Chapter thirteen.
Mordred was quite surprised when he had managed to knock one of Caerleon's knights, actually quite and surprised weren't exactly the right words to describe what he felt but then again there were none so fitting. The cheering of the crowd when he had one, the smile on Arthur's face and spotting Aislinn's face again in the crowd made him feel a wave of self worth he hadn't felt in a long time. Aislinn had assured him that he could do it but he was certain he would probably fail, Mordred wasn't the best knight but he tried and maybe that is what got him through – persistence.
Once in his tent he pulls off his helmet throwing it on the ground and slumping back in a chair sweat rolling down his face. "Mordred!" he hears someone exclaim but when he looks up his heart drops because it isn't the person he is expecting, it isn't the person he wants to see. Leon ducks in through the tent door followed closely by Elyan and Percival "hey" he says whipping the sweat off his forehead "you did really well" Leon tells him coming to a stop a few feet in front of him. "Thank you" Mordred says smiling a little before he sits forward and lets out an exhausted sigh "most tiring thing you've ever done Mordred?" Elyan asks leaning up against one of the poles of the tent.
"Something like that" he chuckles "which one of you are up next?" Mordred asks leaning back in his chair trying to get comfortable "I am" Percival says placing his hand on his hip. "SirOliver of Mercia" he says simply "not too much of a competition if you ask me" Percival says chuckling "you're into the second round" Leon says smiling a little at Percival's comment. Mordred runs his hand through his hair and breathes a sigh of disbelief "I know, didn't think I'd make it" he tells them honestly "neither did I" Elyan jokes.
Mordred smirks at Elyan "I am glad to see you have such faith in me" he says as Elyan returns the smirk. "He didn't, but someone else did" Percival says pointing to the purple material attached to Mordred's belt Mordred blushes a little then clears his throat. "Oh, wonder who gave him that?" Leon asks but knows the answer Mordred can tell by the look on his face "she wouldn't happen to have long red hair and green eyes would she?" Leon laughs and playfully hits Percival in the arm. Mordred's face reddens with colour but the colour disappears seconds later "would you be talking about Aislinn?" Elyan asks sarcastically.
"Yeah it's from Aislinn, it was a token of luck" Mordred says straightening up pushing back his feelings of embarrassment at his colleges taunt. "I'm sure it's a bit more than that" Elyan mumbles; a lot of people seemed to know about Mordred's feelings for Aislinn and her possible feelings for him although that he wasn't sure of. One minute they were friends the next they were courting and it was this constant confusion that annoyed Mordred. This going back and forth between friends and something more caused more trouble than he needed and he wanted to know what he meant to her even if he had to ask directly but there was that risk of it costing their friendship.
A risk he didn't want to take.
Despite the sun peaking through the clouds there is still hints of winter in the air and Aislinn is beginning to regret wearing a dress. She'd only continued wearing it because Mordred had said she looked nice, otherwise she's never have worn it. Aislinn leans towards Merlin "I'm going to run home and get a coat" she says and he nods as he watches Percival and another knight walk into the middle of the arena. Aislinn weaves in between the people seated on the stands getting displeased reactions from many spectators as she moves through the crowd focused on the knights. When she exits the stands she finds Leon leaning lazily against a wooden stand watching Percival and when Leon notices her he pushes himself off it.
"Oh hey Aislinn" he says smiling at her Aislinn smiles in return "hi" she says stopping a few steps away from him. "Forgive me if I am being intrusive" he begins "but where are you off to?" he asks shifting a little as he flick his cloak out. "I'm going home to get a coat, it's a bit to chilly for me" she tells him and he chuckles "you lived in the middle of nowhere for a majority of your life, how the hell did you get through winter?" he asks laughing a little. Aislinn shrugs "lots of fur" she tells him plainly and he laughs "well when I first saw you I am pretty sure you were fur clad" Leon says trying to conjure up what she looked like when they first met.
She nods a strand of her hair falling out of its braid "indeed I was but it was the middle of winter and I'm not too sure why all of you were running around in your normal get up" she says. Leon shrugs "fashion is everything for us" he jokes "from what I have seen it is" she says looking down the path "I better get going" she tells him and smiles at him again "I'll see you later".
