Samli- Haha that's cool. I've done that with a few stories myself. Yeah I know what you mean… I actually just put myself in Isolde's shoes. I think about whether I would really do that or not…
Andrea- Congrats, you just won a fan award.
Babaksmiles- Yay! Someone loves Mordred! He's my favorite character. I'm actually thinking of writing a sequel to this one to include some next generation stuff. Mordred would play a HUGE part obviously to those who know the legends.
Vintersorg- muahahahahahaha
Blue Eyes at Night- One of the best Depp quotes! Yes and that other ho doesn't have a kickass tattoo like Isolde so that alone makes Isolde better.
Time to go back back back! Back to the hot one! Lalala!
The time for Mordred and I to return to Britain had come. Autumn would soon be over and the snow would fall across much of the earth. Already the winds whipped against me like a god's frigid breath. In the morning, Mordred and I would start our journey. Euxil and the baby had returned. In the weeks that they were gone, Nart seemed to have grown bigger. I marveled at how quickly a babe could grow. Thinking of Nart made me think of Geraint. Geraint would be well into his second year. The thought of his dark gold hair sent a gale of memories. The loss of Galina seemed more unfair than ever. She should have been there with me. Home in Sarmatia… She should be standing next to me, floating with excitement, ready to return to Lancelot. And Branwain… Branwain should have been there with our family. We should have been planning a wedding for her and Lionel.
I let myself relax as I stared at Kolaksay. I wanted to remember him that way. A stallion, black as night, running on an endless plain. I was going to miss my horse. He was my oldest companion. I couldn't remember going into a battle with out him. But he deserved his rest. He would be happier in Sarmatia. I had no doubt that Scosin would serve me well. The gelding was not as reserved or seasoned as Kolaksay, but he had a feisty quality about him.
"Your mother is convinced you will not return." My father said as he stood next to me.
"I'll be back papay." I said without looking at him.
"I know." He said calmly. My father knew I would come back when I was ready. "You should bring Mordred back with you."
"He loves it here." I said fondly. The boy had seemed at odds with the land at first. Steppes with no forests to disappear into… But he had quickly adjusted to it. He seemed like any Sarmatian boy. He had finished his bow, learned to handle a sword, and improved his swordsmanship.
"You had better finish packing." My father said after a few minutes of comfortable silence. I nodded and turned to go to our tent.
Knowing that I had no choice but to return, I awoke in the morning with ardor. I was going to join Arthur again. And my new queen. I would see Bors and Dag…Lancelot and the baby. Hopefully I would see Galahad and Gawain unless they hadn't returned yet. And there was Modron and Kaherdin. And Tristan… I felt a mix of dread and excitement. Could I change things between us when I returned?
"Here." My mother said softly as she handed me a large bundle of food. There was enough dried meat and beans to last us for a fortnight or so. Then we would need to hunt. My mother's dark eyes were watery as she held my hand. Arghil was on my other side patting Mordred's leg. Practically the entire tribe was gathered around our two horses, wishing us farewell. Euxil was tearing up as she held her son. Marhaus gave me a look that said he would await my return. My father squeezed my calf in a goodbye. Scosin fidgeted under me. He was excited and read to go. Kolaksay would have been patient…
"I want you to wear your new tunics. And your dress!" My mother said seriously. It was important to her that I looked Sarmatian. I sighed and said my goodbyes. I would be back.
Without Gawain and Galahad, the journey in between Britain and Sarmatia was desolate. Mordred and I enjoyed each other's company, but the other two had made the trip more bearable. Mordred had been outfitted with a new horse, leaving Una behind. I trusted Jols would not mind loosing a horse in service to the king's kin. The brown stallion suited Mordred fine. He was young and would give many years service to the boy. Days of riding melted into each other. Weeks upon weeks passed as just a blur of starry nights and windblown days. I had never been so pleased to see Gaul. I even managed to board the ship to Britain without too much dread. A few days of seasickness seemed petty compared to the months I had been away. When we docked however, I was truly happy.
"Any news of the king?" I asked a man casually. Not all Britains recognized Arthur as their high king. Apparently this man had grown used to the idea for he answered without a glare.
"He and his court have settled in at Caerleon for the winter." The man answered. Caerleon? That was not far. It was near the western coast…It was an old Roman fort. A magnificent one at that.
"Well." I said looking at Mordred. "I suppose we're heading to Caerleon."
"Isolde…Will mother be there?" He asked as we rode through the city streets.
"I don't know. She could be up north at your home. She has people to lead remember?" I said. People were glancing at my fine coat. The dark blue coat was handsome with its warm sable lining. The pale blue tabs were distinctly foreign. Even Mordred looked different in a new blue tunic.
