Sophia started right from the fight. To the court, to the meeting of the Queen and the offer of being a Lady in Waiting, then there was the party but Sophia kept the kiss to herself. Then the journey but her interactions with Gwaine were private and pulled out of the story, Maria intently listened to.

"I don't know what to do, Maria,"

"You aren't thinking of saying no to the Queen's offer because frankly that is selfless," Maria whispered, pulling the fur cover so that it reached the sisters chins.

"I don't know,"

"What about Gwaine? What's happening there?" Maria smiled cheekily as Sophia who had been avoiding the question, blushed slightly.

"It's nothing,"

"It's not nothing," Maria tilted so that she was lying on her back, her blonde curls sprawled across the pillow, "I would cut an arm off, to be looked like that, it's like he is ready to jump and take any danger that comes in your way, and do you not realise how he says you're name, like it is sacred." Maria chuckled at the last statement,

"Well we might have shared a few kisses,"

"Oh trust me I know,"

"You do?"

"Yes, my baby there's a glow about you,"

"Stop joking,"

"No, it's true like you're his sun,"

"Shush, you're talking silly, Maria" Sophia whispered with a smile on her face. Maria laughed and Sophia joined in.

"I think we should all move to Camelot, it's not like there's anything here left for us, especially me! Connor, has said that he is moving away and were not getting married, so I won't be going with him,"

"Oh, I'm sorry Maria," Sophia said taking hold of her sisters warm hand and squeezing it, "trust me the men in Camelot are much better,"

"Oh, I'm so excited, a new life is what I need."

"Then it is what you will get," Sophia yawned.

"Goodnight my sister,"

"Goodnight my angel,"

In the other room, Gwaine was wide awake listening to the hushed female voices. He knew he shouldn't but he was having trouble sleeping with Merlin so quiet. They were both awake, they both knew it but there was still a silence,

"Can you tell me, now?" Gwaine whispered, hearing his name being mentioned in the other room.

" I promised, I would tell you after this is finished," Merlin replied lazily.

"Can I ask why?" Gwaine asked smelling the faint trace of Sophia, left on the pillow.

"Because, if you have a bad reaction, it will most definitely hurt Sophia and upset her and she doesn't need this right now, not with all her family problems." Merlin replied confidently. Gwaine surprised by the mention of Sophia, thought for a while.

"Fair enough," he replied,

"I will tell you," Merlin said, his voice trembling slightly.

"Thank you," Gwaine said after a while of calm silence.

"For what?" Merlin asked

"For being my first friend," Gwaine said smiling at himself,

"My pleasure, Gwaine, My pleasure." Merlin replied, smiling to himself.

The night dragged on, but by the time the moon was high up in the sky. Everyone had fallen asleep, even Gwaine who had struggled a bit. The morning came and Maria was up first. Letting Sophia sleep, knowing her night coming to the village must have been rough. Merlin was up second and he helped tend to the sick men. Gwaine got up finally, realising it had been his 2nd night in a row where he had not been hangover. Sophia stayed deeply asleep and when Gwaine walked into the room he couldn't help but not stare at her,

"Good morning Gwaine, There's fruit compote on the stove with bread and honey if you like." Maria said interrupting, Gwaine's thoughts on how beautiful Sophia looked.

"Good morning Oh, thank you," Gwaine murmured, smiling gratefully at Maria who was now crouched by Sophia, shaking her gently.

"Wake up sleepy head," Maria whispered, Sophia stirred slightly but took hold of the second pillow and threw it at Maria,

"Go away, I'm tired." Sophia slurred. Gwaine had filled his plate up with compote and taken a slice of bread. Maria got up and place her hands on her hips,

"Gwaine, I need to get water from the well, can you wake her up?" Maria said kicking her sister playfully and walking to the door.

"I'll get the water if you want, it'll be heavy," Gwaine said

"No, thank you, you'll probably get lost. Tell her the house is on fire or something," Maria said walking out the door. Gwaine smirked at her last comment and finished his breakfast.

"Hey, Sophia, wake up," Gwaine said, shaking her body duvet slightly, Sophia just rolled over.

"Go away," she slurred from under the pillow on her face. Gwaine lifted the pillow off her face, crouched down and kissed her soft plump lips, Sophia smiled and kissed Gwaine back.

"Let me sleep for 5 more minutes," Sophia said on his lips. Gwaine couldn't help but laugh at her persistence to stay in bed. Instead of getting up Sophia turned away, pulling the blanket up to her chin and turned away dozing off again. Gwaine stood for a while, watching her sleep. He then got the end of the blankets and swept It off her. Under the duvet, Sophia lay there in a shirt. Her tanned slim,bare legs showing.

