Though the rain poured down from the sky and lightning flashed overhead, Amaya turned Arluin away from the trees and pressed him into a gallop, flying over the hills as the blanket of dark grey clouds hid their shape until a bright arc of lightning split the sky, illuminating their shape until the next bolt struck, once again lighting their silhouette like phantom creatures, never breaking stride.
With several weeks of recovery under her belt, Amaya felt much like her old self again, though Galahad always seemed to be watching her carefully like she could collapse at any moment. She did not mind, however, it was only because he cared.
The cry of a hawk followed Amaya and she smiled, glancing up to the sky to see Tristan's bird flying with them, battling the wind to keep up so Amaya slowed the pace, letting the bird fly down to glide closer to them at a much easier speed. If her brother knew what she was doing he would have a fit, no doubt but he was on patrol with Gawain answering a distress call from villagers to the west who were being terrorised by bandits.
What he did not know would not hurt him. Amaya stopped on the highest peak, gasping for air as another bolt of lightning flashed behind her, the brightness setting fire to the lands before her briefly before it was dragged away by darkness once more. Lifting her arm the hawk settled comfortably on her arm and Amaya lifted her cloak to shield her from the rain, tucking the bird a little closer to her. "Surely your master must be missing you by now, or have you switched allegiance?" She questioned, thinking of Tristan with a pang. Her feelings had not changed, she could still look at him and feel desire and sometimes love when she was not on her guard but he still had not returned to her with an answer.
She was beginning to assume this silence meant the worse. It had be two months since that morning and she now wished she had kept her temper in check. It was her fault she was still in pain and so it was her responsibility to face the consequences, though she knew that to put pressure on Tristan would only drive him away so she let him be.
Strangely though, the hawk had suddenly become a great friend and companion. She did not know its name as she did not want to ask, so she simply called it beautiful or friend. It seemed to be a female, seeing as it was rather small but she was not too sure. In answer to her question, the bird gave a soft cry and Amaya smiled.
"You traitor. Alright then, if you insist on keeping me company, I had best lead you out of these thunderous skies, otherwise I may be eating your legs after you are roasted alive by a lightning bolt." The bird clicked her beak disapprovingly then set off when Amaya extended her arm then lifted Arluin's reins. "Come my beloved, I'll give you a warm bath and a rug when we return." Anticipating the treats, Arluin raced back to the city as quickly as he dared, careful not to slide on the muddy ground until his hooves had found the path.
The gates were opened so that Amaya could gallop straight through and the streets were abandoned, everything locked away for the storm which raged overhead. It had settled in quickly and without warning and had not shifted for several days. The people were beginning to believe it was magic that had summoned this tempest to destroy Camelot.
Amaya laughed at the superstition, shaking her head as she trotted into the stables and the hawk swooped down and settled on her shoulder. Making her smile as she looked to the bird. "How about you find yourself a mouse? I'm sure there are still plenty to be found in the food store in here." She cocked her head to the side then spread her wings to keep balanced as Amaya dismounted.
"Milady, I was beginning to worry for you." Jols exhaled a sigh of relief then smiled in greeting. "Did you enjoy your ride?"
"It was very thrilling. There is nothing better than a ride through a storm, though I do advise you to dress warmly." Amaya shivered then beamed at him. "You should try one day."
"No, I do not like lightning very much. I hate the way it jumps out at you unexpectedly." Jols shook his head then lifted a bucket of water he was carrying. "It is warm, thought you might like to get him settled as soon as possible."
"You are a wonder, Jols. Thank you." Amaya sighed with relief, taking the bucket and Arluin's reins. When Jols leaped out of his skin at the bright flash of a bolt and the deep rumbling thunder after it, Amaya chuckled.
"May I suggest something?" Amaya said to Jols who nodded his head. "If you stuff some cotton wool into your ears after rolling it in wax, it blocks out a great deal of the sound and you will hardly notice a thing." She said to him and Jols pursed his lips thoughtfully. "I used to work for a Roman who also disliked thunderstorms, he used to stuff his ears at night when they raged overhead so that he could sleep soundly."
"I'll try that. Thank you Maya." He said then patted her shoulder warmly, letting her pass. The hawk suddenly flew forwards, snatching a mouse from the ground as it scurried across and gripped it tightly in the sharp talons.
"Good catch. Just eat it somewhere I cannot see you." Amaya chuckled then walked into Arluin's spacious stall, beginning to untack him before taking a cloth and rubbing the warm water into his body, smoothly relaxing his muscles as she kept him warm then quickly patted him dry, making sure that he did not drink too much water all at once before retrieving some mash and an apple from the store cupboard.
