Thanks to all who reviewed Chapter Six. But you'd think with over 500 hits on the story there would be more reviews, even bad ones! Come on guys, let me know if I suck or what!
Lady11Occult: Yes and he cheated too!
Devonshirelass: Of course she cares, who wouldn't? (Sigh…) But you'll find out more about how she feels about Derek later…
LANCELOTTRISTANBABY: Glad you liked it. Hope you like this one too!
Melosine: We all have things we want to do, but sometimes things just don't go as we plan. Lancelot puts on a good act, but I think that's all it is, an act. We'll just have to see…
Disclaimer: Go ahead and sue, good luck! If I owned any of this everyone would hear me scream, you know, the scream heard 'round the world!
Lancelot walked into Arthur's quarters. "How is the patient?" He asked without looking up from the papers he was quickly scanning with his eyes. Lancelot laughed, "He'd be fairing better if he weren't injured." Arthur dropped the papers and looked up in confusion. Waving his hand dismissively, Lancelot told him about Sarah. "I think a romance is budding between the two of them. But she is still denying any feelings. She claims to be going home to wed. I think Gawain is correct, she is in for a terrible heartbreak if she truly believes what she says." He plopped down in the chair facing Arthur and put one leg over the arm. "Are you really going to escort her north?"
Arthur regarded him for a moment, "It is what I promised. I do not make idle promises, you know this." "Well, I am not looking forward to the water works when she finds her village destroyed and everyone either dead or gone. Maybe that is what it will take for her to drop this plan of hers and give our brother a chance to win her heart." Arthur watched Lancelot's face as he spoke. "Lancelot, you speak as if you could care less what happens concerning Sarah, but I sense that you are rooting for Gawain in this affair of the heart."
Lancelot stared at Arthur for a moment, "He deserves it. I have seen the discontent in his actions of late. He looks for something deeper than the competition we've shared over the years." "What about you, Lancelot? Do you seek something more meaningful as well?" Arthur tried to make the question both light hearted and important. He knew that Lancelot would scoff if he asked without making it light. "No," he laughed, "I do not wish to spend the rest of my life with only one woman. I couldn't bear to break the hearts of all the others." He laughed nervously and Arthur knew he was not being truthful. If the right woman came along, he would give up the life he now led, as would they all and never look back.
"How long do you think Gawain will need to be well?" He asked to change the subject. He knew the question had no exact answer. Healing depended on many things. Lancelot looked up from his seat as Arthur stood up and walked around the table. "It is hard to tell. He was sleeping when I stopped in, but Dag told us he was doing well. Probably the usual four or five days before he will be fit to ride. Longer before he will be fit to go into battle." Arthur nodded, "I think it is time I checked on the patient myself and maybe have a talk with the lady." He headed toward the door and Lancelot slowly stood up. "I'll meet you at the tavern." They walked down the hallway together, each lost in his own thoughts.
Sarah heard the door open and thought it was either Dagonet coming to take over or maybe Lancelot coming back to embarrass her some more. She turned around when no one said anything and saw Arthur standing just inside the open doorway. She quickly stood and curtsied. Arthur bowed slightly and stepped closer to the bed. "How is he doing?" She looked from Arthur to Gawain, "The same, he has been sleeping which is good, it'll help with the healing." He stood and watched her. She seemed to be a little calmer than she was earlier.
He decided the best way was to be honest and forthright. "Sarah, I'd like to talk to you, if you'll give me a few minutes." He saw her stiffen, then she turned to him, "As you wish." She didn't know what Arthur wanted to talk to her about, but she was sure it was because she had caused one of his knights to be injured. She watched as he pulled a chair close to hers and motioned her to be seated. She did as she was asked and he sat down. "Gawain said your village was attacked by Saxons. How much of the attack did you see?" He spoke quietly and his question caught her by surprise.
"I didn't see any of the attack, my brother pushed me out and told me to run. I did what he told me to, since I didn't know how to fight." He noticed the sadness in her voice, she was not lying. "Can you tell me anything? Where is your village? Which direction the Saxons came from? That kind of information. It may help us know what they are up to, it could help us save lives." He thought she might not know any of this, but he wouldn't know for sure unless he asked.
"My village is on the northern tip of the island. The Saxons came at us from the east, across the North Sea. There was many in their army and we were a peaceful village. None of the people knew how to fight. We all just ran." She hesitated and then defiantly looked up from her hands, "Is there anything else?"
He saw the way her eyes were glimmering with unshed tears. It pained him to tell her what he must, but she had the right to know what she would be facing when she returned to her home. "No, Lady, thank you for the information. I know it pained you greatly, but the information you provided is valuable to Rome." She nodded and said, "But?" She raised her eyebrow, "I hear the unfinished sentence at the end, what else would you say to me?"
Arthur stood and began pacing the room, "Lady, how much do you know about the Saxons?" He watched her shake her head, "Not much, our village is remote and news does not reach us often. Why do you ask?" He stood next to her, "It is unlikely anyone survived the attack. I'm afraid the Saxons are brutal, they leave no survivors when they attack and burn everything rendering it useless. I'm sorry. But your village will not be there when you return." He laid his hand on her shoulder in sympathy.
Sarah looked at the hand on her shoulder and quickly stood up to face him. "No, you're wrong, the people all ran, when the Saxons left, I know they returned. My brother told me to come back, but by the time I had stopped running I was too far away and hungry and weak. I needed to recuperate before I headed back. That's why I came here." Then she raised her chin defiantly, "Timothy will be waiting for my return, as will my betrothed, Derek. I must return or they will think me dead."
Arthur tried to sooth her, "Well, if they ran as you say, maybe some survived. But do not let hope rule your heart. The Saxons have a habit of breaking the hearts of hopeful people." He thought at least she would think about what he had told her, then maybe she would be better prepared for what she found. "But as I promised, we will escort you back home and be with you whatever you find. You have my word." He saw her gaze intently into his eyes, then she nodded. "Thank you, but I do not wish to put you or your knights in further risk for my sake. No harm came to me during my trip south. I'm sure I will be safe enough on my trip back north."
Arthur began shaking his head as soon as she started talking about going alone. "No, Lady, I cannot permit that, for I would not be able to rest wondering if you made it safely." Then he turned to look at Gawain, "And I don't think he would forgive me allowing it. For whatever reason, he has decided that you need his protection and will follow you if you leave while he is abed." He saw her start to protest, then she looked at Gawain and nodded. "As you wish, I would not leave with his recovery in question. I would wait until he is well enough to be up and about. That is the right thing, don't you agree?"
Arthur nodded and saw Gawain open his eyes, "Ahh, it seems he has finally rested enough. How is your wound, Gawain?" He saw him immediately look for Sarah before he turned back to answer his question. He raised an eyebrow to let him know he had not missed the move. "Better, Arthur, I think it will heal nicely. But, I think we should fashion our arrows after the Woads. I have been hit before and never has it been as painful as it was this time."
"Dag gave me the tip, it is made to rip as it goes through skin and muscle. That is why there was so much blood and why it did not readily stop bleeding. But I can see you are in good hands, so I will join Lancelot at the tavern. I'm sure you will be missed." He saw Gawain nod absently, then turn his attention back to Sarah. He bowed to Sarah, "Lady, I'm sure I will see you when I check on Gawain again. Take care." He walked out the door and left the two to become better acquainted.