The Wanderer
by BynWho
Disclaimer: This is a work of fanfic for entertainment purposes only. All characters and plots from the BBC show Merlin belong to the BBC. All other characters and plots belong to BynWho. No copyright infringement is intended.
Summary: Marian and Gwaine travel to Sir Gromer's estate, stopping to rest at the castle of a brutish Lord who has secrets of his own. Gwaine duels with the Lord to protect the life of the only woman he's ever loved.
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The Wedding of Marian Ragnell
After an hour spent collecting their things and brushing down the horses, Marian and Gwaine made their way to Bertilak's castle, Gromer joining them at the entryway. The three were led to the guest wing by Lady Penelope. Marian watched as Gromer walked ahead, in step with Penelope, with an occasional brush of her hand with his. She elbowed Gwaine and nodded toward them.
Gwaine's brow creased when he saw Gromer move a fraction closer to Penelope. It was obvious the fop was in love with her, so why was he so intent on marrying Marian? Gromer was insufferable with Marian, constantly making a fool of himself and pissing Gwaine off. But with Penelope, he seemed soft and a bit shy.
When they arrived at the corridor that housed three bedchambers, Penelope took her leave. Gromer stared after her until she rounded the corner and then went to the first door, turning to address Marian. "My darling, take the room next to—"
"Me," Gwaine interrupted, intending to take the middle room and ushering Marian to the last door.
"I am tiring of this, Sir Gwaine. Marian is… is…" Gromer trailed off when Gwaine walked over to him and stood mere inches away. He swallowed and quickly backtracked. "M-Marian can stay where she wants. That's what I meant to say. Of course…"
"Of course," Gwaine repeated and then went to walk Marian to her door.
Marian made sure Gromer was in his room before she reached for the door handle to her chamber.
Gwaine grabbed her hand to stop her. "Wait, I want to make sure there isn't any danger."
"Be my guest," she said as she waved him by.
He walked into the room, scanning for anything out of place. There was a bathtub of warm water and next to the tub sat several tinctures and oils to scent the bathwater. He cautiously opened the bottles and sniffed. The one that smelled of rose caught his attention and he smiled softly as he reached over to the tub and dipped his hand in.
"No poison, then?" she asked, amused.
He chuckled. "Just making sure. I wouldn't want Sir Gromer to lose his bride before the wedding."
"Very funny."
"What can I say? Teasing you brings me more and more joy every day."
She walked into the room and lightly smacked his arm. "Hey, you can't tease me. I'm gonna be a fucking lady someday."
"Not with that mouth." Though they were just poking fun at one another, he was still terrified he wouldn't be able to keep Marian safe from Gromer… or Bertilak. He wouldn't be able to bear it. Wanting to distract himself, he continued to look around the room
The bed had a green silk gown with silver embroidery and matching ribbons laid out on it. Gwaine grinned when he caught sight of the elegant dress, eager to see her in it. Marian had never worn such a fancy gown in all the time he'd known her and he thought the color would set off her eyes beautifully. As he passed the bed, he rubbed the sleeve of the dress between his fingers. It was soft and pleasing.
He walked over to the curtains and looked behind them. Finding nothing, he opened the wardrobe and the drawers of the cabinet on the far wall. The last place he checked was underneath the bed. "All clear, milady," he said, bowing to her.
She smiled and curtseyed. "Thank you, Sir Knight."
"I'll be right outside the door while you bathe and dress." He gestured to the tub and gave her a playful wink. "Call me if you need help scrubbing your back."
Marian rolled her eyes at him. "Goodbye, Gwaine."
After he left to guard her room, she undressed and stepped into the warm bath. Her muscles loosened as she settled. Reaching over the tub, she picked up the oils and tinctures to decide which one she wanted to use. There was a pungent-smelling lavender and another that she didn't recognize, but it smelled of moss. The last bottle was the one Gwaine had sniffed the longest. She picked it up to hold under her nose. Rose. Marian poured it liberally into her bathwater and sat back to relax.
When she finished her bath and washed her hair, she stood to dry herself by the fireplace. After she was dry, she wrapped herself in a towel and cracked the door. "I'm done if you want to go bathe," she said to Gwaine.
"If you insist."
Marian wrinkled her nose at him and sniffed. "Oh, I do insist."
"That bad, eh?" Gwaine laughed as he went down the corridor and into his chamber.
Marian sat by the fire to dry her hair. This trip had been nothing like she'd imagined. She'd hoped that Gromer would be appalled by her attitude and actions. But every crass remark or protest to marriage seemed to bolster his resolve. Gwaine had done his best to intimidate Gromer, for which Marian was grateful. However, it didn't seem to work either.
Gwaine. That was another problem for her. The more she tried to resist him, the more she felt. Running away from her feelings for him is practically impossible when they are together so often. He was the perfect choice to escort her, but damn, it was near torture. Though she was sure Gwaine had volunteered for the job, she had the tiniest of inklings that Arthur did this on purpose. He'd been dropping hints about them for over a year now, so she wouldn't put it past him to put them together.
She shook her thoughts away and went to the bed to grab the dress laid out for her. The dress was lovely and green. The neckline highlighted the swell of her breasts, and the sleeves ended in long, luxurious bells that gracefully fell to the floor. Next to the dress was a silver belt, which she fastened around her hips.
Her hair was a completely different matter. She knew how to style it in a braid or put it up off her neck, but she had no clue how to fix it into the fancy hairdos Gwen used to do. Marian fumbled with one of the green ribbons she had found as she tried to tie it up into what was supposed to be a bun. It was a bit lopsided and small bits fell out around her face. She sighed when she looked into the mirror. "It'll have to do."
