*This story is original plot and mostly original characters. It does retain the beautiful Katie McGrath in her roll of Morgana Pendragon as she was in BBC's "Merlin."*
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I woke up in the morning, and the first thought to enter my damaged mind was whether or not yesterday had all been a dream. Even before I opened my eyes, I questioned whether I would still be rocking on the waves in Hjorleif's ship. It took my senses little time to come to and tell me I was not on a cold sea, but that I was indeed on a soft bed with warm furs over me.
I opened my eyes to see the oiled canvas top of a tent over me, the sunlight unable to fully break in. I turned my head, and laying on her side with her head resting on her hand was Lady Morgana.
"So I was not deceived by my dreams," I whispered, not wanting to break the spell of the morning.
She smiled at me and placed a hand over my own. "Were you in fear of waking to something else?"
I nodded. "I somewhat expected to wake to a creaking ship, nowhere near the arms of a beautiful maiden," I responded.
"Had it been a dream, would you say it would have been a pleasant dream?" she questioned, mirth in her eyes.
"Aye. It would have been the best dream, a dream I would have spent all of the next night trying to recapture."
This answer pleased the lady, for she leaned over and pressed her lips to my head. "Such a sweet man for one deadly with a blade."
I chuckled at her and said, "I follow a man who is for hire, but that does not intrinsically make me a brute, does it?"
"No," Morgana answered, "Tis only the reputation your profession is known for."
"That is fair, I suppose. Certainly, I have met some brutish folk that do what I do," I yielded.
"Not you, however," she said, running her hand through the hair on my chest. "You appear to be kind, yet strong. You are gallant, yet are worldly. You know the touch of a woman, yet do not take her or her touches for granted." She tilted her head and her eyes looked at me then. "You are quite the young man, Cadoc, and I hope to learn more of you as we travel. I also hope that we may see much of each other in Camelot."
"I wish that too, Lady. Only one night is not nearly long enough to enjoy your company," I said.
"No, 'tis not. We shall also have to find ways to share more mornings like this."
"Oh?" I questioned.
"Indeed," she answered with a smirk on her pretty lips. "'Twould mean we had most likely past more nights like the one just behind us."
I had no answer to give the fair lady, but a smile that graced her visage told me there had been some tell to my face, and she laughed adorably at my expense.
"'Twould appear that you would not mind that either, no?"
"I would not mind at all, my lady. 'Twould be a most enjoyable way to pass a night, and a most pleasant way to come into the day," I responded, both of our voices still low in the early morning.
"I believe we still have some time before the rest of the camp stirs. Once I have awakened, I lack the ability to fall back to slumber, I am afraid," she informed me, and I looked at her expectantly, my hands pillowing my head.
"How would you like to pass the morning, your majesty?" I asked in sincerity.
"Shall we pass it here in the privacy of my tent, or would you be willing to join me for a walk about the area?" the lady Morgana asked, now fully sitting.
"Whatever your preference, my lady. I am but your humble servant," I said, my hand still in hers.
She smiled at me brightly and took my hand, kissing the back of it. "Such manners for a sell-sword."
"I may be a sell-sword, but I am loyal to Sir Hjorleif. He has been like a father to me since I joined his band. My sharp sword goes wherever he bades it strike," I informed her.
"You are quite noble," she said with firm face and calculating eyes. "'Tis rare these days to find such a man. Your qualities will be welcome in Camelot, and you shall be in good company within our walls. But tell me, Cadoc," she whispered as she leaned in close, her dark hair falling around my face, "can you handle a lady as well as you handle a sword?"
"A man is his own harshest assessor, so perhaps I should let you judge," I offered. I half sat up so that I could meet her half way, and just as our lips touched, we were pulled apart by the words of Sir Gawain.
"My lady, we should begin preparation for the road. 'Tis a long day ahead of us, and I suggest we get an early start."
Morgana quickly kissed me again and groaned before answering the man. "Very well Sir Gawain. We will strike camp on your order, and be to the road. Do raise Sir Hjorleif and his men so that they may join us."
"Of course, my lady. Sir Hjorleif is already about, and I shall have him gather his men."
"Very good," Morgana answered.
