Thanks for all the reviews! I will address them all later… it's 5 am and I'm getting tired. Hope you like this chapter!
Disclaimer… yeah, yeah, it hasn't changed. Still don't own the best looking men I've ever seen.
When morning came, the group quickly packed up and headed for the fort. Arthur was careful to cover any signs of their camp, not for fear of being followed, but the place was so serene he wanted to leave it as close to the way it was as was possible. As they rode away, he kept looking back to where the woman was riding with Lancelot. Remembering how she had chosen the man made him think on what Merlin had said. "Important to all… protect her at all costs." What did he mean? Until he found out he would have to do just that, protect her. He wondered just how far he would have to go to protect her and protect her form what? Did that include protecting her from his knights as well. He was sure any one of them would take her to his bed given the chance. Even he would. But by doing so or allowing one of them to do so would he be causing whatever it was that he was supposed to protect her from? Just who was this 'all' she was important to? Realizing all of this speculation was giving him a headache, he decided he would talk to her privately when they reached the fort. She must have some idea what the wizard had meant.
They arrived at the fort shortly after leaving their camp. The huge gates opened and the men rode into the stable yard to greet a large number of people. Laney looked around with curiosity and amazement. She was truly getting her chance to live the life she had always thought she should. Merlin had said this was a rare occurrence given only to those with a strong desire or fate's need to fulfill itself. She couldn't imagine what she could possibly do that would be so important but her desire had been great enough that she never doubted she could have been brought here on that alone.
When Lancelot lowered her to the man waiting when they stopped, she was suddenly afraid to let him go. She looked up and saw him smiling at her. "Laney, this is Jols, he will take you to your rooms. I'll be along shortly to see if you need anything." She smiled sadly and nodded to Jols. He led her toward a small building off the yard and she saw some of the other knights heading in that direction as well. When they came to a long hallway with rooms along both sides, she assumed these were servants or guest quarters. She hoped their idea of helping her didn't include making her their servant. She would be willing to work for her keep but she didn't like the idea of being a servant. She had held a pretty powerful position in the working world before coming here and she didn't think she could adapt easily to so different a lifestyle.
Jols opened one of the doors and motioned for her to enter. She walked into a small but comfortable looking room with a single bed, a table, a wardrobe, and two chairs. She knew that most of the beds had mattresses made of straw in this time and hoped her hay fever didn't act up too much. Luckily she was only allergic to freshly mowed hay and she doubted this hay was that fresh. She thanked Jols and asked if there was somewhere she could find some more clothes. He told her he would have someone bring her something suitable that should fit and bowing he closed the door as he went out.
She walked over to the bed and sat down gingerly. Surprisingly she found it most comfortable and she fell backwards. She looked at the stone ceiling and wondered how long it would be before she understood what her place would be here. She was not brave enough to do something dramatic and she doubted any of these people would trust her enough to listen to any advice she could possibly give. Then what was she to do that was important to fate? She was still lying there when she heard someone rap gently on the door.
"Come in" she told the person on the other side. She expected Jols to come in carrying some kind of bulky dress or skirt. She was surprised to see Arthur standing there with the clothes in his arms. Jumping up she ran quickly over to him and offered to take his burden. He handed them to her and asked if he could sit for a moment and speak with her. She nodded her agreement and they moved to take the two chairs next to the table in the center of the room.
"Laney, I know you say you know nothing of Merlin and I have no reason to doubt you except that what I am about to tell you gives me cause for concern. Several months ago I woke from a dream. The dream consisted of Merlin telling me of your arrival." He heard her gasp and looked into her eyes. The fear he saw there confirmed his suspicions and he continued. He continued to watch her as he finished his story. "He said I would know you by your strangeness and your red hair. The color of fire, I believe he described it." He saw her blush at his words, then he said, "He told me I am to protect you at all costs. I am hoping you can help clear this mystery up for me. Why are you important and what am I supposed to protect you from?" He looked at her imploringly.
Laney listened to him carefully, she knew her answer would determine her status here. If she lied she would never win their trust. If she told the truth she believed they would shun her as some kind of witch connected to the fierce Woads. But he was telling her that he too had spoken with Merlin. The only difference was he had been dreaming and she was sure she had not. She realized Arthur was waiting for her answer. Clearing her throat nervously, she told him, "I too spoke with Merlin, but not in the same way. When I arrived here he was standing in the bath house. He told me that, and please believe, I am speaking the truth, sometimes fate gives a person who is lost in time the opportunity to go to the correct place in history. It is either allowed due to the intensity of the desire to be there or by fate's desire to bring about something that is supposed to happen." She paused and looked to Arthur for some kind of sign that he believed and understood her. When he made no move to protest or ridicule she continued. "I have no idea what I am here for. I lived in another time two days ago. I had only read or dreamed what I've seen since arriving. I'm frightened and feel like a fish out of water. I know nothing of these times except what I've read in books. I have no one here, my family haven't been born yet. Hell, I haven't even been born yet!" Her voice took on a hysterical note and Arthur moved quickly to her side.
