Thank you again so much for revising, dear xxCee-Gisborne-Cullenxx.

Illusions 33

Lord Rhys was surprised when a servant told him that his daughter Gwyneth wanted to talk with him. It was not often that she sought his company and - if he was honest with himself – he hardly knew her at all. He remembered her as a skinny little girl who had survived a horrible fire and who seemed to enjoy life despite her scars – odd. Once in a while her mother had sent her to The Court, and she had become a pretty, no, a beautiful young woman, the image of her mother. She would have been married for years if not for the scars at her legs. He had promised her mother to throw a feast for her, however this would not be possible with an upcoming war. The country's future was certainly more important than the question of whom his daughter would marry. Usually this wouldn't have been a problem at all; he would have married her off to one of his trusted noblemen. What had he thought of when he had promised her mother to let her choose her own husband? All this rushed through his mind when she approached him quickly and obviously purposefully and bowed.

He beckoned her to take a seat. "It seams that there is something important you want to discuss with me," he said kindly. "I don't suppose that you have come to bear me company."

Gwyneth looked into his eyes before averting hers and hesitating. "Well?" Rhys said encouragingly.

"It's about the promise you gave my mother about my marriage," Gwyneth said quietly but in a firm voice. "There is someone…someone I want to marry."

Rhys blinked and laughed. "You were quick indeed."

"Yes," Gwyneth replied and her mien was so different from what he had expected from his usually gentle daughter that he was impressed despite himself. Well, well, perhaps she's got more of me than I thought.

"Who? …Probably, it is Rhobert ap Morthwyl…?"

Gwyneth nodded and looked at her father, her determination evident.

"Don't look at me as if you expected my veto; I'm true to my word… I take it that you want my promise because Rhobert is leaving tomorrow. I will give notice to the chaplain… Rhobert is a good choice, Gwyneth."

Rhys smiled at his daughter and for a moment she caught a glimpse of what her mother must have seen in him. Although he was barely more than a stranger, she smiled back. Only a short time later, she took her leave. Rhys watched her, musing. He had meant what he had said; Rhobert ap Morthwyl was a good man. The most important thing, however, was that there was one thing less to consider, one problem fixed. The next weeks and months would be difficult and it was good to know his daughter would have a fiancé who cared for her; he was old after all and his days numbered.

Guy's mood was gloomy. He didn't want to remember Marian, didn't want the old feelings to awaken again – but they had. Repeatedly he cleaned his sword and watched it gleaming in the light; it was flawless as was the dagger Rhobert had given him. Damn! He resented Rhobert for having brought these pent-up feelings to light again. Rhobert was his friend, the best he could imagine; he gave without thinking what he would get back. How rarely have I shown him how I value our friendship. Determined, Guy got up heading for the smithy.

Guy had not spoken to his friend for some days, but he knew that Rhobert would go on a journey at the order of Lord Rhys. The castle buzzed with activity; Rhobert was not the only one to leave on the morrow. Soldiers prepared their gear and many of the men would disguise themselves as tradesmen or peasants. Guy's gaze should have noticed his friend's tall frame at once, but he wasn't there.

In hindsight he didn't know why he had headed towards the little chapel at the Northern wall of the castle. He had not been in a chapel since… then. This place was connected with a humiliation beyond compare. Marian in her white veil… He had put he ring on her finger… her punch…the scornful laughs… Breathing heavily he halted and was about to turn back as the heavy door opened with a creak – Rhobert and Gwyneth! The sight of their happy faces told him everything and he felt his stomach clench.

"Guy!" Rhobert saw his friend standing motionless just a few yards from the chapel. Without releasing Gwyneth hand, he stepped forward and toched Guy's arm. "I'm glad to see you. Gwyneth and I… tomorrow Lord Rhys will announce our betrothal.

"I wish you happiness." Guy knew he should have said more, but he simply could not.

"Guy," Rhobert added with a glance at Gwyneth. "Will you protect her if necessary as long as I'm gone?"

"You have my word," Guy answered hoarsely. "You can rely on me." Then he added hastily. "I have to go now, but there is something I have to tell you; will you wait for me in the evening?" He bowed to Gwyneth and left without saying another word.

Gwyneth stared at the retreating figure. "He doesn't seem very happy about our marriage. I know that he is your friend, but… Sometimes I don't feel quite comfortable in his presence… He's kind of scary."

Rhobert caressed Gwyneth's hand, "I trust Guy with my life… I cannot tell you much. Guy has done… many things he rues now… A woman he loved more than life itself used him and left him standing at the altar. Please understand… He didn't tell me this under the seal of confession, but I won't betray his confidence… He… he has changed and he is my friend."

