Chapter 12: Findings from Wounds

Disclaimer: So, no, I don't own him, and I own her….so tired of that….

After Arthur had explained to Amanda why he loved arithmetic, Amanda began to see a side of Arthur she had never seen before. Not only was he entirely enthusiastic about something, but he had been more lively than she had ever seen him. After they had spent hours in the library talking about their favorite subject, authors, and everything else, Arthur had decided it would be better for Amanda if he taught her some sword techniques to use if she was in danger.

"That is," he said with a smile, "if I am not around to help." He led her down to the courtyard where Galahad had led her the night he told her about Joseph's threat. Handing Amanda a sword, Arthur walked to the center of the yard, beckoning Amanda to follow. She walked forward, facing Arthur, sword in hand.

"Now," he said, "Let's just see how well you can handle a sword." He took a slight swing at her left leg, and Amanda slammed her sword against him. He gave her a challenging smile, and moved his sword toward her arm. Amanda blocked that one with ease, and took a swing at Arthur's leg. He looked at her, swing blocked and eyebrows raised, and put two hands on his sword. Amanda did the same, and took a few steps back. The clanking of their swords went on for at least a quarter of an hour before Amanda was ready to make her move. Spinning out of her last block, Amanda then put the hilt of the sword in her right hand, and all very quickly, blocked Arthur's blow and held got her sword to his throat.

"Very good," he said, stepping away from Amanda's blade, his hands up to say he quit, "Where did you learn all that?" Amanda smiled and put her blade down.

"Just because I'm a girl doesn't mean I can't swing a blade," Amanda answered, "My father taught me when he was teaching Nicolarious how to fight. I fell in love with it, and I yearned to do it as well." Arthur nodded in understanding, as Amanda took a seat on the ground beside his feet. Sitting down next to her, Arthur took her blade from her, resting it beside his.

"You know, your father didn't say one word to me while he was here," said Arthur. Amanda smiled and chuckled a bit.

"He never did say much. He only really talked to me, Nicolarious and my mother. He was very shy, but funny when he warmed up to you. Very, very sarcastic," Amanda replied.

"I see you didn't inherit that, nor Nicolarious," said Arthur. Amanda gave him a crazed look and began to laugh.

"No, Nicolarious didn't, but I did. My mother used to scold me all the time for being so sarcastic," said Amanda.

"If never heard you say anything sarcastic," said Arthur, looking at her surprised at what she was telling him.

"I think it's because when I was with the Saxons, every time I'd say something smart, they'd hit me. They must have beaten the sarcasm out of me," said Amanda.

"Damn Saxons," said Arthur under his breath after a pause. Amanda sighed and looked up at the sky. It was sunset, and the clouds were painted pink, orange, purple, red and yellow, creating one huge mass of beauty.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" asked Arthur softly.

"Yes," answered Amanda.

"Amanda! Arthur!" called someone. The two looked down from the sky and to the doorway to see Galahad there running towards them.

"What is it Galahad?" asked Arthur.

"It's Joseph," said Galahad, "He's been hurt." Amanda gasped and they stood up, following the running Galahad to where the injured Joseph lay. Galahad led them to a set of stairs, with Joseph's body lying on them, face down, not moving.

"Oh my God," said Amanda rushing forward. She turned his body over to see a barely conscious Joseph with blood pouring from a wound on his head.

"Arthur, fetch bandages," she said in a hurried voice. Arthur left immediately.

"I'll go get some ointment and water to clean it out," said Galahad, leaving her side. Amanda struggled to lay Joseph's head in her lap and to turn his body all the way over. Completing the task, Amanda shook his hand to help keep him awake. However, when she did put her hand in his, her palm touched something hard and cold, nestled in Joseph's hand. Stretching out his fingers, Amanda revealed a small metal tube. Looking around, Amanda took it out of his hand and looked at it more closely.

