Chapter 15

The Wedding of Marian Ragnell

The king had announced a tourney in celebration of the new peace accord between Camelot and Mercia. Lord Bayard had sent an emissary, Sir Gromer Somer Joure, to Camelot to finalize the treaty. He not only had lands that rested near the border of Camelot and Mercia, but he was also an acquaintance of King Arthur.

The last time Sir Gromer had visited Camelot, he had brought with him a jester, who was famous throughout the five kingdoms for his tricks and slights of hand. Unfortunately, the jester had turned out to be a villain and had kidnapped Marian to ransom her. Though the last time Gromer had visited Camelot wasn't a happy memory, he was pleased to be back. He was determined that this visit would be more rewarding than the last.

Sir Gromer was a knight only in name. The title had been bestowed upon him by Lord Bayard, not for his skill in fighting, for he had none; instead, it was for the wealth he had obtained over his years of service to the king. As such, he didn't participate in the tourney. Instead, Sir Gromer sat beside King Arthur and watched the festivities from the safety of the royal box.

Gromer wasn't necessarily enjoying the savagery that was central to the tourney; he was a man with refined tastes who abhorred violence. But he did take particular notice of one of the knights who had shown himself a most powerful and unforgiving warrior. Sir Gwaine bested his opponents and eventually was named the victor. Sir Gromer made a mental note to stay away from the fierce knight.

It would be easier said than done, though. At the feast following the tourney, Sir Gromer observed as King Arthur rewarded the victor. Sir Gwaine graciously accepted the prize, one-hundred gold pieces, and grinned as the crowd cheered him on. Gromer thought the knight an arrogant fool, prancing and preening before his adoring fans. As he walked past Gromer, he even winked at him, the gall of the man!

The worst of it was when he saw the beautiful healer Marian give her attentions to the conceited ass. Sir Gwaine leaned close to her ear and whispered to her, making the exquisite woman laugh heartily. It drove Gromer mad that he couldn't know what secrets the knight bestowed upon her. He wanted to be the one to make her laugh like that. He wanted to be the one whose arm she held onto to keep steady when she'd had too much to drink. He wanted to be the one she left the feast with, probably to some dark alcove where they could exchange naughty secrets and soft touches.

Instead, Marian had spent her evening in Sir Gwaine's company, laughing and enjoying herself for the first time in quite a while. Gwaine teased her about her aversion to the violence of the tourney, though he was pleased when she had congratulated him on his win with a quick kiss.

She had laughed heartily when he pointed out Lord Grey's hair and how poorly the older gentleman was trying to cover the growing bald spot on the back of his head. Marian's laugh was music to Gwaine's ears. He made sure to make her laugh throughout the rest of the evening.

When she'd had too much wine to drink, Gwaine gave her his arm to hold onto. She was unsteady on her feet, and he was afraid she'd hurt herself. Marian wasn't known for her gracefulness, especially when drunk.

Marian had laughed a little too loudly at something that wasn't meant to be a joke. She was senselessly drunk, so Gwaine had offered to escort her back to her chamber. Instead, she led him outside to the grassy courtyard to look at the stars in the sky. Gwaine watched with a smile as she twirled and danced and sung to the Moon. They sat in the grass and talked about their childhoods and favorite adventures and anything that came to their minds. When she had fallen asleep next to him, he picked her up and carried her to her chamber, tucking her safely in bed before going back to his own chambers.

He was the last man standing in the tourney, winning money that he tucked away to buy something lovely for Marian. He had stuffed himself with good food and wine. He had spent the evening with the woman he loved. He had even been kissed and congratulated by her. Sir Gwaine was on top of the world.

000

The next day Arthur had summoned Marian to the council chamber. When she walked in, she saw that they weren't alone. Gaius, Merlin, and Gwaine all stood around the king looking grave. Marian tried to smile at Gwaine, but his tight expression made her think the better of it. Something had angered the knight.

The look on Arthur's face made Marian think that he was trying to summon the courage to give her the bad news. Only when he told her that Sir Gromer had requested an audience with himself and with her, did she realize how right she was.

"I don't understand. Why does Sir Gromer want to see me?" Marian asked the king.

"Apparently, my father had promised you to him in exchange for a large parcel of land that he owned just inside Camelot's border," Arthur winced as he said it. He knew this wouldn't go over well with his friend. "He made good on his end, so now it's time for Camelot to keep our end of the bargain."

"Promised me to do what, exactly?" Marian asked him with narrowed eyes.

Arthur cleared his throat. Why must she make him repeat it? "You to him."

"To him? As in marriage? Arthur, you can't be serious!" Marian yelled.

"Unfortunately, I am." He quickly looked away from her in shame. Arthur instead looked to Gwaine, Gaius, and Merlin, hoping for some support. He didn't like this any more than anyone else, but he had no choice if he wanted to avoid a confrontation with Lord Bayard. Arthur was certain that it would mean an end to the treaty between Camelot and Mercia if they didn't follow through. He wouldn't risk war if he could find a better way out of this.

Gwaine stared the king down, displeasure evident on his face. He understood full well the risk of war with Mercia, but, to him, at least, losing Marian would be much worse. He loved her, of course, but he didn't want to see her unhappy. Gwaine knew that being forced into a marriage wouldn't be a life that Marian would tolerate.

"No. My answer is no. I'm not Uther's property. And I'm not yours either. I can't believe that low-down, dirty, no-good king—" Marian said.

Arthur interrupted her tirade before she said something she would regret. "Watch it, he was my father," he warned.

"Right. Your father, not mine. And even if he had been, I'm not property!" she protested. She looked between the men gathered. Marian should have expected something like this; women weren't exactly masters of their own lives in this time.

Not too much different than home, I guess, Marian thought bitterly.

"Arthur, you can't force her into marriage," Gwaine spoke up. Seeing Marian marry another would break his heart.

"I've no choice," Arthur stated.

"I won't do it. I won't go. I refuse, Arthur Pendragon, and you won't make me marry against my will! I would rather die!" Marian panicked. She had resolved to make the best of her time in Camelot, but she never expected to be treated like chattel.

"Marian, if I had another choice, I'd take it," Arthur sighed.

"I'll run away before I'd let you force me into a marriage I don't want!"

Unable to watch his friend's grief any longer, Merlin spoke up. "Arthur, there has to be another way. Something, anything. A duel? Gambling? Maybe Marian can just disappear for a while? A fake kidnapping?"

"Merlin…" Arthur pinched the bridge of his nose. This whole business was giving him a headache.

"We can't make Marian marry against her will, Arthur. It was wrong of Uther to promise that," Merlin continued.

"I know," Arthur said, frustrated at the situation. "Don't you think I know that, Merlin?"

"I won't marry someone I don't love. I don't care if he delivered the Sun and the Moon to Camelot," Marian declared. "If it's for Camelot, then you marry him, Arthur!"

"Marian…"

"Perhaps a compromise?" Gaius suggested. At her incredulous look, Gaius continued, "Now, hear me out, Marian. Just spend some time with Sir Gromer. Get to know him, and he you. Perhaps, he will discover that you are not compatible after all and will settle upon another price for his lands."

Marian crossed her arms over her chest. "And just how am I supposed to get him to change his mind?" she asked skeptically.

This time Gwaine spoke up. "Just… just be yourself."

"What's that supposed to mean?" she asked as she narrowed her eyes at him.

Gwaine chuckled. "You know how you are. Just contradict him. Argue with him. Just be you," he suggested innocently.

Though her stubbornness and independence were things that drew Gwaine to her, he was sure someone like Sir Gromer would find those aspects of her personality tiresome.

"Nice, Gwaine. You think I'm so horrible, do you?" she dropped her arms and moved closer to confront him.

"Well, no—" Gwaine started.

Marian interrupted him. "My personality is so bad that it'll make him run for the hills, screaming just to get away from me?"

Gwaine held his hands up in defense and backed away slightly. "I didn't—"

"Oh no, here comes Marian, the hag!" she was shouting. "I'd rather have a pile of troll dung than to be near her!"

"You're not a hag, Mar—" Gwaine started to protest.

"No one will want to marry me if I'm myself! Is that it, Gwaine?" She had to admit, the thought hurt more than she had expected.

"Not at all. Marian, I'd marry—"

"Just be your horrible self, Marian. No one will want you then!" she continued as if he hadn't spoken.

When she had quieted, Gwaine raised his hands and gestured toward her. "See? Do this! It's sure to frustrate Sir Gromer enough for him to change his mind about you."

"Insufferable!" Marian yelled.

"Exactly!" Gwaine replied, not realizing that she wasn't referring to herself.

Marian screamed in frustration and stormed from the chamber.

Gwaine watched her leave and turned to the others. "Was it something I said?"

000

As promised, Arthur and Marian met with Sir Gromer in the council chamber later that day. They agreed, though reluctantly on Marian's part, that she would travel to Sir Gromer's manor with him. The idea was for them to get to know one another, and hopefully, being repulsed by her temperament, Sir Gromer would relinquish his claim on Marian, and Camelot could avoid war.

Marian had been invited to dine with King Arthur in the private dining chamber later that evening. It was an intimate occasion, with only a few of the knights, Gaius, Arthur, Agravaine and Sir Gromer attending. As customary, Merlin stood by to wait on the king. The food was delicious and was finished without incident. While the pudding was being served, the conversation turned to marriage and the duties expected. It seemed that everyone at the table was uncomfortable, except Sir Gromer, who prattled on as if he were an expert on the subject.

