Dwyn's POV

After Caeli returned to her own camp, I finished untacking my horse and laying out my bedroll. I stood and turned to the tree that overlooked the small frozen river beneath the hill we were all camping on. The wind blew against my face, making the small curly tendrils blow back behind my ears. I closed my eyes, breathing in the smell of the forest, carried to my nose on the back of the breeze.

Trying to relax, I began sifting through the scattered thoughts in my head, relaying the past few weeks' events. Once I'd pushed aside the bad memories and undesirable words with Lancelot, I realized that every single thought revolved around Arthur.

I opened my eyes again, and tilted my head upward toward the full moon above. Its light bathed my face in blue glow. Perhaps, there was some truth in what Arthur had said. Though it had seemed like an eternity in hell while I was in the pit, would I have met Arthur if none of that had happened? Looking back, I realized that…I wouldn't trade anything for the past weeks of my life.

If Arthur was my destiny…I realized it was one I would gladly accept.

I was falling in love with him. And thought the prospect of handing my heart over to someone, giving them everything, and putting my life in their hands had never appealed to me, I wanted so badly to give it all up. To belong to him. I trusted him, though I'd scarcely known him two days.

Breaking myself away from this deep contemplation, I turned, and gasped as I found Lancelot right behind me. Before I could do anything, he'd taken me in his arms and pulled me close, and for all my struggling, I had to admit he overpowered me.

He leaned down to me, our faces no more than an inch apart, and he caressed my entire face with the brush of his breath, it sickened me, and I looked around for someone to help. I knew Arthur's camp was only a breadth away, but if I screamed now, he would never know I could take care of myself.

Lancelot pulled me to him, holding me so tightly I could hardly breathe.

"Let go of me!" I hissed quietly, but he only brought his lips to my cheeks and began kissing me. "I said let go!" I said, even more angrily.

Then, he pulled back and scrutinized me for a moment, his decision made, I realized a split second too late what he was going to do. He placed his hand behind my head and brought our lips together viciously and passionately. I pushed with all my might against his chest, but he wouldn't budge. At last, as he became more and more drawn in to the kiss, his grip loosened, and I finally shoved him away.

Raising my hand, I brought it across his face and a smack rang through the silence. He looked up, my handprint visible on his face, but before he could come near me again, I drew my dagger from my boot.

"If you ever come near me again, I swear I'll put you in so many pieces they won't know who you were when they find what's left."

He looked at me for what seemed forever, and I stared back defiantly.

Finally, he scoffed and turned away, storming through the wood.

For once, I was confident that he would not return.

Caeli's POV

I was feeling a little better after my talk with Dwyn, that was, until Gawain approached me on my way back to camp.

"Caelia-"

"Caeli." I corrected him with a sharp edge to my voice.

"Caeli." He said brightly, and with a smile to match. "I was wondering if you needed help setting up your camp."

"No, thank you. I've made my camp already." I replied, fighting not to roll my eyes and tell him I wasn't helpless.

I turned and started back toward my camp again.

"Come and find me if you need my help at all." He called after me.

I nodded and continued on. I was nearly back to my camp when I heard a twig break behind me. I turned, starting to draw my sword, and saw Lancelot. I rolled my eyes, returned my sword to its sheathe, and kept walking.

"You seem on edge tonight, my Lady." He said as his steps drew near.

'Only around some people…' I thought, trying not to think about the fact that he was following me.

He placed a hand on my shoulder, which I shrugged off quickly. "I just wanted to let you know that you're the most beautiful creature to walk the earth."

I rolled my eyes and quickened my pace, praying her would leave me alone.

Sadly, leastways for Lancelot, his lust had made him too thickheaded for his own good. He grabbed my wrist and pulled me back toward him. I dug my heels into the ground and glared up at him, noticing for the first time the red handprint on his cheek.

'So that's it!' I thought. 'Dwyn must've finally gotten her point across and that's why he's annoying me. Damnit!'

"Leave me alone." I said dangerously as I jerked my wrist out of his grip, and started on my way again.

I had only walked a few steps when I felt him slip his arm around me waist. Quickly moving out of his reach, I turned to face him, not waiting for another moment, and punched him in his right eye. This knocked Lancelot off balance, stumbling backward, he tripped over a tree root.

Not turning back, yet prepared to draw my sword, I stormed the remainder of the way back to my camp. To my surprise and relief, Lancelot didn't follow.

Finally back at my camp, I removed my sword from my side and took my cloak off to use as a blanket. Weary from the day's ride and annoying encounters with Gawain and Lancelot, I sat down, leaned against a tree, and threw my cloak over me.

No sooner than I had closed my eyes did they snap back open at a sudden weight on my knee.

"Owain." I sighed, annoyed, when I say Tristan's hawk. I held out my arm and he easily stepped onto it. "I swear, between you, Gawain, and Lancelot, I will get no rest."

I couldn't help but smile at the sound of a familiar whistle drawing near. A moment later, Tristan stepped into the clearing and spotted me.

"I should have know." He mumbled as he crossed the clearing. "I hope he hasn't been bothering you."

"No, not really." I admitted.

He sat down beside me, while I prayed my cheeks would not betray me.

We talked for a time, and I felt at ease and, of all things, safe. Something I had not felt in a long time.

After a while, my eyes began to get heavy, and I fell asleep.

Tristan's POV

I watched as Caeli's violet eyes slowly fell closed, her head resting on my shoulder.

I smiled, how could I help it? I was happy. I'd never felt this close to someone, talked to anyone whit much.

Gently, I laid my head on top of hers, falling asleep quickly and peacefully.C