I only own my characters, Arthur and our beloved knights belong to Touchstone pictures King Arthur 2004.

This chapter continues from where Chapter 6 left off. Thank you for all the wonderful feedback I am getting. A huge thanks to all those of you who are reading the story I promise more chapters to come with a look into their lives as they develop.

Chapter 7: Dawn brings another day

Moir returned to the festival that evening. Morlang came to fetch his wife and check on things at home. Lorna assured her parents she would be fine and just needed rest promising to join them again in the morning. The family planned to stay at her uncle's home for the two days of the festival. Her mother knew she would rest soundly the remainder of the night. With Sharma there at her side Moira knew her daughter would be protected. As for tonight she needed only sleep.

Tristan just sat outside her window gazing up at the star filled sky. He had been there not long after she arrived from the festival following her to make sure she was safe. Here he was protecting her from himself. He was stiff and uncomfortable but he would not leave far from her. He needed her to forgive him. Detemined to never again see in her eyes what he had seen when he had held her arms tightly. A feeling of fear, a feeling of hurt. He needed to know that she loved him as she had before. Even though he knew that he was not much deserving of her love after what had transpired.

Morning would soon find her way bringing with it another day of duties. For now he would remain where he was. This was to be his duty from now on after all if he planned to claim her for his own, if she would have him that is. Tilting his head back he thought this would certainly be one of the more pleasant duties he had ever had charge of- as a chuckle loosens itself from his throat- the tip of his tongue on his upper front teeth.

He had been perched there for hours now watching over her. He peered inside to catch a vision of Lorna. The soft glow illuminated by the lamp cast soft highlights across her beautiful face. She lay soundly in a deep slumber. Exhausted by the well of tears she had shed this day. Sharma lifted his head and let out a low growl. Tristan placed his finger over his lips as the two exchanged stares. There was an unspoken conversation between them. The wolf laid his head upon her leg, keeping a watchful eye on the man.

Seeing that she was in a deep sleep he maneuvered quietly through the window. Crossing the room in complete silence he knelt by her bedside. The warmth of a smile fell across his lips as he marveled how truly beautiful she was. Her frame seemed strangely fragile to him as his eyes glanced down her figure until they reached the black eyes of Sharma who still glared at him. Tristan reached over and rubbed him between the ears. A truce came between the two protectors. The wolf relaxed and laid back down.

His eyes trailed back up her frame until they landed upon the place on her arm that bore the bruises he gave her. There stood the imprints of his fingers. He lowered his head, gingerly brushing his lips upon them, kissing each mark. His lips lightly touching her arm while the warmth of his breath lingered tenderly. A soft stirring comes from her voice as her body slightly snakes in movement. Still she slumbers. Taking the coverlet that has fallen away from her upper body he slowly pulls it over her. His hand carefully traces her dark hair. With his fingers he pulls what is tucked under the covers out and away from her face. Leaning in he kisses her temple as his thumb softly caresses her cheek.

Dawn would arrive in a few hours. He settled in for the remainder of night sitting next to her bed. His left leg bent so he could rest his elbow on it while his hand braced his head. His right leg tucked slightly under her bed frame. He watched her peacefully rest for some time thinking of what their life together might be like. Finally laying his body on the floor (his hands laced behind his head) sleep found his eyes and they closed.


The morning sun shone in through the open window casting its rays upon her face. Pulling the covers over her head Lorna lets out a groan and growl of distain and rolls over. Shamra inches his way up to the pillow fully expecting some morning rubs and scratches behind the ears. He receives his wish and relishes every second of it as he rolls to his back with paws extend upward his body slightly bent.

"Time to get up you lazy wolf." She proclaims sarcastically "I have to go to the festival and join in the merriment!"

Swinging her legs over the side of the bed she gives a stretch and arches her back. Removing the dressings from her hand she is elated that it is better and no bones broken. She wiggles and stretches her fingers she looks down at Sharma who now has his head in her lap.

"That was certainly a close one eh boy! I would have been fit to be tied had I broke my bow hand!" she lets out a giggle "I wonder how his jaw feels this morning?" –Shamra raises his head tilting it from side to side- "Serves him right stupid man." She utters as she rubs the wolf between the ears. "Well no time to waste I have to go." With that she rises and gets dressed.

Making her way back to the festival that has already begun with much music and laughter which could be heard from a quite a distance. The sun is bright and the sky filled with beautiful white clouds. A pleasant day for a festival she thought to herself. Let's hope it will be better than yesterdays. She ties Alomar up with the rest of the horses and gives him a good pat down.

Her heart quickens as she passes the tavern. She dare not even look in its direction for fear of what she might see again. Holding her breath her steps quicken their stride. Perhaps no one will notice her she hopes as she slips in and out of the people passing by.

"Lorna!" she hears a familiar voice calling her name "Lorna wait!" As the voice calls again she dare not slow down nor gaze over her shoulder.

