Eyes focused groggily on figures bustling around the bedside and the patient leant out a low groan of pain. The hushed whispers stopped briefly and several dark shapes loomed into the view of the person lying on the bed.
"Lancelot, he's awake." Came Dagonet's soft but booming voice.
One of the dark shapes moved closer into the person's blurry gaze.
"How nice of you to join us Arthur." Came the mocking voice of his second-in-command as Lancelot leant over him with a knowing smirk.
Arthur frowned at his distorted vision and attempted to sit up but was forced back down with a casual shove by Lancelot. Dagonet was prodding about cautiously at Arthur's side where Cerdic's sword has thrust into him and Arthur hissed in pain.
"Sorry." Mumbled Dagonet as he continued his meddling.
Arthur groaned with fatigue and pain again and looked back up at Lancelot. His vision had cleared now and he could clearly focus upon his promiscuous Knight's obvious smirk.
"What happened?" asked Arthur hoarsely as Dagonet began cleaning the wound, causing Arthur to wince and moan out in pain again.
"The Saxon leader decided to take a swipe at you, and no God could help you from the state you were in." replied Lancelot with amusement lacing his voice. "But luckily for you, my friend, I was in close vicinity and killed the Saxon bastard before he finished you off." He finished with a smile and laughed at Arthur's exasperated expression.
"Am I to be thankful for all the gloating you'll do now?" muttered Arthur with mild disdain.
Lancelot laughed loudly and clapped the commander on the shoulder before sitting himself down on a nearby chair. He hadn't changed from his bloody armour and he was still covered in the dirt and grime of the field but he stayed with his friend anyway.
"Almost done." Dagonet announced quietly as he finished bandaging Arthur's side and looked up from his position kneeling on the floor. "You'll have to stay here for a few days to rest Arthur." He added softly and checked the wound again with scrutiny before replacing Arthur's tunic and excusing himself from the room. Arthur could hear voices from another part of the infirmary and looked at Lancelot questioningly. The dark Knight chuckled from his mug of ale and nodded his head further down the room to a screened off section used for stitching. Arthur raised his head to try and see who it was but gave up and let himself lie back into the pillows and let the fatigue wash over him.
"Hold still." Murmured Tristan softly as he held Day's arm within his grip and looked up to meet her eyes. Day's eyes were trained on the gash in her upper arm and she hissed softly as Tristan's thumb brushed near it.
"I'll try and make it as painless as possible." He murmured again in his low rumble and Day relaxed into his grasp.
She bit down on her lip as Tristan pierced her tender skin with the needle and began sewing up the wound. Tristan glanced up at her briefly from behind his braids and Day looked back at him silently. His mouth twitched in anguish as Day whimpered inaudibly as he finished the stitching and broke off the thread with his teeth.
"Thank you." Day whispered gently and Tristan stood back to look over her with appreciation. He had been so close to death, so close to losing her and all he wanted to do now was hold her in his arms and never let her go.
"You won't be able to practice your archery for a few days, or wield a sword." He stated in his throaty rumble and brushed a few stray strands of hair from her face. Day nodded lightly and gave Tristan a small smile as she jumped down from the bed and stood awkwardly gazing at him. After a few more moments in silence Day quietly excused herself from his presence so she could wash the blood from her body and exited the room. Tristan watched her go with a defeated expression before packing away the bandages and needle and pushing the screen back. He glared over to Lancelot who still had a smirk on his face and the dark scout walked over to check on Arthur.
"How is he?" Tristan asked gruffly.
"The cut hasn't hit anything important but it'll take a while to heal." Shrugged Lancelot as he drained his mug of ale and placed it down on the table beside him.
Tristan nodded stonily and exited the infirmary, leaving Lancelot to watch him go.
"Well Arthur I think it's about time I got cleaned up, don't you?" Lancelot murmured cheerily to his sleeping commander before he too left the room.
