A/N- Hey the next one's up! I know this just sounds like more fluff, but this will be imp. later! My friend and future co-writer, Lalane michaels and I have started a proboards forum for our readers. It's a really cool place where people can share ideas talk about books/movies/etc. that they like and get to know other readers/writers/reviewers. Come visit us at http:lalaneancamille. (okay, there's some copyright block or something on that. you can either check the website listed on my profile or make these changes: there's two back slashes (/) after the : and before the lalane, and put .pro boards 38 (w/o spaces) after lalaneancamille, then add a .com after the pro boards)

The next morning, Lancelot awoke, his arms and legs intertwined with hers. He watched her face and forced himself to come to grips with the fact that he could not keep her from battle and danger. Her absolute lack of fear, contempt for what men would make her, and skill with her weapons were what drew him irresistibly to her, just as it broke his heart to be unable to keep her safe. Carefully he untangled himself from her and dressed quietly as she slept on. He went to the corner, in which, glinting menacingly his short broad swords were propped, next to their sheaths. From beneath them he drew small drab bag. Pulling open the drawstring and peered inside. He looked up as she gave a heavy sigh of sleep and tossed and turned. Re-closing the bag, he made his way over to her and shook her shoulder gently.

"Go 'way Gwendolyn, tell mama I'll be up soon" she mumbled incoherently wriggling further underneath the blanket. He grinned and seized a feather that had freed itself from the pillow. Dabbing it lightly under her nose, he was rewarded when she snorted and slapped his hand away. Like a naughty child he grinned again and poked it in her ear. She came awake suddenly, flinging herself at him and tackling him to the floor. Surprised that she could muster such force he blinked up at her. She blinked back, still trying to clear sleep from her mismatched eyes. Suddenly she started laughing and he joined in as she rolled off him and offered him a hand. He took it and pulled himself up, still chuckling.

"Well I see you're up now." He said smiling.

"With a little help" she groused, smiling anyways.

"We leave this morning" he said, his face suddenly solemn. Her mouth pulled in as she became cautious

"Yes we do"

"Camille" he said in a rush "Look, I'm not going to stop you from coming with us, I know you can take care of yourself, but will you at least stay close to me so I know it for a fact?" She relaxed and approached him, wrapping her arms around his waist and promising,

"Alright then, I'll stick close to you" His muscles relaxed and he hugged her back, then remembered the bag. Guiding her back to the bed, he sat down and held it up saying impulsively,

" I want you to have this." She accepted it then said excitedly

"What is it?" "Why don't you open it?" he laughed at her impetuousness as she pulled it open and drew out its contents. Her eyes widened as she beheld a ring hanging from a chain of silver as thin as spider silk. It was beautiful, entrancingly so, a thick silver band set with a large scarlet stone that glittered like blood. Intricate silver work, almost lace-like set off the stone, making it a thing of great and almost terrible beauty. Her mouth dropped slightly as he took it from her palm and fastened it around her neck. She raised her fingers and touched it, where it lay against her skin.

"Lancelot? Oh, it's beautiful!" she breathed finding his eyes with her own "Where did you get it?"

"An old woman gave it to me when I was younger. She said I would need it" he looked away and she felt that he wasn't telling her the entire story but she smiled and clasped his hand around it.

"Thank you Lancelot, I will treasure it forever." He smiled and they rose and headed to the door. Whatever fate threw at them, they would face together.

I need two reviews to post the next chptr! thanks for reading