Happily Ever Beginning

 It was very late in the kingdom. Most of its citizens were deep in slumber, and it wouldn't have been terribly surprising if Galahad was among them. Percival felt slightly guilty about doing this to him if that was true, but that was minuscule compared to the guilt about her biggest secret. But he had a right to know - he had protected her time and time again, even when she was more than capable of fending for herself.

Tonight would change things forever. There would be consequences from above - although what they were, Percival didn't know. Someone in her position revealing themselves had rarely been done, if ever. Yet she felt ready to face whatever punishment would lay ahead. Besides, she was much more worried about Galahad's reaction.

At his home, she began to knock loudly, urgently, quickly. Hopefully this wouldn't wake the neighbors - a woman entering a man's house in the dead of night would definitely cause rumors.

 "Henceforth, it is forbidden for any knight to court another knight. The punishment shall include stripping their knighthood, and dishonor upon their name."

Perhaps some of the nobles had suggested it, jealous of the only female in a group of men. Perhaps the king was trying to prove his superiority to other territories. Perhaps fate was just cruel.

The night that royal decree had been announced to the land, it was raining hard enough to make farmers worry for their crops. As a result, most wouldn't dare venture out into the darkness. If someone had bothered to take a look outside, perhaps if they squinted they would see Percival standing before Galahad's home, fists clenched, but silent. It was impossible to tell what was dwelling inside of her. She had raised a hand to knock, but then gave up, lowering it.

Her head leaned on the door, allowing the rain to wash over her body. It was a pitiful sight. 

Being the first female knight in the kingdom - and as far as they knew, it was a first for the entire realm - came with its honors and its burdens. There were many who had felt Percival wasn't fit to be among the knights merely based on her gender. Cruel women scorned at her lack of femininity. Men boasted they could 'make' her into a woman they courted her. These insults and dregs were easily ignored and cast aside... typically.

The day that Percival realized she had fallen for her her fellow knight Galahad was also the day she actually cared about the gossip the villagers whispered about her. She knew Galahad would never spew such bile about her - no, her worries lay if there was truth to the mudslinging. How could someone without a touch of elegance and grace win over a man?

Maybe food would do it.

It was one of her rare days 'off', where she was relieved from duty. She went to the markets early, buying all the necessary ingredients and trying not to act like a flustered mess. She didn't know how to flirt, or seduce, but she knew how to cook.

Midday, dressed in soft colors, in a dress that felt ill-suited to her, she headed for Galahad's home. She wasn't sure if he'd be there or not, but either way she planned to drop off a gift. In her hands she held a woven basket, and under a blanket were a loaf of bread, jam, two apples, and, most importantly, a freshly baked cherry pie. She had slaved over it, done every step carefully, hoping her thoughts and feelings could be rolled into dough.

... This was ridiculously sappy and silly, she thought, now standing in front of his house. What was she thinking? She couldn't do this! Maybe it was best just to drop the basket off in mystery and forget this whole stupid plan.