"Well, my lord, it's not like women actually enjoy being bedded. But if one is to have children, then she must grin and bear it," Sir Gromer proclaimed with a smarmy smile. He laughed as he looked around the table for support, but only Agravaine smiled at him.

"I generally find, Sir Gromer, that women do enjoy sex if the man is any good at it," Marian retorted.

Gwaine spat out his drink in surprise. "Sorry," he apologized to the king.

If anyone could put their irritating guest in his place, it was his Marian. Well, not his. Maybe someday, he hoped, he would ask her to be his. He needed to be sure of her feelings before then, and if tonight was anything to go by, the lady's heart wouldn't be so easily won by anyone.

"Perhaps," Agravaine started, "what Sir Gromer meant was that a wife has a duty to her husband."

"And what about a husband's duty to his wife?" Marian countered.

"Well, he protects her. Provides for her. And in turn, she will give him an heir," Agravaine said pompously.

"Give him an heir? Children are no more property than women, my lord. The best marriages are those where the husband and wife are partners, equal in all things. Where there is love and respect. Men who try to control their wives, who feel that they are the lord of the castle, that they are owed sex or children just because they are men, aren't worth my time," Marian said. She stood up to the pompous ass, it was her future they were discussing, after all. She wasn't about to be sold to the highest bidder, even if it was for an alliance for Camelot. She was no man's property.

"Yes, but where do your loyalties lie, Marian? Do you marry Sir Gromer, our friend and ally, for the good of the kingdom and the people of Camelot? Or do you hopelessly pine for a man that has done nothing to claim you? A man that you called your sweetheart, but here you are, still unmarried," Agravaine sneered. He looked over at Gwaine and smirked at the red-faced knight.

"Claim me? I'm not a horse, Agravaine!" she was livid. "How dare you even question my loyalties! You of all people have no right to—"

"Sorry, sire!" Merlin interrupted. He had knocked over a jug of wine in an attempt to diffuse the situation. If Marian wasn't careful, she'd divulge more than she meant. Agravaine wasn't to know that they suspected him. Merlin knew that her mouth sometimes ran away from her when she was angry, so when she looked at him, he shook his head slightly, begging for her to stop.

Taking a calming breath, Marian turned her attention to Gwaine, embarrassed by the entire conversation. He was vibrating with anger. Only the stern look of warning from his king kept him in his seat. Instead, he finished the wine in his goblet in one gulp and motioned for more.

Gromer looked between Marian and Gwaine. It was Sir Gwaine that Lord Agravaine had meant. It was Sir Gwaine that hadn't yet claimed the beautiful healer and who she had called her sweetheart. The knight would be trouble for him, he was sure. "Yes, well, I find, my dear, that women should not speak of such matters. Especially in the presence of men that aren't yet their husband," he said, attempting to put an end to the conversation.

Gwaine looked from Gromer to Marian, waiting for her to put their guest in his place. It was apparent to him why the knight was still not married. What decent woman would have him?

Incensed, Marian had opened her mouth to speak but closed it quickly. She wanted nothing more than to give the man a piece of her mind, but Gaius had lightly kicked her under the table. Instead, she sipped her wine and glared at the fop, her nostrils flaring.

Emboldened by more wine, Gwaine spoke up. "Ah, you see, our Marian speaks her mind when it pleases her. Despite the opinions of some, in Camelot, we believe women are to be treated with dignity and respect, not as objects for us to control." He brought his wine up to his lips and took in a long sip, winking at Marian from over the goblet.

Though she appreciated Gwaine standing up for her, Marian wasn't about to let these men speak for her. Or decide her fate. Determined, Marian replied to Gromer. "No, you are too right, Sir Gromer," she started.

Gwaine's mouth fell open in shock, and Gromer looked over to him, pleased with himself.

"It's not very charitable for a lady to speak of things that the gentleman cannot even fathom. I will attempt a more simplistic conversation with you in the future," she finished.

Gwaine chuckled into his goblet while Sir Gromer tried to figure out if she was complimenting or insulting him. He stood and addressed the king. "If you will excuse me, my lord. The hour grows late. And if the lady and I are to travel tomorrow, we must have an early start."

Arthur nodded. "Ah, yes, before you go, I've asked Sir Gwaine to accompany you both on your journey. There are bandits about, and I wouldn't want to see one of Camelot's friends fall victim. He will meet you in the courtyard at first light, ready to depart."

"But my lord," Gromer began, "that is not necessary! I—"

"I insist," Arthur said, putting an end to it.

Marian breathed a sigh of relief. She silently thanked Arthur for not making her go alone and for sending someone she could trust. And she trusted Gwaine with her life.

"Very well, my lord," Sir Gromer bowed to the king and glared at Gwaine before leaving the dining chamber.

Agravaine stood. "I must retire as well. Good night, sire," he said as he turned and left. He needed to contact Morgana as quickly as possible. The journey Marian would take would be the perfect opportunity to get rid of her and the troublesome knight. Perhaps Sir Gromer would turn out to be an ally after all.

"I think the only rescuing that will be needed is that of Sir Pretentious from Marian's temper," Gwaine chuckled.

Arthur laughed. "No doubt about that, and good luck to him."

Marian laughed at their ribbing but sobered quickly. She tried to reason with the king once more. "I won't marry him, sire. I can't marry someone I don't love, but especially a… a conceited, misogynistic ass like that."

"I never wanted to ask it of you, Marian. But I hope that you will be able to let him down gently enough for him to save face. He is an important ally to Camelot," Arthur replied. He, more than anyone else, understood the desire to marry for love.

"I will do my best, sire. I promise," she smiled softly at the king.

000

The journey from Camelot to Sir Gromer's manor in the north would take less than a week. Sir Gromer, having been away from his home for so long, wasn't able to be the gracious host that he had planned. He sent word ahead of their travels to his friend and neighbor, Lord Bertilak de Hautdesert, stating their intention to journey up to his lands and stay for a day or two.

He had also apprised Lord Bertilak of the situation between himself and Marian. He mentioned that they were accompanied by a Knight of Camelot, hoping that the lord could help him get rid of the meddlesome knight. It felt to him that Gwaine had laid a claim on Marian, who was, of course, meant to be Sir Gromer's wife. He told Gwaine and Marian about the change in plans. Since they would happen upon the lord's castle before getting to Sir Gromer's land, Gwaine reluctantly agreed that they could stopover.

Sir Gromer tried his best to get to know Marian during their journey, but the infuriating woman wouldn't open up. He tried again as they were stopping to camp for the night.

"Tell me about your parentage, my lady," he asked of her.

"Not much to say. No living family," she replied as she dismounted her horse.

Gwaine and Sir Gromer followed suit. Gwaine began gathering rocks for a fire pit in the middle of the camp while Gromer continued to interrogate Marian.

Gromer rolled his eyes. "Yes, but who were they? A knight or…or a lord? Perhaps your mother was a lady in some faraway court?" he asked hopefully.

While his initial interest had simply been due to lust, he wanted to make sure that she was a suitable match for a man of his reputation and wealth.

"Nope. My mother was in trade, and my father was a physician of the teeth. No noble blood runs in my veins," she replied.

Marian didn't lie to him. She felt that giving him as much of the truth that she was able to would ward him off quicker. Her mother worked in retail, and her father was a dentist. Her family was, indeed, unremarkable. She had no money, nor a title. Maybe that would be enough for her suitor to lose interest.

"Tell me, Sir Gromer, why would you assume I'm of noble birth if I'm working as a servant in Camelot?" she asked him.

"I-I… well, I thought that a woman of your beauty couldn't possibly… well, that you—" he sputtered.

Marian laughed. "You thought that because you think I'm pretty that I can't be poor?"

"Well, I had hoped…" Sir Gromer trailed off in disappointment. He certainly needed to rethink this whole affair. It wouldn't do for him to marry a woman who was so beneath him. But she was a beautiful woman, with hair of gold and green eyes reminiscent of the rarest gemstones. Her cheeks were rosy, and her lips were plump. The rest of her, well, it was indecent for a man of his title to express such thoughts, but the rest of her was as pleasing as her face, if not even more alluring. He tried to not think of the hidden pleasures that lurked beneath her traveling dress.

"I have nothing to offer you, Sir Gromer. Surely, you'd be better off wooing a richer woman," she said hopefully.

"Perhaps," Gromer began, "beauty can be its own wealth?"

Despite her lack of station, he wanted her to be his. He would simply have to overlook her parentage. Her beauty was enough to make a man go mad, in his opinion, and he wanted to have her in every way.

It was Gwaine's turn to laugh. "Do you hear that, beautiful? You must be even richer than Arthur! Quite a prize to be won, then, eh?"

Gwaine turned to Sir Gromer and closed the gap between them. He was taller than Gromer by only a couple of inches, but he was intimidating enough. "Just what are your intentions on this journey, Gromer?" Gwaine asked, suspicious of the shorter man.

Gromer backed up, away from the increasingly angry knight. "Whatever do you mean, sir? I intend to have what is mine. We will marry before springtime."

Gwaine rose to his full height and once more closed the gap between them. He glared at the smaller man, enraged that he would think he owned Marian. "I guess we'll have to see about that," Gwaine smiled as he threatened in a quiet voice.

Marian looked between the two men. Gromer looked like he was about to piss his pants. Gwaine, however, looked as if he could and would murder Gromer with the slightest look.

