They'd been walking through the stone streets and had reached the troop dining hall. When the sun was setting, most people came for dinner. They were late for the crowd, but the hall didn't shut. At least, not for them.
Being recently back from patrol meant they got double the food everyone else did, and it was sorely needed. The weight loss that each of them experienced over the month long trip was incredible. Eylan, who had been just shy of chubby when they'd started out, had to craft himself a new hole in his belt. Gwaine looked slim, but not gaunt. Something about him made the women of the villages want to feed him, then do something else beginning with an f to him.
Percy waved at the cook, who was very happy to see them back. She was a bustling lady with a large frame and a short stature, who went by the name of Elaine. Her face was red from being in the kitchen, but she scampered over to them as quickly as her legs could carry her. Her bright red hair was trapped in a bun but there were a few strands loose, which crossed her face.
"Oh, dear, I'd heard you boys were back!" She pulled Gwaine into a rub crushing hug and Percy gently bent down and hugged her. She shot a look at Gwaine and shook her head, "You started stripping, or so I heard. Nearly gave my new girl a heart attack. Seeing a nearly naked man running about the city... Honestly, you should be ashamed of yourself."
Gwaine shrugged, "Maybe I should be, but I'm not, El."
"You're a naughty little bugger and no mistake." She turned to Percy, "And you love, you're bleeding."
Percy smiled, "We were sparing. Didn't realise the swords were sharp."
Elaine tutted and turned around, all her skirts tangling around her feet. She cursed and picked them up before bustling back to the kitchen. Gwaine and Percy found Elyan and Lance sat at a table, discussing the benefits of a Desert Eagle over a dagger. Percy and Gwaine took a seat at the wooden table, and continued talking about their plans to spar again.
A while later, a servant appeared, carrying four plates full of meat and vegetables. Two plates balanced on his right arm and two in his hands, he was skilled as a waiter. He gently placed the plates down on the table in front of the Knights.
There was a chorus of "about time" and "it smells so good". Percy and Elyan shot each other a look and scrambled to take the steaks of the other's plate. Good natured slaps were exchanged, Elyan's hands all over Percy's. Both of them were laughing, but Lance took his plate carefully from the fray. He was using a knife from his belt, carefully cutting it into strips. Gwaine smiled at his plate.
"Anything else I can get you?" The servant asked, sounding rather bored.
Gwaine looked up, and choked. His face turned pale and his hands shook. "C- Cat?"
The servant was blonde with long flowing hair that was bound midway down his back. He had long, slender fingers and arms, his wrists poking out of an ill fitting uniform. He was definitely new, Percy had never seen him before. His voice was soft, but cold, "Gwaine, what are you doing here? I thought I was rid of you."
"You can't be here... No," Gwaine stumbled out of his seat, barging into someone behind him. "I- I have- I have to go." He turned, but instead of apologising to the rather offended troop, he sprinted for the door. Gwaine didn't look back.
Percy stood up, looking over the heads of the people around him. He turned back to the servant, who was walking away. Lance jumped over the table and grabbed the servant by the collar, pushing him roughly against the table, a knife pressed against his throat. "Who are you?"
"Cati- igern." The servant stuttered. Elyan looked at him, then at Percy and at Lance. There was a group of people surrounding them, trying not to stare but failing. Lance yanked Catigern to his feet and pushed him roughly in the direction of the kitchen. Percy and Elyan followed, leaving their meals discarded to grow cold.
Elyan pushed the door to the kitchen open and held it while Lance shoved Catigern through it. Elaine cried out, worrying that they were going to break things. "What are you doing?!"
"This," Lancelot jerked his chin at Catigern, "boy did something to Gwaine."
"Cat?!" Elaine asked, shocked, starting forwards. "He wouldn't hurt a fly."
Percy shook his head, pulling her back from Lance. "Not like that. Gwaine knew him, he's someone from Gwaine's past."
"I-" Catigern started, his face flushing with anger, "I didn't know he'd be here! And I have every right to be angry with him."
Lance loosened his grip on Catigern's shirt. Catigern stood up properly, pulling Lance's hand away from him. Elyan was stood against the shut door, his arms folded across his chest. "Tell, or you're not leaving."
"I was his servant, and he lied to me."
"So? you were just a servant."
"I was more than that! He... used me, and then when his father found what he was doing, I was fired. I spent three years looking for another job that would take me. Because of his lies and slander. Three years of living rough, not eating enough, looking after my own injuries in that godforsaken sun, I nearly died."
"You were a rich boy's plaything." Lance muttered, "And that is who you see, not the man he has grown into."
"He will never grow. He is a vile, disgust-" Catigern was stopped by a single blow across his face. Elaine had slapped him across his face, leaving a bright red handprint.
"Never talk about him like that." She muttered, gathering her skirts in one hand. "He is a good man, and I will not have you slandering his reputation."