Chapter 13
As a knight of Camelot, Gwaine was expected to be honourable, loyal and brave (he was all three); but was he expected to be single forever. No!
That's what Gwaine thought anyway.
So when Liana arrived in Camelot, he realised he missed companionship (of the female kind) and he wanted Liana for himself. It may have been selfish, but Gwaine wanted to be selfish. He hadn't been selfish in a long time, not since becoming a knight of Camelot anyway.
He really did believe Liana to be beautiful. He couldn't stop thinking about her, and it was beginning to show as he was becoming immensely distracted whenever Liana was outside.
The other knights thought it would be good for him if he went out for some fresh air and alone time. And it was working, at least until he saw Liana lying by the small lake near Camelot.
He walked up to her, and clearly startled her. "Sir Gwaine?" she asked sitting up.
"Yes. Do you mind if I sit?"
"You can sit wherever you like." She gestured to the whole area around the lake.
"I think I will sit here." He sat down close to Liana on the bank.
Liana stared out into the lake; she didn't know how to act around a man. The only one she spent time with was Merlin, and he was her cousin (it was natural).
"So" Gwaine said, catching Liana's attention. "What's your story?"
She looked at him. "My story?"
"Yeah, you can't turn up in Camelot without a reason. No one ever comes to Camelot voluntarily."
"So you're a prisoner?" she showed a slight smile.
"Yes." He said, looking sad (in a stupid way). "Of duty."
"You're a prisoner … of duty?"
"Definitely" He responded. "You don't know what it's like. Working and training, day in, day out. And then we have to go around after Arthur, and do whatever he says … because he's the king."
Liana was genuinely confused. Gwaine seemed sincere about this plight of his. She never considered that she wasn't the only one who was keeping secrets in Camelot.
"Then why are you a knight, then?" she asked.
"Because Arthur made me one." Gwaine sighed, and he laid back against the grass.
"And..." Liana encouraged.
He turned to look at her, "Honestly… the only reason I became a knight was because of Merlin."
Her interest peaked, and she laid next to him with her head propped up hand and elbow. "Merlin?"
"Yes. When we met, I was some drunk brawler in bar and then I helped Arthur and Merlin in a fight and they brought me to Camelot." He propped his head up too. "While I was here, there was a spot of bother and Merlin was the only one to help me or even believe me. I eventually got banished from Camelot by Uther, for being myself."
"How did you become a knight then?" she asked.
"Well, it turned out Arthur needed my help in a quest with Merlin. Merlin came and got me, and it was then I realised that I had a true friend. And it was because of that, that Arthur knighted me in Camelot's time of need. And it was all because Merlin believed in me and was a good friend."
"You've had quite the adventures, haven't you?" Liana asked, standing up.
"Wait, where are you going?" he replied, also standing up. He was taller than her and she had to look up when talking to him.
"I have to get back to Camelot to change for work."
"Oh." He seemed disheartened. "Aren't you going to tell me about your life?"
She went on her tiptoes and whispered in his ear, "One day". She kissed him on the cheek, but for longer than she usually would when she did with Merlin.
Once Liana had pulled away, she walked slowly back to Camelot. Leaving Gwaine, in a love-trance state.