"Why don't you go gather some firewood, Gromer?" Gwaine ordered the foppish man.

Gromer huffed as he left the area to look for wood for the fire. Marian watched as Gwaine went to their horses and gathered their sleeping rolls. He threw Sir Gromer's roll down on one side of the camp and laid out his and Marian's rolls on the other.

"Stay near me for the rest of the journey, Marian," he implored.

Marian looked in the direction that Sir Gromer had walked. "Do you think he means to harm me?" she asked quietly.

"I don't know, beautiful. But men like that aren't used to not getting their way. I would imagine he means to make you his, one way or another," he said.

Gwaine spoke volumes in that one sentence. Marian shivered as she realized he was saying that Gromer could possibly try to bed her against her will.

"Fuck's sake, has it come to that?" she asked in a panic.

"Just stay by my side. Don't go off on your own," he told her.

"And what about when you're sleeping?" she asked as she stood next to him, wringing her hands.

Gwaine looked up at her and shrugged. "I won't be sleeping," he grinned at her.

Marian looked doubtful and worried. She didn't intend to marry Sir Gromer, and she especially didn't plan on sleeping with him. She was afraid, though. For the third time since she had arrived in Camelot, Marian was fearful of being forced upon.

Gwaine saw the look of fear cross her face and rose from the ground, walking to her. He tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear and cupped her cheek. "Don't worry, beautiful, I'll keep you safe," he promised.

Mesmerized by the closeness of him, Marian reached up and held his hand to her cheek. She leaned into his touch and closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. Leather and musk. She sighed in contentment. He really did make her feel safe.

Suddenly, they heard a throat being cleared. Sir Gromer had returned and was watching them from the edge of the camp. He stomped to the rock circle in the middle and threw the wood down to the ground. Furious that Gwaine had been touching Marian in such an intimate way, he made his outrage known. "I'll thank you not to touch my lady in that manner, Sir Knight!"

Marian rolled her eyes. "I'm decidedly not your lady, Sir Gromer, nor am I likely to be."

"We will see," he replied through clenched teeth.

The rest of the night went by quickly enough, though Sir Gromer fumed until he fell into an angry sleep. Gwaine, true to his word, sat beside Marian as she slept and stayed awake the entire night. He didn't trust Sir Gromer in the least. The man was up to something, but Gwaine couldn't figure out exactly what. All he knew was that Marian was in danger.

000

The rest of the journey was spent in relative silence. They had stopped at a nearby stream so they could wash. Gwaine kept to Marian's side, though he turned his back at the stream to allow her some amount of privacy. Sir Gromer was in a fit of rage that Gwaine had accompanied her to the stream.

"It's indecent!" he complained.

"Don't get yourself tied in knots, Sir Gromer. I had my back turned the entire time," Gwaine chuckled.

It was evident that Gromer had never traveled in mixed company. On journeys like this, propriety was a luxury they rarely could afford.

Marian had been unfazed by Gwaine's constant presence. The only time she was uncomfortable at his proximity was when she needed to relieve herself. Thankfully, he had agreed to stay as far away as possible if, in return, she sang nonstop while doing what needed to be done, letting him know she was alright.

Gwaine had taken great care to make sure Marian was safe on the journey, much to Sir Gromer's annoyance. He slept lightly beside her and followed her everywhere she went. Gromer thought that if he could just get her away from the knight, then maybe they could get to know one another, and she would no longer be against their union. If she got to know him, she would inevitably fall madly in love with him.

Soon, they arrived at Lord Bertilak's castle. Hopeful that their host would incapacitate Camelot's knight, Sir Gromer enthusiastically greeted his old friend. "Lord Bertilak! Thank you for allowing us to stop over on our way to my manor." Gromer turned to Gwaine and Marian. "This is Sir Gwaine of Camelot. And this," he stated as he grabbed Marian's arm and pulled her forward, "is Marian Ragnell, my intended." Gromer wore a stupid smile that Marian was sorely tempted to smack from his face.

Gwaine tensed as Gromer grabbed Marian. He was incensed that the foppish fool had put his hands on his Marian. The fact that Gromer had called her his intended ate away at the knight. It was killing him to be civil, but he had promised Arthur to behave when he had accepted this mission. The king was well aware of Gwaine's feelings for Marian and had warned him against doing anything that would jeopardize the treaty with Mercia.

Marian tore her arm from his grasp. "Pleased to meet you, my lord," she said unenthusiastically.

Lord Bertilak was an older man, heavy-set and with a graying beard. His glory days were definitely several years behind him. "The pleasure is all mine, lass," he said as he looked her up and down. "Finally bagged yourself a beauty, eh, Gromer?" Lord Bertilak asked. He turned behind him and waved a young woman forward. "This is my wife, the Lady Penelope. Say hello to Lady Marian, Penelope."

The young woman was thin and pale. Her manners weren't that of a confident and proud lady of the castle, but a shy waif. Marian didn't think she could be more than 18 years of age.

Lady Penelope curtseyed. "Pleased to make your acquaintance, Lady Marian," she said timidly.

Marian reached out and grasped her hand. "Please, it's just Marian. I'm not a lady, your ladyship."

Penelope graced Marian with a shy smile.

Annoyed at his wife's shyness, Bertilak continued the introductions and stepped up to Gwaine. "And you must be the famous Knight of Camelot," he said as he stared hard at Gwaine.

Not one to back down, Gwaine gave the lord a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Sir Gwaine," he introduced himself. Gwaine neither bowed nor did he back away from Lord Bertilak. He didn't care for nobles in general and definitely not this one in particular.

"I've heard of the bravery and nobility of King Arthur's knights, Sir Gwaine. Perhaps we should put you to the test? What would you say to a small match? Just you and me?"

"It would be my pleasure, Lord Bertilak," Gwaine smirked at the older man.

Marian moved to Gwaine's side. "Gwaine…" she warned.

They didn't have time for him to show off; they were supposed to continue on to Gromer's manor.

Gwaine leaned in close to her ear. "Don't worry, beautiful, this won't take long."

He had sized up his opponent and had decided that the odds of winning a sparring match were in his favor. Besides, he needed to work off some of the tension he had built up during the journey. Though he was tired from lack of sleep, Gwaine's anger at Gromer would work to his advantage as he sparred.

"Come, Sir Gwaine! Let us to the field!"

Lord Bertilak led Gwaine from the courtyard to a small sparring field beside the castle. Sir Gromer held out both of his arms to Lady Penelope and Marian, but Marian groaned and started to the field on her own.

000

Sir Gromer helped Lord Bertilak with his chainmail. The men were far enough away from the others that they could speak privately.

"Be careful, Bertilak. That one is a hothead," Gromer told his friend.

"Ha! He is but a babe in men's armor!" Bertilak was confident he would best Camelot's knight. "I fought in battles before he was an itch in his father's trousers!"

"That may be true, but he fights like no man I've ever seen." Gromer was starting to worry whether this was a good idea. He wanted Gwaine away from Marian, but not necessarily at the risk of his friend's life.

"Don't worry yourself, Gromer. I will take him one way or another," Bertilak comforted. He leaned in close to his friend. "I meet with the Lady Morgana tonight, and as you know, she holds no love for Camelot or its knights."

Gromer worried his bottom lip. Had he known the witch would be involved, he probably would have just continued to his own home. Morgana made him uneasy. She was wild and unhinged, bent only on revenge. He was meant to be an ally to Camelot. If only the troublesome knight hadn't laid a claim to his intended, all of this could have been avoided!

Marian pulled Gwaine to the side. "Please tell me you know what you're doing. I don't like either of them, Gwaine. I don't trust them."

Gwaine smiled at her concern. "I don't either, beautiful, but I can't be rude to our host. If he wants a fight, then I'll give it to him."

"And should you be injured? I don't have any medical supplies with me, Gwaine," she warned him.

He chuckled. He was confident that no harm would come to him. "I'll be fine, Marian. You worry too much. The only injury I am in danger of receiving is a broken heart should Sir Gromer have his way. And your medicines can't heal that," he said as he grabbed her hand and lifted it to his lips with an intense stare, kissing her knuckles.

"Gwaine, please, I'm afraid for you."

He dropped her hand and smiled softly at her. Starting to the field, he turned around. Walking backward, he called to her. "Besides, naught but the fair maiden's kiss can heal an injury to my heart!"

He lifted his hand to his chest as if he had been wounded and smiled before he turned back around.

Grinning, Marian shook her head and chuckled at his antics. She enjoyed it when Gwaine clowned around. It made her heart feel lighter. She walked over to the sidelines to watch the match with Lady Penelope.

"You are to marry Sir Gromer, are you not?" Penelope asked timidly.

Marian sighed. "He thinks I am, but no, I'm not going to marry Sir Gromer."

She watched as Bertilak and Gwaine met in the field. They both drew their swords and began to duel.

"If he wishes it, then mustn't it be so?" Penelope asked, confused. Surely this woman wouldn't go against the commands of her masters.

Marian continued to watch the match as Gwaine quickly gained the upper hand. "Where I come from, your ladyship, a woman can marry for love. Or decide not to marry at all." Marian spared the young woman a quick look. "Did you marry out of duty, Penelope?"

Penelope nodded gravely. "My father commanded it." Oh, how she wished she could have married for love.

"I'm so sorry," Marian said sincerely.

She turned back to the match in time to see Gwaine knock Lord Bertilak to the ground and kick his sword away. Marian sighed in relief when Bertilak yielded.

