Summary: The circumstances in Gwendolyn's life are making it harder for her to manage living in the city. She feels increasingly unsafe and tries to dissociate her reality by escaping to her past life. Meanwhile, Arthur is seeking aid from his inside man as the rebellion is slowly looming in the shadows of Londinium.

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Cheers.

The strange Samaritan

"What is that, mama?", Gwendolyn asked her mother curiously while she watched the colourful insect slowly climbing the small tip of her finger.

"That's a caterpillar, my sweet.", Victoria explained to her daughter as she sat behind her; gently braiding small daisies into her hair. "It will turn into a beautiful butterfly someday."

Her lips pulled into a smile when she heard how her daughter repeated the new word caterpillar softly to herself, although with minor difficulties.

"I want to be a butterfly someday.", The toddler exclaimed cheerfully as she turned around to her mother after she was done braiding.

"A butterfly?" Victoria let the toddler crawl into her lap clumsily and embraced her into a hug. "Why a butterfly?", she inquired as she started rocking her daughter.

"They're beautiful and they can fly."

Gwendolyn snapped out of her memory at the loud neighing horses on the street in front of the tavern.

She needed a moment to collect herself, before she was fully present again. Suddenly, the sound from the streets were louder now; bothering her to no end. After her encounter with Commander John, she had gotten hyper-aware of her surroundings.

She sighted deeply and sat up in her small bed, hugging her knees to her chest as she let her gaze wander around the room.

It was a little bigger than her bedroom at her old house had been, only that she had to share it with her brother now. Edward's bed was next to hers, separated by a small nightstand with a candle placed on top of it.

Her heart wrenched as her eyes lingered at the old dark wardrobe which contained all her belongings, and again she remembered how well they had used to live.

A sudden loud knock at the door made her jump slightly. Her mouth went dry as adrenaline rushed through her body at the thought of who might be at the other side of it. She did not dare to breath and winced when another knock followed.

"Gwenny, it's me, Edward."

Gwendolyn took a deep breath before she crawled off her bed and went to open the door. "I'm sorry.", she muttered as she let her brother in.

Edward carried a tray with bread and cheese to the nightstand and carefully placed it down. "Ana told me to bring this to you. She said she wants you to eat this and will come and see if you did, later." He turned to his sister. "Or she will whoop your arse.", he added with a grin.

Gwendolyn snorted and went back to her bed. "You eat first. I'm not hungry right now."

Edward eyed his older sister suspiciously. He had not seen her eat anything in the past two days. Her face was paler than usual, her hair messy and dishevelled, which was unusual for her, and her absence from work made Edward begin to worry. Even Big Bill had already asked him what was wrong with her, and he was starting to run out of excuses.

"Are you sick, Gwenny?", Edward asked cautiously as he took a seat at the edge of her bed. "You don't look so good."

Gwendolyn gave a mock laugh. "I'm fine, Ed. I just – I'm tired." She could not bring herself to tell her brother about her fear. She had to be strong for him after all, and she was sure he still lacked the ability to understand the situation she had been through with the Commander.

"Hm", Edward nodded and believed her. She did look tired, so to him, it seemed to be the truth.

"Boss asked about you, aunt Peggy, too. She said she misses you, and –" He reached into one of his pockets and opened his palm; showing the content to her. "she gave me this."

Eyes wide, Gwendolyn looked at the five silver coins in his hand, however she was quick to notice something else as well. She grabbed his hand and ignored the coins falling onto her bed and the floor as she examined his hands.

"Are you bleeding? What happened?"

Edward withdrew his hand swiftly, pursing his lips. "That's not blood, it's – just paint."

Gwendolyn breathed a sigh of relief before she furrowed her brows at him. "What did you do?"

"I checked Mike and his supply this morning." Back Lack settled back in his chair, taking a sip of his drink before he continued speaking. "Everything's fine. Handed me the money and I left."

Arthur hummed in approval as he chewed, observing who arrived through the door and who left while he ate.

"I heard some noblemen will arrive at the docks this afternoon. They'll prolly end up here at some point during their stay, and you know how most of them treat the girls. So, uh, you should be here when they come."

A little baffled, Arthur turned his head to look at his friend. "Why wouldn't I be here?"

Back Lack shrugged. He did not want to ask him about Gwen, after he had told them what had happened to her a few nights ago at the tavern. Back Lack could still see Arthur's rage before his mind's eye. "I'm just saying. They usually behave when they know you're around."

"Morning, fellas."

