Jocosta walked back slowly towards her chamber that she was sharing with Day, her mind drifting back to the forest. That was were she truly belonged, in the depths of the forest, surrounded by Mother Nature. Day had adapted much more easily to life outside the forest than Jocosta ever could but she was growing used to her new surroundings and was beginning to familiarise certain things with them. Upon nearing the chamber, Jocosta stopped short and immediately turned the other way. A blush imprinted itself firmly upon her cheeks as she hurried away from the room and the noises emanating from Tristan's chamber. She didn't see Galahad until she nearly ran full pelt into him in the middle of the gardens. He caught her by the arms as she hurried along and she gasped in shock before glancing around and trying to recognise where she was.
"I'm sorry Galahad." She said after a minute and felt him gazing at her curiously. "What is it?"
"Why are you blushing so?" He asked with a hint of a smile.
This simply caused Jocosta to blush more and Galahad smiled down at her, still holding onto her arms.
"Well I think it's between Tristan and my sister." She murmured quietly, emphasising the words and watched as realisation dawned on the young Knight's face.
"Oh." He murmured uncomfortably and released her from his grip and cleared his throat.
Jocosta stood there at a loss of where to go and Galahad smiled at her.
"Would you like to come out riding with me?" He asked warmly and with an expectant gleam to his eyes.
"Well, yes thank you. It would be splendid to go outside." Replied Jocosta and couldn't help but smile back as Galahad's smile grew.
He all but dragged her to the stables as they hurried towards the stables and gathered their horses.
He helped Jocosta mount her horse and led her mare and his stallion out into the courtyard before running off to tell Gawain where they were going, who was sat in the tavern. Gawain smiled knowingly and exchanged amused glances with Anise who was huddled up next to him.
"Are you ready?" Galahad asked eagerly as he mounted his own horse next to Jocosta.
Nodding gladly, Jocosta followed Galahad's lead and kicked her horse into motion.
Tristan and Anise lay there thoughtfully; Day nestled into Tristan's side and his arm reaching around to caress her shoulder wistfully.
"What will happen to us?" Day asked after a while, her head bobbing gently as Tristan's chest rose and fell with his breathing.
Tristan lifted his head briefly as Day shifted to look at him, before lying back with a thoughtful smile and running his fingers through her hair.
"We will get married, have our child and once I am granted my freedom, do whatever we please." He replied in his deep rumble and Day sighed against his warm chest.
"Do you want to return to Sarmatia?" She asked quietly, her fingers dancing lightly across the many scars and rivulets adorning his taut chest.
Tristan sighed softly and thought for a moment in silence. He had often thought about what he would do with his freedom once he was discharged but had always seen himself becoming a wanderer, much like his nomadic tribe back in Sarmatia. Day had changed everything for him now. He never thought he would find love, and even less have a child. He smiled softly as he thought about a child of his own running around, him and Day playing with the child in the sunshine of summer and cuddling them close at night in the harsh winter. He roused himself from his daydreams and thought hard about what his freedom would mean for both Day and himself, and now their child.
"We could return to your tribe if you wish." He said casually after a moment or so and sighed contentedly as Day's fingers brushed across his chest and down his arms.
"But what of Sarmatia? Surely you must want to go home." Tristan could hear the confusion lacing Day's voice and moved down the bed so that they were lying next to each other.
"I had always thought of becoming a wanderer anyway. Sarmatia holds no promise for me and what with you bearing child I would prefer for us to stay somewhere where we are happy. Living with your clan will be as close to nature as I could ever dream and wherever we're happy is home enough for me." He murmured quietly and pressed a delicate kiss onto Day's forehead.
She smiled at his touch and hugged him tightly to her, breathing in the memory of this moment and letting the surge of love she felt run through her.
"What are we to say?" She asked suddenly as she thought of the Knights and jerked up onto her elbows.
"What is there to say? The truth is what we say." Tristan murmured plainly, twirling a lock of her hair through his fingers and revelling in the silky smoothness of it. "We'll announce it tonight."
Day relaxed and let her eyes close as Tristan reached up and kissed her fully.
The pair were wheeling around on their horses through the snow. The cold wind blowing back in their faces and whipping Jocosta's hair into a frenzy as she closed her eyes and simply felt exhilarated by the icy blast of air. Galahad watched her with wonder and smiled widely at the feeling of freedom, letting his horse gallop wildly across the snowy plains. After a while they slowed to a stop and dismounted their horses by a small copse of trees. They both panted for a minute as they attempted to catch their breath from the stimulation of the ride and watched as their horses nudged at the snow irritably, that was until they found some frozen grass and began grazing. Jocosta and Galahad moved to sit under the tree and simply looked out at the wintry scene before them, marvelling in its beauty.
"So what's it like living in the forest all year round?" asked Galahad with intrigue, resting his head against the tree trunk behind them and tilting his head to look at the girl sat next to him.
"Well, it's nothing like the fort. Obviously." Laughed Jocosta and relaxed against the tree beside Galahad. "It's…its more beautiful. You're constantly surrounded by nature and you can see all its splendours rather than just the blood on the land. I've grown up my whole life with watching the seasons changing, learning the lie of the land, the way of the forest, being a child of nature." Jocosta sighed as she finished and felt a shiver run through here from sitting on the cold earth.
"Oh I'm sorry you must be cold, you're only wearing a thin cloak. Here." Rambled Galahad quickly as he loosened his own cloak from himself and moved to place it around Jocosta.
"Oh no, I'm fine really." Insisted Jocosta but Galahad was leaving no room for argument.
