She had never thought he had cared so much for his mother, nor yet for his brother Balan, yet he had mourned them both deeply. And the Goddess grant they shall do so till the world end. He motioned to a servant, who filled Morgaine's hands with sweets and candied fruits; she tossed them to the dancers and the spectators, who scrambled for them, laughing and pushing. -she did not remember coming within walls, but she was in a great hall where there were men and women feasting, with garlands on their heads.
She wondered if it were Niniane or some other who shared his bed these days; she would not stoop to question his chamberlain. Elaine would be lying there, the lamp falling on her golden hair so like the Queen's, but so dim he could not distinguish her features, her body and bed smelling of Gwenhwyfar's scent. In the dead silence inside the room she could hear a dog barking somewhere beyond the windows, and some small insect chirping somewhere. yes, and there should be a prize, perhaps a cloak, for the best among the boys-still, inside her heart, the thought gnawed.
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