When Marian left her chamber, she realized she had no idea where the dining hall was in the castle. Suddenly, she heard Gromer and panicked.
Shit.
His annoying voice was getting closer, so Marian ducked into the nearest room. Gwaine's room. As she closed the door with a quiet click, she heard a splash of water and turned around.
"Marian!" Gwaine called out as he quickly covered himself. He was standing in the tub, stark naked, water dripping from his long hair down his muscled body, both hands covering his manhood.
She blushed as she turned her back. There was Gwaine in all his glory, and she'd gotten a quick but thorough look before he'd covered himself. She grinned wickedly. Tit for tat.
"What the hell are you doing here?"
She moved back from the door and turned her head to whisper over her shoulder. "Be quiet! Gromer is right out there, and he's looking for me!"
He stepped out of the water and pulled a towel around his lower half. As she turned around, a loud bang on the door startled them both.
Still dripping wet, Gwaine whispered in her ear. "Quick, behind the curtain."
She had just enough time to hide before he opened the door. Gromer tried to barge in, but Gwaine leaned across the doorframe and blocked him. "Something I can help you with, Gromer?"
The fop sputtered for a second before answering. "Where's Marian?"
"I've no idea," Gwaine said as he shifted, making himself appear taller than he was.
Sir Gromer took one last look over Gwaine's shoulder, satisfied that Marian wasn't there. "Fine, I shall go see if she is with Lady Penelope." He turned and left, with Gwaine smirking after him.
Gwaine closed the door as Marian came out from behind the curtain and he smiled as he walked over to her. Standing close, he took in her appearance.
"You look… exquisite," he said as he ran his fingers down the soft silk of her sleeve.
She felt the warmth of his touch through the thin material and swallowed hard. He was making it difficult to resist him, especially when he was wearing nothing but a towel. And damn him, even after a bath, he still smelled of leather and musk.
She took a deep breath and opened her mouth to say something just as there was a much softer knock at his door. Marian hid back behind the curtain, and Gwaine went to open the door. Rather than Gromer standing there, Lady Penelope greeted him.
Though Penelope blushed when she saw Gwaine in nothing but his towel, she had a pained look on her face. "May I come in?" she asked in a calm voice. She didn't wait for his answer. Instead, she pushed past him.
"What can I do for your ladyship?"
Penelope turned to face him. With a determined look, she rushed forward and slammed her lips to his. The force of her kiss knocked Gwaine back against the wall.
When Marian didn't hear an answer, she peeked around the curtain and gasped as she saw Penelope kissing Gwaine, his hands in the air. She caught his eye as he reached down and pushed Penelope back. Marian swiftly turned away, pressed herself against the wall, and closed her eyes. She took a steadying breath. Her heart broke at the sight of Gwaine kissing another woman. Though she knew she had no right to be upset, she couldn't help the jealousy and resentment she felt. They weren't sweethearts, and he was free to be with anyone he liked. Besides, it's not like he kissed Penelope. He looked as uncomfortable about it as she was. But why was she feeling this way, then?
"My lady, you can't go around kissing strange men," he tried to reason with her. When she moved forward to kiss him again, he pushed her back. "Especially not me."
Penelope did her best to pout. "Why not? My husband doesn't have to know, and neither does Sir Gromer or Marian. It can be our secret! You are too handsome for me to ignore, Sir Gwaine." She tried again to kiss him.
Gwaine held up his hands between them. "I'm flattered, my lady. Truly, I am. But my heart belongs to another."
"I apologize, Sir Gwaine. I did not know." Penelope backed away quickly toward the door, a look of relief washing over her face.
Gwaine shook his head. "It is nothing, my lady. I beg you, don't even think on it."
"Thank you," she squeaked as she opened the door and quickly disappeared.
When the door had closed, Gwaine turned around and sighed. He walked over to the curtain and pulled it back. Marian had one eyebrow raised with her arms crossed and her lips pursed.
"Do women just throw themselves at you wherever you go?"
"It wasn't my fault. I can't help it if women find me irresistible."
"Uh-huh," Marian said as she walked past him and to the door. "I'll see you downstairs for supper, loverboy."
As she left, Gwaine turned to his reflection in the mirror across the room. "Loverboy?"
He shrugged it off and went to put on the green tunic that had been set out for him. "Huh, loverboy." He chuckled while pulling the tunic over his head and wondered what Marian had meant by that.
Once everyone had made it to the dining hall, supper was served. Lord Bertilak sat in his rightful place at the head of the table. To his right sat his wife, Lady Penelope, and then Gwaine. To the lord's left sat Sir Gromer and then Marian.
The servants brought in a lavish meal. There was a roasted pig, Cornish hens, mutton, fish, hard and soft cheeses, loaves of bread, roasted vegetables, and an assortment of exotic fruits. The servants served wine in silver goblets, ensuring they were never half-empty. It looked as if they spared no expense. Lord Bertilak picked up a bowl and pulled one of the fruits from it. He threw it into his enormous mouth and smacked his lips as he chewed open-mouthed.
"Here, Marian, you won't have had this before. It's a delicacy from the southern deserts called a dried phoenix fruit," he said as he passed the bowl to Sir Gromer, who held it out to Marian.
She picked up one of the small brown fruits and examined it. "Oh, a date! I love these!" she said without thinking and popped the sweet fruit into her mouth. Her eyes closed as she chewed the delicious fruit and swallowed. Gwaine looked at her, surprised, and wondering how she would've known about a southern desert fruit if she was from the west, beyond the seas.
