Fleeing through the echoing corridors of the fort, Jocosta couldn't control her breathing from its erratic manner as her slippered feet pounded upon the cool tiles. She ran blindly into people but ignored their shouts and cries as she left them in her wake and instead searched wildly for somewhere to think. Her heart was pounding violently in her ears and she had to wipe at her eyes to stop the tears from consuming her and stopping her vision completely.
"Jocosta!" Came a startled voice as the girl ran full tilt into a young man with ruffled sandy hair and pale blue eyes.
Jocosta jerked her head up; her cheeks flushed from the cold wind outside and her expression startled as she focused on the person who was holding onto her gently.
"Drogn, I'm sorry." She mumbled quickly and went to move from his warm grasp.
"Are you alright, my love?" He asked with concern, his head ducking to see her clearly and a frown troubling his fair brow.
Jocosta gulped down a sob at his words and instead nodded vehemently; her hair bobbing up and down against her shoulders and her eyes avoiding his. Drogn raised an eyebrow gently and allowed his fingers to softly caress her cold arms before letting her go with a sorrowful sigh. Jocosta looked up at him uncertainly and glided away swiftly; her pace not the run it had been before but still a hurrying one.
It was not until she reached the confines of the room that she let herself sink back against the door and pour out all the built-up tears and sobs she had been suppressing for so long. Her body ached with fatigue as she had hardly slept all night, instead had just stared up at the top of the tent she had been sleeping in and wished she had been back in this room, asleep, oblivious to this arrangement. After her tears ran dry and she felt as though she could cry no more she raised herself up off the floor with some difficulty and stumbled towards the bed. The bed creaked slightly as she lowered herself into it and assumed the fetal position, her head resting on her knees, and she let her emotional exhaustion claim her with sleep.
"Galahad?" Day called hesitantly as she approached the dumbfounded Knight from behind, taking small, light steps towards him. Galahad simply stared at the floor in utter disorientation and bewilderment, his mind drawing a blank whilst trying to understand the meaning of Jocosta's words and it wasn't until Day had appeared in front of him and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder that he came to his senses. His head jerked upwards and he looked at Day in surprise whilst she smiled sadly at him.
"But she can't be." He whispered, more to himself than to Day and the girl felt her heart go out to him.
"It was not her decision Galahad. The choice was made in favour of the village, to strengthen our ties with other tribes and it was by the elders' judgement." Countered Day softly; her soft voice hushed and soothing as she took the young Knight by the arm and began to lead him away.
Galahad followed numbly and allowed everything that had happened in the past few minutes to sink in. Day watched him carefully as they made their way through the crowds of the fort and she grew anxious over his silence but put it down to mere shock. She squeezed his arm gently for some form of comfort, her eyes watching over him and the sad expression glazed over her face. The shouts, chatter and calls of the streets faded into a dull murmur as they entered the warmth of the fort itself and its winding corridors. Few people bustled around and they walked in silence past the Table room, past the garden, past the kitchens and the armoury and towards Galahad's chamber. As they came to a halt Galahad seemed to wrench himself from a trance to find Day looking at him patiently and Galahad was thankful for her calmness and kindness of heart. No words were exchanged as Day opened the door for him and ushered him inside, only for them both to stop dead in their tracks and find Jocosta curled up asleep on his bed. Day gave a flustered gasp and tried to move forward to wake the sleeping girl and remove her from the room but a strong hand stopped her.
"Let her sleep." Murmured Galahad in a tender voice as he gazed over at Jocosta.
Day hesitated a moment as was unsure of Galahad's possible actions but felt it was not her place to interfere as Jocosta had not spared him an explanation and he deserved to hear it from her.
"As you wish, but be gentle with her Galahad." Whispered Day gently, her hand coming up to rest upon his on her arm and giving it a faint squeeze. The pair exchanged knowing glances and Day gave the young Knight a sorrowful smile before gliding out of the room and closing the door quietly behind her.
Galahad stood for a moment longer and wrestled with himself as to what to do but eventually decided upon seating himself in a nearby chair and simply thinking about what to do next.
