Disclaimer I do not own King Arthur, though I wish I owned Lancelot and Tristan -smirks-. Anyways, anything you do not recognize, such as an extra character or two(Like The Rogue Knight, and a Certain Woad that got her captured in the first place) belong to me! Any other beings or characters that you do not recognize also belong to me, or another of which I have asked permission to use the subject! Nor any songs that might appear.
Author's Notes THANKS FOR THE REVIEWS! -huggles all reviewers- -cough- Anyways, the knights will soon find out who she really is! And the most freuqently asked questions shall be answered! (One again, P.O.D and Agent Provocateur helped me get in the mood)
Spelling mistakes might come up once in a while in both name and mere word! I am sorry for this, and must apologize further for my impatient chapters that might be incredibley short.
Summary This isn't you typical, find a third prisoner within the walls of Marcus Honorius' dungeon that he had so cruelly sentenced Guinevere and Lucan to.
When the knights manage to find their way into the dungeon, they manage to find a third captive. However, their rage becomes even more so, when they find out that the woman isn't a woad warrior at all.... But one of their own. A knight.
-Pairing- Tristan/OC or/and Lancelot/OC, whilst the OC is currently ambiguous towards Lancelot.
- Romance shall start in Chapter Three. Sorry for Delay!
The Rogue Knight
Chapter Two; The Dangerous Echo
Within the first five hours since the caravan had set off from Marius' estate, people had slowly gone into the rythm of movement. Sure, a straggler here or there, would fall behind the caravan, rest for a moment's time, and when coaxed to stand, would refuse with the shake of their head, and wave of their calloused hands. It was usually the older people, the elders that had agreed to move with the Knights' and others who were younger. Slowly, the group of story tellers of old age began to dwindle to a meager amount of three, two, and then one.
It was expected of course, infact, the chilling temperature that they travelled through, only seemed to drop in a desperate attempt to claim the lives of young and old. Fortunately the young ones were spared and the old slowly crippled away.
Fenaliy sat within the wagon for the surviving prisoners of Marius Honorius. Each of the three prisoners had been cared for, either washed, their wounds dressed or allowed to change into something more suitable for the trip rather then tattered, flea infested clothing they had been originally clothed in. Within the female knight's hands, she held a clothe, damp and slightly smudged with dirt as she worked at her grime and blood covered visage that was unfamiliar when dirty. She scrubbed, and scrubbed, feeling filthier then she ever had. She felt as if the dirt and blood had sunk deeply into her pores, dying her skin to an unpleasant shade of reddish brown that was unevenly colored.
She was oblivious to everything, even the cold air was it wafted gently against her bare skin, as the wagon flap was thrown aside and in came Arthur. His eyes, however, immediatelyt locked with that of Guinevere, and didn't seem to even move towards the woman whom sat alone. The Knight.
Arthur moved forth slowly, stepping over the many furs strewn across the rocking flooring of the wagon. He glanced cautiously at the sleeping boy, Dagonet at his side, asleep. Arthur's eyes soon moved to Fen, and he eyed her curiously. He had heard the names of the two others, Lucan the Boy, and the Guinevere. This woman however, had refrainded from mentioning her name, and had merely stared at Arthur with eyes ablazing with emotions, and Arthur felt as if he had seen a sense of familiarity, and that was why perhaps she had not mentioned her dubbeth.
When he had asked Guinevere, she had merely shaken her head and said 'I cannot tell you, if she does not wish to tell you herself.'
Arthur had become increasingly annoyed with his ignorance of the woman's name. He had gone to Lancelot, and Dagonet, asking for the knowledge, yet both had merely shaken their heads and found themselves admitting to finding the female familiar.
Yet, now, when his eyes came across the cleansliness of her body, he felt a incredibley strong surge of familiarity as the other knights had explained. Flashes of memories passed through his mind, simple images, yet enough to make him remember who this woman was.
- Flash Back -
Eight Knights rode abreast, each clad in their battle armour as they rode calmly through the country side, across an open stretch of land. Bors, was laughing heartily at a Joke that Lancelot had cracked about one of their own. Fenaliy, the only lady Knight.
- End Flash Back -
"Fen?" He asked softly, his eyes falling upon the form of the woman whom scrubbed at her face with a extremely dirty clothe. The woman stopped, the clothe falling from her hands and gently falling to her lap. The woman's eyes, silverish blue searched out the being whom had spoken her name. Her eyes fell upon Arthur and she rose a brow.
"Yes Arthur?" So calmly, she spoke. It irked Arthur to the point where his face began to beat read with annoyance.
"This entire time! This entire time you didn't tell us your name! Why not?!" He continued to stand in the middle of the wagon, finding his feet firmly planted in the middle of the swaying oxen drawn vehicle.
