{Mid-Afternoon}
"RRRROOOOAAAARRRRR!" A group of children came running around the older group, with Kara chasing them, albeit her bum leg. Upon seeing everyone's eyes on her she leaned on top of Gawain's back and shoulder. "You know Gawain, I think you would be more suited to play a human-hungry-ravishing-beast, you do have the appearance of one."
"Why you…" Gawain said turning to her, but she quickly backtracked laughing. Everyone, both children and adults, started laughing. Gawain got up and picked Kara up throwing her over his shoulder.
"No, don't." Kara said laughing, but Gawain already started spinning around. Everyone started laughing as the children started yelling: 'me next.' When he finished he smacked her bum and set her on the ground.
"You," she said smiling, trying to point to Gawain but was pointing to one of the children. "Are a mean old man." Then she turned attempting to be mad.
"Oh, really? Me an old man?" Gawain asked as he started toward her again.
"No, don't." Kara shrieked with delight as she tried to get away, but because she was still dizzy she ended up falling on top of Tristan's lap. "Save me from the vagabond!" She said to Tristan wrapping her arms playfully around his neck, pretending she was scared.
"Human-hungry-ravishing-beast, old man, and vagabond." Galahad said. "My dear cousin, I do believe her judgment of you has become better." Everyone laughed as they saw Gawain wrestle Galahad to the ground; that is everyone except Tristan.
Kara was laughing still sitting on his lap. Tristan wordlessly sat her beside him and walked away from the group. Kara watched as the fire reflected in her eyes.
"Don't take it personally, my lady." Dagonet said.
"My lady?" Kara said with a giggle. "I think you deserve more ale."
"I like this one." Bors muttered to Dagonet. "Me to, wrench."
Kara smiled as she finished pouring more ale for Dagonet.
"For you, you deserve the best." Kara said disappearing for a moment. Then coming up behind a laughing Bors, turned over a pale of water on him. "Nothing like good ol' clean water to refresh a knight."
Everyone burst out laughing at the now wet Bors.
"All I can say is thank the gods I have my Vanora." Bors said angrily to the crowd.
"Aye, I will drink to that." Kara said merrily.
"Kara?" Kara turned to see Talaith beckoning her.
"What is it, fair sister?" Kara said.
"Stop making a spectacle of yourself." Talaith said irritated. "They're going to think we were brought up like savages."
"Have you see Gawain? I hardly think they would care." Kara said.
"Look, I know that the possibility for marriage is not in your grasp and maybe you are fine with that, but it's within my grasp." Talaith said. "There are barely any men left who are of age and your making us...me...look bad."
Kara took in her words never losing her smile.
"It wouldn't matter how I acted they would be fools not to see how wonderful you are." Kara replied honestly.
"That's not the point." Talaith said as she turned and picked up the dirty clothes of the knights. "You remember what happened to Pieter? If they..." Talaith wanted to continue but she didn't want to hurt Kara. "Never mind, we'll just end up old maids and fight with one another." Talaith said with a little smile.
"No you shall not." Kara said taking the basket of clothes. "I'll do this."
"Kara, you already went to the woods, think about your leg."
"I will be fine, plus, I love being in the woods." Kara said. "So, which one you trying to impress?"
"What's the point? You're more beautiful and fun, even Gawain and Galahad enjoy your company more." Talaith said.
"Gawain and Galahad are boneheads. One looks like a lion, the other is our brother, so what does it matter what he thinks." Kara said causing Talaith to laugh.
"What's so funny?" Lancelot asked as he joined the girls huddle.
"Nothing." Talaith said quickly. "More ale?"
"Yes, but I was hoping for a little company." Lancelot said with a glint in his eye as he looked at Kara.
"Ah, well, unlike you I have duties to attend to; however, Talaith will pour you some more ale." Kara said as she nudged Talaith forward and left the group.
Kara walked slowly away from the group and breathed in the night air. She turned her head as she heard a horse snort and walked toward it. She smiled as she pet the horse and continued to look up at the night sky. She made her way to the woods and started to clean the knight's tunics, singing to herself. She heard a branch break and she froze listening intently. A boar came charging toward her but before she could move it was shot down with an arrow. Kara turned around to see Tristan standing 30 feet away holding his quiver.
"Uh... thank you." Kara said as she looked at the dead boar.
Tristan said nothing as he took the arrow out and examined the boar. He tied the boar's legs and left dragging the boar behind him. Kara looked after him bewildered. She continued washing the clothes in silence. She could hear them whispering all around her and found it comforting as she continued scrubbing. The whispering stopped but she didn't know why. She finished up and headed back toward the village.