"You're mother might not recognize you." I said as we laid on the soft earth in a grassy knoll. After a few days riding, we were near Caerleon. We could have ridden through the night and arrived while it was still very dark, but I decided to wait. It had been over seven months since I had set out for Sarmatia. I was almost nervous at the prospect of seeing my companions again. The strange conclusion that I had come to about Tristan was the source of most of my worry. I pushed down my fear. What ever happened, happened. Worrying changed nothing. I would do my part. I would have to leave the rest to Tristan.
We rode into the gates the next day at noon. Caerleon was a beautiful place. A huge Roman town surrounded by white walls. The surrounding area was dotted with farms and villas. The entire place was situated on a river called the Usk. It was quite a change from Hadrian's wall. I found my way to the largest residence in the city. The high king and queen of Britain were living in a Roman domus. The irony was apparent.
Security wasn't too lax I decided as several armed guards positioned themselves in front of us with their spears at the ready. That wouldn't stop me if I wanted to kill the king. I decided not to tell them that however.
"I am Isolde, one of Arthur's Sarmatian knights." I said with authority. One of the men, a woad I had seen at the great battle, recognized me.
"Let her pass." He said lowering his weapon.
"And the boy?" Another asked.
"He is the son of a queen, Modron. This boy is Arthur's kin." All spears were lowered and they moved out of our way. I continued into a courtyard.
"Isolde!" Jols cried when he saw me. I smiled broadly.
"How have you been?" I asked. He looked at his surroundings and shrugged.
"I go where Arthur goes." He said nonchalantly.
"Speaking of our Roman; where is he?" I asked looking around.
"He, the queen and the others have gone to speak with local chiefs. Old families of power that survived the Roman conquest…" He explained. I nodded.
"Well, is there a place in Caerleon where a knight and her squire might rest?" I asked with mock weariness. Jols smiled.
"Rhedyn!" He called out. "There is plenty of room here. All the chieftains and wealthy men stay at a domus not too far from here. But Dagonet, Tristan and Lancelot still reside with Arthur. Bors has himself an old villa outside the walls."
I nearly laughed. Bors had been right. The Romans had left and provided for us nicely. Several moments passed before a plump red head scurried over.
"Isolde, this is Rhedyn. She is the overseer of all things in the king's home. Rhedyn, this is Isolde, one of Arthur's best knights. And that is Mordred, son of Modron, niece of Arthur." Jols said leaning against a post. Rhedyn, a matronly woman of about thirty, nodded hurriedly.
"Honor to meet you." She said quickly as she wiped her brow. "Come, I'll have rooms prepared."
I was unsure of how to handle this new treatment. The most service I had received at Hadrian's wall was a drawn bath. Even that I had to wait for… Mordred and I were being treated like guests of honor however. She led us to the nicest set of rooms in the residence. This must be where Arthur an Guinevere lived.
"The king's kin stays here." She said as she ushered Mordred into a room. He set his things down and looked around, evidently pleased to see stone walls and a wooden bed. We left him to his new chamber and Rhedyn was off again, leading me to my own room. I smiled as she led me to a wing of rooms. This would be where my comrades slept also. I was led into a room, larger than my old room at the wall. It was by no means extravagant, but it was an upgrade. I smiled in thanks and Rhedyn smiled.
"Will you need anything lady? Food? Bath?" She asked kindly. Ahh…Bath.
"Both." I said with relish. She nodded and left to make arrangements. I tiredly set down my things. It would be hours before the others returned. I looked around. I had a window that looked into the courtyard. My bed was large and comfortable. A chest and a table completed the room. I put most of my belongings in the chest. All my tunics and dresses…My gold… In the corner I propped my shield and bow. On the table, I put my blades. It took me a moment to notice that my walls were painted yellow with a red trim at the top and bottom. I felt like royalty. I laid down on my new bed and spread out. Arthur could be king for as long as he wanted…
A knock startled me. I slid out of bed and opened the door. Rhedyn was carrying a bowl and a large goblet of wine. The bowl was piled with fruit, cheese and bread.
"The baths are near." She said as she closed the door. I tore into my food. Bread had never tasted so good. A man would have had trouble eating all the food packed into the bowl, but I wolfed it down. I drank the last drop of wine and sighed contentedly. It was time to bathe. I would be nice and clean when Arthur and the others returned. I made my way outside of the domus, confident that I could find my way back. I strolled lazily to the baths. There was a separate wing for women. I entered and found it mostly deserted. Most women were out working in fields or markets. A large bath took up a huge room. It was deep enough to come up to my chest. I dipped a toe in and found it to be very warm. I shrugged off my clothes with glee and indulged my frivolous youthfulness. I jumped in the water and practically drowned myself as I shoved my hair underwater. I felt like the water would turn brown from the weeks of dirt and grime. A small pedestal housed soaps and oils.
