Jeanne pushed her long hair over her ear and stepped into the pool at the foot of a small waterfall. The chilly water caused goosebumps to run up her body, but instead of shying away as she usually did, she found comfort in it. It had been a few months since she had found this little clearing on one of the days she'd gone exploring with Gawain, and whenever she felt the need to relax, she would go there to bathe; away from the castle and all the busybodies.

   Jeanne submerged herself in the water with her petticoat and her underdress, in case anyone were to pass and catch her. With no more than a sigh, she began the process of destressing. The water dripped from her hair once she emerged from the depths of the pool. She took a deep breath, stretching her arms and rubbing her eyes before she laid back on the water and stared up at the rolling clouds that seemed so fluffy and carefree. She had barely slept that night—a recurring nightmare plagued her in the past few days, but she could never seem to remember it when she awoke. All she could feel was the fear coursing through her veins and radiating heat from her heart.

   "How did you sleep, my lady?"

   Jeanne squealed and dipped back fully in the water, her eyes the only thing that could be seen.

   "Forgive me, I didn't mean to frighten you."

   She scanned the area from where she heard the voice but couldn't seem to find anyone lurking in the bushes. Finally, from the forest emerged Gawain in full armour. He had a cheeky grin on his face, and he winked at her.

   "Well, you did." She grimaced, slightly coming up from the water, but keeping anything below her neck submerged.

   He laughed and took his place on a boulder. "You shouldn't be out here all by yourself. You never know when a wolf might suddenly appear."

   "Yes, well, I can take good care of myself. And you're really the only wolf in the forest anyway."

   Gawain laughed once more. "I have no doubt you can take care of yourself, but I am no wolf. I would peg myself as more of a... fox than anything else, don't you agree, my lady?"

   "A fox? A wolf is the only one appearing when a woman is bathing, I don't think I've seen any foxes around." She raised an eyebrow, her lips stretching into a thin disappointed line.

   He waved his hand as he dismissed the issue. "It's quite alright: you have clothes on. Besides, you're fully submerged, and I have no intention of seeing any more of you than I already am. Though the water does seem refreshing, I'm rather tempted to join you."

   "That would be unseemly. I'd even say it'd be a rather heavy mistake if you decide to."

   "I won't; I simply find it tempting." He laughed as he leaned back on the boulder, running a gloved hand through his bouncy blond hair.

   Jeanne eyed him and pushed her hair back and away from her face. "What are you doing with armour on, wasn't it your day off?" She asked.

   "Well the ladies always fall for the armour, I can't simply go around not wearing it when wearing it garners more attention." He winked. " Though I'd only really appreciate the stare of one woman..."

   Jeanne rolled her eyes. "How did you know I was here? You didn't follow me, did you?"

   He shook his head. "I wanted to clear my head, and I always come here to do so. I had originally wanted to take a dip, but now that the pool's taken, I think I might just settle for a kiss on the cheek."

   Jeanne laughed and shook her head. "Well, you might just have to keep wishing, for it won't be happening today."

   "Really?" Gawain frowned. "I was hoping today would be the day."

   Shaking her head, Jeanne spoke. "Turn around."

   "What?" He furrowed his brows.

   "Turn around; I'm coming out."

   He nodded and did as asked, not standing from the boulder at any point in time as he had seen her clothes were opposite of his pool shore. He heard the rippling water and the splash of her steps as she exited the pool.

   "You know," Gawain spoke, "I'm glad I caught you here, Morgana was asking for you."

   "Was she?" Jeanne slipped out of her wet petticoat and into something dry.

   "She was asking me if you'd like to have tea."

   "Why would she tell you?"

   "She knows I follow you everywhere, like the stars. I'll give her credit, she already knows we're meant to be." He tapped his clothed fingers against the boulder.

   Jeanne finally finished changing. She laughed as she walked towards Gawain. "Really? I don't think so. I'm still focusing on my mission, you're the least of my concerns."

   "Ouch, that hurt." He flinched.

   Coming up behind him, she sat down next to him on the boulder making him jump in surprise.

    "You're finished changing, right?" He raised an eyebrow, not even for a second looking her way.

   "Do you really think I'd be here next to you if I wasn't dressed properly? I am not going to scandalize myself." She scoffed.

   Gawain turned to her. He took in her dripping blonde hair, her wet eyelashes clumped together, the imperfect freckles that fluttered across her cheeks. He noticed that her lips were chapped and her nose was red (possibly because of the cold water). He smiled. "I just can't help falling more in love with you."

   Jeanne nudged him as she rolled her eyes. "Since when did you become so forward about these types of things? I thought you said you wouldn't be a flirt with me."

   "If I wasn't serious." He corrected her. "And I am, I've told you about a million times now... I can't do anything but love you."

   Jeanne stood. "If you do love me, Gawain, then you'd do anything for me, right?"

   "I'd go to war for you, I'd take an arrow for you. Better yet, my lady, I'd willingly give my life for you if you so much as said the word."

   "There's no need for that, I'd never ask you to risk your life for me." She smiled. "Although it's an honour to have someone like yourself be loyal to someone like me. I only need you to do something rather small for me."

   "What do you need me to do?" He asked as he took her hand and clasped his hands around it. He stood from the boulder and knelt down in front of her. "Whatever you ask of me, my darling, I will do without a second thought."

   Jeanne's gaze fell to their hands and she sighed. "I ask you to be loyal to your country before you are loyal to me."