She returned with the food and treat, letting Arluin eat at his own pace whilst she took a knife and cut off a slice of the apple, bringing it to her lips to take it from the blade then chew on the segment slowly until Arluin lifted his head and snorted, as if affronted that Amaya had started eating his dessert without him.
Laughing cheerfully Amaya put her knife away and offered the rest to Arluin after cutting out the stalk. "There you are my sweet one, enjoy." Just then the hawk dropped down from the rafters and landed gracefully on Amaya's shoulder, making the woman start with surprise before sighing. "You are as silent as your master, you know that?" She scolded softly as Arluin took the last bite of the apple then munched on it happily. Amaya groomed him, searching for any excuse to simply remain here with him but after she had brushed him spotless, picked out his hooves and untangled every hair in his mane and tail, there was nothing else to do.
Taking a deep breath Amaya looked outside. Thunder and lightning still raged but at least the rain had eased off. Kissing Arluin's neck she patted him goodbye. "Sleep well my friend." She whispered then slipped outside, walking carefully as the hawk still remained perched on her shoulder and she did not wish to cause it to fall off.
"So my little companion, tell me of the skies." Amaya murmured softly. "How high have you flown? Can you touch the stars from up there?" The hawk nipped at Amaya's ear and she growled playfully, lifting a hand to stroke her feathery chest before stopping at the main doors. "Now my beauty, I think it best you find your perch and your master. He must be worried about you." The hawk cawed at Amaya but stayed put, nestling down as if to sleep. "Very well." Nodding her head to the guards as she entered Amaya headed to her rooms to get out of her damp clothing.
She kept her head held high whenever she passed a courtier or group of noble ladies despite their disdainful looks at her rumpled appearance and dishevelled hair. One woman went as far as to try to shoulder past Amaya but the woman was far more solid than the delicate flower and the richly dressed lady whimpered and clutched her shoulder as Amaya shot her a look but said nothing, not rising to the bait but continued to walk forwards.
Descending the stairs the hawk lifted its head and called out softly, sweeping forwards and Amaya frowned, hearing its noble cry echo off the walls before the flutter of wings signalled it had landed. She turned and followed the bird who clicked its beak disapprovingly at the man as it perched on his knee.
He groaned and shifted as Amaya cautiously approached, seeing the wine bottle in his hand as he flicked the bird away then dragged himself to his feet, continuing to stumble a few steps before draining the bottle entirely.
"Tristan." Amaya spoke his name evenly, frowning slightly in worry and he whirled around slowly, swaying on his feet as he looked at Amaya through blurry eyes, blinking furiously to try and keep them open. "Tristan, what have you done to yourself?" Amaya sighed, reaching out to take the empty bottle but he snatched her wrist and tugged her closer.
"Maya, you look like Maya." He murmured and Amaya could practically taste the wine on his breath. It appeared he had had more than just the one bottle. What was wrong with him? Tristan never drank like this. Not even at feasts. His hand reached up and clumsily tugged his fingers through her hair. "You have her hair."
"Tristan, have some sense. You need to go to your room." Amaya tried to tell him but his arm snatched her waist and pulled her closer in a strong grasp, slamming his mouth to hers as she gasped in shock. Her natural response was to close her eyes and answer his kiss, two months of longing filling her to the core as she lifted her hands to grip his collar tightly.
He bit her lip, perhaps a little more harshly than he should have but Amaya did not care, not even when he drew blood and he lapped it up with his tongue like a wild beast. Suddenly he slumped against her, his legs giving out beneath him and Amaya hastened to catch him. "Tristan!" She tried to shake him as he began to slip from her arms so she quickly shoved him upright then twisted around to stand beneath him, dragging one of his arms over her neck before clucking her tongue. "Come my beauty, let's get your master somewhere to lay down."
It was a little bit of a trek to get to Tristan's rooms but thankfully luck seemed to be on her side as Dagonet happened to be walking past by chance. "Amaya, what happened?"
"Tristan drank too much and now he weighs a damn tonne!" She grunted and the stronger knight lifted the weight from her easily, ducked down and lifted Tristan over his shoulders as easily as if he were just a sack of potatoes. Amaya followed them, taking the bottle from Tristan's hand and walked beside Dagonet as Tristan muttered under his breath.
"Tristan never gets drunk." Dagonet mused quietly with a look to Amaya. "Do you know why he did this?"
