The following morn shed a dim light across Badon Hill; the air grew colder and winter drew nearer. Anise woke early even after al the events of the night and took her time in bathing and dressing herself. Her hands were still painful and anything above a light pressure caused her to wince but she managed by herself. Birdsong filtered into her smashed room and she looked around in dismay as she sat combing her hair using the mirror as her aide; one of the only pieces of furniture she hadn't damaged. Anise tried to shake the feelings of guilt and anger from her head as she began to tidy away the clutter and reassemble anything she could but the feelings would not leave her. They swirled through her mind and images flashed across her vision of the happenings in the night. They were tormenting her and she wanted it to stop, she needed it to stop. After toiling over the damaged remains of her room she decided to take a walk and let the crisp morning air clear her mind for her.
The town was just starting to come to life as Anise took to the streets and she was thankful for the distraction. The dull clamour bombarded her brain and all memories of the previous night were forgotten in the chaos of the maze of alleys and lanes. A light breeze blew amongst the stalls and buildings and ruffled Anise's hair and dress, creating the impression of a spirit as she headed in no particular direction and for no particular reason. It was just nice to be outside in the throng of people and motion and away from the nightmares and vengeful thoughts.
Vanora had heard from Bors about the girl's outburst and had decided to talk to her and see if she could help at all. The red-head had left the knights that morning after breakfast and gone to check upon the girl in her room, or that had been the plan at least. Upon finding an empty room Vanora chose not to tell the others as it would only worry Arthur and set out to search for Anise. She roamed the streets seeking out the troubled girl and found herself staring out across the countryside as she had naught but a day ago with Anise, except this time hoping the girl had not ventured beyond the walls of the fort. Giving a defeated sigh she turned to leave when she caught a glimpse of Anise amidst the crowds littering the streets of Badon Hill. She gathered up her skirts and rushed down the stairs and in the direction of where she'd seen the girl; she too becoming obscured by the mass of people.
"Anise!"
The calling of her name sent shock waves through Anise and she came to a violent stop as Vanora ran up beside her.
"I'm glad I've found you." She panted out as she tried to regain her breath and take the girl by the arm. "Are you ok?" she asked sensing the girl's disquiet and leading her towards the hostelry.
Anise awoke suddenly from her musing and shot Vanora a surprised look before coming to her senses and smiling in relief.
"Yes I'm fine. Just taking a walk, clearing my mind."
Vanora smiled back and seated them both around one of the tables in the open tavern.
"Have you had any breakfast?"
"Oh no." replied Anise watching as one of Vanora's children took a place on her lap. "I'm not really hungry thank you."
Vanora began to rock the small child on her knee before tipping it off and telling it to go play.
"Would you like me to help with anything?" asked Anise innocently as Vanora stood up and began working her way around the tables; mopping and clearing as she went.
The woman stopped briefly and stood with her hand on her hip in thought.
"Well if you wouldn't mind I'd appreciate it if you could keep an eye on some of the children." She answered looking over at the small group of children gathered outside the hostelry.
"Of course." Smiled Anise, glad of the distraction and bending down to talk to the children.
Within minutes she had found six new friends as the youngsters clambered over her; pulling her dress, asking her to play with them, toying with her dark curls and giggling as she tickled them. Eventually Anise managed to organise them into playing some sort of game and they sat outside the hostelry; quiet as they played their newfound game but still fidgeting occasionally. Only one of the children refused to play the game and instead pulled Anise to her feet and began dancing as she sang one of her mother's nursery rhymes. Anise laughed as the two danced around and swung the young girl up into her arms and she continued her song. Vanora watched on; glad of the peace and quiet and content with the enjoyment that Anise seemed to be having. But Vanora was not the only one that watched as she frolicked happily with the children; they were in full view of the Table room and they were in full view of the knights.
As they children tired of their game and too took up in the dancing, Anise became aware of the pain increasing in her hands. The children had been clutching her hands too tightly and blood was starting to leak through the bandages. Vanora jerked her head up at the sound of Anise's pained gasp and instantly saw the red stains upon her hands.
"Come here, let me bathe them!" she exclaimed as she ran forward and dragged the girl towards a stool and sat her down.
"It's ok," Anise breathed out. "The children were just gripping my hands a bit too tightly." She smiled at Vanora uneasily as the woman began to unravel the soaked bandages.