The two men looked up as Wet Stick sauntered over to them. He sat down at the empty chair across from Arthur and grabbed a piece of dark rye bread before leaning back.

On the contrary, the blonde man sat up expectantly.

"Well?"

Wet Stick cleared his throat. "I couldn't get to him, boss. He was with his men all morning."

Arthur groaned and shoved his empty plate away from him. "I need to talk to him."

Both Back Lack and Wet Stick remained silent. They knew what Arthur was planning to do.

Peggy heard the door close behind her as she stared out of her window. It had been a while since she had last agreed to take a punter, however the circumstances had changed and she knew she would need the extra coins perhaps soon.

She lingered for a moment and tried to distract herself from the sudden soreness between her legs. Another soft knock at her door disturbed her and she sighted, turning away from the window as she realised her peace had only been short-lived and the next man was already waiting.

"Come in.", The bawd cooed and adjusted her silky red robe.

The door opened. "It's just me.", Arthur announced himself, one hand covered over his eyes.

Peggy nearly laughed aloud. "I'm not naked, boy. Don't worry."

He dropped his hand and closed the door behind him. "I'm just trying to be decent, Pegs. Besides, only a fuckwit would mind seeing you naked."

The bawd returned to the window; ignoring his charms. "Tell me, what do you want?", she asked him eventually while she proceeded to watch the street. She could hear him come closer.

"I just wanted to know if –" He stopped mid-sentence, hoping the bawd would know where he was heading without needing him to say it aloud.

She glanced over her shoulder. "If?"

Arthur rolled his eyes, giving in. "If you've heard anything from her."

Peggy hid her smile by turning back to the window. She was overjoyed by his concern about her niece; unfortunately, she had not heard nor seen her for days now.

"I'm afraid not." She sighted. "I mean, it's no surprise she's hiding in her room after what happened to her. I just hope Bill won't kick her out. I don't want her to become a whore."

The bawd could feel her eyes tearing up and quickly tried to blink them away. "She wouldn't last a week."

Arthur agreed with Peggy, yet he chose to keep it to himself. "She'll be fine, Pegs. I think it's safe to say that she's tough. Tougher than you might think, I mean –" He nudged her encouraging. "you two are related."

Blackleg Sergeant Jack's Eye stood in front of the grey stone wall of the bakery; sullen and pondering. It was the third house now; its walls smeared with blood-red graffiti. It was hard to identify what they had tried to paint, had they probably been in a rush and afraid to get caught.

His men were currently searching the area around the affected houses, looking for the culprit, witnesses or any suspects.

"What a lovely painting. Did you do this all by yourself, Jack?"

The Sergeant snorted as he turned around to the other man. "Careful, Arthur. I might have to arrest you if any of my men hears you."

Arthur glanced around for any sign of Blackleg soldiers, however he spotted none. "It's a good thing they're not around then, innit?"

Jack turned his back to the graffiti and his attention fully to the man in front of him. "What do you want?"

Arthur crossed his arms at his chest. "I need you to do me a favour."

"Is that so?" Out of habit, Jack put his hand on top of his hilt casually. "And what favour would that be?"

Arthur cleared his throat as he took another look around, before he stepped closer to his scout. "One of your colleagues is causing me trouble." His voice got even lower. "I need him out of my neighbourhood."

Jack arched an eyebrow at his request. "Who are we talking about here?"

Arthur leant back again. "John."

"Which John?", The Sergeant inquired with an annoyed click of his tongue. He hated asking for names.

"Mischief John."

Jack shook his head. "I'm sorry, Arthur, but you know that he outranks my authority. I can't just transfer a commanding officer."

Arthur could hear the rustling of heavy armour and chattering of soldiers as they made their way towards them.

"Give it a try, Jack.", he urged the Sergeant before he swiftly left into the other direction. He had no desire to be seen friendly talking to a Blackleg after all.

Carefully, Gwendolyn reached out for her mother's round belly. "Mum, what do you think, boy or girl?"

Victoria chuckled softly and braced her hands against her back. "I think it's a boy this time."

"I wouldn't mind that.", Henry chirped in and hugged his wife from behind. "He will take over the smithy once he's grown up." He kissed her temple affectionately.

"Or – he chooses his own profession.", Victoria said, rolling her eyes with a smile.

"Fine." Henry walked over to his daughter and embraced her in a tight hug. "Our daughter will be the first female blacksmith of Londinium then.", he snickered; placing a kiss atop her hair.

"Or – I choose my own profession.", The teenager laughed, repeating her mother's words.

