Two
When morning came Galahad made his way directly to Tristan's quarters. He went early enough so not to be noticed, but to his surprise, he was caught halfway to the older knight's place.
"Galahad!" came Gawain's cheery voice from behind.
The youngest knight froze and turned immediately as he was summoned. Gawain reached Galahad at the top of a small dirt mound and clasped his friend's shoulder lightly.
"There you are, Galahad," he breathed out. "I was just coming to get you."
"What is it?" Galahad wondered.
"Arthur wants us all to gather for a meeting in ten minutes," Gawain said, and noticed the look of anticipation in Galahad's eyes. "Finish up whatever you need to but hurry up about it."
Gawain started back down the dirt mound towards his quarters before turning back and adding, "Oh, and go get Tristan while you're add it."
"He hasn't been out at all yet this morning?" Galahad was surprised at hearing this. He figured he wouldn't have found the scout when he went to his quarters, but he would've checked nonetheless.
The long-haired knight shook his head. "No, Arthur said to let him sleep. He has been going out extra early these past few days."
"That's not like Tristan. Has no one thought to look in on him?" Galahad asked.
Gawain grinned and made a saluting motion with his first two fingers. "I just did, knight. Ten minutes, Galahad!"
Galahad watched until Gawain was out of sight. Then, he turned and made his way towards the scout's quarters. When he arrived, he took in a deep breath before entering Tristan's room. His bluish-green eyes surveyed the interior. Tristan was not in his bed, but instead was standing erect facing a wall. He was dressed for the most part, save for his tunic which he held in one hand loosely.
Galahad slowly approached the knight, who made no attempt to move or speak to him. Standing beside him, Galahad's gaze ran over Tristan's emotionless face. The knight payed no heed to Galahad's presense as it seemed. They both stood there like statues, silent giants with more to tell than the people that live around them.
"Tristan," Galahad managed to say.
No reply.
Licking his lips and taking a step closer, Galahad repeated, "Tristan."
In that same instant, the scout grabbed Galahad by the shirt and yanked him up to his face. Galahad's face held a hint of surprise as the older knight kept him slightly suspended in the air. He tried to break the scout's grip and release himself, but it was most difficult indeed. A moment later, Tristan released Galahad, who stumbled backwards a few paces. The younger knight straightened his shirt and took two steps forward.
"You are to report with the rest of us to Arthur in ten minutes," Galahad said straight out.
Tristan had managed to slip his tunic over his head, but still stared blankly at the wall ahead of him.
"Did you hear me, Tristan?" he asked hopefully.
The older knight turned his back to him, and Galahad saw his head lower a bit.
"I understand, now go," was the scout's response.
The youngest knight gulped hard, as his heart secretly wanted to go out the older knight. His throat and mouth ran dry as he found there was nothing more he could say to Tristan at this time. When Galahad didn't leave, Tristan half-looked back at him, yet his eyes remained toward the floorboards.
"S-Sorry," Galahad said in a jittery tone of voice.
He turned quickly to leave. As he made it to the door, Galahad peered back and watched the lone knight for a moment longer as he stood in silence. His eyes now directed toward the ground as well as Galahad left Tristan's quarters.
After leaving Tristan, Galahad went directly to the outdoor tavern area where the others were meeting. When he arrived, everyone was all ready there, bar Tristan. He greeted his fellow knights personally and kept his regular upbeat mood going as he usually did. Taking a seat on the end of a bench, he awaited for Arthur to begin speaking. A few moments later, their commander stood in the middle of the knights.
"Knights, brothers in arms," he began. "There has been recent woad sightings near the North Wall."
Arthur paused, and the knights looked over as Tristan had finally arrived.
"Fashionably late again," Gawain whispered to Bors.
"Think's he's special," Bors muttered back.
Galahad wanted to make them eat their words, yet, he knew they could not know. Tristan leaned up against a wooden post and crossed his arms. The knights turned their attention back to Arthur.
"As I was saying, there has been recent woad sightings and a couple attacks up near the North Wall," Arthur said. "I have been asked to take care of this issue immediately."
"But, Arthur, we are on leave!" Bors shouted from his spot between Dagonet and Gawain. "It was promised to us by you, yourself!"
"Duty comes before pleasure, Bors," Arthur replied sternly. "But, I will say this. You must realize the position this puts me in, knights. I will only send two of you out as of now. You knights will have your leave, but still will take shifts starting tonight."
Exhasperated sighs came from each of the knights.
"Well, it's better than nothing, right, Bors?" Dagonet said.
The burly man nodded and shook his hand dismissively.
"If the trouble proves too great, though, we will all journey out to the North Wall," Arthur added. "I have decided that Tristan and Galahad will take the first shift."
Galahad perked up at Arthur's words. His gaze traveled to the lone knight, who shrugged and seemed unaffected by it. It was purely luck that Arthur would choose them to patrol first. Galahad, as well as the majority of the knights, seemed ultimately pleased with Arthur's decision.
As the knights dispersed, Galahad followed Tristan as they went to prepare for the first patrol. Their horses had all ready been prepped for the day and night. Galahad didn't know if he should say anything or not, so he kept quiet. Mounting up, Galahad looked over at the scout, who had retrieved his hawk friend, Illiana, and mounted up beside him.
Then, Galahad said the most stupid thing he could, "I like your hawk."
Tristan peered over at the youngest knight, who turned red and then pale from embarassment. Quirking an eyebrow, Tristan led his horse from the stables. Galahad put his palm to his head and sighed deeply. Idiot, he thought to himself. Then, Galahad took up his reigns and rode out after Tristan.
End, 'Two.'