Aislinn doesn't return to the tournament she stays at home until she knows she is needed by Guinevere to help set up for the feast for the first night of the competition. Normally and under different circumstances she may have headed back to watch the rest of the knights compete, but she was only there for Mordred and she was too tired to continue watching the line up of matches. For nights on end Aislinn had suffered nightmares, they would come and go but despite that it left her in a cold sweat after which sleep would not come.
She sat up most nights until dawn came sifting through a few books she had managed to find in the market. They weren't entirely helpful or relevant to anything at all, but they kept her company and reminded her that if she fell asleep again nightmares would plague her. "So much for I'll be back" a voice cuts through her thoughts and she looks up from the book she is currently sifting through to see Merlin leaning against the far wall. "I didn't say when" Aislinn replies turning another page and continues her study of mugwort.
Merlin smirks and pushes himself off the wall and takes a seat across from her at the table "Yvonne talking you to death?" she asks not bothering to look up from the page. "Yeah, it should be brought in as a new punishment" he says chuckling "death by boring conversations with Yvonne" Aislinn looks up from the book "I think I'd rather have my limbs pulled off by horses." Merlin laughs and Aislinn yawns "tired?" he asks Aislinn nods muffling a yawn with the palm of her hand "only a bit more than a lot, I haven't had much sleep lately" she tells him.
"Oh, why's that?" he asks sitting forward cupping his hands "nightmares" she tells him closing her book with a loud thud when the pages meet. "Why didn't you tell me?" Merlin asks his tone clearly displaying his concern "there is nothing you can do, Merlin" she says tapping her finger on the book. "I can make you up a tonic" he says "well I can get Gaius to" Aislinn shakes her head in refusal "no, don't worry about it it's probably just a one off thing" she says resting her head against her hand. "Oh a one off thing that keeps happening more than once?" he asks and Aislinn smiles "yeah, something like that I guess."
Merlin looks at her "what's happening in your dreams?" he asks. Aislinn shakes her head "nothing important, don't worry" she says dismissing his question "Aislinn" Merlin cautions "you're my friend, therefore it is important." Aislinn smiles at Merlin's kindness "I didn't realize you held me in such high regards" she says looking up from the book's cover. Merlin smirks "I trust you, you're a loyal friend" he says and Aislinn laughs "I've only ever had one friend" she says slowly "well now you have two" he says merrily "now what about your dreams?" he asks again.
Aislinn goes to tell him not to worry about it but she chooses against it. "There are some dreams that feel so real I can't tell whether I'm awake or not" she tells him "I can feel rope around my neck and-" Merlin raises his hand silencing her. "That's enough" he says "you wanted a description" Aislinn says flipping open her book again "yeah but not..not that detailed" Merlin says. Silence falls between the pair as Aislinn begins to pick up where she left off "are you looking forward to the feast tonight?" Merlin asks breaking the silence and Aislinn scoffs "just like I look forward to mucking out the stables."
"At least I will have you there" she says smiling up at him "you'll also have Mordred" Merlin says "Merlin, it's a knight's ceremony, we...if you haven't figured it out already are servants and we are there - to serve" she informs him. "I don't think that will stop the both of you" he laughs and Aislinn bites her lip "thank you for your vote of confidence, Merlin it's greatly appreciated" she says sarcastically. Merlin chuckles and leans back against the chair "do I sense sarcasm?" he asks fully knowing that it was indeed sarcasm "oh, no not at all" Aislinn says smirking. "Good" Merlin laughs and gets up from his seat "well it's been a pleasure chatting but I really must get going" he says "Arthur might be missing me too much."
Aislinn laughs "oh, I am sure he does" she says "I will see you later".
Aislinn finishes pouring the Queen a goblet of wine and takes a few steps backwards clearing herself of the table and waits until she is called upon again. Just like the last feast she attended the room is a blaze with light from surrounding candles and the table is adorned with various arrangements and dishes of food. Mordred is seated in between Gwaine and a knight from the Western Isles who Aislinn only recognizes because he fought in the match before Mordred but his name escaped her. The knight next to Mordred catches Aislinn's eye and he smiles at her to which she gives a faint smile.