"Gwaine," Sophia groaned, getting up and realising she was showing too much skin. Gwaine spun away, wishing he could caress her legs but knowing it may be to forward for her.

"I'm sorry," Gwaine whispered. He was shocked by his reaction, he had seen women's legs before, but why did these ones stir him so much. Sophia laughed behind him,

"I always was hard to get up,"

"Hmmm,"

"You can turn around, Gwaine," Sophia said after a while. When Gwaine turned he could only see her toes peeking out of the male robe she had donned.

"Don't be sorry," Sophia said, walking up to Gwaine and placing her hand in his hair, Gwaine wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer to him and bending his head so that there foreheads were touching.

"You have beautiful legs," Sophia laughed at the remark and kissed his nose. Her lips found her way to his own and the air around them suddenly was very hot and stuffy. The kiss was zealous, like they yearned for each other, like they were each other's oxygen supply and without it there lover they would die. Gwaine's hands found their way up Sophia's tousled morning hair, pushing her head closer to his lips, he breathed her in. Kissing every bit of skin on her face he could reach, leaving a tingling sensation on her skin.

"We have to stop," Sophia gulped "My Father and brother are next door with Merlin," Sophia inhaled a shaky breath and smiled.

"We never start at the right time or spot," he laughed.

"Yeah, I'm sorry,"

"Its not your fault, my love"

Merlin explained what was happening,

"There both sweating it out, after the cool baths, they'll be much better." Maria and Sophia smiled at Merlin

"How can I repay you?" Maria asked,

"No, paying. Just that Sophia comes back to Camelot." Merlin answered.

"Don't worry she will," Maria said.

It was then, that Robert came out of the room.

"Hey, Doc is it normal, my head feels light?" Robert asked, smiling over at his sisters,

"Yes, you've been vomiting for weeks, you need to gain you're strength by eating and drinking A LOT!"

"Whatever you say," he said, patting Merlin's shoulder, "thanks a lot, for everything."

"You're welcome,"

"Aren't you missing something?" Sophia smiled from the corner of the room.

"Nah," he said, walking over to his sister and lifting her up in his arms.

"How's, my baby sister?"

"How's my annoying brother?"

"I asked first," Robert said, placing his sister back on her feet and hugging her tight.

"Its been interesting," she murmured into her brothers chest, "you're squeezing me very tightly, Rob."

"Oh, sorry." He replied letting go of his sister and kissing Maria on the forehead.

"I don't know what we would do without you two," he exclaimed getting a bowl of stew. Merlin who was sat on the table, decided to let the family reunite without any strangers around. He slowly got up and headed for the door,

"You going somewhere?" Robert called out,

"Uh, yeah just going to find Gwaine," Merlin said quickly thinking on the spot

"Oh ok," Sophia replied, smiling at Merlin and watching him go.

"Are you going to tell me, how you got a knight and royal physician to help you,"

"He's more of a assistant,"

"It doesn't matter, they work with the royals!" Robert said watching the door.

"And,"

"How will we pay? And how did you get them to come?" Robert asked tired of the way his sister was dodging the question.

"It doesn't matter, you're better now!" Sophia, replied smiling at her brother. But Robert didn't believe it, suddenly he remembered Gwaine in the room when he was sick. He looked like a

"Oh dear god, Sophia did you give your innocence away for the help,"

"WHAT!" Both sisters cried, Maria's hand flew to her mouth,

"Robert!" Robert turned away from Maria's stare and faced Sophia who was glaring at her brother.

"Did you…" Robert struggled to find the words, "you know…" he said, gesturing to her body.

Sophia stood there dumbfounded,

"I'm glad you think so lowly of me!" she hissed and stormed off. What had given him that idea?

"See what you've done!" Maria shrieked, "Of course, she wouldn't do that, Sophia helped a boy…" Sophia stormed away from the house, till she couldn't hear Maria recounting the tale she had told her last night. Sophia followed an old path towards the fields, the sun was setting and the beautiful sky was a mixture of colours, the orange and yellow swirled into delightful patters. There were streaks of random golden pinks and greens; the sky was only this mesmerising in the country. Sophia hugged herself and carried on walking to the fields behind the village. It didn't take time for Sophia to finally reach the spot she had named hers. It wasn't much but it was her place. The big boulder that couldn't be moved was hidden behind a hedge. She remembered the sense of peace the alone space had given her all the times life had been hard on her. Her mother leaving their family for another man quickly flashed through her memory as she sat on the boulder. The boulder may bring back sad memories but it still brought back memories of Trey. Sophia's hands roamed around the rock searching for the two letters that had been carved. T and S.

… hope you enjoyed. Rate? Comment? Guess the age?