Lord Bertilak's expression darkened as he barked out a laugh. "Huh, the lass is full of surprises, then. Tell me, where are you from?"
Marian realized her mistake too late. "Um… I'm from beyond the Great Seas of Meredor." She struggled to remember what she'd told Gwaine of her past, careful to not contradict her story. She internally kicked herself. Dates were rare and exotic in this time, a fact she had forgotten.
"Are you now?" Bertilak leaned forward. "I've many ships out that way, and none have come across any lands beyond the islands." He bore his eyes into her, waiting for any sign of a lie.
Marian tried to shake the sudden feeling of drunkenness from her head. "Oh, my family's ancestral land is well beyond the islands, my lord. It, uh, took a long time to arrive here."
Bertilak's eyebrow arched. "And they have the phoenix tree beyond the Great Seas, do they?"
Marian looked around the table. No one was eating. Instead, everyone directed their attention solely on her. She caught Gwaine's eye, pleading for help, but he only gave her a small shrug.
"Well, I guess. We call them date palms. It… it might not be exactly the same thing, but the fruit is very similar."
Bertilak leaned over the table. "Have you ever been south, lass? You're not a Southron spy, are you?"
This time, Gwaine spoke up, no longer able to watch Marian squirm under Bertilak's stare. "There are many things beyond the Great Seas that are a mystery to those of us in Camelot. I can assure you, Lord Bertilak, that she speaks the truth. I have known the lady for many years now. She is no spy."
Marian silently mouthed a small thank you to Gwaine, who nodded in return.
"Yes, well. We can't be too careful, can we?" Despite Gwaine's assurance, Bertilak couldn't shake his feeling of uneasiness. The Lady Morgana had told him to make sure Marian never left his castle, but she'd said nothing of an escort. Which is why he was going to enjoy dispatching Gwaine. The turn of events would be something he needed to discuss later in the night.
The rest of the supper was spent listening to stories of Lord Bertilak's many battles. With full bellies and having drunk lots of delicious wine, Gwaine and Marian were both beginning to relax. Marian listened to Sir Gromer as he recounted the tedious tales of his days in service to Lord Bayard with some interest, but several times she felt his foot brush against her own. It was so quick that she couldn't tell if it was intentional or not. She fidgeted and turned often enough that Gwaine had noticed and spoke up.
"Are you alright, Marian?" he asked. "You look like you have ants in your dress."
"Yes, I'm well," she said tightly as she attempted to keep Gromer's attention elsewhere.
Gwaine smirked, and with wine relaxing him perhaps too much, he wagged his eyebrows at her. "If you need help removing the ants, I can certainly—OW!"
Marian stomped on his foot under the table to get him to shut up.
The others looked at Gwaine. "Are you alright, Sir Gwaine?" Lady Penelope asked.
Marian had a smug look on her face as she smiled. "Yes, Sir Gwaine, are you alright?"
Gwaine scowled at her, then turned to Penelope. "I am well, my lady. It's just an old injury flaring up. My foot was trodden on by an enormous horse," he said, pointedly looking at Marian.
"An enormous horse, did you say?" Marian asked with narrowed eyes.
"The back end of an enormous horse, actually," he told her. He jumped and groaned in pain again as Marian stomped on his other foot.
Attempting to deflect from the awkward conversation, Sir Gromer turned to Marian. "I was looking for you earlier."
She feigned a pleasant smile. "I was in search of Lady Penelope, Sir Gromer."
Penelope flinched when Bertilak deliberately dropped his fork on the floor. "Oh! But I was with Sir Gwaine in his chambers," she said. The entire dinner party stopped what they were doing and looked between Lady Penelope and Gwaine. Marian rolled her eyes. This would not go well for them.
"You were WHAT?" Lord Bertilak bellowed at his wife.
Gwaine looked at the lord with wide eyes. "It's not what you think!"
Marian thought she imagined the pained expression on Penelope's face.
"He was just out of his bath, dripping and naked, and I could not help myself," Penelope said with almost no emotion.
Bertilak fumed, and his face reddened in anger.
The wine had finally caught up with Marian, the buzz breaking down any inhibitions and making her thoughts fuzzy. "Jesus, nothing happened."
"And how would you know, lass?" Bertilak asked, never turning his angry gaze from Gwaine.
Marian laughed, making what she was about to say ten times worse. "I was there, my lord, behind the window curtain. I saw the whole thing."
"And I'm to trust the word of an admitted harlot?" Bertilak now directed his anger at her.
"Excuse me?" Marian raised her voice. "Did you just call me a harlot?"
"You admit to being in a man's chambers. A nude man who is not your husband?"
"I can be in whoever's chambers I want, even if they're nude."
Gwaine shook his head, desperately pleading with her to shut up.
Sir Gromer looked at her in shock. "Marian! I cannot believe that you would… would… he was naked!"
"Oh, get off it, Gromer! You can't possibly still believe that I'm going to marry you, can you?" Marian yelled, fed up with the whole situation.
Infuriated, Gromer sputtered. "You—you have to! Your hand was traded by King Uther!"
"Uther's dead, Gromer," Gwaine cut in. "The lady doesn't belong to you."
Gromer stood. "And I suppose you think she belongs to you, do you? Oh, don't deny it, sir! I see the way you look at her all… possessively! I heard Lord Agravaine the other day! Sweetheart was the word he used, though I think manipulation of a young lady is more apt, wouldn't you say?"
"Now just a minute!" Gwaine yelled as he, too, stood.
