The story begins with the introduction of Elaine of
Corbenic, a young woman doing her best to keep herself, her
brothers and a "confused" father from starvation and total
ruin. And it's a job she's doing alone. Her father's
condition makes him unable to grasp the seriousness of
their situation, and her older brother, crippled by the
legendary Sir Lancelot du Lac in his first joust, is now an
angry drunkard unable to accept what fate has dealt him.
The keep is literally falling down around them, the
peasants are starving and ready to revolt, and without a
dowry there's little hope for an offer of marriage and an
improvement to their situation.
At least until the legendary Sir Lancelot happens upon
Corbenic on his way to a tournament. It's said he was
kidnapped as a young child and raised by the mysterious
Lady of the Lake, who bestowed upon Lancelot a level of
superhuman fighting strength that he's promised will be
used to defend King Arthur and Guinevere. Lancelot makes
the decision to hide his identity from Elaine and her
family, a move that proves fortuitous once he learns the
family despises "Sir Lancelot." In truth, he doesn't blame
them once he hears their reasons. He too begins to think
about how callous some of his previous words and actions
have been.
Lancelot falls in love with Elaine and wishes with all his
heart for the simplicity of life Elaine and her family have
at Corbenic. But he knows he cannot stay. His vows to the
king eventually take him back to Camelot and to the job for
which he was raised. Will the power of Elaine's love and
the love she and Lancelot have for their new young babe,
Galahad, be enough to break the enchantment that holds them
all captive?
The author has taken characters from an age-old Arthurian
legend and moved them in a whole new direction. Gone are
the questions surrounding the rumored romantic involvement
between Lancelot and Guinevere. Gone too are the musings
about what Lancelot's deepest dreams and ambitions might
have been. All has been brought to light, at least in this
telling of the tale. The manner in which these well-known,
classic characters have been recast will cause some readers
to scratch their heads in wonder at the wisdom of such a
daring move. After all, the same story with "unknown"
characters would not have been as interesting, which might
have been the author's intent. Other readers will enjoy the
story simply for what it is -- entertaining.
Sir Lancelot, First Knight of King Arthur’s realm and the
queen’s champion, cannot be defeated by any earthly man —
as long as he keeps his oaths to Arthur and Guinevere.
Though insolent and supremely confident, he will be brought
to his knees by a mere maiden: Elaine of Corbenic.
Together, they will have a son, Galahad—the knight destined
to find the Holy Grail.
Lancelot du Lac is the greatest knight of a peerless age,
blessed by the Lady of the Lake with extraordinary
military prowess. His fighting ability has earned him a
place at King Arthur's side, but the powers the Lady has
given him come at a terrible price.
Elaine of Corbenic is struggling to hold her impoverished
family together. The keep is a wreck and the peasants,
starving, are on the brink of rebellion. Elaine's father
is obsessed with finding the Holy Grail, and her older
brother, maimed by Lancelot in a joust, is a bitter
drunkard. Without a dowry, she has little hope for the
future.
Incognito, Lancelot rides into Corbenic on his way to the
king's tournament. He finds the practical Elaine
irresistible. Thoroughly dismayed when she reveals her
contempt for "Lancelot," he must face his own arrogance to
win her hand. For only with Elaine at his side will
Lancelot have the strength to free himself from the
enchantments that bind him…
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