Spring turned into summer on the island, bringing the summer storms that annoyed everyone. There was no chance to ride and after missions everyone came back with running noses and sneezes. And now, after lunch all the knights would gather in their living quarters and just watch the rain while chatting. Most of the time the conversations revolved around what they'd do once the storms passed or they'd just complain about the heat. Right now was one of those times. Ailith was seated beside Dagonet on the rail, her feet over the side and rain wetting her toes.
"Honestly! When will it end?" Lancelot moaned, his head hitting the wooden boards under them. He was sprawled out over the floor with Arthur sitting beside him. Galahad was still sleeping off his cold and Gawain was sitting underneath Ailith. Bors was at his own home, taking care of the children while Vanora worked. Erec was leaning against one of the pillars a bit away from Ailith and Percival was standing beside Arthur.
"It'll end when it ends! Stop complaining!" Ailith finally snapped, glaring slightly at her brother. After the night when Ailith told him what had happened all those years ago they had gotten a bit closer. He really hadn't been as drunk as she had thought. The dark knight flapped his hand, brushing off the woman's comment before letting it fall once again onto the ground.
"Has anyone seen Tristan today?" Percival asked suddenly, looking at the clustered group of men.
"Scouting." Ailith replied, moving her feet back and forth in front of her.
"Hey!" Gawain shouted as the cold water from the back of her feet hit his back.
"Oh, sorry!"
"So he probably won't come back up here first." Percival continued, ignoring the two. It was common now for Ailith to bug the fair haired knight. It seemed that if she wasn't with Marlow and Vanora at the tavern she was with the bright eyed knight. Or they'd be together with Marlow, chatting about the young woman's live before they had met her.
"He'll have to come see me first." Arthur replied, raising his head from the wall. It would seem that even Arthur was less than normal on rainy days. More open in a way. It was amusing sometimes.
"Then we can all laugh at him. He'll probably look like a wet cat." Ailith said with a grin, she turned herself to face the others, keeping her balance perfect while her feet rested on the wooden rail beside Gawain's head. The dress she was wearing was shorter, only coming up to her knee and had no sleeves. Perfect for the weather. The others nodded with smiles on their faces.
Just then they heard the sound of fast approaching feet coming up the stairs to their hall. In a matter of seconds Jols was there, panting and looking very alarmed.
"Jols, what is it?" Arthur demanded, standing up and going to the squire.
"Village – Woads." He gasped, pointing in the direction on the wall. All of them went into action, standing up and rushing into their rooms. Ailith stood still, watching the men each coming out from their rooms and coming over to her. Dagonet patted her shoulder before leaving, giving her the same gentle smile that he always did. Ailith never went on missions like this. Only the missions that took long periods of time. Galahad soon came from him room, dressed and ready but still yawning. He walked over to Ailith and kissed one of her cheeks before moving down the stairs. Gawain came next, kissing her other cheek and hugging her tightly before going. Percival patted her head, winking like normal and Erec just gave her a tight smile. Of all the knights Erec was always the most worried. This, in turn, worried the dark haired woman. Lancelot finally came last, hugging her loosely before kissing her forehead and disappearing. The woman simply stayed where she was, watching the knights rush down to the stable.
"Be careful." She whispered.
The knights didn't come back until night fall. When they lumbered into the tavern relief washed over three of the women there. Vanora immediately went to her lover's side with a cloth, patiently waiting for him to dry off before kissing him warmly. Ailith and Marlow soon followed, carrying similar cloths and handing one to each knight. Once that was over with Ailith quickly checked over each knight, finding nothing more than small cuts on their arms and faces.
"Bega, can you go ask the cook to make these men up something warm?" Ailith called, spotting the young girl grabbing some dirtied dishes. Bega smiled at the knights before nodding and going back into the kitchen. Ailith turned back to the knight currently in front of her, who happened to be Arthur, and quickly brushed her fingers against a cut on his forehead.
"None of you have deep wounds that need cleaning or stitching." She said softly to herself, moving away from the commander. Then to all the knights she smiled. "You got lucky this time, knights." They all laughed and went to their usual places.
