Even with everything else going on, Uther still insisted in throwing me a party for my birthday. I insisted that it could just be ignored, I really didn't care. Besides, an impending war should be of more importance. But he wasn't hearing any of it. So I just tried to stay out of the spotlight as much as possible, but that wasn't happening. I'd never gotten the big deal about birthdays anyway.

The hall buzzed with chatter and music. People danced in the center of the room, most with happy smiles on their faces. I didn't understand. How could you be so happy when everything was going wrong?

I was happy I couldn't feel emotions of people without touching them, and even then they had to be something strong for me to sense them. I didn't pick up on anything that wasn't focused. It helped if they were directed towards me, but they didn't have to be. Gaius and Merlin let me practice on them, and luckily I haven't pass out again. Maybe I had because it was the first time I ever used my ability. Or maybe I just couldn't handle the intensity Henry's drunken rage. I had even felt his headache. At any rate, I was avoiding that man. I'd barely seen him since yesterday morning. And I didn't think he was too eager to speak with me either.

I stayed clear of the dance floor for the most part, unless I was asked. Which I had been by a few of Arthur's and my own knights. For the most part I enjoyed just watching. I had been the same way back home. School dances had never really been my thing either. I prefered to stay on the side lines. Besides, no one ever asked me. Even here, few people seemed to want to approach me unless they were noblemen. It was like I had a sign hanging around my neck reading 'commoners need not apply.'

"Enjoying yourself?", says a voice behind me. I jumped slightly. That man had an awful habit of sneaking up on me.

"Gwaine. You scared me."

He grins sheepishly but doesn't apologize. "Happy Birthday."

"Thanks."

The music from the song finished, a new one beginning with a more lively tune. Gwaine extends me his hand with a slight bow, winking at me. "I think it's time for you get in on the fun. Would you do me the honor of a dancing?"

"I'd love to.", I smiled, allowing him to lead me out to the floor. He falls into the steps more easily and gracefully then I did. Following him was easier than it had been with anyone else. Luckily I wouldn't be expected to know it, since it was indigeneous to Camelot, but I managed to make it through without making too much of a fool of myself. "I didn't know you could dance so well."

"You think so?", he asks, quite obviously fishing for compliments. I only roll my eyes, which he laughs at. "I have many talents you don't know about."

"Oh really? And what would those be?"

He shakes his head. "I believe you'll have to wait and find out."

The song ends, making me wish it hadn't, but Gwaine doesn't loosen his hold on me, fully intending on keeping me for at least another song. I was fully aware of his hand resting on my back, holding me lightly to him, the warmth of his gaze on me. He leans closely to me, his lips almost touching my ear. "You know, I might not wish to share you. If someone asks for a dance from you, I might be inclined to decline for you just to keep you to myself."

I giggled, unable to stop myself. "The poor man who asks for a dance with me."

"Indeed. Though I fear you are so beautiful you attract the eyes of many this night." I could feel my cheeks radiating heat, and could only hope he didn't notice. I hated how I blushed so easily. Gwaine had never been quite so frank with his flirting as he had been tonight. But now he couldn't be any clearer if he kissed me right there. I wanted to stay there, dancing in his arms until late in the night.

"You're exaggerating."

He grinned mischievously. "You think so? Watch how the quickly the men behind you look away when you make eye contact with them." Just to prove his point, he maneuvers me around so I could peep over his shoulder to see whom he was talking about. True to what he said, a few men all found interest in their shoes or on object on the wall as soon as I looked their way. "Am I right?", he asks.

"Perhaps.", I grumbled. He slipped my hand from his arm to his hand, our skin touching for the first time. A warm, pleasant feeling washes over me. It was comforting and light, but at the same time there was an intensity to it, and a nervousness. I couldn't quite put my finger on what it was, but I didn't want him to let go of me.

To be honest, I liked the was he was treating me tonight. It made me feel... I wasn't actually certain how he made me feel, but if I had to describe it in one word it would be 'girly'. When you carried around a sword and spent most of your time hanging around with a bunch of men, you got used to not acting so much like a girl. And not being treated like one.

