I've Just Seen A Face [Yassia|Gwaine]

[Romily de Braose]

Her legs were killing her. She’d been walking for hours and had only stopped for a half hour cool down. The road to Camelot was defiantly a long one, and the thought of seeing her friend Yassia again, allowed Romily to keep on going. She wasn’t about to spend the night sleeping in the forests around her.

The scenery of the mountains and hills were just breathtaking. Romily remembered when Gwaine had taken her to a part of Albion that had scenery that was just as stunning. Yassia must have been in her element when she’d first laid eyes on this.
Romily couldn’t believe that it had been at least a year that she’d last seen her friend. Eldon had her working and she’d never found the time to actually send a message to her friend to ask when to visit. It had only been recently, (now that Eldon was allowing her a certain amount of freedom – thanks to a certain someone) that she’d sent a message asking when it was the right time to visit. After all, Romily needed to get away from The Ram at some point. Now seemed the perfect time to do it. She could, not only experience Camelot for herself, but also see her friend again.

Romily followed the road that wove in between the hills, it was another hot day and she’d given up on wearing her shawl, placing it in her bag. No one wouldn’t dream of robbing a peasant girl – not even one that had her bright pink dress symbolising her truths stowed away in her bag, underneath all of her other clothes. Romily didn’t know why she’d brought it – her excuse would probably be that she wanted a part of her old self with her.

Finally as she reached the top of the hill she found that she could see before her a town. A magnificent city just laid bare in all its glory, and a white castle. “Camelot” she breathed. How she envied Yassia to be living in such a beautiful place right now.

She headed down and through into the city. She stopped to take in her surroundings and looked around her. People everywhere, market stalls out. It certainly looked like a busy day. Now all there was to find Yassia. It was ridiculous how Romily had forgotten to arrange a meeting point with her – just what day and time that she was expected to arrive.

It seemed as though it would be like looking for a needle in a haystack.

Tags: Yassia and Gwaine
Setting: After the end of Series 3

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

What other things was there than to wait? Yassia was determined to wait all day if that was what it took to finally, finally meet Romily again. It was so typical, in the messages back and forth they had agreed upon the day, but not upon any meeting place. Now Yassia was waiting by the gate that lead into the outer parts of the citadel, right where the city started. This, so she hoped, would be the place Romily would finally go to, as she would expect her friend to be a resident in the castle.
More than a year… to even think about that amount of time was ridiculous. Yassia had never intended to stay in Camelot that long. In her naïve mind it had all been over in mere months, weeks even, and then she would be on her way back. Hm… not so much naivety left now, a great deal more disenchantment instead.
But that would not spoil her good mood today, she was determined to not let this happen! This day was a day of joyful reunition!

Quite a day Romily had chosen for her arrival, but none of the two women could have guessed. This apparently was the day many of the knights of the realm had chosen to come to Camelot, offering their help to Prince Arthur, who more or less was ruling this kingdom now. Yassia guessed it was a good strategy to form the brotherly bond the Knights of Camelot were so famous for. But it would not only be the knights directly from throughout the realm, even from adjoining kingdoms knights were coming, making the city seem even more bustling with activity. There was a constant stream of riders and walking people alike moving over the drawbrigde, never quite breaking off. Some of the knights had already noticed her, standing at the gate waiting, and some had bowed their heads respectfully, probably wondering what the richly attired lady was looking for.

Richly attired… oh yes. Yassia looked down at herself with a nostalgic little grin. She wore the very same dress Romily had given her so long ago as a token of their friendship, when she had needed it most. She hadn’t wore it often during the last year, it was too precious to her. But what better day was there to wear it than the very same day those two women would finally meet again.
Straining her eyes, she tried to work through the chaos and mass of people coming her way, until she finally thought she saw a familiar shock of golden hair glinting in the sun. Raising on her tiptoes she tried to make sure… YES! There she was, Romily!

Beaming like a whole chandelier Yassia set out into a very un-ladylike run, startling the guards and a new arriving knight as she rushed past them, hem of her long garments lifted a little to not trip.
Like a whirlwind she came down on her friend, engulfing her into a tight hug. “Romily! Finally! Sweet stars, how I missed you!”
It might look alien to anyone watching how an obvious lady was hugging a peasant traveler, but at the moment Yassia couldn’t care less about her own appearance and dignity. She was far too happy.

[Romily de Braose]

Romily ventured further into the city. You could so easily get lost in here she wondered where on earth she was heading to.
She also noted the many knights passing. They were not Knights of Camelot as she’d seen the colours of them before. They were obviously from other kingdoms and here for some event.

That was when she noticed her. The knights were watching as they passed, bowing their heads to the woman with dark flowing hair and dressed in a familiar silver dress that Romily knew had once belonged to her. Yassia! She was standing just outside the citadel and obviously was looking for her. Then she spotted her and quickly ran, not caring for the looks she was receiving.

“Yassia!” she cried as her friend embraced her. “It’s been so loooong!” she pulled apart with her hands on her friends’ shoulders to take a good look at her. “Look at you – you look like a noblewoman!” she grinned.

Compared to Yassia, Romily looked like a normal peasant girl, in her own handmade dresses that were practically starting to become worn around the bottom. She’d made a dress just for her stay here. It was a nice peach shade with a laced up bodice, but suitable enough for her to pass as a normal peasant anyway. “Why are there so many knights here?” she asked. To Romily, this was her idea of hell. “They’ve not all come to line up to ask for your hand have they?” she smirked.
Romily wondered whether her friend had been fortunate enough to find love yet. After all – with her looks it was certainly hard not to stare.

