Hello again everyone. Hope you like this chapter. Took me a while to write it. I wrote several drafts and this was the one that I liked most. Hope you like it too. Thank you to all who read this and to all who review. Keep it up and I'll keep writing. Anyways I will update again in the next day or so.
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"I'll take him." Jols said grabbing the reigns. "On my way to the stables to feed them anyways." He added patting the horse on the side. The black steed brung his neck closer to the man urging him to continue. "Arthur asked me to show you to your room when you returned. If you dont mind coming with me, I'll take you to your quarters have I place him in his stall."
"Sure." she answered solemly her mind elsewhere as the man led the way. 'I hope I did the right thing.' she thought to herself.
The stable was massive with stalls all around. Obviously made to house many horses thought by now the number of riders had dwindled as did the mounts.
"Could you get the lock for me." Jols asked nodding to one of the far stalls. Jumping ahead of him she unlocked it. Moviing aside she gave him room to lead the horse inside.
"There ya go." Jols said turning the horse about and tying him off. Unhooking the saddle he brought it to her. "Do ya mind puttin' this on the railin' back behind ya."
With a small half smile she accepted the package he held.
"Strange seein' you again Lillian, but it is good to have ya back." Jols said as he start to take the reigns off the horse, scratching the horses neck momentarily. "Things will start being like old times again."
Setting the saddle down she remained at its side. 'Old times. I dont remember what the old times were but I have a feeling they wont be coming back.' she was about to say but held her tongue. "Yeah. Old times." she spoke instead. Her voice distant and lacking conviction. Her eyes went to the othr horses in the stable. They had already been unsaddled and cleaned and they waited patiently for their food. Walking back to the stall that now held Lancelots horse she leaned her back against a pillar. Jols continued to clean him off, brushing at his mane and checking his hooves.
'What am I going to do now. Things arent going to be the same. Dagonet knows. Lancelot knows. Just a matter of time before everyone else does.' Lillian's mind raved. How would the others handle it. Would they act like Dagonet or would they act like Lancelot. Her mind was racing with thoughts of what may happen when they were abruptly interrupted.
"Hey." she shouted in retaliation to the being he pushed at her. Looking to the stall next to the one Jols was in she saw no one. Atleast no man or woman, but a horse. Its bright, friendly dark eyes stared back at her as the horse nudged her again. "Now what is this all about." she said laughing at the horses odd behavior. Bringing a hand up she rubbed at the horses nose and made her way to the cheeks. "He's beautiful." she said looking to Jols.
"He's a she and she is yours." Jols answered leaving the stall on closing it behind him. Coming next to Lillian he leaned against the stall door. "They found her when they went after you. Brung her back and she's been her ever since. Lancelot and the others take her out when they can so she can get her exercise. Sometimes I do if they are away to long." Jols added stretching an arm out to to pat her mane. "She's a good horse. Well I let you two alone for a little bit. Have to run and get them somethin' to eat."
"Whats her name?" Lillian called behing her. Looking behind she tried to find Jols but he had already gone. "Oh well I will have to ask him when he gets back. That is unless you can talk." she laughed stroking the horses mane. "You really are beautiful you know that. Hair as black as the sky at midnight."
'Midnight.' the word stayed in her ears as she stared deeply into the horses brown orbs.
"Here you go sweetheart." a voice spoke. Closing her eyes she tried to concentrate on the mans words on his voice.
"Here you go sweetheart. I told you that I would get you a horse just like mine. And a fine one she is if I say so myself." the man said helping her ontop of the horse. "Now grab the reigns tightly. Go ahead give her a trial run."
"I love her father. She's perfect." she called back as she raced around him in small circles coming to a stop before him. Dismounting she ran and gave him a loving hug. "She's absolutly perfect. Thank you."
"You are quiet welcome my little Lilly." he said laughter lit his voice.
"I am to old to be called Lilly." She called annoyed. "I am a young woman now." she shot at him releasing from their embrace and standing very lady like.
"Whether you be a young 13 year old lady or even thirty you will always be my little Lilly." he answered. Craddling her face in his hands he kissed her on the forehead. "Now what shall we name her?"
"Midnight. Your name is Midnight isn't it." she cried out softly as emotions came over her. The horse neighed in recognition of its master voice. Running her fingers over the horses face she smiled with happiness. "My Midnight."
"Sorry took so long fellas." Jols called when he entered the stables with buckets of food and water. "This wont take long." he said glancing to her as he started to empty the buckets into the stalls. The horses went to eat and drink eagerly. "They act as though they've been starved." Jols laughed coming around the corner to her meeting her eyes. "Are you okay" he asked preparing to feed Lancelots horse.
"Fine. Really." she said helping him. Jols looked to her briefly half believing and half doubting her answer.
"All done." he announced once the buckets were empty and the horses fed. "Now M'lady if you would follow me I will show you to your room." he said signaling her to follow.
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"Here ya are." he said pushing aside a door. Inside lay a bed, chair, a table and a desk. Opposite the door lay a window which shed the lowering suns light into the room. Beneath it lay a small trunk. "You can find some of your old attire in the trunk."
"Excuse me?" she asked rather confused.
"By the time you left here the guys and I made you a newer set of armor. Heavier duty then your other one. Has to be if your stationed here." He laughed walking over to the trunk he opened it to reveal the still intact armor beneath its wooden dome. Reaching inside she pulled out the chest plate. The design of it clearly showed it was made for a womans stature. The metal symbol on it bore similar resemblance to those she already wore. "Your Commander refused to let you take it with you. Never really said why. Atleast not to Arthur and the others. So you left it here saying you would be back for it." He paused for a moment looking intently at her as she fingered the insignia on the armor. "I should go and tell the others you are back. Arthur requested that dinner be held with all present to celebrate your return."
She looked up to him with a fearing look in her eyes.
"It wont be like when we arrived. No mob of people asking questions, just Arthur and the others. Although I must warn you that afterwards you will be taken to the local pub where Vanora works." Jols said pulling himself to the door. "I should get going. If you need help there are knights quarters on either side of yours." he said motioning to nearby doors. "Vanora will be coming by soon to show you around a bit. Meanwhile I shall have to go. Got some duties I need to finish. Good to have you back Lillian." He said backing out the door and closing it shut behind him. Looking back down she traced the emblem with her fingers hoping to trigger a memory but none came. A knock at the bedroom door startled her from her concentration and, for a brief moment she thought not to answer but before she knew the door started to open revealing a darkened silhoutte.