I scrubbed and soaked. I floated around for a while admiring the old frescoes covering the walls. I forced Tristan from my mind. I needed to prepare myself for the possibility that we may never be more that companions. Unless he had taken up with another woman, there was no reason that he wouldn't be my lover again. At that thought, I felt an ominous feeling that I could not push away. I climbed out of the bath and dried off. I replaced my clothes and left the baths. I hurried back to the domus as soon as I stepped outside. My wet hair did not mix will with the cold air. Once I was inside my room, I took of my fouled green tunic and put on another tunic my mother had made for me. It was a long yellow tunic with slits down the sides. It came down to my calves, giving it an almost dress like quality. I put on my new belt with the gold stag buckles and grabbed my ivory comb. I tugged the item through my hair and wrung it out once more. I wandered out into the halls letting my hair dry. I found the large room that housed the round table. I wondered how many men it had taken to move it… There was a fireplace in the large dining room. I sat down in front of it and turned by back to it to let my hair dry.
Nearly an hour passed before my hair was dry. I left for my room again. I had barely combed my hair when there was a commotion out in the courtyard. I stuck my head out and saw the entourage. I straightened myself out and put the dangling gold earrings into my newly pierced ears. Kohl lined eyes and I was ready. Over the years I found that putting kohl on was habit forming. I wore it even when I did not need it. I took a deep breath and quelled the nervous feeling in my fingers and toes. Mother had said I looked more like a woman toward the end of my stay in Sarmatia. My skin was darker than ever I knew…And my hair was straight and unevenly cut thanks to battle. But it was more than that she had said… Well, if my face and figure were more womanly, I prayed that it was a good thing.
I walked purposefully to the courtyard. I paused in an archway. Arthur was talking with the knights while Kaherdin and Yseult spoke to each other. I felt something in my stomach drop when I was Yseult. I couldn't help the feeling of dread that washed over me. Guinevere was speaking with Jols and suddenly she looked around for something or someone. Jols must have told her I was here. A small figure appeared at my side. Mordred clung to my tunic for a moment before running to Kaherdin. Kaherdin picked up his nephew in surprise and swung him around happily. Everyone watched for a moment before realized what it also entailed. If Mordred was back, so was I. Heads whipped towards the archway where I stood. I strode to Arthur and gave a half mocking half respectful bow. He pulled me to him by his shoulders and embraced me. Guinevere hugged me also. They were the worst royals I decided. No pomp or dignity… Dagonet picked me up and hugged me. If I had been the sort of woman to cry from happiness, that would have been my time to weep. My ribs were bruised by the time I was passed to Lancelot. A barely chaste kiss was given to me before I was shoved on to Bors. I felt like a toy.
"Seven bloody months! Did you forget about us?" He asked annoyed as he squeezed me.
"I had no idea you'd be gone this long." Arthur said as he smiled at me.
"It was nice being home." I said simply. I had nothing to apologize for.
"Well, no more trips for a few years." Guinevere said seriously and I laughed. I was suddenly in front of Tristan. I made sure I didn't stop dead or anything obvious. He had no idea of the conclusion I had come to. I smoothly stepped forward and embraced him. He didn't falter as he wrapped wiry arms around my waist. I couldn't help but hold him tightly though. He didn't seem to mind as he let a hand travel to the back of my head, pressing my head even more into his shoulder. I smelled him and for the first time, I regretted having anything to do with March. I let him go after a moment and stepped back. I wanted to grab him and kiss him. I wanted to tug a braid. I didn't.
"Well you're just a blooming rose." Bors said somehow making the compliment sound lewd as the men looked me up and down. Kaherdin grabbed my forearm and gave me a quick embrace. March, as if appearing from no where, hugged me long and hard. I did not mind embracing him as a friend, but I kept my face lowered to keep him from kissing me. I would need to speak to him later if he still thought I was his woman.
"You look even more beautiful than before." He whispered into my hair. I smiled and squeezed him.
"The two most beautiful women in Britain are here at my home." Arthur said and Guinevere smirked at him. I suddenly noticed a bulging belly.
"Good gods." I said sharply. She rubbed her pregnant stomach proudly.
"Due at the start of spring." Arthur said putting at arm around her. Lancelot's smile was genuinely happy, but I noticed the small flicker of pain. I made sure that my body didn't lock up with tension as Yseult stepped forward and stood at Tristan's side. She moved slightly so that their bodies were touching. He didn't move away. I kept my face pleasant and blank as she leaned her auburn head against his shoulder. A wave of nausea and sorrow hit me. I pushed it down. Stupid girl. What did you expect? I focused my attention on the others. I still had my Roman and my knights. I had realized already that Gawain and Galahad were not back. I hoped they arrived soon. They would understand.
"Eager to get that heir part out of the way?" I asked conversationally.
"They were just eager to do something else." Bors said knowingly.
"Something you've done at least…what, eleven times?" I asked lazily. My stocky comrade smiled proudly. The sky was darkening as evening descended upon us.
"Come, let us have dinner." Arthur said in that calm, authorities voice I had missed. I was glad to be back.
Whoosh its 2:30 AM. You kids better review... I stayed up late writing for yall.
