Chapter 2

We had been in Camelot for nearly an entire week. My father and brother were in deep negotiations with King Arthur and I had been left on my own for far too long, contained in my chambers with nothing to do.

I was restless, bored and couldn't sit still for a moment longer. I changed clothes, grabbed my sword and left my temporary room. The guard posted at my door followed me, his eyes twinkling mischievously. Apparently, as I learned during my journey to the training grounds, the knights of Barcen had a little bet going on concerning me. None of them won. I hadn't lasted nearly as long, secluded in a room, as the knights had thought.

As I practically stormed into the training grounds toward the knights I recognized, I ignored the incredulous stares I received from Camelot's knights. I knew my face was twisted into a powerful glower, but in my current state of restlessness, I couldn't bring myself to care. Luckily, a few knights I knew well knew the drill by now and offered themselves as my targets. Seeing as I was now in the knights' capable hands, the guard that had followed me left, presumably to inform the Kings.

I fell into a fighting stance and a knight stepped forward, albeit a little apprehensively. The first few strokes of the sword, I stretched my muscles, and went slowly. But I couldn't keep the slow pace for long. Soon, I was exchanging blows with the knight that had come forward. Although I wasn't as skilled as my brother, I had almost no difficulty defeating the knights, my anger at being "forgotten" had finally found an outlet…

I lost myself in the movements, as I entered a kind of dance with my sparring partner. I parried, dodged, ducked and twirled around with the knight, enjoying the freeness of the movements and the rush of adrenaline.

Using my agility and flexibility, I eventually came to triumph over the knight. I was sweating, breathing hard, but I was grinning like crazy. I loved being able to let go of all the pretenses of nobility and being myself. I refused to be caged by my "obligations" as a noble Lady of the court, and it was one of the reasons I had learned how to fight. My "otherness" was what had gotten my loved and respected in my home. And I wasn't going to change to please someone else, especially not people who refused to look beyond their own noses.

"You fought well, Sir Bran," I complimented my opponent after regaining my breath. I held out my hand to the knight and he gripped my arm in the manner of knights.

"It is always a pleasure to test my skills against your own, my Lady," the knight's baritone was full of pride, his respect shinning in his eyes.

One of the senior knights stepped forward and touched my arm lightly.

"My Lady," Sir Marco said, his voice low, protective. It surprised me, and I looked around confused by his protectiveness.

"What is it, Sir Marco?" I asked cautiously.

"It appears that your display has caught a lot of attention…"

I nodded, having finally spotted the group of Camelot's knights glaring my way. My less-than-noble behavior seemed to have raised their ire. Contempt was visible in their gazes despite the distance between them and myself.

However, most of King Arthur's knights looked impressed by what they had witnessed. Sir Gwaine was amongst the knights and his grin could be seen from miles away. Probably sensing my attention, aforementioned knight swaggered his way toward me. I waved my father's knights away as they drew closer to me, protectively.

"I'd heard your father and brother speaking of your natural ability with a sword, but I'd figured they were simply exaggerating in their praises. I stand corrected. You would have made a great knight, had you been born a man," Gwaine paused in his speech and his eyes brightened with a mischievous spark. "However, I must admit you make a very fine woman," he concluded, an appreciative glint in his teasing eyes.

I laughed. The gleeful sound making the knights around me relax. They had tensed after Sir Gwaine had made his inappropriate comment.

"Gwaine!" a commanding voice whipped through the training ground. "Are you harassing our guest?"

"Me? Harassing a beautiful Lady? Never! You should know me better by now, Princess," Gwaine shot back, not at all respectfully. However, his stance and his eyes betrayed his loyalty to his King.

"You call your King Princess?" I asked incredibly. Before I had even finished voicing the question, I knew my answer. Of course Gwaine called his King Princess. If he didn't find a way to mock his King despite his loyalty, he simply wouldn't be Gwaine.

The realisation must have been written in my eyes because Sir Gwaine didn't answer my question, he simply chuckled, as did most of the surrounding knights and the King.

"I saw your fight," King Arthur changed the subject abruptly. "You're an impressive swords… woman."

"Thank you, your Highness," I replied graciously, inclining my head in his direction in a gesture of humility.

"I would like to see more of your abilities, should you be so inclined," King Arthur added, his voice gentle.

I smiled, enjoying his subtle compliments. "I would love to, Sire. However, I must not over-exert myself. I'm sure you've heard of my 'condition'?"

The young King hummed thoughtfully. "How about this afternoon, an hour after dinner? We could put the arena to good use. A spontaneous tournament could most probably be arranged, too."

I looked up at Sir Marco, seeking his opinion, his advice. I saw thoughts fly through his expressive eyes before he settled on acceptance and nodded his consent.

After consenting to King Arthur's request, I decided to leave the men to their planning of the tournament. Just before I was out of hearing range, I turned back toward the knights.

"Ah, Sir Bran, before I forget, you really need to work on your footwork."

The surrounding knights burst out in laughter having witnessed me almost dancing my way around the unfortunate knight.