Here we go!!!
A while later, Ariana heard a small sound. Listening carefully, she barely heard someone walked in. Putting the brush down, she turned around while wiping some fly-away strands of hair away from her face. To her surprise, it was Tristan. Leaning on the stall door he said gruffly "Thank you."
Ariana looked confused and asked, "For what?" Tristan gave what looked like to be a smile and replied, "From what I heard from Dagonet, you not only found Arthur but you did the majority of the healing." Sensing he was not one for thank you's, Ariana carefully said, "It was nothing extraordinary, I did what I would have wanted done if someone had come across Lancelot or me in the woods."
"All the same, we owe you." Turning around, Tristan walked out of the stall and out of her sight.
Ariana was bored. Completely and utterly bored, as in I'm about to jump off my roof to liven things up a bit bored. It was sad really. She had been here for only a week. She had cleaned out the stables, cleaned the knight's rooms, changed Arthur's bandages, gone on a few rides with certain mysterious knights, polished the round table, cleaned the whole fort's tack, and polished ALL the armor in the armory (of course, by all and whole she meant everything Sarmatian).
"Jeez, what have the knights been doing for the last 7 years? I've been here seven days and I'm ready to attack a roman for fun. I wonder if there are any jobs around" Hopping of the bale of hay that had been serving as her chair, Ariana went over to Jols and asked him where she could find a job.
Jols looked up shocked, "Why would you want a job? You saved Arthur's life and your kin to a knight. Every thing will be provided for you."
Running a hand through her hair, Ariana tried to reassure Jols that she knew she didn't need one, she WANTED one.
Shrugging, Jols suggested "I don't rightly know, but the tavern could probably use some help, Bors's lover Vanora runs it." Thanking him, Ariana hurried over to the tavern.
As it was the middle of the day, the tavern wasn't to busy. Looking around Ariana saw a woman wiping off some tables. Walking over, Ariana shyly introduced herself. "Hello. Umm, are you Vanora?"
The red head looked up and smiled. "Aye lass, I am. What can I do for you?"
"I was wondering if you could use some help in the tavern? You see I only arrived a couple of days ago, and I could really use something to do. Oh! By the way my name's Ariana."
Vanora shook her hand and said "Pleasure, and I would love to have some help. You'll have to be careful of the knights. They woo most of my girls away from work and into their laps, especially Lancelot!"
Laughing, Ariana just shook her head. "I don't think you'll have to worry about Sir Lancelot," leaning in she whispered in a hush-hush way, "you see he's my brother."
Joining in on the laughter Vanora invited Ariana to take a seat so they could 'bond'.
As they learned more about each other random phrases could be heard outside.
"6 kids!"
"All the way from Sarmatia!"
They agreed that Ariana would start that night and that Vanora would come to Ariana's room to help her get ready for her first night working in the tavern.
That night
KNOCK KNOCK. Opening the door Ariana let Vanora in. She had just bathed and was in a robe.
Looking in the wardrobe, Ariana turned her head to the sky and moaned.
Turning to Vanora, Ariana got on her knee's and begged exaggeratedly. "Please, help me! I am absolutely useless at picking dresses and bows and shawls and shoes...Help." With a groan, she looked at the dreaded wardrobe.
Chuckling, Vanora helped Ariana to her feet and sat her down on the bed. Picking out a dress from the corner ofthe wardrobe, she added accessaries. Ariana changed into the clothing and allowed Vanora to do her made up and hair.
Standing up she looked in the mirror. "Not bad." She thought.
Ariana was wearing a full length white dress. It didn't really have sleeves, long see through-ish material was hanging from her shoulders. The dress was fitted but Vanora had added a blood red corset over top for style. Her hair was half up in a bun and half let down. It was casual but elegant, with strands framing her face. Vanora had put stain to make her lip bright red and a silvery thin paste on her eyelid. She was also wearing white slippers.
Together, Ariana and Vanora walked to the tavern. Stopping at the entrance Vanora asked, "Are you ready? Remember, just fill there drinks and if you want talk to them. We're here to entertain them, not sleep with them."
