Weary and mud stricken, Amaya could not help but cry out with relief as she saw Camelot come into view. She dropped to her knees and thanked the gods that they had watched over her. Elyan smiled then curled an arm around her, lifting Amaya to her feet. "Come on little lady, let's get you home."
"I'd forgotten how beautiful it was." She whispered then surged forwards, finding new strength within her. She ran all the way, the others chasing after her and when she lowered her hood, the guards stared in shock as her face became visible to them.
"Open the gates!" Someone yelled. "Ring the bell! Inform Arthur that the Wolf Maiden has returned!" The doors were dragged open and Amaya shot through, Lamorak, Elyan, Ywain and Gaheris close behind as she led the way through the streets, running towards the castle.
The villagers blinked in confusion but she thrust them out of the way, pushing through the thick crowds as they blinked then had the sense to leap out of her way before she reached them. Guards called forwards, shouting to one another on the wall before all at once, they began to cheer.
The sound filled Amaya's mind and she smiled, listening to the thumping of spears on the ground or the fists on their metal clad chests as they welcomed her home. "Quite the reception." Elyan remarked and Gaheris laughed.
Amaya saw the gate into the castle courtyard and the guards instantly stepped back to permit her through but slid together again to block the way of the four men. "No! Let them pass." Amaya ordered swiftly. "They are with me." Nodding their heads the guards allowed them to enter.
"Nice place." Elyan mused, looking around as Amaya walked forwards, catching her breath. "Looks quite homely." Suddenly a dark shape barrelled forwards and knocked Amaya to the ground as a thunderous bark rang in her ears.
"Demon! Oh you oaf, get off me!" She laughed, wriggling as the dog's tongue lapped against her face and neck, his paws pressing into her chest until she was able to shift him from her and her arms wrapped tightly around him, burying her face into his fur before she wiped her face clean. "I've missed you, you little rascal." She whispered, holding him close.
"Maya!" Amaya's head darted up as Maia raced forwards, streaking ahead of all the knights as they poured from the castle.
"Mai!" Amaya cried aloud then jumped up, the women running to each other until Amaya caught her friend mid leap, swinging her around then sobbed and laughed all at once, holding her close as Maia did the same.
"You came back! You came back!" Maia cried, burying her face into Amaya as the woman reunited with one another.
"I'm not so easily gotten rid of." Amaya announced with a smile then looked around as Galahad ran at her. "Little wolf!" Without a word Galahad grabbed her, lifting her up into the air and spun her around, trembling as he tried to hold his emotions together but he was tearing at the seams as he held his sister in his arms.
She gripped onto him tightly, her shoulders heaving as she cried with relief and her chest burned from the ache of her journey, the pain of losing her family and finally the joy of having them back with her. Emotion wracked her until she was overwhelmed, struggling to breathe until Galahad gently let her go.
"You…you…" He couldn't find the words so Amaya kissed his face to soothe him.
"I gave you my word." She murmured then looked to Arthur with a smile. "Arthur!"
"Amaya." He sighed with relief. "What happened to you?" He looked to the four men who stood there, Demon trying to jump up and demand their attention which only Elyan gave him, ruffling his fur with a grin.
"They helped me." Amaya explained, stepping back to stand with them. "Lamorak defended my honour when I was unconscious from the other slaves." She said, touching the tall man's arm and he nodded respectfully to the king who returned the gesture. "And Elyan, Gaheris and Ywain helped to protect me in the arena." She continued, gesturing to each man as she said their name. "When I was mistaken for a boy and sold as a gladiator." Galahad's jaw dropped.
"WHAT?"
"Honestly, little wolf, must you always be shocked by everything that comes out of my mouth?" Amaya sighed, shaking her head with a grin but her eyes shifted, searching for another face. He was not there with the other knights, was he scouting? If he was then she was taking Arluin and tracking that damned scout down.
"Amaya." His calm, rich voice spoke from behind and Amaya froze in place, eyes widening slightly before she slowly turned around. Ywain frowned then stepped back, looking at the scout who had his eyes fixed on Amaya. All he could do was stare. She was there. Living and breathing and really there. This wasn't a dream, she really had come back. After seven months, she was home.
Slowly she took a step forwards and Tristan awoke from his daze to walk hesitantly towards her. He was afraid to touch her, afraid that he was wrong and the moment he reached out for her, she would disappear and he would awaken again. "Tristan." She breathed his name in the lilting accent that only she had. It finished him.
Tristan took the last few paces towards her and his hands shot out to hold her, breathing deeply as his eyes began to swim with emotion, pain and relief flooding his body as his normally controlled hands began to shake, lifting to brush through her hair as she gripped onto him. Suddenly he did not care who was watching and he did not care who did or did not know about his feelings for Amaya.
He pressed his lips to hers and she closed her eyes, tears rolling down her cheeks as he met her with a slow, meaningful kiss though all he wanted was to drag all the breath from her body. She needed to know how he felt and this was the only way he could think of to show her. Carefully he rested on hand on the small of her back and the other at her hip as a large majority of those watching gasped.
Tristan showing public affection? To Amaya? They were all in shock. This was completely out of the ordinary for the scout, unexpected and never even considered. Yet it was happening and they all stared with open mouths and wide eyes.
When Tristan drew back his head slightly to gaze into her eyes, the words slipped from Amaya before she could reclaim them. "I love you Tristan." For a moment he just stood there and her eyes widened, only just realising what she had said. Tristan had expected to feel defensive against those words as he knew what it meant. It meant that she had bound herself to him in ways no other could but all Tristan could feel was peace. Peace and elation. He was happy to hear those words and as he brushed his lips against her ear, he could only continue to feel such emotions as he whispered.