   Gawain frowned. "Surely a man must first be loyal to the one he loves, his country can always come second."

   She smiled and stood from the boulder, pulling him up to his feet as well. She looked up at him. He was awfully close now, they were only a few inches apart. "You were Camelot's before you met me, and so Camelot must come first."

   Gawain pushed her dripping hair behind her ear, not letting go of her hand with his other one. "Why are you asking this of me? Do you think that the knights are planning something? Something against you?"

   Jeanne shook her head. "I don't believe so, but I must always be ready for anything. I would never want anything to happen to you or Camelot because of me. It would pain me if you were prejudiced for simply loving me."

   Gawain pressed his forehead against hers as he intertwined their fingers. "You needn't worry over me, although I very much appreciate it." He cheekily smiled before the smile left his lips. "Your mind shouldn't linger on a mortal like me; it should be trained on your mission. Whether I am hated for standing next to you, I will forever protect you."

   "Didn't you just say it hurt you when I said I must focus on my mission?" Jeanne raised an eyebrow.

   "Yes, well, it's another thing when I say it." He winked.

   Jeanne raised herself on the tips of her toes and set a soft kiss on his cheek. "We should go have tea with Morgana now."

   Gawain couldn't help but smile. "I thought you said I had to keep wishing?"

   She rolled her eyes and nudged him, slipping her hand from his and pulling away. "It was best if you kept silent. You might've just gotten another one."

   He frowned. "What? You should've warned me." He followed after her. Gawain reached for her hand again and smiled as she didn't swat his hand away. "Let's go drink some tea if it means I get to spend more time with you."

•••

   Morgana huffed as she fell unto the comfy chair in the greenhouse. "Arthur can be so—ugh!" She rubbed her eyes. "That brat is so dense I swear I get the urge to slap the daylights out of—" she took a deep breath, calming herself.

   Diarmuid blinked as he settled on the seat next to her, sinking into the white fluffy cushions.

   "You might be surprised by how I speak of Arthur...but sometimes Arthur really pulls my strings a little too much, that prat."

   Diarmuid nervously laughed. "I can see that you and the king are rather close. He seems to tolerate a lot of the language you use on him."

   "He knows I'm his older sister before he is my King." Morgana rubbed her temples. "My dearest brother sometimes needs to be taught a lesson. I wouldn't mind if he'd fall down the palace steps a couple of times, that way he could realize that he can choose his own damn future!"

   "Is this about Lily?"

   "Yes—no! No, not about Lily. Just...It's about Arthur being who he truly is and not having to worry about the pressures of being King. I want him to be happy. And one can never find happiness in loneliness."

   Morgana ordered a maid to bring them the tea while they sat in silence for a while. Morgana's head rested against the tapestry chaise as she looked up at the glass ceiling of the greenhouse. "You would think the kingdom would want what's best for the king..."

   "Is he in love with someone that isn't of status?" It was the only thing Diarmuid could think of that Morgana could possibly be fussing over.

   Morgana sighed as if another load was dropped upon her shoulders. "Not in love...not quite yet I would think. How much more must Arthur sacrifice until he feels he is a good king?" Her nose stung and sight glossed over. "He thinks that either he or the kingdom must be happy at the cost of the other's greatest unhappiness...but he doesn't understand that both can nurture and keep each other happy. The kingdom is understanding if he would just see that."

   Diarmuid fell silent and simply stared at the sorceress.

   "Jeanne, I must be ever honest with you." Morgana rolled her eyes as she heard Gawain's voice. "I've been yearning to ask for your hand in marriage since the moment my eyes met yours."

   "Gawain, please, you've been too forward these days." Jeanne's voice came as a soft plea.

  "I know. I feel I must always remind you that you're not alone, that I'm here for you. You've been so silent, so pensive that I can feel it...there's something wrong."

   "Lovebirds!" Morgana pushed off from her chair. "Will you confess your undying love still or will you sit and have a cup of tea with us?"

   Jeanne gasped, her cheeks immediately saturated a pink hue and she covered her face. "I didn't know you two were already here, forgive us."

   Gawain glared at Morgana and followed after Jeanne to take a seat. "Must you always ruin an intimate moment?"

   "Must you always seduce the ladies at court? I won't let you bed Jeanne." Morgana spat.

   Gawain stopped right in front of Morgana. "Watch your words, witch, neither am I trying to nor would Jeanne ever."

   "Sit down. I'm tired of family fights today."

   Gawain smirked. "You fought with his highness?"

   "As always." Morgana rolled her eyes and turned her back to Gawain, walking towards her chaise.

   "By the way, Diarmuid, now that I'm here..." Gawain sat down on the seat next to Jeanne's. From the satchel on his belt, he pulled out a beige envelope with a red seal and green ribbon. "This came for you in the barracks today, since I was on my way here, I thought I'd bring it to you."

   "Thank you, Gawain." Diarmuid reached for the envelope and looked over it. The seal...he could recognize the insignia anywhere.

   "Who's it from?" Morgana leaned over, curiosity getting the best of her.

   Diarmuid's hands shook, his chest ached (the memory of the hole is his chest overwhelmingly painful). He looked up from the paper. "Excuse me. I'll be leaving first." His expression hardened and he looked livid.

  "Wait," Morgana called out to him, but she wasn't quick enough to stop him from leaving. He was gone in nearly a second.