The knights stood clearly shocked and Gwaine stood frozen, as if he had seen a ghost. It was nearly a minute before Gwaine moved to the collapsed figure in the corner, gently he took the woman's hand running his hands over the palm, tracing her finger tips before moving gently up her arm across her shoulder and to her slender neck and pale face. The other knights watched mesmerized by what was occurring before them. Still Gwaine's gentle fingers moved, tracing gently over the woman's features before he took her hand and pressed it to his lips, tears pouring from his eyes, he kissed repeatedly the hand and then cradled her form in his arms, breathing her in, kissing her hair, rocking her gently in his arms. He was whispering gently, sweet nothings into her hair. The other knights couldn't quite comprehend it, how could it be her?
This girl's hair was pure white; her skin dark in comparison, the skin was weathered, burnt in places. But if Gwaine was sure then who were they to question it, they had not seen such a reaction from the man in the nearly two years she had been gone.
They made their way out of the rocks carefully and then grabbed the horses and made swiftly for Camelot, Gwaine refused to let the girl out of his arms, he only begrudgingly trusted her form to Percival while he mounted and from then on he would not take any notice of the knights but kept a dogged pace all night. Gwaine refused to speak to the other knights other then to urge them to press on, he was like a man possessed, and the other knights weren't sure if they liked this Gwaine better.
Gwaine stared down at the sleeping form, he still couldn't believe it, he had her back, it felt like a dream, and if he woke up now he was not sure he would be able to carry on, his heart was perched precariously on the edge, wavering in the breeze. Gaius was pleased to have the girl back and to see Gwaine in a more human like state but he was worried. Gaius was extremely worried, there were certain things he needed to see and or hear before he could confirm anything but he was very worried.
It was nearly three days after she had woken that Gaius got a few moments really alone with the girl. Gwaine had really been very possessive that Gaius had banned him to go and train then shower before he was allowed back in.
Gaius was concerned for her; she had been quiet since she had woken. She was pleasant enough but Gaius was certain there was something else going on.
Gaius took his time approaching the subject but in the end he had to come out with it.
"Child, the man who drew the ink on your skin, what was he like? What did he do exactly?"
" I told you Gaius, I don't know, I- He wasn't tall –" She clamped a hand to her mouth, her eyes wide with fright.
"Em-"
"Don't meddle in things you don't understand you useless hag!" She screamed. Gaius stood in shock, the girl's eyes were completely white. Then the colour return and she sat trembling on the bed, tears welling in her eyes. "I'm so sorry, so sorry" she was rocking back and forth and Gaius took her gently in his arms, his worst fears realised and tried to comfort the girl as best as he could.