CHAPTER NINE: What About the Woman?

The Raiders made no impressions of moving along as the knights had hoped. And Tristan was almost positive it was the discovery of their tracks that made them wish to linger. They stayed tucked away, covered by the trees, hidden from the unwanted company. The Raiders had sent no scouts to check the surround areas yet, but he knew to expect them soon enough.

The sun was nearly set amongst the mountains, orange and pink mixing with the clouds. A beautiful scene, Elena thought, as she fixed her eyes upon the horizon. Often she would gaze into the distant skies in times of worry and fear. It seemed rather appropriate, given their current situation. She wanted so desperately to run. So desperately. She wanted to leave this all behind her. Leave everyone and everything. Rome…Leoness…the Knights of the Great Wall. All she had to do was put one foot in front of the other. It seemed simply enough in her mind.

The big brooding knight called Dagonet caught sight of her suffering. He whispered to Elena softly. "Worry not, little one," he began, "it won't be much longer."

"You seem so sure," replied Elena.

He nodded. "I have faith in my fellow knights."

"Faith," she repeated, laughing to herself. "Forgive me, but I do not share your thoughts. The solace of faith faded from my soul a very long time ago."

"Well men," whispered Gawain through trees, "it seems we can add another pagan to our ranks!"

The comment earned him a bit of snickering from his comrades. As the laughs began to echo softly through the woods, Elena couldn't help but smile at his remark. Without warning, her smile quickly turn into a yawn, a small sign leaving her lips.

"It has been a long evening for you, Milady," started Arthur. "You should rest up for the journey tomorrow."

Elena eyes widen slightly. "Tomorrow? We are not moving this day?"

"The day is gone," commented Tristan.

"You know very well what I mean," she spat back at him, her voice in a sharp whisper. "Why must we wait until morning?"

"Because there are a number of murders not fifty feet away from us. Should you wish an early grave," Tristan continued, "please, by all means, give away our cover."

"You should be content with the decision, Milady," Lancelot quipped in, nudging her shoulder lightly. "After all, this will delay your journey to The Wall. Rome will not come to you as quickly."

Elena was not worried about Rome. She was quite excited to see the city. Lord Dominic was the problem. "But it should not be this way," she began shaking her head. "Not at the extension of my safety-"

"AHHHHH!"

A blood curding scream suddenly erupted from the Raiders encampment. All the knights settled around Elena drew their swords. She jumped at the sound of the metal sliding from their sheath. She took a quick glance to her right, catching sight of Lancelot's weapon. The metal was glistening.

He turned to her, giving her a quick smile, "Just in case."

Elena returned the smile weakly, then immediately replaced it with a look of dread.

"AHHHHH!"

The scream sounded again, this time, it seemed closer. The voice defiantly belonged to a female, that much they were sure of. Elena's heart went out to the poor woman. She couldn't imagine…

"Everyone quiet," Tristan said suddenly.

Elena could hear a faint sound of the woman crying, desperatly calling out for help. She scanned the trees but couldn't see anyone. As seconds passed, the sounds became clearer. There was whaling and shrieking and moaning. Elena was sure the woman must have been hurt.

"Who is that?"

"Quiet," snapped Tristan. Elena pursed her lips together planning her attack, but the thought quickly faded from her mind. He was the expert, if you could call him that. If they had left an hour ago, they wouldn't be in this mess.

Laughter suddenly swirled into the mix of noise. It was a kind of cruel and sadistic laughter that Elena had never heard before.

"They're moving into the woods," said Tristan.

"How many," asked Arthur quickly.

"Not many," he replied. "Just enough to catch the woman they are chasing." Tristan turned to his commander and began again. "We need to move. If not, she may lead them straight to us."

Arthur nodded. Tristan began to move swiftly, gliding right past Elena. Arthur then motioned for Lancelot and Gawain to join him.

"What is happening," Elena started. She received no answer. Instead, Dagonet hoisted her up by her arm, the blanket around her shoulders falling to the ground.

"We are on the move, Milady," he stated to her softly.

