A/N: Like a boss :D I managed to squeeze this into my time. Hopefully this is slightly better that last chapter (Which was written while I was delirious with a cold) and I had no decent conception of what a good story was supposed to be ^^' So Here's chapter three! For those of you who are new to reading my stories, I rarely update them... Personally, I'm socking myself by me actually writing these chapters so quickly. Albeit, they are a bit smaller. BUT the good part of that is it means I'll be able to update quickly! So I hope you enjoy the next part of the Tristan/Arabelle series! 3
Grace: Thank you :) I try really hard to make him less of the taciturn old grouch he resembles in the movie XD Lets hope I can keep doing that without him getting too OOC :D
BlackWiltedRose: Ugh, I'm not in college yet ^^' But from what my boyfriend says, it can be challenging sometimes XD See, I'm only a Junior in highschool, soooooo yeah :D I thought of the plot line of this story from other books I have read where a woman goes undercover as a man (either back in the day or in modern days). Besides, I'm trying to branch out from the crowd. The other stories I have read have only girl characters that fall in love with our favorite knight and then... that's that! I think this adds to the mystery a bit more ;)
e1311: I'm glad you like it :) I'm still debating on which character will find out first. It's a tie between Dagonet and Tristan. We'll see :)
And THANK YOU all the other people who have reviewed and/or added this story to your favorites and alert list :) Love you all 3
A loud bang woke Arabelle the next morning. Looking around blearily, she noticed her door had been thrown open to reveal a tall figure. She watched the outline cautiously as it stood in the doorway.
"Get up." An accented voice growled. "It's dawn, time to start your training."
Grumbling, Arabelle looked through her disheveled bangs at the scout, glaring at him. The man snorted and walked out without another word. Once she was properly attired, she made her way out of her quarters. Her teacher sat on a stool by the brazier in front on the stables, peeling an apple.
"You must really like apples." She commented smoothly as she walked past him to where her black stallion, Kharu, stood. The scout looked at her, his golden eyes flashing dangerously.
"Very observant." He mocked, a smirk on his face. "You're skills overshadow mine own."
Arabelle huffed at his ridicule. Ignoring his remark she tugged her saddle onto her horse and tightened it's girth. She noticed Kharu was holding his breath, sucking in his belly to make him appear less wide. She scowled and lightly slapped his flank. He snorted and glared at her over his shoulder. She rolled her eyes and gave him a cube of sugar.
"You spoil him." Tristan's low voice sounded near her ear. She gasped in surprise at his sudden closeness. He moved from behind his student to examine the stallion. "Strong legs, broad shoulders, long mane." He ran his hands along Kharu's neck, patting the beast tenderly. Arabelle looked at the knight in surprise, shocked to see this tender side of the usually gruff man. Tristan looked up at the recruit, taking in her dumbfounded expression with amusement. He pointed the dagger at the reigns behind her.
"Bridle him and lets get a move on."
The air was crisp as they set out from Badon Hill. Kharu snorted, as he was more than relieved to be out of his stall. Screeches made the red haired woman look up and saw a lone hawk circling them. They made their way to the practice fields, which were deserted at this time of day. Tristan looked back at his student, studying her tired appearance. Chuckling lightly to himself he dismounted and motioned for her to do the same.
"Go fetch a bow." He commanded tersely. Arabelle glared at him but did as she was told. Walking over to the wooden barrels, she selected a bow and tested it mettle. It was too taunt, the wood seeming almost too brittle to even bend. Shaking her head she selected another one. This one was too loose, its flax string pulling back too far. Tristan watched her carefully through his bangs, his hands fixing his own bow with ease. Snorting in annoyance the redhead pivoted on her heel, glaring at the knight as if it was his fault.
"All these bows are USELESS!" She huffed, her arms crossing over her body. The scout raised an eyebrow and her temperament and lazily sauntered over to stand beside her. He knew they were all useless; he himself had purposefully filled the barrel with the worst bows he could find throughout the fort.
He's not as hopeless as I first thought, He thought while picking through the bows as though he was inspecting them himself. Turning toward the youth, he smirked and nodded his head toward his horse.