Fen pursed her lips in a irritating way to that of Arthur, he scowled as she looked up at the ceiling before her eyes finally leveled on Arthur once again. She rested her right hand upon her lap, bandaged, and slightly red from the blood that was still trying to dry and block off the flow of blood. "It must have crossed my mind. Oh, yes, um, perhaps is was the fact that, nearly seven years ago-"
Arthur immediately interrupted her. "No! You left on your own free will. Do not use the stories that have been made up over the years influence why you didn't tell me, or anyone for that matter, your name! Your Identity!"
Guinevere, who had been watching the exchange the entire time suddenly cast a sharp stare at Fen. "What?" She said softly. Disbelief was evident in her voice. "You left? You weren't exiled?" Fen and Arthur both swivelled their angered stares towards Guinevere, who in turn, stared quizzically, and yet angerly towards Fen. "You mean all the stories of your banishment were lies? The Nuns? The.. The.. everything that had to do with your exile was.. a lie?"
Arthur glanced at Fen, who stared at Guinevere. The Lady Knight slowly nodded. "I was never exiled."
"Then. Then why did you leave? Why leave the gallant round table of Arthur's Knights?"
Fen turned her gaze sheepishly towards her hands. "The tales of my cold, collect manner were true. I.. I left because, over the years I slowly became more and more distant from them. One of the men we were serving for a singular mission, had found out about me being female. He told Arthur, and Arthur, who already knew I was a female-"
"What?" Guinevere cut in yet again.
"Arthur and the knights knew I was a female. I would only wear the cloak about the Hardian wall, but when the eight of us were alone, out in the forest or some place other, I removed my hood and allowed the sun, or moon, or air to touch my skin for once. I must say however, at the beginning, they were a bit reluctant of me being a female and a Knight."
Guinevere nodded, her anger seeming to dissipate as the story of Fenaliy and the Knights' progressed slowly and casually.
"Anyways," Fen continued, "Arthur said 'That is proposterous! Rogue is a male, we have seen him uncloaked many times, he merely wishes to hide the scars he possesses from a child hood accident.' When the man asked, if he could see me without my cloak on, Arthur told a tale of me heading out to escort a group of Nuns from their convent to the Hardian Wall. I was ignorant of the plan, and so I showed up an hour later, with out a group of Nuns. The man we served began to spread a rumor that I had ignored Arthur's direct orders, and I finally became so fed up with it, and slowly became more distant from the others, so... I left." Guinevere stared at Fen, expecting her to continued, but she finally just nodded, and glanced at the ground in thought.
Arthur however, was not done with his rage and plopped down upon the floor of the wagon and glared at Fen. "Why didn't you tell us Fen? Why not?"
Fen stared at him before a crooked grin appeared across her visage. "It would have been more exciting to have you realize who I was."
Arthur scowled. Then remembered why he was here. "Oh yes.. I was told you have injuries Fen. May I see them."
The woman seemed reluctant, but eventually nodded and tugged at the sleeve of her shirt, he pulled it down over her shoulder exposing the red wound upon her shoulder from the bolt. She bent slightly forth and tugged at her pant leg, bringing her pant leg up past her calf, exposing the swollen, punctured calf. She finally lifted her bandaged hand and waved it around. "That's how Marius managed to get me. An unfair fight If I must say so. Bolts at a duel, who would 'ave thought." She chuckled slightly, wincing from her shoulder.
Arthur sighed heavily and glanced between the two woman, his gaze finally resting once more upon Fenaliy. "You know I will tell the other Knights." Fen nodded, and sat more so up then she had in the beginning. She began to push herself up with her uninjured hand, before she found Arthur's hand pushing her back down. "No Fen. Don't get up until your wounds are accepting it." The lady Knight scowled.
Arthur nodded to Guinevere, before he stood up and in turn nodded to Fen. He cast a glance at Dagonet. "Tell him will you Fen?" He cast a glance at Fen, finding the woman nodded in response.
She felt the sudden silence first, rather then heard it. The pulsing sense of loss, and demise filled Fen's veins, causing the lady Knight to struggle to stand up. It was then, her ears heard the sound of the drums, the dangerous sound that echoed ever so effortlessly about the forestry, about the precipice, about the ravine. It was then, that Fen heard the horses outside begin to jerk about, snort in their sudden discomfort that the sound caused them.
The woman finally managed to push herself from the uncomfortable floor boards, and wobbled painfully towards the flap of leather that guarded the entrance to the inside of the wagon. Guinevere cast Fen a glance of curiousity, but the other woman merely brought her finger to her lips and finally managed to get to the flap. She leaned heavily against the wall siding of the wagon and breathed in laboured breaths. With the last once of her strength she pushed the flap aside, and was greeted with a blast of cold air. Fen grinned as the cold air washed over her features, soothing the pains from her leg, shoulder and hand.
