"It's a beautiful day." I said to Gwen as I saw her looking out the window of my chambers as I changed. "Gwen?" I asked. She didn't reply. "Gwen." I said again, stepping out from behind the screen to join her at the window. "Gwen, are you okay?" I asked.
"Sorry?" She asked, startled and I frowned at her, concerned. "I'm sorry, My Lady. My mind is elsewhere this morning."
"Is there anything I can help with?" I asked.
"Oh, no. I couldn't." She replied.
"Gwen. Of course you can." I assured her.
"I have a friend who's come to Camelot from the town of Longstead and their village is under attack by some illness that they've never seen before." She said.
"I've asked Gaius if he could spare a few days to help them but he and Merlin have their hands full with a sweating sickness sweeping the castle. So, I want to help but I can't. I'm no physician." She finished.
"There may be something I can help with." I said. "Back in Ivistor, one of my closest friends is the physician's daughter, and after being around her and her mother for most of my life, I couldn't help but pick a few things up." I explained.
"Perhaps, I could go and see if I could help. And if I end up being as useful as a toothbrush, we can at least bring our findings back to Gaius. If your friend would have me, of course."
"Would you really do that?" She asked.
"Of course." I replied.
"Thank you, My Lady. Truly. Shall we leave in an hour?" She asked.
"Sounds good to me." I replied and she smiled happily before hurrying out of my chambers.
I changed into a pair of black pants, knee high leather boots, an off the shoulder blue shirt and leather waistcoat. I grabbed my riding gloves and dark red cloak before leaving my chambers and heading down into the stables where I found Arthur grooming his horse.
"Where are you off to?" He asked.
"Gwen and I are heading to Longstead. Their village has fallen pray to a mysterious illness, so we going to help. We'll be back tomorrow." I said.
"You're going on your own?" He asked.
"We'll be fine." I replied, leading my horse out of it's stable. "Don't miss me too much." I added and seeing as nobody was around I gave him a quick kiss.
"I won't." He replied as I left the stables.
A few minutes later, I met up with Gwen and her friend, and we were about to go on our way when the sound of five pair of hooves reached our ears. I turned around to see Gwaine, Percival, Leon, Elyan and Lancelot riding towards us in their full Camelot garb.
"You thought we were going to miss the party?" Gwaine asked.
"Arthur said you'd like us to accompany you." Leon added.
"Did he now?" I asked, leaning an elbow on my saddle as I looked over at the steps where Arthur was watching. He waved patronisingly at me. "Well, the more the merrier." I said, climbing up into the saddle. "We should reach Longstead by nightfall."
And with one final wave to Arthur the small party left the courtyard and began our journey towards the small village.
"So, Gwen. Are you proud of your brother being a knight?" Leon asked her as we walked through the thick forest.
"I am. But not just because he's a knight, but because of the man he's become." She replied.
"Absolutely. You're outstanding." Gwaine gushed to Elyan. "Especially when it comes to sweet talking the ladies."
"Don't listen to him." Elyan replied.
"And do you know who Gwaine's in love with, Circa?" Percival asked.
"Of course. Himself. You only need to spend two seconds with him to realise that." I answered and the group laughed as Gwaine smiled to himself.
"Then what about you, My Lady?" Gwaine asked. "Who are you in love with?"
"…no one." I lied.
"Aha! That pause means there is someone." He replied. "You can tell us."
"No." I said stubbornly.
"Come on." Percival urged, getting in on the fun.
"No. I am a Princess and do not have to answer to the likes of you." I said in mock regality.
"It must be me, then." Percival decided. "Right, My Lady?"
"Of course, My Love." I replied sweetly.
"It's official." He announced to his friends who rolled their eyes and chuckled.
We reached Longstead as the sun began to set. The elder of the village stepped out of the small crowd that had gathered to meet us.
"Mary, John. It's good to see you." Gwen said to her friends, as I jumped down from the saddle.
"Thank you for coming." John replied. "Where's Gaius?"
"He was busy so I've come to help in any way I can." I said stepping forward and the small group bowed. "Please. Will you let me help?"
"I did not know you were a physician, My Lady." John replied.
"I'm not, but I hopefully know enough to be able to at least diagnose them." I said.
"It is an honour to have you. This way." He said and lead me into a nearby house where three men were lying on beds, looking as white as ghosts. I felt for a pulse on each man, and they were all faint.
"How long have they been like this?" I asked.
"Three days. We've tried to feed them, keep them warm, but nothing seems to help." John answered.
"They've all got fevers. So, let's focus on bringing those down first." I decided. "Could I have a bowl of cool water and some sugar, please."
"What's the sugar for?" Gwen asked.
"They're low on energy, so giving them sugar should provide them with enough to fight whatever's ailing them." I replied.
"And will that help cure them?" John asked.
"Let's see what tomorrow brings." I answered.
That night, Gwen, the knights and I all slept on the straw strewn floor of the barn. Johns wife, Mary had insisted that I take her bed and it had taken a lot of work to convince her otherwise. As I lay awake on the cold floor I worried what would happen to the townsfolk if there was no improvement in the morning.
As I mulled over these thoughts, I heard a sort of rustling, hissing noise outside. I sat up when I heard the noise again, this time sounding like it was at the barn door. I threw off the thin blanket and carefully stepped over the sleeping knights. I slowly pushed open the door and looked around the town, bathed in moonlight.
The hissing sound came again from further away this time. So, I picked up a wooden fishing rod resting against the barn wall and followed the noise. I made my way round to the back of the barn, where all was quiet.
I whirled around as a rustling sound came from where I'd just been. It was getting closer and closer to the corner I was behind. I grasped the rod tightly, and lunged around the corner coming face to face with Gwaine.
"Ah!" I yelled in surprise and he held jumped violently. "Gwaine." I hissed half our to relief and half out of annoyance.
"Sorry, call of nature." He replied as my poor heart recovered.
"I could've killed you." I gasped.
"With a fishing rod?" He asked. "Sir Gwaine was slain with a fishing rod. Mm. The stuff of legends." He chuckled and I laughed in relief. "After you." He said, and together we went back to the barn.
I didn't hear the hissing noise again that night and fell into an uneasy sleep.