"Ailith? Can you possibly help me with these monsters?" Vanora called with a teasing tone in her voice. The dark haired woman looked over to find her red haired friend surrounded by her children.
"Alright everyone! Isn't it nearing your bedtime?" Ailith called, dancing her way through the drunken men and laughing barmaids. She stopped in front of the second youngest and picked him up, setting the boy on her hip. "Come on, I promised a story this time, right?" With a cheer, the brood followed after her, the eldest carrying the youngest of them.
"Thank you, love." Vanora spoke before going back to refilling mugs. Ailith nodded, following the children to Vanora and Bors' home. It wasn't anything big, a home with a large family room and kitchen with two bedrooms. While the children slept in the largest room, Vanora and Bors slept in the other. Or sometimes on the floor in Bors case.
"Now, what story shall I tell you all?" The dark haired woman pondered, sitting down on Three and Four's bed. The only named child in the brood was Gilly, the fifth born child. The others were called by their numbers.
"Oh! What about the one with the dragon?" Six cried excitedly from her bed. Ailith smiled at the small girl, thinking quickly of the story and relaxing on the bed. She quickly checked to make sure all the children were settled, One cuddling with Eight and the others listening closely for her to start.
"Once, a long time ago there was a beautiful dragon. His scales shone like the sun and were always white. He didn't know why he was white though. All of his family were dark coloured dragons. He was chased from his family, leaving behind a little brother and his sick mother, but the dragon still left. He traveled far and wide, looking for others that looked like him. But no matter where he went, no others looked like him. It saddened the dragon and he finally gave up his search. He made a home in a large cave surrounded by trees and the ocean.
"One day, after hunting the dragon came across an interesting sight. A woman with a little child was sitting outside his cave. The woman had tears running down her face and the child in her arms wasn't moving. The dragon asked what had happened. 'She died when the mages attacked my village.' She woman started weeping, hugging the child. The dragon felt sympathy for the woman. She didn't need to be alone like he had been. So, the dragon curled around the woman, offering his comfort.
They lived together for a long time after their first meeting. The dragon hunted for them while she cooked and kept their home clean. One night though, an attack sounded from far in the distance. The dragon worried that the attackers might come to their cave and started to leave. But the woman was afraid that he wouldn't come back. He told her something though. He said to her 'did you know that before you came to me, I was all alone? I was shunned by my family and was not allowed to see my mother or brother. I don't even know what happened to them. But you've kept me company. You've been a light in my darkness.' And with that the dragon left. And the woman never saw him again. Instead, she looked forward to her time. When she'd pass on and meet him again and tell him that she loved him."
Ailith glanced around and found that nearly all the children were asleep or very close to it. With a content smile the dark haired woman turned, kissing Four on the head before slipping from the room.
The next morning it was sunny. An amazing change from the black clouds constantly lingering over the Wall. Ailith paused in her room, glancing out the window to see the blue sky that seemed to never show itself on this island. That night she had gone back to the tavern, avoiding puddles only to find herself in the middle of a brawl. Some Roman had started a fight with the knights which had resulted in a fight. Thank goodness Arthur hadn't been there. He would have beaten some sense into each of his knights. Though, Ailith probably would have laughed. Smiling at the memory, Ailith quickly braided her hair and put on her leather boots before leaving the room.
The sun felt nice on Ailith's skin, reminding her of the first day she had come to the village. It had been a long time since then. As she walked down the halls the woman could hear the soft snores of the knights and she smiled softly. Her footsteps were light, easy to accomplish with her boots. She hurried down the stairs and down the street to the tavern.
"Vanora, can I have some food to go?" Ailith asked, walking farther into the open area of the tavern. It must have been much earlier than she had thought because only the barmaids working morning shifts were awake. Even Bega wasn't up yet.
"Going somewhere?" The red head asked, coming back with a small wrapped bundle. Inside were half a loaf of bread and some cheese. Ailith nodded before glancing up at the sky.
"It's such a nice day out. I plan to take Ewell for a ride since we haven't had the chance in a while." Vanora smiled before patted the other woman's hand.