Penelope looked from the knight to the woman beside her thoughtfully. "If you do not marry Sir Gromer, will you marry Sir Gwaine?"

"What?" Marian looked back to Penelope sharply.

"Do you love Sir Gwaine? He is handsome, and he seems rather fond of you," Penelope observed.

"I… No, we're just friends," she lied quickly.

Gwaine, Lord Bertilak, and Sir Gromer approached them before Penelope could respond. Bertilak spoke first. "To show there are no hard feelings, you must sup with us tonight!"

At the startled look on Marian's face, Gwaine started to protest. "Surely, we must be on our way soon?"

Gromer didn't look pleased. He had wanted Gwaine to be gone, but Bertilak couldn't even beat him in a match. "Well…"

"No, no, I insist! You will stay the night, too. It's the least I can do!" Bertilak gave his friend a sinister look. He had planned to take care of Gwaine on the field, but it seemed that now he must play a longer game.

"Of course, Bertilak! We shall stay!" Gromer finally caught on and agreed.

Marian and Gwaine looked at each other, neither happy about the situation. Gwaine shrugged. "I guess we're staying."

Bertilak clapped Gwaine on the back, making the knight stumble forward. "Wonderful! Now up to the castle with you all. I will order baths and have appropriate attire sent to your rooms."

000

The three were led to the guest wing by Lady Penelope. They had been assigned chambers next to one another, so it was a quick tour of the wing. Sir Gromer thanked Lady Penelope and went into his rooms as Penelope left to go ready herself for supper as well.

Marian reached for the door handle to her own chamber when Gwaine caught her hand.

"Wait," he said to her. "I want to make sure there isn't any danger."

Marian nodded to him to go ahead. He walked into the room and looked around. There was a bathtub of warm water waiting for her. Next to the tub sat several tinctures and oils, presumably used to scent the bathwater. He carefully opened the bottles and sniffed. Nothing unusual there. Gwaine reached over to the tub and dipped his hand in.

"Not acid, then?" Marian asked, amused.

Gwaine gave her a grin. "Just making sure," he stated.

A green silk gown and matching ribbons were laid out on the bed. Gwaine grinned when he caught sight of the elegant dress. He couldn't wait to see her in it. She had never worn such an elegant gown in all the time he'd known her. He thought the color would set off her eyes beautifully. As he passed the bed, he rubbed the sleeve of the dress between his fingers. It was soft and pleasing.

He walked over to the curtains and looked behind them. Finding nothing, he opened the wardrobe and the drawers of the cabinet on the far wall. The last place he checked was underneath the bed. "All clear, milady," he laughed.

"Thank you, Gwaine."

"I'll be right outside the door while you, erm… bathe and dress," he gestured to the tub. "Call me if you need help scrubbing your back," he winked playfully.

Marian rolled her eyes at him. "Goodbye, Gwaine," she replied dryly.

Gwaine left her chamber to guard her room. She undressed and stepped into the warm bath. Her muscles relaxed as she sat down slowly. Reaching over the tub, she picked up the oils and tinctures to decide which one she wanted to use. There was a pungent smelling lavender and another that she didn't recognize, but it smelled of moss. The last one she picked up had a soft rose scent to it. Marian poured it liberally into her bathwater and sat back to relax.

When she had finished her bath and had washed her hair, Marian stood to dry herself by the fireplace. She dressed in the clothes laid out for her. It was a lovely long-sleeved, green dress. The neckline showed off the swell of her breasts beautifully, and the sleeves ended in long luxurious bells that fell to the floor. Next to the dress was a silver belt, which she fastened around her hips.

Before she did anything with her hair, Marian cracked the door and stuck her head out into the corridor. "I'm done, if you want to go bathe," she said to Gwaine.

Gwaine craned his neck to try to get a glimpse of her in the silk dress but was unable to see anything other than her head. "If you insist," he said, disappointed.

Marian wrinkled her nose at him. "Oh, I insist."

"That bad, eh?" Gwaine laughed as he went down the corridor and into his chamber.

000

Marian finished with her hair, tying it up with one of the green ribbons she had found. She tied the other ribbon around her neck to fashion a choker necklace. Looking at her reflection in the mirror, she sighed. She was dressed more ornately than she was comfortable with. "I guess this will do."

She left her chamber to search out the dining hall. When she was near the end of the guest corridor, she heard Sir Gromer calling for her from the stairway. He hadn't seen her yet, so she ducked into the nearest room.

As she quietly closed the door, she heard a splash of water and turned around.

"Marian!" Gwaine called out as he quickly covered himself. He was standing in the tub, stark naked, water dripping from his long hair down his muscled body, both hands covering his manhood.

Marian blushed as she swiftly turned around. She had gotten a full view of him before he had been able to cover himself. She grinned wickedly. That was a mental picture she hoped she would never forget.

"What the hell are you doing?" he asked her.

"Be quiet!" she whispered harshly. "Gromer is right out there, and he's looking for me!"

Gwaine stepped out of the water and pulled a towel around his lower half. He walked forward as Marian turned around to look at him. A loud bang on the door startled them both.

"Quick, behind the curtain," he whispered to her.

She ran behind the curtain at the window just as he opened the door. Sir Gromer tried to barge in, but Gwaine leaned across the doorframe and blocked him. "Something I can help you with, Gromer?"

Gromer sputtered for a second before answering. "Where's Marian?"

"I've no idea," Gwaine said as he shifted, making himself appear taller than he was.

Sir Gromer took one last look over Gwaine's shoulder, satisfied that Marian wasn't there. "Fine, I shall go see if she is with Lady Penelope." He turned and left, Gwaine smirking after him.

Gwaine closed the door as Marian came out from behind the curtain. He smiled and walked over to her. Standing close, he took in her appearance. He had never seen her look so beautiful. He decided that he rather liked her in elegant dresses.

"You look… exquisite," he said smoothly as he ran his fingers down the soft silk of her sleeve.

She felt the warmth of his touch through the thin material and swallowed hard. He was making it difficult to resist his charms, especially when he was wearing nothing but a towel. And damn him, even after a bath, he still smelled of leather and musk.

She took a deep breath and opened her mouth to say something just as there was another knock at his door. This time it was much softer. Marian hid back behind the curtain, and Gwaine went to open the door. Rather than Gromer standing at his door, Lady Penelope greeted him.

Penelope blushed when she saw Gwaine in a state of undress, but she had a pained look on her face. "May I come in?" she asked in a calm voice. She didn't wait for his answer; instead, she pushed past him.

"What can I do for your ladyship?" Gwaine asked.

Penelope turned to face him. With a determined look, she rushed forward and slammed her lips to his. The force of her kiss knocked Gwaine back against the wall.

When Marian didn't hear an answer, she peeked around the curtain. She gasped as she saw Penelope kissing Gwaine, his hands in the air. She caught his eye as he reached down and pushed Penelope away. Turning away quickly, Marian pressed herself against the wall and closed her eyes. She took a steadying breath. Her heart broke at the sight of Gwaine kissing another woman. Though she knew she had no right to be upset, she couldn't help the jealousy and resentment she felt. They weren't sweethearts, and he was free to be with anyone he liked, but she wished it was her and not Penelope that Gwaine was kissing.

"My lady, you can't go around kissing strange men," he tried to reason with her. When she wanted to kiss him again, he pushed her back and continued, "Especially not me."

Penelope pouted. "Why not? My husband doesn't have to know, and neither do Sir Gromer or Lady Marian. It can be our secret! You are too handsome for me to ignore, Sir Gwaine." She tried again to kiss him.

Gwaine held up his hands between them. "I'm flattered, my lady. Truly, I am. But my heart belongs to another."

Marian held her breath, waiting to see if he continued. Gwaine had never actually said that he loved her, but his actions spoke volumes. Despite the warning bells going off in her head, Marian hoped that she was the one who held his heart.

Penelope blushed from embarrassment. "I apologize, Sir Gwaine. I did not know."

She backed away quickly toward the door. The lady looked as if she were about to burst into tears at any moment.

Gwaine shook his head. "It is nothing, my lady. I beg you; don't even think on it."

"Thank you," she squeaked as she opened the door and swiftly stepped through.

When the door had closed, Gwaine turned around and sighed. He walked over to the curtain and pulled it back. Marian had one eyebrow raised, looking accusingly at him. Her arms were crossed, and her lips pursed.

"Do women just throw themselves at you wherever you go?" she asked.

Gwaine held his hands up in defeat. "It wasn't my fault!" he defended.

"Uh-huh," Marian said as she walked past him and to the door. "I'll see you downstairs for supper, loverboy."

As she left, Gwaine turned to his reflection in the mirror across the room. "Loverboy?" he asked, confused.

He shrugged it off and went to get dressed in the green tunic that had been left out for him. "Huh, loverboy," he said again. He wondered what exactly Marian had meant by that.

000

Supper was served once everyone had made it to the dining hall. Lord Bertilak sat in his rightful place at the head of the table. To his right sat his wife, Lady Penelope, and then Gwaine. To the lord's left sat Sir Gromer and then Marian.

The servants brought in a lavish meal. There was a roasted pig, Cornish hens, mutton, fish, hard and soft cheeses, breads, roasted vegetables, and an assortment of exotic fruits. Wine was served in silver goblets. It looked as if no expense was spared. Lord Bertilak picked up a bowl and pulled one of the fruits from it. He threw it into his large mouth, chewing openly.

