"Why must we go on scores and scores of hunting parties? Didn't we have another one just like it a fortnight ago?"

"Shut up, Merlin."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The knights of Camelot could barely contain their moans of annoyance as variations of the above dialogue occurred over the course of the day. They, unlike Merlin, were very much looking forward to this hunting party, as it took them away from the dull drudgery of training sessions and patrolling the ramparts. It would also be the first outing for the group since Leon and Gwaine had fully recovered from their injuries.

Arthur and Merlin were at the head of the column, their horses traveling at a leisurely pace. Leon and Elyan were in the middle of the group, animatedly discussing a topic which the others could not overhear. These two were followed by Gwaine and Percival, who had become fast friends, likely because one could talk the ear off an elephant and the other could sit unperturbed while words washed over him.

Lancelot brought up the rear. He smiled to see his companions so carefree, but his smile grew wistful as he realized he was the lone rider, the one without a partner, alone now and always alone in life. Lancelot shook himself from his brooding and turned his thoughts to other things. Camelot was recovering, its people regaining confidence, and virtue was triumphing. He saw the good winning out over the evil, and was gladdened to be a part of the change wrought in the nation. At times, he would be so engrossed in fighting this battle or helping that villager that he would forget his own hurt, would forget that Guinevere's heart belonged to someone else. It was like a dull ache from an old battle wound that never quite healed, but had become part of him, so much a part of him that if it were to disappear suddenly, he would almost miss it.

A shout from Leon drew Lancelot's attention. He looked up to see Leon shaking with mirth and slapping Elyan on the shoulder. Elyan, on the other hand, looked suitably embarrassed.

"I wager that will be the last time you trust someone like that," Leon said to Elyan, this time in a voice loud enough for the entire party to hear.

Elyan tried to hush Leon, but alas it was all in vain.

"What's this about, Elyan?"

Gwaine and Percival had drawn their horses level with the pair.

Elyan groaned and covered his face with his mail-clad hand. He knew he would never hear the end of this.

"I was relating a tale to Leon," Elyan said. He added emphatically, "Privately."

"Come now, I believe we would all benefit from your misadventures," Leon teased.

The remainder of the knights joined in a chorus of agreement until Elyan finally relented, promising to tell the tale at the fire that evening.

For the next several hours, the men followed one trail after the next. Merlin was sent to beat the underbush with sticks in order to flush out the deer and pheasants the knights were hunting. Arthur managed to down a deer with a single crossbow bolt, and Lancelot had two birds to show for his efforts. Merlin had muddied trousers and a torn shirt to show for his day's hard work, but even he was satisfied to make camp for the night and begin supper preparations, because there would be enough food to go around for all of them. He hung a pot over the fire and strained to overhear snippets of Elyan's story.

"I was on patrol last month when we came upon a group of bandits," Elyan began. "They were poorly armed and the patrol made quick work of them. However, we saw that they had already robbed some passersby, as they had in their possession items which were obvious did not belong to them."

"How did you know?" someone asked.

"There was women's clothing," Elyan replied. "Along with grain and produce, likely taken from a farmer's handcart on the way to market. So we endeavored to trace the bandits' path, to return these goods to their rightful owners.

"After about an hour, we finally came upon an overturned cart on the side of the path. With it was a maiden with hair pinned back and a coarse but clean dress, appearing distressed," Elyan continued. "We asked if any of the goods we recovered were hers, and she joyfully recognized her belongings. She thanked us many times, especially after we righted her cart for her."

Here Elyan paused while Gwaine winked at him and elbowed him in the side. Elyan pushed him away.

"We asked where her father was. She told us her father had recently died, and she was heading to market in his stead, to barter some goods to clothe her younger brothers and sisters for the coming winter. Now, here was clearly a maiden in distress. Yet, I recalled Gwaine's adage."

"My adage?"

Gwaine questioned in mock surprise.

"'All women in Camelot are either evil or are of magic, or both,'" Elyan quoted.

"There now—" Arthur began to protest.