The strong voice of Arthur, managed to reach her ears. "Tristan ride ahead." Fen grinned, so, Tristan was using the skills she had graced him with before leaving. She smiled and hopped from the wagon, stumbling slightly as pain shot up her leg, and caused her to whimper slightly. The sound of horse hooves hitting the snow caused her to glance up, only to find Tristan nearing the wagon. He eyed her cautiously, his dark eyes searching hers, before recognition flashed through his occuli.
"Fen?" He said softly. She smiled and nodded, wincing once again. "What.. What?"
She waved her hand slightly and walked slowly along with the slowly moving wagon. "Tristan, Arthur sent you ahead. Shouldn't you follow your commander's words?" The dark man glanced back, near the end of the caravan, where Arthur sat astride his horse chatting idly with Lancelot. Tristan glanced back quickly and grinned sharply.
"Yeah, well. I'll be back when I return." He smiled, and rose his forearm, the brown hawk upon his forearm crooned softly towards Fen, who grinned in return and cooed softly back. Tristan frowned slightly, and glanced at Fen. "What happened to that damned bird and horse of yours?"
Fen cast her gaze to the ground and sighed heavily. "God only knows. The poor beasts probably fled to the forest after I was shot down by those damned archers of Marius'. I hope they find me. Or I them."
Tristan nodded, and looked at his bird,he mumbled soft words of scouting to the old female hawk, before gently tapping her under the beak and flinging his forearm into the air, causing the bird to lift off from his arm. Tristan turned his gaze quickly back to Fen. "Get some rest.." He clicked his tongue and urged his horse foreward quickly, after the brown avian.
((this part was annoying to write. I wrote it like seven times and yet, I find myself stuck with this part, so if it sucks. sorry.))
The soft downy snow that fell upon the world, sent many of the travelers to their wagons to sleep that night. However, as most would settle down and not allow themselves to get up until morning, Guinevere and Fen dressed in cloaks to venture out into the world. Guinevere to seek the guidance of Merlin, and to lure Arthur into the meeting, and Fen, to ask the assistance of Merlin to find her equine and avian companions.
The two woman slowly crept from their wagon, stepping over the small form of Lucan, and Dagonet who lay curled up beside him. Guinevere quickly lept from the wagon, and assisted Fen down. The two females cast glances about themselves, searching for any whom might oppose their discision to wander off. Fen's eyes grazed the slight form of Lancelot, she smiled slightly, before she cast a glance at Guinevere, and nodded. "Let us go." Fen said softly.
As Guinevere had hoped, Arthur did manage to follow them. Or, more likely, follow Guinevere in his mad daze to find out where she snuck off to. Fen managed to stay hidden in the shadows long enough for Arthur to pass her bye without noticing her pressence. As soon as Arthur managed to pass her, Fen stepped out behind him, and walked silently in tow.
As the small group of three came to a small clearing, Guinevere halted and turned on her heel, smiling at Arthur, and then finally over his shoulder to Fen. The Lady Knight smirked and nodded back in a small salute. It was then, that Arthur's eyes became undazed and he realized that a fourth being stood nearbye. Merlin, Arthur thought coldly, he turned on Guinevere.
"You tricked me! You lured me here."
Guinevere sighed heavily, and shook her head slowly. "No Arthur-"
"Artorius Castas..." Merlin grunted, causing the Knight to swivell his attention back to Merlin. But, as it were, Merlin's gaze was fitted upon Fen, who shifted nervously under the stare, and managed to gaze back in the most peculiar manner which revealed her discomfort. "Fenaliy.. Rider of black Maximus, and Scout of black Marcus."
Fen perked up, the names of her two companions rushing through her mind, and causing her to step forth slightly. "Where are they?"
"They will come on when the sky brightens in the morning, just before you are to leave with the caravan." Fen nodded softly, before smiling crookedly. She stepped forth and embraced the older man, causing Arthur and Merlin to jump slightly in surprise at the Female Knight's sudden affectionate behaviour towards another human being.
Fen quickly ended the embrace, and stepped back quickly, ignoring the sharp cries of pain from her leg, that still however, gave her a limp. "Good bye, Arthur, Guinevere. Merlin. I shall depart and leave your business to you."
