An Optimist's Dream in a Time of Darkness
Chapter 2: The Weight of Emotions:
AN: Yay! Off of school today due to snow. On another note I would like to thank my reviewers, you are kind. I am so glad that you have taken a liking to my story and are forced to ask questions. That at least lets me know that you're intrigued enough to ponder the outcome. One group of questions, submitted by Dazzler420, asked about Aislin and whether she would grow to be a warrior and how Arthur would react to her after his mother's death (due to the Woads). Well as I have stated in the first chapter this story deals with how Arthur tries to balance his life, so yes there will be conflict between him and Aislin due to the fact that she is a 'warrior at heart' and because she is a woman (that will come up later as she grows up and learns what it is to 'lust and love'). And I believe some of her true character comes through in this chapter, but not so much because she is still only a child. I hope that answered some of you questions, if not let me know and I'll try to explain it better.
The next morning Aislin awoke in a soft fur bed that was not her own, in a place foreign to her knowledge. She rubbed her heavy eyes frustratingly, trying her best to rid herself of the exhaustion that was sweeping over her. After a few moments she gave up and merely gazed out the open window within her chamber, she had a clear view of the forest, with all of its lush life springing into motion at the first drop of dew. How she longed to be there, running over fallen tree trunks and sprinting with the doe, bathing in the streams and climbing the walls of boulders piled high above her head. But what she missed most was her mother.
Before she could surface from her thoughts, her tears had already begun to fall. They rolled down the length of her read cheeks dropping down onto her covers where they proceeded to leave invisible stains. There was a soft knock at the door, and in a furry of embarrassment, she began rubbing her face raw of watermarks. "com-come in!" She belted out in a non-lady like manner.
The door opened and there stood the elegant mistress of the fort, Arthur's mother. Her eyes were a warm brown with green flecks towards the center, her long locks of chestnut hair hung to her lower back, swaying to and fro as she walked towards the young girl. "Aislin, my dear, have you been crying?"
"N- no milady, I haven't cried." She paused giving a semi- grin as she realized it was painstakingly obvious that she had indeed been crying. "Yes," she divulged, "I was thinking of my mother. I miss her. I miss the way we would run through the woods racing each other, the way she would hold me while she sang, her voice as it whispered goodnight to me, and her face. I will never see that face again!" At this her whole body sunk into her aunt's arms, tears flowing from her eyes as sobs bellowed from her lips, her entire being shook with pain.
"Shh, hush child." Her voice was no more than a whisper. "Your mother is safe now, she is free." Her voice quivered, and she tilted her head back to avoid having her own tears falling.
A calm, unwavering wind blew through the room. It carried the dawn of a new day and the sweet scent of wild flowers on its back. The Lady closed her eyes gently, "Ladiah," her sister's name wiping away her fear of sorrow. Her smile widened, and she began to sing a song of their heritage, a song of the Woads.
--------
The rest of the morning Aislin's aunt took her on a tour of the grounds, explaining to her who some of the important people were and introducing her to a few. Though most did not agree, or even take kindly to Aislin's presence at the garrison. But both women grew to ignore it, it was something that the people of Hadrian's Wall would have to learn to accept.
After the afternoon lunch, Aislin was free to wonder the barracks as she pleased, and being left alone without a guide she intended to seek out all of the sights she could. Her sandal-clad feet tapped their way down the corridors as she meandered about, taking in everything from the particular flower in the garden to the marble statue in the meeting hall. It was only when she reached the courtyard did she halt her search.
"Come Silvanus, just one more round. I'm sure I'll get farther this time!" Arthur was practicing swordsmanship with the General himself.
Their wooden blades clashed together twice before Arthur was caught off guard and the splintered sword tip placed under his chin. "You have much to learn, my son, though you are improving with each and every day." Silvanus' voice was that of many weathered years in battle, perhaps too many for him to truly take any pleasure out of the latter part of his life. He reached down and snatched up his helmet and cloak before stating his farewells and following on with his own schedule.
"Pelagius, won't you give it a try?" Arthur pleaded with his mentor.
"No, no. I am not a military man, a simple schooling teacher is all." He paused as he stood from his seat, his face turning up to greet me on the balcony. "Besides, I believe we have an audience and I would hate to spoil her entertainment by not performing a lunge correctly."
