The Wilderness [Lancelot]

[Romily de Braose]

Thankfully for Romily, Lancelot didn’t question her heritage and she was more than happy to keep her mouth shut about it.

She played with a strand of her hair as he spoke, and then looked up and smiled a him. “Interested or not, it was merely a warning”.

It was then he asked her why she put up with Eldon and Agnes, there were many reasons that Romily could come up with, but at this she just gave a small shrug. “It’s work – it’s a home. Im technically a guest here myself, so what Eldon and Agnes say, goes” she told him. “So if they were to ask me to leave, then of course I’d have no choice but to go quietly.”
She knew that Eldon wouldn’t kick her out. Agnes would if she had her way, but then there would be no one to do her dirty work for her.

She chuckled at his next words of what she needed to remove when inspecting the wound. “Believe me, I have been in far more awkward situations when it comes to inspecting wounds”.
She wasn’t about to launch into the incident that had happened the year before when she’d met a man called Arthur and had then had to strip down to her underclothes in a cave. “Besides, I have tended to wounds before, it is of no worry to me – would you have me look at it though? I do not want to make you feel uncomfortable seeing as you’ve only just walked through the door!”

She stood up with him after he finished his drink. “Your horse will be well looked after, and I shall see to it myself if I have to” she put his mind at ease, and gestured for him to follow her.
She took the key from her apron pocket and headed up the stairs, listening to Lancelot’s words as he followed her. “14?” she asked, and shook her head sadly, “Too young of an age to fend for yourself, im sorry to hear of it”.

Romily had to fend for herself since she was only three. But she didn’t have the same type of situation as Lancelot’s. For a start, she still had her father who had chosen to ignore her over the years. “When did you decide to seek to become a knight?” she asked.

[Deleted]

Lancelot had some strong suspicions about Romily's background, but figured that she had a good reason for not talking much about her origins. So he figured that the wisest course was simply to take what she was willing to give him. Sometimes forcing this issue only caused more problems.

Lancelot was quite sure that when she was willing and able, if the information was important, that she would offer it. He also noticed, that in the course of their conversation that she had the tendency to absent-mindedly brush back strands of her hair. He wondered if this was a clue that she was getting nervous, as he had noticed with some girls before.

"Well, thank you for the warning, then, it is appreciated, though unnecessary. It does raise the question, though, what you are interested in," hes said as he gave her a friendly wink. He listened to her explanation of her boss and his daughter, but he found it quite unsatisfactory. "I don't think a person of your quality should have to put up with such remarks," he stated quite honestly. "Obviously, it is your decision about the environment that you choose to live in, however, I think that my blade would not stay sheathed for long."

He was curious that she found his words amusing enough to chuckle over, after they had changed the conversation back to his wound. It was true, though, now that they had settled for the night, and were not in constant motion, that his wound had begun to throb a bit, and that told him more than anything, that he needed to have it looked at. He smiled, as he stood, "Yes .... I can just imagine the interesting situations that you have probably seen. Yes, yes, I am not so stubborn as to refuse a true offer such as yours. Let us be off to the room then ...shall we? I may not be the most flamboyant or handsome Knight, but I will not turn down assistance when it is truly offered."

[Romily de Braose]

She laughed lightly at his question. “That would depend on what you think I am interested in”

“Let us be off to the room then ...shall we? I may not be the most flamboyant or handsome Knight, but I will not turn down assistance when it is truly offered."

“I would say that most of the women in this room seem to think you handsome enough” she mused and looked around as they passed the tables. There were quite a few local women giving him the eye.

They finally came to the room and Romily unlocked the door, standing aside to allow Lancelot to pass. She quickly looked around (just to make sure Eldon and Agnes weren’t spying on her) and then closed the door. “We shouldn’t be disturbed” she told him and poured some water into the washbowl just incase the wound did need a clean. If Lancelot said it was ok, then she was more than willing to trust his judgement.