Nodding Ariana took a deep breath and walked in. Ignoring the stares she was getting, Ariana grabbed a tray and filled some mugs. Seeing a couple of legionaries sitting quietly she walked over. They looked as if they had just arrived and didn't have any drinks, so Ariana quietly asked them, "Would you like a drink?"
The men looked up, the young good looking one answered. "Yes, thank you. I'm Antonio, but everyone calls me Tony. Are you new here?" Slightly more at ease, Ariana smiled "Yes, I am. My name is Ariana."
Tony introduced her to his two friends, Peter and Brock. They had just arrived to the fort a couple months ago and from the looks of it shy about meeting new people. Ariana started chatting to them, leaving only to give out more ale. They four of them became friends, but privately Ariana like Tony best. After awhile they left, saying they had guard duty and for her to have a good night.
Soon it was crowded in the tavern, and she was working up a sweat trying to keep up with the requests. The funniest part of the night had been when she went to the knights table. Ariana had just finished filling up the last mug when they realized who it was.
"Ariana!" Perceval exclaimed. Which caught all the knights attention. Even Lancelot looked up from snogging the bar maid on his lap. Laughing, Ariana gave a twirl and said, "You guys are oblivious, I must of walked by 50 times and I think only Tristan recognized me!" The scout smirked and nodded.
Blushing, Galahad and Gawain tried to make up a excuse.
"Well, you looked . . ." "The dress . . ." "Your hair . . ." "Different"
Dagonet cut in to save them from further embarrassment, "You look exquisite."
Blushing, Ariana thanked them and told the previously occupied bar maid to lend a hand making all the knights laugh. No matter what she looked like she was still the same Ariana.
After a while, it started getting rowdy. Ariana looked up as Vanora yelled to be heard over the noise.
"Ari, I need to distract them!"
"Distract them?"
"Ya, can you dance?"
"Not well."
"Well, what can you do?" At this point Vanora was getting a little bit snappish
"I sing a little..." She trailed off unsure if it was wise to tell Vanora this information. Apparently not.
Shoving the younger girl in front of her, Vanora made her way to the center of the room. As if picking up on the mood, one of the men yelled for Van to "sing 'em a song." Shaking her head, Vanora yelled that Ariana (new girl) would. As Vanora took her leave, the pub quieted down to hear her.
Clearing her throat, Ariana started singing the song she usually reserved for religious festivals.
I hear your voice on the wind
And I hear you call out my name
Her voice weaved in, and out through the melody. The tavern was silent as the grave.
"Listen, my child," you say to me
"I am the voice of your history
Be not afraid, come follow me
Answer my call, and I'll set you free"
Suddenly, a drum and flute joined in from the back of the room. Ariana continued singing, as she whirled around to see them.
I am the voice in the wind and the pouring rain
I am the voice of your hunger and pain
I am the voice that always is calling you
I am the voice, I will remain
I am the voice in the fields when the summer's gone
The dance of the leaves when the autumn winds blow
Ne'er do I sleep thoughout all the cold winter long
I am the force that in springtime will grow
Getting into the song she swayed back in forth pouring more and more into to lyrics.
I am the voice of the past that will always be I am the voice in the wind and the pouring rain
Filled with my sorrow and blood in my fields
I am the voice of the future, bring me your peace
Bring me your peace, and my wounds, they will heal
I am the voice of your hunger and pain
I am the voice that always is calling you
I am the voice
I am the voice of the past that will always be
I am the voice of your hunger and pain
I am the voice of the future
I am the voice, I am the voice
Stopping suddenly, Ariana sang the last haunting line.
I am the voice, I am the voice
The tavern burst into cheers, Lancelot ran over and started twirling in the air all the while telling her how fantastic she sounded.
By the end of the night, she had lost her job as a serving girl and gained one as the regular entertainer; she also talked to the musicians in the back and convined them to join her. By far her favourite part of the night was when Tristan gave her a quick but bright smile. It had left her breathless for several minutes.
Hehehehe, you gotta love the fluff. You know the drill, review if you want to and if you don't you'll go to hell...
NOT! LoL,
Enchantress