An Optimist's Dream in a Time of Darkness:
Chapter 3: The Comforts of Home are No More
AN: Hello there! Thanks for the reviews, love you all. I'm sorry about you not being able to be off school, je suis une pizza, that kind of sucks. As far as your concerns, trust me when I say that I have run into those problems before. I am in no way going to push my character to be a goddess or a super hero warrior. But as you pointed out it is a part of her and at a certain point she will fight. Though I will do it tactfully and make sure it is not pulled out of context, there will be proper reasoning behind it. Also I hadn't planned on making her that beautiful because I didn't want her to really stand out, she will have pretty aspects about her but since this is way before cosmetic surgery and most make up, she will be normal. Maybe even a few scars will be added, some that simply come with time. Also since you requested the correct pronunciation, I will give you it:
Aislin – (A- slynn) Aslinarea ( a name I later make up in this chapter)- (A- slynn- air- ea) and lastly: Acacia (Arthur's mother; I couldn't find her name mentioned anywhere so I gave her a name) – (A- case- eea)
And lastly, but certainly not the least, in response to SpectralLady's question, I believe it was Pelagius because Arthur states that he took the place of his father. All the same I will check it out as soon as my cousin returns my dvd. Thanks again for your reviews, there is another note at the bottom of the chapter that may answer your questions for this chapter so please read it as well. Thanks!
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Three seasons had passed since a scribe had been sent to Rome with our request, and nine months had passed since his return with our blessing. Roman legions were immediately sent out on the long road to Sarmatia to search for as many knights as possible. On this day everything would change.
"Vanora! Come Velora, aren't you going to race?" Aislin stood, breathless, at the bottom of a large pillar, her gown roping around her legs with every wisp of the wind. The girl was in a cheerful state, her mind set on her birthday, not three days ago.
Vanora, a young girl around her fourteenth year, was standing on the grass just beside the wall. She had noticed something not far off and urged Aislin to come have a look with her. "What do you suppose it is?" Her long tendrils of warm chestnut hair whipped in and out of her petite, sun kissed face.
"Don't know." Aislin pondered the thought for a moment. The ten year old had found that Vanora enjoyed asking her questions that she already knew the answer to just to see if Aislin could figure it out. "The caravan of Sarmatian Knights?"
"You are a witty child, aren't you?" Her voice was the tune of bird's songs, so rhythmic and peaceful. Aislin admired her for her beauty and devotion to life, and though Vanora was only fourteen, Aislin dreamed that one day she would grow to be a lovely woman like her.
The two girls backed away from the gate and stood on the side of the path to watch the future knights enter the fortress. Vanora watched with amazement and the giddiness of a young girl with passion on her mind and deep within the swell of her chest. But Aislin watched with horrified eyes that brimmed on tears, to her these knights were a bad omen on her life. Though she only knew of half the damage they would inflict upon her and Arthur's humble lives.
To her these knights were here to rip her mentor away from her, to destroy her people, and become the ruthless overseers of this garrison, with Arthur as their Commander. He would change, she knew this, but would she?
"My ladies, it is not safe for you outside of these walls, please come inside." A Roman Legion on horseback gestured toward the gate, but they held their ground.
"We shall follow the caravan in," Vanora's response was as carefree and breezy as the wind on that day. She had waited for this day too long to not see the, in her opinion, handsome knights that would be her protectors.
"Very well, milady." He rode on without some much as another word to them.
One by one the knights filed in, each one possessed an air about them that was different from any other boy Aislin had seen before. They weren't arrogant, arrogant she had met before; they were determined. Which could be the most dangerous aspect of all, determined means they won't give up, won't stop until they've reached what duty they need done, no matter what that duty may be. She watched, starred at their faces as they rode in, each one solid and cold like a stone.
These boys, who were not more than five years older than her, frightened her out of her very skin. How is it Vanora could be so pleasant about the situation? One knight in particular had given her soul a twist, his eyes deep set and his hair ragged around his face. This boy must have been atleast five years her predecessor, for he was tall and already had begun to balk, his hands grasped tightly around the reigns of his horse. She imagined the horror that would come and felt her sights fall to the ground for fear he would strike her with his very eyes.