The boy whirled around, his eyes illuminated with surprise and excitement. "Aislin, won't you join?"
Her face went pale, she had been shown briefly how to use a sword, but 'twas not the custom here for a woman to wield a weapon. "Oh, uh I couldn't, I don't know how." She lied for she did not wish to be persecuted for that as well as being of another heritage.
"Come down, it is not that difficult. I'll show you." His face was that of a pleading sort.
"Child, it is a simple game, come. It will not cause any harm on your behalf, I assure you." Pelagius must not only have been a mentor but a mind reader as well, for he correctly guessed her thoughts.
She submitted, why put up an argument when you had not a good opposition to present. Aislin entered the courtyard, the hem of her gown scrapping across the cobblestone as she walked.
"Here, take this one. It is the lighter of the two and it will be easier for you to move with." Arthur offered the sword and she immediately grasped it. "Now keep your legs spread apart so that you can have room to move. All right now that that is done," he looked to Pelagius to make sure he was teaching right before continuing. "Let's begin."
He made a straight lunge toward her, which she blocked but nearly fell over. As she hobbled on one foot to gain balance, Arthur charged again. This time instead of blocking she merely stepped away and tripped him.
"You cheated, you're only supposed to use your sword." The boy scolded.
"Well it's not my fault you tripped over my foot." At this Pelagius laughed and Aislin believed that she had made her first of companions in this world of Romans.
------
Weeks passed carelessly, and slowly but surely the blue paint of the Woads became part of Aislin's past as the Roman gowns and customs shaped her future. She spent most of her time with Arthur and Pelagius, as Pelagius had agreed that as long as Aislin was capable of retaining the information he would be willing to teach it to her right alongside Arthur. And as the weeks turned into months more and more of the townspeople found it easier to look upon Aislin with a smile, now that she was taking on the appearance of a Roman.
There were several times when the Roman Calvary would be sent to seek out a specific town that had needed aid against the Woads. This Aislin had grown to ignore, they were her people once but they had given her up to the Romans. What right had she to protect their skins if they did not care for hers'?
But she looked to the better times, to when she was free to roam. Her and Arthur had become close companions, they had both shared loss and they both shared hope and courage. Which is inevitably what would keep them together. They occupied themselves with horse riding, swimming, and swordplay. Things Aislin took care to keep as childish as possible, for if the Roman's believed her capable of actual swordsmanship or any harm toward their beliefs, she would be as good as dead. Though this thought stayed buried in the back of her mind, she was young and she had a free spirit as did Arthur.
Then one day a simple meeting had changed everything for the two children. "What is it Pelagius?" Arthur asked with curiosity.
"The council has decided to call upon the Sarmatians to bring fourth knights for our cause." His eyes scanned past the children and on to the setting sun. Summer had gone and now fall was upon them, its deepening chill burring itself within their very bones.
"What cause?" His voice bleak, for he had already known what the cause would be, to keep the Woads at bay, to force back Aislin's kind, his kind.
"Precautions against the- the-."
"Woads?" Aislin finally had found her voice.
"Yes, against the Woads." He moved forward placing his hands on both the children's heads before kneeling down in front of them. "You two have learned a great deal through me, more so than even some of the Roman leaders. You've learned equality. You've learned to care for your fellow man," he shifted to face Aislin, "and woman. These are things you will need to attain in this world. Spread that message, you are the children of a new era and through you, both of you, many will learn to accept this. I have no doubt in my mind that you both will become very important leaders for this country. You simply have to follow your hearts and make the right choice."
"Will you not stay with us, Pelagius?" Arthur's eyes brimmed with heated tears.
"No," he shook his head, "I have much more teaching to do in Rome. They need someone whose mind is clear and so I must go. But you Arthur, you must stay here and lead these people to the light of God. It is your duty to lead these knights, to become their commander. And you Aislin must stay to keep Arthur's mind straight. You two do well for each other, like brother and sister."
"I will miss you," Arthur leaned over and hugged Pelagius, and Aislin followed suit.
"And I shall miss you both. But do not fret I do not leave tomorrow. When the knights have finally arrived, my duty here will be fulfilled and then I shall leave. But not until then." He gave one last tight squeeze before standing and grinning down at them. "Now, I believe it is time for supper. Shall we?" He gestured toward the dinning hall and they walked on, chins held high in protest of their feelings.