Galahad placed the cloak firmly round Jocosta' shoulders and smiled in a satisfied way at his actions when she thanked him and snuggled into the warm fabric. He sat back against the tree again, his curls being set astray by the rough bark and made idle talk with Jocosta. They laughed and smiled at each other's jokes and eventually had to leave when the cold became too much. Jocosta offered Galahad his cloak back but he smiled and told her to keep it as he helped her mount her horse and they set off back towards the fort.
Day and Tristan were walking hand in hand when they reached the tavern and entered the warm bustle with a smile. Dagonet glanced over at Day and she smiled back warmly and he returned to talking to Bors with a polite nod. Jocosta and Galahad arrived at that point, shaking the snow from themselves and basking in the warmth of the tavern before coming to sit down together at the table. Tristan and Day stayed stood and everyone round the table eyed them curiously; it wasn't like the stoic scout to make announcements or look happy so it was intriguing for everyone.
"Well what is it lad?" Asked Bors after a moment of tense silence and everyone chuckled quietly.
"Day and I are getting married." Announced Tristan proudly and squeezed Day's hand softly as everyone cheered and congratulated them.
Dagonet smiled broadly at the couple but looked towards Day with a questioningly glance to which she smirked knowingly and looked back towards the dark scout beside her.
"And…" said Tristan calmly as he waited for the raucous to quieten. "Day is with child." His face broke out into a broad smile and Vanora who had come over to the table, screamed and threw herself at Day, hugging her fiercely and laughing. Tristan received slaps across the back and handshakes from the Knights as well as cheers and applause and Day heard him laugh, really laugh, for the first time. She allowed herself to be swamped by hugs and squeals from Anise and Vanora before looking towards her sister. So far Jocosta had sat staring at Galahad in shock whilst he congratulated her on her sister's new arrival. When she felt Day's gaze on her though she broke out into a smile and hugged her sister in delight; motherhood was something that she knew would come naturally to Day and she had a pretty good idea that Tristan would defend Day and their child with his life. Day let out a sigh of relief at the approval of her sister and kissed her head as she hugged her, before pulling her back and staring at her smiling face.
"Congratulations Day. You'll both make wonderful parents!" whispered Jocosta as tears of joy rose in her eyes.
"You don't know how glad those words make me. And I'm sure you'll make an excellent aunt." Replied Day quietly and chuckled at her sister's obvious joy.
The raucous began to quieten and Day and Tristan sat down at the table; Lancelot giving Tristan winks and slaps on the back and smirking wickedly at Day, much to the amusement of the Knights as Tristan shot him daggers. Everyone was talking and laughing happily until Jocosta burst into tears and buried her head into the chest of the person sat next to her, which just happened to be Galahad. He looked shocked for a second before closing his arms around her and stroking her hair gently and comforting her with whispers.
"Jocosta whatever is the matter?" asked Arthur with concern at the sight of the girl crying.
"I'm just so happy." She replied between choked sobs and the whole table laughed in relief.
"C'mon let's get you back to your room." Said Galahad softly as he stroked her hair and helped her up from the table after she had nodded her approval.
"Congratulations Day and Tristan. You're going to make wonderful parents." Stuttered out Jocosta as she stood from the table and let Galahad start to lead her away.
Just before they both walked out the door Day called after her.
"Jocosta! You'll be my maid of honour won't you?" Her face was one of sheer joy and her smile was as wide as it had ever been, with Tristan looking up at her lovingly.
Jocosta turned around at the request and instantly burst into tears again, nodding her head vigorously and receiving another cheer of laughter from the Knights. Galahad caught her hand with a gentle smile and led her from the tavern, pulling her into him and letting her sob into his chest as they walked through the fort. He opened the door to her chamber swiftly and gently pushed her inside and sat her down on her bed, before returning to close the door.
"Come now; stop crying you've already soaked my tunic." Joked the young Knight as he knelt before her on the floor and wiped away her tears.
"I'm sorry." Murmured Jocosta as she sniffled to a stop and heard Galahad chuckle softly for her apologies.
"You've had a big day today; perhaps you should get some sleep." He suggested gently and rose from his knees and helped her stand.
"Yes, thank you Galahad." Jocosta smiled and let him help her screen off a part of the room so she could change.
"Are you happy now Galahad?" He heard her call as he went to sit down in a chair.
He thought to himself for a moment and was still in quiet contemplation when Jocosta appeared from the other side of the screen. She was wearing a flimsy purple nightdress and her long russet hair was brushed so that its silky texture gleamed in the candlelight that lit the room.
"Yes. I am." He replied as a smile worked its way to his lips and he stood up to help Jocosta into bed.
She took his hand gladly as he pulled back the covers for her and she climbed into the comfortable bed. He pulled the covers back up as she settled herself amongst the linens and he smiled down at her. Her deep green eyes gazed back at him as he leant down to brush some of her strands of hair from her face and kiss her softly on the forehead. He moved away slightly and noticed the shine in her eyes, similar to his own as his breath caressed her face from his closeness. He glanced back to her eyes before moving down to her lips and kissing her softly. He pulled back after a moment and gazed at her, noticing the gleam in her eyes and wanting to feel those sumptuous lips more.
"Goodnight Sir Galahad." Whispered Jocosta gently as she smiled up at him and Galahad smiled back before moving back towards the door.
"Goodnight Lady Jocosta." Smirked Galahad as he opened the door, pausing to look back at her and smiling before closing the door behind him.
A/N: I know I promised some Gawain/Anise fluff but I got a bit carried away with letting everyone throw themselves at each other lol. I will have some Gawain/Anise fluff next chapter though, promise! lol so what's the verdict on this new relationship? Hmm...scandalous lol. Although I have an idea for future chapters although it might never happen etc. So tell me what you think as your opinions do count! lol Thanks x