Soon she is well passed the tavern and slows her pace. Just then a hand grabs her elbow. She stops and turns around.

"Lorna, you certainly are in hast to get to the festival girl." Gawain smiles at her "Did you not hear my calling your name?"

"I did." She says smiling back at him although she knew the voice to belong to him she did not want the risk of seeing Tristan there "I am needed by my family."

"Well your father and uncle are back in the tavern having drink with us. Are you heading to our uncles house?" he inquires

"It's a bit early to be having drink don't you think Gawain?"

Looking up at the sun "Its near mid day Lorna. Besides it's never too early for drink" he says with a wink "Are you going to your uncle's house?" he inquires for the second time with a boyish smile

"I am sure Helena is at the festival not her father's house." She returns the smile along with a wink. "Come walk with me and I will help you find her."

"Not much to pass you by is there?" he chuckles

"Well not when one is so obvious Gawain." She returns the chuckle and punches him in the arm "And you had better be good to her or you will have me to answer to."

"Yes ma'am" he says looking out the side of his eyes toward her rubbing his arm as though he were really injured by her

They laugh as they head toward the festival center. No sooner did they arrive and they we pounced upon by Sophie, Lydia and Helena as well. Her younger sisters fill her in on all the details of yesterday's events while Gawain takes Helena by the hand and leads her off so they might be alone. Lorna listens dutiful to her siblings all the while her eyes gaze the surroundings looking for sight of him. Soon the young girls are distracted and race off leaving Lorna standing there alone.

"He's not here little one." whispers Dagonet in her ear as he stands closely behind her. "He is out on a scouting mission. He left early at dawns light. Worry not he will return in a few days time."

"Are you ever going to stop calling me "little one" Dag?" she looks up and over her shoulder at the towering Knight trying to avoid his statement

Looking down at her impish grin he replies "No, you will always be little one to me." And kisses the top of her head "He loves you, you do know that don't you." His face as a more serious expression

"No I do not know any such thing." She states in a serious tone

"I've known him a long time little one. I have never seen him this turned inside out. I must confess I could not make out the cause of his apparent misery these past months until yesterday at the tavern. Then I knew for certain as his eyes watched you being pulled away by Lydia." The tall knight says

"Well if you ask me he certainly has a queer way of showing his affections towards another. If that is the way he intends to show his love to me I may consider declining his affections." She coldly mutters recalling yesterday's event

"He loves you for certain and it frightens him." He places his large but gentle hands on her shoulders (just missing the places on her arms where her bruises still lay) leaning his head down he speaks softly "He will come around Lorna. Just be patient with him, this is new and unexplored territory for Tristan. He doesn't handle feelings or emotions well. They unnerve him." He gives a tender peck on her forehead before continuing in a chipper tone -

"Now what say you…"(stretching his right leg backwards his right arm across his belly while his left arm comically reaches to the side as he bows to her) "Will you allow me the honor to be your escort during the festival my lady?"

"Why thank you fair knight." She responds with a curtsy with a smile

Dagonet stands and graciously extends his arm. Lorna smiles and slips her arm through and they begin to walk toward the sound of the music.

"What is it about you healers, you and mamma both, that you have this sense about people?" she inquires

"There is more to healing people than just their outward wounds little one." He gives a pat to her hand


He was glad that things were quiet during his scouting mission. Not being able to concentrate much these past days was not a good thing for a man in his position. It was dangerous as a matter of fact. Staying focused and in tuned with everything around him was a necessary weapon he had to possess. As of late not only did he not possess those but half his mind as well he thought.

He came to clearing by a stream and dismounted. Leading Aron to the stream for a cool drink of water he decided to lean his back against a huge oak tree that was nestled nearby. Sitting down he propped his back up against the tree trunk, stretched his long legs out and cross his ankles. Taking out his dagger he began to slice an apple he had retrieved from his saddle bag along with a small piece of wood he had been carving on.

Hearing the familiar screech from Aritê he looked up where she had found a branch to perch herself on.

"Well there you are girl." He said "Nothing amiss with you either then...good."

He took a slice of apple, placed it between his front teeth and began sucking the juices out of it. Between his fingers he holds a small piece of wood he has been carving. He admires his workmanship. His father had taught him how to carve wood when he was a young boy. He recalled how beautiful and detailed the figures he would carve for his children turned out to be. Perhaps one day he would carve figures for his own children to play with. Perhaps one day.

He was making a carving of a wolf for Lorna. He planned to attach the carving to a leather latching he had made to go around her wrist. Closing his eyes he remembered how soft the skin of her wrist felt as his thumb caressed it yesterday. He remembered the smell of her hair as he kissed her temple. Tightening his lips he saw the images of the bruises in his mind. He would never allow himself to ever harm her again. Opening his eyes he resumed carving the figure.

Tomorrow when her returned from his mission he would seek her out. He would confess to her his feelings and hold her….if he had not burned that bridge.