“I suppose you are wondering about my background?” she smiled as she dampened the cloth in the bowl. He’d had a curious look in his eye that was familiar. Was she of nobility or not. “It’s no surprise to me that you are giving me a look like everyone else has when they come across me. They always question it the first time” she explained and gestured for him to remove the top half of his clothes so she could see the wound.

“I guess I can trust you with this – no one else here knows of who I am, I like to keep it that way.” She carried on and straightened some things out in the room. “It’s true that I am of noble birth – my father is Lord Durwin de Braose of Carmelide.”
She had no idea why she’d chosen to tell him this early on, but there was something about Lancelot that made her feel at ease. “The circumstances which forced me to run away are not happy ones”

She tasted blood, realising she’d bit down on her lip a little too hard, “I’ve fended for myself since I was three – my father hardly took any notice of me so I just learnt how to do most things by myself. The people in this village are like family to me now, and if I were to tell them about who I really am, then it would change their opinion towards me. I don’t want that to happen anytime soon”

She paused, and then began again.

“Anyway – are you ready for me to take a look at this wound then?”

[Deleted]

She seemed to be amused by his response. He turned and looked her directly in her eyes with his pale blue ones. "No I think it depends on what you think you are interested in .....actually."

He smiled slightly at her comment as they walked. "I expect they would think I'm just barely adequate. I have never noted that I've attracted the attention of many girls or women. However, I have not been in many places where I would have had such an opportunity either," he said rubbing his rough chin with his hand, in contemplation.

He paid little attention to anyone he passed, unless he noted that they were armed and presented a physical threat. They had not climbed to many steps when they apparently had reached their destination. He noticed, though,that she looked around somewhat furtively, as if she was on the look-out for someone. His view had always been that if there was someone looking for him, and wanting to do him, or those he was with, bodily harm, he would welcome them in for the challenge, even though he was sure, in the end, he would be the victor. "Hmmm ..... are you expecting someone .... Romily?," he asked with quizzical look on his face. "I would hope that we weren't ..... disturbed."

They entered and she closed the door behind them. As she did so, Lancelot thought she seemed to become a bit more relaxed and at ease, which he welcomed. However, he did not expect her to start talking about what she now did,at least by implication. "I would be lying if I said that the thought and question had not crossed my mind. Hmmmm ..... just the first time.... milady. Honestly, though, although it is something that I might be interested in knowing, that is your own personal business, and not mine."

Lancelot saw the gesture that she made,and he nodded and removed his cloak. He then progressed at taking his mail off, his uniform, and finally his shirt, and then turned around so that she would have a good view of his back, and the wound that had been made there.

The implication was clear enough to him, but he did not really expect her to come right out and say it. "I may not be a Knight any more, but I do try to be honorable, and keep all trusts that are given to me, although you do not need to say anything more if you do not wish to. It will be as if we've never talked, I assure you.... milady. I see ..... of Carmelide. Your secret is safe, you have my word of honor. If the truth be known, it is said that there is noble blood in my line as well, just not English nobility. So.... none of us is perfect," he chuckled.

It then sounded as if she was going to go into some detail, to which he responded. "It is rare, I think, for such circumstances to ever be happy, to leave a noble life fora common one. However, that being said, there is no need for you to tell me the particulars. In fact, I am not sure why you would confide your story to such a common soldier as I, anyway."

Despite his indication that she didn't need to go into any details she forged ahead anyway. He had the feeling that it was just something that she needed to get off her chest, and he simply, perhaps, was a stranger that she felt safe in telling her story to. At least that was what he convinced himself of. He nodded his head, his simple way of saying he understood. "I don't know. It hasn't lessened my opinion of you in the least. however,we all have secrets that we judge should be withheld from others, even former Knights."

"Yes.... yes ..... I am ready. Take a look at it and see what you can make of it." He wondered how it looked. Fortunately, it was not in a place that would be be easily visible, normally.

