by Gina Cole
The sun was setting off in the distance and Gwen could hear the boisterous celebration of the men. Truthfully, she wasn’t ready to be anyone’s wife, much less someone she was attracted to. That would just muck things up and she was going to have a tough enough time learning how to do things in this time period.
The closest she ever got to hunting was picking out what pack of ground beef to cook for dinner. She’d never hunted, skinned, or cooked anything over an open fire… except maybe s’mores. She couldn’t sew and didn’t really bring anything to this partnership she’d just entered into with Gawain. She was mentally listing off all the things she couldn’t do before tackling what she could do, when she realized that it was getting quiet out.
She hurriedly slipped into the small tent and crawled into the makeshift bedding, hoping she could pretend to be asleep. The feeling of the rough material combined with the softness of a few furs on the ground to keep her warm was a little thrilling. He slept here and she could smell his distinct scent on the material. She’d noticed that he smelled of lavender, woods, and smoke – and the three were a heady combination that just seemed to fit.
She heard him crawl inside and instantly pinched her eyes closed. She could smell the alcohol on him, the wood-fire smoke, and something else. Sure enough, a hand touched her hip and she tensed.
Was he really going to try this?
The sun was setting and she could see that the light was fading fast within the tent through the crack in her eyelids when she tried to peek around. Abruptly, her skirt was shoved upwards, jarring her to complete attention.
“Hey!” she yelped, only to be forcefully shoved down on the blankets beneath her. “What is… hey!”
A hand appeared beside her head, pinning her hair painfully to the ground. She didn’t care, she turned anyway, wincing at the sensation of her hair being pulled from her head. This was craziness and she was about to knee her new husband right in the nards for thinking this was in any way, shape, or form, acceptable behavior!
“Get off me you… oh my gosh!” she yelped, opening her mouth, and letting out a shriek of disgust. Lancelot was fumbling with the belt at his pants and pinning her down. Gawain was nowhere to be seen! If this slimy dolt raped her, she’d kill them both.
Gwen started bucking forcefully to throw off the man, praying he was inebriated enough to be dislodged off of her. He did fall to the side a bit, enough to relieve some of the pressure and pain off her aching head where her hair was getting yanked. She heard a roar of outrage from nearby that caused her to freeze instantly. The look of surprise on Lancelot’s face in the shadows was comical, if it wasn’t so terrifying.
Her attacker was yanked bodily out of the tent in seconds.
She could hear several angry shouts in different languages and caught bits and pieces of the quick conversation. Gawain was there! Getting on her knees, she peeked out of the tent, mortified and humiliated that this had happened at all. She saw several men arguing and holding back Gawain from attacking Lancelot.
“You knave! How dare you!”
“She was willing.”
“I have taken her to wife!”
“Perhaps I was just helping break in the mare.”
“I cannot believe you would break my vows and think it comical!”
“Do not get aggrieved.”
“I am betrayed beyond reason!”
“Lancelot, did you have your way with the girl?”
“Nay. That filly has not been ridden yet.”
“You should leave.”
“Because of her?”
“Because of Gawain,” Arthur said angrily. “You cannot expect us to protect you on the field of battle if we cannot trust you in our own domain. You knew Gawain chose her, yet you violated that oath twas given freely by your brother’s own mouth. This is not our way.”
“I will pray for you, Lancelot – for I will not bloody my hands on my wedding day.”
“I don’t need or want your prayers.”
“You are in desperate need of them, sir knight!”
“Gawain, tend to your wife,” Arthur ordered firmly. Gwen watched as several shadows released the man she’d married only a short while ago. She would have enjoyed watching Gawain kick the slimeball’s ass royally.
Lancelot was disgusting and a perv…
History had made him into something he definitely was not. If Guinevere fell for that guy – no wonder Camelot was doomed. He was gutter trash.
“Aye, my liege.”
“Lancelot, begone. Return whence you came and protect our backs. Betray this trust and there will be no saving you, dear brother.”
That was it? she thought wildly and felt tears spring to her eyes. How disappointing this time period was! She was almost raped and he was going to get off scot-free? Gawain’s figure knelt down in front of the tent and Gwen couldn’t help but back away. Would he treat her the same? Was this expected conduct of the time? He crawled inside and sat opposite of her, his shaggy head brushing the fabric of the tent in the darkness it provided.
“Are you hurt?”
“My pride is,” she whispered painfully, “but he didn’t get a chance to… to do that to me.”
“I am sorry that he has betrayed us both.”
“I am too.”
“I have failed you already as a husband when I should have been protecting you as my sworn duty.”
“I don’t believe either of us could have predicted that he would be so terrible to try such a thing.”
Gwen grew quiet. Today had been one of the worst days she’d ever had in her life. Killed, zapped to another time, nearly drowned, tossed in a different era, married to a stranger, nearly raped… yes it had been a long day! She couldn’t help the sniffle that escaped her and pushed up her nose indelicately. Tissues wouldn’t be invented for another 1500 years.
A tear slid down her cheek.