She looked around the city and then up at the castle behind them. “So…this is the famous Camelot that you’ve spoke but nothing of in your letters” she smiled. “I envy you – it’s a beautiful place”.

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

Yassia realised it had all lead to this very moment. All those months in Camelot she had found something missing, but never had been able to put the finger straight on it. Now Romily was here it felt like the final piece of the puzzle was in place. It was a wonderful experience, this feeling! Not being able to hold back the bubbling laughter that wanted to burst out of her chest, she hugged her friend once more, blushing slightly at her examining eyes.
“Look at you, you don’t”, she retorted with a wink and then dropped her voice so none of the passing knights and servants would pick up her words. “I hope you brought that lovely pink dress with you? I would think it’s time for the world to know who you are.” Not waiting for any protest that might arise, she quickly added: “Only here, where no one knows you anyway. Think of it, Romily! You could be at court together with me, as an honored guest, and I’m sure every single one of the knights will line up to gain your goodwill!”

Now she had practically answered Romily’s next question, but at her teasing she blushed bright crimson. There it was again, the cursed talk about marriage. Why it made her so extremely uncomfortable Yassia couldn’t tell. Perhaps it was because her own thoughts were practically circling about this whole issue as well, not always, but on some nights. If she failed to stand up for her claim before the Crown Council of her land, she would need a man to take up the throne of Ailantha. And if she couldn’t present a better choice herself, all this had been in vain. She could have stayed where she was an married Gonçal. That’s at least what everyone would be thinking. Why leave them to the harsh rule of her uncle Guifré, if she could have at least tried to bring in her own influence every once in a while? That might not be much, concerning the firm hand she might be under now, but it would be better than nothing!
Until now, though, no one in Camelot had been suitable in her eyes.

“As a matter of fact, they have not”, she tried to take up the joke. “Though I have to admit, some of them look rather handsome. No, it's just many knights gather to help the young Crown Prince reestablishing order together with his new knights. You know…” again she dropped her voice, grinning and delighting in the fact she could finally share some scandalous gossip with a close friend. She had missed that as well. “They are commoners mostly, even people the king has banished from his realm on pain of death. But fact is they won back the kingdom when it had been under attack.”
Gwaine was one of them… But Yassia quickly dismissed the subject in her mind. Romily had just arrived, there was no need to tell her about the awkwardness that arouse every time they met. More so now they both knew each other’s true colors. Inwardly Yassia still cringed when she thought about that fateful meeting when he had come to Camelot, seeing her in noble garments…

Enough of that now! Bringing a smile back on her face, Yassia slipped a hand under Romily’s arm and pulled her towards the gate to the citadel. “Let’s get you inside, shall we? I bet you’re tired from the journey!”

[Romily de Braose]

Yassia’s comment could only make Romily chuckle. It wasn’t the first time that anyone had asked whether she was of nobility or not. If anything, they were more surprised when she confirmed that she was just a barmaid. Gwaine had made comments like this and another visitor she’d had to the Ram called Lancelot.
Romily missed Gwaine. She had not seen him since their little picnic. If he were to turn up at the Ram now, then she wouldn’t be there to greet him – and she was sure that Eldon wasn’t a good substitute in her absence.

“I have, but I do not plan on wearing it though. I will simply act as your handmaiden.” She told Yassia. She wasn’t planning on blowing her cover, even if no one in Camelot knew of her. “Besides, it’s far more fitting. I made myself a new dress just so I could pass as a trusted servant of yours” she smirked and gestured to the one she was wearing.

She was a little surprised to learn that Yassia had no man yet. That needed to be sorted and fast. “Why ever not?” she frowned. Yassia then went onto explain about why so many knights were present and that they could be at court together. “It sounds...fun, i suppose - i've never been to court, all the times my father had the chance to present me but i was made to stay at home– but I suppose you are used to all the feasts and what not now you’re back to nobility again” she smirked.
Romily knew that if she had to go to court then she'd have some kind of panic attack - she disliked large crowds having not been accustomed to them before, even if she did know how she should act around nobility. "and besides - you know my opinion of knights - so being stuck in a room full of them wouldn't do me any favours".

Yassia led her to the citadel. Romily could only gaze in awe at it. “You have no idea how envious I am of you right now – it’s such a…well I can’t describe it – It’s just so full of life compared to where I am from” she referred this back to both the village and Carmelide. Then again she’d never set foot in the city of Carmelide.

“And im surprisingly awake. The journey wasn’t that long” she confirmed and followed Yassia.

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

Yassia frowned mildly at the prospects of her dear friend acting as her inferior in front of everyone else. That was not right! How long would she drag out this game of hiding her true identity before she finally came to her senses? It was not like Yassia would like to pry in Romily’s business, but she couldn’t help but wonder what was the reason behind this denial. This was not Carmelide, but Camelot, the very nerve center of chivalry and nobility in these parts which would surely welcome the stunning young lady with open arms, should she choose to reveal herself.
“But, Romily… why?” Her face was all confusion and concern. “Can I really not change your mind about this? Though of course”, she let her gaze wander once more over her friend’s appearance. “I do very much like this dress, and I must salute you for making it yourself. As if ever I could”, she quipped.

Resigning to the current outcome of things, Yassia couldn’t help but add however: “You will excuse me though for not treating you like a servant. That’ll be the day! You’re my best friend and the world shall know it, no matter who you pretend to be. Besides…” now a mischievous grin spread over her face, “I might not even need your help with my bodices… believe it or not, I practiced!”

