Dear xxCee-Gisborne-Cullenxx, You're a nice, kind a quick beta. Thank you again. Thanks to everybody who reviewed. I hope I didn't forget to reply to everyone.

Illusions 31

The words he had meant to say died on Rhobert's lips and the young woman's eyes widened as their gazes met.

"You are…Rhobert ap Morthwyl?" she asked hesitatingly and when Rhobert, still dazed, nodded, she smiled mischievously. "When my father told me that a former Abbot was to teach me, I had another picture in mind… "fat and pompous or withered and tiny…."

At that moment Bran rumbled through the door disturbing the moment. In hindsight, Rhobert didn't even know how he had held class. Time and time again he found himself surveying her delicate hands holding the feather or brushing a strand of hair out of her face. Gwyneth had already been taught by her mother to read; she was an attentive and apt pupil and would soon be able to write. Rhobert was surprised when he noticed that she was even interested in the maps he had drawn, however this was not the reason that he regretted her leaving so soon after the lesson.

He remained with the joyfully babbling Bran, who had gotten a pony and was eager to tell Rhobert all about it. Eventually the former monk succeeded in coaxing the boy to tell him something about his sister Gwyneth. Yes, she was his half-sister and had rarely been at their father's court. She had mostly been with her mother and now Lord Rhys had summoned to the court in order to marry, but he didn't know…She was a girl but she was alright…But the pony…

This explained why Rhobert had not seen her before. She had to be seventeen or eighteen. – How come she was not married? When Bran hat left at last, Rhobert had sat on his chair for a while, musing. Her picture didn't fade. Once their gazes had met and she had looked at him, really looked at him, not as a pupil would look at a teacher, but…and she had blushed….Stop dreaming, Rhobert, he chastised himself. Even if she should like you, this will cease soon enough after she compares you to the knights at the Prince's Court. What kind of girl would want a man who refused to fight? And what could he offer her?

When Guy entered the room, he found his friend in a strange mood, depressed somehow, Guy thought… He had rarely seen him like that, well, after his father's death, but not lately. What had happened? After only a few words Guy realised that his friend had fallen head over heals with Gwyneth, the Prince's daughter.

He had seen her several times – a pretty young woman – but had not paid attention, since she was of no interest for him. Now that he knew what Rhobert felt for the woman, Guy would definitely take a closer look. He had never believed in love at first sight and now… Rhobert was a former monk and probably too naïve where women were concerned. He, Guy, would make sure that his friend didn't fall for a scheming little bitch, even if this particular woman was a Prince's daughter.

Some days later he met her in the hallway when he was about to visit his friend. He greeted her politely and eyed her surreptitiously. She was pretty and her voice was dulcet, not shrill or breathless. She frowned as if she didn't know who he was and then smiled kindly, her mien brightening. "You are Rhobert ap Morthwyl's friend, are you not?" she asked.

Guy blinked; he had to admit that he was surprised. Usually most women, whether married or not, tried to flirt with him, but the only thing, which seemed to be important to Gwyneth was that he was Rhobert's friend. Her mien was open and kind, her smile sunny and she was not only pretty but a beauty. Odd that she was not married. Something was wrong, this he was sure of.

"Excuse me," Gwyneth added. "My father has sent for me and I have to hurry." He looked after her how she hurried along the hallway and entered the room where Rhobert used to hold class.

"Just in case you were about to ask," he said without hesitation." I've met her and you were right; she is not only pretty, she is a beauty." He then grimaced. "I know from experience that beauty isn't everything. I have to admit that she wasn't flirting with me - in contrast to most of the females in this castle - and the only thing that seemed to interest her in me was the fact that you are my friend. But it's odd that she is not married." He made a meaningful pause and then continued crudely. "…Or is it because she's a bastard?"

Rhobert's eyes blazed and he frowned furiously. "If you were not my friend, I…" he snarled.

"I didn't mean it this way, Rhobert , I…"

Rhobert's jaws were still clenched and he gazed at his friend angrily, but then he relaxed a little. "You're English and perhaps you don't know that being illegitimate is not a severe stain in Wales. Lord Rhys's son Maelgwn could be his successor, although he is not born in holy wedlock. The old customs are stronger than the Church's law. It has other, particular reasons that Maelgwn will not be the next ruler of Deheubarth.

Guy stared at his friend, stunned. An illegitimate son could have been Lord Rhys's successor?

"I can tell you exactly why she is not married yet," Rhobert continued, his eyes still angry. "Yes, she has a….a flaw." He literally spat the word. „When she was seven years old, she nearly died at a horrible fire. I now understand why she has avoided her father's court, since people are already beginning to talk...again…This gossip! How can they..?...She was heavily burnt and her legs are scarred. I don't know why, but her mother made Lord Rhys promise not to marry her against her will and so she is allowed to choose her husband. She will get a large dowry and many a knight will court her. If only I were…". He halted, dejected.

Guy was thunderstruck; so it was due to her heavy scars that the girl had not found a husband yet, and yet, she was friendly and kind to everyone. For some moments he stood there, musing; then he spoke again. "Rhobert, perhaps this is your opportunity. I meant what I said; she likes you very much. She didn't look at me until she realised that I am your friend.

"Guy, you are experienced with women and I am not…. Damn! I'm worse than a fifteen year old," Rhobert burst out.

"The only experience I have is with whores and servants, Rhobert," Guy replied crudely. "I loved once and everything she told me turned out to be a pack of lies. She…. I won't pretend that I believe in love any longer; at least I'm done with it. If I were to marry one day, it would be for money and an heir only. It is different for you and obviously she likes you. Although you're only a younger son, Lord Rhys appreciates you and he will prefer you as a husband for her than permitting her to become an old maiden."

Rhobert had flinched when he had heard how Guy talked about marriage, but he understood his friend. And maybe Guy was right, maybe he had a chance. He had noticed how Gwyneth had looked at him when Bran was occupied and he himself had not been able to tear his gaze from her. But he hadn't said anything so far and he knew how difficult this would be for him. It had not been exaggerated when he had said that he was worse than a lad of fifteen. He would make her a gift, something that matched her eyes… The next time the peddlar came to….

Suddenly Rhobert froze. Griffin had told him about the silk cloth for Morared and he had heard the words but had not realised what they had meant… An English noblewoman, who had displeased the King and who had been had banished to the convent in Newtown… This couldn't be a coincidence, could it?

Frowning, Guy observed how pale his friend had become, and stepped forward.

Rhobert swallowed. "There is something I have to tell you….something important"