Gwyneth mien had changed."I'm so sorry, Rhobert, I'm so sorry for him," she said, taken aback.

"Never tell him that you are sorry for him. Pity is something he seems to loath more than enmity."

It was already late at night when Rhobert heard a knock at his door. A jar with two mugs was standing on the table; Rhobert beckoned Guy to sit down and poured some wine, looking at Guy who had obviously regained his composure. For a while the friends were sitting silently, and then Guy curled his lips in a smirk. "When I was sitting opposite you for the first time, you remained silent, too, and I was thinking Two can play this game…Do you remember?... How many soldiers will you take with you?" He asked abruptly.

Rhobert laughed. "You are not concerned about me?" Guy didn't answer and Rhobert stated, grinning. "You are concerned about me!"

"You know that I have asked Lord Rhys whether I could ride with you, but he refused." His mouth was grim. "He doesn't seem to trust me, now that it is not King Richard on England's throne but Prince John, at least for a while.

"Lord Rhys doesn't trust anyone, Guy. Perhaps he wants to watch you, but perhaps he only wants you to take care of Bran. Many a good man will be on his way in the next few weeks and it is important that brave men remain at the castle. And… I'm glad now that he refused for a good reason, too."

Surprised, Guy looked at his friend and Rhobert cocked an eyebrow. "You thought that I don't know anything about warfare; you forget that I was raised a knight, Guy. I hate bloodshed, but I am a realist… I will take two men with men; this has to be sufficient. Who would you recommend?"

"Take Kai with you if he has not been given another task; he is a good man… and maybe Elis..." Guy answered after a pause. "I know that you don't like to hear this, but you should take a knife with you, just to be on the safe side."

Rhobert didn't reply, but his face had darkened. "I told Griffin one of the reasons I liked you being my friend is that you don't fuss about me. Darn! Does anybody take me seriously?" Rhobet's laugh was rather strained and Guy realised that he had hurt his friend.

"I know very well that you detest violence but that you are able to defend yourself," Guy replied. "I remember only too well your fist hitting my chin or my ribs at the fist fights Lord Rhys ordered us to do. This is why I think it is better for you to defend yourself than relying on the men who will accompany you, even if they are able warriors." He pulled a dagger out of his belt. "It is not as precious a dagger as you gave me, but I have him made for you."

Carefully, Rhobert reached for the dagger. By now, he knew Guy well enough to know that although his friend was not inapt with words, he didn't deal well with expressing his feelings. This gift was his expression of friendship. "I thank you, Guy, and I will always treasure it."

"You shan't treasure it, you shall use it if necessary," Guy said gruffly as if he felt embarrassed for being thanked, and got up. "I have to go, Robert; take care. I will watch over Gwyneth."

It was only a short ceremony the next morning, a little crowd was standing near the little chapel after mass. Guy had stood a few yards from the altar and had watched his friend and the young woman he would marry soon, transfixed. 'I wish you happiness…you deserve it….'

The chaplain called Rhobert and Gwyneth forward and Lord Rhys took his daughters hand placing it into her fiancé's hand. Gwyneth didn't seem to perceive her surroundings. Her small hand was trembling slightly until she felt his caressing thumb on her palm. Much too soon it was over. The chaplain spoke a prayer; Gwyneth and Rhobert pledged loyalty to each other and after a blessing and a kiss they were dismissed.

There was an atmosphere of departure in the castle and the betrothal of Lord Rhys's daughter with one of his advisors was not of real consequence. So the crowd dissipated rather quickly. Gwyneth and Rhobert were glad not to be the centre of interest any longer; it was time to say farewell. A long and deep was anything they could share for now. Rhobert's mount had already been saddled and his men were standing by their horses, ready to leave any moment.

Guy lifted his hand to say good bye and Rhobert's lips brushed Gwyneth's hand, and then he was riding off and she was looking after him. She blinked and tried to suppress her tears, when she heard Captain Morgan's slurring voice behind her back. "You have to be a monk to take such a woman as your wife, to be sure."

Gwyneth stiffened, but before she could react, she heart a cry of pain and when she turned around, she saw Morgan lying on the ground, his face contorted. His lips were split and blood was running from a corner of his mouth.

Guy was looming over Morgan and glared at him, his eyes filled with rage. He spat in the man's face and then addressed Gwyneth.

"It would be an honour for me to accompany you, my lady," he said and offered her his hand.