"This will be the last time you steal another man's property, Knight of Camelot!" Sir Gromer looked around for a glove or something that he could throw down as a challenge. "She will marry me, not you!"
Gwaine was louder than he had meant, his temper getting the better of him. "If she were to marry anyone here, Gromer, it certainly wouldn't be you! Marian deserves a man better than you! She deserves—"
"A Knight of Camelot? Is that what you were going to say? She deserves to marry you?"
"It would be the truth!"
The haziness caused by the wine finally cleared as Marian grew angered by their argument, as they treated her as if she were something to possess. No longer holding back her rage, she stood, her chair banging to the floor, quieting the argument. "Shut up, all of you! I'm not property, and I'm not marrying anyone!"
Gwaine realized then that he had let his jealousy and, regrettably, his possessiveness take over. "Marian, I'm sorr—"
Penelope's body jerked suddenly as if she had been kicked. "Sir Gwaine kissed me!" she blurted out. An instant look of regret crossed her face when both Sir Gromer and Gwaine turned to her, mouths open in shock.
"Gwaine!" Bertilak bellowed. He stood so abruptly that his movements jarred the table. "I demand an apology! I demand recompense! Tomorrow at first light!"
He had removed a glove from his pocket and threw it to the ground in front of Gwaine. Everything was going perfectly to plan. He would meet with the witch tonight, and by tomorrow's eve, Sir Gwaine of Camelot would be no more, and Marian Ragnell would never leave Hautdesert.
Marian and Gwaine bolted from the dining hall. With her hand in his, he ran down the corridor to their chambers.
"Gwaine, slow down. You're dragging me!"
He slowed his pace but clung to her. "Marian, listen to me. Lock your door tonight. Don't open it for anyone, not even me."
"There aren't any locks."
Gwaine opened the door and looked, she was right. "Damn."
"I don't think I'm the one in danger tonight, Gwaine. Bertilak was furious with you."
"It's avoiding his wife that I'm more concerned about right now. I don't know what she intended to do. I don't understand why."
"Stay with me, then."
Gwaine shot a look at her. "If you think Gromer was angry earlier…"
"Since when do you give a rat's ass what Gromer thinks? Gwaine, we're both in danger here. We need to stay together. It's not like we've never shared a room before."
He pushed her into the room and followed, closing the door behind him. "You're right."
She looked around and settled on a massive oak chest. "Here, we can move this in front of the door."
After the chest was in place, Gwaine paced while running a hand through his hair. He wondered how they were going to survive this. If Bertilak got the best of him, Marian would surely face being taken to that pig Gromer's manor and forced to marry him. If he won, which was more likely, nothing would stop Gromer and Penelope from exacting revenge. Regardless of the outcome, Marian needed to be prepared to run. First, though, he needed to make amends.
"I'm sorry, for earlier," Gwaine said as he walked up to her and held her hand. "The way Gromer was talking about you as if you had agreed to marry him, as if he owns you, it drives me mad."
Marian sighed and closed her eyes as her thumb caressed his skin. "Gwaine, you have nothing to worry about." She wrapped her arms around him and embraced him. "I won't marry him, no matter what. No one can force me. I'll run far away if I have to," she said with a soft smile.
"We'll run away together, love. Someone has to keep you out of trouble," he chuckled as he held her close, determined to never give her up.
Shelaughed and then pulled out of his arms. The hour was late, and they both needed to get plenty of rest if they were to face the dangers the next day would bring. He walked over to the bed and pulled a blanket from the top.
She stayed his hand. "No, you're going to sleep in the bed."
"Marian, you can't possibly… not after the things I said."
"It'll be fine. We've slept together before." At his smirk, she rolled her eyes. "Oh, you know what I mean. You need your rest, Gwaine. Tomorrow you fight."
She laid her hand on his and looked him in the eye. He wasn't sure what he saw there, but it gave him a warm feeling like he was safe and loved.
She pulled the blanket from his hand and turned down the bed. Picking up her pack, she went to the ornate changing screen on the other side of the room to change.
He sat on the bed and pulled his boots and socks off, thinking back on the day. How in the hell had it come to this? He'd expected a fight but with Gromer rather than this gigantic lord. But he had no choice. He must keep Marian safe.
He stood when he heard her come out from behind the screen and his breath hitched in his chest. She was in one of her usual dresses, but her hair was down, and her shoes were off. Somehow, she glowed when she smiled at him. Forget fine dresses. He thought she looked even lovelier than she had in the silk gown.
"It'll be okay, Gwaine. We'll find a way out of this. We always do," she said as she climbed into bed.
Gwaine lay under the blanket next to her. "I sure hope so, beautiful. Otherwise, you'll be running for your life."
Marian reached over and brushed the hair from his face. "I trust you, Gwaine. With my life."
He held her hand and kissed her knuckles. I love you, he thought. "Goodnight, Marian."
"Goodnight, Gwaine."
They fell asleep, side-by-side, hand-in-hand.
The next day, Gwaine went back to his chamber to change into his chainmail. He had almost finished when Marian knocked on his door, laden with several pieces of plate armor.
"I found these in the armory."
He rushed over and took the heavier pieces from her. They were quiet as she helped him buckle the armor over his chainmail. He watched as she picked up both bracers and attached them to his arm. He gave a slight chuckle when she tightened the leather straps.
"What?"
"Just remembering the last time you buckled armor onto me. We had met only a couple of days before. You couldn't stand me. Arrogant prick, I believe, is what you called me."
"No, that's not true. You were infuriating and insufferable, yes, but you were also risking your life for Merlin and Arthur," she smiled up at him. "Besides, I've come to know you better." She checked the straps holding his breastplate. "We're friends. And… And I… care for you, you know," she admitted when she felt him staring at her. "I'm… very fond of you, Gwaine," she said, refusing to meet his eye.
