As always, I don't own anything but Story. Enjoy!
Chapter 3 To love...sort of.
I grew to love the woman. We rarely spoke, but she took care of me. In time, she stopped asking questions. I told her my name, but never bothered with other details. She had a son. He was a bit younger than me, and in time I grew to love him too. He was a frail thing, small for his age, and sickly. They were my family.
I remember the day the Romans came for him. The woman was so scared. She cried and cried. The boy had been sick for weeks, weak beyond measure, bedridden.
When the messenger came in with news of the Roman, the woman nearly fainted with grief. I went over to the corner where my pallet lay. I pulled out my dagger that I used for hunting and began cutting off pieces of my hair until it vaguely resembled an unkempt boy's hair. I had not yet "blossomed" into my womanly figure as I was only 14. I layered on my clothes to hide what figure I did have, wrapped the sheath for my dagger around my waist, grabbed my staff and walked out the door.
I remember a few of the men watching me go. We all knew that if the Roman found out about me I would be sent back or worse, killed. And as this silent understanding passed through my adopted village in a heartbeat, I heard one of the men shout, "RUUUUUUUUUS!" As others took up the cry, I looked back once and smiled for the first time in a long time.
XOXOXOXOXO
Galahad came up beside Story as she watched Tristram leave the arena. "Well that was a new one."
She smiled at him. "I don't spar with him very often, and it's even more rare that I win. I take what I can get."
"And give nothing back." He turned to her, "He's a poor loser you know."
"I know. That's why I beat him. That's why I never let him take the win if I can help it. He fights like he wants to die, like there's nothing to live for. And when I do beat him...I guess I just hope he'll see that he's not invincible. It makes him try harder when we're out there..." she got a faraway look in her eyes.
"Story...why don't you go to him?" Galahad asked cautiously.
Her head snapped around and she stared hard at him. "What do you mean?" There was a warning in her voice.
"He would let you, you know. He's not as harsh as he seems. He would forgive y-" but he didn't get to finish what he was saying. Suddenly the world was spinning and he felt himself hit the ground. His lip was busted and already beginning to swell where she had hit him.
Her eyes narrowed and she loomed over him. Pointing a finger at his chest, she said through clenched teeth, "There is nothing to forgive."
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "I'm sorry Galahad." She reached out a hand to help him up and he took it. When he gave her a questioning look and fingered the cut on his lip where her ring had caught him, she just laughed mirthlessly. "Like you said, he's a poor loser. He's had plenty of opportunities..."
Galahad touched her arm lightly and she turned to face him. He leaned forward and kissed her softly but passionately.
When he pulled away she smiled at him.
"You see? That's how I know," he said. She frowned, confused. "You don't look at any of us the way you look at him." Story frowned more and looked away from Galahad. "And you don't kiss anyone the way you kissed him just now." She took a deep breath and shook her head. "And Tristram...well, he doesn't kiss anyone." She looked a bit surprised at that. "I know it might seem crazy to you. But in the ten years I've known Tristram, I have never seen him kiss anyone...until today."
Story sighed. "You don't get it Galahad. He isn't interested. Not anymore. Not since..." She shook her head again. "Nevermind. I'm done for the day. I'll be at the tavern if you need a challenge later." She grinned at him.
Story made her way to the tavern, her thoughts lost in the past. When she arrived she waved at Vanora who nodded at her, and then sat down at a table.
"You're here early," Vanora quipped as she sat down a plate of food and a mug of ale in front of Story.
"Bad morning. Needed something to take the edge off," she said then stuffed food into her mouth.
Vanora looked at her, knowing there was more to it, but quietly waiting.
Storane looked thoughtful for a moment as she chewed, and then, swallowing, she asked, "What would you do...if your heart and blood and life laid in the hands of fifteen amazing men?" Then she laughed and laughed, so hard tears began streaking down her face. Vanora laughed too.
Eventually the laughter died down til she just chuckled a little and wiped at the tears.
Vanora stood up and came around the table. She took Storane's head in her hands and kissed her gently on the forehead, then looked her hard in the eyes. "I'd feel like the luckiest woman in the world. But I would also wonder...where does my soul belong?" And with that she went back to her work.
Story took a drink of her ale and felt in a daze. Her eyes wandered around the tavern until they fell on Tristram. She hadn't even known he'd come in until she saw him. It made her anger well up inside her that he could catch her off guard so easily.
She finished her mug of ale and set it down carefully as not to brake it in anger. She stood, carefully, pushing back the bench she had been sitting on and walked over to him with smooth, measured steps.
When she stood directly in front of him she had to look just slightly up into his eyes. And before she even realised what she was doing, her hand flicked out and she slapped him across the face.
Okay. I know this one is a bit heavy. And its early on. I very nearly just went with it and jumped right into the whole Story/Tristram thing. But I realised there needed to be more to the story. And also, I know she's kind of emotional and girly for a knight...but she is also a girl...soooo...I don't know. Let me know what you think! Does it make sense? Sort of? Hope you liked it!
