"I think that's enough for today Lady Anise." Smiled Day as she looked upon the weary although enthusiastic face of Anise.
"Thank you Lady Day." Breathed Anise, running her hand through her curls and pushing them back off her face.
Day nodded with a smile and began packing up the swords and other equipment, hoisting them across her shoulder and trudging off the practice field. She didn't notice Tristan lurking next to the wall until she heard the distinct sound of someone biting into an apple.
"Oh Sir, I mean, Tristan… you startled me." Day breathed in relief as she span at the noise.
Tristan looked up from beneath his unruly braids; his mouth moving slowly as he chewed the apple and he eyed Day with a passive expression, but a slight smile in his dark eyes.
Day shook her hair out of her eyes before moving off again towards her chamber. She strolled through the busy streets with her weapons bouncing on her back and the wind whipping over her exposed midriff.
"You knew some interesting moves out there today." A deep voice rumbled in her ear all of a sudden.
Day knew who it was and carried on walking with the dark Knight close to her.
"Perhaps if you teach me some more of your skills I'll teach you some of mine." Day teased with a wicked smile and glanced out the corner of her eye to see Tristan stalking along steadily at her left shoulder.
"That can be arranged." He whispered in his husky growl and smirked to himself.
They approached her chamber and Day opened the door and flung her weapons down on her bed. Her muscles ached from the sudden difference in temperature from the cold outside to the warmth inside. She let her hair down from its bun and rolled her shoulders in an attempt to relieve some of the tension. Tristan watched her with concentration and leant against her doorframe as she kept her back to him.
"You can come in if you wish." Commented Day sleepily and turned her elegant emerald gaze upon him.
Tristan shifted and moved into the room before closing the door behind him. Day smirked slightly as he plonked himself into the chair near her bedside and continued to watch her; his eyes trailing lazily over her hair and shoulders, over the tattoos which wrapped themselves around her and then he moved back to her sharp eyes. Day allowed him his analysis for a few moments before gliding across the room and dragging a screen across to cut the room in two.
"I hope you don't mind but I need to rid myself of these clothes and change into something more appropriate." She called over the screen and peeked around the corner to see him staring intently at it.
Tristan made no comment and she took it to be consent for her to do so and quickly shed herself of the constricting Woad attire. Clutching a dress from the wardrobe in front of her she raised it over her head and let it slide down her arms in a sweeping motion.
Tristan sat staring at the screen with impatience; his tousled hair falling across his face and his hands clenched tightly together. But he decided enough was enough when he saw the dress appear at the top of the screen and silently moved from his position in the chair.
Day was adjusting the dress' creases around herself when she felt Tristan's presence loom behind her and his hands slide down her arms in a firm grasp. She breathed softly as he pushed himself behind her and she felt herself melt into his embrace. His warm hands had reached her wrists now and with a swift movement he had then within his grasp, but his face was buried in her hair and moved languidly towards her ear so she could feel his breath on her neck. With a sudden twitch Tristan had turned her to face him and they stood staring at each other. Day's eyes roamed over his face and she watched as his eyes filled with passion caught hers and forced her to look into them. Tristan could hold his curiosity no longer and kissed her hungrily. Her wrists were still within his grasp but she felt it soften and release as he glided his strong hands up her willowy arms once more. After a few moments Tristan released her and Day looked at him with a mixture of surprise, desire and bliss adorning her face. Tristan couldn't help but gaze into her subtle eyes as he backed away and walked out of the room. Day frowned at his abrupt departure and dejectedly pushed the screen back before drifting from the room.
"When were you going to tell me?"
Galahad's voice unexpectedly appeared from behind Gawain.
"Tell you what?" replied Gawain panic-stricken.
Galahad scoffed and rolled his eyes at his friend.
"About you and Anise."
Gawain froze at his friend's words and couldn't help but notice the slight bitterness in his voice.
"I was going to tell everyone together Galahad."
"But I'm your best friend!" retorted Galahad incredulously.
Gawain looked at his friend's outraged expression and pulled the younger man by the shoulder towards a quiet spot.
"I wanted to make it known to everyone at the same time so then it would be as much news to you as anyone." Gawain explained with a shrug and watched as Galahad calmed a little.
Galahad mulled it over for a while in silence before looking at Gawain with a frown.
"Does anyone else know?"
Gawain sighed and let his eyes wander so he wouldn't have to look at Galahad's appalled expression.
"Tristan."
"Tristan!" Galahad almost shouted until Gawain gave him a punch in the arm to shut up him.
"He found us out, but other than that no. No-one else knows. So you should count your self special." Hissed Gawain.
