The Breakup

Lancelot was playing with Galahad in the courtyard of Elaine’s house, what once was the house they shared. The sun was high in the sky, the child laughed soundly while his father chased him on the green slightly humid grass; it was a warm spring afternoon. Elaine came walking from inside the house with a bread with cheese on one hand and an orange juice on the other, she called for Galahad and handed him the food and juice, the child went and sat on the porch.

She smiled at Lancelot and spoke:

'Time sure goes fast huh? Our son has grown so big.’

'He sure has, soon he will be as big as his father and most likely a better Knight.’

'His father is an amazing Knight and if he is as good as you, it is more than great.’ she smiled again and remained silent for a while ‘He looks a lot like you… He has your face and hair.’

'There’s nothing great about me Elaine. I have failed in so many ways…’

'Everyone does, failing is a part of life and it doesn't take you the merit of who you are. I have missed you… I still do, a lot.’

'Elaine, you know that I…’ she didn't allow him to finish the sentence and planted a kiss on his lips, as by instinct he pushed her to him and kissed her back.

On that moment a horse neighed behind him, he pushed Elaine back quickly and looking back he saw Morgaine galloping away from them. He stared at Elaine coldly and spoke:

'You did that on purpose! What have you done woman?’

'Lance… I…’

'Silence! I don't wanna hear it!’ saying this he ran to his horse and jumping on the saddle he sped after Morgaine.

He couldn't see her anymore but he had an idea of where she went, he rushed his horse hoping he was right.

 

The day wore off and as the sun was setting he reached the clearing in the forest and sure enough, Morgaine stood there sitting against a tree and staring at the sky.

‘So you came Lancelot.’ she said turning her head to face him.

'Morgaine, it is not what you think. Please, let me explain.’

'Explain what Lancelot? What I already know? You’re going to tell me how much I mean to you, that I am the only woman you ever loved and the only one you want. And yet you know as well as I do, that isn't entirely true.’

'But it is my love, she’s the one who kissed me and I never wanted it!’

'Are you lying to me or to yourself my love? I could feel how much that kiss meant to you. But you are wrong, that's not what bothers me.’

'I don't follow what you mean…’

'I mean it's not that you also love her that bothers me, it's your lies. How long have you been lying to me, Lancelot? All those times you pretended to be drunk, do you take me for such a big fool that I wouldn't notice it?’

'I don't know what you mean…’

'Enough! I'm tired of all the lying, don't you think I would have understood if you told me you were visiting your son?! Or even that you missed her! And still you chose to lie and I had enough of that my love.’

'What… what do you mean Morgaine, surely you don't mean…’

'Yes, I do. Remember when you promised that you would never lie to me, unlike your brother? Yeah, you're both the same it seems. I had enough Lancelot, go back to her if you desire.’

'I’ll wait here for you and we'll go together to our home.’

She laughed coldly 'Don’t you get it? I am not going back anywhere with you. I’ve had enough! Now leave and do not expect to see me anytime soon.’

'Morgaine… please…’

'Stop pleading you pathetic Knight, I'm not changing my mind. Leave.’

With tears streaming down his face Lancelot got on his horse and sped away into the night. Morgaine hugged her knees and cried onto them 'You idiot… And to think I carry your child and wanted to tell you today. Damned be the hour I decided to follow you to try and make you a surprise.'

 

Lancelot returned to the house he and Morgaine shared and sat down by the table with a bottle of wine. Sobbing he drank until he emptied the bottle, he stood up and got another one from the shelf resuming his drinking. He drank until he passed out. The following day he woke up, he had slept on top of the table and his head hurt like hell, stumbling he searched for more wine and realized he had emptied all the bottles he owned. Enraged he broke the shelves and the table with his fists, the empty bottles crashed on the wooden floor. Still stumbling he went outside and walked into the pub.

Drunk days were followed by drunk months until one night while trying to get back home, he somehow managed to walk into the forest and get lost in it. The full moon shone high in the starlit sky.