"Here, Lady Marian, you won't have had this before. It's a delicacy from the southern deserts called a dried phoenix fruit," he said as he passed the bowl to Sir Gromer, who held it out to Marian.

She picked up one of the small brown fruits and examined it. "Oh, a date! I love these!" she said without thinking and popped the sweet fruit into her mouth. She closed her eyes in satisfaction as she chewed and swallowed. Gwaine looked at her, surprised. How would she have known about a southern desert fruit if she was from the west, beyond the seas?

Lord Bertilak's expression quickly changed from hospitable to one of suspicion. He laughed, but it wasn't a humorous laugh. "Huh, the lass is full of surprises, then. Tell me, where are you from?"

Marian realized her mistake too late. "Um… I'm from beyond the Great Seas of Meredor," she said the well-rehearsed line.

Of course, dates would be rare and exotic this far north. Apparently, the wine she drank had addled her brain. She usually was more careful.

"Are you now?" Bertilak leaned forward. "I've many ships out that way, and none have come across any lands beyond the islands." He narrowed his eyes at her, trying to ascertain her truthfulness.

Marian remembered that to lie effectively, she needed just enough truth to make it seem believable. "Oh, my family's ancestral land is well beyond the islands, my lord. It, uh, took a long time to arrive here."

"And they have the phoenix tree beyond the Great Seas, do they?" he asked skeptically.

Marian looked around the table. No one was eating; instead, their attention was focused solely on her. When she caught Gwaine's eye, he gave her a small shrug. She would have to dig herself out of this hole.

"Well, I guess. We call them date palms. It… it might not be exactly the same thing, but the fruit is very similar," she finished lamely. Marian squirmed under the intense scrutiny the lord was giving her.

"Have you ever been south, lass? You're not a Southron spy, are you?" Bertilak eyed her.

This time, Gwaine spoke up, unable to watch how all of the questioning was making Marian uncomfortable. "There are many things beyond the Great Seas that are a mystery to those of us in Camelot. Marian's accent for one," he laughed.

When Bertilak didn't join in his mirth, Gwaine continued, "I can assure you, Lord Bertilak, that she speaks the truth. I have known the lady for many years now, she is no spy." The lord didn't look entirely convinced, so Gwaine continued. "Why, once when I was in Mercia, I came across an apple tree that gave fruit that tasted like an apple, but didn't look like one," he tried. "So, it is entirely possible that these dates are similar to the phoenix fruit."

Marian silently mouthed a small thank you to Gwaine, who nodded in return.

"Yes, well. We can't be too careful, can we?" Bertilak said satisfied that she wasn't a Southron spy. He still had a distinct feeling that she was hiding something, and it made him uneasy. He decided to bring this up to the Lady Morgana later that night.

The rest of the supper was spent listening to stories of Lord Bertilak's many battles. With full bellies and having drunk lots of delicious wine, Gwaine and Marian were both beginning to relax. Marian was even gracious to Sir Gromer as he recounted the tedious tales of his days in service to Lord Bayard.

Several times Marian would feel Sir Gromer's foot brush against her own. It was so quick that she couldn't tell if it was intentional or not. She fidgeted and turned often enough that Gwaine had noticed and spoke up. "Are you alright, Marian?" he asked. "You look like you have ants in your dress."

"Yes, I'm well," she said tightly. She didn't want to draw attention to how uncomfortable she was beginning to feel.

Gwaine smirked at Marian. The wine had relaxed him perhaps too much, and he wagged his eyebrows at her suggestively. "If you need help removing the ants, I can certainly—OW!" he screamed in pain. Marian had stomped on his foot under the table.

The others looked on at the knight in concern. "Are you alright, Sir Gwaine?" Lady Penelope asked.

"Yes, Sir Gwaine, are you alright?" Marian asked him innocently.

Gwaine scowled at her, then turned to Penelope. "I am well, my lady," he said. "It's just an old injury flaring up. My foot was trodden on by a large horse," he said, pointedly looking at Marian.

"A large horse, did you say?" Marian asked with narrowed eyes.

"The back end of a horse, actually," he told her. He jumped and groaned in pain again as Marian stomped on his other foot.

Attempting to deflect from the awkward conversation, Sir Gromer turned to Marian. "I was looking for you earlier, Marian."

Marian feigned a pleasant smile. "I was in search of Lady Penelope, Sir Gromer," she replied.

"Oh! But I was with Sir Gwaine in his chambers!" Penelope spoke up. The entire dinner party stopped what they were doing and looked between Lady Penelope and Gwaine. Marian rolled her eyes. This wasn't going to go well for them.

"You were WHAT?" Lord Bertilak bellowed at his wife.

Gwaine looked at the lord with wide eyes. "It's not what you think, my lord!"

"Oh, it is!" Penelope replied. "He was just out of his bath, dripping and naked, and I could not help myself!"

Lord Bertilak fumed, and his face reddened in anger. Marian tried to calm him. "Nothing happened, my lord."

"And how would you know, lass?" Bertilak asked, never turning his angry gaze from Gwaine.

Looking back, Marian would blame the obscene amount of wine that she'd had for her slip of the tongue. She should have stayed quiet. In truth, they should have left the castle. But instead, she was making the situation much worse. "I was there, my lord, behind the window curtain. I saw the whole thing."

"And I'm to trust the word of an admitted harlot?" Bertilak now directed his anger at her.

Sir Gromer and Gwaine both looked at Marian in shock. Sir Gromer couldn't believe that she had been hiding in Gwaine's chamber, especially since the knight had been covered only by a towel. Gwaine couldn't believe her loose tongue. And Marian couldn't believe that she had made things worse.

"Marian!" Gromer cried out in anger. "I cannot believe that you would… would… he was naked!"

"Oh, get off it, Gromer! You can't possibly still believe that I'm going to marry you, can you?" Marian yelled, finally tired of the whole thing.

"You—you have to! You were my price to King Uther, and he agreed!" Gromer was infuriated.

"Uther's dead, Gromer," Gwaine cut in. "The lady doesn't belong to you."

Gromer stood. "And I suppose you think she belongs to you, do you? Oh, don't deny it, sir! I see the way you look at her all… possessively! I heard Lord Agravaine the other day! Sweethearts was the word he used!"

"Now just a minute!" Gwaine yelled as he, too, stood.

"This will be the last time you steal another man's property, Knight of Camelot!" Sir Gromer looked around for a glove or something that he could throw down as a challenge. "She will marry me, not you!"

"If she were to marry anyone here, Gromer, it certainly wouldn't be you!" Gwaine yelled a bit louder than he had meant, his temper getting the better of him. "Marian deserves a man better than you! She deserves—"

"A Knight of Camelot? Is that what you were going to say? She deserves to marry you?" Gromer yelled.

"It would be the truth!" Gwaine responded furiously.

Full of rage at being talked about as if she wasn't there, treated as if she were something to possess, Marian stood to confront the two men. Her chair had turned as she stood and banged onto the floor, quieting the argument. "Shut up, all of you! I'm not property, and I'm not marrying anyone!"

Gwaine looked at her guiltily. He had never meant to make her feel like a prize to be won, he had let his jealousy take over his mouth. "Marian, I'm sorr—"

Penelope jumped suddenly, looking as if she had been kicked. "Sir Gwaine kissed me!" she blurted out. An instant look of regret crossed her face when both Sir Gromer and Gwaine turned to her, mouths open in shock.

"GWAINE!" Lord Bertilak screamed. He stood so abruptly that his movements jarred the table. "I demand an apology! I demand recompense! Tomorrow at first light!"

He had removed a glove from his pocket and threw it to the ground in front of Gwaine. Everything was going exactly to plan. He would meet with the witch tonight, and by tomorrow's eve, Sir Gwaine of Camelot would be no more.

000

Marian and Gwaine had quickly exited the dining hall. He had a hold on her hand and was walking almost too fast for her to keep up.

"Gwaine, slow down, you're dragging me!" she protested.

He slowed his pace but held onto her tightly. "Marian, listen to me. Lock your door tonight. Don't open it for anyone, not even if you think it's me."

They had reached the door to her chamber. "There aren't any locks," she told him. She had noticed it when they had first entered her room earlier that day and thought it was odd.

He opened the door and looked, finding no lock.

"Besides," she continued, "I don't think I'm the one in danger tonight, Gwaine. Bertilak was furious with you."

"It's his wife that I'm more concerned about. She won't take no for an answer," he said, annoyed.

"Stay with me, then," Marian offered.

Gwaine quickly looked at her. "If you think Gromer was angry earlier…" he started.

"Oh, hang Gromer. Gwaine, we're both in danger here. We need to stay together." It wouldn't be the first time that they had spent the night in each other's company and it wouldn't be the last. Propriety be damned, their safety was at stake.

Gwaine pushed her into the room and followed, closing the door behind him. "You're right," he said.

Pacing and running a hand through his hair, Gwaine wondered how they were going to survive this. If Bertilak got the best of him, Marian would surely be carted off to that pig Gromer's manor and made to marry him. If he won, which was more likely, nothing would stop Gromer and Penelope from exacting revenge. Regardless of the outcome, Marian needed to be prepared to run.

"Here, we can move this chest in front of the door," she suggested. They both scooted a massive oak chest across the floor and in front of her door, feeling more secure.

"I'm sorry, for earlier," Gwaine said as he walked up to her. He reached up and cupped her cheek. "The way Gromer was talking about you, as if you had agreed to marry him, as if he owns you, it drives me mad."