Yassia squirmed visibly under Romily’s curious questions, as the topic was one she rather avoided. Yes, whyever not? There was a simple answer to all of it, but simple or not, the Princess wasn’t sure if Romily would also find it reasonable or satisfying.
“Because…” she sighed as she walked on over the large drawbridge and towards the outer ring that would eventually lead into the courtyard through another gate. “Because when I think of taking someone as my husband, I must take many things into account. I will not stay here, Romily, and you know it.” She shrugged, then continued to explain. “The man I will eventually choose will either have to be fit to rule at my side or rule in my name should I not be able to persuade the Crown Council to let go of this stupid law that forbids me to rule alone. He must have the qualities of a good king, bold enough to overcome any animosities directed towards him, but I also must be able to trust him, that he won’t overrule me in the end, driven by greed and yearning for power.”

Making a wide motion with her arm she seemed to encircle the whole of Camelot. “Find such a man for me and make it one that I can also bear to be in the same room with for more than ten minutes, and I promise you I will give him my hand before the day is through.”Dismissing the topic for now, Yassia laughed in response at Romily’s show of awe. “Believe me, when I first got here, I was just like you, but you get used to its splendor soon enough and start to complain about the long ways it takes you to get somewhere, because it is that big.”

Then she cocked her head, thinking about something. “Alright, if you’re not tired, then I will give you a choice. Do you want to put your things into my room first, or do you want to meet the man that matters most to me here – my uncle?”

[Romily de Braose]

Romily was standing firm on her word. Yassia couldn’t persuade her otherwise. “You will excuse me though for not treating you like a servant. That’ll be the day! You’re my best friend and the world shall know it, no matter who you pretend to be. Besides…I might not even need your help with my bodices… believe it or not, I practiced!”
She couldn’t help but chuckle at this, “My, my – things certainly have changed for you since you arrived here then” she smirked, “I take it you can now do them yourself”

Romily was saddened by Yassia’s story. In order for her to take a husband they would have to be fit to take on all the duties of a royal. It always escaped Romily’s mind that Yassia was indeed a Queen. She was so much like everyone else that she blended into this life perfectly. Romily never could – she knew that she would always be mistaken for a noble upon every first meeting that she would have with a different person.
“I am sure that there has to be at least one man here who is fit enough to be your future husband! And we shall find him!” Romily laughed.

They carried on walking, with Yassia asking whether Romily wanted to put her bags down first or meet Yassia’s uncle.

“How about I put my bag in your room and then we meet this famous uncle of yours – you’ve spoken about him so much that I feel as though I practically know him myself!”

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

Yassia was too proud for it to be healthy about her new found ability to fasten her own lacings without the help of a second person, and so she just beamed along with her friend’s mild teasing. “Just you wait, I’m gonna show you!”
What she didn’t mention though was the final reason that had awakened in her the wish to be able to do it alone. There had been one certain incident with a travelling companion… with Gwaine. Even though the lacing of her usual travelling dress had been easy compared to the advanced one of this beautiful silver dress, she had managed to get a cramp in both arms at the same time, which rendered her useless for this particular task. Gwaine had needed to step in and it had been akward for them both. According to the principle ‘practise makes perfect’ she had used her stubbornness and strong will for a benefitting purpose for once, and the result had been very pleasing – after a few more cramps and sore muscles.

That’s why she had missed her friend. She had thought about these things often enough alone, but Romily just managed to make her problems seem so very small, just because Yassia could laugh them off together with her. The image of the two woman filing through Camelot’s court to find Yassia a suitable husband was amusing indeed. But who knew? She trusted her friend’s judgement. Maybe Romily really could see something Yassia had overlooked so far? Or rather: someone?
“That’ll be the funniest thing to do ever”, Yassia romanticized with gleaming eyes. “Enough entertainmane to make your stay here an unforgettable memory. Oh, now that we’re at it:” she lowered her voice into a conspiratory tone, “what about your love life, my dear? Anything I need to know?”

While she waited if Romily would answer this rather nosy question, Yassia led her friend into the vast courtyard of the citadel. Even after more than a year, she could not deny to be moved by the elegance and beauty of the many towers and oriels looming above her. It was hard to imagine this sheer mass of stone could ever be invaded… and yet during Yassia’s stay it had fallen at least once.
“That sounds good to me. My chambers are not very far, in the guest wing close to the royal hall. It’s just up that wonderful stairway and a little beyond.” She explained and then had to hide a grin. “Oh, and don’t be surprised if my uncle greets you very warmly as well. I practically never stopped telling him about your kindness. But no worries”, she added quickly. “I didn’t tell him about your background. That secret is safe with me!”

[Romily de Braose]

When the subject changed to Romily’s own love life, she just looked to the ground and smiled. “There is…someone…” she didn’t know whether to tell Yassia about all of what had happened with her and Gwaine just yet – after all, she and Gwaine had only admitted their feeling to one another just a few months previously. Romily wasn’t entirely sure as to where everything was headed for the moment, they hadn’t seen one another for quite sometime due to busy lives. Romily still had no clue as to how Gwaine spent his days – but they were obviously hectic ones. She made a mental note to ask him the next time he came to visit her.

“He came to the inn and stayed for the evening. We began to talk and that’s all there is to know really” that wasn’t even half of it. She didn’t even want to go into Gwaine’s drunken state he’d been in. “He took me for a picnic some weeks ago in the most beautiful place ive ever seen. I didn’t even know of its existence until we got there”.
Romily looked at her friend and smiled. “It’s early days – but he treats me well”.