Galahad pouted a little before Gawain chuckled and nudged him so that he'd look up.
"Is this your happy face?"
Galahad broke into a smile at his friend's comment and finally congratulated him on finding happiness. His thoughts were dispersed though when a rather confused looking Day glided past.
"Lady Day!" he called and ran after her, leaving Gawain to make his way to the stables.
Day stopped hastily and stared at Galahad who emerged by her side.
"I was just wondering if you would take a walk with me in the gardens." He asked casually.
Day smiled awkwardly before accepting his arm and allowing him to lead her outside. The two made small talk as they wandered around the misty grounds and greeted others bustling past with a small smile and polite hello. Galahad was surprised at how light she felt on his arm and remembered their fight that morning, and how he had resisted the urge to cut her throat.
"What are you doing here?" He hissed angrily and grabbed her arms to bring her in front of him after he had checked they were alone.
Day's mouth opened in a silent protest at his sudden change in behaviour and he tightened his grip on her arms; shaking her a little.
"What do you mean?" she finally gasped out.
"Well you can't just be here to 'train' the Lady Anise. I saw the way you were watching us Knights at the practice ground. You're a Woad spy aren't you?" Galahad spat out in a fierce whisper, his fingers digging into her arms with brutal force.
"And what would be the use in that Sir Knight?" she hissed back, her eyes starting to turn a darker shade of green. "We are allied, and we want to keep it that way, whether or not you do is of no consequence to us."
Galahad snorted irritably at her response and defiance and pushed her away from him. After she had found her balance she stood staring at him until he walked forward and brought his face close to her's with his finger pointing in her face.
"I'll be watching you Lady Day. So it would be in your best interest to either leave or be very cautious of what you do."
He glared at her in silence once more before stalking away heatedly and leaving her to shake with the intensity of it all. Day gathered her thoughts and stomped off in the opposite direction; her hair flying out behind her and her face like thunder.
Anise caught sight of Day rushing along the passageway as she rounded the corner and caught her in her arms to stop herself from being knocked over. Day didn't realise who it was at first and made to excuse herself until Anise put a calming hand on her head and shushed her.
"What's the matter?" Anise asked quietly, looking at Day's teary eyes with concern.
Day didn't answer but instead buried her head into Anise's shoulder and sobbed helplessly. Anise let the girl weep into her and held her close, stroking her hair comfortingly. After a few minutes Day's sobs subsided but she stayed in her existing position until she had consoled herself fully. Day raised her head to look at Anise who frowned at her in concern.
"What's happened?" she asked quietly.
Day hadn't time to answer before the Knights rounded the corner and stopped still from the look of Anise's anxious expression and the telltale streaks that glistened across Day's face.
"Lady Day, are you alright?" Arthur asked with worry and rushed forward to check on her.
"I'm fine Arthur." Day replied sniffing and she cast her eyes downwards.
Galahad felt alarm rising as he stared at Anise who seemed troubled by something.
"Well whatever's happened?" goaded Arthur gently.
"Nothing. It's of no consequence." She replied curtly and excused herself from their presence and hurried off down the passageway.
Arthur turned to Anise and peered at her with a frown.
"Did she say anything to you?"
"Nothing Arthur. She wouldn't tell me anything." Anise shook her head in disquiet and looked down the empty corridor.
Galahad's alarm vanished at her words and he reassured himself that Day hadn't mentioned anything of his verbal assault on her. But why? Galahad mentally scolded himself and returned to the situation at hand.
"I'm sure she'll be fine Arthur. You know women." Laughed Galahad trying to lighten the situation and move the subject on.
Arthur hummed his agreement and continued the conversation on from before they had encountered Day, but he gave Anise a glance to go and talk to her.
As the Knights began to move on their way towards the tavern Gawain walked forward and grasped Anise's hand in his.
"What are you doing?" she hissed, and noticing the silly smile on his face the realisation suddenly dawned. "Oh no, not now!"
Gawain ignored her and cleared his throat and waited for the Knights to give him their silence and attention in preparation for his announcement.
"Knights, Arthur," began Gawain with a broad smile. "I just wished to make it known that Anise and I are a couple."
Silence and shocked expressions fell over the party but Gawain kept his ridiculous grin and Anise couldn't help but smile with him.
A/N: Aww Tristan finally claimed Day as his lol. Tut tut Galahad you big bully! Pushing poor Day around like that could get you into all sorts of trouble you know lol. And now the Knights know of Gawain and his girlfriend but however will they react? Hmmm methinks...Anyway so tell me what YOU think first lol. Thanks x