"Right men," began Lancelot in an authorative tone which simply led to eye-rolling, smirks and jeering from the other Knights. "I shall do all the negotiating on this mission and of course Tristan will scout ahead and check for danger. The rest of you just stand there and look pretty, although Bors I think it best if you just stand there." Lancelot finished with a triumphant smirk as a cheer of laughter erupted and Bors shot him a deadly glare.
"Tristan." Acknowledged Lancelot with a nod of the head and watched as the dark scout urged his horse into a gallop and rode off into the snowy woodland.
The Knights set a steady pace on their journey, not going too fast in case Tristan returned with danger and so filled their time with idle chatter, bantering and all round good fun.
"So Lancelot," called Galahad to the front of their line of horses. "What might we expect with you in command?" He asked with a snort and gained a laugh from Gawain who rode beside him.
"Ah but good fun of course Galahad." Smirked Lancelot wickedly and turned to face the other Knights. "Good food, good ale and good company, although the women may be lacking as this is an outpost so we'll just have to make do with you Galahad."
Galahad's laughter stopped and his face dropped instantly, his eyes wide with shock which simply fuelled the Knights' laughter. Slowly though his face grew angry and he glared daggers at Lancelot's smiling face.
"Aye, you obviously aren't filling their needs any longer Lancelot." Growled the younger Knight with humour and it was Lancelot's turn to look shocked.
This type of talk was not uncommon for the Knights but it certainly helped bring ease to the mission and they all had to agree that they were more relaxed under Lancelot's command, if not mocking. Tristan returned after another hour or so and spoke of no immediate danger so the small group urged their horses into gallops and set off towards the warmth of the outpost.
"Come now Jocosta, we'll be late." Cried Day in anguish, but with an excited smile as she waited in her younger sister's chamber.
"Be patient Day! I'm almost ready; I just can't quite get my hair right…" Called back the girl with an exasperated groan as she attempted to fix her hair for what seemed like the hundredth time.
Day sighed amused and came around the screen to catch her sister's gaze in the mirror. She came up behind her from her place on the stool and gently brushed her younger sister's hands away from the braiding and took it upon herself to finish it. Jocosta smiled thankfully and remembered the many times Day had done this before, like a true mother figure.
"Almost done." Commented the older girl quietly as her nimble fingers gently tucked Jocosta's auburn locks up and fixed them with clips. Day stood back proudly and rested her chin on her little sister's head, being careful not to ruin her work though.
"Thank you sister." Sighed Jocosta contently as they gazed at one another in the mirror and Day let her eyes sweep over the form of her younger sister.
"You are growing into a fine woman Jocosta, that much is plain to see, you look wonderful." Smiled Day warmly and let the younger girl embrace her tightly. "We best be off, but first I have a present for you." Whispered Day as she looked towards the window and excitedly led the girl into her and Tristan's chamber.
Jocosta looked around in interest as the many exotic items held in the new room but stopped when Day presented her with a small gift and an excited smile.
"Open it." Pushed Day when Jocosta looked up to her uncertainly.
With cautious fingers Jocosta unwrapped the small object and let out a small sob as she unveiled the gift.
"But I thought it was broken…" she whispered quietly and a few stray tears ran down her cheeks.
"It was, but I went to the blacksmiths in the fort and he fixed it for me." Remarked Day softly as she took the small necklace and placed it around her sister's neck. "Mother would have wanted you to have it."
Jocosta could do no more than finger the small Woad pendant that laid heavily against her chest and smile up wonderingly at her sister.
"Come we must be off!" cried Day expectantly and rushed her sister from the room.
Eiger watched proudly as the village bustled around in preparations for this evening's celebration. Not only was his youngest daughter to be growing up, but also to be completing her rites of passage as a young woman.
He allowed himself a contented sigh as a younger man approached him and stood beside him in silence.
"Father, are you sure you're making the right choice?" asked the boy evenly as the two watched the villagers rushing around below them from their place on the brow of a small hill.
Eiger turned to his son and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"Of course. It is her time." He replied gently and watched Gryfn nod slowly and return his gaze to the village.
Gryfn had always been protective of his younger sister, as had they all, and he simply wanted her happiness and if this was the way to do it, then so be it.
"The preparations are finished." Called a young boy from the centre of the village and Eiger returned a shout of thanks.
"Just in time to." He added with humour as two horses appeared with his daughters.
The girls jumped down from their horses and were greeted with calls of joy, welcoming gestures and many smiles from the villagers. They were all returned by the sisters and friendly conversations were exchanged. This stopped, however, as Eiger and Gryfn approached the small circle of people and Jocosta let out a cry of pleasure.
"Father! Gryfn!" She called as she launched herself towards the two men and was caught by warm and comforting arms.
"The fort has done you good I see." Commented Eiger warmly as he brought his daughter level with him.
Jocosta simply nodded, her smile widening, before her father released her and she made her way to her brother.
"Brideag." Breathed Gryfn warmly, calling Jocosta by his childhood nickname for her; little woman in Celtic, as she would always try to copy Day.
"Brigh." She replied as she hugged him closer, returning the nickname; strong.
"I don't suppose I should be calling you that anymore as know you are to become a true woman." Said Gryfn quietly as he tightened his arms around the slender frame of his sister.
"You will always call me that Gryfn." She retorted softly and laughed as his face softened even more so.
Eiger was greeting his eldest daughter, hugging her tightly against him and watching her closely. She held an air of calm about her one which she had always possessed, but she had peace with it.