"Oh, and don’t be surprised if my uncle greets you very warmly as well. I practically never stopped telling him about your kindness. But no worries, “I didn’t tell him about your background. That secret is safe with me”
Romily nodded at this and gave a small laugh, “I look forward to meeting him- and thank you for not saying anything.” She told her as they climbed the stairs to Yassia’s room. Romily put her bag in and then both of them made their way back down and outside.

“So…where is this uncle of yours to be found?” she asked, following Yassia. It was the most beautiful day she’d come across. The sky was blue with not a cloud in sight. Romily was glad that she’d decided to visit Yassia now.
Eldon had been very annoyed when she announced she was taking a trip to Camelot, but had let her go all the same. His daughter, Agnes – had told her not to get robbed by bandits along the way and to hope that the weather didn’t ruin her dress.
Romily couldn’t have given a pigs ear about whether she turned up in a ripped dress and drenched from a heavy downpour. As long as she got there safely that was all that mattered – and she had done. Take that Agnes!

[shonz]

Gwaine was having serious but equally fun time training with just about any weapon available in the castle’s armory. Among a lot of things, this was one of those activities that he thoroughly enjoyed doing as a knight. He not only gets to fight, he also gets to learn a trick or two from his fellow knights as well, especially from the more experienced ones. And vice versa. They’d teach each other lessons, share tactics and tips, and all in good well-meaning fun, and of course, keeping them all in mind and at heart for use when the need arises.

While most of the older knights had learned to accept the new ones into the fold, not everyone acclimated real quick. Of course, none of them would be caught saying anything about it to Arthur, but for Gwaine it wasn’t hard to tell from their actions. At least, they were still honorable enough to treat them civilly as fellow knights. And he personally would not dream of treating them any less kindly for they were still brother knights to him. Arthur himself had treated him no less differently from the other knights. Showing him the same kindness and respect as he would everybody. In time, Gwaine hoped everybody in Camelot’s army would accept him and the other new knights as openheartedly as Arthur did.

"I am Sir Aaron of Cambridge, my family has served the Pendragons since they took rule."

The knight who had stepped into the arena with him had introduced himself, a little too proudly for his taste. But Gwaine shrugged the attitude off, and gave him a small bow when he introduced himself as a greeting. “I am Gwaine,” he replied simply with a small smile. He could tell him, and everybody else who were watching them, who he really was -- the son of Sir Gareth, Knight of Gwent -- but no, he won’t. He became a knight not because of his noble blood, but because of his bravery and fierce loyalty to Arthur. He’d rather it stay that way. And besides, it would only bring up many more questions about why a knight of Gwent is serving Camelot. It was a story Gwaine didn’t feel like telling everybody. At least, Arthur and Merlin already knew about it and had accepted him fully despite it. That was what’s important to Gwaine. “It’s a great pleasure to be practicing with you today, Sir Aaron,” he added courteously as he put on his helmet and then pulled out his sword, ready for the practice scuffle.

In no time, Gwaine and Aaron exchanged blows in the arena both with magnificent skills and moves. Clanging and clanking, swishing and swashing the swords went as they battled it off like the fine fighters that they both were. Gwaine could hear shouts and hoots from all around them, cheering them on. They were giving the crowd a good show, and Gwaine always loved to please others. In fact, he and Aaron could easily drag this fight on just so the onlookers would have the time of their lives watching knights in action.

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

Yassia raised her brows in mild surprise and cocked her head, her front teeth gnawing on her lower lip to bite back a chuckle and some very over-excited comments she was practically bursting with. Romily had found someone after all?! Who was he? If he had stopped by the tavern apparently for the first time it could be no imminent local, but as he had returned at least once already, that meant it couldn’t have been a passing traveler.
And a picnic? Well now that really was a bit more than just idle talk…
Whistling low through her teeth, Yassia looked at Romily from the side. “My my my… someone’s been busy while I wasn’t looking. You know you’re not gonna get away with so little information, right? What’s his name, what does he do for a living? Is it the scholar I envisioned?”

But she also felt her friend’s hestitation and could very well understand why. Perhaps this truly was a matter that needed to be sorted out first. Feelings were always delicate, and prying into such business often enough could ruin more than it actually helped. So if Romily wasn’t going to tell any more for now, Yassia would be fine with it. If her friend really had feelings for this man, there would be no stopping her talking about him anyway. At least this was what Yassia expected most girls to do, even if you could hardly call Romily ‘most girls’.
So she let the matter drop for now and instead focused on their following encounter with her uncle Leon.

Yes, indeed, where could he be at this time of day? Yassia looked up at the sun guessing the time as they crossed the courtyard again. Most likely he was outside in the training ground. When she first came here, she had been a little surprised and slightly taken aback by how the people of Camelot seemed to see the training as a show worth watching. In Ailantha, no one but the knights had been allowed on the same ground, and it had been a little remote in the castle area as well. So, just because it had been forbidden, it had been one of Yassia’s favourite sports to sneak around the walls, watching Mircea and the other knights.
But here in Camelote, things apparently were different. As if it was a little tournament in itself, the courtiers took vivid interest in the training fights, commenting them and cheering for their heroes.

“I think he’s gonna be on the training field” she explained to Romily, directing her steps there. “At this time of day, everyone who wants can gather around the area and watch. I was very surprised by this foreign custom first, but now I got used to it.”
You heard the cheer of the small audience from afar, and Yassia tried to guess who was fighting right now. Maybe some of the new knights? Some of them seemed to have many sympathies in the female ground, and Gwaine above all of course. She only just managed to fight down an eyeroll.
Approaching the area, Yassia let her eyes scan the surroundings for her uncle and found him standing at the far end. Sighing inwardly, she prepared for having to push her way through.

