Chapter 4: Reconnaissance

For the first time in months, Lourdes was able to rest fully and soundly; she did not feel the impending danger lurking around the corner, and nightmares were absent from her sleep. When she awoke, she felt entirely reinvigorated, finding that her physical form thanked her for the much needed respite. Her mind was also more at ease, and Lourdes felt as though she owed this state to her conversation with Lancelot…no, not only that, but to Lancelot himself.

Lancelot

A soft rap on the wooden door drew Lourdes' attention as she was preparing to organize her meager belongings. As the lodgings were not hers, she felt a bit out of place when she called out, "C-come in?"

"You don't sound like an old man…" came a muffled, almost unnatural, voice from the other side of the threshold.

A quizzical expression manifested itself upon Lourdes' face before she replied with, "Um…I'm sorry, but Gaius isn't…"

Before she could even finish her explanation, the door abruptly swung open, revealing a widely-grinning Gwaine. Making a teasing face, he continued in his mocking, high-pitched voice, "And you certainly don't look like an old man…"

Lourdes gave out an audible groan, somewhat knowing that the knight would never let go of the fact that he had actually managed to trick her. Throwing one of her tunics at his head in frustration, she called out in her mother tongue, "Greetings, son of a pig!"

The knight expertly caught the flying tunic with his right hand. Waving it above his head in a circular motion, he sauntered over to Lourdes, stopping only a mere inch behind her back. Repeatedly raising his eyebrows, he purred into her left ear, "Have I ever told you that your native tongue sounds quite…alluring?"

"You would not think so if you knew what I had just said." She retorted, taking notice of his proximity, though keeping her back purposefully to the brazen knight.

"It's not what you say, m'lady, but how you say it." Gwaine proclaimed, giving her a wink before plopping down on the creaky stool beside the dining table and subsequently crossing his outstretched legs upon another stool. His mirthful eyes fell upon Lourdes, almost inquisitively. "Lancelot informed me a while ago that you were sleeping quite soundly. He must've bored you to that state, I presume? You know," he animatedly waved his hands in a circular motion, as though searching for the proper words, "with all his brooding and sulking and…emotions!" Eyes closed, the cheeky knight clutched his heart for effect, with his other fist placed firmly upon his forehead. "Woe is me!"

Lourdes couldn't help but take notice of the knight's brilliant performance. She shook her head, admittedly amused at his dramatic display. Then, twisting her head towards his form, she declared, "He was very kind and of good company, sir knight."

"Is that so?" Gwaine outstretched his arms to his sides, palms facing upwards. A wide grin plastered itself upon his face. "Well, then! You're in luck, because, as you will see, I am of even better company." Energetically hopping off from his seated position and swiftly standing upright, he gave Lourdes a low bow, informing her, "Not only am I here to see how you fare, but I am also here to escort you to your very own castle chambers. King Arthur has specifically commanded that you receive quarters fit for a princess."

Lourdes was genuinely taken aback by Arthur's hospitality; he had not even met her yet, and he commanded such a thing? When this is all over, she thought, I will indeed repay Arthur and his Camelot. She had not even been in Camelot for a day, and already she had been touched by such kindness from so many of its citizens. Quickly taking her dangling tunic from Gwaine's outstretched hand, she admitted, "I only wished to board in an inn somewhere in the village. I never expected to be treated like…"

"Nonsense!" Gwaine easily waved her protests off, helping her gather her belongings together, "Gaius is held in high regard here in Camelot. He has known King Arthur since birth and cares for him like a son. So, whoever Gaius holds in high regard is someone who will be treated with the highest respect by Arthur as well as his subjects."

Studying the smirk that formed upon Gwaine's lips, Lourdes commanded in genuine wonder, "Those words that just escaped from your lips were…actually worth hearing."

With a snicker and a quick cluck of his tongue, Gwaine remarked assuredly, "M'lady, you'll soon find out that I am quite full of surprises."

Surveying his face, Lourdes noticed a slight cut on the base of Gwaine's forehead. Curious, she delicately moved tendrils of the knight's long, dark hair from his face with the tips of her fingers. Gwaine remained silent through this, though his eyes freely moved upon her countenance, memorizing her features. Upon examination, Lourdes concluded that the wound was not deep, but looked as though it threatened to reopen and bleed. "Sit." She suddenly commanded, searching around the room for any sign of medical supplies that she could use. "I need to treat that cut before it becomes worse, or even infected." Ignoring the knight's various protests, Lourdes continued about the room, gathering a few of Gaius' supplies in her hands. Motioning for Gwaine to follow her, they ended up sitting comfortably upon the bed. As she began to treat the wound, Lourdes guessed, a mocking tone lining her voice, "Did you…trip and fall?"

"Pfft! M'lady, give me a little more credit!" Gwaine raised his chin proudly, though Lourdes was quick to readjust his head to continue the treatment. He cooperated with a mumbled 'sorry,' then continued, "Just a little tavern brawl, is all. Couldn't help but protect Camelot's citizens from unfair treatment."

"Quite noble of you." Lourdes grinned, patting the side of his face as she finished. "I think you'll live."