She looked to me and pouted as I sat up. "Unfortunately, good Sir Gawain has seen fit to ruin our fun before I could properly test your skills. Perhaps we may try tonight?" she asked with a gleam in her eye.
"If my lady so wishes to share her tent again, I am at her service and willing to work for my lodging," I played back as I pulled my tunic over my head.
"I accept your services willingly," she said with a full smile. "'Tis difficult to find reliable hands sometimes," she quipped.
I leaned in close and kissed her. "I assure you, my lady, I know how to use my hands quite well," I told her before kissing her once more and sneaking out by the back of the tent.
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Once camp was struck and our small party was on the road, we set out under cover of a thick green canopy, woods on our flanks.
"I do not like this," Hjorleif murmured almost to himself.
"Is something the matter?" I asked, looking about us at the trees.
"No, but something could very well be at any time, and we would only have the hair on the backs of our necks to tell us," Otarr said, his hand straying to his belt where his ax would usually be.
"Should we expect trouble?" Vladi asked, walking on his toes, seeing further ahead than we could, given his great height.
"We are traveling with a princess, with only a small guard, and unarmed. The gods are sleeping if they decide not to catch us unprepared like this," Hjorleif responded.
"Is everything okay back there?" Sir Gawain questioned as he rode back to us.
"At the moment," Hjorleif answered. "I would feel much better if my friends and I were properly armed."
"You are not prisoners, but unfortunately we have no spare weapons save camp axes," the older knight said.
"Those would suffice," Hjorleif said. "Tis better than nothing."
One of the men at arms retrieved the simple axes from the back of one of the wagons and armed us. Hjorleif also received a dagger from Sir Gawain. If we were to be ambushed at least now we would have some ability to defend ourselves. Shields would have been most welcome, but we would make do.
The day wore on, and nothing of note transpired until about midday when we came by a river.
"Sir Gawain, may we take a brief respite and spend some time by the water?" the Lady Morgana asked, though it was really a politely veiled order.
"Of course, your majesty. Your wishes are our commands," he said humbly, and we followed the lady down to the river.
Her men at arms dismounted and the party relaxed on the bank for some time, allowing us to have midday meal.
"Hjorleif and company, would you be willing to lunch with us?" Morgana asked, an apple in her hand.
"Should there be enough provisions, we would certainly be obliged."
Our gracious host smiled warmly and snapped her fingers, and soon we were all eating together, we mercenaries, the princess of Camelot, the legendary Sir Gawain, and the men at arms.
"Are we much further from Camelot?" Hjorleif asked anyone who would answer, his eyes focused on the bread, cheese, and dates on a wooden trencher set before him.
"No, Sir Hjorleif, we are not. We should be there by the morning," Gawain himself answered. "Ready to be off the long road?"
"Aye," Hjorleif responded, his mouth full. "And ready to be behind walls while I'm as unarmed as I am."
"I understand," Gawain nodded.
"What of you, Cadoc?" Lady Morgana asked me, her head tilted from the side. "You do not look to be one of these Northmen, nor do you entirely sound of them. How do you feel about great cities?"
"You are correct, your highness. I am of Cornwall, born in these lands," I told her. "I too wish to see Camelot, and will be grateful for the securities it provides."
"Ah, one of the Celtic folk?" Gawain asked, his interest now peeked.
"Aye," I confirmed. "I joined Hjorleif's warband because fighting with him is more... lucrative, than fighting for any of Cornwall's minor lords."
"There could be much coin for you lot in Camelot, truly," Morgana told us. "Whether it be through tourneys or military service. Honorable, reputable mercenaries such as yourselves could be very comfortable among us."
"So you say?" asked Hjorleif, leaning back in the grass on his forearms now that his belly was full.
"Indeed," she confirmed. "My brother always needs new men at arms or experienced soldiers for the war up north." Morgana paused, then looked at me, and said, "I too am somewhat shorthanded on personal guard. There have been some attempts on my life since it has become known I am... a woman of magical talent."
Hjorleif's eyes widened, but he stayed where he sat. "I can see how Christians would have a problem with that. However, my kin have no such qualms about those obviously given gifts by the gods."
