"Good morning, sire," Arthur heard from behind him. He jumped, trying to turn around at the same time and catching a root with his foot, ending up sprawled on his back on the forest floor. He looked up and sighed.

"Terence, why do you keep doing that?"

"Doing what, sire? I don't know what you're talking about." There was a slight smile on his face.

Arthur just sighed again in response.

Terence extended his hand to Arthur. Arthur grasped it and was pulled to his feet.

"Would you like to join us for dinner, sire?" Terence inquired politely.

Arthur smiled sheepishly. "That would be nice. I seem to have misplaced my supplies."


Gawain returned from watering the horses to find his squire and his king relaxing by the fire as a couple of fish slowly cooked over it, the smell spreading throughout the entire clearing, filling it with the delicious smell.

He slowed as he approached the fire. "Sire?" he asked. "What are you doing here?"

Arthur looked sheepish. "I was bored."

Terence smiled. "Yes, didn't you know, milord? Ruling a kingdom can be quite boring."

Arthur glared at Terence. "Yes, I was bored, so I decided that it would be fun to visit my favorite nephew on his quest."

Gawain blinked. "I see," he said slowly, glancing over to Terence.

Terence smiled again. "He decided to go incognito as a lone knight and was robbed."

"Terence!" Arthur yelled, reaching down and grabbing a piece of kindling, throwing it at the squire.

Terence ducked, yelping.

Gawain laughed. "Uncle, please don't throw things at my squire."

"See! Thank you, Gawain!"

"Only I can throw things at my squire," Gawain interrupted with a smirk. He bent down and grabbed a rock. Terence ducked behind Arthur.

"Ha, can't get me now!"

Gawain laughed, dropping his rock and standing upright. "Just you wait, lad, you have to sleep sometime."

"Milord, please remember who cooks all of your food."

Gawain paused. "We eat the same food."

Terence smiled, still hiding behind Arthur. "Milord, if I wanted to poison you, and only you, it wouldn't be difficult."

Gawain gasped. "Did you hear that, sire? My own squire is plotting my death!"

Arthur laughed. "If I had to deal with you all the time, nephew, I'd plan your death as well."

Terence laughed as Gawain looked insulted. "See, milord?"

Gawain just grumbled and turned away.


That night, Terence woke suddenly. He sat up and looked around.

"Sire, why are you still awake?"

Arthur looked up in surprise. "Oh, sorry Terence, I hope I didn't wake you."

"You didn't. I would have woken anyway. Are you alright, Arthur?"

Arthur smiled. "I'm fine. I'm just enjoying being away from court."

Terence laughed softly. "I can understand that. You should take breaks more often." He sat up, pulling his knees to his chest.

They sat together in companionable silence for a while, watching the stars above them through the trees.

Behind them, Gawain mumbled in his sleep and turned over. Terence glanced over at him and laughed softly. He stood and moved back to his bedroll. "Good night, sire."

Arthur lay back in his blanket, smiling. "Yes, it has been," he thought to himself. "I really should do this more often."