"Hm, and what would that be?", Henry asked curiously. However, Victoria answered before her daughter could.

"She'll become a butterfly."

Gwendolyn groaned, slightly embarrassed.

"Mum, I said that years ago."

The scenery changed abruptly. Now Gwendolyn was holding her crying brother in her arms, still but a baby. She stared into her mother's eyes as she frantically spoke to her, however her daughter could not hear anything but her brother's cries.

Suddenly, the front door burst open and men in black armour stormed inside. The one who held her father by his arm, let him fall to the floor; battered and broken. Still, Gwendolyn stood there numb; clutching her baby brother to her chest. Even as Victoria tried to rush to her husband and was grabbed by two other Blacklegs, Gwendolyn could not move.

Yet she screamed as one of the Blacklegs slit her mother's throat; a mischievous smirk on his lips.

"Wake up! Gwen, wake up!"

Gwendolyn gasped and struggled against the grip on her shoulder before she was aware of her brother's presence. She stared up into his helpless eyes. "You were dreaming.", he whispered and let go of her.

Gwendolyn took a few deep breaths and could feel how her heartbeat normalized again. Her nightgown was drenched with cold sweat.

"What was it about?"

She looked over to Edward who was sitting on his bed again. Gwendolyn swallowed hard and ran a hand over her face, choking back tears.

"It was a nightmare."

While Edward went to sleep again, Gwendolyn lay awake; musing and mulling over her dream until the first rays of sunshine peaked through the thick dark-grey curtains. Sluggishly, she shed herself out of the heavy blanket and waddled over to her clothes to get dressed.

To her, the rest of the day went as presumed. Edward left with Blue and the rest of his friends as soon as the streets got busy, Ana visited, asked for her well-being and provided her with food and the last gossip. The blonde woman insisted to stay and watch while Gwendolyn ate.

"Bill's sick now, by the way. I think he believes you, now that he caught the same illness as you." Ana was aware of Gwen feigning an illness, had she been the one to suggest it to her after all.

Gwendolyn took another sip of water as she listened to her colleague. "His wife is managing the tavern until he feels better."

Ana reached out to take the empty tray, but Gwen stopped her. "I –" She sighted. "I really appreciate what you did for me…for the last few days, and I –"

Ana waved her off with a smile. "Don't mention it.", she assured her. "You should go for a walk today. Your skin looks like it could need some sun." And she winked at her, before she left Gwen alone again.

Gwendolyn had the feeling that the room was becoming smaller by every passing day. Further, she was sick of staring at the same four walls while her mind seemed to wander off every time it got quiet.

She knew that Ana was right; she needed to go out and face her fears, and she sat on the edge of her bed as her gaze wandered over to the small pouch of silver coins lying on the nightstand. She bit her lower lip as she considered visiting her aunt.

Since Edward had brought the money back to her, she had thought about giving it back.

"Gwenny?" Edward spotted his sister walking on the street across from him as he emerged the back alley along with Blue, Ryan and James.

"Gwen!", he called out to her as pushed through the walking pedestrians. "Oy, Eddie! Wait for us!", Blue shouted after him.

Gwendolyn turned around as soon as she heard her brother's voice. "You're outside!"

She smiled at him and ruffled his hair. "I needed to get out. You were right, I looked awful."

Edward chuckled while Blue and the other boys caught up to them. "Where are you going, Gwen?", Blue asked curiously.

"Do you want us to come with you?", Ryan, the eldest boy, proposed. Gwendolyn was touched by their thoughtfulness. Nevertheless, she shook her head.

"Nah, I'm just heading to, uh, our aunt. I'll be fine, thanks.", she said, and noticed their hands. All smeared with red paint. She furrowed her brows with irritation, and Blue nudged Edward; signalling him to hide his dirty hands in his pockets. Edward had struggled to tell her what they had been doing the first time and she was sure they would find excuses to not tell her again, so she left it at that.

Gwendolyn arrived at the brothel shortly after parting from the boys. However, the crimson door was closed while the red-tinted lanterns shone bright as the sun slowly set.

"No admittance for you, woman. It's a private party tonight.", The bouncer of the establishment, Bald Head Matt, informed her.

Gwendolyn frowned at him. "Excuse me? I need to see Peggy."

Matt frowned at her, and the scar splitting his eyebrow stretched absurdly. "Didn't you listen? She's busy right now."

"I'm just saying, if the price is right, I think I'd do it.", Back Lack joked with a snicker.