[Romily de Braose]

Romily could tell that Yassia was about to pounce on her with 101 questions – she could see the excitement just filling her friend’s features. Romily rolled her eyes at this.
“My my my… someone’s been busy while I wasn’t looking. You know you’re not gonna get away with so little information, right? What’s his name, what does he do for a living? Is it the scholar I envisioned?”

She shook her head, “Not so much a scholar” she smiled, “but I couldn’t care about anything like that. He’s actually a servant and serves the son of some lord.” She told her as they walked along. “Even though it had been a week since we first met – he told me his feelings and…” she cut of and blushed at the memory, “...and that he loved me”.
She then looked to Yassia, “You don’t think badly of it do you? I know it was all very sudden, but he treats me right. More than I can say for any other man that I’ve met. When im with him I just feel as though nothing else matters anymore.” It was then a small grin appeared on her lips, “it’s like…well, it’s like it was actually meant to happen like that”. She wasn't about to launch into ' it is fate!' and all of that.

Romily carried on heading towards what sounded like a training field, judging from all the cheers and the sounds of metal on metal. Yassia confirmed that her uncle might be there. Romily knew she’d have to keep breathing when she arrived at the field. There were obviously going to be knights there – her worst nightmare was about to become reality. She had to handle this – she’d already managed to speak openly about Frederick, so why not crack another fear?

She then remembered that she hadn’t answered another question that Yassia had included earlier, and she knew that her friend was bursting to know who this mystery man was.

“Oh and his name?” she smiled. “His name is Gwaine”.

[shonz]

A swipe here and a slash there. Both knights in the middle of the training arena were head to head in serious and heated combat. Of course, minus the intention to kill, everything else in this swordfight was practically real. Not for show, but more for training and to know each other better. By fighting your brother knight in a mock skirmish, you not only get to practice and hone your own skills, you also familiarize yourself with the other man’s skills and techniques. In the battlefield, knowing the strengths and weaknesses of your opponent as well as your comrade could spell the difference between life and death. Knowing what your brother knight can do can enable you to help each other, collaborate effectively, and eventually triumph greatly.

Such was the case for Gwaine. While he was partly bent on defeating Sir Aaron, he was more focused on the other knight’s fighting style. Once or twice, he was not able to sidestep a well-aimed hit in time that Gwaine almost took to the ground. A couple of times, too, Gwaine had been able to throw deadly blows at Sir Aaron which got the man re-thinking his own strategy. The two knights were evenly matched in size and build, but it wasn't difficult to see that Gwaine was more nimble and more skilled.

Now circling the wide arena, the two knights were like bulls ready to rush into the fray, breathing heavily after an intense first round tussle. Gwaine heard a loud hoot coming from somewhere, and wondered if Sir Elyan had started a betting game just for fun. Laughing, Gwaine spoke to Sir Aaron under his helmet. “Loser gets to treat the winner to a few pints at the tavern.”

This elicited a small chuckle from the other seemingly serious knight. “You and your taverns, Gwaine,” he replied, his voice low enough for only Gwaine to hear. “I’m serious. More for the ale than for the women. I've already got me a goddess of my own,” Gwaine replied. And with that, Gwaine rushed forward and drove his sword right onto Sir Aaron’s midsection. The other knight jumped in time to avoid the hit, and blocked Gwaine’s sword with his own resuming the swishing and swashing of the metal blades.

“You? You have a lady?” Sir Aaron asked in disbelief as he swung downwards to the left.

"Why is that so hard to believe?" replied Gwaine with an easy block and then an attack from the other side.

"I don't think a woman would want to be with a drunkard and a womanizer like you."

"I am not a drunkard, and I most certainly am not a womanizer. Someday, I will introduce you to her, and you will stare in awe and envy at how her beauty surpasses even all of the princesses in Albion combined."

Sir Aaron laughed and drove a sword to the side of Gwaine's head, which Gwaine easily sidestepped. "Fine. If you win, I will treat you to all the ale you can drink at the tavern. If I win, you introduce your lady to all the Knights of Camelot, and maybe to Arthur, too," Sir Aaron said.

"Deal." Gwaine replied, and then his head started to spin with how he could get Romily to face an entire group of knights when she practically hated the shadow of them. Gwaine knew he will just need to win this skirmish to avoid the unthinkable. The last thing he wanted was to unduly stress Romily. And of course, there's the not-so-little problem about her not knowing that he himself was a knight, too. "Now, let's get this over and done with, eh?"

With a mirthless laugh, Gwaine then pounced on Sir Aaron with a renewed sense of motivation. He knew what the other knight’s weakness was when he starts getting tired. He was much the defensive fighter. Gwaine, on the other hand, had too much stamina to tire easily. He can still attack fiercely or go with the flow and sidestep the blow. With Sir Aaron merely blocking his attacks now, Gwaine had to keep egging the other man to fight back. “Come on! Give it to me!” he taunted good-naturedly. Sir Aaron, perhaps, now feeling a bit piqued at Gwaine’s jeers decided to rush head-on and swung his sword fiercely and a bit clumsily at him.

Unfortunately for Sir Aaron, this was what Gwaine was waiting for. And the new knight was all too quick to block Sir Aaron’s onslaught. Using his signature sword-stealing trick, Gwaine skillfully twisted his sword around Sir Aaron’s blade and sent the other knight’s weapon flying into the air. Positioning himself a few paces back, Gwaine then effortlessly caught the hilt of Sir Aaron’s sword with his free hand to the cheers and yells of the other knights and viewers around them.