Marian sighed and closed her eyes as she held his hand to her face. "Gwaine, you have nothing to worry about." She wrapped her arms around him and embraced him. "I won't marry him, no matter what. No one can force me. I'll run far away if I have to," she said as she smiled softly up at him.

"We'll run away together, love. Someone has to keep you out of trouble," he chuckled as he held her close. He would never give her up.

Marian laughed and then pulled out of his arms. The hour was late, and they both needed to get plenty of rest if they were to face the dangers the next day would bring.

Gwaine walked over to the bed and started to pull one of the blankets from the top.

Marian stayed his hand. "No, you're going to sleep in the bed," she said.

"Marian, you can't possibly—" he started to protest.

"It'll be fine. It's not like we've never shared a bed before," she said. At his smirk, she rolled her eyes and continued, "You need your rest, Gwaine. Tomorrow you fight."

She laid her hand on his and looked him in the eye. Gwaine wasn't sure what he saw there, but it gave him a warm feeling. She was concerned for him.

Marian pulled the blanket from his hand and turned down the bed. Picking up her pack, she pulled out another dress; there was no way she could sleep in the ornate silk gown.

Gwaine turned his back as she went behind a changing screen and got undressed. He sat on the bed and pulled his boots off, thinking back on the day. When they had set off on this misadventure, he never would have guessed that he'd find himself in bed with Marian. He hoped that someday they could try it again, but perhaps as lovers.

He stood when he heard her come out from behind the screen. His breath hitched in his chest. She was in one of her usual dresses, but her hair was down, and her shoes were off. Forget fine dresses, he thought she looked even lovelier than she had in Bertilak's silk gown. He smiled brightly at her as she walked over to the bed.

She smiled back at him as she climbed in on the opposite side and settled. "It'll be okay, Gwaine. We'll find a way out of this. We always do," she said confidently.

Gwaine climbed under the blanket next to her. "I sure hope so, beautiful. Otherwise, you'll be running for your life."

Marian reached over and brushed the hair from his face. "I trust you, Gwaine. With my life."

Gwaine held her hand and kissed her knuckles. I love you, he thought. "Goodnight, Marian."

"Goodnight, Gwaine."

They fell asleep, side-by-side, hand-in-hand.

000

The next day, Gwaine went back to his chamber to change into his chainmail. He had almost finished when there was a knock on his door. It opened to reveal Marian, laden with several pieces of plate armor.

"I found these in the armory," she said over the pile in her hands.

Gwaine rushed over and took the heavier pieces from her. They were quiet as she helped him buckle the armor over his chainmail. Gwaine watched as she picked up both bracers and attached them to his arm. He gave a slight chuckle as she tightened the leather straps.

"What?" she asked, amused.

"Just remembering the last time you buckled armor onto me. We had met only a couple of days before. You couldn't stand me. Arrogant prick, I believe, is what you called me," he said with a wistful smile.

He had enjoyed those carefree days he'd spent in Camelot. He had especially enjoyed riling Marian. It had been the best part of the whole experience. He thought she was lovely when she was irritated with him.

"No, that's not true. You were infuriating and insufferable, yes, but you were also risking your life for Merlin and Arthur," she smiled up at him. "Besides, I've come to know you better." She checked the straps holding his breastplate. "We're friends. And… And I… care for you, you know," she admitted when she felt him staring at her. "I'm… very fond of you, Gwaine." She wouldn't meet his eye.

Gwaine's heart fluttered at her admission. He stilled her hands with his own. "There is a slight chance that I might die, Marian." She tried to pull away, she didn't want to hear this. "Please," he continued. He lifted her chin so she would look at him. "If that happens, don't hesitate to run away. Don't let Gromer take you."

Marian looked at him earnestly. "Well, that's not going to happen. You're easily the best warrior here."

Gwaine laughed at her deflection. Of course, she would try to appeal to his ego. She knew him better than he knew himself.

She had said she cared for him. Marian didn't know how much those words had meant to the knight.

"Oh!" she exclaimed. "Can't forget your good luck charm, can we?"

She reached behind and untied her hair. It cascaded down her back and over her shoulder in waves. Marian took the green ribbon and tied it around Gwaine's arm.

Before he could stop himself, he reached out and touched her hair, wrapping a lock of it around his fingers. He loved how soft it was and how it looked like honey in the sunlight. He caught a whiff of roses as he continued to run his fingers through her hair. He knew he should back away, that she might not welcome his attentions, but he couldn't help himself. He was a man who was desperately in love and about to face death.

Marian kept silent as Gwaine reached out to her. She closed her eyes, enjoying the feeling of his hands in her hair. It was a tender moment that sent butterflies to her stomach. For all of his strength and physical power, he was gentle with her. She opened her eyes as Gwaine let go of her hair and dropped his hand to his side.

"Ready?" he asked.

000

It was a cold and overcast day. Sir Gromer and Lady Penelope had already accompanied Lord Bertilak to the field and were standing to the side as Gwaine and Marian arrived. Lord Bertilak stood in the middle of the field, large and tall. He wore his regular chainmail, but fastened on top was the shiniest, greenest plate armor either had ever seen.

Marian grabbed Gwaine's arm and pulled him closer. "Oh my God, Gwaine, he's the Green Knight!" she whispered in a panic as she recognized the villain from one of the Arthurian legends.

He didn't understand why the color of Bertilak's armor was such a concern to her. "While it's certainly odd, it won't make a difference."

"No, Gwaine, this is dangerous. We shouldn't have come. His ax! It's enchanted! Please, let's just go!" she pleaded with him.

She knew the outcome of this story as it was one of the legends she had studied in school. Gwaine was definitely in danger.

"You're overreacting to fairytales, Marian. I'll be fine; I've fought against battleaxes before. Don't worry yourself, beautiful!" Gwaine said before turning and walking to the field.

"Gwaine, wait!" she called as she ran up to him. She grabbed his head and pulled him down to her, kissing him quickly and fiercely. "For luck," she said breathlessly when she pulled back.

Gwaine rubbed his thumb over her cheek and then turned back to the field to face his destiny.

Marian started forward to follow him when she was pulled back roughly. She looked behind her, ready to tell Sir Gromer off when she saw that it was Penelope who had grabbed her.

"You mustn't go out there, Marian! Bertilak will kill you both if you do!" Penelope implored.

"She's right," Gromer said as he came up to Penelope's other side. "I should have put a stop to this before it got this far," he said regretfully.

"What do you mean?" Marian asked, panicked.

Gromer looked between the two women. Penelope gave him a small smile of support. "He met with the Lady Morgana last night. He means to kill Sir Gwaine."

"No!" Marian tried to go warn Gwaine, but both Gromer and Penelope held her back.

"It was a ruse, Marian," Penelope said suddenly. Marian stilled and looked at the young woman. "He—he made me go to Sir Gwaine's chambers to seduce him. He wanted a reason to challenge Sir Gwaine to a fight." She held her head down in shame.

Marian turned to Penelope, anger evident on her face. "He made you?"

Penelope lifted the long sleeves of her dress and revealed bruises. Most were older injuries that were starting to turn yellow. But there was a large, blue and purple bruise that encircled her forearm. To Marian, it looked like it was in the shape of a hand.

"Oh, Pennie," Gromer sighed. "Why didn't you tell me?" Gromer asked sadly. He laid his hand on the small of her back in comfort.

"He threatened to kill you all if I said anything. I couldn't risk it, Gromer. I couldn't let him kill you," she looked at her feet.

Marian was about to ask if they had a plan, but her focus suddenly shifted to the field as the battle began.

Bertilak was slower than Gwaine, but the weight of his ax more than made up for it. Blow after blow landed on Gwaine's sword, causing him to step back. Gwaine struggled to block the ax, but he held his own. There was more than his own life at stake now, so he was resolved to win. A few times, it looked as if Gwaine had gained the upper-hand, but all too quickly, Bertilak's ax would knock him back.

Marian watched in horror as the ax came down on Gwaine's left shoulder. She screamed as he fell to his knees. Penelope grabbed ahold of her hand, pulling her back as she tried to rush onto the field. Bertilak raised his ax over Gwaine and prepared to strike him down.

"Gwaine!" Marian cried out.

He looked over at her sadly, prepared to die. Events moved slowly for Gwaine. He watched as the wind blew Marian's hair into her face. He saw her pained look as they both realized that this was the end.

Gwaine thought about what his life would have been had he not met Marian. There would have been a lot less happiness for him. He probably would have continued gambling and drinking his way across the kingdoms, never settling, never fulfilling a higher purpose. He smiled softly as he thanked the powers that be for Marian coming into his life.

She never said it, but he could feel that she loved him. The way she tried to make sure he was always safe. The way she listened when he couldn't stop talking. The small touches, the secret smiles. The way she looked at him when she thought he couldn't see her.

A joy that started in his heart grew outward to the rest of his body. Suddenly, he realized that he needed to live. He needed to live for her. For his Marian.

As the ax came down, Gwaine found the strength to lift his sword and block the blade. Bertilak pressed down on the ax, but it wouldn't budge. Gwaine cried out in pain and fury as he stood, lifting the ax away from his body. He pushed with all of his might, and Bertilak, stumbling backward, lost his grip on the ax. Once it had fallen to the ground, Gwaine plunged the blade of his sword into Bertilak's gut.

Shocked, Bertilak looked from the sword sticking out from his belly to the man wielding it. "How?" he asked, blood dripping from his mouth.