"Shame no one would pay you to suck a prick, right?", Arthur laughed and shoved his shorter friend as he walked behind him.

"What's the least amount a bloke would have to pay you, so you'd suck his dick?", Wet Stick asked curiously as he walked next to his friends.

"Why? You interested?" Back Lack winked and blew him a kiss while Arthur burst out laughing.

They turned the corner to the brothel and it did not need long for them to spot Gwendolyn and the bouncer.

"What the fuck", Arthur muttered under his breath as the trio approached them, and it was soon obvious they were arguing.

"She's my aunt, I really need to talk to her." Gwendolyn nearly stomped her foot like a defiant child.

"No, and if you won't leave on your own I'll have to make you.", Matt said; his beefy arms crossed in front of his chest.

"What's the matter here, Matt? Why won't you let her in?"

Gwendolyn was caught off-guard when Arthur and his friends appeared, seemingly out of nowhere. She stepped out of the way as Arthur talked to Matt while Back Lack and Wet Stick greeted her with friendly smiles and nods.

"The – the rich men bought the brothel for the night. They don't want to be disturbed, boss. I was told to not let anyone in."

Arthur frowned at Matt, even though the man was taller by at least two heads. "And that applies to us, too?", he asked playfully and pointed at Back Lack and Wet Stick, standing by.

"Of course not!" Matt hurried to open the heavy crimson door and held it open for the men to enter.

However, Arthur turned to Gwendolyn first; gesturing towards the door with an inviting manner.

"Ladies first."

Wordlessly, Gwendolyn walked past the bouncer and entered the brisk brothel after Arthur's request.

The main lounge's pretentious fireplace, right in the middle of the room, was lit. More candles were placed on several tables around the room; glooming and warming. A fancy buffet had been served; containing colourful fruits and desserts which Gwen had never seen nor tasted before. Various alcoholic beverages were served by two girls; including wine, beer and brandy. Furthermore, some smaller lounges were scattered in the corner of the large main room; lined up with exotic-looking cushions and soft carpets.

"Gwen?"

Gwendolyn turned to face the woman who had called out to her with a soft voice. Gwen judged her to be around her own age. Her hair was long and straight; blackish brown waves cascading down her slim shoulders as she approached her. She was draped in a light purple dress made from sheer fabric, and her smile seemed honest, friendly, and made her azure eyes glow.

"It's so nice to meet you.", she said and embraced her in a quick hug. "Peggy talks about you every day."

Gwen was somewhat taken aback by the sudden geniality of a stranger. She did not know how to respond to the young woman, considering how much she already knew about Gwendolyn herself, and how little she knew about her in return.

"I'm Lucy.", Lucy eventually introduced herself with a small laugh. "I work for your aunt."

Finally, it dawned on Gwen. "Oh, uh, it's – nice to meet you, too.", she said with a shy smile. She had problems keeping her curious gaze fixated on Lucy's face as her dress was unusually revealing to her.

Suddenly, the arm of a stranger embraced the women's shoulders from behind. Gwendolyn froze and her breath hitched in her throat.

"Would you two lovely ladies like to join me on my room?", he murmured into Gwen's ear, making her shake with fear, and the realisation that it was not John did not make it better. The strong smell of alcohol on his breath made her wrinkle her nose with disgust.

"I'd love to, darling.", Lucy giggled and pulled the man's arm off Gwendolyn's shoulder. It was her reaction that made Lucy act that quickly. "We'll talk later, Gwen. You should go see Peggy, I think she's in her room.", The prostitute urged her with a smile as the drunk stranger started kissing her neck.

Gwendolyn swallowed hard and nodded swiftly, before she turned around and started walking in the opposite direction. Unfortunately, she had lost her orientation somehow. Her whole knowledge about the brothel's structure was off, and all she could see were drinking men, chasing after the women around the place. It was loud, warm, and the atmosphere around was filled with sexual tension; something foreign yet fascinating to her.

"Can I help you?"

Gwendolyn nearly jumped in surprise as Arthur appeared right next to her, catching her watching the men and women around. She could feel her cheeks burn with embarrassment, and she quickly cleared her throat awkwardly. "I'm just looking for my aunt."

"Still?"

Gwendolyn nodded, and while Arthur took a glance around the room, looking for the bawd, he could not spot her. "I think she's…busy."

"Hm" She played with the small pouch in her hand absentmindedly, not aware of Arthur surveying her. He did not want to leave her alone, after he had seen how one of the men had already approached her and Lucy. He was sure the brothel was not the right place for her to be, yet he could not send her away somehow.