"Are you going to tell me?" He asked questioningly yet with a small smile.
Day chuckled at his insistence and promised she would later.
"Day!" called her brother's deep voice and she turned away from her father to look at him.
He was stood with a protective arm around Jocosta and it reminded her so much of their childhood days that she could do little to suppress a sad smile. Gryfn left Jocosta though and took his older sister into a deep hug, he too remembering how she would comfort them both when their father could not.
"I've heard about the Knight." He whispered to her in a teasing, yet stern voice and Day squeezed his arm playfully.
"Meaning?"
Grfyn simply laughed and broke the embrace so that the girls could unpack their horses and settle into a tent.
Day waited until they were in the confines of the tent in which Jocosta and herself would be staying and smiled as the familiar chatter of her family subsided and all looked towards her with intrigue. Jocosta realised what was about to be said and looked up happily to the confused faces of her father and brother before nodding back to her sister and waiting with hesitant breath.
"As you both know," began Day evenly and calming her shaking hands. "As you both know I am in love with Tristan. And as Jocosta knows, I am to be married to him and have his child." Finished Day quickly and cast her emerald gaze upwards to study her brother and father's reaction.
Eiger softened as he saw the worry in his daughter's eyes and indulged her with a caring smile.
"Oh my Day." Was all he said quietly as he strode over to her and took her into his strong arms.
Day relaxed instantly into his grip and let out a heavy breath, releasing all her worries in one go. Gryfn joined them and hugged his sister from the other side, whispering something in her ear.
"We always knew you'd make a fine mother. Let's just hope he's good enough for you."
Jocosta too joined the small gathering and fought back the tears as she looked over her family. Eiger noticed her by his side, her eyes brimming with tears and welcomed her into his arms. She accepted happily and shared the loving warmth of this memory until they remembered it was her birthday and parted to begin the celebrations.
"Argh, damn Romans." Groaned Lancelot with frustration as he joined his fellow Knights in the small courtyard of the foreign outpost.
"What is it?" asked Gawain with some concern before casting a nearby Roman a fierce glare.
"Can't do anything right. Can't even tell us whether these are Woad rebels or not or from whence they've come forth." Relayed Lancelot angrily and scuffed at the dirt beneath his boots.
Bors muttered something roughly beneath his breath and shouted for a nearby passing boy to point them towards the tavern. The small boy looked up wide-eyed at the burly Knight and reached out a shaking arm to point down a side street before scurrying off in fear.
"Drink boys?" He asked with a hearty laugh and the small party trudged off in search of the tavern.
"Well why don't we just go out, wait for them to attack the fort as they have been doing on a near daily basis and then deal with them then?" suggested Galahad, his words slurring a little as he sloshed his mug of ale around in a careless fashion.
"Hmm, the boy has a point." Agreed an equally tipsy Gawain and stopped a passing barmaid to request another pitcher of ale.
"What other options do we have?" asked Lancelot to the table, but mostly to Tristan.
The scout shrugged casually and pointed his ale towards Galahad, ale spilling over the rim and splashing onto the table.
"I'm with the boy." He muttered a little inebriated and Lancelot seemed to nod firmly.
"Very well, as we are all in agreement, which I'm sure we are." He announced to the table, swaying a little as he spoke. "Then I declare we do what Galahad over here said. But first we finish our drinks." He added hastily and smirked proudly when the Knights roared their agreement.
"What are we doing out here again?" Questioned Galahad with a frown as the Knights sat on their horses in wait in the woods, none too quietly either.
It had taken them long enough to get to this stage after Gawain had got on his horse backwards, Bors had his horse ride off with him only half on and Lancelot had fallen off his in a drunken stupor; all very much to the amusement of the other Knights.
"Well it was your idea Galahad." Hissed Lancelot loudly as he batted at an overhanging tree branch near his head.
"Something about Woads wasn't it?" announced Dagonet, blinking firmly and shaking his head to rid his vision of the blue figures that were steadily approaching them.
"That was it!" cried Galahad in delight as he remembered before he fell about laughing for no apparent reason.
"What's so funny?" murmured Gawain as he rubbed his face and swayed to stop the three Galahad's from blurring in his vision.
"Dagonet can see them too!" exclaimed Galahad loudly, continuing to laugh and the other Knights looked up, each in their own drunken states.
"Bollocks." Groaned Lancelot as he looked over the strip of blue currently stood in front of them. "Why didn't you see them Tristan?" asked Lancelot lazily as he valiantly restrained himself from slipping from his saddle.
There came no answer so the other Knights turned to look at the normally silent scout. Tristan was seemingly talking to a branch that was perched on his arm and stroking the bark lovingly.
"What the hell are you doing Tristan?" Rumbled Bors brusquely and Tristan looked up plainly at the voice.
"Talking to my hawk."
"That's a branch you daft git." Shouted Lancelot and Tristan rubbed his eyes before laughing a little and throwing the branch to the forest floor.
He shook his head a little as his laughing ceased and raised his head to see the blue figures.
"Oh."
A/N: Oooo cliffhanger, dun dun daaa! lol I was going to add my lil twist in there but it would have been way too rushed so I'll do it in the next chapter hopefully. The drunken bit wasn't going to happen but as I was writing it suddenly came to mind and I could imagine it all so clearly that it had to be in there lol, hope you all found it as amusing as me lol. What ever will happen to the Knights? And what will happen at Jocosta's lil bash that Gryfn could be worried about? Find out in the next installment of 'Death awaits those' ! -cue corny music- lol Thanks x