Disclaimer: Nothing you recognise belongs to me.

A/N I'm not 100 sure about the rating for this chapter - I don't think it's that explicit really, but there is a scene which is a little more risqué than I usually write at the beginning. If you don't like that sort of thing then skip the firstfew paragraphs, or let me know if I should change the rating. As ever, R&R please, and hugs to everyone who reviewed the last chapter.

Llynya yawned and snuffled her nose against the pillow, the light in the room making her squint in discomfort as she struggled to wake up.

"Good morning." The rough voice came from very near her ear, and she would have jumped if she had been more alert. Opening one eye, she found a grinning Gawain looking down at her. "I won't ask you if you slept well."

"Hmm." Snuggling back down into the pillow she tried to pull the blanket over her head.

"No you don't." A big hand wrapped itself around her stomach and Llynya found herself pulled against Gawains' warm body, her hands resting against his chest, one leg winding around his hip almost unconsciously. For a moment she just looked at him. Sleepy blue eyes watched her with amusement, tangled blond hair spread against the pillow and gleaming in the sunlight. One hand ran over the curve of her hip gently and she sighed, brushing her lips against his and letting him roll her over so that his bulk covered her smaller frame. Wrapping her legs around his waist, she deepened the kiss as she felt him hardening against her, his hands running down her sides, her thighs, making her whimper with longing. His teeth nipped her neck, and Llynya shuddered against him, trying to pull him closer - wanting more.

The knock on the door acted like a bucket of cold water in the face of such languid arousal.

"For gods sake." Chucking the discarded blanket over a startled Llynya, Gawain stood up and stalked to the door, throwing it open with more than a little angry frustration.

Charlotte stood in the doorway, slightly nonplussed at the sight of the half naked knight that greeted her.

"I've brought you some breakfast," she said , regaining her wits with remarkable speed. "Sir Galahad thought you might need the energy." Darting around him, she looked at the tousled girl peeping out from the bed clothes and raised her eyebrows before giving a wicked grin. "Your companions are out in the stable yard when you and your," she gave a very pointed cough, "friend, are ready to join them. You might want to put some clothes on first though." Putting down the tray she carried, she smiled at the blond knight with wide-eyed innocence before slipping back out of the room. Gawain watched her leave in dumbstruck silence, for once lost for words. Shoving the door closed he turned to Llynya, only to find her almost crying with laughter.

"I'm glad you find this so amusing," he said ruefully, "that girl is a minx."

Llynya nodded, wiping tears of mirth from her cheeks. "She is, isn't she? Oh but you should have seen your face." Untangling herself from the blankets she sat at the edge of the bed and tuggedthe shift over her knees self consciously. "We should probably find the others."

"We should. Although there are other things I'd rather be doing." He gave a her a wink and chuckled when her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Pulling his tunic over his head he reached for his axe and slid the worn leather belt around his waist. "I'll leave you to get dressed - you know where the stable yard is don't you?"

"Yes." Handing him the dagger that he had left beside the bed, she smiled as he ran a rough thumb over her knuckles briefly before taking it.

"No wandering off. We don't know what's out there - if you come across trouble then you run, either to me or one of the others. "

"Alright." At his sceptical look she gave him a smile. "What else am I going to do if I come across the beast? Glare at it? Give it a stern talking to? You lot are the warriors not me."

"Didn't stop you waving a sword around like a demented banshee the other knight, if Bors is to be believed."

"Demented banshee?" Llynya snorted in indignation. "I was fighting for my life, anyway I hit the bastard with it so I must have been doing something right."

"And nearly lost your head in the process. Speaking of which, how's your shoulder? Do you want me to ask Dagonet to have a look at it?"

"No, it's fine." Llynya flexed her arm with a wince, "I suppose it'll be my first battle scar."

"Only battle scar," Gawain said firmly. "Don't be too long." Picking up a chunk of bread from the tray Charlotte had left, he closed the door behind him and went to find his brothers.