"I love you Maya. I have missed you." A small sob escaped her and Amaya flung her arms around Tristan's neck, letting him lift her off the ground as he embraced her tightly. When they pulled away, Arthur slowly stepped forwards.
"Welcome home Amaya. You and your companions should come inside. There is cause to celebrate so a feast shall be held in your honours." Elyan grinned then clapped his hands together, rubbing his palms with anticipation.
"I like this place already." Arthur chuckled.
"Dagonet, show them somewhere they can rest." The king reached forwards and placed his hands on the shoulders of Lamorak and Ywain. "You must have had a long journey."
"Too long, but the woman insisted on not stopping for rest." Ywain answered, shooting her a look then smirked as she blinked innocently. "Too hell bent on getting back here before spring." Dagonet stepped forwards and led them away, stopping to kiss Amaya's cheek and embrace her before letting her back into Tristan's arms, which wound around her and did not let her go.
"You need to see Arluin." Tristan whispered to her quietly. "He needs you." Suddenly she was concerned.
"What is it? What is wrong?" Tristan began to lead her into the stables and she rushed forwards.
"When you were taken, he became depressed. We have struggled to keep him alive because he rarely eats." The scout explained and Amaya instantly bolted forwards, finding Arluin's table then flung open the stall. Her beloved horse lay on the floor, the bones of his ribs sticking out painfully and Amaya gasped.
"Arluin!" He did not stir. "Arluin, wake up and see me. I am here, beloved, I am home and with you. Please, wake up and eat for me." Hearing the familiar tongue and sound of Amaya's voice, Arluin opened his eyes and lifted his head.
When he saw his mistress kneeling beside him, he called out weakly with joy. Arluin stretched out his nose and nuzzled her face before letting it drop back to the ground wearily. "We have had to force feed him." Amaya bit back a sob, going to Arluin's other side then rested her hand on his neck. She brought the mash closer and picked up a handful, not caring that it was mushy against her fingers as she held it to Arluin's lips.
"Eat, my friend, you must eat this for me." Slowly his tongue slipped forwards and Arluin began to lap up the food, tasting his mistress's scent also which encouraged him to eat more. Tristan crouched by his side, stroking the horse's coat as Amaya continued to whisper to him. His heart ached to hold her again but Tristan understood that Arluin needed Amaya more than he did right now and she was not going to let him fade away. Once he had eaten a fair portion of the mash, Amaya stopped as she did not want to let him suddenly shock his body with too much nourishment.
"I will come back and stay here with you tonight, my friend. I'm not going to leave your side until you are well again." Slowly Tristan reached out and pulled a loose curl back from Amaya's face, tucking it behind her ear. He needed to touch her, to make sure she was real and that he was not dreaming. She turned to him, wiping her hand in her cloak and Tristan instantly met her lips with his, sealing them shut with a fire that had been locked away from him all those months. It was unfair, she had been taken away from him too soon and now, he was afraid he was going to lose her again.
Amaya curled one hand around Tristan's neck, pulling herself closer to him as his tongue fought for dominance, battling against hers with a strained ferociousness until they both pulled back breathlessly. His fingers continued to touch her face, drawing her in as she breathed heavily.
She could not take her eyes from his. Her body began to ache for him so she slowly rose to her feet, Tristan joining her. "Will you be at the feast?"
"Will you?" He returned and she shrugged.
"For a little while." She replied quietly then smiled. "But not for long."
"Then I shall not be either." He murmured, kissing her again as his hands gripped her waist. "I'm sorry, Maya. I'm sorry I lost you." She shook her head.
"We were outnumbered and unprepared. You were lucky they did not kill you." Tristan looked down to the horse.
"He saved my life." Love filled every pocket of Amaya's being for both the scout and her horse, who lay weak and starving at her feet. She looked down at Arluin with concern.
"Perhaps I should not leave him…"
"He will be fine for now, Amaya. You need to look to yourself for the moment." Tristan smirked. "You look like hell." She groaned.
"I feel like hell." She agreed then rested her head against Tristan's chest, his arms finding a comfortable place to rest around her. They stood there for a long time just holding one another, unable to let go. Tristan inhaled her scent, which was laced with mud and sweat from her travels but he still found it alluring.
Eventually Tristan carefully stooped down and picked Amaya up, carrying her from the stables and up to her room where Vanora was waiting with a hot bath. "Oh sweet Mary and Joseph!" Vanora cried when she saw Amaya. "Where the hell have you been?"
"Arena." She muttered as Tristan set her on her feet. "People know me as The Faceless Archer now." Vanora snorted then looked to Tristan.
"Away with you! I have work to do here." Tristan scowled but nodded his head. When he took Amaya's hand and laced his fingers through hers, Vanora stared in shock as he then kissed her face.
"I shall see you soon." He murmured then left, leaving a baffled Vanora behind. Suddenly the woman turned on Amaya who was already dropping her cloak to the ground and reaching to get rid of the horrible clothes she wore, which were beyond repair or saving as they were smothered in blood, sweat and grime which Amaya wanted to get off of her body as soon as possible.
"Did Tristan just show emotion in front of someone other than you?" Amaya nodded her head.
"You should have seen us kissing in the courtyard." The redhead's mouth dropped open as Amaya slipped behind the screen, undressed then buried herself in the warm water, relaxing as she groaned at the heat that soothed her aching muscles.
