The Quest for the Chalice

It was a calm day in the kingdom.

Some time had gone by, but everyone was still in a bit of mourning.

A stranger entered the hall.

" I have come with a quest, " said the stranger.

All the knights turned towards the Queen.

Ruhtra eyed the stranger.

" Tell me your name, " the Queen said.

" Nennius, the First Arthurian Legend "

The Queen slumped back in her throne.

She held her closed-together-fingers to her lips.

" Tell us of your quest "

All the knights now turned to Nennius.

" The quest I have; is the quest for the Chalice "

The Chalice is said to be a holy relic, which is said to be similar, in many ways, to the Holy Grail.

Nennius assures the Queen; that the Chalice can be found in her land.

Ruhtra notices the eager looks on all her knights. She understood. For like with dragons and princesses - knights and quests go hand in hand.

The Queen gave her blessing, and the hall was quickly emptied.

What Ambrosius notices, and what the others did not, was the fact that Nennius was gone; without having made a single sound.

Ruhtra stood up from her throne.

She rubbed her tired shoulders.

She then noticed that one knight remained.

The Queen smiled, as she exited the hall.

And from behind her; Sir Matthew followed.

Ruhtra was undressing herself, for she had entered the Roman Bath House. Also known as a Thermae.

The third state of matter was everywhere around the room.

" You are welcome to join me " said the Queen, as she knew that Matthew was standing behind her.

Matthew was looking at the Queen's naked body, but not in a lustful way. The knight noticed the many scars on Ruhtra's fit body.

Ruhtra noticed Matthew's concerned look, as she turned around to face him.

" Why do you look so sad? " said the Queen with a smile.

" You have been through so much… " said the knight, solemnly.

The Queen tilted her head to the side; with a look of curiosity on her face.

" You have many scars "

" Scars? " said the Queen with a joyful smile; " you mean my free tattoos? "

Matthew was unsure as to the cause. But he could not help but let out a giggle.

" Join me " said Ruhtra, as her lower body was engulfed by the warm and welcoming water.

Matthew undressed, and accepted the Queen's offer.

Ruhtra was already beautiful, but the bathhouse somehow seemed to increase her beauty further.

But not even the Queen could deny the handsome looks of her knight.

The two of them sat opposite to one another.

The Queen was truly enjoying herself, as Matthew tried to enjoy himself.

" You should learn to relax, " said Ruhtra, as her head was resting on the ledge.

" You never told me that Derdrom was your daughter, " said Matthew without any emotion.

Ruhtra opened her eyes, and she was now looking up at the ceiling.

" Who was he? " Matthew asked.

" Who? "

" Derdrom's father "

Ruhtra closed her eyes, as she smiled.

" He was a fine man. Loyal, respectable, kind, and very supportive "

" What happened to him? "

" He died, " said the Queen without any emotion.

" Did you love him? "

" I still do " said the Queen, as she lifted her head; which meant that she was looking directly at Matthew.

" What was his name? "

" Why is that important? "

" I wish to know. I wish to know him "

A smirk befell the Queen's face.

" I will not tell you, " she said.

" Why not? " said Matthew, surprised. For the Queen was usually so open about her life.

" You will not like my answer, " said Ruhtra, as she gently walked out of the bath.

" Is the name as incredible as the person? " Matthew asked.

The Queen noticed the emotions in his voice.

Ruhtra narrowed her eyes as she looked at Matthew.

" He was an incredible man - he was a once in a lifetime - the Queen paused for a moment - I truly felt lucky that I married someone like him… - another pause - I have not gotten over his death… and now… my poor daughter - a third pause, as tears hit the waters - but… they are gone… I have lost them both… "

Matthew was speechless. It almost looked like he was holding his breath. The Queen always seemed so tough. So seeing Ruhtra shed a few tears, truly took Matthew by surprise.

The knight placed his hand on the Queen's naked shoulder.

Matthew could feel the tension in her body.

" I have never seen this side of you before… "

" Few rarely do, " said the Queen with a faint-smile; " I am the Queen. When people look upon me, they must feel safe and secure "

Ruhtra now turned around. She had her usual cheerful smile.

Matthew was now the one to get damp eyes.

The two of them finally kissed, as the hot steam surrounded their naked bodies.

Back to the quest.

Nennius had not provided any details on how to find the Chalice. He had merely said; " It is somewhere in the land "

Each knight was now out searching.

Each knight looked high, low, in the sea, in the depths of the earth. None of them could find the Chalice.

But the knights did find something, or I should say; make something.

Each knight made long-lasting memories, as they went from village to village, from town to town.

The knights, individually, visited many places. All of them met a lot of interesting and exciting people.

The people were all eager to talk and make merry with the knights which they had heard so much about.

The memories of dancing, drinking, feasting, and love-making. All those memories, according to many of the knights, were worth more than the holy relic itself.

The quest was still on, and it was now the Queen's turn.

Ruhtra did not expect much. She mostly went on the quest as a way of getting some space and fresh air.

The Queen was riding through a quiet road.

" Well… I guess that it is time to head home " said the Queen with a sighing-smile.

That was when something strange happened.

When Ruhtra tried to turn her horse towards home. Her horse refused to obey.

" What is wrong- "

Before the Queen could get an answer. Her horse ran with the wind.

" Slow down! Where are you going?! " yelled the Queen, as she was doing her best not to fall off.

Her horse finally stopped; in front of a ruined castle.

The Queen dismounted.

" Why did you bring me here… ? " said Ruhtra, as she felt drawn to the place.

The Queen walked within. All she saw was decay and ruin. That was when her eyes fell upon a pedestal in the middle.

On this pedestal stood a cup.

The Queen walked over, and took hold of the strange cup.

The cup now glowed in Ruhtra's hands.

The Queen covered her eyes. When she opened her eyes again - the cup was gone.

" Weird… " said the Queen, quietly.

Ruhtra now stopped breathing, as she could not believe her own eyes.

In front of the Queen stood her own child.

" Derdrom… " uttered the Queen, as tears filled her eyes, and her heart was filled with joy.

Mother and daughter embraced.

" How…? " uttered Ruhtra with a shaking voice.

" It is a miracle, " said Derdrom with a smile, as she held her mother close.