"Tristan, do you suggest I tell all the Knights about who I truly am?"
Ever since she told him of her true identity, or rather ever since he found out, she had been self-conscious and fearful about what lay ahead.
"Briseis. Where has the confident and radiant young woman gone, the one that graced us with her presence last night?" she smiled at him. "You are acting like a mere child, be brave, be fearless, be a Knight. I am not going to tell anyone who you are, nay that is solely up to you."
She exhaled the breath she was holding and this look of ease that spread over her features amused Tristan. "Yet I do make a suggestion…"
"Of course you do. The once silent knight has become the King of all advice. Do pray tell good King, what should I do in my situation?" she raised her head up to give him a questioning look before punching him in the shoulder.
"Well dear lady I suggest you stay like young Court forever, you are much more of an enjoyable person as a boy."
She snorted at his remark, "Are you fearful of women who can fight back because I dear say if you are good Tristan, your little love interest will be sorely disappointed for she enjoys a good rouse every now and then."
It was Briseis' turn to laugh now for Tristan's face had blanched. "Nay my good friend, I do not miss much. Lady Ethne is quite wonderful and as I mentioned quite spirited." He looked down at her and pushed her into a near by puddle.
"HEY! What was that for?"
"For being so observant."
As she continued to pull herself out of what was more than a mere puddle, she asked him to continue with his advice about her troubles.
"Well I think you should not tell the other knights if you still wish to become one. Arthur will need some work on this new idea." Her face fell at the instruction not to reveal herself.
"However," Tristan said with a hint of promise in his voice, "I do think Sir Lancelot should be made aware of whom you are." Briseis frowned at his idea. "Not what you were expecting?"
"No it was not. Why Lancelot? Why not just you?"
"Because I have never seen like this before. You really did a number on him last night. He is going to need you to survive Briseis. These barmaids that used to satisfy his lust, his hunger are not fulfilling at the present, nor will they ever be or have ever been. Lancelot has finally become a man and has finally realized that he wants a real woman…"
"But I can't be that woman. I am not yet a woman myself! How will I be able to satisfy him, him with his many conquests?" Tristan laughed, "He is not a God Briseis, only a mortal who was blessed with a handsome face and charm. These will only get him so far; it will only get him to his barmaids. If he wishes for more, he will have to become more. And it just so happens that he wishes to become more. So Briseis, this is why you are to reveal yourself to him but to no other."
"Oh fine. As you wish master." She said with an air of mock consent.
"Do you fancy swimming in another puddle?" he threatened.
She threw up her hands in defeat, "No I am perfectly content to be soaked to the bone from the rain and not covered in mud."
"Well where have you two been, we've been ready to go for a while now!" screamed Bors.
"Court why are you covered in mud?" asked a wondering Lancelot while she took the reins of her horse from him.
"I slipped, nothing to worry about." She mumbled while mounting the anxious Archimedes. He snorted and went to take off before she had even sat in the saddle.
"Now gods be dammed, hold it all!" Court spoke in the angered voice. Lancelot laughed at the two and Courts choice for words. However he stopped laughing when the young stallion stood perfectly still and waited for Court to finish swinging her leg over. "Now, that's better." He shook his head in obvious frustration causing his wild mane to flare around his neck. Court only laughed and then spoke to the other knights.
"I think I am going to stay out for a little longer, head over to the flat lands and let this ninny run free for a bit."
They all nodded and then turned to leave. "I'll stay with you if you don't mind. Draven could use the excise as could I." "
Aye come along then, see if you could keep up." At this Court pushed the reins forward onto Archimedes neck giving him permission to take off. Lancelot smiled and dipped his head low to keep the rain and wind out of his eyes. Draven felt his riders body change, he dug his hind legs deep into the ground and pushed off to chase after the younger brace.