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

That sounded all so very much like a fairytale to Yassia’s ears, she had to smile. Even though her own life was far from able to present such wonderful news, the sting of jealousy she secretly had been waiting for did not come. She just felt happiness for her friend’s luck and found herself praying it would work out for her.
A servant then? Well that would almost make sure Romily would never return to her former life as a noblewoman, as a woman’s status was mostly derived from her husband’s. But Romily didn’t seem to care and so Yassia shouldn’t mourn over lost possibilities. She would never think different of her friend, even if she became a servant’s wife! She finally was free to do what any girl dreamt of: marrying for love – fingers crossed things would come to that!

A little ‘awww’ sound escaped Yassia’s lips as Romily told her about how her man had expressed his feelings quite so soon. Yes, a fairytale.
“Straightforward and honest then” she commented and gave the girl next to her an impulsive half-hug as they walked. “I hate to say it, but you might have found the perfect man. Honestly, usually they rather swallow their own tongue than say those three magic words.”
Yassia threw her head back in laughter. Oh, that was priceless. Did Romily really think Yassia would see this as scandalous? “Don’t you worry about a thing!” she assured, still giggling. “I’m more likely to be overcome by jealousy than by contempt. I wish you all the luck on earth with him and hope you will see him again soon.”

She was far too lost in her own thoughts to realise Romily’s unease. Normally, such a notion would not have been lost to her and she would have asked what was wrong. But she could also not deny her eyes strayed over to the two fighting men every so often, and suddenly she found herself stalling her pace, lingering to join the watching crowd. She could watch out for Leon later… right? Moving on her tiptoes and straining her neck, she tried to find out who was fighting. They both were good, no question of that, but as they both wore the Camelotian crest and were masked by helmets there was no telling - - or was there?
Just as her thoughts had reached that conclusion one of them disarmed the other with a classical trick – and Yassia had seen that trick too often in the past weeks to mistake it. So one of them was—
“...Gwaine”

Yassia’s head darted around to Romily and the sudden movement sent a painful spasm down the side of her neck. “Did you just … did you just say Gwaine?!”
She must have misheard! Probably her brain that had just recognized one of the knights to be Gwaine had somehow overlapped the name she had heard with the one in her mind. It couldn’t be!! Then again, if she hadn’t misheard, there could be another Gwaine… was the name that common? Probably not… and they had met in a tavern… just like Yassia and Gwaine… this was mind-wrenching, she had to make sure.
Turning fully to Romily now, she tried to explain her weird reaction. “It’s just… I know a Gwaine, but he is no servant… no, rather the opposite. What does your Gwaine look like?”

[Romily de Braose]

Romily sighed. She missed Gwaine very much and had no idea when he was to visit her again. Yassia was now stating her jealousy about her newfound love and Romily could only chuckle. “He is quite extraordinary” she smiled, “but I wouldn’t have him any other way – he treats me well, and even if he hadn’t had said those three words, I would still think the same”. She smiled to herself.
One day her and Gwaine would be together, away from the prying eyes of Eldon and Agnes - everyone if they wished. They only had eyes for one another, and Romily couldn't imagine spending her days with any other man than him.

They wove in between many of the people who were watching the latest showdown between two knights. Romily telling Yassia about who her mystery man’s name was. She came to a stop beside her friend – trying to look like she was at least her maid. She watched the knights who were currently taking various swings at one another. Romily found herself to be quite calm, possibly because she was in the presence of a friend who understood her feelings about being here. “They are very…strong” Romily commented. Both knights were Knights of Camelot. She now recognised the crest as she’d entered the city.

“Did you just … did you just say Gwaine?!” Yassia was now looking at her as though she’d just heard the worst news in the world.

She frowned and nodded, “Yes? Gwaine – that’s his name. He was a wanderer but now he’s a servant” she repeated. Had Yassia been listening at all? Or had Romily made her not by going on about him? “Why?”. Romily was curious now. Yassia looked so shocked – had she run into him at all? There had to be more than one Gwaine in the world, surely?

“It’s just… I know a Gwaine, but he is no servant… no, rather them opposite. What does your Gwaine look like?”

Romily bit her lip. “How very strange!” she laughed slightly, and carried on watching the knights. One of them had just caught a sword in his hand sending the crowd into cheers. She clapped along with them, carrying on watching -“and my Gwaine has dark hair, and looks…” she trailed off slightly as one of the knights on the training field removed his helmet.

“Just like that…”

[shonz]

Laughing at the cheers from the other knights and the small crowd, Gwaine took off his helmet, and then gave Sir Aaron a small bow as he handed him his sword back. He also chanced a wave and a smile at the crowd before putting his arm over Sir Aaron’s shoulder. He hadn’t realized that the crowd had grown since the fight had started. Of course, it wasn’t a crowd as massive as that during tournaments, but it was a good spectator crowd nevertheless. He felt a small shiver run up his spine as he quickly scanned the crowd, as if someone was eyeing him rather intently. He shook the odd feeling off. Of course, he'd feel that way. Everybody had their eyes on him and Sir Aaron.

“I would have wanted to push you to the ground, but I figured the crowd wanted a better show,” Gwaine teased Sir Aaron as he turned his attention back to him. They started walking towards the side of the arena where the other knights greeted them and patted them on the back for a good practice. Two other knights came forward and started preparing for their turn to fight, and Gwaine wished them luck before turning back to Sir Aaron.

“So when are we going to the tavern? Tonight?” Gwaine asked with a wide grin on his face.

