Chapter 12
Tristan
He hadn't meant to witness the standoff between Guinevere and Tania, he just happened to be in that particular corner. He certainly hadn't predicted Tania's request, and looking back, he tried to figure out why he agreed.
The celebration had been fairly typical. The knights all got drunk while he watched from the shadows or the balcony above. Tristan didn't have any particular issues with parties, if anything it allowed him to watch people and study their behaviour while they were unaware. Drunk people find it difficult to keep up any false pretence and the way they behave is more indicative of who they truly are. He had watched Tania enter earlier in the evening next to her most trusted friend and ally Farica. He had watched them laugh about how Farica`s dark crimson dress nearly matched the newly placed table draping's and how if it wasn't for the intricate golden embroidery on her bodice they would look exactly the same. Even from across the room it was hard not notice the cheerful and upbeat aurora that surrounded Tania. If he was honest with himself Tristan knew in hindsight why he agreed. As painful as it was to admit, Tania reminded him of his own younger sister. The woman he imagined his sister would have grown up to be was achingly similar to what he saw in Tania. He could tell that she had a fiercely independent streak, and was willing to take on the world for what she felt was right. However she also had this innocence about her like she would always think the best of people and of the world until proven otherwise. So naturally when she asked him to train her, he could only agree.
Taking the emotion out of equation, there were logical reasons to teaching Tania how to fight to an even higher standard. He could already tell that she wouldn't walk away from fight, and having the Kings sister able to defend herself no matter what, took pressure off assigning extra guards. He also knew that having Guinevere as a sister in law meant that the newly found princess needed to be able to match not only her ability, but the rest of the Woads around the fort as well. From what he overheard, they evidently saw her as a threat and until that changed she needed someone to watch her back. Lastly, it was obvious that both Arthur and Lancelot cared deeply about her and anything that reduced the risk of Tania getting hurt or gods forbid worse, would be beneficial for all involved. He certainly didn't want to be around if anything did happen, despite Lancelot being better known for his temper, having seen Arthur angry on rare occasions he knew that it wouldn't be pretty if the worst did occur.
Turning his thoughts to how he was actually going to train Tania, he realised that is was best to keep her training under wraps. More than likely Lancelot would throw a fit saying that it would put her in more danger, while Guinevere would convince Arthur to stop it altogether. Lancelot he could handle, but openly challenging the queen wasn't the best idea. He didn't particularly like Guinevere, he had watched her play with Lancelot's emotions continuously since they rescued her, and yes him and Lancelot didn't always get on, but he was a brother and he had nearly died because of it at the battle of Badon Hill. Guinevere's non so subtle threat to Tania had only put his back up even more. Guinevere thought she was Queen of the people but Tania had true potential to actually be loved by all. Guinevere had seen it and so had he. He had watched her socialise and spend time laughing and joking with the knights, something in hindsight he realised that Guinevere never did, so far they seemed to all like her and so he felt that if any of the others did discovered what was going on, they would keep it to themselves. Training would have to occur outside the Fort walls. He needed to see how well she could ride on top of working out her abilities with a range of weapons. From the fight in the tavern, Tristan knew that she led with her emotions and reacted impulsively rather than thinking first. He would need to teach her to lead with her head over her heart and transfer the control she has over her emotions in day to day life into her fighting. On the plus side, she had shown a fair amount of skill already, had shown a quick ability to adapt and was loyal and protective of her friends. The only thing Tristan knew was that no matter what the arrival of Tania had well and truly thrown boring out of the window.
The next morning Tristan was sat in the courtyard, Tania had agreed to start training the following morning so he was currently sat watching the girls getting ready for a day out alongside the other knights who unlike him and Bors weren't on patrol. Enjoying the return of the sun, Tristan stretched out along the crumbling walled ledge. The sun had been absent for so long, that the feeling of warmth seeping through into his tired muscles brought a barely visible smile onto his face. Looking upwards towards the sky he spotted his hawk soaring amongst the scattered clouds, subconsciously feeling a presence to his left, Tristan turned his gaze to the top of the battlements. Frowning slightly he watched as Merlin stopped and observed the girls as well. Merlin hadn't been back since the wedding and his return signified that something was certainly coming. Tristan prided himself on his observation but when it came to Merlin it was unsettling how he knew things he hadn't even witnessed.
Hearing a loud string of curse words, Tristan's attention was taken back to the courtyard. Marie had seemingly tripped over one of the watering buckets due to her horse bumping her out the way to get to the feed in Tania's hands, and was expressing her displeasure from the hard patch of ground she was currently residing on. Farica continued to tack up the other horses while Tania, who was supposed to helping, was laughing at Marie's misfortune. Hearing chatter coming towards them he nodded in acknowledgement to the other knights. He watched as the group enthusiastically greeted each other and mounted up. Tania had noticed him on the wall and gave him a wave much to the surprise of the knights, smirking at Lancelot's expression he returned with an inclination of his head. Realising the time Tristan brushed off the dust before setting off to start patrol with Bors.