“Shhh…” Gawain said gently, reaching out to her. His finger brushed it away. “Come. Let us rest, little wife. Tomorrow we shall start our lives anew.”
She was beyond tired.
Without a word, she laid down in the pile of coverings and furs, painfully aware of what had just transpired, as well as the fact that she was in the same predicament once again. A man was in the tent with her, but this time, she didn’t feel quite so threatened. He was not aggressive towards her like Lancelot was.
Gwen couldn’t help but tense as she sensed him laying down beside her. When his arm slowly descended around her waist, she jumped.
“Shhh. You are safe. I will protect you through this eve,” his voice whispered in her ear as she felt the warmth of his body against her back. She needed to feel safe - and he was offering that security to her. She couldn’t help the emotions coursing through her as she began to weep at what a nightmare this seemed to be turning out to be.
The only good thing she’d found so far in this time seemed to be Gawain – and putting her trust in one person had never been her strong suit in the past.
Closing her eyes in complete exhaustion, she drifted off to sleep.
Chapter 6
Gwen slowly awoke the next morning to the decadent feeling of warmth enveloping her. She had slept so well. It was like she’d been in a protective cocoon all evening.
The rush of memories came flying back at her, causing her eyes to jerk open the moment she felt something brush her temple. Her eyes met Gawain’s silver ones and she saw his hand hesitate only a brief moment as he pushed a lock of hair off of her face.
“It’s daybreak,” he said softly. “How do you fare?”
“I slept well, thank you,” she replied, not looking away but caught up in the tenderness she saw in his eyes. “Good morning.”
“Good morning,” he repeated, as if testing the words.
They just lay there for several moments. Gwen was unsure what to say or do and he looked to be torn between getting up or staying there. She could hear the sounds of the encampment waking up all around them. There was n
o real privacy as the head and foot of the small tent were open to the air. The covering was simply to give shelter if weather hit during the night.
“I would kiss you, if I may,” he breathed, his finger stroking her temple once again. He looked as if he couldn’t turn away and truthfully, she felt almost the same. His beautiful face looked so stern and tough, but in this moment between them she saw an underlying tenderness towards her that was enchanting.
She didn’t say a word, only nodding, as she remembered their brief kiss at their impromptu wedding. At some point during the night, they had ended up facing each other as they slept. Waking up this way seemed to be awfully telling in her mind. It was as if her body was telling her that she wanted him to be the first thing she saw when she opened her eyes.
His breath hitched in the silent confines of the tent just before their lips touched. It was like they were in their own silent world, hidden away from the others. The feel of his warm lips caressing hers made her groan softly in unexpected pleasure. Taking her sound of approval, he gathered her into his arms, his lips coaxing hers to open under his.
Lemme tell you, it didn’t take much coaxing on Gwen’s part.
Kissing Gawain was like feeling her soul reaching for his. There was such pleasure in his touch that instantly she felt a sense of passion wash over her. Her fingers splayed easily on his shoulders, pulling him towards her as they kissed. She never realized that she was a shoulders-kinda-girl, but this man had some serious muscle that was now all hers.
“Gawain!”
She heard his name called from outside just as he broke the kiss. His forehead pressed to hers as they both struggled for composure. Oh yes, intimacy would not be a problem in the slightest between them if just kissing him was any indication. Her hang-up with ruining the legendary knight’s good name would be her biggest issue.
“We are breaking camp,” he said regretfully, kissing her brow tenderly. His being so sweet to her was so unexpected and very welcomed.
“I’ll help where I can.”
“Just be safe and stay where I can see you.”
“I will stay close to the queen.”
He shook his head frowning and this caused her to glance at him in surprise. He didn’t say a word, just pursed his lips together tightly.
“Ride behind the troops and I will fall back.”
“Where do you normally ride?”
“At Arthur’s side.”
“Then be there and trust that I will be able to handle myself.”
“Are you certain?”
“I will be fine.”
“At me, Gawain!”
Gwen heard Arthur’s command from outside of the tent and smiled at her new husband. She saw his soft smile in return and nodded. He quickly got up and crawled out of the tent. She couldn’t help but admire his form as he moved, knowing that the rest of him was probably as muscled as his shoulders were. Getting up, she also crawled out of the tent to see most of the camp had already been disassembled to make their way out.
Gawain walked over and quickly kissed her on the cheek, surprising her at the public display of affection. He took her hand and politely dropped a kiss on her knuckles.
“Fetch some food to break your fast quickly before it’s gone. I will get our tent,” he instructed, pointing at a nearby fire that was being snuffed out by several men kicking dirt on the flames.
Gwen didn’t have to be told twice!
Her stomach growled at that moment and she quickly ran across the expanse of field, picking up a small loaf of crusty deep brown bread and several pieces of unknown meat that had been dried before it was wrapped in waxed cloth once again.
As she walked back towards Gawain, she saw that the tent had been quickly rolled and strapped to a horse. A second horse was waiting nearby and she remembered riding that one. Somehow, he’d acquired a horse for her to ride. That was awfully sweet and thoughtful because she wondered how they were going to both ride if he was going to be at Arthur’s side.
