A Dishonorable Knight(110)

"Uh huh," Gareth hummed, not the least bit convinced.

"What do you mean, 'Uh huh'?" Elena worked her right leg over Isrid's head until she was sitting sideways in the saddle and could better scowl at Gareth.

"I mean how you treated me that night at Middleham was your usual temperament showing through. I was not a prospective suitor, I didn't dress in the latest mode, and I certainly was not in King Richard's circle of important people. Therefore, you decided that I wasn't worth the time or effort it would take to be polite."

Elena frowned and studied her left thumbnail. Though her initial expression seemed to be anger, his words apparently struck a chord for she looked as if she were ashamed at her behavior.

Gareth watched the play of emotions on her face, thankful that she was not throwing his own rudeness back in his face, amazed that she seemed to be taking to heart his words. Not wishing to hurt her feelings, he said, "It's alright, though."

She raised her head and stared at him. "Why do you say that?"

"Because you're different now."

"Different? How?"

Gareth pushed the hair out of his eyes. Luckily, it was just damp enough that it stayed put and did not fall right back into his face. "Well, you just are. You seem--I don't know--kinder somehow. You seem to notice other people's feelings more and people in return like you."

"They liked me before," she said indignantly.

Gareth quickly backtracked. "What I meant to say was they are better able to see your kind side. As a result, they like you more."

Elena was silent for a moment. Then, "Do you like me more?"

Now! the voice in his head shouted. Tell her now!

No! he shouted back silently. Not 'till I'm ready!

"I like you much more," he said with feeling.

"Perhaps I have changed a little bit. Nobody is perfect, you know."

"Certainly not," he agreed.

"It's very difficult to be close to the king. People are forever trying to use you to gain information or favor with the king. In return, they offer you nothing, so maybe I tended to concentrate on my own needs first. And perhaps," Gareth could tell how difficult all this was for her to admit. "Perhaps I have always been a bit," she cleared her throat, "spoiled. Though that really isn't my fault," she rushed to add. "I was an only child and my parents doted on my many accomplishments and I received nearly everything I wanted, so it's understandable if I may have grown accustomed to that."

"Of course it is," Gareth agreed, trying to contain his smile. He wanted to make this easier for her and was amazed that he was hearing those words come out of her mouth. "And you deserve to have everything you want."

Elena suddenly shook off her maudlin feelings and gave him a cocky smile. "I quite agree."

Amazed at her quicksilver change of emotions, Gareth stared openmouthed at her for a moment. Then he laughed, a loud and hearty laugh. "Nonetheless, you're still not perfect," he said.

"Perhaps not, but you must admit I am pretty good."

"You are very good," he agreed, dropping his gaze to her lips. He grinned when he was rewarded with an honest blush.

The rain had lessened by the time they stopped to set up camp, though a fine mist still blurred the woods with a faerie-like quality, making even ordinary looking trees seem ethereal and enchanted. Gareth led the horses deep into the woods where the drizzle barely reached the ground. He helped Elena down from Isrid and began unsaddling both horses.

"Well, it's not completely dry in here, but we should be warm enough," he said as he scooped away the top layer of wet leaves from the well-mulched ground. Finding the leaves underneath relatively dry, he spread out their bedrolls next to each other. Elena stood watching, thinking that she should probably help in some way. Unfortunately, never having worried herself with such details, she knew not the first thing to do. Hesitant about asking Gareth for direction, she remained by the horses, petting Isrid's velvety nose. When Gareth had arranged the small camp to his liking, he stood and said, "I doubt I'll find any, but I think I'll look around a bit for some dry wood. A campfire would definitely take the chill off our evening."

"I'll go with you," Elena volunteered.

Gareth looked at her in surprise but wisely made not one joking remark. Instead he said, "Thank you," and moved to tie the horses to a nearby tree.