Anise sauntered to the stables not wanting to give the knights any time to try and dissuade her, Tristan right behind her walking stealthily as usual. He didn't say anything to her but kept near her as she muttered to Eiger. As they entered the shady space of the stables he disappeared to saddle his grey dappled stallion and left Anise to attend to her own horse and the Woad. He kept his eyes open for any sudden movement and listened intently to their conversation; his scouting skills alert. They talked of the Woads' situation and Merlin's position within the community until the small squire boy handed Eiger his horse and Anise went off to saddle her own. She had just stepped into her stall which was down the far end of the stable when two hands grabbed her; one covering her mouth and one around her waist, and drew her outside. She was pushed gently against the wall and Gawain suddenly appeared from behind her, his two arms pushing against the wall either side of her. He moved towards her, replacing his hand with his mouth and kissed her passionately; still pushing her back into the wall. He released her after a few moments to let them both catch their breath. Anise eyed him with surprise and breathed heavily as he placed his forehead on hers.
"Why wouldn't you let me go with you?" he moaned into her curls.
"Because you'd forever be doing things like that." Chuckled Anise before catching his frown.
"Are you saying you didn't like it?" he teased, a smile tugging at his lips.
"No my dear Knight, of course I'm not saying that." She smiled. "But I need to concentrate."
Gawain sighed against her skin and moved a hand to brush a curl out of her face, looking longingly into her eyes.
"You'll have to be careful. This could be a trap." He frowned again, his voice tinged with concern.
"I know, but Tristan will be prepared." Anise shifted beneath him and shivered when he moved with her and cupped her face with his hand. "I have to leave Gawain. They'll be wondering where I am."
"Don't go." He whispered and devoured her lips once more in a heated kiss.
Anise shook her head and walked back to the stables; Gawain watching her disappearing figure before walking off towards the awaiting knights on the battlements.
"Are you ready to go Lady Anise?" came Tristan's rumbling voice behind her as she finished preparing her horse; a dark mare named Vega, startling her out of her thoughts. The dark knight eyed her with a blank expression as she nodded and began leading her horse out of the stall. Tristan mounted his own awaiting stallion; being careful to check all of his weapons were secured to the saddle and waited for Anise and Eiger to join him in the courtyard. After a few moments they were ready to go and waited patiently for the guards to open the gates; Tristan watching the Woad intently and reminding him of just how deadly this Knight was known to be.
The other Knights and Arthur stood atop the battlements; jeering each other as was custom, but Gawain stared sullenly towards the forest and Arthur joined him.
"Tristan is prepared for these things. He's constantly on guard and won't let anything happen to her, you know all this Gawain." Murmured Arthur as not to attract the attention of the other men.
"It doesn't make it any easier Arthur." Growled Gawain, resting his arms on the rough stone and letting his long, blonde braids cover his view of the other Knights.
Arthur nodded his agreement silently and leaned over the wall slightly as the gates were dragged open and three horses went thundering out; a plume of dust behind them. They didn't look back as they headed for the forest; each had they own reason for doing so. For Eiger there was no reason to and he was glad to be rid of the Knights; those stares were shaking him to his core. Tristan never looked back, always keeping his mind on the situation at hand; after all he could die at any time and didn't need distractions. Anise chose not to look back as she knew who would be stood there; his kiss still lingering on her lips, and on her mind.
Tristan was on full alert as they entered the darkened forest. His dark eyes scanned the dense canopy for any Woad archers and skimmed over the undergrowth and surrounding area for any sign of an ambush. Upon finding none he let Eiger lead the way and settled his horse in a steady gait next to Anise. The forest was silent apart from the rustling of the leaves in the breeze and the horses' hooves snapping the twigs underfoot. Eiger left the two to themselves, distancing his horse a little from them so he wouldn't have to catch the scout's lethal glares and so that the two could talk without him eavesdropping. Anise adjusted to the new light and took to observing her surroundings, pulling her cloak a little tighter around her. Tristan had noticed her movement from behind his tousled braids as the breeze had whipped them gently across his face and he decided to talk to her. He didn't talk much and very rarely did he start a conversation with anyone but there was a question that was niggling at him.
"Why did you pick me?"
Anise turned as the quiet but rumbling voice met her ears. Tristan was gazing at her curiously, but still with his usual unreadable expression.
"I knew of your talents as a scout and thought that if this should be a trap you would be the most prepared." Anise replied, but lowering her voice in the hush of the forest.
Tristan cocked an eyebrow as he returned his gaze to Eiger and the path ahead, pausing to check the canopy once again.
