Prologue
Gawain curiously glanced around as he and his fellow Sarmatian Knights traveled through the wide expanse of green. Gawain had something on his mind that kept nagging him and he knew not what it was. He had constantly been plagued by this many days before this but he had a feeling that something was going to happen that was going to change his life forever. But what would it be? He would ask himself in his mind as they continuously swept across the land. Whenever he felt that feeling, his heart would continuously beat but he didn't know what for.
Bors' second wife, Betrys served them wine and Gawain would occasionally stare at her. He was attracted to her but he didn't harbor any feelings for her. Why a young woman like Betrys would consent to be a second wife of one man was beyond Gawain but that was her choice, not his. When Gawain would sit there along with his fellow knights with the exception of Arthur, trying to drink his problems out of himself, his mind would linger back to his childhood and his first love, a young peasant girl, Aerona. Aerona would usually walk the shores and wade in the waters of the sea. He was a young soldier fresh out of battle and on his lame old horse, Dyfan. He happened to see a young maiden singing to herself in the waves, drenched in the sea water. He thought at first that she needed help so he rushed onto the beach and came to her rescue. When he carried her on the beach out of the water, she slapped him straight across the face.
"Now why did you go and do that?" Aerona demanded as dumbstruck Gawain looked at her. He pointed at the water then replied, "I thought you were drowning." She looked at him in disbelief and started to giggle. "May I ask what it is you find so amusing, milady." He asked partially annoyed by her manner.
"You thought I was drowning." She explained but he still didn't comprehend her meaning so he just forgot about it. "Despite your gallant efforts to save a barmaid, I must say that you failed." She added as she glanced at him and started to walk away from him.
"Do I at least receive a thanks or anything?" He shouted as her thin figure continued south.
She then turned around and shouted back, "Milord I thank thou." She then did a mock curtsy and burst into laughter and picked up her pace. Gawain, he was only enraged by this, so he perched himself upon Dyfan and hastily caught up with this maiden. When she caught sight of him, her look of happiness turned into disgust.
"What do you want?" She yelled at him as he reached her.
"Why do you walk the shores like this? Who are you?"
"Who are you?" She replied trying to confuse him.
"I am Sir Gawain. A Sarmatian Knight. And you are?"
"Aerona, daughter of Cadeyrn, a Celt and a Barmaid."
"Where?"
"At a Tavern. Both my sister, Eithne and I."
"Which Tavern?"
"You shall have to find that out yourself. Why are you asking me so many questions?" He just shook his head. Later on when she left for Ireland, he thought himself a fool for what he was about to say.
"I feel drawn to you. Like we are meant to be." She didn't laugh at what he said but just looked him in the eyes. He found her long black wild hair and bid blue sapphire eyes alluring. But he didn't know why.
Bors had his wife, Betrys sing a song about home and his mind lingered back to Sarmatia. He missed his father and mother so much but he didn't wish to return. If I die, He thought, so be it. It is the gods' will.