Chapter 12 A Night in the Tavern

It was a rainy and windy night when Lancelot, Gwaine and Percival arrived at the Tavern. They were on a high after completing a successful mission on the eastern borders. In truth, it had been a quiet time since Merlin and Mithian had left for their holiday. After the excitement of the wedding, Camelot had settled down once again. For the Knights, this was a mixed blessing. While peace was something, they all longed for, having days of doing little else than training and mind-numbing chores, soon led to boredom for these men who were born to fight. It inevitably led to bouts off frustration which could sometimes fester.

So, when news was received of some troubles on Camelot's eastern side the Knights had been despatched to win the peace once again. In the end, it had not proved to be a serious situation, but something that needed a firmer hand. The bandits had been apprehended and then dealt with by the local authorities and as they had left, the people had lined the streets to cheer them off.

By the time they had reported back to Arthur and been dismissed the three Knights decided a night at the Tavern was in order. The place was heaving by the time Percival had pushed open the door, but their usual table in the corner was still empty. The three Knights moved through the crowd and were soon having their first mead of the night.

"I hope you saw that brilliant counter I put in on that bandit?" Gwaine said, his eyebrows moving up and down.

Lancelot laughed, "Oh you mean the large fellow who could barely move?"

"Now, now Lance, it's not like you to be so dismissive of true fighting craft!"

"All I am saying is I'm not sure you'd have got away with it from someone who could actually run,"

Percival laughed, "Wasn't he the one who was in charge of the bandit's lunch?"

"Perce, Perce please. I am so disappointed that my fellow Knights cannot acknowledge such panache. We in Caerleon are well-known for our original moves,"

"Right?" Lancelot nodded, "that's where you learnt it from, that probably explains things,"

Percival laughed throwing his beer back and raising his hand. Presently a pretty blonde woman arrived at the table, with another jug of the favourite juice.

"Emma!" Gwaine cried, "I am sure you would appreciate my fighting moves more than these two imbecilies!"

"Sir Gwaine I have heard you have a truly unique fighting stance," the girl smiled, "I have heard many stories,"

"Oh yes," Percival grinned, "Gwaine's reputation goes before him,"

"Oh no, I didn't mean," Emma replied, blushing.

"Ignore them both Emma, I know exactly what you mean," Lancelot smiled.

"Thanks, call if you need anything else,"

Lancelot was about to proceed with more banter when he noticed Gwaine was already onto the next thing. He followed his stare and straight away saw the woman who had caught his friend's attention.

"Oh no Perce, there could be trouble ahead!"

Percival looked behind him and saw the woman and her companion make their way through the crowd. She was a stunning brunette with her hair tied back and she attracted many an eye of the various men roundabout. Her companion was a smaller, blonde girl who went over to the bar. Gwaine had by this time already caught the brunette's eye. He raised his glass to her a big soppy grin on his face.

"What do you think?" he asked his colleagues.

"I think you should stay well clear!"

"Lancelot, you are turning into an old man before your time," Gwaine grinned.

"No, I have merely been in this situation before when you have caught the eye of a pretty girl!"

"Pretty girl? Try stunning," Gwaine breathed, knocking his chair back slowly.

"Gwaine, please be careful we wanted a peaceful night remember?" Percival urged his colleague.

"You are getting as bad as Lance. Live for the minute, before you know life has gone," Gwaine grinned,

Lancelot shook his head at Percival as they both watched Gwaine move towards the woman. Percival raised his head to his friend having noticed the door had opened. Instinctively he knew it could be trouble.

"Father or husband?" Lancelot mumbled to Percival as they took in the features of the big man who was also making his way over to the brunette.

"Could be either, whatever I hope he has some of those special moves ready. This guy looks as though he means business,"

As the Knights watched the scene carefully unfold, the man had reached the table and was looking meaningful at Gwaine. Lancelot and Percival watched intently, in case help was needed. But to their relief Gwaine was backing down, eventually making his way back to the table with everything still in place.

"Will you ever learn?" Lancelot asked, pouring him another drink.

"I only said hello," Gwaine winked. "What on earth is she doing with a man like that though?"

"Especially when she could be with Sir Gwaine, the man of original moves!" Percival laughed.

Lancelot joined in, enjoying Gwaine's sarcastic stare at Percival. For as long as he'd known Gwaine, he recognised his friends air of never say die spirit. It wasn't something Lancelot shared, but then his background had been different to Gwaine's. He knew all the Knights had very different personalities but together they were like a band of brothers for all that. It was on evenings such as these which gave them opportunities of learning more about one another.

"Have you always been this care free Gwaine?" he asked, throwing back his drink.

"Not always, in fact I was quite bitter after my mother lost everything. Then she'd been turned down by the King and we were pretty much penniless. Eventually we got back on our feet, afterwards I realised, you had to make the most of life. Nothings stands still, time vanishes fast if you become too stuck in your ways."

"I suppose so," Lancelot smiled.

Gwaine threw his arms out, as if emphasizing the point.

"I guess it was different for me. After my family were slaughtered by the raiders I had only one thought on my mind. To become a Knight of Camelot. Everything I did after that dreadful day was designed towards making my future and living my dream. Then of course, I arrived in Camelot to find out only those who were aristocrats could serve as a Knights. "

Gwaine made a face. "Yes, Uther and his strange ways. What about you Percival? Where you always so serious and so big?" Gwaine laughed, slapping his friend's shoulder.

"Like Lancelot, my only ambition was to fight. I came from a poor village where the only natural job would have been to become a farmer or a labourer. I yearned for a life of excitement it was so limiting where I grew up. But everything changed after my family was wiped out. I knew there had to be something else in the world,"

"That must have been hard, for both of you," Gwaine grimaced.

Percival explained. "I met an old fighter one day just as I was starting work, he told me of his life. It was the day which changed my whole perception, I knew even an ordinary man as I was could make something of myself. But to do that I had to leave home, that was hard but with my family gone it seemed the right thing to do,"

"Remember the day we met?" Lancelot asked, a dreamy look in his eyes.

"As if I could forget. I was down on my luck at the time, Lancelot rode into to town on his fine white stead and I found a kindred spirit,"

"We were both down on our luck, but we met at the right time for both our sakes. Once I'd explained about Camelot, there was only one place we were coming back to. We just had to wait for the right moment."

"Then Merlin's letter arrived and here we are," Percival smiled, raising his tankard.

"To Camelot,"

"To Camelot," Gwaine and Lancelot repeated.

Suddenly they realised they had company, as the pretty brunette stood there with a fresh jug of mead.

"For you all, may you stay safe and protect over this Kingdom,"

"Won't you join us? Or at least tell us your name" Gwaine yelled, but the girl was already on her way out of the tavern. At the door she turned and smiled.

"That is for you to find out Sir Gwaine,"

To Gwaine's amazement the door shut and he was left with his two friends looking at him with amusement.

"It's seems the special Caerleon charm didn't quite work there, Gwaine," Percival smiled, pouring them all another glass.

"She will come back, I could see it in her eyes," Gwaine winked.

Lancelot shook his head, "You will never learn Gwaine, never learn!"

The End