His heart fluttered, and he stilled her hands with his own. "There is a slight chance that I might die, Marian." She tried to pull away. She didn't want to hear this. "Please." He lifted her chin so she would look at him. "If that happens, don't hesitate to run away. Don't let Gromer take you."
She saw the concern and fear on his face. "Well, that's not going to happen. You're easily the best warrior here."
Gwaine laughed. "You sure know how to stroke a man's ego." Turning serious once more, he looked into her eyes. "I care for you too, Marian." I love you. "I will do everything in my power to keep you safe."
Marian couldn't contain herself any longer. She leaned forward, rising on her toes. Just as their noses came close to touching, she quickly pulled back. "Oh! I almost forgot your good luck charm!"
With a sigh of frustration, Gwaine backed up, giving her space, but his irritation slipped away when she reached behind and untied her hair. It cascaded down her back and over her shoulder in waves. Marian took the green ribbon and tied it around his arm.
Before he could stop himself, he reached out and touched her hair, wrapping a lock of it around his fingers. Its softness and honey-like appearance in the sunlight mesmerized him. As he continued to twist the lock of hair between his fingers, he caught a whiff of apples. He was a man who was desperate and about to face death for the woman he loved. Just as Lancelot had said oh so long ago.
Marian kept silent as he reached out to her. She closed her eyes, enjoying the feeling of his hands in her hair. It was a tender moment that sent butterflies to her stomach. For all of his strength and physical power, he was gentle. She opened her eyes when Gwaine let go of her hair, instantly longing for the connection.
"Ready?" he asked.
It was a cold and overcast day. Gromer and Penelope were already at the field, standing to the side as Gwaine and Marian arrived. Bertilak stood in the middle, large and tall. He wore his regular chainmail, but fastened on top was the shiniest, greenest plate armor either had ever seen.
Marian grabbed Gwaine's arm and pulled him closer. "Oh my god, Gwaine, he's the Green Knight!" she whispered in a panic as she recognized the villain from one of the Arthurian legends.
Gwaine frowned. "What do you mean? The color won't change anything."
"No, Gwaine, this is dangerous. We shouldn't have come. His ax! It's enchanted! Please, let's just go!" she pleaded with him. The outcome of the legend wasn't great for Gwaine, though he survived. Unexpected twists and turns had cropped all during her time in Camelot, so it wouldn't be a guarantee that he'd live this time. Gwaine was definitely in danger.
"You're overreacting to fairytales, Marian. I've fought against battleaxes before, I'll be fine. Don't worry yourself, beautiful," Gwaine said before turning and walking to the field.
Marian ran to catch up with him. "Gwaine, wait!" She grabbed his head and pulled his face to hers, her kiss quick but fierce. "For luck," she said when she pulled back, nearly out of breath.
Gwaine rubbed his thumb over her cheek and then turned back to the field to face his destiny.
As she started forward to follow him again, someone suddenly grabbed her from behind. She was ready to tell Sir Gromer off, but she saw it was Penelope who had a hold on her arm.
"You mustn't go out there, Marian! Bertilak will kill you both if you do!"
"She's right," Gromer said as he came up to Penelope's other side. He closed his eyes with regret. "I should have put a stop to this before it got this far."
The look Marian gave him was dangerous. "What do you mean? Before what got this far?"
Gromer looked between the two women. Penelope gave him a small smile of support. "He met with the Lady Morgana last night. He means to kill Sir Gwaine. Apparently, he's always meant to kill Sir Gwaine. And you."
"Morgana is helping him to kill us?" Marian shook her head in panic.
Penelope turned Marian toward her. "It was a ruse, Marian, don't you see? He-he made me go to Sir Gwaine's chambers to seduce him. He wanted a reason to challenge Sir Gwaine to a fight."
"He made you? You knew?"
Nodding, Penelope lifted the long sleeves of her dress and revealed bruises. Most were older injuries that were turning yellow. But there was a large, blue and purple bruise that encircled her forearm.
Gromer's face fell. "Oh, Pennie. Why didn't you tell me?"
Penelope held her head down. "He threatened to kill you all if I said anything. I couldn't risk it, Gromer. I couldn't let him kill you."
Marian's focus shifted abruptly to the field as the battle began.
Bertilak was slower than Gwaine, but the weight of his ax more than made up for it. Blow after blow landed on Gwaine's sword, causing him to step back. He struggled to block the ax, but he seemed to hold his own. A few times, it looked as if he had gained the upper hand, but all too quickly, Bertilak's ax would knock him back.
Marian watched in horror as the ax came down on Gwaine's left shoulder and she screamed as he fell to his knees. Penelope grabbed ahold of her hand, pulling her back as she tried to rush onto the field. Bertilak raised his ax over Gwaine and prepared to strike him down.
"Gwaine!" Marian cried out.
With resignation, he looked over at her, prepared to die. He watched as the wind blew her hair into her face and her skirts around her legs while she stood as still as a statue, her eyes wide in fear. He saw her pained look as they both realized that this was the end.
Gwaine thought about what his life would have been had he not met Marian. He would have likely continued gambling and drinking his way across the kingdoms, never settling, never fulfilling a higher purpose. Instead, he would have been consumed by resentment and loneliness. He smiled softly as he thanked the powers that be for her coming into his life, however brief a time it had been.
She never said it, but he could feel that she loved him in her own way. She always made sure he was safe. The way she listened when he couldn't stop talking. The small touches, the secret smiles. The way she looked at him when she thought he couldn't see her.
