Flickering shadows glided past the open doorways as lively chatter and music resounded around the dusky corridors of Badon Hill. Torches cast their crackling light upon the halls and burnt generously in the chilly evening air. Anise sat in front of her mirror, letting the dim light play over the reflective glass as she vaguely ran a comb through her tight curls and listened to the echoes of the banquet. Every now and then laughter would erupt from the hall and ring down the corridors; a harsh reminder of joy. The handmaidens bustled around the small room; adorning Anise with various trinkets and fussing over her dress so that she would be ready for the banquet. The rustling of their skirts and quiet chatter left Anise feeling distant and soothed as she let her mind wander and the evening sweep her along. After some time the maids left, apart from one who gently tapped Anise on the shoulder; awakening her from her reflections.
"We're finished miss. You can make your way to the hall now." The young girl said quietly before scurrying out of the room.
Anise turned slightly till she faced her mirror fully and stared at herself in the mirror. Garlands streamed from her chocolate curls and her pale sapphire dress hung attractively from her slender frame. She was swathed in the graceful fabric and it swayed dreamily as she moved out of the door. The music and babble gradually grew louder as she drifted down the hazy corridors and finally came to the Table room. The doors were open once more and she glided through them with poise as the celebrations continued. She spotted Vanora and Bors instantly; he was laughing heartily and she was trapped under one of his hefty arms as they talked with Galahad and Arthur. Lancelot continued to throw Vanora impish glances and playful winks and she continued to scowl at him causing him to chuckle to himself as he sat with the other knights who conversed and joked amongst themselves. Anise stood in the vast doorway rather awkwardly for a few moments until Arthur caught a glimpse of her in the corner of his eye. He turned to face her and smiled amiably at her beauty; a vision of angelic splendour stood before him with her deep brown eyes, supple curls, willowy physique and pristine countenance. He strode towards her; a smile coating his serious face and she shifted anxiously under the eyes of the knights as they too turned to face her.
"I'm glad you could make it." Commented Arthur as he took her hand and kissed it delicately. "And may I be the first to comment on your beauty."
Anise smiled at his words and let him lead her by the hand to Bors and Vanora. The other knights began to chat and laugh again; all of them except from Gawain who watched Anise with a longing stare.
"Ah good to see you my girl!" cried Bors as he swept the girl up in an enthusiastic embrace; laughing at the shocked expression on her face as he set her down.
"Oh leave the poor girl alone." Scowled Vanora giving Bors a playful slap on the arm. "You look wonderful Anise! And now I have someone to have a girly chat with." She added and smiled genially at the girl.
As the knights, Vanora and Anise sat around the large table they conversed jovially and laughed occasionally at the odd joke or anecdote. The hall resounded with the tales of previous battles and other stories; mostly Galahad and Bors retelling them with the occasional witty remark from Lancelot. Arthur relaxed in his seat and simply smiled as the two told the stories with excitement and enthusiasm and took no part in correcting their slight exaggerations. Anise listened keenly whilst eating her meal and a look of eagerness spread across her face as the story got more and more intense and stimulating. Gawain sat opposite Anise and watched her closely; his gaze never leaving her for more than a few seconds at a time. Usually he would be adding his own share to the stories and encouraging Galahad but tonight he was silent; an intense look in his eyes and set jaw. Arthur too was studying Anise's expression as she listened to the scene unfolding before her and he took joy in watching her eyes widen in excitement as Galahad recounted his fight for survival. The girl had no idea of the two men watching her as she was so engrossed in the narratives and laughed appreciatively once Bors had finished the story. Only then did she look up to see Gawain staring at her. She flashed him a brief smile and his face instantly softened into a friendly grin before her attention was drawn to something else. Tristan turned briefly to Gawain and gave him a relaxed glance to which Gawain glared back.
"Talk to her Gawain, for all of our sake's."
Gawain was about to reprimand Tristan for being able to read him so well when the knight interrupted him again.
"Although Arthur looks quite smitten as well."
Gawain sighed his agreement and looked back over to where Arthur was gazing lovingly at Anise as she talked with Vanora.
"I suppose you're right."