The last of the knights floated past them, leaving Vanora with a charming grin, and continued his path through the archway. It was now their turn to move inside, though Aislin found her feet routed deep within the earth. "Aislin, come. The knights have gone, let us go now too." Vanora lifted Aislin's chin slowly, taking in the girl's sickly appearance. "Is something the matter, are you ill?"
"Aislin! Aislin!" Arthur came bounding up the hill towards them, his mother and her maids entering through the gate beside them.
The girl's heart took a leap as she faced her fiery cousin. She need not ask a single thing for he blurted out everything before she could even greet him. "The knights, did you see them? I am to be their Commander. Just as my father was." He took a breath before continuing. "Oh Aislin, we will protect this place and make it just. Can you see the outcome? Pelagius says that we can make the world equal and perfect. He said that it all starts with us here, and him in Rome."
There was an eerie silence that had fallen between them. Neither one had even thought to mention Pelagius returning to Rome since the day the meeting had commenced. Arthur was the first to break the heart wrenching quiet. "Pelagius is leaving now. I've said my farewells, but he still wishes to see you. He's at the-." But he need not say a word; Aislin could see her mentor, her friend at the top of the hill, his donkey just beside him.
At this she did a very childish thing, her hand flew up in a wave goodbye. She watched for a fraction of a moment as his arm raised to give the same signal before she took off at a sprint through the gate. Tears ran from her eyes, staining her cheeks red with heat of anger and sorrow.
"Aislin wait!" Vanora called to the child. It was no use to try and stop her for Arthur had already taken off after her. So Vanora stood alone at the great gate watching in her own depression.
Aislin's feet did not give up, they did not give way as her mind raced across her emotions trying to sort everything out. She became so frustrated with herself that she hadn't even noticed the rut in the ground, and before she knew it, she was flat on her stomach in dirt. Her face was red with panic, and her heart heavy with the burden of life. Tears dropped to the dirt creating little mud puddles, she tried her best to dust the dirt off of her gown but gave up only when it began to create a dust cloud.
She could hear the faintest of laughter and looked up to see the stables lined with knights, some watching her and others going about their own business. A few were snickering but were quickly hushed up by one, the one knight she had feared the most. His frozen eyes starred out at her sending chills up her spine as she sat in terror.
"Aislin!" Arthur slid down on the dirt next to her checking her over to make sure she hadn't hurt herself. "Are you all right?" Her face was blank, emotionless; her eyes were focused on the looming knight. Arthur followed her gaze and stepped in front of her to pull her from the ground. "Come cousin, let us go in."
Her body moved without her command, she was in a haze and on the verge of passing out. Arthur had warned her that this day would come, he told her not to worry for everything would be set in to balance once more. He was wise for his age and she found it easy to believe every audible word that sprang from his lips.
The startling knight returned to the inner confines of the stable. "Tristan, have you found yourself a little friend?" Another knight had called out to him, a knight with a pudgy face and shinning locks of amber hair.
"That girl is Artorius Castus' cousin, the kin of our future Commander. She is a Lady of this foreign place, perhaps you should show some respect, yea?" His voice was deep but playful at the same time. The knight who posed the question gave a rye smile and left it alone.
"She tripped, it isn't our fault it was ungraceful and humorous," another had called out, his face jovial and his eyes dancing about as if they were fireflies.
"Yes well I'd like to see you trip in a gown and try to look graceful." He retorted his eyes cold as he glared toward the opposing knight.
"You speak as if you have tried this act before, Tristan." The same Sarmatian recoiled, stepping out from the darkened stall and revealing his full appearance. A crop of black tangled curls hung from his head with a squared off face and a pointed nose protruded from the shadows.