Gwaine roughly pulled his sword from Bertilak and watched as the older man fell to the ground, dead.

Marian ran out to Gwaine as he dropped back to his knees and caught him before he fell completely over. "Gwaine?" she asked as she looked for injury.

His left shoulder was bleeding, but it looked like the cut from the ax wasn't very deep. Marian watched as his blood stained the ends of the green ribbon she had tied there.

"Hello, beautiful," Gwaine said as he reached up and lightly ran his hand down her cheek.

Marian grabbed his hand and held it to her chest as Gwaine's eyes rolled back into his head, and he went limp in her arms. She turned back to where Sir Gromer and Penelope stood in shock.

"Help me!" she cried out to them.

They ran over to where she was now cradling the unconscious knight. "Let's get him up to the castle," Penelope said.

Gromer nodded and bent to lift Gwaine over his shoulder. None of them turned back to look at the dead lord. None of them gave his corpse a second thought as they went inside and up to the guest wing. The morning sky had clouded over suddenly. Small, cold drops of water clinked on the dead man's armor as the rain started to pour down. Lord Bertilak was forgotten as Mother Nature washed his sins away.

When they reached the castle and climbed to the guest chambers, Gromer gently laid Gwaine down onto his bed. He couldn't believe the knight had not only survived but had killed Lord Bertilak. Gromer wasn't sure what he was feeling at the moment. Bertilak had been a friend to him, but his involvement with Morgana and his abuse of his darling young wife gave Gromer cause to think that he didn't know the lord very well after all.

"Let's get all this off of him. I need to see the wound," Marian commanded.

With the three of them working quickly, they were able to remove both the plate armor and chainmail in record time. Marian held Gwaine's torso up as she maneuvered the armor padding and tunic off of his body, while Gromer removed the knight's boots.

Penelope gasped when she saw the cut on Gwaine's shoulder.

"That's no ordinary cut," Marian said as she ran her fingers along the green lines that spread out from the wound. The green followed his veins, up to his neck and down toward his heart.

Overwhelmed with shame, Gromer told the women the whole story. He told them about his plan to get Gwaine out of the way. How he hadn't realized that Bertilak had meant to kill the knight.

"I'm so very sorry, Marian. I should have said something before," he told her.

"Yes, you should have. But right now, healing Gwaine is my only concern," she said.

"If it helps," Gromer said, "I believe that green ribbon is what saved your friend from a most gruesome death on the field."

"What do you mean?" Marian asked.

"The ax is enchanted to be poisonous to the touch. But as a safeguard, Morgana's spell would be repelled by anything green. That's why Bertilak's armor was green. He was afraid he'd accidentally poison himself," Gromer explained.

"Thank you for telling me," Marian said sincerely. "Now, I just need to figure out how to stop the poison." She knew exactly what she needed to do, but she couldn't use her magic with Gromer and Penelope in the room. "Penelope, I need willow bark and king's wart, if you have it."

The young woman nodded. "Yes, I think we do." She swiftly ran from the room to fetch the items.

Marian turned to Gromer. "Fresh water and a mortar and pestle?"

"Of course," Gromer left quickly.

Gwaine opened his eyes slightly and watched as Marian came back to his side. "Taking charge, love?" he asked, his voice soft.

Marian brushed the hair from his face tenderly. He was burning up and starting to sweat, but his body shivered.

"Always," she smiled at him as she reached down and pulled the blanket up to cover him.

Gwaine grabbed her hand in his and brought it to his lips. "Don't tell anyone it was an old, fat man that killed me. I have a reputation, you know," Gwaine chuckled. The laughter soon turned into pained coughs.

"You're not going to die, you dolt," Marian said fondly, running her fingers softly across his cheek.

"Marian, I feel it. I feel the magic working on me. It… it hurts," he said before he closed his eyes and fell unconscious.

Marian bent low and kissed his lips. She wouldn't let him die. She would rather risk everything than lose him.

"I will save you, Gwaine. I promise you."

Penelope and Gromer returned to the chamber with the requested items in hand. Penelope helped Marian cut up the king's wart while Gromer went to work, crushing the willow bark with the mortar and pestle.

Marian mixed a small amount of water with the king's wart and made a paste that she slathered over Gwaine's ax wound. Gromer had found some clean cloth that she used to bandage Gwaine's shoulder.

She then mixed the rest of the water with the willow bark and poured it down the knight's throat. Hopefully, both would work to relieve Gwaine of any pain.

Marian turned to her companions. "That's all I can do for now. We'll have to wait until this evening to see if he improves."

"Do you want us to stay with you?" Penelope asked.

"No, it's best if he's left to rest," she told them. "I'll stay with him."

Penelope and Gromer left the room, leaving Marian and Gwaine alone. Marian went to the door and watched for them to completely disappear before closing it behind her.

She rushed over to Gwaine and climbed onto the other side of the bed. Knowing that she usually passed out after healing, she wanted to make sure that she didn't fall to the floor and injure herself.

Stretching out on her side to face him, she reached across him and placed her right hand on his bare chest, over his heart. With her left hand between them, she grasped his hand and held it to her chest over her own heart.

Marian closed her eyes and concentrated on her feelings for Gwaine. She had never healed something this severe before, so she wanted to make sure that she did it right. She felt her warm affection for the knight and smiled. She thought of his goofy antics and his flirtations. She thought about how much he must care for her since he was continually risking his life to protect her. Marian thought about his smile and how he only smiled that way for her. She concentrated on the feeling she had when he smiled at her. That was it. That was the feeling she needed.

Marian felt the warmth in her hands grow as she spoke the ancient spell. "Ic pe purhhaele pinu licsar mid pam sundorcraeft paere ealdan ae!"

She opened her eyes and watched as a golden light enveloped them both. Suddenly, a sharp pain bit at her left shoulder and a small line of blood beaded on her dress. The pain quickly disappeared, and Marian felt feverish. The veins around her left shoulder burned. Shivering, she scooted a little closer to Gwaine for warmth. At her touch, he breathed in a deep breath, relaxing as the pain left his body.

Marian knew that what she was feeling was only a fraction of what Gwaine had. She also knew that the magic in her body would make quick work of the ailment and injury. As the golden light began to wane, she closed her eyes again, allowing sleep to take her.

000

It wasn't long before Gwaine awoke. The last thing he remembered was Marian telling him that he wasn't going to die. He looked down at his chest and saw a slender, pale hand resting on his hard muscles. He followed the arm and found Marian cuddled close to him, her head resting on his shoulder. He reached up and laid his hand over hers, his thumb caressing her skin.

What a way to die, he thought to himself, grinning.

As he removed his other hand from her slight grip between them, he realized that he wasn't in pain anymore. He wrapped his arm around her and rested his hand on her waist, pulling her closer. Not only was he not in any pain, but he felt better than he had in weeks.

He looked over at the bandage on his other shoulder and sniffed. It smelled strongly of king's wart. Gwaine smiled. She had healed him with the plant he had introduced her to long ago. He leaned down and kissed the top of her head. The woman was a wonder.

He closed his eyes and concentrated on the feeling of her next to him. For the first time in days, he was peaceful and content. He fell back asleep, lulled by her soft snores.

000

An hour later, Gwaine awoke as he felt Marian stirring. She was still pressed against him in the crook of his arm, her head on his shoulder. He chuckled as her lashes tickled his skin when she opened her eyes.

Marian tensed when she woke up but quickly relaxed again when she saw Gwaine's thumb caressing her knuckles. She tried to sit up, but as she was quickly realizing, she didn't have the energy to move. Whatever spell it was that Morgana had used certainly packed a punch.

She raised her head slightly and saw that Gwaine was awake and looking back at her. "Hello," she said softly.

Surprised, but pleased that she wasn't backing away from him, Gwaine smiled at her. "Hello, beautiful," he said in reply.

"How are you feeling? Any pain?" she asked him groggily.

"I feel like I could take on an entire army of dragons. You're a talented healer, Marian," he told her. It was true; he felt he could run all the way to Camelot and back. He wasn't sure if it was just the medicines she had used or her touch that made him feel so vigorous. Perhaps it was a combination of both.

She grinned at him. The tiredness she now felt as a result of healing Gwaine was well worth it. "I know I should get up, but I just can't yet. Do you mind if I lay here and rest a little?" she asked him.

"Not at all," he replied truthfully. "But I dare say Gromer will have my head if he catches us like this," he chuckled.

"I don't think you have to worry about that anymore," she said slyly.

"Oh?"

"Let's just say that Gromer and Pennie have been rather close today," Marian said.

At his raised eyebrows, she related what had happened before and during Gwaine's fight with Bertilak. She told him about Penelope's bruises, which seemed to relieve Gwaine somewhat. Though he was sorry the lady had been hurt, he was happy to know that her attentions to him hadn't been borne of real feelings.

She also told him of Sir Gromer's concern over Penelope's injuries. "Anyone would be concerned, Marian. What makes you think his concern is anything more?"

"It was the way he said it. And he kept finding little ways to be near her or touch her. Believe me, Gwaine, Gromer has it bad for Lady Penelope," she chuckled.

"And does the lady return his affection?" he asked.

Marian thought for a moment before replying. "I believe so. She's so reserved, it's hard to tell. But she did seem genuinely sorry for her part in everything."

"It makes one wonder how she could have done what she did. Why didn't she tell anyone about Bertilak's abuse?" he wondered aloud.