"My sister being the exception," Elyan said placatingly.

Arthur retook his seat.

"Being the chivalrous thing to do, I offered to escort her to the town square, in order to prevent other mishaps. The journey went well enough, and when we reached the market, she insisted I meet her mother and siblings the next day at their farmhouse."

"Uh-oh," Percival voiced.

Elyan ignored him.

"Early the next morning, I rose and followed her directions to the small cottage," Elyan related. "Her mother and her brothers and sisters were all very charming and grounded folk, and I enjoyed my time there immensely with people who were not afflicted with court manners and constraints."

At this, the commoner knights nodded in agreement.

"So, I thought at last I could prove Gwaine wrong," Elyan said. "Here was a woman wholesome and good, with not a hint of evil or magic about her. We had some simple country fare and a homemade brew. After the repast, I became quite full and drowsy. Next thing I knew, I awoke in the barn, strewn with straw in one of the empty stalls, and the maiden with her back to me, attempting to undress in front of me."

There was a collective gasp and groan from his audience, but no one said a word.

"I stood up as fast as I could, even though my head was still spinning. I have since concluded that there was some sort of drug in my drink. At the time, I only knew this was not a situation suitable for a knight of Camelot, and I had to extricate myself.

"I asked her what she was doing, and she jumped at my voice. She must not have expected the drug to wear off so quickly. As soon as she saw I was awake, she gathered up her skirts and ran. I myself gathered up all my belongings, mounted my horse, and fled as fast as I could."

"What became of the entire incident?" Lancelot asked.

"No word so far," Elyan said. "I think if I had not woken up then, she would have thrown herself on me, and then through some contrived means would have accused me of forcing myself on her."

"Thus raising a scandal which would require a suitable sum to quiet," Leon concluded.

"I am thankful it did not amount to that, for I have no jewels or gold hidden away for that," Elyan laughed nervously.

His listeners laughed as well, relieved that Elyan had gotten away quite unscathed. Gwaine made the additional comment that he was always right, which prompted another round of laughter. At that time, the stew was ready for consumption and the group gathered for a hearty meal, fortunately without any drug in anyone's beverage. Merlin had just finished scrubbing the last of the bowls with sand when he felt someone sit down on the log next to him.

"Merlin," Gwaine whispered. "I have been meaning to ask you something for a long time."

"Sure. What is it?" Merlin responded.

"In fact, I have wanted to ask you since the time we first met," Gwaine continued, brow slightly furrowed and eyes narrowed, as though he were working on a puzzle.

Merlin said nothing, but his heart dropped. Could Gwaine have known about his magic? During the bar brawl, there were many men fighting at the same time, but could Gwaine have noticed how benches and dishes were flying about at thugs' heads? Had he kept silent this entire time? And why would he ask about Merlin's magic now?

As these thoughts tumbled speedily through Merlin's mind, he became aware that Gwaine was waiting for a response.

"Well, I…" Merlin trailed off.

He attempted a timid smile.

"You know, never mind," Gwaine waved his hand dismissively and got up from his seat. "It wasn't very important anyway."

Gwaine walked back toward the rest of the men, leaving behind a very relieved and somewhat confused manservant.

When Gwaine reached the knights, he sat down heavily next to Percival.

"What was that about?" Percival inquired.

"Nothing," Gwaine muttered. "I merely wanted to know why, on the day I met Merlin, I lost consciousness at the tavern fully clothed, and woke up in Merlin's bed shirtless."

Percival answered, "Perhaps to check for other wounds."

Gwaine had clearly given the issue some thought, and was ready for this answer.

"But do you recall anyone else remaining undressed after Gaius's examination?"

"Well—"

"And I was stabbed in the leg," Gwaine reiterated. "The leg."

Percival bit into the apple he was holding.

"Hmm," he grunted thoughtfully.

Gwaine sighed in frustration.

"I am never going to get a straight answer out of you lot, any of you," he said, storming off to gather more firewood for the night, leaving behind a somewhat confused knight.