Arthur returned victorious and there was a great feast to celebrate the victory. This time, Amaya had no escape. Vanora and Maia cornered her then forced her into a royal blue dress of fine quality, the silver pattern bordering the neckline bringing out the paleness of her skin.
"Well, at least you fill it out a little." Vanora mused, looking Amaya over critically. "Just make sure you eat plenty of meat from now on. You're bone thin."
"I am not used to having food so readily given to me, Nora, I always had to fight for my food before." The woman snorted as she rummaged through the drawers of Maia's vanity table then pulled out a brush to soften the curls. Maia brought over some oils and let Amaya choose the one she preferred, which was the almond oil. She dropped a few specks on her wrists and neck then rubbed them into her skin.
"Do you want any jewellery? I have a sapphire pendant that will look very nice on you." Maia offered. "It will mirror your eyes."
"No, thank you. I do not intend to dress up that much." Amaya sighed. "Though I already feel like one of those ridiculous peacocks. You don't intend to make me wear a headdress, do you?" Vanora laughed but shook her head. The woman wore a simple dress of dark brown with a mustard yellow underskirt. She looked rather nice, to be fair. Maia wore a spring green and gold brocade dress which she spun around in, smiling as her skirts flared out brilliantly then swanned around her.
Finally ready, the three woman went to the feast. Amaya lifted her head as the music and laughter wrapped around her along with the smell of roasted pig. Galahad instantly met them, greeting them all warmly. "Why, Amaya, you look very fine tonight." Galahad said but his eyes wandered over to Mai, who blushed prettily.
"Don't waste your time paying attention to me." Amaya chuckled, waving her hand. "I know all you want is to dance with Mai, so off with you both and enjoy yourselves." Grinning Galahad took Mai's hand and led her into the dance, twirling her around then clasped her hands as she smiled broadly.
Vanora having darted off to join Bors, Amaya followed as she saw the knights had all gathered at the table to feast upon the splendid spread that was set before them. Even Lionel, Daniel, Kay and Ector sat with them. As Amaya had suspected, Bors and Lionel got on famously, each shouting across to one another though they only sat a few people apart.
Amaya ate a little, knowing that Dagonet was watching her caringly so she appeased his conscious by choosing some gammon and a selection of cheeses. She ate slowly and drank little, only having a sip of wine and water for the rest of the meal. The knights all boasted at who was the better warrior, claiming magnificent fetes which Amaya suspected were greatly exaggerated.
"You wait until we've learned all of your tricks." Daniel called down to Gawain who smirked. "We'll have you hunkering in the mud beneath us!"
"Maybe but we are more experienced in battle and fighting than you, boy!" Bors bellowed as he then tore his teeth into a chicken leg he had in his hands. "There ain't nothing you can throw at us that we haven't seen before!"
"Then we'll show you something new!" Lionel bellowed back with a grin, wrenching the meat from his leg of ham in a similar fashion to Bors. Amaya rolled her eyes.
"Perhaps we should hold a tournament." She suggested and everyone looked to her. "And then we shall see who really emerges victorious."
"Aye! We'll do that!" Bors leaped up, banging his fist on the table as Vanora scowled at him with a smile. "A tournament, with jousting, archery, sword fighting and hand to hand combat!" He pointed his chicken leg to the four newcomers with a smirk. "We'll even give you some time to learn how to fight proper and ride before we start."
"We can ride!" Ector argued proudly, lifting his chin.
"Ah, but can you carry a lance?" Dagonet asked him simply and kindly. "There is more to jousting than simply sitting atop a horse whilst holding a long stick." Amaya chuckled.
"Fair enough, to even the playing grounds, you men," She pointed to her knights with a smile. "Must teach my friends here all they will need to stand on even ground with you. Then we shall see who is best of you all. In fact, why not make it more interesting? Let us make it an open competition, allow anyone to enter."
"Agreed!" Bors and Lionel bellowed at the same time, pounding their fists on the table.
"Bors!" Vanora scolded, shifting away as egg flew across the table and Bors looked at her with a grin.
"Sorry my little flower." He apologised and she melted into the look he was giving her, moving to sit on his lap as he chuckled and kissed her lovingly. Amaya ate some fruit that sat untouched in a bowl before her, glad that she had managed to stop a full scale argument from ruining the atmosphere of the feast. In fact everyone seemed rather excited.
