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Oh, Cai didn't have anyone whip me, although he was sorely tempted. He did cuff me again for good measure. He was protecting his father's good reputation as much as my skin, after all.

He told me that since I was supposed to be a kitchen boy, I was to work as one for the remainder of her stay, and if he saw me within twenty paces of the girl, he would make sure I got the promised beating.

I gave my word, and I kept it. I made sure he never saw me any of the times I was within twenty paces of her.

*Dafyd smiles wistfully* Every few hours or so. At first they did it to prove I wasn't afraid of Cai, and then... well...

You see, Lady Elain had come at the behest of her father, who had no sons and was too weak to travel himself. Her older sister, Annwyn, had been abducted by Syr Trahaearn y Tircoch, who wished for nothing less than to rule Lyones.

The trouble was, Trahaearn was a wicked b*****d, strong as an ox, and he'd slaughtered two score men and twelve already who'd thought to oppose him.

King Ectwyr was at a loss. Respected as King Bran was, Lyones was far away and Bran himself aging and in poor health. It was common knowledge that Lyones would fall, and when it did, Trahaearn was as likely a man as any to sieze power. Ectwyr neither wished to risk the lives of his men nor to anger a future king... and so... he treated Elain kindly but bade her wait... a day... a week... two....

*he gives Luke a strange look* have you never heard this story?

*Dafyd begins to rise* No matter. You've likely heard enough of my rambling anyhow...

*Dafyd settles back into his seat* Two weeks passed, and King Ectwyr still had not given her an answer. The girl alternated between fits and tears. The knights and squires were avoiding the girl for fear that she would break down in front of them.

I was still skulking about, teasing her when I could get away with it. But I confess, I felt sorry for the girl.

*he chuckles* And I wouldn't have minded slipping her out of those skirts, I confess.

That night, I climbed the wall and crept into her room. Remembering her there, pale and half-naked in the moonlight... *he shakes his head*

I woke her gently as I could, but of course she thought I meant to do her harm. With my hand clamped over over her mouth I explained my intentions. I would go rescue this sister of hers. All she needed to do was wait.

In response, Darling Elain bit me on the hand.

*he pulls the glove from his right hand, and shows Luke the deep, toothy scar in his palm*

Aye, you caught me. I bit myself hard enough to leave a scar, and I wanted a good story to tell about it.

*he holds his hand out for Luke to inspect. His fingers are strong and callused, his fingernails and the creases of his palm rimed with dirt, and the old scar, ragged and white*

You tell me. Am I lying?

*Dafyd shrugs and grins playfully* Why does a woman do anything? She was a 15-year-old girl and a princess. She probably wanted to know what kitchen boys tasted like.

*Dafyd draws his arm back and puts the glove back on his hand* Of course she did. Do you think she would blame herself?

But if biting me had left me angry, the next thing out of her mouth left me stunned.

She sat up in her bed, drawing her bedclothes over her body. I scowled at her and cursed beneath my breath, and she actually had the gall to laugh, this girl.

Said she, "I know who you are. You are that kitchen boy: the one they call 'White Hands.' I should call my guard and have them kill you."

Then she smiled at me condescendingly, and she said, "But I'll admit, you have bigger balls than any of the men who call themselves knights in this castle. Bigger by far than the King and his son.is

"So what is it you want of me, Kitchen Boy? You want to ******** a princess? Is that it?"

I swear to you, Lwc... that girl climbed out from under her coverlets, naked as the day she was born while I gaped at her as though I was a kitchen boy.

She walked up to me, and put her arms about my shoulders, and pressed herself against me...

And then she drew back and slapped me with all of force in her arm. And while I reeled she said, "Did you think you could come in here with such an outlandish story and that I would just swoon and spread my legs for you?"

Angrily I told her I would sooner ******** her horse, and I thought she would slap me again or call her guards, but she seemed to think that funny.

"I'll make a deal with you, Kitchen Boy. I'll let you plant that little wyrm of yours between my thighs. You can ******** me, or my horse, or my father for all I care. I'll do anything you want. But you will rescue my sister first, am I understood? That is if Syr Trahaearn doesn't gut you and turn those pretty white hands of yours into gloves."

I swear before God those were her exact words!