"Joseph," she whispered, "Joseph." No response. She lifted the tube closer to her face, and noticed that the top half was slightly opened. Curiosity getting the better of her, Amanda began to open the tube, but heard footsteps coming down the hall. Shoving the tube into her pocket and looking down the hall, she saw Arthur running towards her with bandages, and she soon heard Galahad coming from behind her with water and ointment. Taking some water from Galahad, she rubbed it on Joseph's cut, wiping away the blood with a cloth Arthur had gotten her. The rubbing caused Joseph to open his eyes and look around, but obviously without much comprehension.

"Joseph," Amanda said quietly, "Joseph can you hear me?" Reaching for some more water, and placing it on Joseph's wound, he winced.

"Yes," he answered, "I can hear you fine Lady Amanda." Amanda smiled, now putting some ointment on the cloth and rubbing it on Joseph's wound.

"Good," she said still as soft as before, "What happened to you Joseph?" He closed his eyes for a moment, as Amanda finished with the ointment and unraveled the bandages.

"I fell," he said quietly.

"Oh, well, you must have fallen pretty hard. You have a huge cut on your head," said Amanda gently.

"I know," said Joseph, "I can feel it." Amanda smiled and wrapped the bandage around his head, as gently as she could. Had Amanda looked up away from her task, she would have seen Arthur staring at her, hurt written in his eyes. Had Amanda looked away from her task and behind her, she would have seen Galahad staring at Joseph, angry that he was getting attention, obviously sharing something with Joseph that Arthur and Amanda didn't know of. Galahad turned his body away, catching a glimpse of the hurting Arthur. Galahad had seen this look only twice before on Arthur's face. It was when Lancelot had died, and when Guinevere had died. Galahads first assumption was that he was looking at Joseph and became even angrier that Arthur was feeling bad for Joseph, but taking a second look, he saw that Arthur was indeed not looking at Joseph. Arthur was looking at Amanda, and Galahad immediately understood why.

"There," said Amanda quietly, "all done." Joseph looked up at her, his dark brown curls falling in his face. Amanda met his light brown eyes. Smiling, Amanda helped him sit up, and then, she herself rose. Joseph sat on the floor for a moment, and then slowly rose, almost as tall as Arthur.

"You're alright now I suppose?" asked Arthur.

"I'm better now that I've had the help of this fine young lady," said Joseph. Amanda felt herself go slightly pink.

"A fine young lady she is," said Arthur, looking at her. Amanda was taken aback by what Arthur said, but still felt herself blush even more.

"Anyone else hungry?" asked Galahad. Amanda laughed and turned to face Galahad.

"I am," she said.

"I am too," said Joseph.

"Well," said Arthur, "I'm sure it's time for dinner anyway. Shall we?" The other three nodded, following Arthur back to the room with the round table. When they got there, they took their seats, and dinner was served to them. Joseph was slow with his movements, doing as Amanda advised him so. Conversation was flowing naturally and steadily, and all was a good time.

That night, after all had retired to their rooms, Amanda found herself fingering the tube in her pocket. Taking it out, and placing it in her bedside draw, Amanda rolled over, looking out her window.

"God," she prayed, "please forgive me. I shouldn't have taken the tube from Joseph. I ask you for forgiveness. Please cleanse me of my sins. You know of what I speak. It's not just the tube. I feel torn into two, Lord. Please, help me choose who is right. Unveil their mysterious ways. Amen." Amanda made the sign of the cross on her forehead, and stared out her window at the moon. It was full tonight, shining brilliantly in the dark sky. The glow and light filled her room, making her golden curls shine. She listened to the breeze rustle in the fall leaves, the winter chill blowing into the land. Snow would soon be falling, very soon. Nicolarious was still out in the wilderness with Gawain. Remembering this, Amanda rolled over uncomfortably. The thought of her younger brother growing up out of her reach was hurtful. It was inevitable, but Amanda would have changed it in a moment if she could have. Nicolarious was everything to her. If he died, she didn't know how she would survive. Another loss would be unbearable. Amanda closed her eyes, hoping that sleep would soon overcome her. Her body was tired, but her mind was still racing, thinking about Nicolarious, and Joseph, and Arthur. Sighing, Amanda finally felt drowsy, and fell into a deep slumber.

Sorry this one was a bit short you guys, I'll have more later.