Disclaimer- I own none of the knights or any other characters from the 2004 movie King Arthur, Touchstone Pictures does.

Note: Guelder Rose- used in the treatment of menstrual pain and spasms after childbirth

Chapter 3: Once More

Autumn was a busy time around the village as preparation for a long were underway. The second harvest would provide food for the winter months. Those with excess harvest or goods sold or bartered their trades in the market place. This was the last harvest to before the long hard cold winter to make trade or store what food could be harvested.

This crisp autumn morning found Helena along with her mother, Caroline, in the market place set up to sell the herbs and sweet honey she brought from home. Helena wore a crimson colored dress her hair braided in one long strand to the back tied with matching ribbon. A steady stream of customers visited their stand making this day a profitable one her.

The local magistrate named Gallus, newly appointed by Rome, and had a reputation of being cruel and unjust. He resented being sent to Britain which he deemed to be the far end of the civilized world. In the few short months of his being transferred to Britain already brought disruption and unsettlement for Arthur and the knights. Gallus was noted for having an eye for beautiful things as well as taking what he wanted even with Arthur's strong hand just a ride away.

After their meeting with Gallus about the recent troubles the knights began their patrol around the village. Just their mere presence seemed to settle the disruption that had occurred. Gawain and Galahad soon made their way to the stables to leave for a short patrol around the surrounding area. They complacently made their way through the crowd of the busy market place.

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While Gawain surely caught sight of Helena at some time in the busy marketplace scene of Caistershire as he and Galahad made their way, he was occupied with his duties and obligations to Arthur and Rome. It was not until a sudden noise rose from behind their passing which called his attention to the need of rescue of such a beautiful maiden.

She was indeed a rare apparition that somehow had gone undetected by his watchful eye: a young woman, still in her teens. Though undoubtedly lovely, Helena was known in these parts more for her keen mind and her thirst for knowledge than for her beauty.

It was to this cause that the disturbance called attention. Upon arriving at the stand where Helena and her mother were attempting to sell their goods the two knights found several Romans. The centurions were circling the young girl like birds of prey taunting her with sexual proposals as they touched her face, shoulders and long braid. Caroline futilely tried to protect her daughter but was pushed to the ground by one of the men.

Coming up behind them Galahad quickly assisted Caroline up from the ground before making his way to his brother who had already reached the Romans. The knights themselves became the predators, circling the Romans in the opposite direction as they continued circling the girl as she stood statuesque in the center. Finally the soldiers took notice of the Sarmatians causing them to stop their taunting.

Helena watched as Gawain circled the Romans, his eyes clinched slightly, his boot knife withdrawn, ready for whatever might transpire. She knew him by reputation, a well noted knight in these parts with a reputation to be extremely charismatic, engaging, and handsome. Not to mention his ability to draw the hearts of young females like moths to the flicker of a flame, with his seemingly unshakable core of self-confidence and his intoxicating smile.

"You want her for yourself Sarmatian?" one said laughing at Galahad "Or do you plan to take turns with her?" casting his eyes at Gawain

"You cannot have every woman in these parts knight." The other stated "This one is too pretty a young thing to let get away."

"You shall not have this one for sure." Gawain said at last casting a blow to the taller Roman's face

His fist was clinched tightly as his blow struck swiftly, struck hard knocking the centurion to the ground as blood splattered from his nose. As the centurion lay motionless on the ground Gawain stepped in front of the other with a threatening snare across his brow at which point the centurion placed his hands in the air as he slowly backed away.

"You are forgetting something Roman" Galahad said casting his eyes down at the unconscious centurion "Take him with you."

The Roman grabbed his friend by the cloak dragging him off.

Turning to Helena he smiled as he brushed her arm tenderly with his fingertips.

"Are you unharmed miss?" he inquired in the softest tone

"Yes I am. Thank you, to you both." She answered a bit shaken

"Our duty" Galahad smiling smartly as he replied forcibly bumped into his brother's shoulder causing him to fall into an embrace with Helena

Looking up at him coyly "It appears you have rescued me but again." Her hands palm faced upon his firm chest

"Helena child" Her mother nervously stated as she parted her daughter from the knight's embrace "Thank you knight for your aide to my daughter and I. I will be sure to tell my husband of your kindness."