A joy that started in his heart grew outward. Suddenly, as if his body finally realized that he needed to live for her, for his Marian, Gwaine found the strength to lift his sword to block the ax.
Bertilak pressed down but it wouldn't budge. Gwaine cried out in pain and fury as he stood, lifting the ax away from his body. He pushed with all of his might, and Bertilak, stumbled backward, losing his grip on his weapon. Once it had fallen to the ground, Gwaine plunged the blade of his sword into Bertilak's gut.
Shocked, Bertilak looked from the sword sticking out from his belly to the man wielding it. "How?" he asked, blood dripping from his mouth.
Gwaine yanked his sword from Bertilak and watched as he fell to the ground, dead.
As Gwaine dropped back to his knees, Marian ran out and caught him before he collapsed. "Gwaine?"
His left shoulder was bleeding, the blood staining the ends of the green ribbon around his arm. The cut didn't look too deep, nothing that needle and thread couldn't fix, but the blood continued to pour.
"Hello, beautiful," he said as he reached up and lightly ran his hand down her cheek.
She grabbed it and held it to her chest as his eyes rolled back into his head, and he went limp in her arms. She turned back to Gromer and Penelope. "Help me!"
Gromer and Penelope rushed out on the field and Gromer gasped when he saw the blood oozing down Gwaine's armor. He was taken aback by the fact that Penelope, sweet and docile Penelope, didn't even flinch. Instead, she took charge, her voice authoritative and full.
"Let's get him to the castle. Gromer, you carry Sir Gwaine to his chambers and we'll follow."
He nodded and bent to lift Gwaine over his shoulder, no thought to how the blood would stain his fine clothes. They didn't turn back to look at the dead lord. None of them gave his corpse a second thought as they went inside and up to the guest wing. The morning sky had suddenly clouded over. Small, cold drops of water clinked on the dead man's armor as the rain poured down. Lord Bertilak was forgotten as Mother Nature washed his sins away.
Gromer laid Gwaine down on his bed and stepped back. This wasn't what he wanted. He only thought to keep Gwaine away from Marian, not to kill him. Truth be told, he didn't actually want that. Marian had caught his eye on his first trip to Camelot, and after Uther offered her as part of the treaty, Gromer jumped at the idea, believing he had no other options for a wife. Even Lord Bayard agreed with the treaty as it would mean Gromer would start a family and finally be out of his hair. If he was only settling for Marian, though, why was he so adamant about loving her? Did he love her? Deep down, Gromer knew that his heart belonged to Penelope, but she was already taken. Everything Gromer did to try to win over Marian was only a stroke to his ego, not his heart.
"Let's get all this off of him. I need to see the wound," Marian said as she reached for the leather straps holding the breastplate.
With the three of them working quickly, they were able to remove both the plate armor and chainmail in record time. Marian held Gwaine's torso up as she maneuvered the armor padding and tunic off of his body, while Gromer removed the knight's boots.
Penelope drew a quick breath when she saw the cut on Gwaine's shoulder.
"That's no ordinary cut," Marian said as she ran her fingers along the green lines that spread out from the wound. The color followed his veins, up to his neck and down toward his heart.
"That green ribbon is all that stood between Sir Gwaine and death, I believe," Gromer said.
Marian looked up at him. "What?"
Overwhelmed with shame, Gromer broke. "This is my fault."
"What do you mean?"
"When I told Lord Bertilak of my plans to bring a wife from Camelot, he persuaded me to stop over on my way back. I thought he wanted to celebrate my upcoming nuptials but I guess I was wrong. The brute was gleeful when he learned Sir Gwaine was one of King Arthur's knights. I…" Gromer closed his eyes and sighed. "I asked him to get Sir Gwaine out of the way so that we could be married but I didn't think he'd try to murder him."
"How did you know about the green saving his life, Gromer?" Penelope asked.
He couldn't look at either woman. "Bertilak told me right before the duel. It is an enchanted ax that would be dangerous but cannot penetrate green armor. That's how Bertilak could ensure he wasn't injured while wielding it."
Marian's eyes snapped to him. "You knew about the ax?" she yelled.
"I tried to convince him not to use it but he wouldn't listen. I'm so very sorry, Marian. I should have said something before."
"Yes, you should have. But right now, healing Gwaine is my only concern." Since her magic would be the only way to completely heal him, and of course it was outlawed, she needed to keep up the pretense that it was the herbs that had healed him, so she sent Penelope and Gromer for supplies while she ascertained just how bad Gwaine's wound was.
After they left the room, Marian knelt beside the bed. Gwaine opened his eyes "Taking charge, love?" he asked, his voice soft.
She gently brushed the hair from his face. He was burning up and sweating, but his body shivered. "Always," she smiled at him as she reached down and pulled the blanket up to cover him.
He grabbed her hand in his and brought it to his lips. "Don't tell anyone it was an old, fat man that killed me. I have a reputation, you know," he chuckled. The laughter soon turned into pained coughs.
"You're not going to die, you dolt," she said while running her fingers softly across his cheek. "You can't get away from me that easily."
"Marian, I feel it. I feel the magic working on me. It… it burns," he said before he closed his eyes and fell unconscious.
She bent low and kissed his lips. She wouldn't let him die. She would rather risk everything than lose him. "I will save you, Gwaine. I promise you."
Thankfully, Penelope and Gromer quickly returned to the chamber with the requested items in hand. Penelope helped Marian cut up the King's Wart while Gromer went to work, crushing the willow bark with the mortar and pestle.