"I also knew that you like to be outdoors. And that you would be the most skilled killer if there was an ambush." Whispered Anise, still looking at the scout.
Tristan was surprised by what she had said and lowered his head back to face her; a look of slight confusion flitting across his mysterious eyes. Anise smiled kindly at the dark knight and he was surprised again at her actions before allowing himself the indulgence of returning a small smile. She wasn't troubled by his sinister nature, but instead understood his temperament where as so many would have felt uncomfortable around him.
It was nearing dusk when they finally arrived at the Woad village. It was camouflaged well amongst the shade of the trees and lush undergrowth. It was hard to tell where the village ended as it all seemed to blend into the same greens and browns of the dappled light of the forest. Tristan kept his hand firmly on the hilt of his sword as they dismounted and followed Eiger into the heart of the village. The Woad people came out of their small huts and peered curiously at the sight before them. Small Woad children were held back in the doorway by the protective arm of intrigued parents as the two outsiders passed. A peculiar hush came across the village as its habitants looked on at the new arrivals, every small sound carrying across the leafy expanse. Eiger strode ahead, his blue form seeming to look so normal against all the others. Anise and Tristan walked side by side; Tristan's eyes sweeping intently over everything, checking for any signs of danger and Anise looking around in wonder at what she saw before her. Her anxiousness started to rise the deeper they went into the village though and she shifted towards Tristan. He looked at her briefly, a slight look of bewilderment at her closeness but he accepted it quickly and continued with his observations of the Woad community.
Eiger stopped outside a large tent and pushed open the flap covering the entrance and motioned for them to go inside. Anise looked uncertainly at Tristan before he nodded and she ducked into the candle-lit tent. He followed suit, his braided hair falling in front of his face as he bent to enter the tent only to look over his shoulder as Eiger followed him in and let the flap flutter shut. The Woad smiled widely at them and motioned for them to sit on the scattered cushions on the floor covered haphazardly with rugs and carpets. Tristan sat down warily eyeing his surroundings and grunted his thanks as Eiger offered him a cup of ale. Anise took the ale willingly and settled herself onto a large, fur covered pellet.
"They should be here soon." Stated Eiger; his Briton competent and layered with the accent of the Woads.
Tristan muttered something darkly in Sarmatian as Anise sipped from her cup.
"Who's they?" she asked with concern.
"The village elders." Replied Eiger as he drank from his own cup. "They will discuss with you the position that you stand in."
A boy, not much younger than Anise appeared at the entrance of the tent and spoke quickly to Eiger in Celtic. Eiger shooed the boy out and turned to face his guests with a look of exasperation.
"I'm afraid one of the Elders has had to attend to someone in the village as he is also a healer. They will meet with you in the morning so you shall sleep here tonight. I shall have this tent guarded at all times so there is no need for you to be on watch Knight." The Woad commented as Tristan made a movement as if to stand. "I bid you goodnight, everything you need should be here." He said as he ducked out of the tent flap and disappeared into the gathering darkness.
Tristan sighed in annoyance and looked over to Anise who sat eyeing him over her cup of ale. He returned his gaze to the tent and deciding he could do with the rest lounged on one of the fur pellets that bordered one side of the tent. Anise too felt the need to rest and went about blowing out the candles silently before lying herself down into the comforting furs and sighing softly in the stillness that followed. Tristan became aware of her watching him once again and shifted himself to look at her as she lay near him on the floor; her eyes glinting in the shadows and her breathing coming in hushed tones.
"Do you think it to be a trap?" Her voice whispered out, cutting a swathe through the silence.
"Who can say?" he replied flatly, his thoughts elsewhere.
"Hmm." murmured Anise before yawning weakly as her tiredness crept up on her.
"You care for him don't you?" Tristan's voice suddenly whispered, still in his deep rumble, surprising her. She knew how little he talked and his behaviour towards her seemed more relaxed than usual.
"Who?"
"Gawain. I saw you two together today outside the stables."
Anise blushed furiously at his words, memories of Gawain's kisses flashing across her mind and she exhaled softly before replying.
"Yes." The scout smiled inwardly at her reply and pressed the matter no further, only sinking into the furs around him and letting his own memories soothe him into slumber.
A/N: Do the Woads speak Celtic? I guessed so correct me if I'm wrong and I'll change it lol. Oooh bit steamy at the beginning, but we got a nice little narrative with Tristan running. I tried to make him a bit friendly but not too much, we still need him to be quiet hehehe. So what did you think? You know what to do by now, review! lol Thanks x