"All thanks to you." Gwaine, then, twisted his head slightly and gave her open palm a brief kiss. "My saviour."

Lourdes burst out laughing, pushing the knight playfully upon the arm. "Oh, come off it!"

"Kind of makes me wonder what other skills you possess…"

Seeing the playful glint in the Gwaine's eyes, the young woman did not miss the underlying message there, which actually caused her to blush. In an effort to retain her composure, she blurted, "Sir Gwaine, don't you have somewhere to take me?"

The knight let out a guffaw as he tilted his head towards the door. "Follow me."

Gwaine contentedly led Lourdes through the winding halls and stairs of Camelot. The white castle was as remarkable inside as it was outside; various marble statues and weapons adored the halls and walls, and, adding to its prestige, red-caped, armoured knights stood guard at almost every entrance. Laughter and jovial talk echoed throughout the halls and courtyard, and the bustling sounds of villagers, servants, and other workers collided in a beautiful mélange, illuminating the live atmosphere within the castle walls. As they walked, Gwaine stole curious glances at Lourdes, who seemed to be wholly entranced as her senses took in all of her surroundings; she did not want to miss a detail about her new environment! The knight smiled then, a brilliant idea forming in his thoughts.

"Here we are, then." Gwaine announced as he opened the door to her chambers. "You're in the north-west wing, in the hallway adjacent from the knights' quarters. 'Tis a great view and certainly a well-protected area of the castle." Placing her belongings at the foot of the door, he barely allowed her a peek inside before he proclaimed, "However, your journey will not end here! Come. I will take you to the south side of the castle, towards our beautiful training grounds." He clucked his tongue in mock disappointment, waving a finger at her nose. "By the way you handled your sword this morning, it seems as though you could use a little practice yourself!" Before Lourdes could get in a word about that latter poke, the brazen man called out in front of her, "Come now, little princess, no time to be tardy!"

Having to jog to catch up with the speedy knight, Lourdes had to admit that she did not mind seeing more of the castle; this was now her refuge, after all, her temporary home. What she was thankful for most of all was that these moments distracted her mind from what she was presently enduring; this was her momentary respite from the cruel circumstances that have been inflicted upon her, her reminder that there were some things left in this world that were good and beautiful.

"And here are our training grounds."

From the entrance, Lourdes could not even count the amount of knights that were training in front of her, akin to a melee; some were on powerful steeds, a few brandished swords in mock combat, while others practiced their archery. She was greatly impressed by their skills and discipline, witnessing firsthand why Camelot's army was spoken of with such high regard. It seemed as though these red-caped knights were capable of defeating any foe and triumphing over any creature that would attempt to harm the kingdom.

In the distance, Lourdes recognized Merlin, who stood beside a dirty-blonde, well-built knight; Arthur's regal poise instantly gave away his identity to Lourdes. To Arthur's right, what looked like a beautiful servant girl with dark-olive skin and brownish-black, curly hair seemed to wait on him. She noticed that she stole glances with the king when she could, the pair seemingly lost in their own world. Lourdes felt a slight smirk tug upon her lips, their loving exchanges so obvious to her keen senses. However, what she perceived next managed to erase her smile altogether.

Opposite of the three stood Lancelot, sword rested upon his shoulder. He wore a stoic expression, his face not exhibiting any sign of merriment, despite the lively atmosphere of which he was apart. Upon seeing another shared moment between Arthur and the servant woman, in which the woman lightly kissed Arthur's cheek, Lourdes noticed that Lancelot visibly frowned and ripped his eyes away from the scene; turning his back, he aimed to distract himself by interacting with some of the other knights to his side. Lourdes' curiosity was piqued then, her senses strongly indicating to her the unhappiness that relentlessly cloaked itself upon Lancelot. Even from such a distance, the knight's slumped expression made it clear to her that he…

"A feast for the eyes, is it not?"

Gwaine's voice shook Lourdes from her reverie. To her side, the knight could not help but grin, an arm outstretched to present the scene before her. "I assure you, m'lady, that you'll never find more skilled, courageous, and incredibly handsome knights in all the land!" Then, he made it a point to correct, "Of course, I am the most hand some knight in all the land, but…"

Lourdes finally managed to tear her eyes from Lancelot's form, though found it rather difficult. Managing a small smile, she elbowed the knight, saying sincerely, "I think I am beginning to become used to your company, Sir Gwaine. I truly appreciate the time you have taken to give me a tour of Camelot."

"Pleasure is all mine, m'lady." Gwaine moved his face closer to Lourdes', voicing affectionately, "It may take some time, but I will grow on you."

"Is that so?" With a raised brow, Lourdes crossed her arms, challenging his statement.

Another confident smirk plastered itself upon Gwaine's face, accepting the challenge. Taking a tendril of her hair and placing it behind her ear, he said in almost a whisper, "Of that, I am certain."

333

A/N: So…Team Lancelot or Team Gwaine? XD

I have SUCH plans for this story… I can't even wait to write it myself!

Let me know what you thought of this chapter. ;) xx IFHD