Galahad was empty. His heart felt empty and everything else about him felt the same. After speaking with Arthur he ran, not into the forest, not into the streets but to his own room, where he and Gawain had spent many long hours together. He laughed bitterly at himself for running to instead of from the memories. It was strange and a very unwise thing to do. When he entered the room he extinguished the fire in the hearth and lit only a candle. He slumped against the wall and closed his eyes. It was so silent and so comforting to be so alone, or was that misery? He could not tell. Misery loves company, is it not so? What confusion.
For a while Galahad was able to brood in silence until a strange feeling came over him. Someone was there. A presence that felt dangerous was looming nearby. He slowly opened his eyes. He was afraid, until he saw the face before him. The thin and worn face of another friend was staring at him in the shadows.
"Tristan, what are you doing here?" He grumbled at the other man.
"I am watching you." Tristan answered simply.
"Why?"
"Because you should not be left alone." He answered and sat down beside Galahad.
"What do you think I will do? Put an end to my misery in some way?"
Tristan only stared at him. Galahad could never stand that stare and he turned away from it.
"Perhaps I will." He said, looking at the dark stone wall across the room.
"It would be rather simple." He laughed bitterly. Before he could even understand what he had just said aloud he felt a weight lifted from his side. Tristan had removed his dagger and taken the knife he kept on his belt.
"I'll let you know when you can have these back." Tristan said, placing them on his own belt and settling beside him.
"I wouldn't have." Galahad said quietly.
"Perhaps." Tristan said and they fell into silence.
A while later Galahad spoke.
"Should you be with Gawain?" He asked.
"Bors is with him, I felt too concerned about you at the moment. Gawain is at least stable. You are on a rocking boat. I will not lose both of you because of this."