Chapter 3

It had been several weeks since Peronell had gone for a ride with Tristan and she had not seen nor heard much of him since. It was not that she had been keeping track of the time specifically, but she knew the knights had been away for almost three weeks because all the young women talked about their absence and then celebrated their return. The gradually warming weather meant that June had arrived and Alys had decided that Peronell could be trusted with the spindle and she spent most of her days converting the pounds of wool into yarn and thread. She was grateful for the distractions because she didn't like to admit that every time she looked up she hoped to see Tristan there, and when he wasn't her heart sank a bit. There were certainly many other young men around who were showing an interest but none that seemed quite as interesting.

Peronell sighed as she removed a spool from the spindle and prepared to start a new one. Her fingers, which had initially been covered in pricks and burns from the thread, were becoming tougher and more accustomed to the new task.

"That sounds like a heavy hearted sigh Nell," Alys had been careful not to pry into the girl's thoughts but her face was as transparent as a window, despite her best intentions.

"Oh no, I don't mind the work, it takes a lot of concentration but I feel I'm learning a lot," Peronell was quick to look more alert; she didn't want Alys to think she was ungrateful or bored with her new skill.

"I wasn't referring to your work; your work is just fine. Better than fine, I'm very pleased" Alys replied. "You just seem to be missing someone; you have a wistful look about you every now and again."

Peronell looked over at Alys, trying to determine if she knew more than she was letting on. It could have been her opportunity to share her thoughts with the older woman but instead she chose to smile and gently shake her head.

"No, there is no one in particular on my mind. I was just thinking of all the work to come and the summer solstice festival." She smiled impishly at Alys

"Ahha! That will be quite the event. I think you'll find yourself very busy that day," Alys teased. "If you think the men have been lurking about lately, you will be overrun at solstice!"

"Nonsense! There's no one here that has expressed an interest, I think I'll find myself mostly looking after my brothers and sisters."

"Well wouldn't that be a shame. Many young women find their match at these festivals you know. " Alys informed her. "That's where my husband finally found the nerve to court me."

Peronell smiled at the woman, Alys had started taking quite an interest in her love life, and although she would vehemently deny it if confronted, Peronell hoped that Tristan would take that opportunity to find her during the festival.

Summer Solstice was the event that marked the beginning of the summer, typically it fell on June 24th but whether the event actually took place depended on the priest, at least in this village. Arthur felt it gave the people something to look forward to and work for and he encouraged the continuation of the festival but his was not the final word. The better part of three days would be devoted to celebrating the start of summer. Each family would bring some of their newly harvested produce, animals would be slaughtered for food and ale would flow freely. Often there were contests and jousting tournaments for the knights, complete with troubadours and minstrels. It was an event that everyone looked forward to and Arthur did his best to make it a religious festival as opposed to a Pagan festival, thus ensuring its continuation. He asked the priests to bless the event and the spring harvest at the beginning of the day and to offer thanks for the evening meal. These compromises were usually successful in pleasing all concerned parties.

That evening while helping her mother prepare the meal Peronell asked whether or not the festival would indeed take place.

"As far as I know it will go ahead." Her mother replied, "Gawain has already organized men to assist in setting up areas for jousting and other tournaments and the women have begun planning who is contributing what."

"What will I be doing do you suppose?" Nell carefully enquired, hoping to have her days free.

"You will be watching your brothers and sisters and ensure they stay out of trouble, which should have the same affect on you I hope!" Her mother retorted.

Seeing her daughter's face fall, her mother continued. "You and Ysmay will share the duties throughout the days and in the evenings you may leave them solely in her care, as she is too young for the evening events but I will be far too busy to be looking after any of you. As the eldest it is your responsibility to look after your younger siblings." With that stern warning, Beatrix called for her children and husband.

The following week was a blur of spinning thread, dying wool and creating and fixing the clothes of the entire village, or so it seemed to Peronell. She was at work early each day and stayed late each evening. Out of sheer necessity Alys was allowing her to dye the wool but kept a very close eye on the process, barking endless orders and commands at every turn. Each Sarmation knight came by to drop off or request a tunic. They so seldom had a reason to don any formal attire that they never realized the state of their clothing until the last minute. Nell also found herself busy helping her father with all the extra work coming to the Smithy. Swords and lances needed to be repaired and shields created. The days leading up to a festival were always the busiest for blacksmiths.

In addition to the escalating busyness leading up to the festival, knights from outside the village were also arriving in anticipation of demonstrating their strength and skills to both Arthur and the eligible young ladies they hoped to find. The younger men of the village tried to find time to prepare themselves for the various events, in the hopes that they could prove themselves able as knights and suitable husbands, especially with the added competition of the other knights.

Three days prior to the festival, Arthur and his knights sat in counsel over the rather trivial matter of who would compete and in what. Dagonet abstained as he was considered the best healer in the village and would no doubt be frequently needed. Arthur also refrained from the competitions as the men felt he should remain neutral as the unofficial host and unchallenged in his abilities.

"I'm in for mock combat" Bors announced

"Myself as well" Lancelot agreed

"Archery" Galahad offered

"Falconry, perhaps archery, only to show up Galahad" Tristan offered with a smirk

"Shocking," Bors jested, "Tristan is entering in a falconry competition, who would guess it?"

"At least it's a real skill old friend" Tristan threw back, complete with a wink to dispel Bors short temper.

"Right then, keep the peace whenever you are not competing, we don't want this event spiralling out of control and don't expend all your energy." Arthur advised as the meeting drew to a close.

"That's right, save some for the women!!" Bors roared and the knights laughed as they headed outside into the bright sunlight.

"What else is energy good for, hmm?" Lancelot mused. "Pay attention young pup," as he gestured at Galahad, "you may learn something yet."

Shaking his head Galahad gave Lancelot a sound push to show him he wouldn't back away from a challenge. "Ah Lancelot, how you cling to your glory days." Galahad jeered, "Fear not, I will always admire you, even in your advanced age."

Tristan laughed with the rest of the knights while he casually cast his eye about the village, seeing if she was nearby.

"Over there." Dagonet said it so quietly as he passed Tristan that he thought he might have been hearing things, but when he looked to the right where Dagonet paused he saw Peronell. She was carefully removing the freshly dried garments from the dye racks, doing her best to ensure no residual dye passed over to her own clothes. He nodded subtly to Dagonet in thanks and moved on.