Yanking the bread in two pieces, she gave him the larger of the two as well as a piece of meat. He quickly nodded and helped her onto the horse before climbing onto his.
As she looked around, she saw that the group of men didn’t fool around with wasting time in preparations. They were already on their horses and ready to ride out. She blushed lightly as she realized the soldiers were all looking at them, knowing they’d been the cause of any delay.
“Forþryne!” Arthur called out, holding aloft a sword into the air. The sunlight glinted off the metal and Gwen felt herself gasp as she realized she was seeing the legendary Excalibur with her own eyes. This wasn’t the fake sword at Disney located in front of the teacups ride for kiddos… nor was this anything mythical that was created in the movies.
It was real.
This was real.
She was now a part of it.
They rode on for several hours at a time. Her legs and butt ached like nobody’s business, but she was one of the lucky ones. She dared not complain! Several women and children were walking towards the back of the convoy of men. Few rode in litters as the terrain was extremely uneven. The sway of the horse made her stomach a little queasy but she was quickly becoming accustomed to it.
The landscape was stunning. As they rode, she saw tiny brooks that seemed to cut through the earth, sunken just below the mossy covered ground. Several outcroppings and openings were caves that had been turned into makeshift homes for people who emerged to wave at the troops. The skies were overcast today, giving it a dim, gloomy look – but also a magical touch at the same time. She could see bright rays of sunlight streaming from the clouds, illuminating the mists and touching the ground. If someone had planted a unicorn in one of those grassy circles of light – she would not have been surprised in the slightest.
Everything about this land was breathtaking and awe-inspiring.
Looking around, her eyes touched on the men riding before her and she saw one dark head look back towards her. Gawain. It was as if he felt her eyes touch him. She found herself smiling and raising a hand in acknowledgement before he turned back to the front. She was just happy to see that he thought to check on her.
To her surprise, she watched his horse cut to the left and break rank. He circled around and rode up beside her. She felt like a foolish young girl preening at catching the attention of the quarterback at the homecoming game.
“How fare you, my wife?” he asked politely, smiling at her.
“I’m faring pretty good right now,” she replied lightly, returning his smile playfully as she used his own words. “How fare you, husband?”
“Very well.”
“What are you doing back here? Don’t you belong up there with Arthur?”
“Aye, that I do,” he nodded, his smile turning into a knowing grin.
AWWW! She marveled at the little indention that appeared. The sweet fella had a dimple in his right cheek that just made her melt. She was gonna need to make him smile a little more often to see that emerge.
Unexpectedly, her new husband reached over and grabbed the strap around the horse’s neck, causing it to step a little closer to his own horse. Gwen, nervous about riding alone, grasped at the saddle to hold on.
“Wife?”
Gwen looked up at Gawain and saw him lean precariously forward towards her, his eyes warm. As he did so, she found herself angling a little towards him but was afraid she’d slide off the horse. She was drawn to him, there was no doubting it. He tipped to the side a little more, cupping her head and capturing her lips in a quick kiss. That sweet dimple reappeared as he smiled broadly, before straightening up.
“Now I may carry on my duty,” he said tenderly, nodding at her and riding back up towards his place beside the king. She watched him go, her heart hammering in her chest, as an emotion began to unfurl deep in the pit of her stomach.
She liked Gawain – a lot.
That evening, they pulled to a stop and set up camp along a line of craggy cliffs th
at looked like the earth had just torn in two at some point. Sheer irregular etchings provided shelter from the wind that seemed to be picking up. They would probably have storms tonight and while Gwen wasn’t used to this time period or this land, she could smell the dust and moisture in the air.
Everyone seemed to have a duty here. She followed the women as the men set off to capture something to eat. There was no Kroger’s anywhere; it would be meat that they prepared over a spit or boiled in a large pot. Gwen was immediately pulled into service, helping knead bread and forming small fist-sized lumps of grainy dough to bake near the fires. She tried not to identify anything going into the cookpot nor the mixtures that she was working with her hands. They handed it to her, she did as they said, and would not turn down a meal.
The OSHA inspector in her died back there in the garden center.
This person that was reborn here was all about survival – just like the others – and that meant eating what you were handed. If she ever went back to her time, she swore fervently that she would never pick the tomatoes or pickles off her hamburgers ever again.
She was hungry and imagined they all were feeling the same right about now. What she wouldn’t give for a big ol’ slice of cheesecake or a Frappuccino. Whipped cream out of a can would be ahhhh-mazing, but then again, so would a package of waffle fries straight out of the fryer.
Several rabbits were tossed down with a sickening thud about ten feet from where she sat making the rolls for all the men. Looking up, she saw that several of the knights were all depositing their catches for the women to prepare. She met Gawain’s eyes and waved a doughy hand towards him.
“Wife, would you walk with me for a bit?”
“Certainly,” she replied quickly, catching a few smiles from the other women. Eleanor, the lady sitting closest to her and who’d shown her how to form the rolls, picked up Gwen’s bowl and nodded.
