Raieya watched as the knights finished their practice and began to slowly file off the field. Gwaine remained and motioned for her to join him, grinning. Raieya slid under the fence and hurried over to him.
She stood opposite of Gwaine, drawing her sword.

"Ready?" he asked with a smirk.

"I am," she replied confidently. "Are you?"

"Absolutely," said Gwaine.

The sized each other up for a moment before Raieya made the first strike. Her sword flashed through the air, only to be blocked by Gwaine's. Immediately he countered her attack, forcing her to move back a few steps. Drawing back her sword Raieya pushed forward, regaining her original position.

"Not bad," said Gwaine

His sword whipped toward her, but Raieya quickly blocked him. Sliding her blade out from under his she twisted slightly to the left, again trying to gain the upper hand.

"Not bad yourself," teased Raieya, as he continued to block her attacks.

She and Gwaine had been locked in their sword play for awhile now and several knights had remained on the field to watch. Aware of the crowd, and wanting to prove herself, Raieya became more aggressive with her attacks. Gwaine blocked nearly every blow, though she managed to get a couple of hits in. Finally as she drove toward him once more, his blade collided with hers in the middle, sliding down her blade. With a twist of his wrist, his blade was under the hilt and he effortlessly flipped it from her hand. His signature move. A couple of the knights broke into applause and Raieya glared at Gwaine.

"It was a valiant attempt," he grinned, clapping her shoulder.

"Wait till next time," said Raieya, retrieving her sword.

Gwaine laughed. "We'll see. Now I believe you owe me a drink."

"Tonight?" asked Raieya. "Though it will be you buying next time."

"Tonight," agreed Gwaine. "We can go down to the tavern after dinner."

"Alright," Raieya agreed. "I'm supposed to go see Arthur shortly. Come by my chambers later?"

"I look forward to it," nodded Gwaine.

Raieya returned to her chambers and changed back in to her dress before going to meet the prince. She met him in his study, dropping in to a deep curtsey.

"You wished to see me?" she asked.

"I did," answered Arthur. "Have you tried on the dress I had sent to you?"

Raieya nodded, recalling the dress a servant had brought by that morning. It was a deep red, with a gold belt, and gold around the middle of the sleeves. The long sleeves themselves were trimmed in beads. Raieya had tried on the dress, though something didn't fit quite right about it.

"I have," Raieya replied. "I fear it may need altered a bit."

"That won't be a problem," said Arthur. "You can take it to Guinevere. The finest seamstress in Camelot. I'll send word and you can take it to her this evening."

"Thank you," nodded Raieya.

"As soon as she's finished with it," began Arthur. "I would like you to perform privately for my father and I."

"I will let you know as soon as its ready," she replied.

Arthur nodded. "I look forward to hearing you perform."

Raieya recognized a dismissal and curtseyed and thanked him once more before leaving.

Later that evening, Raieya walked through the town, searching for the cottage Arthur had described to her. At last she found what looked like the right place and knocked on the door. A moment later a woman who appeared to be around Raieya's age opened the door.

"Hello," the woman greeted her with a smile. "You must be Raieyana. I'm Gwen."

Raieya nodded, returning her smile. "Nice to meet you," she replied. "And you can just call me Raieya."

"Well, Raieya, come in," said Gwen, opening the door completely. "I received a message from the castle. You need some alterations?"

"Something just isn't quite right about the fit of the dress," Raieya answered, carefully unwrapping the bundle she carried with her.

Gently she laid the gown out on the table. It didn't look like anything she could ever afford and she felt out of place standing beside it in her commoner clothes.

"Let's get your measurements," said Gwen. "Then we'll figure out what needs to be done to it."

She picked up a long measuring ribbon and began to work.

"You're the new court musician," said Gwen conversationally. "How did you come to Camelot?"

"I was a traveling minstrel," Raieya replied. "I had been playing at The Rising Sun, when I found Gwaine again."

"You knew Gwaine before coming to Camelot?" asked Gwen.

"Very well," answered Raieya, smiling to herself. "I met him on the road. Helped him out with some bandits. We agreed to travel together, help each other out."

"So you knew he was in Camelot, then?" asked Gwen, jotting down her measurements.

"No," said Raieya. "Not at all. We got separated close to Cenred's border. He was at a different tavern than I and got a drugged drink. A slave trader took him. I tried to find him but was unsuccessful. I didn't think I would see him again."

"That's a story I've never heard him tell," laughed Gwen. "Getting taken by a slave trader."

Raieya laughed. "No, I don't suppose he would tell that part. He had no choice but to tell me since I already knew!"

Gwen paused their conversation briefly to help Raieya put on the dress so she could see what exactly needed altered on it.
Raieya looked at her reflection in the nearby mirror and made a face.

"Is something wrong?" asked Gwen.

"I'm just not used to it I guess," Raieya sighed. "I've never had anything like this before. I'm not sure it's me."

"It's just for court," said Gwen, encouragingly. "It doesnt have to define who you are."

"No," agreed Raieya. "Who I am is very different from ladies in fancy dresses."

"Why did you decide to take a court job?" asked Gwen.

"The benefits," Raieya answered. "Good pay, a place to sleep every night, guaranteed meals. I couldn't turn it down. I will miss the road, though."

"I'm sure, Arthur... I mean prince Arthur, would let you take leave every now and then if you wished,"Gwen replied.

"Maybe," said Raieya. "Perhaps it was time for the traveling to end though. It was never the same without Gwaine."

"I can't imagine anything would be the same without him," said Gwen with a laugh.

Raieya laughed. "That's true. I suppose he's as much trouble here as he was on the road?"

"He drives the prince mad sometimes," said Gwen. "And the cook."

"Sounds like Gwaine," agreed Raieya.

"He's a good knight though," said Gwen.

"I'm sure he is," said Raieya. "He's an excellent fighter. I've watched some of their practices. I just wish I could join them more often, honestly. I don't want to get rusty just because I'm not on the road anymore."

"I'd like to get out there myself sometimes," Gwen agreed.

"Really?" said Raieya, surprised.

"My father was a blacksmith," said Gwen. "He used to let me play with the blunt blades. He taught me how to use them."

"Maybe we should go a few rounds sometime," suggested Raieya eagerly.

"I'd love to," Gwen answered, pinning the last bit of Raieya's dress. "But I'm not sure we'd be allowed."

Raieya shrugged. "What's the harm? I could ask Gwaine when the knights aren't using the field."

"Some people would consider it improper," Gwen replied.

Raieya shrugged. "I don't care what they think."

"I suppose that's a good mindset to have," said Gwen. "Just be careful not to get yourself in trouble."

"I can handle myself," she replied, somewhat defensively.

"Well," Gwen smiled. "There's not too much to do with the dress. I should have it completed by this time tomorrow if you'd like to just come back by and pick it up."

"Thank you," agreed Raieya. "That will be fine."

She turned toward the door then and Gwen followed to let her out.

"It was nice meeting you, Raieya," said Gwen.

"You as well," smiled Raieya.

With that she left Gwen's cottage and returned to the castle.