"Hold on a second." She rushed back into the kitchen and came out a moment later with another wrapped bundle containing the same as the first with an addition of an apple. "Tristan went out for the same reason. If you should see him, give him this." Ailith nodded and tucked the bundles into the small bag on her hip. She was clad in her mission clothes. Black trousers with breeches underneath and a white shirt with a tie in the front. Only today, she wore a leather vest that kept her slightly oversized shirt from getting in the way and a belt with Celtic circles sown into it.
"Alright. Though, there's probably no chance of me finding him unless he wants to be found." Vanora laughed while nodding.
"True, now off you goes. I'll tell Bega and Marlow that you said good morning."
"Oh you probably won't have to worry about Marlow. If Gawain is awake she'd simply be following after him." It would seem that their new friend had a soft spot for the fair haired knight. Ailith had caught the girl staring at him from the bar, quietly cheering him on against Galahad while they played their knife game.
"Just like a certain someone with the scout?" Ailith frowned, trying hard to think about what the woman was talking about. "You and Tristan, you silly girl!" Immediately the dark haired woman flushed, shaking her head.
"I have no idea what you're talking about." So she watched Tristan from afar as well. But it wasn't like she was mooning over the man! He simply interested her. Nothing more. "I have no feelings for him." She told the other, a determined look in her eyes.
"Whatever helps you sleep, love." Rolling her eyes Ailith slipped from the tavern and headed off to the stables.
Ewell practically flew from the stables once he was geared up. They road as far as they could before stopping to rest somewhere along the wall for a break. Seventy-three miles of freedom to roam. But they never dared leave sight of the wall. Britain may have been an island but this island was large. And if something happened to Ailith, Ewell would know where to go to get help. But the feeling of the warm wind and the blue sky above them made a large grin spread across the dark haired woman's face.
The two continued down the wall more after a break. Not stopping until the distance started to make Ailith feel nervous. They turned and the woman urged her horse to walk back along the path they were on. Britain was lovely in its own way. The island was more trees than field and the way the morning mist created a haunting feel to the earth that always interested Ailith. The woman leaned down in her saddle and patted Ewell's neck.
"Take us back Ewell." She murmured before leaning back and basking in the light. Everything felt right now. Arthur was supposed to find them. It was a part of the Goddess's plan. A sudden repetitive cry sounded, breaking Ailith from her train of thought. She looked up to see a small bird swooping down at her. Immediately Ailith jerked her hand up, her fingers in a tight first. The bird came closer and landed easily on the woman's wrist.
"Raleigh! Guess my hawk friend gave you the message?" Ailith said quietly, a large smile on her face. Now her family was complete again. The kestrel was the same one she had rescued from a large eagle. The tiny raptor had been cut up with gashes and feathers missing. Ailith had hidden the bird from the Romans, feeding it and bringing it back into health. She had named him Raleigh which meant red wood. Ailith rubbed a finger against the tiny bird of prey's neck before turning back to the trail. "Things are a little different now though, Raleigh." The grey eyed Healer murmured in Sarmatian, keeping her arm up high for the kestrel. He tilted his head and screeched at her. "Yeah, yeah. Shush."
Ailith stopped Ewell once they came into sight of Castellum. In the far distance she could see the knights racing one another on their horses, the black and white colours of their mounts being easy to recognize in the grassy fields. And closer to her was a single dapple stallion on a hill, his rider lying out on the grass. Ailith chuckled and dismounted Ewell, leading the black horse towards the figure. From her hand, Raleigh watched quietly, his golden eyes locked on the knight.
"Hello Tristan." Ailith called, walking up the hill and nudging the scout's foot with her own. The man's eyes opened slowly, adjusting to the bright light behind the woman. "Do you mind me joining you?" The stoic man simply shrugged and closed his eyes again. Chuckling softly the dark haired woman moved her hand in front of her. "Time to go, you. You know where I am now, stay close." She whispered to the kestrel before tossing her arm into the air. The raptor took off with a screech before disappearing into the clouds. Ailith then turned to Ewell, taking off the saddle on his back before letting the horse walk over to Cadmon.
