Disclaimer: I own nothing related to the Walking Dead franchise. This is solely my little drabble about a very special woman named Eris.

Chapter 2 – Round Table


Eris like the proverbial deer caught in headlights as she stood there alone, covered in blood. She figured there were at least ten other people all staring at her and she did nothing but back at them. Finally the spell was broken when a young woman came up to her and offered her sanctuary, "Hi, I'm Maggie. Why don't you come with me and we'll get you cleaned up?" Maggie's voice soothed and she placed an arm on her hand, but noticed the new woman did little more than blink at her blankly, as if she didn't understand a word she said. It was the same look that she'd seen in Beth's eyes after she collapsed in the kitchen. "You look like you might be in shock. Would it be ok if I brought you inside? Just nod if that's ok?" she was more gentle this time.

The woman's voice broke through and Eris recognized the woman was being kind to her and began to realize that they all might think she was mute or mentally damaged… she better speak up now, "Yes, thank you Maggie… I would like that." Eris replied in perfectly polite stilted words that carried only the faintest hint of accent. Maggie slowly escorted the woman up the stairs into the house.

Daryl watched the new girl through narrowed eyes as he angrily chastised himself. 'Fuck, he'd should have just done as Lori'd asked. Then Lori wouldn't have gotten hurt and they wouldn't have these two extra dang mouths to feed fer god knows how long… plus a damn prisoner. This day just went from bad to fuckin' worse.' Daryl swore as he stormed off and went across the field to his camp.


Hershel first operated on Giles and Eris refused to leave his side while he rested. Hershel then operated on the prisoner, Randall, and he was being kept in a more secure location in Hershel's surgery off the side of the house. While Eris was watching over Giles, the others decided now was the best time to have the "discussion" to decide the fate of the newcomer, Randall – not to mention that they ended up with two new additions to the group, and could they even be trusted.

Daryl had been avoiding this discussion. In fact, he'd been avoiding everybody lately, but he felt bad after what he'd said to Carol last night and he was actually curious about the newcomers - if he was honest he'd admit there was really only the one newcomer he was curious about, but Daryl was rarely honest with himself. It was when he entered the house - just as closed the screen door that he heard a woman's scream.

"Help….Hershel.." Eris raced out of the side room and ran straight into Daryl's chest. Daryl's reflexes kicked in and he grabbed her and steadied her with both arms. This was actually his first close look at her and there was no denying she was lovely, especially after the bath had removed all the blood and who knew how many days worth of grime. She stood there a moment lost in his crystal blue eyes before searching helplessly for Hershel, who was hurrying towards her.

"I'm right here, Eris." Hershel walked past and took another look at Giles. Hershel wanted desperately to be able to save Giles. He was so terribly ashamed for running off the way he did. If it hadn't been for him, that other brave woman wouldn't have died. Hershel took his stethoscope out and listened to Giles heart and took his blood pressure and was dismayed at how faint and thready it was. He'd hoped the bullet hadn't nicked an artery, but now he was fairly sure it had and he just didn't have the ability to open the man up and perform heart surgery. The deep concern on Hershel's face caused Eris' heart to constrict as she stood there with Daryl in the doorway. Daryl realized he still had his hands on the woman's arms but neither were able to look away from Giles and Hershel, even when Rick urged his way through to sit by the injured man.

Giles suddenly became agitated again and fought to speak. Eris went to rush forward but Hershel stilled her with his hand gesture and his tone.

"Now son, don't try to speak…. You need to conserve your strength." Hershel advised as he spoke so soothingly to the man.

But Giles wouldn't be stifled. He struggled to sit up a bit further. He saw Eris in the door and smiled but it was the man with his hands resting gently on Eris that caught Giles' attention. From his bed, he quickly judged the young man. Yes, he was dirty and appeared slightly...'raw' was the word Giles came up with. But he knew he wasn't going to make and had to ensure Eris did. He rustled himself up further and insisted he be heard.

"You" he pointed to Daryl, urging him to come forward. "Come" he gestured for Daryl to come over closer to him. Daryl frowned at the injured man – he didn't even know this man, but Rick urged him over. Giles desperately grabbed Daryl's hand and pulled him close to his mouth to whisper, "Promise me… I need your word… Promise me…Eris… is special. Must protect ….special." Giles struggled to grab Daryl's neck, "Promise?" Giles demanded from this stranger with a desperation Daryl could not deny. He struggled he Giles had chosen him …not Rick who was right there by the bed… not Hershel, but Daryl.

"Your name?" Giles croaked out.

"Daryl Dixon," he answered simply - unable to deny this man. Daryl could tell Giles was a strong man and somehow respected it even more.

"Daryl...please?" Giles was having difficulty speaking, he knew he didn't have long.

Daryl didn't know what to do. This wasn't his scene – and he sure as shit didn't do deathbed promises to some man he'd never met.. Daryl knew this man was dying, but he couldn't forget those eyes boring into his – but Daryl recognized the eyes of a another warrior, another hunter. He couldn't really explain it. He only nodded to Giles. No words were ever spoken, but somehow that was good enough for Giles because soon a peaceful expression came over him. Eris rushed to him and held him as he passed away.

Daryl stood there looking at the two of them wondering what the hell he'd just gotten himself into. He looked at Rick who he knew had heard every word. Daryl waited a minute before slamming out the front door.


The group was growing weary of burying people and they stood somberly by Eris as they laid Giles to rest. Lori stood in front of yet another freshly dug grave and worried that they were becoming numb and damaged from so many losses – how would they cope if the losses kept up? Rick glanced over at Lori and was relieved Eris had been the one to demand they put a bullet in Giles head. Apparently he had made them all promise that if died she would make sure. Eris grabbed Giles handgun to shoot him before Rick caught her and had been told about the pact; but Rick and Daryl took that burden from her and did the task themselves. Rick knew why Giles demanded this, but wasn't prepared to explain why to everyone else and was relieved he hadn't had to come up with something himself

Eris stood before the fourth grave feeling more lost and alone than ever. Here she was surrounded by complete strangers and no idea how to take care of herself. For the first time in her privileged life, she was on her own.