Chapter 8

I closed my eyes and relaxed my body, every part of it, and one by one. Singing of birds filled my ears. I made a deep breath and smelled a sweet scent. Oh, I remember that scent too well. I grew up among the flowers that smell this way. My sisters used to put them in their hair, they were beautiful, my sisters. Well, I believe they still are beautiful, I just haven't seen them for a while.

I felt a naughty ray of sunlight on my face. It was warm and tender I felt safe and completely calm. Time was moving slowly or may be not moving at all. Birds were chatting about some stuff, nothing really important.

I tried to feel forest around me as deep as possible, to feel its voice, its power and life. One moment I heard a knot cracking and then quiet footsteps. Someone was walking carefully around the forest, close to the place I was occupying.

I opened my eyes and saw waves of grey sea. The unexpected change of scenery didn't surprise me at all. It felt so natural to be on the edge of the cliff, inhaling the freshness and saltiness of air. It was only grey of the sea, green of the short grass and black of the ground under my feet.

I looked at the horizon and next moment realized that somebody was standing behind me. I turned around and sun hit my eyes so all I could see was a silhouette of a tall person. I covered my eyes with left hand and when I opened eyes again he was gone. It was just a moment and he disappeared, as well as grass and sea and horizon. All I saw was just a chamber in Camelot.

Well, that's a good morning, Nin. What a weird dream. Uh…

I got up and found a pile of clothing lying on my bed. Perhaps Gwen came in while I was asleep and left it for me.

Let's see what we have here…. Oh, I nice piece of dress. How surprising… so she got that I'm not a teenager. What should I do now?..

Well, my old clothes stinks, maybe it's time to change my outfit as well as my legend.

Now, Nin, you need to make up a pretty story that explains why you were pretending to be a boy…

The dark green plain dress fit me well, oh and I had finally got rid of my favorite hat. I actually put it deep in my bag, some day I may need it again. There were no mirrors in the room so I went out to find one and check my new appearance. It turned out that I slept for a great deal of a day and now it was dark outside.

The corridors were empty so I was just wandering around the castle until I got completely lost.

The place was not actually nice in the lights of torches. Shadows on the walls of Camelot played their games with my imagination. Several times I thought that someone was following me. Finally, I gave up searching for a way. I end up on a narrow corridor from where I could see eastern part of Camelot, the rooftops and market. The sky was dark blue and air around me got colder. I was watching people closing shops and going home. They were laughing, chatting. I didn't hear someone approaching me and only his voice attracted my attention when he asked:

"Why is such a beautiful lady all alone this late?"

I turned around and saw Gawaine leaning on a corner and attentively looking at me. He had this grin on his lips and a second later he approached me. I was speechless.

Wha… who….how… oh… don't come closer, please, don't come closer..

Then I noticed a glimpse of recognition in his eyes and hurried to hide my eyes and face. I looked away.

"I was just looking…looking for somebody, maybe Gwen, yes, I'm looking for Gwen." My voice was trembling but I didn't move away when he got closer. He was still wearing the same outfit I last saw him in.

"So, Lady Gwen hid from me such a sweet guest of the castle. What a shame. Please, don't look away, somehow I feel I know you…"

I shivered nervously and glanced at him. He stopped smiling and stared at me. I stared back and tried to seem brave.

"Now I see, I really saw you… I just don't remember where! I'd bet you're not the frequent visitor of taverns, are you?"

"Well, no, I'm not."

I need to get out of this situation. He knows he saw me somewhere, but doesn't remember for sure… that's a good sign!

"May be you could show me the way so I wouldn't get lost again?" I smiled sweetly.

"Of course, m'lady. Please, follow me."

He led me with confidence through all those corridors. Soon we reached the big well lit hall. Gawaine boldly went right to the throne that was surrounded by several people. I thought of leaving the hall while everybody were occupied but my attempt of escape was noticed by Gwen who suddenly appeared in the hall. She smiled and approached me.

"Well, you look wonderful. This dress suits you more than your previous outfit, don't you think so?" Gwen smiled slyly.

What could I say? In the dress I felt unprotected, as if everybody knew who I really was. That was not safe for me, not safe at all.

"Come on, I'm going to introduce you to rest of the Knights and Arthur is willing to talk to you."

She took my hand and led me towards the throne. I can't say I was happy about it, but it's too late to run. Men at the throne were talking about something, among them I noticed Merlin. He noticed me too and smiled kindly. Arthur saw it and looked at me rather surprised. His men still kept talking and when Gwen tactfully attracted their attention all five of them turned and stared. At me.

Oh, my Goddess… what am I doing?...

"It's a pleasure to see you here, my lady." Arthur smiled and nodded.

"Pleasure is all mine." I smiled and tried to make a bow.

"Let me introduce my Knights, sir Lancelot" a handsome man looked at me with interest and nodded, "sir Percival," a very tall and muscular man smiled at me kindly, "sir Leon," what a serious look he has, that knight, he's probably the oldest. "And you already know sir Gawaine."

Gawaine, meanwhile, started conversation with Merlin and lost half of what his Prince had said.

"…found her in the corridor… why nobody told me?..."

"Gawaine…"

"I need to talk to Nin, anyway. What? Why are you staring at me?"

"Gawaine…"

"Wha…"

"Let me introduce you a friend of Gawaine, who saved his life, actually," Arthur motioned towards me, "Lady Nin."

Gawaine finally looked at me. And according to his expression I can say that he remembered where he had seen me before.