KnightMaiden: Don't worry the pairing up will commence in this chapter. For some of the girls at least. But no real fireworks will be lit for a while.
Nilmelwen: I'm glad you like it. Don't hurt yourself laughing.
MORWEN12: I'll keep trying to update as quickly as possible.
chakrumgirl: I love you too (in a thanks-for-being-a-great-reviewer sort of way).
ElizaSmith: Thanks for taking a chance and reading my story. Glad you like it.
Chapter 7: They are my salvation
"It's frickin freezing in here Mr. Bigglsworth," Ann teeth chattered. She moved her horse closer to Nicole's for warmth. Arthur had feared that Ann might try to kill Marius, so he commanded that she be watched at all times.
"Why didn't we bring winter wear?" Nicole asked, her body shaking as well.
"Because it's the middle of August back home."
"Oh yeah."
"Go snuggle up to Gawain if your cold."
Nicole glared at Ann and rode further ahead.
"You know ignoring it wouldn't make it go away!" Ann shouted after her.
"I guess I will be watching over you now."
"Go away Lancelot," Ann said as he rode up taking Nicole's place.
"Why are you so cold towards me milady?"
"Because it's winter."
Lancelot laughed at her wit, "You truly are one of a kind Lady Ann."
"I thought I told you to drop the Lady crap."
"Well I'm somewhat hard of hearing," he answered slyly, "Like when a lady says no and she really means yes." Leaning over from his horse, Lancelot started to bring his face close to hers. Ann could feel her insides grow warm despite the cold weather. She closed her eyes and felt his hot breath on her face. Their lips were barely half an inch apart when a cry came from the medical wagon. With the moment ruined Lancelot and Ann sat back in their separate saddles, neither knowing what to say to the other.
The thick silence didn't last long though when Louise rode up to the pair. "Was that Guinevere that I just heard?" she asked.
"Yes," Ann replied, hoping that Louise wouldn't notice her flushed cheeks, "I think Arthur just reset her fingers."
"Oh, well I need to go talk to her."
"Why?"
"Because I do."
"Louise, you know you're becoming cryptic-girl."
"It's better than being pain-in-the-ass-girl."
Louise rode towards the wagon, while Ann was left behind with Lancelot, who was chuckling at her scowling face.
When Louise came near to the wagon Arthur was already outside talking to Galahad. "Can one of you take my horse?" she asked, "I want to go speak to Guinevere." Galahad, who had not yet been properly introduced to Guinevere, looked confused at the question. Arthur on the other hand had suspicious look on his face. "What do you wish to discuss with her?" he asked. 'Wow,' Louise thought, 'Two minutes with her and already he's being the protective boyfriend.' But she said aloud, "I want to offer my friendship to her. After something dramatic happens in someone's life they really could use someone to talk to and lean on for support."
Both men were surprised by this girl's answer. "Very well," Arthur said, "But Galahad will have to watch over your horse. I have to go speak with Tristan." After Arthur galloped away Louise, making sure not to make eye contact because she was still mad at him, handed Galahad her reins and climbed into the wagon.
Dagonet and Fulcinia were working on Lucan when she entered. The woman looked up and gave Louise a smile then returned to helping Dagonet. Louise smiled at the couple, 'Note to self: after Marius dies have Haileen, Nicole, Ann, and I devise a get-Dagonet-and-Fulcinia-together plan.' After her slight pause, Louise moved to the back of the wagon where Guinevere was sitting up and looking out the wagon opening.
Guinevere looked up at the approaching girl. She recognized her as the one who had first found her in the cage.
Louise saw Guinevere recoil in distrust. Being not very good in the comfort to total strangers department, Louise sat down and decided to get straight to the point, "I know you don't trust me and that's fine. I just wanted you to know that if you need a friend me and my friends are more than willing to talk." Silence just came, so Louise got up to leave, but was stopped when the woad responded, "Why should I trust you?"
Louise sighed, "Because I know what's it's like to feel lost and alone. I also know that it's times like that when you need a friend the most."
"You travel with Romans," Guinevere sneered, "I doubt you have had that troubled of a life."
"Well looks can be deceiving," Louise said feeling tears of hate and sadness come on, "I've been through more shit than you can imagine." She turned to leave when the girl's hand caught her arm. "I'm sorry," Guinevere whispered, "I should not judge you. It's just, my entire life my father has told me the legend of the Aquilus Lupus. Four girls from a land of freedom and wealth. He told of their bravery and intelligents. I always felt that he was comparing me to you, and how could I compete with someone I have never met."
Now Louise was really trying hard not to cry. She returned to her spot beside Guinevere, "I'm not perfect. I've made mistakes before."
"Really?" Guinevere looked at her in disbelief, "Like when?"
"Like when my mom and twin sister died."
"I'm sorry."
"It's okay, it happened a long time ago. But I almost did lose myself when it happened."
"Lose yourself?" Guinevere asked, not understanding, "How?"
Louise took a deep breath, "My twin sister, Shelby, was born with a genetic chemical imbalance. One of the side affects was deep depression. My mother had the same sickness but not as bad. Since she was okay with day to day life none of us really worried about Shelby. My parents started noticing her depression when I was six. They got her treatment and left it at that, but then it returned when she and I started out teen years. Day by day it got worse. Shelby and I got more distant. She started drinking, taking drugs, and had this really abusive boyfriend that my parents and I really hated. One day my parents announce that she is going to go live in a clinic for the depressed. That night Shelby slit her wrists in our bathtub. My mother, who like I said before was also clinically depressed, died three months later. Doctors say it was because her organs just collapsed from stress and lack of food and stress, but I know that it was because of a broken heart."