The buzz lifted the spirits of everyone further as talk spread across the hall, eager for such an event to take place. Rather hot and uncomfortable with so many people close around her, Amaya stood and left the hall to go to the nearest balcony for some fresh air. The moment she was outside she sucked in a deep breath and gripped the cool stone slab, controlling her shaking. She had forgotten how much she detested large crowds and too much noise. It made her feel like she was starving of air. "Maya?" Tristan's gentle tone ended all of Amaya's worries as she relaxed, her shoulders sagging as her head dropped slightly. "Are you well?" His hand touched her shoulder then slowly slid along her back, lifting up to pull back the loose curls of her face.
Torches shone brightly and her hair caught the golden streams like a black web, causing them to glow with a bright sheen. They were also soft to the touch and Tristan could not help but caress each curl through his fingers as Amaya turned to face him. "I do not like large crowds."
"Me neither." He agreed quietly, stepping closer slightly. "It is why I prefer solitude mostly." A soft call made Amaya look around to see Tristan's hawk land gracefully on the balcony ledge, her noble head turning to face her with a piercing gaze. She smiled and reached out, touching the warm feathers and the hawk clicked its beak at her but allowed the respectful caress before ruffling her feathers and turning, looking out into the night.
Amaya turned her face back to Tristan, who was still combing his fingers through her hair. "You like my curls, don't you?" She asked him with a slight smirk, lifting her head to him as he arched an eyebrow, struggling not to smile.
"Shall I stop?" She shook her head and stepped closer, resting her hands against his chest as she sighed, closing her eyes. Tristan slowly lifted his fingers to brush against her cheek, tracing a line down her face and neck then stopped when he reached the neckline of her dress. His eyes slowly met hers, looking to her through the tangles of his fringe as she gazed up at him. She said nothing but he could see that she was silently pleading with him not to stop, so he reached forwards and captured her mouth with his, tasting the sweet wine on her tongue.
Amaya sighed softly as Tristan's slow kiss took over her mind. There was something about him that simply spoke to her in a way no other could understand. He was infuriating to say the least but also a man of great complexity. She wanted to understand him, to be able to know every single detail about him until she could read him like a book.
Lust and desire spiked in Amaya's chest so she deepened the kiss, moving her lips more urgently against Tristan as he stepped forwards, pushing her back into the balcony ledge as his hands gripped her waist but one ran down her leg, feeling the curve of her thigh as she instinctively lifted it up to rub against him. They both knew that they should not be doing this, that at any moment they could be found but neither pulled away, too caught up in each other's dancing lips to care.
When the hawk called out in warning, clicking its beak and spread its wings defensively Tristan pulled back and looked to the hawk whilst listening, hearing the sound of footsteps approaching. Taking a large step away from her Tristan leaned against the balcony, offering his arm to his hawk which the bird instantly stepped onto and he began to stroke the silky feathers.
"Amaya? You out here?"
"Yes Galahad. I'm here." Amaya answered after taking a deep breath to recover herself. Galahad stepped around the corner and glanced between his sister and Tristan. He thought nothing of it, walking to his sister with a slightly wine filled smile. "I think you have drunk too much."
"Probably, sweet sister." He grinned at her, slinging an arm around her waist. "Come join the feast again! They've brought out the deserts." Amaya's stomach rumbled quietly at the thought. She was actually a little hungry, which was strange for her so she nodded her head.
"Goodnight Tristan." She said to him softly as Galahad guided her around. "Thank you for the company." Tristan smirked at her comment but nodded his head in reply, watching her as she continued to look over her shoulder as she was pulled away.
His hawk hissed and nipped his finger, making him growl at the bird who spread its wings and the scout sighed before letting the bird go. It soared into the night, gliding through the stars before disappearing altogether.
The moment the heat of body warmth washed over Amaya recoiled, the colour draining from her face along with her smile and it did not return until she was sat next to Dagonet and Lucan, who grinned at her. "Try the sweet cakes!" He said through a mouthful of food, crumbs falling everywhere and Amaya laughed.
"I shall, tiny mouse." She assured him as she reached for a napkin and wiped the crumbs from his face. "Though I would take smaller bites if I were you unless you wish to choke." Lucan grinned again but this time kept his mouth closed, chewing slowly before swallowing.
Amaya tried a sweet cake and some refreshing citrus mousse before remaining content to simply watch the dancers. Several young gentleman came boldly over and requested a dance but Amaya sent them away disappointed. She was not going to dance.
The night was well underway when the double doors were pushed open by the guards and a woman of unparalleled beauty stood in the arch, her dark hair shining in the candlelight as she took a step forwards, her dark gown shimmering like her hair as green eyes flickered across the crowd.
Her cloak swept behind her as she approached the royal couple, the dancers parting out of her way as the music stopped, everyone staring at the alabaster skinned woman who continued to glide forwards, her eyes fixed on Arthur. When she reached the foot of the top table she curtseyed low to the floor, bowing her head and waiting as Arthur lifted a hand to her. "Rise stranger, tell us your name."