"Lady, please do not be frightened. I believe you tell me the truth as you know it. I don't know whether your memories of your 'other life' are true or not. This could all be some kind of wicked trick by Merlin. It is rumored that he had powers of time and space among other things. I know not if it is so. If it is I'm sorry you are caught up in his schemes and I will promise to protect you as I can until this is sorted out. Until then I think it best if we keep this conversation between us. If your memories are those that Merlin wishes you to believe it might hinder your progress if others constantly ask you questions. If your memories are true, they might find it impossible to accept that you are not a wizard as well." She stood up and moved into his out stretched arms. He hugged her gently and tried to sooth her worries.
"Never fear, Lady, I will help you fit in so that no one will figure out your story. If my knights ask you questions that will jeopardize this situation just tell them you have no memory and give them the sad look you just gave me. There is not one of them that could disregard your feelings and cause you more pain if confronted with your sadness." He released his hold on her and she moved away.
"Thank you, Arthur, I believe you and if I remember anything I think you should know I will seek you out immediately." When she had finished, he told her to get dressed and he would send Jols to bring her to the kitchens for some food. Afterwards one of them would give her a tour of the place so she could become accustomed to her surroundings. She thanked him again and closed the door behind him. Leaning back on the rough wood she wondered what would happen next. She knew that she would have to remain here until Fate decided she had done whatever she was sent to do, but not knowing what that something was made it difficult to predict how long she would be here or if she would ever return to the other life. She wanted to live each minute as if it would be her last. Otherwise she would miss too much and waste such a glorious opportunity.
She put on the cumbersome skirt and 'peasant blouse' that Arthur had delivered to her. Since they didn't bother to include underwear, she wore some of her own panties and a camisole since the blouse was thinner than it looked before she put it on. For shoes, she decided to be comfortable since the skirt covered her feet and wore her ballet-style slippers. When Jols knocked on her door she was ready to follow him. He nodded his greeting and she closed the door behind them as they headed down the hallway. As they came up to one of the doors it opened and out walked Dagonet. He smiled at her and joined the procession down the hall. By the time they had reached the end Gallahad and Gawain had also joined them and as the group stepped into the small dining room off the main kitchen they caused quite a stir with the ones already sitting around the table.
Arthur stood when he saw Laney enter the room. Following his lead, Lancelot, Tristan, and Bors all stood. The only people left sitting were a woman and several children sitting to the left of Bors. The woman smiled and waved. Laney found herself relaxing at the friendliness shown toward her and accepted the seat between Lancelot and Tristan. Lancelot flashed her a huge grin, "I liked what you were wearing yesterday much better." He told her suggestively. She heard the snort Tristan produced and quickly looked over to where he was sitting. She found him looking directly at her so she flashed him her most innocent smile and he looked away. For some reason he felt compelled to protect her from Lancelot's flirtations. She wanted to tell him she had put up with much worse on her few attempts at hitting the night life back home. But considering she would have to explain such a revelation she kept her mouth closed except for the smile. He pretended not to notice her but she knew he had and that underneath all those braids, he was watching her.
The food was brought to the table and she found the meal simple and somewhat bland for her tastes. She knew that spices were rare this far back in history and wished for some salt and pepper to sprinkle on the plate of stew. The gravy would have been much tastier if she could have added some of those two spices. But considering her hunger she ate all that had been put on her plate.
As she ate she listened to the banter between the people sitting around her. There was a familiarity between them that reminded her of her friends. They teased and prodded each other sometimes getting the satisfaction of hitting the mark with one comment or another. She found herself laughing quietly at the exchange between Lancelot and Bors. Even Vanora was laughing which meant this was a long running argument. She could tell there was no truth to Lancelot's boasts of being the father of some of Bors children by the way Bors and Vanora were laughing at the dark knight. But Lancelot seemed to miss their mirth as he kept on. Finally Arthur spoke, breaking up the exchange.
"Men, Laney has spoken with me at length this afternoon. She tells me she has no memory of her life before we found her and I am inclined to believe she speaks the truth." He looked at her and smiled. She silently thanked him for helping her keep her secret. "I also told her that we would help her in any way she thought needed. I am sure you agree with me." He paused and looked at each man. When they nodded their affirmation he continued. "I propose a toast, to Laney, may she find the truths she searches for." He held up his goblet and they all stood, pointing their goblets in her direction.
Laney was unused to this kind of attention. She laughed and joked with her friends on occasion, but usually she just sat back and watched them. She was just as happy in the background as some people were in the spotlight. Smiling, she thanked them all collectively. Then Gawain spoke up, "Now it's time to retire to the tavern and a few mugs of ale." He quickly got a 'here, here' from Gallahad and Bors. The others just followed out of habit. Laney thought for a moment of retiring to her room then remembering she wanted to experience as much as possible in her time here, she agreed to go and followed behind the others. Only Tristan brought up the rear. For some reason he seemed out of place behind everyone else.
"I thought you were the scout. Shouldn't you be up front leading the way?" She meant for her words to be in jest. But he obviously took them seriously. "Only when there might be danger ahead. I think you are safe enough in the confines of the fort." She laughed and poked at his chest with her finger. "Sir Tristan, you cannot take everything I say at face value. It was a jest and obviously not a very good one. I am pleased to be walking with you to cover my back, whether here in the safety of the fort or out in the wilderness where no telling what could cause me injury." She stopped and waited for him to get closer. "But I would feel even better if you walked by my side." She gave him a questioning look and when he moved up to her side she smiled and told him, "Thank you, that is much better", and put her arm through his. She was pleased when he didn't remove it.