"Who is that?" SirEsras asks Leon as he takes a sip of his goblet eyeing off Aislinn who is pouring SirCarrick another drink. Leon looks around wondering who he is referring to "that red head over by SirCarrick" Esras says nodding towards her, Leon's eyes land on Aislinn, the red head in question. "Oh.." he trails off sounding somewhat disillusioned "that's Aislinn" Mordred who is sitting a few seats away hears her name and listens in "she is very beautiful" he comments still eying her. Despite the noise Mordred can hear Aislinn's laugh from across the room "she is also Mordred's" Leon says and Mordred can't help smile to himself when he hears that.
"What as in SirMordred? That young kid? I highly doubt that he could land her" SirEsras says laughing in disbelief looking at Mordred then at Aislinn who has returned to standing next to Merlin. "Well they aren't together but..they might as well be" Leon says and Esras shoots Mordred a disapproving look "what do you mean by that?" he asks turning back towards his company "nothing in particular" Leon shrugs wishing to change to topic.
Aislinn again notices the knight from the Western Isles eying her as he talks to Leon and she smiles a little not wishing to be rude towards him. Merlin nudges her a little bit "I think he likes you" he whispers teasingly and Aislinn laughs nervously. "Whatever gives you that idea?" she asks turning her attention to Merlin "he has been eying you since the start of the feast" he tells her. Aislinn rolls her eyes "can he find something else to eye?" she asks disturbed by Merlin's comment and he chuckles "go kiss Mordred" he suggests "that'll stop him" Aislinn punches Merlin in the arm.
"Despite you being the most powerful warlock of all time you're an ass " she growls making sure only he can hear her and Merlin chuckles in response "I can't be sweet and innocent all the time" he says looking at Arthur who is talking to some knight he has forgotten the name of.
"Could you y'know at least try?" she asks Merlin laughs at her "I tried once but it didn't really work" Gwaine catches Aislinn's attention and waves her over wanting her to refill his glass "duty calls" she says walking over towards him. Gwaine is sitting in between Mordred and SirGarvey of the kingdom of Caerleon "took your time Aislinn" Gwaine mocks as she pours him a drink "can't be in two places at once although people like to think we can be" Gwaine shakes his head and she smiles at Mordred. "Oh yeah by the way" he says "Mordred was explaining to us how much he loves you the other night when I thought of a brilliant nickname" Aislinn frowns at Mordred and then at Gwaine "why do I have a feeling this won't bode in my favour?" She asks setting the jug of wine down.
"I think you'll love it" Gwaine says as he looks at Sir Garvey who has taken interest in the conversation "doubt it" she says slightly unamused as she realizes Esras is still looking at her. "Do you like matchstick?" he asks resting his chin on his hand "not particularly" Aislinn says still unamused by Gwaine "you're a party pooper" he complains "Mordred you're girlfriend is no fun" Mordred shrugs "not my problem." The first thing Aislinn notices is that he didn't deny her being his girlfriend even thought they never touched on the subject of their relationship so that made her smile. "You're such a idiot sometimes" she says rolling her eyes at him "c'mon lighten up Lin" Gwaine teases and Aislinn narrows her eyes at him placing her hand on her hip.
"What..did you just call me?" she asks and the look on her face is one of annoyance.
"Lin...I called you Lin" Gwaine repeats his last words to her, behind the arguing pair Mordred's smirking at Gwaine with a look that tells him he will regret it. "Call me Lin again and Arthur will be missing a knight capeesh?" she asks not really caring the knights answer "don't you like Lin?" Gwaine asks leaning on his elbow Aislinn's face softens a little and she falls silent for a few seconds preparing to give an answer when Esras butts into the conversation. "If the lady doesn't like it don't call her it" he says smiling at Aislinn who gives him a small smile and turns to Gwaine "see at least someone has some sense" she says and Gwaine looks past both Aislinn and Mordred to the knight he doesn't know. "I'm sorry but I don't believe that we have met" Gwaine says to him as the blonde knight looks from Aislinn to Gwaine.
The knight smiles "I'm SirEsras of the Western Isles" the man who now has a name in forms them. "Well SirEsras, thank you" Esras moves his brown eyes back to Aislinn "it's a pleasure to help a lovely lady" he says smiling at her again. Mordred freezes and his face drops Aislinn glances down at Mordred and takes in the expression on his face. "I can guarantee you I'm not as lovely as you would believe" Aislinn tells him rocking on her feet a little as she places her hand on the back of Mordred's chair "now, now Aislinn we mustn't tell lies" Mordred says looking up at her.