“You have to introduce me to your lady,” Sir Aaron retaliated with a knowing smile.

“That wasn’t the agreement!” Gwaine replied. “You lost. You treat me to drinks at the tavern, while my lady stays a name for now.”

“Name? You didn’t even give me a name.”

“Romily. Her name is Romily. Someday, kind Sir, I will introduce you and all of Camelot to her.”

They were now walking away from the arena and the crowd, and were on their way back to the castle to change. At Gwaine’s words, Sir Aaron stopped and only replied with a laugh. “It was a good fight, Sir Gwaine. I’ll see you at dinner tonight, and we’ll discuss the terms of our wager.” He patted Gwaine’s shoulder and then bid him goodbye as he took off to the castle.

Gwaine stood chuckling in his place, not sure if the other knight was being serious or was merely playing him. It made him stop and think for a minute though. He couldn’t forget Sir Aaron’s reaction when he told him he had already fallen for someone, and that someone had accepted him back. His brother knight didn’t believe him one bit. Is my reputation towards women really that notorious that even my fellow knights doubt my words? He had to do something about it. It wasn’t good for him, and most importantly, it certainly wasn’t good for his relationship with Romily. He will need to pay her a visit again soon. It had been awhile since he had seen her what with all the hectic training they were going through. Other than the simple fact that he was missing Romily so much already, he needed to have a serious talk with her as well.

[Yassia Dyfrène de Ailantha]

With every further word out of Romily’s mouth Yassia’s unease grew. All those words just described the Gwaine she knew too well. “extraordinary… but he treats me well…”, now if that wasn’t the best sum-up of his persona anyone could give… Her Gwaine, though it was a little odd to refer to him as that – was possibly the most extraordinary man she had ever come across. He was a vagabond and a ladies’ man, but on the other hand he had always treated her correctly and almost brotherly affection – after she had made clear she was by no means willing to be one of his ladies. But… would the Gwaine she knew ever settle on one girl? He would maybe say so, swear he loved her, but would he really stay true to his words? It was not like he lacked the will… it just didn’t seem in his nature. And yet… could Romily really mean him? And if yes, what would that mean for her future?

No… it simpl couldn’t be. “a wanderer, now a servant”… would Gwaine hide who he was? After he seemed to have adopted his new role of a knight of Camelot so extremely well, thriving in it? They hadn’t got many chances to talk ever since he had come back, so Yassia could not be entirely sure of his motives and feelings. Ah, it was all so mind-wrenching!
She could feel the surprise in her friend’s voice and knew she probably would have to answer a few questions soon. The answer she gave seemed to satisfy Romily for now, and she apparently shrugged it off as a funny coincidence. Maybe it was just that and Yassia was overreacting like so often. There could be some Gwaine’s in this world, maybe even some with dark hair and - - apparently not.

The shock in Romily’s voice was audible and it only mirrored the shock Yassia felt herself. Not two Gwaine’s… one and the same! That was… too odd to be true, and yet it was. Only a second later the worst part of this apparent charade occurred to Yassia. Gwaine was a knight… and he had not told Romily. Romily did not like knights, she had broken ties with nobility. That must feel like a huge betrayal on his part! And all that, for what?!
Suddenly Yassia felt angry. Romily seemed to be head over heels, but she didn’t know half the things Yassia knew about Gwaine, else she would surely think differently of him! What if he was only playing with her? As much as she liked Gwaine, she couldn’t put that past him! There were too many girls to prove her right! Even her! Hadn’t he even kissed her before he understood that she was not fawning over him like everyone else? This kiss that sometimes still made her feel all queasy now felt like a snake bite. Poisonous and deadly, polluting her relationship to Romily even in hindsight. Even she had been one of those many cases that might devastate her friend!

“You can’t be serious! HIM?!” Yassia croaked when she finally found she had a voice again. Her gaze darted back and forth between Romily and Gwaine who was just leaving the fighting circle, laughing and seemingly totally oblivious. “And he told you he’s a servant?! That …” she let that be followed by a lengthy bad name in her mother tongue, basically calling Gwaine everything bad under the sun combined.

[Romily de Braose]

She stood there – numb to the very core. There was no doubt that that was Gwaine. Dressed as a knight – talking to knights, having friends that were knights. Romily just couldn’t get her head around it. He was a knight? And obviously of nobility. Not a servant, not a wander – a fully-fledged knight who was living in comfort!!
Now Romily felt incredibly stupid for not seeing this all along. Of course – the nice clothes and the long periods spent away. He was a knight who was serving his king for goodness sake!

“You can’t be serious! HIM?!” Yassia also sounded shocked at this. It was obvious that Gwaine had crossed paths with her before no doubt. Romily then began to wonder as to whether he’d given her a similar charade, or even worse. Had he said the same things to Yassia that he’d said to her?
Romily couldn’t shake off his betrayal – in fact, she didn’t want to look at him now, but she needed to finally take a stand and do something that she wouldn’t have done with Frederick.

Confrontation.

She turned to Yassia, “Yes…him…” she sighed. Her voice bore no signs of anger, just a calm disappointment to fill its place. Romily didn’t see the point in getting worked up over this. She had learnt from past mistakes that crying into your pillow didn’t get you anywhere. She wasn’t about to cry over Gwaine, no matter how much she felt that she needed to.

Yassia was now calling Gwaine every name under the sun – Romily could only smile weakly at this. “I shouldn’t worry – for I was bound to have found out one way or another” she shrugged it off, “what is more disappointing is that I now feel like I hardly know him at all.”