[Romily de Braose]

She looked back over her shoulder at him as he questioned whether she was expecting anyone. She wouldn’t put it past Agnes to hunt them down. Instead Romily smiled, “It’s just incase people get the wrong idea if im seen going into a room with a unknown man. Talk around here spreads fast – I don’t like to be the focus of it” she confirmed.
Romily shook her head at Lancelot’s next statement. “We won’t be.” She’d locked the door anyway so as Agnes couldn’t burst in, “why? Are you concerned that we might be?” she asked.

Lancelot had an idea that she was of nobility. Well he wasn’t the first. “Everyone I have come across has asked me if I am of nobility – they seem more stunned to learn im not when I tell them” she chuckled.

She turned around to give him a little privacy as he removed the top half of his clothing. She didn’t want him to feel as though she were deliberately looking! Once he was done she inspected the wound. It was healing but there was still some cleaning that could be done, just to ensure that it did not become infected. “I believe you to be a honourable man – knighthood or not” she said and gestured for him to sit down so as she could clean the wound. “There’s just something about you Lancelot” she frowned and soaked the cloth in the water, “Im not quite sure what it exactly it, but I feel as though that you are a trustworthy and loyal man – I swapped my lifestyle because I felt that I had to break free from all the suffocation, it would be nice to return to it but im finding that I prefer my life now than the one before” she dabbed at the wound.

“And what is your opinion of me” she smirked.

There was silence for a while, “Why do you find it strange that I find you interesting? It seems to me that you think you are just some ‘common solider’ but I think you are anything but that” she told him and then decided to explain a little more – just incase she spooked him out with such words.

“What I mean by that is, it’s just that ive spent most of my life away from others and it’s only now im starting to meet new people – everyone has a different story and to me they are all fascinating. I never got to experience this when I was of nobility”.

She wiped the wound clean and then dropped the cloth in the bowl. “That should heal nicely now. I’ve only cleaned it up just to make sure no infection can get in – but I think you’ll live” she smiled warmly and got up, taking the bowl and placing it back onto the table.

[Deleted]

Lancelot was not used to being in the company of others, so he naturally observed their actions. In her case he found it interesting that she was keeping a somewhat close watch out. If the truth be known, although he had at one time felt comfortable in the presence of Prince Arthur, he did not feel especially well in a large company, even if they were Knights of Camelot.

He felt better just depending on his own skills, and no others. "What kind of idea do you reckon that people might get if you were seen in the room of an unknown man? If you are uneasy with such thoughts, perhaps you will want to leave as quickly as possible, so that there is no danger of becoming such a .... focus, eh. Are uneasy, in this soldier's presence," he wondered.

Given, what she had said, however, he raised his eyebrow when he saw and heard her latch the lock on the door to the room. "Really, it is interesting and curious that you would say that there is no danger of that, just as you latch the door. No ..... no ..... I am well-prepared for any fool that would choose to invade my space. They might find it to be one of their last acts in life."

He listened to her most recent statement on her nobility. It seemed to him that she protested a bit too much. "It may be, milady, that they are so stunned, and it flies in the face of the obvious so much, that they simply don't believe you. As for me, it matters not, since I judge a man or woman, or a boy or a girl, on the content of their character and what they do, not what others say about them."

He noted that she turned away as he removed his several layers of clothing that extended from his rounded shoulders to his waist. There was that demonstration of respect and dignity, which he appreciated, at least. She was not at all interested in his actual appearance, he thought to himself with relief. She had gone immediately to the task at hand. He had thought that the wound was nearly healed, but the tenderness it exhibited, from the still raw skin, showed that it still needed some care. However, perhaps this good cleaning would be all that it needed. After he got over the initial rawness, Lancelot began listening to her once more, as he saw her motion him down on to the bed. "Well, just being a Knight does not insure honor. Knights are men after all, with all of their virtues and their many flaws. Its just that more is expected out of men who chosen to such. I'm afraid my flaw was too great."

