Anise' eyes fluttered open as the feeble morning sunlight poured through her open window. She blinked a few times as she failed to recognise her surroundings and tossed her head to the left where she was greeted by the sight of a rather dishevelled looking Arthur. He had fallen asleep in the chair by her bedside; one of his legs hanging from the arm of the chair and his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. His dark hair was tousled and his face calm as he slept, unaware of the girl lying awake in the bed next to him. She stared at him for a while trying to remember what had happened but drew a blank after she saw the ground rushing up to meet her and her vision fade to black outside her village. Anise shuffled amongst the linen sheets and tried to reach a sitting position but the movement awoke Arthur and with a jerk he was awake and his hand gripping his sword tightly. He promptly relaxed at the sight of the girl sat awake in the bed and proceeded to sit up properly in his chair.
"Good morning lady. My name is Arthur Castus and I am the Roman commander of this fort. You need not fear me for you are safe now," he smiled gently at the girl and continued to tell her of how she came to be in his presence. "We heard of an attack on a village south of the wall by the Woads and went to check yesterday. That is how we came across you."
Anise felt the memories come flooding back to her with a rush and bit her lip as to not let the tears fall which pricked her dark eyes.
"One of my knights found you unconscious; you seemed to be the only survivor of the attack."
She nodded briefly before adding:
"Yes Sir. I fled to the woods after the attack but I cannot remember much…only that they killed my mother." Anise finally choked at these words and a few stray tears rolled down her face.
Arthur leaned forward and gently wiped the girl's cheeks before gently whispering to her.
"I'm sorry for your loss." She briefly looked up; a thankful expression gracing her face and he withdrew his hand. "Do you have a name lady?"
"Anise."
The Roman had left her; calling in the nurse as he went and the woman now busied herself with washing the girl and finding her a dress that would fit.
"You gave us quite a fright last night miss." Sighed the older woman as she carefully brushed the knots out of Anise's tangled hair. "You should be right as rain now seeing that the fever has broken, but let's just hope those dreams don't return."
"Aye, I don't wish for them to return either." Replied the girl; a distant look skimming her features and her eyes glazing over.
The nurse continued to take care in ridding Anise's dark curls of knots and tangles and hummed a tune softly beneath her breath. The younger girl relaxed as she listened to this comforting harmony and felt the need to ask questions which she had been pondering.
"So where is this…fort?"
"Ah you're at Badon Hill my girl. Arthur Castus is the Roman commander of this fort and with him are his loyal Sarmatian Knights. They are the ones who found you child." Answered the nurse kindly as she patted Anise's head and began tending to the girl's hands.
"These silly handmaidens were in such a hurry last night they didn't remove all the dirt from your hands." Tutted the nurse as she bathed Anise's delicate hands in a bowl of warm water.
"So who are these knights you talk of?" questioned Anise a frown troubling her neat brow.
The nurse paused what she was doing and looked up from her kneeling position, a small smile upon her face.
"They are the Knights of the Round Table of course." Anise continued to look confused which prompted a small chuckle from the woman. "There are six knights who are led by Arthur –who you have met this morning. Sir Lancelot, Sir Tristan, Sir Gawain, Sir Galahad, Sir Dagonet and Sir Bors. They fight against the Woads and fight for Rome; although it has to be said the knights fight only for Arthur, and he for Rome."
Anise contemplated this a while longer; letting her mind drift as the nurse continued to finish dressing and cleaning her. Once the woman was finished she sat back on her heels, brushing a stray piece of hair from her face and smiled at the girl sat before her.
"Now if you feel well enough I can ask one of the maids to take you for a walk if you'd like. I'm sure the knights would like to see you up and about, Arthur especially, he was fearful for you last night and slept in the chair just to make sure you were in good health."
Anise blinked at the memory of waking to find the dishevelled knight at her side and returned her gaze to her kind nurse once more, who quickly interrupted her.
"I know who'll be as good a guide as any." Chuckled the nurse as she got to her feet and tidied the room. "Vanora, Sir Bors' wife. She'll be happy to show you around."
Noise and chatter filled the air as Vanora took Anise by the arm and led the girl outside into the streets of the fort. Children ran haphazardly between horses and stalls and shouts issued from the merchants lining the narrow alleys. Anise was happy to be outside though, enjoying the crisp morning air and benefitting from the use of her legs. The woman holding her arm laughed idly at the chaos of the streets and smiled broadly at the look of amusement on the girl's face as she guided them expertly through the maze of busy alleys and lanes.
"I see you're looking well for someone who Arthur was worrying so much for last night." chuckled the fiery red-head as brought them both to a stop and motioned for Anise to climb the flight of stairs they had reached.
"Well I certainly feel much better, and I do appreciate you showing me around the fort." Anise called back over her shoulder; making sure she held her flowing mint gown tightly so as to stop herself from tripping as she climbed the stone steps.
"Think nothing of it my child. Gives me a break from the kids." Vanora laughed at her little joke and came to stand next to the younger girl as they stood at the top of the battlements.
Anise looked eagerly at Vanora as they began to walk forwards towards the rough stone fortifications and her eyes sparkled in the pale morning sunlight as they looked out over the vast green countryside that rolled beneath them. Vanora smiled to herself as she watched the girl gaze into the distance and turned to see the knights stood watching her in the tavern below.
"Look's like your young maiden has healed well Arthur." Smirked Lancelot as the men watched the two women above.
Arthur threw him a tired stare as they moved to sit at a nearby table and Lancelot kept his smug smile as they ordered a round of ale.
"Vanora seems to be taking good care of the girl Bors." Commented Gawain as he gulped down some of his ale.
"Well she would, she's had enough practise from raising my offspring." Grinned Lancelot, sending the rest of the knights into a chorus of laughter as Bors turned to face him with an annoyed expression.
"So how did she fare the night Arthur?" enquired the gentle from of Dagonet, returning the conversation to its previous direction.
Arthur sighed and ran a hand through his hair as he turned away from the sight of the two women.
"She slept well enough but she stirred a few times, these dreams are troubling her."
"Have you found out what is it yet?" questioned Tristan as he sat quietly viewing the Roman before him.
"Aye." Nodded Arthur. "When the Woads attacked they murdered her mother, and she fled to the woods."
A shocked silence fell upon the group of men as they drank their ale remorsefully and looked once again at the girl stood on the battlements.
"Have you found out her name yet Arthur?" Galahad finally asked, breaking the silence.
Arthur nodded as he replaced his mug on the table.
"Anise."
"Well there they are, the Knights of the Round Table for you." Smiled Vanora as she pointed to the small group sat sullenly in the tavern. "The one on the left, next to the tall man, yeah, that's Bors. He's my husband."
Vanora stood back proudly and Anise eyed the men with a look of curiosity. She could see Arthur and the man she now knew to be Bors and wished to meet with the rest of them but found herself feeling timid. Vanora once again pointed towards the men, singling out Gawain.
"That is the man who found you, and who quite possibly saved your life."
Anise stood for a moment watching the men as they talked amongst themselves and brushed her dark hair back from her face to give herself a better view. He suddenly looked up, startling Anise and Vanora waved. She gave the girl a quick nudge as the rest of the group directed their gaze towards the two women and started to move towards the steps once again.
"Looks like their ready to meet you."
A/N: Dragging this out a bit aren't I? lol But it just keeps you coming back for more...hopefully lol. I agree KnightMaiden, Arthur wasn't my favourite character either lol and LANCELOTTRISTANBABY there may be some romance on the horizon...who knows. Butwhen there is any romance I hope I can mix a bit of action in too...so keep R&R please! Thanks x