Marian mixed a small amount of water with the King's Wart and made a paste that she slathered over Gwaine's ax wound. His labored breathing slowed to deep, full breaths and his knitted brow relaxed. After she wrapped his shoulder in a bandage, she mixed the rest of the paste with the willow bark water, and then poured it into his mouth.
"That's all I can do for now. We'll have to wait until this evening to see if he improves."
"Do you want us to stay with you?" Penelope asked.
"No, it's best if he's left to rest. I'll stay with him."
Nodding, Penelope and Gromer left the room, leaving Marian and Gwaine alone. Marian went to the door and watched for them to disappear before closing it behind her. She rushed over to Gwaine and climbed onto the other side of the bed and laid on her side to face him.
"I can do this," she muttered placing her right hand on his bare chest, over his heart. With her other between them, she grasped his hand and held it to her own chest over her heart.
She closed her eyes and concentrated on her feelings for him. Having never healed something this grave, she hoped and prayed that her feelings for Gwaine would somehow strengthen her power. She smiled as she felt warm affection for the knight. His endearing goofiness and his flirtations crossed her mind. She thought about how his actions, repeatedly risking his life to protect her, meant that he cared for her deeply. She thought about his smile and how he only smiled that way for her. She concentrated on the feeling she had when he smiled at her. That was it. That was the feeling she needed.
Marian felt the warmth in her hands grow as she spoke the ancient spell. "Ic þe þurhhæle þin licsare mid þam sundorcræftas þære ealdaþ æ!"
She opened her eyes and watched as a golden light enveloped them both. Suddenly, a sharp pain bit at her left shoulder and a small line of blood beaded on her dress. The pain vanished, and Marian felt feverish. The veins around her shoulder burned. Shivering, she scooted a little closer to Gwaine for warmth. At her touch, he breathed in a deep breath, completely relaxing when the pain left his body. As the golden light waned, she closed her eyes again, allowing sleep to take her.
It wasn't long before Gwaine awoke. The last thing he remembered was lying in pain as Marian told him that he wasn't going to die. He looked down at his chest and saw a slender, pale hand resting on his hard muscles. With Marian cuddled close to him, her head resting on his shoulder, he laid his hand over hers, his thumb caressing her skin.
What a way to die, he thought to himself, grinning.
As he removed his other hand from between them, he realized he wasn't in pain anymore, he wasn't going to die after all. He wrapped his arm around her and rested his hand on her hip, pulling her closer. Not only was he not in any pain, but he felt better than he had in weeks.
He looked over at the bandage on his shoulder and sniffed. It smelled strongly of King's Wart. Gwaine smiled. She had healed him with the plant he had introduced her to long ago. He leaned down and kissed the top of her head, losing himself in the scent of her hair. For the first time in days, he was peaceful and content. His smile grew when he sensed Marian beginning to stir.
Marian tensed when she woke up but quickly relaxed again when she saw Gwaine's thumb caressing her knuckles. She tried to sit up, but she realized she didn't have the energy to move. Whatever spell it was that Morgana had used certainly packed a punch. She lifted her head and saw that he was awake and looking back at her. "Hello," she said softly.
"Hello, beautiful."
"How are you feeling? Any pain?"
"I feel like I could take on an entire army of dragons. You're a talented healer, Marian."
She grinned at him. The tiredness she now felt as a result of healing him was well worth it. "I know I should get up, but I just can't yet. Do you mind if we lay here for a minute?"
"Not at all. But I dare say Gromer will have my head if he catches us like this."
"I don't think you have to worry about that anymore."
"Oh?"
"Let's just say that Gromer and Pennie have been rather close today."
"Has he finally seen sense, then?"
"I think he's always wanted her, not me. Thank god." She took a deep breath, urging her strength to return. "Penelope was forced to try to seduce you, and when Gromer saw the injuries she had from Bertilak, it looked like his heart shattered."
"And does the lady return his affection?"
She thought for a moment before replying. "I think so. She's so reserved, it's hard to tell. But she seemed genuinely sorry for her part in everything."
"It makes one wonder how she could have done what she did. Why didn't she tell anyone about Bertilak's abuse?"
Marian's breath hitched in her throat, remembering that pig of a boyfriend she used to have. "Sometimes, a person can be manipulated into thinking that they deserve it. They want to leave, but never find the courage to walk away."
"I can't imagine you without courage, love."
Tears stung her eyes, but she wouldn't let them fall. "I was a coward, Gwaine. It may have been understandable from the outside, but I hate who I was before."
He held her closer. "Don't hate yourself, Marian. You weren't a coward then and you aren't one now. You did leave, and that speaks for itself."
"At first it was just words. Convincing me I was unlovable and nothing. That no one else would want me and I should be grateful he was with me. But the day after he hit me for the first time I saw my reflection. The bruising on my face, the tired eyes, the frown. When I passed the mirror, I thought it had been my mother, but it wasn't. It was my own reflection. So I did what she couldn't. I left."
"And you came to Camelot?"
"Not at first. I found work in a different… village, and I moved out there, away from him."
"Why did you travel across the seas, then?"
"It wasn't by choice. I was brought here."
"And will you try to return home?" Gwaine asked, worry in his voice. In truth, he desperately wanted her to remain in Camelot with him, but should she want to go home, he would do everything in his power to help her.
Marian closed her eyes. "That's what I'm afraid of—returning home." She sniffed as she tried to hold back tears. It was precisely that fear that was controlling her life. She thought that if she didn't have that hanging over her head, she would be free to confess her feelings to Gwaine, free to live her life how she wanted.
