When Meg awoke that morning it was to a deafening crash as Cait stormed into their shared room. Rolling over, she burrowed herself further into the straw mattress.
"Wake up, Meg!" squawked Cait as she gave her sister a rude shake.
Pulling the covers high over her head, Meg squeezed her eyes shut tightly in an attempt to ignore the unwelcome attack.
Yanking the covers away completely, Cait all but screeched. "Out of bed you stubborn mule!" Kicking the mattress she stomped to the small table on the opposite side of the room.
Yawning, Meg rubbed her stinging eyes and made to rise. Walking to the dwindling fire, she paused after noticing her older sister's curious behavior.
Cait sat at the rough, wooden table with all of their money spread before her. Meg watched with concern as the woman counted the coins once and then once again.
"Balls!" she swore as she slammed her hands flat over the worn surface, sending a small amount of them flying to the floorboards. Leaning back in the chair with a sigh, Cait ran shaking hands through her tawny waves.
Crouching down slowly, Meg set to gathering the valuable mess. Watching the other woman with careful eyes she waited for an explanation.
Laughing bitterly, Cait shook her head. "As if we had anywhere to go anyhow."
Looking at her younger sister helplessly, she continued. "The Saxons have arrived. They're all leaving. The Romans, fort residents, why even Arthur's knights have run off."
At the mention of the knights, Cait watched as Meg smiled sadly, her eyes averted as she stared into the fading flames.
Rising slowly, Meg walked the short distance that separated them. Leaning down, she kissed her sister gently on the head and patted her shoulder reassuringly.
"I'm going to see what I can find out," Cait muttered and set off to do just that.
After a bit of investigating, Cait was relieved to learn that others were staying behind as well. By that afternoon she and Meg sat in a large room located in one of the fort's interior buildings. They were surrounded by others like themselves, those too stubborn to leave or unable.
As the hours dragged on Cait became more anxious. The place felt oppressive. A young woman sat in the center of the room trying unsuccessfully to quiet an inconsolable child. Two men near the corner bickered endlessly over the outcome of the ongoing battle. The muffled shouts of men and the slight ring of swords penetrated the thick stone walls.
Cait paced the floors, drumming a sporadic beat against her thigh. She watched begrudgingly as Meg sat calmly on a small bench against the far wall. As soon as they had entered the chamber she had taken the seat and had not moved since. It seemed to Cait as if she had given in to the unknown. She appeared eerily at peace as she sat, glancing occasionally at those around her.
Finally after a seemingly endless wait a thunderous knock came at the doors. The people inside quieted instantly. Shoving past the curious mob, Cait moved to her little sister's side. Taking her by the hand, they waited.
Before long a great, joyous roar was heard. Loudly releasing the breath she had been holding, Cait turned to meet her smiling sister's face.
"We're alright," she shouted excitedly. Yanking Meg into a tight hug she squealed with glee. "We're alright!"
Before long the two women made their way out into the fading daylight. Bringing her hand up to shield her eyes, Meg couldn't help but smile. A few hours ago she was not certain she would ever see the sun again. The bright rays warming her skin felt marvelous.
Not watching where she was going, Meg shortly found herself slamming into the back of a motionless Cait. The woman stood stone still, gaping at something in the distance. Meg noted with a bit of concern the unshed tears starting to well up in her sister's eyes.
Looking ahead, Meg struggled to comprehend what it was that would have startled Cait. Her efforts were shortly rewarded when she spied a familiar face headed their way.
"Cait!" the young knight called out as he jogged through the mass of bodies.
Turning to gage Cait's reaction, Meg was pleased to find her beaming.
"Galahad," she murmured breathlessly.
Skidding to a halt in front of the two women, Galahad only hesitated for a moment before sweeping Cait into a cheerful embrace. Hugging her to him tightly he showered her smiling face with kisses, coming to rest on her upturned lips.
"I thought you'd all gone," Cait whispered against his warm mouth.
Leaning back so as to look into her deep, brown eyes, Galahad responded. "We did," was the smiled reply.
Wrapping her in his arms, Galahad kissed her cheek affectionately before turning to Meg.
Meg stood, hands on hips, eying the two with mild amusement.
"Dagonet asked me to fetch you," he stated.
Arching a brow, quite bewildered,Meg looked to Cait.
"Meg? What on Earth would he want her for," Cait inquired.
Smiling impishly, the young man took Cait by the hand and nodded in the direction he had come from. "I'll show you."
The women struggled to keep up as Galahad led them to the other side of the fort. Topping a broad staircase they came to a large set of doors. Pushing them open, Galahad stepped back and motioned for the women to go in. Upon entering it was obvious where he had taken them. This was where they were treating the wounded.
Well there you have Chapter 4. It turned out a bit longer than I thought it would and was originally going to be with what is now Chapter 5. Again, a very large ' thank you' to those that are reviewing. You truly make my day! Hopefully I will have the next chapter up within a few days. I plan on more Gawain/Meg/Tristan. Perhaps even some Cait/Galahad lovin'. I just have to decide if Cait is that type of gal. ;)