He chuckled slightly at her remark about him, as she continued cleansing the wound. "Something about me? How so? I am no longer a Knight of Camelot, even, just a soldier of fortune .... a wandering one at that. I would have thought that you were worldly and wise enough not to make such assumptions of trustworthiness or loyalty. Surely if I had had such qualities I would have been made a Knight by one of the several nobles I have toiled for." He nodded his head at her statement of the need to escape from suffocation, as if he understood and approved.

"What is my opinion of you? It is a bit early for me to make judgments and assumptions. Many, though, would have just run off when I showed myself. You, on the other hand wanted to fight me, and then demanded that I prove myself, and then you accepted me. Few would have challenged me as you tried to and then prepared a room for me,and cleaned my wound. So, at the very least ..... you seem to be an honest ..... if a complicated soul.... and an interesting one, as well as protective, for some reason I can't fathom ... yet."

It did not seem that had a response for that evaluation, at least no ready one, and she remained silent for several moments. "I feel it strange that anyone would find me interesting, but especially you, with all of the characters that come through here I would expect. I am just a run-of-the-mill soldier, perhaps more skilled than the average, so I have survived longer than most. I have no family, and really very few tall tales to tell. My life is one of things taken away and missed opportunities .... not the stuff of legends, exactly. What exactly makes you think that I am more than a 'common soldier'? What is your proof?"

He listened to her explanation .... not him, necessarily, but people in general, and he nodded once more. "Yes, I can agree with that, although I would hesitate to say that is true of me. Every person is unique, and has their own story to tell. That much is true, and the secluded life of some nobility at least might shield you from such knowledge."

Even before he had realized it she had finished with her work on his back. "For that, then, milady, I am in your debt. I never thought that I would have be tended to by a noblewoman," he chuckled. 'I'm sure that I will face some opponents in the future who will not be appreciative of the work you have done so that I might live and fight another day," he smiled. "Do have permission to get up now, and dress," he asked.

[Romily de Braose]

She listened to Lancelot with intrigue as he spoke. It seemed that he was more curious as to why she had locked the door. She gave him a small smile. “What kind? Well I believe them to think thoughts that give the impression of me not being as virtuous as they think I am”. To go into a room with a strange man and to appear hours later would cause a lot of talk – if they were seen that was.
Thankfully Romily doubted that no one had spotted them. “Im not uneasy in your presence – more relaxed if anything” she shrugged. She certainly trusted people far too easily these days. That had always niggled at her mind slightly – especially after Frederick’s mistrust.

“Im glad you came so prepared then” she nodded.

As she worked on his wound, Lancelot spoke a little more – about knighthood and honour. She was sure that she felt him jolt slightly at the connection between the wound and the cloth. “Im sorry” she apologised, “I didn’t mean for that to hurt you”.

Once she’d emptied the water and wrung the cloth out, she turned to Lancelot who was now asking if he could dress again. “Of course” she nodded and busied herself, tidying what she could of the room so as to give him some privacy. Once she was sure that he’d finished she turned back to him. “So…what do you plan on doing after leaving this very small village behind” she gave him a small smirk, “You can’t travel forever can you?”
Then again he was a knight, perhaps he would gain knighthood elsewhere? She doubted that was possible, but dreams such as that could be made into reality eventually – even if it did take a lot of hard work.

She smoothed out her dress. She desperately needed to start work on making a new one, as this one was becoming quite torn from the many days of hard labour. All the years of embroidery had paid off too. This dress seemed to be beyond mending though.

Romily looked up at Lancelot, “would you like me to leave you to get some rest?” she asked – unsure as to whether her guest wanted her there anymore.

[Deleted]

Lancelot smiled as he watched her facial expressions and the smile that they evolved into. He thought her response to be somewhat amusing. He, after all, did not look at himself as much of a ladies man. So he thought it quite humorous that they would get those kinds of ideas. "And exactly how virtuous do they think that you are, and how does that perception compare with reality, milady?" he wondered both how much she would welcome that kind of talk to place, and what she actually wanted to happen.