Tristan smirked before gently sliding away.
"I'm always right."
As the banquet dispersed into the spacious abyss of the night the torches were blown out one after the other and the hall was cast into darkness. Everyone had retired to their rooms when Anise wandered out into the courtyard; breathing in the crisp night air and puffing her breath out into small white clouds. She hadn't noticed Gawain sat on the edge of the fountain until she reached the flowerbeds that circled the small shaded gardens and spied him playing idly with the water.
"You'll catch your death of cold if you continue to amuse yourself with that freezing water." She called as she gracefully made her way towards him.
He jerked his head up; startled at the sudden intrusion and chuckled at Anise's words.
"What are you doing out so late?" she asked as she seated herself next to him.
"I could ask you the same question." He said with a smile.
"Well I was simply taking a stroll, enjoying the night air when I came across a lone figure." She whispered and seized his hand from the freezing depths of the fountain. "I thought I told you to stop playing with that water. You'll freeze." She sighed as she attempted to warm his hands with her own.
Gawain sighed softly as he moved his head to the side and looked to make sure that no-one was watching. A frown troubled his brow as Anise let go off his hand and replaced it on his leg and she sensed something was bothering him.
"Gawain," she whispered and he moved to look at her. "I want you to know how grateful I am for saving me and I also want you to know that if ever I need help you'll be the one I turn to. But if you ever need help, know that I will be here too."
A small smile crept across his face and an idea suddenly sprung into his head.
"You know how you asked if there was anything you could do to repay me?" he whispered.
Anise nodded in recognition and waited for his next words.
"Well promise me this. That if you do ever need help I will be the one you turn to. Now promise." He breathed and she looked intently at his face.
"I promise." She replied, and her moved a hand to brush away the hair that covered her face.
"Do the dreams still come?" he asked gently.
Anise nodded her head slowly and tears pricked her profound eyes as she remembered the Woads out on the hilltop. Gawain growled faintly at the disturbance it had created within the girl and put a protective arm around her before gently pulling her to her feet and walking her back to her room. Little did he know that the helpless girl walking next to him had a fire brewing deep inside her and was waiting for the Woads to come again before she struck.
Gawain bade Anise goodnight before leaving her at her door and walking back up the corridor and towards his room. But as he was walking away he heard something that struck fear into his heart before Anise disappeared into the room.
"I will have my revenge."
Anise's deliriums were becoming more frequent and more dangerous. She had so far managed to restrain them until she was alone in her room but she feared her obsessive frenzies could happen in public. She was also running out of excuses as to why certain objects in her room would have to be replaced by the handmaidens after she had smashed them in a rage. Her hands had healed since the incident a week before but there were still faint marks from where the gashes had been and even looking at them could set her off into a compulsive and merciless turn. The dreams were getting progressively worse and her behaviour was becoming erratic and uncontrolled as she fought against the overwhelming tide of fatigue. They had come to her again and this time she was ready. Her eyes held a dull glimmer as she planned her attack; although ultimately it would be her frayed nerves that set the actions rolling.
It happened one morning as the knights were eating breakfast and planning their day's activities. A report of sightings of the Woads south of the wall had just reached the knights and they were discussing possible plans of action.
"They were here again last night." Anise suddenly spoke out into the room; silencing the knights and causing them to stare at her.
She continued to occupy herself with her food and Arthur looked anxiously from Anise to his knights. Silence fell on the room and Anise rose her eyes to meet the apprehensive knights'. The dull glimmer was there and Gawain noticed it with confusion just before Anise jumped up and dashed out of the room without a word.
"Anise!" shouted Arthur as he ran to the door but she continued on her way down the seemingly endless labyrinth of corridors and hallways.
"Where do you think she's going?" asked Arthur in frustration as he turned to the rest of his knights.
When he received no reply he banged his fist on the door before he too ran out of the room, calling the girl's name.
A/N: Yes it was all a bit sappy again lol but what's going to happen next! Is Anise going to go psycho again? I think so! lol And what's happening with this whole love triangle thing, although with Arthur its all a bit one-sided lol. Hehehe, read on to find out what happens when Anise goes pyscho: Part 2!