Marian's breath hitched in her throat. She squirmed uncomfortably as she remembered her own abusive relationship. "Sometimes, a person can be manipulated into thinking that they deserve it," she said, barely audible. "Sometimes, a person wants to leave, but hasn't found the courage yet."

Gwaine thought for a moment about what she was saying. "Was that you?" he asked tenderly.

Tears stung her eyes, but she wouldn't let them fall. Her fingers absent-mindedly played in his chest hair as she tried to form her answer. Marian was completely unaware of the intimacy of her actions, but Gwaine was not. He tried to calm his breathing and remain in control of his body. It wouldn't do to react in a way that she would find unfavorable.

Marian debated with herself. Should she keep up the façade of a woman who belonged in this time, or should she tell him the truth? It would be easy for her to lie. She knew that living with a man, unmarried would be too scandalous for this time. But there was something about Gwaine that compelled her to be honest with him. It was the least that he deserved from her.

"It was," she said shortly.

"And what gave you the courage to leave?" he asked sympathetically.

"The day after he hit me," she started, "I saw my reflection in a mirror. The bruising on my face, the tired eyes, the frown. When I had passed the mirror, I thought it had been my mother, but it wasn't. It was my own reflection. So I did what she couldn't. I left."

"And you came to Camelot?" he asked her.

Marian was too tired to keep up any lies, so once again, she told Gwaine the truth as best she could. "Not at first. I found work in a different… village, and I moved out there, away from him."

"Why did you travel across the seas, then?"

"It wasn't by choice. I was brought here," she replied. The conversation was wearing her out. Her lids drooped heavily as she struggled to stay awake.

"And will you try to return home?" Gwaine asked, worried. In truth, he wished for her to remain in Camelot with him. But should her heart desire to go home, he would do everything in his power to help her.

Marian closed her eyes. "That's what I'm afraid of, returning home," she said just above a whisper.

Her cryptic answer was followed by sniffs as she tried to hold back tears. It was precisely that fear that was controlling her life. She thought that if she didn't have that hanging over her head, she would be free to confess her feelings to Gwaine.

Though he didn't understand why she was afraid to return home, Gwaine comforted her as best he could. He squeezed her hand and kissed her brow.

She moved her head to look at him. There was tenderness in his eyes as he studied her face.

Gwaine let go of her hand and reached over to cup her face, his thumb caressing her cheek. Marian put all of her fears aside and leaned in, placing her lips on his. The kiss was soft and timid. She moved slowly over his mouth, relishing the feel of him, and parted her lips, allowing him inside.

He ran his tongue over hers, tasting her. His hand reached behind her head and held her close. He felt whole whenever she was near. His heart fluttered at the thought that she could return his love.

Marian pulled her body over his and held onto him, enjoying the feel of his warm, bare skin. Gwaine was safety and comfort and love and desire, everything that her previous lovers hadn't been. He was everything that she missed from home. He was her home.

They lovingly kissed each other for several minutes before everything in her entire being screamed at her to stop. Before she gave in to her desire for him, she pulled back to look at him, but his expression was unreadable. Marian sighed and laid back down beside him.

Gwaine wasn't sure how he was supposed to feel. He was elated and giddy at having been kissed by her, but also cautious. Marian wasn't herself, so perhaps the kiss was just a weak moment. Whatever it was, he had enjoyed it immensely.

Soon Gwaine heard the soft snores of sleep coming from the beautiful woman beside him. He resolved to forget the whole thing had ever happened, for both their sakes. Only in his deepest dreams would he revisit the sweet kiss he had shared with Marian Ragnell.

000

When Marian awoke, the sun had already set, and the room she was in was bathed in soft candlelight. She realized that she was still in Gwaine's chamber, but alone. The blanket had been pulled up over her as she lay in the middle of the bed. Marian sat up and looked for Gwaine, but he was nowhere to be seen. She was about to push the blanket down and get up from the bed when she heard voices out in the corridor. Thankful that the chamber door was ajar, she listened in.

She recognized Sir Gromer's voice first. "Tell me, Sir Gwaine. In your vast experience, what is it that women desire most?"

"Do you mean Marian?" Gwaine asked. He had thought Gromer's affections had moved on, but apparently not.

"Well, yes and no. Marian, or… or any woman, really," Gromer stammered. He wasn't sure if he was ready to admit even to himself where his affections lie.

Gwaine didn't have to think long about his answer. "Well, each woman is different, I suppose. To be loved and respected. But I believe in Marian's case, it's sovereignty. She most desires to be in control of her own fate, to make her own choices, not have them made for her." Gwaine hoped that Gromer would take the hint and not try to force Marian's hand again.

Marian's heart dropped to her stomach as she listened to the conversation. Sovereignty, he had said. Just like in the legend of the Loathly Lady. She tried to remember the title of the story that it came from but was having no luck. It had been several years since she had last read any Arthurian legends.

Was she the Loathly Lady in the story? She had called herself a hag after all. No, she wasn't under any curse. Unless she counted being thrown through time a curse. Just how many of the legends were so far off from the truth? None of them had been reliable accounts so far.

She was lost in her own thoughts when Gwaine entered the room. He was dressed in his tunic and trousers, carrying a tray of food and a couple of cups.

"Ah, you're awake!" he greeted her with a wide smile. "I thought you might be hungry. I'm starving!"

Marian stood from the bed and approached him shyly as he was laying the tray on a table. "Gwaine, about earlier… I'm sorry—" she was quieted when he placed his fingers over her lips.

"Don't worry yourself, beautiful. We both needed comfort. It's forgotten," he said as he gazed at her fondly.

Marian was surprised at how his willingness to forget their kiss bothered her. She was disappointed that she may never get the chance to kiss him like that again.

Suddenly his face brightened. "Here, try this. It's Lord Bertilak's oldest vintage. Least he can do since he tried to kill me," Gwaine laughed as he handed one of the cups to Marian.

Shaking off her disappointment, Marian took the cup from him and drank deeply. "Mmm! That is good!"

000

The next morning, Marian awoke alone in her bed in the guest-chamber. Gwaine's injuries had healed entirely, and neither of them felt threatened any longer by the other two inhabitants of the castle, so they spent the night alone. They had decided last night that they would leave for Camelot in the morning. Marian readied herself and gathered what little she had brought with her.

She met Gwaine in the corridor. He was dressed in his chainmail, with one addition. "You're keeping the ribbon?" Marian asked as she pointed to his left arm. He had tied the green ribbon to his arm, not caring that it was stained with his own blood.

"For luck," he chuckled. "And to remind me that you care for me," Gwaine said as he leaned in and kissed her brow. When he pulled back, he saw hope in her eyes. Smiling at her, he turned and headed down the stairs. Marian followed him down, blushing to think that she had had that effect on him.

Once they reached the bottom, they were met by Sir Gromer and Lady Penelope, who had wound her arm through Gromer's. "Surely, you're not leaving. Not today?" Gromer asked them.

"I'm afraid so, Sir Gromer. I promised Arthur that we'd be back well before the Feast of Beltane," Gwaine replied.

Penelope moved forward. "Sir Gwaine, Lady Marian. I wanted to apologize for my part in the events that transpired. I felt trapped. I… I was too much of a coward to…" she trailed off.

Gromer laid his hand on hers. "Pennie…"

Marian spoke first. "I understand, Penelope. You did what you needed to survive. None of us would have had the courage to stand up to him in that situation," she consoled.

"Think nothing of it, my lady. You and Sir Gromer will always be friends to Camelot," Gwaine reassured her.

000

As Lady Penelope sent for Gwaine and Marian's horses, they left the warmth of the castle and waited in the courtyard.

"Oh, I wish you could stay," Gromer all but whined. "There is to be a wedding! Pennie… er, Lady Penelope, that is, has consented to be my wife!"

Gwaine clapped Gromer on the back with such a force that the poor man took two steps forward. "Wonderful news, Sir Gromer!"

Marian stepped up beside Penelope and leaned in closer. "So soon?" she asked softly.

She knew of the veracity of Gromer's affections, so she wanted to make sure that Penelope was acting of her own free will.

"I never loved Lord Bertilak, and he treated me very poorly, indeed. I don't feel any need to mourn him. Is that terrible of me?" Penelope asked.

"No, not at all," Marian said to the young woman.

"As it turns out, I'm in love! Sir Gromer asked me what I wanted to do now that I am free. He asked what choice I would make. No one has ever asked me what I wanted. And I told him that I would be with him, if he'd have me," Penelope smiled as she looked on fondly to her intended.

"Wise man," Gwaine said with a smirk. It was heartening to see the man take his advice. And doubly so that he had relinquished his desire to marry Marian.

The stable lad arrived with Gwaine and Marian's horses. They climbed into the saddles and said their last goodbyes.

"Well, in any case, you two are always welcome here," Sir Gromer. "It'll be a fine day when we can see our friends again, Sir Gwaine and his Dame Ragnell!"

Marian gasped as she finally remembered the title to the story of the Loathly Lady. The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnelle. She looked up at Gwaine, seated on his horse, and smiled softly.

"You ready?" he asked her. She nodded silently. "Let's get you back home, Dame Ragnell."

Her heart beat faster as they took off on their way back to Camelot.

000

Author's Notes:

Spells (a rough translation from the Merlin Wiki at merlin dot fandom dot com):

Ic pe purhhaele pinu licsar mid pam sundorcraeft paere ealdan ae! - I heal you thoroughly from your mortal wound with those special powers that are ancient! Oh!