"This former Knight of Camelot is indeed at your disposal, milady., although he is not absolutely sure about what Romily might have in mind," he said with a raised eyebrow. My, that was an interesting turn of phrase, he thought to himself. "That would seem to be unusual. One would that you would beat least a little uneasy with a nomadic knight that you don't really know that well. What could explain this relaxed way you feel?"

"I'm always prepared. If I wasn't I wouldn't have survived long enough to leave my teenage years."

Lancelot had figured that carrying on a conversation, one-sided as it was likely to be while she worked, was the best way to pass the time. However, he had not been prepared for the sharp twinge in his shoulder,and he knew his body had noticeably jerked. She had quickly apologized, and he, just as quickly, responded, "It was nothing milady ..... it was just unexpected."

It was apparent to him, by the movements of her body, and the tone of her voice, as well as the fact that the irritation in his shoulder had stopped,that she was done. Lancelot was not particularly shy about his body, outside of the fact that as a Knight he thought that there were certain standards that he was expected to uphold. He was dressed, acceptably, within a few minutes.

"Continue with my travels. I have heard that the King of Wessex may be in need of some experienced fighters. I suppose at some point I may stop, but I don't see that day at present. As long as my path takes me away from Camelot, it will probably be a beneficial thing. Oh .... this village isn't so bad ... I have seen smaller. Perhaps I should stick around for a bit, at least until the locals become bored with me, eh?"

He understood that she was trying to make some small talk. He sensed that she was somewhat nervous, perhaps not too sure about what subjects to talk about and which ones to shy away from. He wondered if she would be opposed to him sticking around this little hamlet, or would his presence prove too dangerous for the locals?

It was easy to notice that now that she was not working on cleaning his wound, that she rather nervously did not know exactly what to do with her hands. He noticed that her dress was pretty threadbare. "How long have you had that dress .... did you buy it or do you sew your own?," he asked. It was obvious that it had seen better days and that it had many tears and holes.

"I was wondering whether we could get you another one someplace. It doesn't have to brand new, but something that gives you more protection than that one does." Finally, her hands came to a rest. He looked into hers with his pale blue eyes and said, "No .... it was my understanding that you had set aside some time off, specifically so you could entertain me. or have you grown tired of me already," he said with his eyes twinkling.

[Romily de Braose]

This was all kind of embarrassing, talking about being virtuous or not. She smiled embarrassingly at the floor – not wanting to look at Lancelot, purely because this kind of talk was a little awkward. “They think what they will – only I know just much I am,” she told him, “I think that’s all that matters”.

It was then she looked at him. “Talking and gossiping will always be a part of this village because of its size. Some people have nothing better to do – at least im not always the center of their gossip though, so I am thankful for that.” It was true; most of the talk was about Agnes. “And what is your opinion of this?” she dared to ask, “do you think that I am the kind of girl who just invites every guest into her room when she has the chance?”
Romily couldn’t help but smirk at this. It would be interesting to hear Lancelot’s opinion of the matter, compared to others that she’d heard.

She listened to what he was telling her about where he would go after leaving the inn. Romily couldn’t help but laugh slightly when he joked that he could stay until everyone was bored of him. “It would be nice to see a different face” she told him, “and im sure most of the woman population will pounce on you – well, ones who are of Agnes’ age anyway” she shrugged. She really doubted that old Bessie (who was practically on the verge of dying) would launch herself at him.

She wondered why Lancelot thought very little of himself, he was a very good-looking man in all honesty, and very chivalrous. He had views and appeared to choose his battles wisely. What was there for a woman not to love? Then again he could be married, or not…he said he’d been by himself for most of his life. “Unless you happen to be married or hiding a family that no one knows of” she joked, trying to lighten the mood, “then I think a few hearts will break on finding out that information.”