Though he didn't understand why she was afraid to return home, he comforted her as best he could, planting a soft kiss on the top of her head. He leaned back some and reached over to cup her face, his thumb caressing her cheek.
She put all of her fears aside and leaned in, placing her lips on his. The kiss was soft and timid. She glided over his mouth, relishing the feel of him. He was safety and comfort and love and desire, everything that her previous lovers hadn't been. He was everything that she missed from home. He was her home.
Before she gave in to her desire for him, she broke their kiss to look at him, but his expression was unreadable. Her eyes grew wide when she realized what she'd done. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. I shouldn't have done that."
Gwaine's heart broke just a little at her words. "It's alright, sweetheart. It's been a difficult day." He wasn't exactly sure how he was supposed to feel. Though he savored the kiss, her words were tinged with regret. So, he put it aside, and only in his deepest dreams would he remember the sweet kiss Marian gave him.
After their kiss, Marian had fallen back to sleep and when she woke up alone in Gwaine's chamber, she discovered that the sun had already set and the room was bathed in soft candlelight. A blanket had been pulled up over her as she lay in the middle of the bed. As she was getting up, she heard Gwaine and Gromer outside the door.
"Tell me, Sir Gwaine. In your vast experience, what is it that women desire most?"
Gwaine didn't hesitate to answer. "Well, each woman is different, I suppose. To be loved and respected. To her be own person, have sovereignty over her own life, to be in control of her fate, to make her own choices, not have them made for her."
Marian's heart dropped to her stomach as she listened to the conversation. Sovereignty, he had said. Just like in the legend of the Loathly Lady. Was she supposed to be the Loathly Lady in the story? She had called herself a hag after all but there was no curse. Except… there was—Nimueh's curse. It's just another twist to the legends, vague and unreliable.
She was lost in her thoughts when Gwaine entered the room. Carrying a tray of food and a couple of cups, he entered the room dressed in his tunic and trousers.
"Ah, you're awake!" he greeted her with a wide smile. "I thought you might be hungry. I'm starving!"
She walked over to the table where the food sat. "Gwaine, about earlier… I'm sorry—" he quieted her by placing a finger over her lips.
"Don't worry yourself, beautiful. We both needed comfort. It's forgotten."
"Thank you." For just a fraction of a second, a sad look crossed his face and she regretted her words.
He quickly brightened, and picked up one of the cups, handing it to her. "Here, try this. It's Lord Bertilak's oldest vintage. Least he can do since he tried to kill me."
"Oh wow! That is good! Too bad the bastard isn't alive to enjoy it anymore."
The next morning, they readied themselves to start the journey back to Camelot.
Marian grinned when she met Gwaine in the corridor. "You're keeping it?" Marian asked as she pointed to the green blood-stained ribbon tied around his arm.
"For luck," he chuckled. "And to remind me that you care for me." He leaned in to kiss her brow. Smiling at her, he turned and headed down the stairs. Marian followed him down, blushing to think that her words had affected him like that.
Once they reached the bottom, they were met by Sir Gromer and Lady Penelope, who had wound her arm through Gromer's. "Surely, you're not leaving. Not yet."
"I'm afraid so, Gromer. I promised Arthur that we'd be back well before the Feast of Beltane and traveling with Marian slows down the journey," Gwaine said with a smirk.
Marian nudged him in the side. "Very funny."
Once they left the warmth of the castle, Penelope motioned for the stable lads to bring Gwaine and Marian their horses. She stepped forward as they were tying their bags to the saddle.
Finding it difficult to look them in the eye, she wrapped her arm in Gromer's and with his hand on hers, she found the strength to apologize. "Sir Gwaine, Marian. I am very sorry for my part in the events that transpired. I felt trapped. I… I was too much of a coward to…"
"Think nothing of it, my lady. You and Sir Gromer will always be friends to Camelot," Gwaine said.
Intent on lightening the mood, Gromer spoke. "Oh, I wish you could stay. There is to be a wedding! Pennie… er, Lady Penelope, that is, has consented to be my wife!"
Gwaine clapped Gromer on the back with such force that the poor man took two steps forward. "Wonderful news, Gromer!"
Marian stepped up beside Penelope and leaned in to whisper. "So soon?"
"I never loved Lord Bertilak, and he treated me very poorly, indeed. I don't feel any need to mourn him. Is that terrible of me?"
Marian gave her a tender smile and shook her head. "No, not at all."
"As it turns out, I'm in love! Sir Gromer asked me what I wanted to do now that I am free. He asked what choice would I make. No one has ever asked me what I wanted. And I told him I would be with him if he'd have me." Penelope smiled as she looked at Gromer with a sweet fondness only a person in love could give.
"Wise man," Gwaine said with a smirk as they mounted their horses. It was heartening to see the man take his advice. And even more so that he had given up his desire to marry Marian.
Gromer beamed. "Well, in any case, you two are always welcome here. It'll be a fine day when we can see our friends again, Sir Gwaine and his Dame Ragnell!"
Marian gasped. It was the story of the Loathly Lady—The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnelle. She looked up at Gwaine, unsure of what to think and how to feel about the revelation.
"You ready, beautiful?"
She nodded.
"Let's get you back home, Dame Ragnell."
Her heart beat faster as they took off on their way back to Camelot. Days alone with Gwaine. God help her.
Spells (a rough translation from the Merlin Wiki at merlin dot fandom dot com):
Ic þe þurhhæle þin licsare mid þam sundorcræftas þære ealdaþ æ! - I heal you thoroughly from your mortal wound with those special powers that are ancient! Oh!