"Some of us are not as familiar with women as others of us I suppose, Lancelot." Tristan broke his conversation with the irking knight. "I'm heading up to the dinning hall for food, follow if you are hungry, stay if you'd rather sleep with the livestock." At this he strode out of the back of the stable and followed the lead of two Roman Legions to the decorated chamber.
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"Aislin, we will see him again some day." Arthur sat on the far corner of her bed as she tucked her face behind a pillow in her stubbornness.
Her voice was muffled by the pillows over her face, but was still audible. "No we won't."
"Yes we will, I've already sworn to him that once my reign over these knights is complete, I will venture my way down to Rome and seek him out." He offered, as though this would brighten her mood.
"And how long will that be? When you're on your death bed thirty years from now?" She shouted, although her voice was still suppressed by the pillow.
"No, only fifteen years," Arthur stated brightly.
There was a loud snort of disgust that came from bellow the cushion of goose feathers. "Only fifteen! Only!"
"Will you stop being so melancholy and get up!" He grabbed the pillow that lay beside him, "we have things to do now… COME ON!" At his words he hit her directly in the butt with the soft cushion.
She jumped out of her safe haven of heavenly headrests, and starred bewilderedly at her cousin as he laughed. Her gray eyes narrowed into little slits, full of furry. "Why you evil little sprite… PREPARE FOR YOUR DOOM!" She quickly armed herself with two of her very own pillows.
"No my lady, you prepare for yours'!" They lunged at each other, whacking pillows every which way, and soon enough feathers began to fly. They continued their dueling as they shouted war cries and threats to each other.
"I shall win this battle, and then in honor of my people I shall place your head upon the great Hadrian's Wall!" Aislin screamed out.
"Yes well I am here to say that I will be the one undefeated! I will prevail! And then I shall drag your corpse behind my horse so that all may see the power I have vested in me!" Arthur burst out a semi- menacing laugh, more along the lines of a gurgle.
"You are a worthy opponent, King Artorius of the Great Wall!"
"As are you, Queen Aislinarea of the battle hungry Woads!" At this they both released their monstrous war cries so loud that it threaten to shatter the looking glass in the corner.
Arthur's mother burst through the doorway, her heart racing from running up the numerous stairs. "What, in the Lord Almighty's name, is going on here?" She stopped and took a breath while the children swiftly hid the pillows behind themselves and tried snatching up as many feathers as possible. "I thought you were being tortured or some ungodly thing had occurred to you, plague or something."
The children were silent, for fear of exposing too much of the truth. Though in all honesty, with the feathers lining the floor and the pillows bulging from behind their backs, it wasn't hard to decipher. Nonetheless, they stood there silent as ghosts with smug smirks forming on their faces.
The panic stricken woman relaxed and released a sigh, "you two have work that needs to be done. We have many guests for supper, you will help serve." She stopped them before they could completely exit the room, "we will discuss this later, for now I'll see if I can find some more pillows for Aislin, and you will help downstairs."
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Once downstairs the two troublemakers were given their orders and made to distribute food and drink right beside many of the servants and Vanora. Aislin was too occupied with fearing the knights and dishing out food to even think about her absent companion, Pelagius.
"Is she all right now? I mean she's feeling better, right?" Vanora asked in a hushed whisper to Arthur as she walked by with a platter of food.
"Oh, yes. She's doing just fine now." He nodded swiftly, trying to stay away from the subject for his own sorrowed reasons.
"Good," she gave a wide tooth grin before turning to leave.
"Vanora!" She turned once more to face him. "Don't mention anything about Pelagius to her, please? I'm afraid she'll become upset again." The young woman nodded and sauntered back to the dinning hall, plate lopsided in her arms.
An older serving maid stepped up behind Arthur and spoke with cheerful delight in her voice. "She is going to drop that platter of wonderful food on purpose to get every knight at that tables attention. My guess is she'll drop it just behind that curly topped one. What was his name?" She pondered for a moment. "Lancelion? Languceloo? Lancener? Lance-."
"Lot?" Arthur finished for her.