Romily toyed with her dress more. It was more out of nervousness rather than feeling uncomfortable. Lancelot had appeared to notice this, and immediately she stopped. “A few years” she shrugged it off. She’d learnt o live being in the same dress. Back when she’d lived at Wolfhall it seemed as though she’d had a new dress every week. Rich and fine, whereas this was tattered and torn.
She appreciated this one more. It was proof of just how hard she’d worked for getting this far in her life. “I make my own – I just leant after I left home. I was very fond of embroidery and still am, so it came naturally to me when making it” she replied, “I was actually thinking of making another.”

Romily found it sweet that he appeared to be concerned for her attire. She shook it off, “thank you, but it is alright. I will work on another in time, but with things being rather busy I’ve not had the time to even take a look at myself or how I look lately.” It didn’t bother her; she could be worse off and dressed in just a sack.

He wanted her to stay? Well that was a surprise. She would have thought that he was getting bored of her by now, but he sounded like he was holding her to her word. “Not at all” she denied that she was becoming bored of his own presence and looked up at him again, “what kind of entertainment did you have in mind?”

[Deleted]

This was something new, he thought to himself. She had seemed to be so self-confident, even when she had thought that she would have to defend herself against him. But that feeling was gone now. He took her softly by the wrist. "Yes .... yes .... that is what matters. You can't control what others think and say and do. You can only control and be responsible for what is in your own heart."

He then saw her gaze turn to him and she started to try and explain what she had meant. "Yes .... yes .....I understand. My life began in the smallest of villages. I know the widows who have nothing better to watch and guess with each other about the lives of others." Then, however, she asked what he thought of her. /He took a deep breath and responded ... slowly. "I think that you are a lady of great kindness and honor. I think that you are highly selective in all of your choices and count myself fortunate that you chose to watch over me. Is this your room? I thought that you had prepared a room?"

She seemed to be quite interested in what he would do and where he would go after leaving the Inn. Given what had just happened between he and Gwen, and him taking his final leave of her so that Arthur would have the chance he deserved, the depression that went with that, and the near-fatal attack he had endured, he felt that wandering was his best course. Actually, any path that took him far from Camelot was probably the greatest preference on his part. "Pounce on this soldier ..... surely you must be joking. Who would want any part of me," he laughed.

At first Lancelot thought that she was merely joking, but then after a few moments he thought that she might indeed e serious. And in fact, it seemed that she was looking him over once more, as if she was trying to figure something out. Then she spoke, and it was not a question that he expected to be asked or would have ever expected that he would have to answer. "Me? ..... Married? ..... A Family? No ..... milady .... I am not hiding such a thing. Why would you ask, or anybody ask such a thing? Me ..... a heart-breaker? I would find that quite hard to get my head around that idea."

He saw her absent-mindedly toy with her dress again. "Would you want me to bu you a new one, or the material for you to make one," he asked with a smile. "A beautiful woman, no matter her station, should be allowed to display it properly, don't you think? I think that even if its only a few years, its much too long, no matter how much you prefer doing your own work."

He listened to her try to come up with an explanation of how it was that her present dress was all that she presently had. "And I am quite sure that you are very good at it. However, that does not entirely 'skirt' the issue. Now .... exactly how hard have you been thinking of doing it, especially since you are the type of woman, I think, that when you decide you want something you do it ....or ... you go after it," he said with the thinnest of smiles.

"No ... milady ....it is not all right. I will not have you postpone it. That would be too easy. But, I would not force such a decision upon you. If it is not something that you would wish that is up to you. Hmmmmm ..... are you sure that I am not becoming tiresome. I am open to any form of entertainment that you would find suitable. I try not to be too unreasonable when I am able," he chuckled.

[Romily de Braose]

She smiled shyly as he took her wrist. “I couldn’t have put that any better than you” she replied. It was true after all.

Romily shook her head when Lancelot asked if the room was hers. “No, no – mine is down the hallway. – And thank you for those kind words, I’ve always chosen my battles wisely” she confirmed, “and to be a lady of great kindness and honour? Well that makes me feel as though im doing something right!” she laughed and handed him a drink that she’d brought up with her. “To take the sting from your wound away, if there still is one” she told him.