Louise took another deep breath to calm herself; it wasn't often she spoke of her mom and twin sister. "How did you move on from such an experience?" Guinevere asked in a low voice. Wiping the tears from her face Louise smiled. "I have them," she pointed to Nicole, who was talking to Gawain, Ann, who was throwing snow at Lancelot, and Haileen, who was petting Tristan's hawk, "They are my salvation. Nicole reminds me of everything that I have to live for, Haileen won't ever let me fall, and Ann keeps me from being sad by pissing me off all the time." This time both women laughed.
"So what I'm trying to say is that if you need a friend, me and mine are pretty good when it comes to loyalty and caring for one another."
Guinevere said in a joyful tone, "I would be proud to be your friend and a friend to Nicole, Haileen, and Ann as well." They both hugged and Louise yelled out the window, "Hey guys guess what! We have new friend!" The girls applauded in glee while the knights just rolled their eyes and smiled, except Tristan who never smiles though he did grin slightly. Guinevere sank back in the wagon with embarrassment from all the attention.
"We must get a picture to commemorate this jubilant event," Ann said.
"No camera," Haileen reminded.
"Oh fiddle-sticks, a song then."
"Ann why do you always suggest a song?" Nicole asked.
"No I agree," Louise said to her friend's great surprise, "A song would be fine. Besides by the looks of it these people need a little cheering up." She looked over at the worn out and worried serfs.
"Very well," Haileen said, "Do you have any particular song in mind Guin?"
Guinevere, who was not use to the nickname, so realized that they were referring to her. "Oh well," she thought, "My father always talk about how great the land you four came from was. So could I hear a song about it?"
The four friends smiled at one another, knowing the perfect song:
If tomorrow all the things were gone
I'd work for all my life,
And I have to start again with just my
courage and my strife.
I'd thank my lucky stars to be living here today,
Cause the flag still stands for freedom
and they can't take that away.
And I'm proud to be an American
where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died
who gave that right to me.
And I'd gladly stand up next to you
and defend her still today.
Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land
God bless the U.S.A.
From the lakes of Minnesota,
to the hills of Tennessee,
across the plains of Texas,
from sea to shining sea.
From Detroit down to Houston
from New York to L.A.,
Well, there's pride in every American heart,
and it's time to stand and say.
I'm proud to be an American
where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died
who gave that right to me.
And I'd gladly stand up next to you
and defend her still today.
Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land
God bless the U.S.A.
"Damn do I feel patriotic!" Ann whooped at the end of the song. The knights all had looks of awe on their faces, as did the serfs. Louise looked over and found even Guinevere had her eyes shining with tears. She hugged her friend and told her to get some rest, than crawled back out of the carriage and came face to face with Galahad.
"Louise I…" he started.
"I don't want to hear it," Louise said, taking the reins from him and mounting her horse.
"Louise wait!" Galahad ordered in desperation. She turned and faced him with an annoyed look.
"Louise," he said a bit calmer, "I'm sorry for what happened to your mother and sister."
"I don't want your pity."
"And you wouldn't get any," Galahad stated, "But you will get my admiration and respect. Not many could come out of what you've been through, but you did. And also I wish you to know that I do care for you. Even if times you do anger me beyond belief. Anyway I do want to spend time with you. That is if you want to spend time with me."
Louise brought he hand to his mouth, "Galahad, shut up." Then brush her lips over his for a quick kiss. Louise took his hand the two rode side by side.
Up at the front of the caravan Haileen was petting Tristan's hawk. "He seems to really like you," Tristan said. Haileen, who wasn't afraid to talk to the silent scout as much anymore, said, "Yeah I guess he does."
"Just like his master," he said this so quietly that even Haileen could barely hear.
Haileen blushed at the statement but quickly changed the subject, "It's too bad I left my art supplies at home. Then I could have drawn his picture by now."
"Do you wish to return to your home?"
Haileen thought for a moment, "I don't know. Back home I was always responsible for so much. I'm the oldest of seven children, so it's always my job to take care of everything. Not to mention those three." She motioned back at Louise, Ann, and Nicole. "But here I…I feel more able to be myself. Here I don't have to worry about my friends as much."
"But you will always worry and you will always watch your friends. As I watch mine," Tristan said. Haileen saw the truth in this. She and Tristan were a lot alike. Both watched over people they loved. Although Haileen was much more upfront about it.
"Yeah I guess your right," she smiled at the scout.
"Yes, I guess I am," Tristan said to her then lifted his arm to let the hawk go off to fly again.
Author: Sorry that there wasn't that much humor in this chapter. But there was a song. Didn't you guys like the song? (Author looks at Galahad and Louise, who have gathered the rest and all couples are either singing the Author is a movie freak song or are making out) I said DIDN'T YOU GUYS LIKE THE SONG?
Haileen: (pulls her face off of Tristan's) Oh yes, top notch song. Very American. (resumes kissing Tristan to death)
Author: (pitching her nose in annoyance) How the hell did you all get out of your cages?
(everyone points to Ann)
Author: ANN! Why did you do that?
Ann: Hey don't blame me, my character is supposed to be based off of your personality remember?
Author: So your saying this is my fault?
Arthur: Well you are the creator of this universe.
Author: ARTHUR!
(Arthur shrieks in fear and hides behind Guinevere)
Author: Listen, would you all just review before I die of an ulcer because of these people.
Knights and Girls: Hey!