Awakened by the soft caressing warmth of the sun's rays upon her pale cheeks, Fen opened her eyes and glanced about, finding herself positioned against a tree near the wagon she was supposed to originally sleep in. Around her, lay blankets, covered in the soft, fluffy, ivory snow that seemed to add warmth, to her body. She glanced around, revelling in the warmth that she had acquired over the night. Her eyes ventured towards the lean-too like shelter, where Dagonet and Lucan slept huddled into a large ball of blankets. She stared, her lips set in a neutral line, yet her cheeks twitched slightly with her true emotions. She was happy for Dagonet, for the man had always been different then the other Knights, he needed some form of entity to take care for.
Her eyes moved across the other wagons, running over the huddled forms of people, and animals alike. It was then her eyes caught sight of Marius Honorius, speaking to his Soldiers, in a hushed voice, and occasionally glancing at both Dagonet, and Fen. The female Knight pushed herself from the uncomfortable position upon the ground and stood up. Her wounded leg and shoulder complained thoroughly as she hobbled towards Dagonet and Lucan.
The soldiers then stuck, four of them ran at the sleeping Dagonet, one grabbing the small form of Lucan and flinging the small boy towards Marius who in turn began to stumble back, the other three started to kick at Dagonet who had been roused when Lucan was stollen from his arms. Fen, cried out when she found herself in the middle of the mess, and immediately lundged forth, grabbing one of the short swords from the scabbard of a soldier who was kicking at Dagonet. She unsheathed it quickly and plundged the tip in the base of the Soldier's neck, causing him to drop to the ground as his crimson vitae began to bubble from his lips.
She heard another of the Soldiers come rushing up behind her, and she quickly spun about on her heel, and planted the sword into the Soldier's armoured stomach, She pushed it in deeper, causing the man to gasp and begin to slam the flat sides of his own sword against Fen's sides. His eyes finally rolled up in his head and he slumped foreward on her sword. Fen pushed his body off of the short sword and whipped around only to find Bors come riding up upon his own equine, bellowing a war cry and brandishing his own sword.
"Don't do anything, or I'll slit his throat-" Marius was interrupted, as the sound of an arrow rushing through the atmosphere hit the ears of many. Marius let out a small cry as a arrow protruded from his right lung. The man wheezed softly, and stared into oblivion, and he finally fell over, releasing the small boy who ran towards Dagonet nearly in tears. Fen turned on her heel and caught sight of Guinevere loosing yet another arrow, which was planted at the feet of a Soldier. Lancelot and Arthur stood behind the woman, and Fen could only laugh slightly to herself.
"What a wake up call." She said aloud, causing Bors and Dagonet to shake their heads at the woman.
"What a wake up call." Her words entered Lancelot's mind, and he stared at the female, with a sense of admiration at how well she had taken the events of the morning. He sheathed his swords, as Arthur forced the Soldiers to swear themselves under Arthur's command.
Lancelot chuckled at the sight of the Soldiers cowering before Arthur, and that was the moment he saw Tristan come riding out of no where, upon the rump of his stead, rested a crossbow, and behind him, a ebony stallion with a raven atop it's cranium followed him, without lead, and completely tacked in black leather, and silver steel tack. The scout immediately wandered over to the woman, whom he had rescued, the horse and avian were familiar, he knew them, for they had once belonged to Fenaliy. He shook his head, but of course, their were alot of black horses and ravens that managed to accompany each other. Weren't there? He glanced at the woman, and noticed how the woman thanked Tristan with a crooked grin Fen had used every day, when the eight knights were still together, to scare Galahad into submission.
"Fen?" He whispered softly.. "Fen."
Arthur found that most eyes were upon the mysterious woman whom had helped save Dagonet's and Lucan's life. Tristan, giving her the ebony equine and avian was curious enough to draw a couple of whispers from both Knights and the peasants whom they escorted. Dagonet and Bors were laughing at the quote the woman had spoke a meager couple moments before, and the Roman Commander felt, that those two Knights held a sense of familiarity about the woman already, she was, after all,, familiar.
The Commander stepped forth, and walked calmly up to Bors and Dagonet. He looked about, and motioned Lancelot, Galahad, Gawain, and Tristan to come into a small circle. He finally gestured to Fen to accompany them, and so she hobbled over aswell, and smiled at each Knight in turn. When she reached Galahad, the cruel crooked grin appeared and caused the younger Knight to jump back slightly.
Each Knight, that did not know the woman's identity, and having saw this exchange, glanced sharply at Fen. "Fen?" They all whispered in unison, and the woman could only nod, the grin rushing from her visage quickly. She sighed heavily, and looked at each of the Knight's.
"Aye. 'Tis I." The woman's cracked voice, confirmed the truth even more so.
Author's Note: Blargh. Not happy about this chapter. VV; Took me about five hours to write. Pretty long compared to the other chapters. I think I'll do a vote over which of the two Knight's Fen should fall for. -might rewrite chapter-