Llynya watched him go thoughtfully. Had it really only been a couple of days ago since she had given up ever seeing him again? Since she had vowed to herself to be cold and aloof despite what people might think of her? A fine job she was doing of that now - if Charlotte had not interrupted… Sighing, she reached for the bowl of water that the blonde girl had brought with the food. It had cooled enough to be almost cold, but she welcomed the chill of it against her skin and washed quickly, stuffing a mouthful of the bread into her mouth as did so. Her future was as uncertain as whatever was happening in the village. Was Tom's sister still alive? Did she still run a tavern, and would she hire her if she did? What was the beast - if it even was a beast? And then there was Gawain… Question, questions, none of which she had any of the answers to. Dressing quickly she left the house and made her way to the stables.

"Well it's got to be bloody Woads, doesn't it? All this beast stuff is just mucking about - messing around with people's heads."

There was no mistaking Bors' voice, and Llynya smiled to herself. Both he and Dagonet were big men, but it was amazing just how much noise the shorter knight could create in comparison to his stern comrade. Following the racket, Llynya made her way to the stable yard, stopping to pet Lark who had slid out from one of the barns and was clearly delighted to see her. It seemed that most of the village had come to see Arthur and his knights set off - a crowd had gathered around the stables; the youths tense and eager to join the hunt, the women giggly and nervous. Young children peered curiously from doorways, obviously instructed not to go outside by their mothers who watched the scene with worried eyes. Llynya paused for a moment, unsure whether to join the crowd or hang back. She could see Gawain already mounted on his big grey, deep in discussion with Galahad, the other knights holding back their impatient horses and waiting for Arthurs' command. The Roman commander was talking to Dynadan , his cloak scarlet against the drab surroundings, Exalibur shining at his waist. Catching Dagonets' eye she smiled at the big man when he nodded to her.

"Llynya?"

Glancingaround, she saw Charlotte walking towards her. The younger girl was wrapped in a worn shawl, her eyes bright with excitement. "A fine sight don't you think?"

Llynya laughed and turned back to the scene. "They certainly seem to have livened the place up a little."

"Indeed. Are they really as brave as people say? All I know is stories about them, and I can't help but think that they are exaggerated."

Llynya shrugged. "I've seen them fight - whatever is out there doesn't stand a chance ."

"Aren't you going to wish your friend luck?" Charlotte grinned slyly, "he seemed very keen on your company earlier, not to mention lacking quite a lot of clothing."

"That is none of your business." By rights she should have been outraged at such a blatant suggestion, but there was something so good natured about the girls'curiosity that Llynya did not have the heart to be offended. "But you're right, I should say goodbye." Biting her lip mischievously she grabbed Charlotte's hand. "Come and say hello."

The two girls weaved through the crowd giggling, the villagers moving aside to make room for them. Gawain smiled at Llynya when he saw her and gave Charlotte a rather sardonic nod of acknowledgement, a gesture she returned with a completely innocent smile.

"My lady." Arthur smiled at Llynya kindly, "I trust that you are well."

"Very well Sir, thank you." Blushing she curtseyed and tugged down Charlotte who was looking at the Roman with the same bewildered panic usually seen when rabbits are confronted with foxes. "He won't bite you," she hissed out the corner of her mouth.

"He's a Roman officer," Charlotte muttered when Arthur had turned away. "Knights are one thing, Romans are quite another."

"Why? They all fight for the same cause don't they?"

Any reply that Charlotte could have summoned was lost when Lancelot and Galahad rode towards them.

"Llynya. It is good to see you again." Galahad smiled politely, "I trust Gawain has been looking after you?"

Llynya shook her head with mock seriousness, "on the contrary Sir, I spent the night hiding behind the doorframe with his axe inmyhand because he said he would not be able to sleep otherwise."

"Perhaps it is you that should be riding with us then." Lancelot looked down at the two girls with a smirk, "feel free to bring your friend."

"What makes you think that I would wish to go anywhere with you sir?" Charlotte tossed her head with a little of her customary spirit. "I might be afraid of the beast, but I know how to avoid a wolf when I see one."

"Really?" Lancelot studied the girl unashamedly, and Llynya could not help but shake her head in exasperation - subtlety was a trait that was obviously entirely lost on both the knight and the girl. "You seem very sure of your opinions."

"Aye Sir, I suppose I am."

"Well then, I suppose I'll have to change your mind."

Arthur's shout startled them all, and Lancelot and Galahad turned their horses to follow him as the knights trotted out of the courtyard. Gawain looked back at Llynya briefly, tipping his head slightly in farewell. She smiled and returned the gesture, dimly wondering what they would find in the forest and praying for their safe return.