"Children, go off and play somewhere else." Called Vanora, and sensing the tightness of her voice the children skipped off down one of the winding alleys.
A look of distress spread across Vanora's kind face as Anise's slashed hands came to view.
"What happened?" she whispered as she took to cleaning the bleeding wounds.
"I…erm…" whimpered Anise as the guilt began to flood over her like a wave.
Vanora glanced upwards and met the girl's teary eyes with a caring smile.
"Don't worry child, Bors told me about it."
Anise gazed at her through teary eyes and shaky breaths escaped her parted lips as she began to talk.
"I didn't mean to." She started. "But they were out there, they were out there taunting me and I dreamt of my mother again last night."
Vanora tried to hush the girl by shushing her soothingly but Anise continued; strength rising in her as the words spilled from her mouth.
"They killed her and I wanted to kill them to. I wanted to watch them die before me as I had to endure my mother." An anger started to creep into the girl's voice as she continued. "I wanted to slay them where they stood, render their heads from their bodies and watch them die painfully." She finally hissed out, gripping the table so hard she made her hands bleed once again.
She had shocked both herself and Vanora and the two sat in silence for a moment whilst Anise hung her head; hiding her burning face from view.
"Hush child. I understand." Whispered back Vanora, smiling kindly at girl before her as she raised her head to look at the woman bandaging her hands and hiding them, and the memories, from view once again. "But you have to learn to control your anger. If not for everyone's sake, at least your own."
Anise slowly nodded her head and stared thankfully at Vanora.
"Anyway you'd better be getting back to your room, in case they come looking for you." She chuckled as she returned to her work and watched Anise leave silently from the tavern.
Scurrying along the corridors Anise passed maids and guards and dodged children as they ran past. She kept her head down so that she would not have to look them in the eye as they had all presumably heard of her outburst last night. She exhaled in relief as she found an empty corridor and allowed herself the luxury of leaning back against a wall; giving her a moment to breathe steadily and recollect her thoughts. After brushing out her dress and shrugging off the cold air she continued with her journey along the twisting corridors and hallways until a voice stopped her.
"Anise!"
It was Arthur and she slowly raised her head from where she had stopped to find herself at the end of the corridor leading to the Table room; where the doors stood wide open and the knights sat looking at her. Her eyes widened at the sight and she stood frozen to the spot, not knowing what to do next and too scared to move. The knights stared back; Arthur directly facing the open doors and smiling softly at the motionless figure of Anise.
"Come in, please." He called and she took a few faltering steps towards the door before stopping again and making to turn around.
"Please?" came his anxious call once again.
Breathing deeply and willing herself to be strong, Anise walked into the room and started making her way towards Arthur. She kept her eyes down so that she would not have to meet the penetrating stares of the knights and finally came to a stop before the Roman commander.
"How are your hands today?" he asked warmly.
She jerked her head up; shocked at his question and eyed him with surprise.
"They are in good health, thank you my lord. Although Vanora had to bandage them again earlier." She replied quietly.
"I saw." He responded.
As he watched her eyes cloud over in confusion he smiled and motioned towards the window.
"We could see you playing with the children from here."
"Oh…" came her subdued reaction and he decided to continue their talk so she had no excuse to disappear back to her room.
"The maids have straightened your room and everything is as good as new. And we wish for you to join us for dinner tonight."
Anise blushed at the mention of the room and nodded her thanks.
"Thank you my lord. I wish to apologise for my actions and hope you will accept my sincerest regrets for that and those for the fact that I won't be attending your banquet tonight." She murmured quietly; a look of shame masking her delicate face as she turned as hurried out of the room.
Arthur's face fell in disappointment as she glided past the other knights.
"But you have to come!" exclaimed Gawain as he jumped up from his seat. "It's…it's a" he stuttered, words failing him rapidly as Anise turned to face him.
"It's a banquet in your honour." Added Lancelot as he rose from his seat, bowed and attempted a smile at Anise. "You've been the most entertainment around here since Bors found out I was the father of his children." He smirked and a laugh rose from the men surrounding the table; easing the tension instantly. Bors shot Lancelot an enraged glare before he too broke into laughter and Anise stood with a bemused expression on her face, which just made the men laugh even more.
A/N: Dun dun daaa! lol Yes ok that chapter wasn't very exciting but there will be more action soon and perhaps a little more romance, but with whom? Can you guess? lol Keep up with the reviews as they are very good for motivation and making me happy lol. Thanks x