Chapter Six: A Visiting King

It took the city days to re-cooperate after the battle with the Saxon. There were less people in the market and less trading in the streets for many people had heard of the failed Saxon incursion from the towns to the South and to the East.

By the time Amanda had healed enough to resume her normal life, she had missed all of the grueling and gruesome process of clearing the bodies from the fields beyond the northern side of the Wall. She was relieved to not have faced any more death in the course of those few days. She was happy to be home, and was coddled by her mother for her every need and whim. Amanda didn't like the fuss, and after the fourth day of resting and forcing herself to remain indoors, she ventured out from her self-imposed cage into the world. The morning was grey but the air felt warm, and she carried a piece of bread with her as she walked. Her knee was still stiff under her bandaging, but the gash had scabbed over in many areas and was not causing her much pain. Nicolarious had already gone out for the morning to play with Bors' boys, so Amanda wandered the streets around her house with a slice of bread for breakfast. She made her way to the market, hoping to purchase some things for her mother. As she walked she held the piece of bread in her mouth and bent her head down in order to tie some of her hair back out of her eyes.

Suddenly, her body collided with another and she was knocked back a few steps. Her breakfast fell to the ground and she looked up immediately, cross that she hadn't been looking where she was going.

"Amanda!" they said, a tone of happiness muddled in with their surprise. Amanda saw Galahad before her. "Are you all right? I am so sorry, I was not minding my path there and ran right into you. How's your leg?"

He spoke quickly and Amanda couldn't help but smile.

"Don't fret, Galahad," she said, "you haven't cause me any harm. Where are you off to?"

"I was just heading back to the stables, I left my coin purse on my horse," he admitted somewhat embarrassed. Amanda chuckled, and stepped to the side to let him pass. "Where are you headed this morning?"

"The market," she answered shortly as a bird began to pick on her bread, "I was planning on fetching some things for my mother."

"I would be happy to accompany you," Galahad said, his eyes following Amanda's gaze. "I owe you something for breakfast!" He felt terrible for having knocked her food to the ground. Amanda smiled again at him, and shook her head.

"You owe me nothing, silly," she said. He held up his hands.

"I will hear nothing of it!" he protested. "I shall run and fetch my money and then I shall get you the most delicious bun to replace your ruined breakfast." Amanda laughed, his demeanor truly entertaining. He smiled widely at her.

"All right, all right," she conceded.

"Do not move," he said, pointing a finger at her, "I shall be right back." Amanda chuckled again as he darted off in the direction of the stables. She stood off to the side of the path, staying out of the way of the people that passed by. When Galahad returned he offered her his arm, and together they walked to the market. Unlike his other Knight peers, Amanda felt at ease with Galahad. He made her laugh, and as they walked they chatted happily.

"I have been with Arthur for nearly twenty years," he said. "After we were released from our service to Rome I had every intention of returning to Sarmatia and finding my family and building a life there. But when we fought the Saxons after Rome left I realized that the life I had made here unwillingly had become dear to me. Bors and Gawain and Arthur had become my brothers."

"This land is unlike the land I come from, too," Amanda commented.

"Your parents mentioned that you all had recently moved here," Galahad said, nodding his curly brown head. Amanda smiled and paused as they passed a booth were small trinkets and jewelry was sold. As she moved towards it, she proceeded cautiously with her family history.

"We left to get out of Rome," Amanda said in an even tone. It was the simplest way she could manage to say it. "If we had not left I fear what would have become of all of us. So, it appears we are more alike than we thought. Rome forced us each out here, and I am beginning to feel this place is my home." Galahad smiled at her, his dark eyes studying her. Amanda looked away from him to examine the small figures the merchant had crafted. There were small horses and soldiers, and one small wooden flower, expertly carved and painted yellow. She took a bite of the sweet bun that Galahad bought for her at the beginning of their walk, and turned her attention back to the Knight.

"I think I have bought everything I need," Amanda said, and Galahad smiled.

"Shall I bring you home then?"

Amanda extended her arm and together they walked off. Amanda was happy for this new friend that she had. He told her some things about both Bors and Gawain, and a little about Arthur as they walked. Amanda could see his clear love and reverence for all three. She longed to have friends that dear to her in her new home. Her heart longed for the friends she had left behind, but knew everything was better the farther away she was.

Eventually her house came into view, and she was surprised to see two of the King's guard standing on either side of their front door.

"It appears that Arthur has come for a visit," Galahad stated. Amanda furrowed her brow instantly, remembering that her father said Arthur would come. "Oh, look at that scowl!" Galahad teased, touching her nose with his fingertip. Amanda smiled at him.