"Come, boy."
Arabelle didn't respond at first, still getting used to her circumstances as a boy. After a half second she nodded and followed her mentor. Her hand suddenly flew to her face and a small training bow was tossed her way.
"You passed your first test." His voice sounded from the other side of the spotted mare. "But lets see how you hold up with your second one." Soon he reappeared from the other side of the horse. Shoving a quiver full of arrows at her, he turned and walked briskly to the edge of the training fields. He stopped and examined one of the many trees that outlined the sun-forsaken field, seemingly looking for something. Before she had opened her mouth to ask him what he was doing, Tristan took one of his daggers and pinned a piece of cloth to the trunk. Walking back he pointed at the cloth.
"You are to hit it." He stated stoically.
"From here?" Arabelle looked at him incredulously. That was an impossible feat, even for her. Groaning when she saw him nod, she took an arrow and knocked it onto the string. Drawing it back to her ear, she was about to release it when she felt gentle hands on her elbow.
"You're elbow is too high, it would have gone wide. Try it again."
She took a deep breath and released. The arrow thudded into the wood a couple feet below the white cloth. The knight nodded, taking an arrow of his own and hitting the cloth dead on. Arabelle's jaw dropped as she stared at the tattooed man. Tristan smirked at her expression and moved aside for her to try it.
The rest of the day had her trying to hit the cloth. By the time the sun was high, and the weather hat turned into a morbid heat that made both their hair stick to their skin, she had managed to successfully hit the small target twice. Satisfied, the young Sarmatian fell onto the cool grass. A large shadow hit her and she sighed, looking up into the face of her smirking teacher. Before she could protest, she was hit with an apple, a piece of bread, and some cheese. She stared at the food in confusion.
"It's already noon." The scout said quietly and sat down next to her. "I'm not so cruel as to deprive you of food." Taking out his knife he started carving on a small block of wood. There was a small silence between them, not uncomfortable at all. Arabelle slowly chewed her food and studied Tristan.
"What?" He asked, clearly annoyed at her incessant staring.
"Aren't you going to eat?"
"I already ate."
"Oh…" Came the quiet reply. Tristan glanced at her and contemplated saying something.
I shouldn't have to say anything. He scowled. I never cared to say anything to anyone before.
"You're from Hycri?" He asked quietly, damning his mouth for not listening to his brain. The redheads posture stiffened. A silent nod was all he got in return.
"Interesting." He said to himself. Putting down his dagger, he grabbed her chin in his fingers and turned her head towards him. His thumb stroked her cheekbones gently. Arabelles face started turning red and she tried to yank herself from his firm grip.
"You don't have these." He used his free hand to point to his own tattoos. "How old are you?"
Her eyes widened at his question.
"N-nineteen." She stuttered, flustered at the gentleness of his fingers.
Amber eyes narrowed.
"Nineteen? You should have had these when you were at least 15." Tristan growled slowly. "It's a right of passage for all Hycri boys." He released her face and took a step back. Taking in a slow breath, the young Sarmatian looked at her mentor.
"I was born in Sarmatia, but never stayed there past my third year." She revealed. "My da had been killed by the Romans when he refused to give his younger brother to their service. My mother fled to a Roman settlement here in Briton. I grew up there, in Eboracum."
The scout listened quietly. After she had finished he nodded, stroking his beard as he mulled it over.
"So you never were old enough to go through the rights."
She nodded quietly, thankful that he didn't question any further. The scout cleared his throat and stood. After two minutes of pacing back and forth, he stood in front of her, looking down.
"Would you… Would you like me to perform the ceremony?" He asked hesitantly. Green eyes flashed up to meet his. She looked at him warily, knowing that, through his reputation he wasn't one for generous things. He was cruel, ruthless, and utterly merciless.
Arabelle nodded, slowly standing up to stand eye to eye with him.
"I'd be honored."
A/N: aaaaaand that's a wrap! I hope you liked it :3 I'm almost done with Chapter 4, so expect that this week too :) Peace out! ~Satatchi