"You are far too clever for your own good. I cannot answer, for I do not know." Erec kissed her nose. "I promise you that shall be careful. must also be careful. Keep the children close. Stay within the castle after sundown. And if you need anything at all, you have only to ask the Baron."

"Shall I ask him to keep you safe for me?"

Erec chuckled at her stubborn nature.

"He is given me a letter and a gift for the king. If there are concerns over our delayed return, they, along with the largest share of our spoils shall make the king a little less concerned."

She touched a palm to her forehead and sighed. "I wish to speak no more of murder and malice on this night. We have only two more days before you leave me. Will I see you again after you leave? Must I wait until all of this is finished?"

Erec took her face between his hands and slowly leaned forward.

"I shall visit you and I shall write to you as often as I am able...This I swear." He whispered the last against her lips before claiming them in what he hoped was only the first of many kisses this night.

---

In the morning Erec stretched the sleep from his limbs. His lady was gone from the room. With a smile, he climbed from the bed, slipping quickly into his undergarments and padded over to the wash basin.

Cupping his hands, he splashed his face to wash away the last remnants of a restful sleep and was pleased to discover the water was yet warm. He quickly donned the wool stockings and was reaching for his shirt when the door opened suddenly.

"Good morn, my love."

"You are in good spirits." He said as he slipped his shirt over his head. He liked to think that a night of making love with him would leave her thus, but she had deep concerns from their conversation last night. "It is only that I thought you might be a little more upset..."

"Upset?" She raised a brow and flashed him a mischievous smile. "That I should be released from servitude? That I should be promoted to the ranks of a gentle woman?" she swept her hands in a gesture over her new gown, "Or that you have promised to love me and the children, to protect us and provide for us all the rest of our days? I cannot be upset by such good fortune."

"I cannot believe my own good fortune. When I awoke and you were gone, I thought that perhaps...but you are still here."

She closed the space between them, clasped his hands to her heart and placing a kiss upon them before looking up at him with moist eyes.

"I can think of no one else that I—I mean to say—that is—there is no one of my acquaintance that is so good and honorable a knight. You are a noble man, Erec, if not by birth, then certainly in deed. I am honored to take such a man as you to husband."

"Such a man would indeed be a fine husband. But you exaggerate, for I am not such a man. I am but a soldier and I am bound by my service to the crown."

"Did you never wonder, my lord, why it is that you were the one to save my life?"

"You forget, it was I who brought the danger."

"Those men were not acting under your orders." She frowned at him, "They acted on their own, as are the men in the wood, and the ones from the hall. I think—nay, I know—that you were sent to save me. We are meant to be together."

"And then fate will bestow peace upon the king's heart and touch him with mercy and grace so that he leaves off his animosity toward me. He will retire me to my land and let me grow old there in peace, drawing my allowances for the rest of my days? My lady, you are too hopeful."

"I do not know what lies ahead for us. But I know that whatever it shall be, we can face it together."

"I do not deserve you, my lady."

---

The next two days were nothing less than heavenly. Erec laughed and smiled more than he had his entire life as he spent so many hours in the company of his little family. His lieutenants joined them often and they shared in his joy. This last night remained, and in the morn there was to be a last feast to break fast before the Royal Guard left Brecken Moors.

At the evening meal, when Gwyndolyn and Lady Alexandi rose to take their leave, he reluctantly let her go.

"I have to speak with the baron." He whispered as he placed a kiss upon her cheek. "Do not wait up for me, but I shall come to you as soon as I am able."

"Very well." She smiled so sweetly, he almost followed her, his resolve be damned. "Good Night to you, my knight."

He watched as she left, followed by Lady Alexandi and was startled to hear the baron's voice so near his ear.

"You are lost, my boy." The baron slapped his back and chuckled, "But I can tell you that when the woman is a good one, lost becomes a most welcome place to be."

"Might I speak to you? And my lieutenants? It is rather urgent."

"Of course. You know the way. Fetch your men. I shall meet you there."

---

It was late when he finished the meeting. But his heart rested easy, knowing that he was doing all that he could. His men nodded as they left to go their way, assuring him that it would be done.

The baron was last from the room, locking the door behind him. Though their rooms were in the same hall, the baron did not follow as Erec made his way to Gwyndolyn. He too had matters to arrange. Stopping in front of his door he drew a breath. Now to convince Gwyndolyn...

But when he entered the room, he at last lost his resolve. She was asleep in the bed, her hair was loose, spilling about her. Her bare arms and shoulders seemed white against the darkness of the furs. The softness of the furs could not compare to that skin...skin he suddenly wished to kiss. Removing his sword, he leaned it against the chair, but it fell with a clatter.

She rolled over, the furs dropping lower as she offered him a sleepy smile and pulled the furs back, inviting him to join her. Never had he divested himself of his clothing so quickly. In the space of a few heartbeats, he climbed into the bed and pulled her close, eagerly claiming what she so sweetly offered...

---

In the morn, they moved quietly to dress. It affected him more greatly than he guessed it might, knowing that he would soon be leaving her for an undetermined amount of time...a thing he was loathe to do now more than ever.

When he donned the chainmail, he sat down that she might fasten the buckles at the back for him. She did so wordlessly, but he saw tears in her eyes as she stepped away.

"Erec..."

She looked at him with such sadness...such longing...that before he quite knew what he was doing, he pulled her into his lap and captured her mouth. He felt her arms slip up over his chest and her fingers curled into his hair. With a groan, he pulled himself from the sweetness of her embrace and her drugging kisses to set her away from him.

