, embarrassed.
“Gwendolyn. But everyone calls her Gwen.”
Gwendolyn. Thor turned her name over and over in his mind. Gwendolyn. Gwen. He did not want to let it go. He wanted it to linger in his consciousness. He wondered if he would have a chance to see her again. He guessed probably not, being a commoner. The thought hurt him.
The crowd grew quiet as Thor looked up and realized they were now close to the King. King MacGil sat on his throne, dressed in his royal purple mantle, wearing his crown and looking imposing.
Reece kneeled before him, and the crowd quieted. Thor followed suit. A silence blanketed the room.
The king cleared his throat, a deep, hearty noise. As he spoke, his voice boomed throughout the room.
“Thorgrin of the Lowlands of the Southern Province of the Western Kingdom,” he began. “Do you realize that today you interfered with the King’s royal joust?”
Thor felt his throat go dry. He hardly knew how to respond; it was not a good way to begin. He wondered if he was going to be punished.
“I am sorry, my liege,” he finally said. “I didn’t mean to.”
MacGil leaned forward and raised one eyebrow.
“You didn’t mean to? Are you saying you didn’t mean to save Erec’s life?”
Thor was flustered. He realized he was just making it worse.
“No my liege. I did mean to—”
“So then you admit you did mean to interfere?”
Thor felt his heart pounding. What could he say?
“I am sorry, my liege. I guess I just…wanted to help.”
“Wanted to help?” MacGil boomed, then leaned back and roared with laughter.
“You wanted to help! Erec! Our greatest and most famed knight!”
The room erupted with laughter, and Thor felt his face flush, one too many times for one day. Could he do nothing right here?
“Stand and come closer boy,” MacGil ordered.
Thor looked up in surprise to see the king smiling down, studying him, as he stood and approached.
“I spot nobility in your face. You are not a common boy. No, not common at all….”
MacGil cleared his throat.
“Erec is our most loved knight. What you have done today is a great thing. A great thing for us all. As a reward, from this day, I take you in as part of my family, with all the same respects and honors due any of my sons.”
The King leaned back and boomed: “Let it be known!”
There came a huge cheer and stomping of feet throughout the room.
Thor looked around, flustered, unable to process all that was happening to him. Part of the king’s family. It was beyond his wildest dreams. All he had wanted was