The rest of the night was a blur. We ate, danced, watched different forms of entertainment Uther had planned. I was given all sorts of gifts from new clothes, jewelry, ribbons for my hair, books, and even a few daggers from a some of the knights. But my favorite gift was still Kenji, whom preferred to stay out in the stables for the most part when he wasn't with me. It worked out nicely seeing as Uther wasn't very keen on him staying inside the castle.

I noticed Arthur and Gwen staring at each other on several occasions, plus they both got flustered whenever the other was near. Something was obviously going on between the two of them. I made a mental note to ask Gwen about it later. It struck me how good they would be for each other. Gwen's level headed, gentle nature would surely calm down his hot-headed, sometimes rude ways. Like yin and yang. Not that I could explain yin and yang to them.

Arthur didn't want to give me his gift in front of everyone else, so I left Gwaine followed him out to the stairway outside the hall. I was glad for an excuse to get away from all the eyes on me.

He pulled a package from behind he back, wrapped in cloth and suspiciously shaped like a sword. "Happy birthday.", he says with a smile.

I take the package from him and removed the wrappings. Inside, as I had thought, was a beautiful sword. It was hard to imagine something so pretty was meant for battle. I pulled it from the scabbard, examining the blade. It was identical to the one from Kayla, my first blade. "Arthur... Where did you get this?"

"It was being pawned off in town, her entire place. She told me it had a twin, so I tracked it down. I knew you couldn't quite find another sword that suited you, so I thought you might like this one."

I slid it back into the sheath, shocked he would go through such great lengths for me. "I don't know what to say."

He shrugged. "How about a hug? Or a 'thank you' might do nicely."

I rolled my eyes and gave him a quick hug. "Thank you."

He nods, suddenly serious. "Of course... Could you tell me something?"

"What do you want to know?", I ask nervously, not sure where this was going.

He bites his lip, as if he didn't know how to continue."Sarah, you fainted yesterday and I found about it from Merlin. You haven't been yourself ever since we got you back. You haven't told anyone why you were wearing a wedding dress when we found you, and I respect that it must be hard to talk about. But i'm worried about you."

I sighed, knowing I had to at least tell him something or he wouldn't leave me alone. He was right, I'd been avoiding saying anything about it. I hated that he thought I was keeping something from him, but I also knew I couldn't trust him with the whole truth. "Gaius just said I hadn't had enough water. I'm fine. Nothing to worry about."

"You know that's not what I meant."

"Arthur..."

"No, Sarah. You don't even yell at me anymore. Not even one snarky comment or calling me a name every once and a while. What happened? I just want to help."

"You seriously want me to yell at you and call you names?"

"No! I mean... Just tell me, please. You can trust me. After everything we've been through, you know that."

The pained look on his face broke me down. That and I hated lying. Arthur only wanted to help me, and to be honest I really wasn't the same person I was when my adventures in Camelot first began. But was that really a bad thing? I'd grown up, matured. Sure, I'd become a less of a loud person. I talked differently. I could see how that worried him, but I was honestly fine. Wasn't I?

In the end, I decided to tell him. He'd know if I didn't tell him. "Raul was going to marry me off, but I suppose you already gathered as much."

"Well, yes. That was pretty obvious. The blue dress might have given it away."

"You actually crashed my wedding right before it happened. If you had been a few hours later then you had been, I'd be married off to a creepy, masochistic man. Raul thought he could use my marriage to subdue those who opposed him in Tahara. No matter what he did, my people wouldn't oppose me. But he would be the one who was truly in power. He would have brought me out to show me off to the people every now and then, but I probably would have been locked up in the castle for the most part."

"Sarah, I am so sorry, but I wouldn't have let that happen.", he promises. "You're safe now. And we will regain Tahara. In time."

I smile at him. "In time, I know, but we need to worry about Camelot now. Who knows when he'll decide to show his face here, and with an army."

He grimaces. "Alright, enough of this depressing talk. It's your birthday. You should be in there celebrating."

I groaned. "Yes, back to all people staring at me."

Arthur laughs at me. "I would think you would be used to it by now."

"Of course not."

musicnlyrics- I'm happy to update for you guys as much as I can! I know exactly how that is. Waiting over a month or so for updates is aweful :P

MyLadyAssassin- Why thank you :) I didn't want to give her anything huge, or too common.