"My lady—" She closed the distance between them again and pressed her fingers to his lips.

"Shh. My mother told me that love does not come easily and you cannot choose whom you shall love. You can only accept that gift when it finally comes, for love is truly God's best gift."

"It is not for lack of desire to stay with you that I take my leave, my lady." He winked, as he shifted his stance and enjoyed her blush as she took his meaning. Touching her cheek gently, he sighed.

"My life is in daily peril for the known future. It may be years before I know how the king will leave off this malice toward me. I may die tomorrow with a knife between my ribs. These past days have been nothing short of heavenly, but I have been thinking..."

"I shall not change my mind! I shall wait for you." She touched his cheek and he tilted his head toward the touch.

"What if there is a bairn?" He whispered and saw the surprise in her eyes. "I cannot leave you thusly. The baron would be delighted to see us wed before I am away, but I fear that would increase the danger you are in. As my betrothed, you are valuable to the enemy in a limited way. But as wife, and..." he glanced at her stomach.

She placed a hand there and smiled. "As wife and possible mother to your child I would be more of a weapon against you. I understand."

"No. You misunderstand me. I did not mean that I would wed you ere we leave, for I shall. But I shall do so secretly and I shall leave a letter with the baron...my last wishes should anything..."

"Erec..." It was his turn to place a finger upon her lips.

"I shall wed you. I shall leave this letter should it come to that. I leave you all of my earthly goods, my wealth, my land, my servants—all of it will be yours. And my lieutenants have already promised to be your champions, to see that you are always well cared for—that you are safe."

"It is I that does not deserve you, my lord. I cannot help but to love you. And I shall do so the rest of my days, even with my last breath. I shall gladly wed you before you leave us."

A knock sounded at the door and Erec moved Gwyndolyn behind him.

"Enter."

"My lord, I have been sent to assist you with your armor."

The young squire shifted the sack over his shoulder and Erec realized Drew sent him. Erec ordered the men to assemble in full armor following the feast. Many would wear armor for the last feast. Drew knew the few pieces Erec wore when such occasion called for it.

"Very well. Leave it. The lady shall assist me."

"Nay my lord. My lady you are summoned to the Lady Alexandi. She requested your presence at once in her chambers. You know it?"

"Aye." She looked at Erec and he saw the joy in her eyes. "I shall go directly. My lord." She dipped a curtsy and closed the door behind her.

Erec watched her until the door closed, so he did not see the servant cross to the bed and dump his sack upon it. Erec turned at the sound of metal. The armor was not his. It was much finer. Decorated with gold and shined until he could see his reflection upon the bits.

"That is not mine." He frowned, "Though I wish I owned such a suit of armor."

"It is yours, milord. The baron gave his dress armor to the smithy and your man gave these same bits of your armor. The smithy used the one for the pattern and created these for you. His lordship instructed me to say that you must consider it a wedding gift from an old man that imagines himself your father."

Erec felt a lump in his throat. Not trusting his voice, he nodded and the squire hastily helped him into the armor. There was also a finely woven cloak with a jeweled clasp, a fine dagger with a finely carved scabbard and jeweled hilt, and a new sword.

As the squire belted on the sword, Erec's eyes misted. He recognized the sword. Since he was a boy, it was displayed upon the wall of the great hall, behind the dais. It was the baron's own battle sword and the baron held a great fondness for the telling of the tales of his victories and battles with that very sword...

"There." The squire stepped back. "The baron is in the chapel where he and the baroness are praying for your safe journey home. He wishes you should join him at once."

Another knock sounded at the door.

"Enter." Erec was surprised when the door opened partially and a familiar face poked through.

"I am sent to see what is taking you so long....my lord." Drew bowed and wisely backed out of the room.

---

It was not uncommon to pray for safe journey, so none suspected anything was amiss as he made his way to the chapel. He was surprised to see Gil and Dermot standing outside. They gave a smile and a nod as he entered with Drew right behind.

"My boy." The baron called proudly. Lady Alexandi smiled fondly to him from the baron's side.

"Come. Come." The baron gestured, "Brother Bartholomew travelled all of yesterday and all through the night to be here. Come. Come. We must get you married before he collapses of exhaustion."

Erec smiled and stepped forward. His breath caught as Gwyndolyn stepped from behind Lady Alexandi. She looked lovely in a gown of deep rose red. Her hair was styled in a long plait with roses and a long shimmering scarf adorning it. He stood drinking in her lovely form, and her sweet smile, memorizing the way the light...

"Shall we begin?" Brother Bartholomew asked.

---

The ceremony was short but memorable and when it ended, he held tightly to her hand as they were both hugged and congratulated.

"Enough, now we must away to the feast else someone should come looking." Lady Alexandi said in her wifely tone as she pulled the baron after her.

"Lost." The baron winked at Erec as he followed his wife.

"What does he mean?" Gwyndolyn looked up at him.

"I shall tell you as we dine, my love." He smiled and gestured toward the door. "Shall we?"

---

If he would allow it, the baron would keep Erec and his men longer, but there was a new sense of urgency that Erec felt at the thought of returning. He told Drew about what Gwyndolyn overheard. They were concerned about the implications of the references to the others and to the king...

With a deep breath he hardened his resolve. It was time. He caught Drew's eye and nodded. Drew stood and called the men to formation. There was a great clatter as they left the tables and filed swiftly from the room.