"Morgana, my king. I am Morgana." She spoke in such a smooth, seductive tone that Amaya heard several sighs about the court, making her frown slightly. The light accent in her voice told Amaya that she was not from Briton but she was not exotic. Perhaps she was from one of the isles? "I am here to beg sanctuary. I have had a long journey and need somewhere to stay and recover for a few days. People tell me of the kindness of King Arthur and thought a lady would be welcomed to plead for his mercy." She looked up at the king through her lashes and Amaya instantly sensed something wrong. The strange woman had a powerful presence, commanding and slightly intimidating.
Other ladies were cowering away from her but Amaya remained in her seat, looking coldly to Morgana as the king smiled at her. "You are welcome here. Come, join us." He gestured to an empty seat beside him and Guinevere instantly bristled but said nothing, touching her husband's arm which pulled his eyes to her. She gave him a warm smile then rose to her feet.
"Yes, join us. You look very tired." Guinevere turned then fixed her eyes on Amaya. "Lady Amaya will see a room is prepared for you." The knights thought to complain at Amaya being so publically ordered around but the woman was already rising to her feet. She nodded her head then slipped away, striding to prepare one of the guest rooms.
She selected one as far away from the king and queen's quarters as possible, near the servant's wing. Turning down the bed Amaya plumped the pillows then aired the room, letting a cooling breeze into the room before calling for Morgana's things to be brought to the room. The woman had travelled lightly with only a handful of guards and two chests. Amaya opened them with a maid and began to put the dresses away, carefully making sure not to crease a single sleeve of the gowns before looking to the bottom of the last chest. Inside was a smaller chest, possibly a jewellery case so Amaya set it on the elaborate vanity table then shooed the other maids away, telling one to inform Morgana that her room was ready for her.
Amaya did not return to the feast, feeling tired and full from eating the desserts. She traversed sleepily back to her room, the maid she shared with sitting up in bed to wait for her. "How was it?" She asked excitedly as Amaya stepped inside then began to slip from her gown.
"It was enjoyable." Amaya answered simply, struggling to contain a yawn. "But I did not like how close everything was. I do not do well with crowds." Her companion sighed.
"I bet the dresses were beautiful…" She sighed dreamily and Amaya looked to the girl then to the dress in her arms.
"Would you like to try this one on?" The dark haired girl gasped and slipped out of bed, her bare feet touching the stone slabs as she nodded her head.
"May I really?" Amaya smiled and nodded, bunching up the skirts to slip the gown over her head.
"Greta, you need to put your arms through the sleeves." Amaya chuckled, helping her slide into the dress with only a single candle to help them see. Greta giggled, pushing her arms through the sleeves then allowed Amaya to tug the dress into place over her shift before stepping back, regarding her quietly as she gasped in awe and twirled around.
"I feel like a princess." Amaya smiled, wishing the dress was hers to give.
"Well, you fit it better than I did." She replied and it was true, Greta's shapely form was accented by the tight hug of the gown. "You look very fine, I must say."
"Why don't you wear dresses like this every day?" Greta asked, unable to stop stroking the dress's soft fabric. "Why do you still insist upon being a maid like me?"
"It is how I feel more comfortable." Amaya replied simply, taking a broken comb with some of the teeth missing to pull it through the dark tresses that hung straight down Greta's back. "There, now you are all neat and tidy." Amaya said to her then allowed Greta to try on the silver slippers she had been wearing. Greta danced about the room, twirling happily as she giggled.
"Oh, if only I could dance with some handsome man all night long, like in the tales." Greta sighed wistfully and Amaya pursed her lips.
"You know, the night is still young. You could always slip into the hall and join the feast. No one would know who you really were." Amaya suggested slowly, smirking quietly. "And a man loves a good mystery, I can tell you."
"You think I should? Really?" Greta gasped then shied away. "I don't know, I'm just a maid."
"I'm just a maid." The woman reminded her younger companion. "And I was up there just a few moments ago, perfectly happy. Here, let me fix your hair then you can go. But be sure to be back in time to get enough sleep for tomorrow." Greta nodded her head, turning around as Amaya pulled some ribbon from a drawer and tied back Greta's hair, tucking it up then pinning it in place before stepping back. "There, as pretty as a queen." Amaya said to her. "Now go and have some fun, why shouldn't you?"
"Thank you Maya." Greta whispered, clutching Amaya's hands then darted off excitedly, the rustle of her skirts disappearing from hearing as Amaya turned then readied herself for bed, utterly exhausted.
Have to say, I can understand how Amaya feels about those dresses. They are hard to walk in! They're so heavy!