"Your people are lucky to have a brave Lady like yourself." Gwain said on their way back to Lilly's chambers. "Thank you. It's what any lord would have done. My parents never show it, but I know they secretly wished I had been a boy. That's why my father let me train." Lilly said. "I'm sure you're mistaken. I know they are perfectly happy with you being their daughter." Gwain answered. Lilly just gave him a feint smile. "I guess you're right." Gwain stopped and leaned in slightly to whisper something. "I'm always right." That made Lilly genuinly laugh. "Sir Gwaine, telling half truths again?" A voice came from behind. Lilly turned around to see Sir Elyan as the source. "I don't know what you're talking about Elyan." Gwain answered with failing look of innocence. "I seem to recall many occasions where you have been terribly wrong my friend." Elyan was walking closer with a challenging look on his face. "I assume the two of you have shared many adventures then?" Lilly asked. "Indeed." Sir Elyan said laughing, patting Gwaine on his back. "I would love to hear the stories, but I'm quite tired. Maybe over dinner? Or on our way to my father's castle?" Lilly suggested. Gwaine was more than happy for an opportunity to keep Elyan from sharing embarrassing stories, and led Lilly away. Giving Elyan one last glare.
"Whatever he tells you about me, don't believe a word." Gwaine warned Lilly as they had reached her door. "Thanks for the warning." "Have a good rest. Someone will come and bring you supper." "Thanks again. I'll see you tomorrow then." "Until then, lady Lilly." Gwain took a small bow, reached for her hand and kissed it. Lilly tried to surpress a giggle, but failed. "Until then." And he walked away.
Heart pounding in her chest Lilly walked into her own room. "What was that?" She asked herself out loud. This was very unlike herself. Gwain was by far not the first man to try and charm her. But so far it never worked, she alway saw right through all that and was able to stay polite yet distant. Now a stranger had her giggling like some kind of servant girl. She promised herself not to ride with sir Gwaine the next day, only to prevent further moments like that. She couldn't save her family with her head in the clouds, she had to stay focussed.
It didn't take Sir Gwain long the next morning to secure a place next to Lilly. Sir Leon was riding behind them. "You know, you can still ride back to Camelot if you wish my lady. There would be no shame in that." Leon said. "Thank you Sir Leon, but I am perfectly happy to ride with you to save my family." A scrawny boy with dark hair started talking. "If you don't mind me asking, what would you have done if Arthur had refused?" "Shut up Merlin, He would never refuse a call like this." Leon said. "It's aliright, my father made me promise in just in case. If our King had not send troops, I was to stay at Camelot, or somewhere else safe. I had to promise not to go home, he thought it would be too dangerous." "Yet you are riding back to the bandit infested lands." Gwain said with an eyebrow raised. "Yes, but I'm bringing help. So I'm keeping my promise like my mother taught me." Lilly said with a witty smile. Gwaine returned the smile. "Fair enough."
That evening everyone was doing their part to set up camp. Some of the knights were collecting firewood, while Percival war trying to cook dinner. Lilly had noticed what was for dinner that night, and she decided to take charge. She went to pick some tasty herbs and then sat next to Percival. "Try these, they are very tasty in a stew like this." Percival looked at them cautiously. "When I was a young girl I spent many days playing in our herb garden. These are harmless plants, but they do taste nice." She convinced him. Percival threw in the herbs with the rest of the stew.
"Stew tastes great Percival." Sir Elyan commented dureing dinner. "Thanks to Lilly, she found some fresh herbs in the forest." Percival said. "Thank you Lady Lilly, for making Percival's food edible." Arthur thanked her. "My pleasure." Lilly laughed along with the rest of them. When dinner was cleared and washed up Leon suggested to take the first watch so everyone could get some rest. It was getting dark, and animals could be heard all around. Gwain noticed Lilly being slightly frightend. "It's alright, just some forest sounds." He whispered, for no-one else to hear. Lilly sighed. "I know. I usually find a village or a cottage somewhere to spend the night, I rarely sleep out in the open." "You can lay next to me if you want." Gwain suggested. "Thank you." Lilly only mouthed the words, but was enough tto express her gratitude. She layed her blanket next to Gwaine's. "We will keep the lady honourable, won't we Gwain?"Merlin had noticed the two of the mand was now teasing his friend. "You are talking about the old me, Merlin. Before I was knighted." Gwain turned to Lilly. "I am an honourable man now."
It was dark, everyone was asleep but Gwaine and Lilly. They hadn't been talking, or especially looking at each other. Both of them were on their sides, but Lilly was facing away from Gwaine. "What was Merlin talking about?" Curiosity had gotten the better of her, she felt Gwain sigh behind her. "The old me used to try and charm every woman that was walking by, drinking in every tavern I could find, and getting into as much trouble as I could. But that was before I found my purpose. Now I follow Arthur, go wherever he sends me, fight next to him. Living by his code of honour. I am a better man now." Gwaine whispered. Lilly turned around to face him, not saying anything. Then moving closer to him, so he could hold her in her sleep. Gwaine gladly put his arm around her, and then fell asleep smiling.