"You're a bit of an animal person." A soft voice said as the woman sat down. Ailith glanced down at the scout, raising an eyebrow.
"You're one to talk." She started, moving her legs out the stretch them. "I see how you care for Cadmon. He is you companion and you are his." She finished, brushing her black hair from her eyes. She was already feeling the sun seeping into her skin.
"Ay, same with the hawk." The man tilted his head up to a far tree where a familiar hawk sat, watching the two. "Her name's Amice."
"So, she's yours then. Explains a lot." Ailith muttered, gazing lazily back at the bird. The bird was just as odd as her master. Showing up at odd times without much of a warning at all. "I've been seeing her everywhere. We have chats sometimes." A soft laugh came from the woman as she remembered asking Amice to help her find her own feathery friend. "You'll have to thank her for me." She finished before flopping down beside the scout.
Even now, Ailith had to admit that she had changed around the knights. She was much more open with her emotions. Hell, if it hadn't been for these knights she would have never trusted anyone other than those she had grew up with. Now she was smiling more than ever. Even when she was a child she hadn't smiled this much. Ailith lifted one hand, palm out and blocked the sun from her eyes.
"'Tis a nice day." The scout said softly, eyes still closed. Ailith glanced over at him and chuckled. Tristan reminded her of a lounging cat, sunbathing. The man turned his head to her, eyes open now and his arm moving slowly down to her face.
Oh no, not this again! Ailith thought urgently. Her distress probably showed in her eyes because the scout moved quickly, his fingers rubbing against Ailith's face as she stared at him with wide eyes. His fingers were warm and rough from years handling weapons of all kinds. But it felt nice against her skin. His eyes seemed to stare right through her as he watched her expression. Tristan's fingers trailed down from her forehead to her temple, following the trail of dots on her skin. Soon his hand cupped her cheek, his thumb rubbing soothing circles against Ailith's flesh.
She couldn't move away either. Her body seemed to need the contact. Like she had never been touched before and now the feeling seemed to overwhelm her. Ailith's eyes closed, leaning into Tristan's hand, his eyes tracing over every detail on her face. The way the sun played in her hair, making the brown in it even more noticeable. Or how her face was more heart shaped than angular. Turning himself slightly, Tristan's other hand came down onto her face, softly ghosting across her skin as he moved stray bits of hair from her face. Ailith's lips turned into a soft smile, her eyes opening to stare back into the scouts.
The sudden screech of a hawk and kestrel snapped both from the moment, Ailith nearly jumping away from the man while Tristan simple blinked and rolled onto his back once again. His fingers tingled from where he had touched her, and his eyes still watched as Ailith pressed a hand over her chest. Her heart was beating far too fast for her liking. Why was it that her body didn't seem to agree with her mind when she said she was simply interested in him? There was no chance in hell that she'd fall in love right now. Wait, love?
Ailith blinked, forcing the thought from her mind before raising her hand and watching her feathered friend land there. His talons didn't dig into her as much as they used to when he was young. He was mindful of how easily he could hurt her.
"Welcome back, Raleigh." Ailith stood, careful not to jostle the bird before turning to Tristan, nervousness in her eyes. "Well, uh, nice talking with you." She said softly, receiving nothing more than a nod before she fled to the horses. "Oh!" She sounded to herself, pulling out the wrapped food that she had kept safe for the scout. She turned back to the man and tossed it at his chest.
"Omph!" Smirking to herself, Ailith moved Raleigh to her shoulder while she saddled Ewell once again.
"Vanora." She called back to him before mounting and heading back to the village.
All these wonderful character belong to the makes of King Arthur, except of course for Ailith!
Okay, I am aware that this chapter was complete crap. I couldn't seem to get any ideas for this chapter, so I guess it's just one of those calm ones before the storm :)
Thanks sooooo much for the reviews everyone! Thanks especially to Shi, LadyQueenB, BooBoo and Druid Archer. Please continue to show your support. Love ya!