"And the woman?" He didn't respond. "What about the woman? You intend to help her, do you not?"

"Our main priority is you, Milady-"

"You dare say no to me! You dare say no to her! What kind of knights are you?"

"The very impatient kind," said Bors, moving past her.

Galahad and Gawain followed close behind. They met up with Tristan at what looked like the end of a cliff. He was telling them something and then…they just jumped. Curious, Elena moved over the edge and saw the two knights standing tall.

"You're next Princess," stated Tristan from behind her. She jumped, not expecting him to sneak up on her. "Jump."

"I beg your pardon?"

"Jump," he repeated again

"I need to speak with your commander."

"What is the problem," asked Arthur, appearing suddenly.

"I must commend you for your impeccable timing, Commander," stated Elena.

"She won't jump, Arthur."

"Milady, my knights will catch you-"

"I wish to speak with you about that woman," began Elena. "You cannot just leave her out there."

"Milady-"

"I cannot go on knowing that she could have been saved and yet, nothing was done." She sighed heavily. "I do not understand. Are you afraid? Are you afraid to face them?"

"Fear is not apart of our occupation, Princess," began Tristan. "Strategic planning and patience however, is the way we stay alive."

"Oh yes, hiding under a cliff! What a wondrous plan! They will never think to look there."

"Don't make me push you down there, Princess."

"I'm very surprised you haven't done so already."

"No one is pushing any body any where," stated Arthur firmly. "Now Milady, you must listen. You do not know what these men are capable of doing-"

"But-"

"Listen," stated Arthur firmly, "Once before we have meet these fighters and it was not an easy battle. I nearly lost one of my men. If we start a fight with the Raiders now victory will not be in our corner. There may be just a handful or so rustling through the trees, but their encampment by the clearing is many. There are just too many for us to engage them and leave with both my men and you unharmed. No attentions must be drawn to us."

"What if it were me," she asked him, not bothering to comment on his speak. "What if they had taken me? Would you leave me?"

"That is different. You are-"

"Your charge? Your mission?" Elena paused a moment before continuing. "Those things do not matter. There must be something we can do. Do you know how many are searching for the woman?" She directed her question towards Tristan, awaiting patiently for his response.

Tristan raised his brow. She confused him. Completely. How could she show concern for someone she has never met? An undying concern for someone other than herself. Tristan replied, "Three, perhaps four," curious to know what she would do next.

"See," she started again, with a glimmer of hope in her eyes for the captive, "we out number them easily."

"Wait a minute," began Gawain, speaking from his spot beneath the cliff. "What is this we business? You're not a knight. And I doubt you have even seem the likes of combat."

"I may be just a Princess, but I am not defenseless. And you should remember your words, Sir. Not but a few moments ago did you induct me into your ranks for my views with you on paganism." Elena received a few chuckles from the knight, the loudest laugh from Gawain.

Elena had struck a nerve with Arthur, but deep down he knew she was right. They could not leave this poor woman to the dogs. "All right Milady," said Arthur, relenting under her stare. "We will try. We cannot promise," he added quickly, "but we will try."

Elena nodded her head. She knew she had placed the knights in a horrible position with her pleas of rescue. She thanked the commander for his promise to lend their assistance. Upon his request, she quickly moved toward the edge of the cliff and prepared herself to jump. Below Gawain and Galahad caught her easily and placed her gently on the ground.

Arthur and Tristan remained, discussing their present situation.

"What do you propose we do," asked Tristan.

"I haven't thought of anything yet," said Arthur honestly. "Are you certain there is only three?"

"At least." Tristan turned to Arthur. "I've killed three before. I could do it again," he suggested.

"No Tristan. I will not have you return in that condition again."

"I never make the same mistake twice."

"No," agree Arthur, "you create brand new ones."

No response came from Tristan, he only awaited his commanding officers orders. He knew once the Princess had suggested the rescue, Tristan would volutenteer to engage them. He always did want to get even. Arthur nodded his approval, giving into his scout's request.


i do not own king arthur.