Author's note: Today i was watching this film with my friend and i decided it would be fun to write a story about it so here it is
It's about tristan and my OC made for this occasion and story only
I hope you enjoy my third story and i will continue to try and get chapters of Forever night up more often.
I stood on Hadrian's Wall letting the wind run through my hair. It was bitter cold and the winter was closing in but it didn't stop me waiting; nothing did. Every time he went away I'd wait for him to come back. The women always feared the worst and would comfort me as I watched him ride away but I did not need their comfort; there was never a doubt in my mind that he would not return to me. A Roman guard shouted and pointed a finger to the darkening sky. My eyes followed the direction and I smiled as I saw a hawk circling above the wall, it's harsh call filled the air but it was music to my ears. I fled down the stone steps, hitching my dress round my ankles as I went. The women all stopped their talk as I entered my face whipped red from the wind and out of breath.
'They are coming, Arthur and his knights are coming home!'
The horses thundered through the gate but there was no laughter, the dark atmosphere was enough to burn the skin. I lowered my head as I felt the tears come to my eyes. I would not let the knights see me cry for a fallen companion when they never did but it was hard not to. I bit my lip, hard, to distract myself from the threatening tears but only succeeded in drawing blood. A horse stopped beside me and I took the reins trying hard not to look at the rider. I knew who it was, Tristan. He dismounted and walked away, back towards Arthur and the horse on which his dead comrade sat without once looking at me, but I had not expected him to. Quietly I lead the horse to the stables and began to take off the saddle and bridle.
'Aliae, are the knights back already?'
'Yes father.'
My father nodded and smiled when he saw my bloody lip.
'Daughter, it is only a fault of men that they cannot cry, women can be open with their feelings.'
'But father how can I cry when the knights do not?'
He put his hands on my shoulders. Those huge hands that had always been there ever since I could remember: the hands of a blacksmith and of my protector. I looked into his eyes and saw that he was serious.
'You have grown up to fast.' He smiled as if I had done something wrong 'A girl needs her mother but you no longer are a girl Aliae. You understand the feelings of men, I blame myself for not giving you a better role model.'
'No daughter could ask for a better man to follow, do not blame yourself when there is no blame to be laid.'
He laughed and pulled away from me.
'Finish that horse then you have the other eight to clean up, I'm busy today.'
I nodded and got back to cleaning Tristan's horse. It whickered and snuffed at my long sleeves with its nose.
'Get back you impatient creature, virtues are always necessary, even for a horse.'
'Does he talk?'
I jumped and dropped my brush as Gwain's face peered over the top of the stable door. He had blood on his face and in his hair and I knew most of it wasn't his. I dropped a curtsy and lowered my head. I was only a stable hand, the blacksmiths' daughter yet the knights spoke to me as if I was worthy of their attention.
'May I ask, who was it?'
'Bedivere. He died protecting Tristan.'
Gwain sat on and upturned trough and looked at me as if deciding whether or not to tell me what was on his mind. I was curious but I held myself back from asking anything more than I already had. Retrieving the brush from the floor I continued my grooming of the black horse in front of me.
'Tristan is at the inn. I'll ask this favour of you Aliae but it is just a favour, you do not have to act on it if you do not wish to. Visit Tristan for me, he will listen to you and maybe your words will help sooth his angered soul.'
'He's angry? But for what cause?'
I bit my lip again feeling stupid for having spoken and for asking such a ridiculous question. Of course Tristan was angry, he must believe it was his incompetence that lead to Bedivere's death. Gwain laughed and stood.
'I have places to be going, please do what you think best, my words were only ever a request.'
The small village was buzzing with excitement and grief and every man was drinking in honour of the fallen knight. I played nervously with my sleeves as I watched Tristan drain the last of his ale. I wanted to go and speak to him but I did not feel as if I could. As I stood there lost in my own thoughts Tristan turned round and our eyes met. I knew then I had to go over to him; all my doubts were gone when I saw his eyes. The pain and anger all held suppressed by excessive amounts of ale, he was trying to drink himself into a stupor. Quickly I strode over and sat next to him.
'Do you mind if I sit here, you are not expecting company?'
His eyes looked at me as if I were mad for a second before turning away. His whole body told me he didn't want me there. Biting back my rising anger I spoke again.
'It is good you returned safe knight but you are unhappy it seems.'
'What would you know of being unhappy?'
His voice was low and slurred but at least he had spoken.
'And it is good that I am back? It is fair that my life was spared and the life of my comrade taken? I have failed at the only mission I have left in life so then what is the point in living?'
He had shouted the last words and now the whole population of the bar was watching us, I could see them waiting for my answer. Slowly I stood and rearranged my dress.
'I did not say it was fair Tristan knight of Arthur, I said it was good. But yet here you are with your life and you are drinking it away. What will you do now brave man that you are? Will you cower for the rest of your days mistreating the second chance that was graced to you by a comrade? Will you make his sacrifice a vain effort or shall you rise and take your sword against the enemy? But who am I to tell you what to do with your life? If you want to rot away to nothing then that is your choice, I may only be a blacksmith's daughter and my opinion may not count for much but I thought you were better than that.'
I had managed to keep my voice steady and quiet as I spoke. My anger burned inside my chest but I would not succumb to the fire. I wanted to raise an awareness not cause pain. He did not reply then so I left him there with his ale and went back to the stable never once looking over my shoulder.