"I only just found him. I probably wouldn't have if my little companion here hadn't led me straight to him." Amaya shrugged, turning to look at the bird who was perched on her arm. The trio received some strange looks from the servants and guards as they passed but none of them paid any heed, continuing on their way before Amaya strode ahead and opened Tristan's door then stepped inside, letting the hawk fly to the perch as the woman pulled back the covers of Tristan's bed.
"Amaya, I would appreciate it if you would tell anyone who asks that I accidentally knocked Tristan out in training." Dagonet murmured to Amaya as he set the scout down carefully on the bed, turning his head and positioning him so that if he were to vomit, he would not choke himself. She looked up at Dagonet without question and nodded her head but the gentle knight explained anyway. "If everyone were to know he had drank too much, his pride would be greatly affected. It is better this way."
"Of course. Would you like me to stay with him a while?" Amaya offered quietly, reaching out to the hawk to stroke her feathers. "I know you have things to do and Lucan will be searching for you by now." Dagonet nodded his head.
"I shall come back once he is asleep. Thank you Amaya." She nodded her head, turning her eyes to Tristan as he slept soundly. With a sigh she moved over to him and removed his boots, jacket then propped him up slightly, brushing her fingers against his fringe to push it away from his eyes then took the chair by the hearth, keeping back from the bed as the storm raged on outside.
At one point the wind flung open the shutters and Amaya leaped up to battle them shut, grunting against the gale force winds until she had locked them in place, turning whilst gasping for air. "Where are you?" She heard Tristan murmur and she looked to him, sighing deeply as he writhed under his blankets, turning his head as he struggled to relax. "Where did you go? Come back!"
"Be appeased, Tristan, no one has left you." Amaya murmured to him, coming to his side but he called out deliriously, the drink still surging through his veins.
"I lost her, I lost her!"
"Who did you lose?" Amaya asked him quietly, resting a hand firmly against his forehead and the coolness of her skin against his burning brow seemed to soothe him, enough so that he stopped fighting in his sleep and exhaled.
"Maya. I lost Maya." Emotion swept through Amaya, causing her to choke slightly on the large lump in her throat as it settled there and did not move. She shook her head, hardening her exterior as she leaned a little closer to him.
"How?"
"Maya, I need Maya." He shook his head, clenching his fists before grabbing at the air. "I want her!"
"Tristan, you need to think." Amaya told him sternly, gripping his wrists and pinning them down at his sides. "Maya cannot wait for you forever, she still has wounds that need to heal and you are not helping her. You need to decide exactly how you feel otherwise you shall lose her. She will walk away and never come back."
"No…" He whispered and Maya was shocked to hear unguarded fear in his voice. "I need her here."
"Then tell her why you need her." Amaya begged him quietly, releasing one of his wrists to touch his face. "Please Tristan, tell me the truth. Do not be afraid to let down your walls with me. I don't care whether you are more animal than man or that you dislike too much company, I am not afraid of you." With a slight jolt she winced, knowing this was slightly untrue. Amaya still had a certain degree of fear about every man, though it was nothing personal against Tristan. Her past experiences had certainly scarred her though she had mostly moved on past that. "But if you can find the courage to say the words I need to hear, then I shall say them too."
Slowly Amaya leaned forwards and touched her lips to Tristan's, making him sigh and lean back, his shoulders sagging into the pillows as Amaya simply rested against him, not moving her lips except to draw away once he was perfectly still and breathing evenly. "Rest well Tristan." She said to him then stood, walking over to the hearth and resumed her seat.
Dagonet returned, glanced to Tristan to make sure he was alright before looking to Amaya, who was curled up and asleep in the chair so he approached her quietly and touched her shoulder. She inhaled deeply with a slight start at being awoken. She smiled sleepily to Dagonet who gave a small nod.
"Are you well enough to return to your room alone or shall I carry you?" He offered gently but she shook her head.
"No, it was just getting late." Amaya answered. "He's been talking a fair bit of nonsense but he seems to be sleeping peacefully now, so I shall leave you." Amaya stood, standing on tip toes to kiss Dagonet's cheek. "Can I fetch you anything? Food? Drink?" He shook his head.
"No, you just go and rest. Don't think I don't know you went riding out in the pouring rain." Amaya smiled guiltily, chuckling.
"I enjoy such exhilaration. It has been a long time since I have done such a thing, I promise I will not make a habit of it." She assured him, touching his arm before moving to the door. Just as she reached for the latch Tristan murmured her name and Dagonet frowned.
"Yes Tristan?" Amaya answered simply, keeping all emotion from her face as Tristan grunted then turned over so Amaya swept from the room, not wanting to see Dagonet's bewildered look. She strode through the empty castle, taking deep breaths and shook he head several times. "Keep yourself together, Amaya."