"Let's sit over there. I'll wait with you until Pegs comes back.", Arthur proposed instead; gently pushing her into the direction of one of the smaller sitting areas. Gwen let him guide her and sat down on the soft cushions; rearranging the skirt of her dress while doing so.

Arthur joined her after a short moment; two cups in his hands, and he handed one to her after seating himself across from her. She sniffed it and wrinkled her nose again; remembering the smell of the man from earlier.

"It's just red wine. I know women usually prefer it over brandy."

Gwendolyn looked up at him, carefully twisting the cup in her hands. "I've never had a drink before."

"Why not?", Arthur asked curiously after taking a sip from his cup and savouring the burning taste of the liquor.

"I don't know. I guess I've never had a chance or the – desire to try it.", she answered; shrugging her shoulders.

"Let me ask you then, what is it you desire instead?"

Gwendolyn quirked an eyebrow at his boldness, sucking her bottom lip through her teeth as she thought. Yet she gave up quickly. "I don't think I have an answer for that."

Arthur chuckled. "I'm sure you will have one someday." And he took another sip from his cup as he observed the happenings around them.

"What –" Gwendolyn stopped herself before returning his question aloud and sighted instead.

After a moment, Arthur noticed her uneasiness as she glanced around the lounge, watching the girls with their customers, celebrating and sharing intimacies while the body contact increased.

"You should try it.", he suggested, turning her attention back to him. "The wine", he reminded her with a lopsided grin. "It would help…loosen you up a bit."

Gwen pursed her lips. "I am loose."

Arthur snorted. "Sure, you are." He shifted in his seat and pointed at her face. "You blush whenever they get close to each other.", he said, referring to the couples surrounding them.

"You can barely look when they kiss, let alone if they touch, but sure – you are loose."

Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment at his exposure of her, and her reaction only underlined his assumption. Swiftly, she took a long sip of her wine; grimacing at the somewhat bitter first taste.

Arthur laughed. "Changed your mind?"

He was strangely intrigued by her behaviour around the brothel. Of course, it was normal for him to be surrounded by prostitutes, sex, and lust-driven men; it was nothing extraordinary anymore and it did not bother him. Seeing her react in such a way made him curious and he remembered her aunt's words: "She's innocent." He could not help but wonder if she really was.

"Sort of.", she mumbled and tried it again; this time by taking a bigger gulp. It did not taste as bad as the first time and she could already feel its stimulating effect. Her straight posture slacked and she noticed how her inhibition slowly seemed to fade.

"I didn't like it when he touched me."

Arthur furrowed his brows at her, a little confused by her sudden confession.

"I – don't even like the way he looks at me." She avoided Arthur's look and emptied her cup instead.

"You're talking about that Blackleg wanker, right?", he inquired and was only reminded of his hate for John and the impact he had on Gwen. He still felt the urge to kill him with his bare hands.

Gwendolyn nodded slowly as she twisted the empty cup in her hands.

Arthur did not like the way she seemed to look into nothingness. Her grey eyes were glazed by the alcohol, yet she looked sad, as if she was thinking of better times; far away from where she was, far away from Londinium and him.

"Let's change the topic, eh? Tell me about yourself."

She blinked a few times before she looked at him again. "Hm, alright. But first –" She lifted her cup with a sheepish grin. "would you fetch me another?"

Carefully, Peggy fixed her hair and robe as she walked out of her room and down the stairs to the main lounge; leaving the man in her room behind, fast asleep and exhausted.

The bawd decided to check how things were going, before she called it a day herself, leaving Arthur, Lack and Wet Stick in charge for the night. It had been some time since the brothel had to close for a clientele; men who called for a special treatment and attention.

Of course, they had to invest in food and liquor to wine and dine these fine gentlemen first, before it would pay off for them in the end.

Peggy could already hear the clamour as she neared the area. Gracefully, she watched over the crowd with her arms crossed and her eyes looking for any trouble. However, there seemed to be none, and even if – she was sure her boys would take care of it.

However, she nearly gasped when she spotted them eventually, Arthur and Gwen. They were sitting in the corner of the large room, drinking and laughing together. It looked like he was making her laugh, and it was heart-warming for the bawd to see her close to Arthur. Peggy had been worried for the last few days; wondering if she was losing her niece to a mental sickness, and yet she was there, at the brothel, celebrating.

A small smile crept on the bawd's full lips. Perhaps her niece would find a reason to be happy after all.