Tristan was stalking around the corridors of Badon Hill, mulling over the battle and Day's words. He headed for his room in his usual stalk and flung the door open carelessly. He didn't even bother to kick it shut behind him before he started removing his armour and washing away the blood and grime.
Day was in the room opposite, washing away her own blood and dirt. She had been so close to dying, so close to losing him and yet she was scared of something. It was lucky Dagonet had noticed Day and thrust his axe through Cynric's back just as his dagger was inches from Day's throat. The gentle Knight had lifted Day to her feet after kicking away the Saxon from atop her and held her tightly as the relief and shock washed over her. He hadn't said anything to her, only led her away to the infirmary where the others had dragged Arthur after watching him fall beneath Cedric's blade. She should really go thank him, Day thought as she opened her door and appeared in the corridor; a clean, refreshed and thoughtful Day. She stopped short though at the sight of Tristan stood half-naked in his chamber and hesitated for a moment, just watching him. Eventually she shook herself free of her trance and slowly moved forward into his chamber. Tristan was too involved in his thoughts to notice the girl enter his room and close the door silently behind her. Day crept forward towards the brooding Knight and trailed her fingers slowly down his spine. Tristan instantly stiffened in response but didn't move to turn around.
"Did you mean what you said?" He asked in a low growl as he reached behind him and ran his hand deftly through her hair.
"Every word." Day whispered, kissing his shoulders.
Tristan turned round to face her, letting the bloody cloth drop from his hands and land on the floor with a feeble thud.
"I almost died out there today." He admitted quietly. "I was caught unawares as I looked for you and was knocked to the ground. I watched as that axe started coming down towards me and all I could think of was you. Fortunately I managed to grab my sword just in time and block the attack, but I never stopped thinking of you." He murmured softly, his head bowed in defeat.
Day listened to him with silent aching, running her hands over his scars and moving his braids from his face with nimble fingers.
"You're alive and that's what matters now." Whispered Day warmly, not expressing her own near death experience but instead nudging his chin up with her hand so she could look into his eyes. He seemed troubled after the battle and Day simply held him in her arms, comforting him with her warmth and the knowledge that he was loved.
"How's Arthur?" asked Galahad as Lancelot joined them at the table in the tavern.
"Sleeping." Replied Lancelot calmly as a mug of ale was pushed towards him. "He won't be able to fight for a while though. The cut's deep but not life-threatening."
The other Knights nodded in relief and drained their mugs quickly before calling for more. Vanora was rushed off her feet with all the attention they were asking from her and she sighed heavily as she reached the table. The Knights looked up at her, a little surprised, but she waved them off with a smile as Anise and Gawain entered the tavern.
"Anise!" called Vanora as she rushed up to the girl, leaving the pitchers of ale with the Knights.
"Oh hello Vanora." Smiled Anise as the woman met her.
"Jade was asking after you. Poor little mite was scared to death with all the noise from outside. But I sent her to bed and told her you'd see her tomorrow, if it's not too much trouble?" Vanora said with a sad smile as she remembered her daughter's frightened face.
"Of course I will!" replied Anise happily; sensing Vanora's obvious worries. "Where's Arthur?" She asked in confusion as she turned to face the Knights.
A/N: Ok just to let you know I hate this chapter, it royally sucks lol but I thought I had to give you something, even if it is this rubbish lol. Feel very free to make suggestions on how to better it lol. It took me a while to decide who should be hurt/killed as Missy Mouse knows after much debating on msn lol but I did it eventually! Me and Missy Mouse have towrite a King Arthur spoof cos some of the convos we have are so funny lol, and I loved her review about Tristan lol.Oh and I'm going back 2 school in 3 days time so updates will become a rarity, sorry! But if you nag me enough I might do one every once in a while...or I might snap...depends on my mood lol. Btw LANCELOTTRISTANBABY I tried emailing you but it wouldn't send (typical lol) and feel free to use it on your C2 thing, sorry I don't know what one is lol but use it anyway lol! Thanks x