Fealty
By Cerasi
Chapter 9: Begin
"Gawain, eat this."
Gawain looked up to see Tristan holding out a bowl of some kind of stew, a pleading expression on his face. Despite that the expression made Gawain want to hug the other man, he still shook his head and looked back at Galahad.
"Gawain, he'll be fine, but you should eat." Tristan persisted. Two days and all that Gawain had eaten were bread and a little wine. Gawain began to shake his head again, but was interrupted by a quiet voice, laughing just a little.
"So worried about me that you won't eat?" Galahad smiled a little. "There's a first." He grinned at Gawain's hurt look and his surprise, although it still hurt his face to do so. It was getting better, though. Nothing permanent, mostly he was still in bed because of his ribs and whatever had occurred in his stomach when that had been kicked. And exhaustion, of course.
"Galahad!" Gawain jumped. He was a little too surprised to be smiling, though he was pleased to see Galahad awake.
"Gawain, go and eat something, and go out somewhere, and take some woman to your bed, and have some sort of a good time, and stop sitting here." Galahad said, hitting the mark, but just off-centre in his jest. Tristan had grinned halfway through Galahad's spiel and looked to his feet to hide it. Gawain was flustered for a moment and then nodded.
"Tristan, might I have his food, since he doesn't seem hungry?" Galahad asked with a hopeful look towards the bowl.
Tristan nodded and handed the bowl down to the young boy, along with some bread and water. He ruffled Galahad's hair, much to the younger boy's discontent, and turned about and left, throwing a glance over his shoulder to ensure Gawain was following.
"You'll be fine?" Gawain asked once more before leaving.
"Oh," Galahad smiled as he enjoyed his warm stew, "I think I'll manage."
Gawain nodded and shut the door. He turned to Tristan with a confused expression, thinking he had the other man sorted in his mind.
"Where are we going to go? Your room is still occupied..." He said quietly, pitching his voice for Tristan's ears.
"To get you some food, of course." Tristan smirked. "What did you think I was taking you away for?"
Gawain glared and then jogged over to catch up with Tristan's long strides. They wandered out to the kitchens and grabbed some food. Tristan managed to pilfer a few pieces of fresh fruit and they went for a walk outside the fort.
Tristan led them along one of his well-traversed scouting paths, going nowhere in particular. He was pleased to have Gawain out of the barracks for a time, and with him. Eventually they came upon a fallen tree that Tristan had become rather fond of. They sat down and began working their way through the food.
"He's been through a lot," Tristan said in a low voice, "but he's got courage."
"He does." Gawain agreed. They sat in silence for a few more minutes, then Tristan spoke up again.
"You remember the night in the stables?"
"When Galahad was… leaving?" Gawain clarified.
"Yes." Tristan smiled to himself. "When Galahad's back on his feet, I'm teaching you both some stealth."
Gawain laughed. "Not up to your standards?" He mocked.
"Never." Tristan grinned. "I was goin--"
He cut himself short and was silent for a minute, looking down the path, away from Badon Hill. His brow furrowed as he tried to discern the noise that had distracted him.
"What is it?" Gawain whispered.
"I…" A noise came again and Tristan stood, grabbing Gawain's arm as he did so. "Come, we should go back." He said and set off at a run, Gawain in tow.
"Tristan, why are we going back?" Gawain asked, upset at having his lunch cut short. "And why are we running?"
"Are you armed?" Tristan asked, by way of answer.
"I have a dagger." Gawain offered, and then glanced back over his shoulder into the woods. "Tristan, what's wrong?"
"Woads." Tristan said, giving Gawain a significant look that instructed the younger man to be silent. Gawain complied.
When they reached the fort Tristan gave the guards on duty the cryptic message to 'be wary' and ran off, ignoring their questions, in search of Arthur. They found Arthur and Lancelot wandering through the streets near the practice yards. The day was overcast, with little light. Not right for an attack, Tristan thought confusedly.
"Arthur, there are Woads, just outside the fort, they're over the wall, I don't know how many." Tristan reeled off quickly. Arthur nodded and jumped into action, sending Gawain off to rouse the younger men, and Tristan in search of the older Knights. Lancelot went to find Bors and Dagonet, who had apparently gone hunting earlier that evening, and Arthur himself ran off to alert Maenus, much as he despised the task.
Each party of Sarmatians was brought to the stables, and Arthur returned with a score of Roman foot soldiers. The Sarmatians mounted and started their move to the place where Tristan had heard the Woads. Just as the last of the Romans left the stables, Arthur stopped his men and turned about.
"Galahad." He said simply. "I know he's not well, but neither is he safe here."
"Then let him ride." Galahad said, riding up beside Arthur.
"Galahad, you shouldn't be here." Bedivere said warningly, shaking his head. All saw defeat before it was announced.
"I'm riding, Bedivere." Galahad persisted. "I don't trust these Romans as far as I can throw them." That was a sentiment the Sarmatians could agree with.
"Throwing them!" Bors said with a grin. "We never thought of doing that before." The Knights laughed and Arthur nodded, more amused that Galahad was already suited in his armour than anything.
"I want you to stay back, though." Arthur told him.
Galahad nodded and the party started, for the second time, towards the woods. They had not moved ten metres before they were approached by a two pack horses, one less laden than the other, but baring a boy instead.
"Jols." Arthur exclaimed, somewhat confused and shocked.
"Just in case it's not a simple task." Jols explained, and produced a bow from one of the backs behind his saddle. "I'll stay to the back with Galahad." He promised.
"He brought food!" Lancelot said with a smile. "This, Arthur, is what I call a god-send."
"Very well." Arthur nodded. "Tristan will stay at a distance with both of you, and you'll be our range." He turned his horse about to face all his men. "We don't know how many, men, but we'll take down each and every one of them."