"I just thought I would never have to see him again," Amanda muttered.

"He means well," Galahad countered. Amanda looked at him.

"Oh, I know! No, I don't think poorly of him! I just – he," she paused, struggling to find the right words. "He makes me uncomfortable."

At this, Galahad laughed.

"Uncomfortable? You who tried to fight of Saxon scouts? You who stitched the Kings wounds? Goodness gracious!" Amanda blushed and took her arm from his, embarrassed.

"Perhaps I should not have told you."

"Oh, Amanda, please, I am only joking. I find it amusing that anyone should be made uncomfortable by Arthur, let alone someone like you. People fear him, sure, but I don't know of anyone who has felt uncomfortable with him before," Galahad said. Amanda shrugged at him.

"Well, that is how he makes me feel," she replied. "And I am no eager to spend a great amount of time with anyone who makes me feel so." Galahad smiled at her again as he led her to her door, which was opened by one of the guards.

"Ah, here she is!" said Nicolarious. "Galahad!" the boy exclaimed, excited to see one of the Knights. Galahad greeted Nicolarious with just as much enthusiasm.

"Amanda," her mother said, "His Majesty has come to pay us a visit." Amanda placed the things she had purchased by the hearth, and looked to their table. Arthur sat there, his eyes already on her. She smiled and bowed her head to him.

"Your Majesty," she said in a soft voice.

"Mistress Marslyn," he greeted. "I trust you are feeling better?"

"Yes, sire. My leg has healed some and I am no longer in pain," she answered.

"I am pleased to hear that," he returned. He gave her a smile, and Amanda felt frozen in his gaze. She could not figure why he made her so feel so exposed and vulnerable. She realized then that he didn't make her uncomfortable – he could read her easier than any other man she had been in front of before. She felt vulnerable before him, and that was what made her so uncomfortable. She crossed her arms over her stomach, but held his gaze.

"Galahad, would you like something to drink?" her mother asked. Amanda turned away to fetch their pitcher of water and she poured herself a drink. She looked out of their window as she took several deep gulps. Her father and Arthur resumed whatever conversation they were having prior to her return home. Her father looked pale that day, and Amanda had noted the worry in her mother's face. She brought the water jug to the table and refilled her father's cup. When she moved to fill Arthur's he looked up at her and gestured towards the open chair.

"Will you sit with us?" he asked. Amanda poured the water into his cup and then took a seat by her mother and Galahad. Nicolarious sat by the small fire reading, but Amanda knew he was listening to them. She wrapped both her hands around her cup and trained her eyes on the table for a few moments.

"He is a strong boy, Your Highness," her father said. Arthur nodded, and looked over Nicolarious.

"He was training to be a member of the Roman guard," her mother continued. "He was on track to be an officer. They were very impressed with him."

"We have yet to establish a training regimen for boys looking for a military training," Arthur said. "But, I see there is a need for it. Nicolarious would not be the first boy in Camelot who shows promise of leadership."

"Perhaps with Gawain and I could plan for something," Galahad offered. Amanda smiled at him, excited for plans to be made that would help her brother. Arthur considered it, turning the cup in his hand.

"We will have to discuss it," he stated after some silence. "When we have come to a decision and it is suitable you will be the first to know. He is a bright boy, you both should be very proud." With that he and Galahad rose, and Amanda and her family followed suit.

"Thank you for visiting with us, Your Majesty," her mother said. Her father bowed deeply to Arthur, and then turned aside to cough. Her mother went to his side, and Amanda turned to show Galahad and Arthur to the door. She pulled it open, standing with her head bowed.

"It was a pleasure to spend time with you today," Galahad said. "I think we will be fast friends, Amanda Marslyn." She grinned at him.

"You think so Galahad?" she teased. "Well, we'll see if I want to see you ever again." Galahad laughed heartily and crossed back out into the street. Amanda looked after him until Arthur was in her periphery vision. She bowed her head to him, gaze glued to the floor as he passed.

"Amanda," he said, his voice quiet. Amanda looked up at him.

"Yes, Your Majesty?"

"I am happy you are feeling better," he said. His voice was deep and Amanda was once again met with his green eyes. "Should your father need, my Caretaker will examine him. The cough he has troubles me." Amanda looked away to her father, who was still struggling to catch his breath between coughs. Her mother was pulling him out of the kitchen so he could lie down.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Amanda said, "we appreciate your continued offer of assistance."

Arthur smiled at her, amused by her pride. He nodded to her and left the Marslyn house. Amanda looked after her new friend and her King as the guard followed them. She bit her bottom lip in thought, wondering about the two men that had just left.