"Me? ..... Married? ..... A Family? No ..... milady .... I am not hiding such a thing. Why would you ask, or anybody ask such a thing? Me ..... a heart-breaker? I would find that quite hard to get my head around that idea."

She rolled her eyes. “Come now Lancelot, there’s no need to be like that, the women in that bar downstairs couldn’t stop staring at you”. They were like vultures around here. “And the reason I ask is because I refuse to believe that no woman wouldn’t not look at you – there are many takers downstairs, ask anyone” A small smirk played on her lips. The women downstairs would eat him alive if they could! They liked to check out any passing traveller that happened to be handsome. Agnes being a prime example.

Romily frowned slightly at his offer but shook her head, “Thank you but I couldn’t let you do that – besides I shall find the time to make it one day” she admitted, knowing that there wouldn’t exactly be anytime unless it was after closing hours. Her expression turned to intrigue when he stated that she seemed to be the type of girl to go after a chance and take it. “I don’t always get what I want Lancelot”. She sighed, “There are things that I wish for that I shall never have – no matter how hard I want them”.

She took a sip of her own drink as Lancelot spoke, then turned back to him. “Well, you decide the subject of entertainment and you’re the guest and I shall do what I can to provide it”.

[Deleted]

He saw that little smile on her face, but it was a true expression, he thought. As true as could remember, save Gwen of course. He wondered whether he should have grabbed her wrist or not. "That would be surprising then. I am not known as a man of letters or words, but one of action."

Lancelot personally doubted that the room was hers, but he had just wanted to be sure. It was always a good idea to make sure of such things at the start. Lancelot implicitly trusted Romily, even though they had just met. He had sensed that she would not beat around the bush if she wanted something. And he could not see that she would was interested in him,although, for some reason,she seemed to feel that he would be attractive to others.

"That is good .... then I will know generally where to find you, if you are not at your duties in the tavern. Hmmmm ...... kind or not ..... a knight or one who professes knightly ways, should always speak the truth as it appears to them. i only spoke what was obvious and true, milady." He took the drink from her, nodding in deference, "and this speaks to those hallmarks of your character and kindness," and he rank the drink, perhaps surprising, with one quick gulp.

"Actually, there is no real sting there, perhaps because the wound is old. In any case, though, a good drink is always appreciated. A nomadic knight rarely has the opportunity for such things on the road." He got a good long chuckle from her questions about his family relationships, if any. "I doubt if I would be considered to be much of a catch," he smiled good-naturedly.

He responded with a bemused expression in his pale blue eyes, as she rolled her own. "Really, I never noticed ...... staring you say? Except for my time in Camelot I have never had the occasion to be around many people, especially socially. I just never stopped to think that anyone would have much interest, one way or another, in a wanderer. I have spent most of my time since I was 14 just trying to survive, let alone to chase my dream, or a pretty girl. You really believe that? Well, I most certainly did not have that effect on you, so it probably doesn't apply to all women," he smiled once more, as he played with the empty cup in his hand.

He watched her frown at his suggestion, and shake her head negatively, which was something that he simply could not understand. "Does that mean that you would refuse a direct gift? Excuse me, milady, but given your dress's current condition I would have expected that you would have made another before the last winter season, which you apparently did not. It almost seems that you need someone to watch over you," he gently teased. He found it hard to believe that she didn't get what she truly wanted. "Give me an example, then, if something that you want but can't have?"

He saw her return to her own drink and seemed to change the subject back to the entertainment for the evening. "Very well. Even though it would seem to take advantage of you and monopolize your free time on one of you few nights off, I would simply like the privilege of your company and conversation. I only realized recently how alone I've become in the world, and how nice it would be to have someone to talk to occasionally. However, if you desire to be off doing other things I would completely understand."