Disclaimer: I do not own King Arthur.
Author's Note: This idea came to me when I set eyes upon a pair of Sai swords at the Mall's Knivery House.
Summary: She arrived at the wall with two animal companions, and an entire collection of weapons from far away countries. Catching the interest of a knight when he happens to come across her and collection, she is quickly thrust into their life, and quickly reminded of her past. Tristan/OC- Slight Lancelot/OC
Traveler's Forgotten Roads
Prologue:
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The rain was merciless in the unwavering assault it administrated on the province of Great Briton. Not a single thing was left untouched by the tears which leaked so heavily from the gray skies. The most common of the roads which lead through Briton had become pools of slimy mud which managed to get everywhere. Tracks of travelers who were daring enough to travel in such weather had been brutally washed away.
The Fortress of Hadrian's wall was barely in activity. The large village which surrounded the Fortress on the south side of the 15 foot high wall was lacking of activity aswell. An incredibly odd occurence for such a large and lively place. A dreary fog hung heavily over the land. It was an annoying impediment which offered no view of anything what so ever that might have stood a mere foot in front of you.
The guards sat atop the wall, their minds wandering as to why they should be at their posts when it was obvious their presence didn't matter. The fog was unyielding to those who could not gaze more deeply into it's body.
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She was tired, frusturated and most of all, pissed off. Amon was struggling in the thick mud of the road, and Mule hardly offered any help with his constant 'hee-hawing' and the of course, digging his hooves firmly into the mud- struggling against the halter which tugged at his poll in hopes of moving him. The small stallion snorted in disgust at the mule which feebley pulled against his bonds. The sounds of metal clanking against metal was all that reverberated throughout the glacial, foggy atmosphere. What a drear sound it was too.
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He had been standing at his post for little more then an hour when a sound reached his ears. It was odd- metal against metal. It was definately not a Woad, for they dared not to cross into the south side of Briton- and, because it just didn't suit the way the Woads usually snuck about. The shouts of a woman, the snorts of a horse -deep and guttural- followed by the racket which only a mule or donkey could create. Finally the sound of something large hitting the ground, accompanied by a loud "Fuck!" reached Gavin's ears, and the knight cautiously glanced to his right where he knew lingered another guard.
"Should we sound the alarm?" Gavin asked, his voice was riddled with soft curiousity.
"Na', probably just a traveller. They'll be calling out to you in a moment if they manage to get to the gates." The other guard replied, and so Gavin shifted uneasily in his spot, returning his gaze towards the thick fog which offered little solace.
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Upon hitting the soggy ground, she was surprised. Amon carefully lowered his gray nose to caress her mud splattered cheek and she softly sighed as his sweet 'horse kisses' eased her bad attitude. Mule watched on, ears perked forth in curiousity and nose jutting out ever so slightly. The Traveler felt like crying, felt like selling Mule to a butcher, and felt like riding away atop Amon through meadows of green.
She eagerly reached up to grasp Amon's nose, but the stallion turned his head away, ears perking foreward as he listened to distant voices. Voices which were indistinguishable amongst the roar of the rain to the Traveler.
"Off we go.. I guess." She murmured softly. Standing up and running her leather clad hands across her buttocks and lower back. She quickly mounted and nudged Amon into a trot. Surprisingly, Mule followed without question.
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She approached the gate without knowing it was there until Amon stopped on his own. His ears perked foreward and immediatly the Traveler looked about. "Hello?" She called out softly. Soft scuffling met her ears and she glanced about in curiousity.
"Hello!" A voice called from above her, she grinned and sighed happily- finally a place to stay for a while. "Wha's your bus-y-ness 'ere at the Fort of Hadrian's Wall?"
"I am a trader! A weapons trader! I have been traveling for weeks and I need a place to reside, gain my bearings. My other business shall remain with myself. Please, may I come in? I'm cold, covered in mud, my horse and mule could use an excellent grooming, and I myself could use a good drink." The Traveler hoped to the gods this man wasn't to noisy. She hated noisy people- they always ruined everything.
"Wha's your name, Traveler!" The guard called. "Then my companion and I shall open the gate. The fog is far to thick and to place faces with names is a feat that would be impossible- so we require a name rather then a friendly face."
The guard's excuse was enough to make the Traveler giggle. She softly ran her hand along Amon's wet neck before raising her head towards the heavens and closing her eyes. Minutes passed, as she stood with her eyes to the heavens, the tears of the sky gently trickling down her face, her chin and finally down her neck and in between her breasts- chilling her to the bone. "My name is Meredith- I come from the coast..."
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-Sighs-
What a relief. I haven't been able to think of anything, and suddenly this idea pops into my mind and I have it down with in seconds. This prologue is short, it is a mere preview of what is to come. I find my writing abilities have 'developed' over the course of nearly nine or so months since my previous fanfiction and I would really appreciate any tips and hints.
Many of you may have noticed my to and toos... I have never been able to master these and I need a Beta so greatly that I have resorted to using my fish as my editor.. XD
Meredith- Protector of the Sea...