For a few seconds it was just Mordred and Aislinn in the room "practice what you preach" she says not taking her eyes off him "I'll be back" Mordred says getting up from his feet and walking over to Arthur then he whispers something in his ear and Mordred walks back towards Aislinn.
Mordred takes the jug from Aislinn and places it on the table "what are you doing?" she asks frowning at him Mordred grabs her hand "would you do me the honour of having this dance?" he asks and the lines on her brow deepen "but no one is dancing" she says looking around at the party goers. Aislinn's eyes then land on Arthur is leading Guinevere out into the middle of the floor "there is now" Mordred chuckles she smiles at him "lead the way" she gestures and Gwaine whistles at both of them. Mordred rolls his eyes and leads Aislinn out to the floor not too far from the Queen and King.
"Do you know how to dance?" he asks whispering in her ear as he places his hand on her waist "does it look like I know how to dance?" she asks placing her hand on his shoulder. "Well I remember a certain red haired little girl that used to dance with her father" he says smacking his lips together Aislinn's heart stops when he mentions her father and there is a look of pain in her eyes "you remember that?" she asks and Mordred takes a step back causing her to step forward with him and he begins setting them in motion. "Yes, I do, I remember a lot of things" he says "things people don't expect me to remember" he tell her readjusting his hand on her waist "like what?" Aislinn asked intrigued by the man she is dancing with.
"Hm, okay.." he trails off into deep thought trying to think of something he can say "I remember there was a time that the lake had frozen over and you wanted to try and ice skate" Mordred chuckles at the memory "you fell into the snow trying to stop and you didn't move for about five minutes." Mordred shifts them around and steps forward causing her to step back "when you got up you were bleeding because you had broken your nose, your face and hair was covered in snow but I still thought you looked beautiful" Aislinn smiles and looks down at her feet, her cheeks flushing a bright red.
"I remember that, but I think I looked a bit horrid" she says smiling a little "I don't think that's possible with you" he says a smiles tugging at his lips when he causes Aislinn to blush again. "I don't understand why you don't have women running after you" she says following him forward as he steps backwards.
He chuckles his eyes lighting up a little "there is only one I take notice of" he says shrugging "but I don't really think she feels the same way about me" Aislinn knows he is talking about her. They had never addressed their relationship since he confessed to her that he loved her. "I believe she would be stupid not to" she begins, she had been thinking on this for the last few days on what he meant to her and what form their relationship would take. They had kissed...more than once, slept together - things that people who were 'just friends' didn't do "but I believe if you asked her what she thought she might surprise you."
Mordred purses his lips deciding how he should go about what he is about to ask her. He told her once before that he loved her, it had been easy then it had been just three words said at the wrong time. "Aislinn" he says nervous about being put on the spot like this "I-" he stutters then stops and she laughs "it's alright Mordred, I'm kidding" she says and he blushes. The continue dancing for a few minutes dancing in silence until Mordred wants to speak "why didn't you like Gwaine calling you Lin before?" he asks and the corner of her mouth twitches "my father used to call me Lin" she says her attention drifting to their feet again.
"Oh, Aislinn I'm sorry" he says squeezing her hand and she gives a quick smile "it's fine, it isn't your fault – it isn't anyone's fault" she whispers "it's just one of those things that happen" she shrugs "no big deal". Aislinn may say it isn't a big deal but her eyes give away more than she does and he can see that the subject about her parents is killing her. "I should have remembered" he says hi expression turning to one of sorrow "I'm getting dizzy" she says in attempt to change the subject. "Yeah so am I" Mordred says Aislinn's attempt working "maybe we should stop" she suggests and mindlessly he answers "I believe we should" he says and they both come to a stop.
"It's been a pleasure m'lady" he says bowing and kissing her hand "we must do it some other time" he says smiling up at her. Mordred then leaves her in the middle of the floor until she decides to continue about her duties. When she walks up to Merlin he grins at her "someone's a bit red hot in here is it, Aislinn?" he asks, a grin on his face "Merlin, shut up" Aislinn says glaring at him but she ends up smiling.