Dwyn's POV

I woke up slowly, taking time to register my surroundings. I noticed a roof over my head and the same blanket from before covering me. Caeli lay next to me, sleeping as well. I sat up slowly, my head pounding. I realized that my fever had broken, though it still twinged throughout my body, chilling me. Every muscle was sore, so I began rubbing my arms and legs rapidly, trying to increase the circulation and get them warmed up again. I felt extremely weak and hungry, but the thought of food caused my stomach to lurch.

I moved onto my knees and crawled to the opening of what I now realized was a covered wagon. Looking out, I saw a long line of the people from Marius' village beginning to make their way down the road away from their home. They were running.

I crawled back over to Caeli, passing a young boy with a broken arm on the way. I looked at him in pity before continuing, knowing that that pit must have been even harder on him than on Caeli and I. Sadly and begninng to have memories I'd rather foget, I continued to where she lay.

When I reached her, I took her shoulder and gently shook it. Her eyes snapped open immediately, and I saw her hand fly to her waist under the blanket, instinctively looking for her sword. She realized that her sword wasn't there and it was I who'd wakened her at almost the exact same moment.

"Caeli." I sighed. "Do you feel well enough to come with me? We have to get our weapons and horses, now."

"Of course, but what's the hurry?"

"They're moving out."

"Now? Arthur's making them leave now?"

"Yes, it must be the Saxons, they- did you say Arthur?"

"I did."

"Arthur Castus?"

"The same."

I looked at her in shock, and then dragged her to the wagon opening with me. "Which is he?"

Caeli pointed to a man on a white warhorse overlooking the sight and talking to another knight on a dappled gray with braids. I looked at the man on the white horse, recognizing him immediately. "But, he's-"

"Yes, Dwyn. He's the one who carried you out."

My mouth dropped open in shock and I could tell all of this was amusing Caeli greatly. I looked at her and closed my mouth, trying to act like nothing had happened.

Clearing my throat, I spoke again. "Remind me…to thank him."

"Certainly." She answered, and I could tell she was holding back a laugh.

"Come on." I said. "Before they leave us."

"We're going with them?" She asked.

I looked at her sadly and seriously. "Where else is there for us to go? Kosak is no more."

I climbed out of the wagon, Caeli right on my heels. Standing up straight, I took a deep breath and began walking toward Arthur. He noticed us coming and did a double take, then lightly tapped his horse's sides cantering over to meet us. He looked at me awkwardly for a moment, and I felt my face redden.

Smoothly, he dismounted and nodded his head to me, bowing slightly. I inclined my head to him, and an empty silence followed. After what seemed like forever, Caeli sharply elbowed me, bringing me to my senses.

"I…want to thank you, sir. For your services, for finding us, and tending us. And we would like your permission to accompany the caravan to wherever you are headed."

He looked at me for a moment in silence, those eyes searching mine with such intensity I felt I'd burst. It felt as though every single thought Id had was open for inspection and my every secret was unveiled. But strangely, I didn't mind. Some part of me wanted him to know everything there was to know.

At last, he answered, his voice rich and deep, warming me like nothing ever had.

"You may stay with us for as long as you would like, my Queen."

I looked at him, curious as to how he knew this. I turned to Caeli. "If you want, you can go and wait for me. I'll be along in a moment."

Caeli simply nodded and walked away. I crossed my arms in front of me, trying to conceal some of the dirt that still clung to my clothes and skin. "Sir…" I began.

"Arthur." He interrupted.

I nodded once, reddening even more. No one had ever made me feel so small and inferior, like…I wasn't a Queen at all. I liked it.

"…Arthur. I don't know what you heard or…were told, but I am no longer a Queen."

Arthur's POV

I saw the sadness in her eyes when she said she was no longer a Queen, and it pained me to see her upset. She didn't strike me as a woman who would choose to rule a country, but woman who…chose to rule it anyway because it was the better thing to do for the people.

And I knew what had happened to her people, and I could see that she suffered greatly for it.

"We forced Marius to tell us who you were and where you came from. And I'm sorry about your kingdom."

She nodded silently, her feet the only things she would look at. For a moment, another silence followed, and she shivered as the wind blew through. I watched her hair blow around her; the curls and tendrils passing over each etch in her beautiful face.

She looked up at me, and her gaze made me feel weak inside, and my knees want to buckle. She smiled gently, and even though I could see it was forced, it was the most beautiful smile I'd ever seen.

"Thank you." She said softly, her voice smooth and rich as honey. "I will go get my things, we won't be long."

"Take all the time you need." I said, as kindly as my rough voice would allow. I bowed slightly to her.

"You needn't do that." She said quickly. "It is an honor I not longer require or deserve."

IN that instant, I could tell that she blamed herself for what had happened. But before I could say anything more, she brushed past me, heading toward the wall with a slight limp in both her legs. Watching her go made the day seem colder again.

"Tell me your name." I called suddenly, I hadn't meant to ask, or…maybe I had, but it didn't matter. I needed to put a name with her face.

"Dwynowyn." She said, her voice ringing like an angel's would in my ears. She turned, somewhat reluctantly, it seemed, and continued on.

I turned my back on her receding form and mounted my horse. Turning its head and clicking my tongue, I went back to oversee the evacuation of the village.

"Dwynowyn…" I said softly to myself, letting her name come out of my mouth, hoping it sounded as beautiful coming from it as everything she said did from hers.

I looked down, and smiled.

And I don't smile.