Caroline took Helena by the hand returning to their stand of herbs and honey. The crowd dispersed as he knights motioned them along like chickens. Circumventing his way back to her Gawain came before Helena again. Awkwardly he fumbled through the items that lay before him as though he had every intention of making a purchase.

"Is there something that catches your eye?" she whispered flirtatiously

Casting one of his famous boyish smiles in her direction accompanied with a wink he leaned closely toward her in hopes of being out of hearing range from her mother.

"Yes, I think there is." He said with a seductive wink as he whispered as he caressed her hand softly

"Is there something we can get for you knight?" her mother inquired

He grabbed an herb bunch which was tied with thin leather so not to cause suspicion with Caroline who stood with glaring eyes.

"Are you wishing to purchase those?" she asked queerly

"Um these... why yes I was…I am in need of these." He said awkwardly

"You are in need of those for yourself? You wish to purchase that?" she asked again with a humored quizzical expression as he shook his head in agreement "Guelder rose, for yourself is it then?" she chuckled

"Yes…..yes guilder rose that is the very thing I am in need of. Thank you" he stuttered

Helena tried desperately to cover her mouth before a loud giggle escaped from her mouth. She turned her back to Gawain.

"Ah, very well…please take it at no charge for your kindness to my daughter and myself this day." Caroline chuckled under her words trying to fight back a smile

"Thank you. Well we should be off then Galahad." Nodding at Helena

She nodded back with her lips tightly pressed together and laughter in her eyes as she watched the two Knights step away. Just as they had turned their backs and had taken a few steps forward Caroline called out to Gawain.

"Oh…by and by I do hope the guilder rose aides in your 'womanly cramps' I find when I drink it in a tea it works wonders." She shouted

The two women muffled a laugh as they saw both men stop and look at one another before continuing hurriedly on their way.

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Later in the evening the two were enjoying food, drink and a game of knives in the tavern. It was not long before Galahad found the comfort of a young dark haired girl with ample breasts exposed for his enjoyment to keep him company for the evening. While Gawain sat finishing his meal his eyes landed upon Priscilla who had just entered the tavern. They smiled at each other as they made eye contact. Nodding his head she made her way toward him, taking a seat next to him.

"Are you looking for company for tonight?" she purred as her hand caressed his inner tighe

"Always" he whispered in her ear as his hand slipped between her leg

Suddenly he noticed an old man who had taken his place just across from them. The two exchanged glances for a few moments. The elder man lifted his cup of wine and drank from it before speaking.

"A word to the wise young knight." said an elderly man looking pensively at the night "Your eyes should desire another. That one is not for you."

He looked over to find a bewildered Priscilla who shrugged her shoulders.

"Nah, not this tavern wench" he said in disgust "The young girl in the market place, the smithy's daughter. You waste your time with that one young knight."

"Why say you this old man" he inquired curiously

"Her father will not allow it." he continued

"What concern do I have with what her father would desire?"

"Ah, but alas you are merrely a knight, young one" he quipped

"Merely a knight?" Gawain chuckled annoyed "What objection would he have to me being a knight?...Besides her uncle Morlang is a knight. He gets on well with him."

"Yes I know, now they are... but there was a time when that was not so. Their marriage caused a great separation among his wife's family. Morlang was not deemed suitable for young Moira, not good enough for her blood."

"You speak foolishness old man." Gawain stated with annoyance "And you are drunk, be gone."

"As you command young knight. But mind my words, trouble will brew from this venture if you proceed, trouble will brew." he muttered as he waddled off

The old man did as he was bid leaving Gawain and Priscilla alone to finish his drink. His mood had changed as he sulked in his chair. One thing Gawain was not accustomed to was being told he could not have what he sought after, none of the knights were. Nor did any of them take kindly to it. Priscilla was quiet as the knight brooded over his cup of wine. His temperment becoming more agitated by the second.

"He speaks the truth; her father will never allow it." Priscilla said softly with bitterness in her voice "No man is good enough for his precious daughter."

Moving herself across his legs she caressed his neck with her lips as she pressed her bottom hard against his lap.

"Besides why would you want the likes of her when you have me to pass the time with?" purring as she stood up

Standing up she took his hand coaxing him up out of his set with both her body and smile. Recalling the pleasures of the night before he willing accompanied her. Release was always a welcome diversion for the mind.