So had everything Gwaine had told her been a lie? Well except for his name of course, but even now Romily was starting to doubt that was real. “There is something I need to do – I shall do it alone and then meet you back at your chambers – perhaps then we can talk some more about this unfortunate circumstance”.

She squeezed her friend’s hand and then took to following Gwaine. He seemed to be heading in the direction of the castle with another knight. She kept her distance, but close enough to keep track of where he was going. Romily was now considering staying elsewhere. Hopefully Yassia wouldn’t take it as an offence; she of all people knew Romily’s opinions of knights.
The other knight had now left Gwaine’s side. This was her chance. Her chance to find out who he really was. Romily knew the answer already. He was a stranger who just happened to be of Knighthood in her eyes.

His back was too her, she walked up and stood a few inches away from him. He would surely be able to hear her from there. She spoke calmly – she’d need to in order to deal with this situation properly.

“May I congratulate you on your victory today…Sir Gwaine”

[shonz]

“May I congratulate you on your victory today…Sir Gwaine.”

He was jolted from his thoughts by the soft and melodious, albeit controlled voice that was coming from behind him. A fan, no doubt. He have had similar experiences before where a lady or a maiden or two would approach him or his brother knights after a scrimmage to offer them their adulation. Once or twice, Gwaine had received a handkerchief or a flower as a token. It was flattering really, but Gwaine took them all in stride knowing it was their way of showing their appreciation to the brave knights who serve and protect them.

This fan may particularly want a word with him as she had chosen this moment to approach him away from the practice arena. Gwaine was only too willing to oblige her, who was he to deny a lady or a maiden of Camelot his attention. He turned his pensive look into a happy smile, ready to meet his fan. "Why, thank---" Gwaine turned and then stopped mid-sentence when he realized who his "fan" was.

So many things happened inside him right that instant. Emotions and thoughts tumbled and warred as Gwaine tried to make sense out of what was going on. It was Romily. Right here in Camelot, standing right before his own eyes. Her hair just as golden, her eyes as blue, her face as beautiful as he had last seen her. His heart did a leap, and then it crashed. From the words she had spoken, she clearly knew who he was, what he was. No doubt she had also seen the swordfight between him and Sir Aaron. Standing there before her wearing the battle gear of a knight as well as the colors of Camelot, there was no denying it. Gwaine had no excuse or escape.

“Millie…” was all that came out of his lips. What to say, Gwaine didn’t know. He heaved a deep sigh as he just stood there totally at a loss. He didn’t want to think about what this would mean for them, for their relationship. Gwaine felt something hard hit him in the chest, squeezing his heart tight, and he took a long and labored breath. He couldn’t bear the thought of losing her, not like this. He had already planned to go to The Ram’s Head the next day to tell her everything. Why does fate have to play with them and give them this?

His shoulders slumped, and Gwaine bowed his head looking down at the pebbles beneath his boots. He tried to compose himself. He had to explain. When he looked up, his eyes saw past Romily to the lady that was standing ways off, looking at them. Yassia. And Gwaine felt like the skies had crashed down upon him. Had she told Romily everything? He couldn't blame her. It was all his fault.

“I’m sorry. I’m not…I didn't...you hated knights…” He tried to reason, but knew it all sounded weak to the simple and glaring fact that he had lied to her. Trying to salvage whatever he could, his eyes locked into hers begging her to understand. He stepped closer towards her and reached out a hand hoping she would give him a chance to explain. “Millie…please…”

[Romily de Braose]

He obviously hadn’t been expecting her, perhaps another woman but certainly not her. The look on Gwaine’s face said it all. Just the reaction that Romily had wanted to achieve.
She just stood there looking at him. “Millie…”was all that seemed to come out.

“It’s Romily,” she told him, still staying calm. She didn’t know how on earth she was managing it when really she wanted to run a sword right through him!

"I’m sorry. I’m not…I didn't...you hated knights…”

“You lied to me” she stated and shook her head slowly – brow furrowing, “why? Just because of something I said? Gwaine – surely if you cared for me that much then you would’ve at least told me the truth – even if you were a knight or not it still wouldn’t have made me change the way I felt about you”. She spoke in the past tense, after all that was what they were now. Strangers of the past.

She toyed with a strand of her hair, “Is anything you told me even true? Because right now it wouldn’t surprise me if you introduced me to your wife and children!” her voice bore a little part of anger but remained in it’s calming tact. “Is your name even Gwaine?” she asked a little hurt.

She doubted it was, she doubted that he was unmarried, and she most certainly doubted that he even loved her. It had all been a lie, and for what? To coax her to his bed like he almost had done when they’d first met?
Romily couldn’t understand how or why he’d chosen to keep such a thing from her? Did he really not trust her that much? Mind you – she was one to talk, but then again she didn’t trust him to reveal her secret now. Not after all that he’d kept from her.

Now she hated knights more than ever. She looked down and saw his hand reaching out for hers; shaking her head she took a step back from him. “Don’t touch me”.

She backed away a little more, “There is nothing that you can say right now that will make me believe anything that is said – I thought you were different? But you’re just like all the rest of them” She gestured to the group of a few Knights of Camelot that were making their way across the courtyard. “You’re just a man who thinks that his status can get him what he wants”

She turned and began to walk away. “Millie…please…” she heard him say.

Romily looked back over her shoulder at him. If anyone could see how she looked right now, they’d have said her expression was just a blank one. No traces of emotion whatsoever.

“I have nothing left to say to you" she shrugged,"Im done being played like the fool that I am – go find yourself a princess – after all, how could a knight possibly love a lowly barmaid?”