"Yes, that's it. I'll bet she'll drop it right behind him. She's had her eye on him all night, said he smiled at her earlier." Arthur gazed at the old woman with skepticism. "You watch, and you'll see what I mean."
And sure enough just before Arthur entered the room, he heard the crash of the ceramic plate smash against the stone floor. He opened the door and was surprised to see that it was Aislin bent on the ground picking up the broken shards and humbly gathering them into her arms. Arthur took in every ounce of the scene. Vanora was on the other side of the table scowling at Aislin, no doubt for taking her idea, even though it was most likely not done on purpose. Just beside her was seated the knight Lancelot, his grin growing by the moment, and on the floor in front of Arthur, not only had the other two serving girls come over to help, but a knight as well.
"Please forgive me, I am a clumsy little girl." Aislin's voice was quiet and her eyes were down cast as she brought together the broken pieces. The two young ladies beside her mumbled their blessings and hastily dispensed of the food. Arthur moved forward, as ushered by Vanora, and began pouring the wine.
"Clumsy is an understatement," the young Lancelot muttered beneath his breath.
As this reached Arthur's ears he couldn't help but move the pitcher sideways and dump most of the wine onto the Sarmatian's lap. "Oh, my apologies sir, I didn't know that animals had a seat at this table!" His trembling voice bellowed.
The room had fallen silent, except for the laughter that came from the knight crouched on the floor. His eyes brimmed with pleasure at this young man's expense, "I told you that you should mind your tongue and respect them." He gazed at the young girl who was crouched in front of him, her fingers gaining scratches with every piece added to her pile. "You are not clumsy," he whispered and took the broken scraps from her.
"Is this how you treat your guests here?" The heated Sarmatian's words sliced through the room.
"Shower honor on my children and I will shower honor on you." Aislin's aunt had entered the room undetected and glared at the knight who so boldly challenged her place of birth. Aislin was taken aback, her children, she considered me her child as well? "But until then you will sleep with the animals. Out to the stables with you!"
"But Acacia, please!" Vanora pleaded helplessly.
"Hush child, this is not your discussion." Acacia, Arthur's mother, breathed her words defiantly. Her mind was completely set on her decision.
The knight left in a mad rush, speaking foul curses as he exited. He has such a hot temper for a young man. "Now, continue with feasting. I will have the lute player come in shortly."
Aislin numbly sat on the floor watching as the Sarmatian, whom earlier scarred her out of her wits, eagerly placed the sections of ceramic on an empty plate to be carried away, and dispensed of. "Thank you."
His cold, hollow brown eyes gazed at her, and then he did something she did not expect. He grinned, not a very bright grin, not even wide just a simple smirk, but it was enough to make her smile in return. He handed her the plate and went back to his seat without another word.
Arthur stood in the corner and watched, his mind floating over so many things. How is it these knights, though honorable they would become, and close they must be, could inevitably be so different? One would dare mock a young girl for sport, while the other would treat her as an equal maybe even someone of greater rank. This baffled him.
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AN: Yes I know, Lancelot came across very rude and arrogant. I'm sorry if this offended any of you. I do love his character, he is so fun and open, but I felt that he would need to be rude and arrogant in this chapter. Mainly I believe this because he was just ripped away from his homeland to fight for foreigners and would not return for another fifteen years, if he survives. Of course he would be snippy and rude, I would. I know it seemed like none of the others are, mostly due to the fact that I've only mention three so far. In the next chapter the others will be introduced and you will get a taste of their feelings as well. Now for Tristan, he wasn't rude because it is simply not in his character to say anything quite like that. He believes it is his duty to be there, it is a privilege and though he may not like it, he deals with it and does it without complaint. No there will not be future romance between Tristan and Aislin; his kindness towards her has a reason and a purpose, which I will reveal in the next chapter. Oh, and Arthur, though he does grow to be good friends with Lancelot, was merely defending his cousin. Plus I thought it would be interesting to start them out disliking each other. So I think that covers anything you might have questions about, but if you should have more feel free to ask. I don't mind answering them. Please review, and thanks for your past reviews. Ta!