Galahad nearly jumped out of his skin when he woke up to find Beleth lying beside him with her head on his shoulder. He was so shocked he wasn't able to move or think for a few seconds.
He had pulled his cloak over her because he knew she was used to better sleeping conditions then this and it wasn't fair. Mind you she had volunteered to come with them. That thought still surprised him. But why should it, he knew nothing about Beleth before they left. What a strange situation to get to know the one you love.
His attention was distracted when Alecto came striding past. He stopped and stared at them until Galahad raised an eyebrow and Alecto continued to walk. Since they had left Marius Honorius's estate something had nagged at Galahad, and only now did he really realize what it was.
It was that Alecto was the kind of person that Beleth was destined to marry. A rich Roman not a Sarmatian knight who had nothing to offer. He carefully stood leaning Beleth against the tree. He stopped before he went to fetch the horses.
She looked so beautiful. Sure she had dirty hair and her dress and cloak had tears and stains, and she had a streak of dirt on her cheek but she had never looked more perfect. Galahad slowly raised a hand to gently wipe the dirt from her cheek. She stirred slightly; Galahad got up and walked away before she woke. He had to except that he was nothing to her.
Beleth looked up at Galahad who was sitting on his horse very stiffly. Something was wrong; he had been very cold to her this morning. Maybe he was upset that she had lain with him. Whatever it was it made her feel awful. She walked over to him.
"Galahad," He looked down at her.
"Beleth, you should be on your horse, we will be leaving soon." His voice was clipped. She stared at him for a moment.
"I know I just wanted to know…"
"Beleth, may I speak with you for a moment?" She turned to see Alecto starring at her. Had he not noticed she was talking to Galahad? Of course he did, but he was used to getting his way. Most Roman boys were that was why she couldn't stand them. Alecto was nothing but a spoiled brat to her. She scowled at him. She looked at Galahad. He was looking at Alecto before he looked down at her, his eyes were filled with a mixture of coldness and hurt.
"You best talk to him." He turned his horse and headed over to where Lancelot was preparing to leave.
"Galahad…" he didn't turn. Alecto appeared in front of her. He was the same height as her. He barreled into what he wanted to say.
"I want to propose marriage."