The rest of the Knights had cleaned up hastily before gathering again in the Table room and were there now discussing the mission. They had all decided not to tell Arthur of the slight drunken state of the affair and instead kept it simple, Lancelot relaying most of the story with the odd snippet of information from the rest. Arthur nodded his head sagely, one hand resting on his chin and his face serious until Lancelot had completed the report and then he smiled proudly and clasped his hands together.
"Is he telling the truth boys?" Asked Arthur after a moment, in mock surprise and the others laughed uneasily.
"Of course I am Arthur. Don't tell me you don't believe me?" Countered Lancelot smoothly with a feigned offended gasp.
"No no Lancelot, just I was expecting it to be a total cock-up." Replied Arthur with a laugh, totally oblivious to the tight faces of the other Knights.
"Anyway," began Arthur and everyone breathed a sigh of relief at the change of subject. "As you all know this is Eiger's son, Gryfn, and he'll be visiting regularly with updates and also to teach us some Woad fighting techniques." Said Arthur cheerily as he gestured towards the young warrior who nodded his head politely.
"How old are you boy?" Asked Bors gruffly as he leant further back into his chair.
"16, Sir. But I have been in many battles and am trained well with the sword. I even commanded my own body of fighters in a recent campaign." Stated Gryfn with a determined tone; one that spoke of his hidden strengths and protectiveness of family.
Bors nodded casually, making a small 'ah' sound and Tristan swept his gaze over Gryfn, seemingly assessing his strength and other skills intently. The other Knights appeared to consider the prospect with interest and a general feeling of agreement settled over those gathered.
"Good," said Arthur, clasping his hands together. "I believe we also have another guest who is going to be staying with us over the next few days."
The others frowned and turned to one another with confused expressions when Drogn walked in.
"This is Drogn." Announced Arthur warmly, as the young man sat beside him. "He has recently been betrothed to Jocosta."
There was a silent build-up of tension suddenly in the room and Tristan looked towards Gryfn, silently questioning him and the Woad returned a tense stare. Gawain cursed under his breath and murmured something to himself:
"Galahad is not going to like this."
The others greeted the newcomer with a curt nod and it was returned gracefully. The boy seemed polite and kindly; he had a soft smile on his face, a twinkle in his eye and an air about him that emanated warmness and generosity. Although the others were surprised at the suddenness of this arrangement they could appreciate why it had been decided upon; the boy seemed nice enough on first appearances and they knew nothing of the relationship between their youngest Knight and Jocosta. Eventually they fell into conversation with the boy who they found out to be 18 –the same age as Galahad, from a neighbouring tribe, a good negotiator and leader and a strong believer in family values and honour. It was not until Day entered that the chatter hushed, but she simply stealed across the room and came to sit beside Tristan as the conversation began to flow once again. Tristan's warm hand came to rest across Day's stomach comfortably as she settled in the chair and he looked at her inquisitively from behind his unruly braids.
"Galahad?" He murmured quietly, his breath tickling Day's ear.
She gazed into his dark eyes as he moved backwards, away from her head, and he could see the uncertainty and pain in her eyes.
"His chamber. Jocosta sleeps." She whispered slowly and it took a moment for Tristan to realise what she meant. He raised an eyebrow but simply turned his head back to the table and stroked her smooth hand which had come to rest upon his.
Jocosta awoke, her mind glowingly numb and she sighed a breath of relief, thinking it had all just been a dream; or was that wishing? Her feeling of warmth and comfort was scattered though as she turned over and found Galahad to be seated in a chair on the opposite wall of the room, brooding as he watched her; his eyes dark and his expression stern as he rested his chin on his hand, and his arm on the side of the chair. Jocosta blinked at him for a moment, her innocence striking him painfully in the chest as he watched her and he let loose an aggravated sigh before putting his head in his hand. He had watched her for near an hour and yet he was still battling with his feelings. He could not let her go, true she may not be his but she did not even know the other and he was sure that she felt the same way about him that he did her; something close to love perhaps. Jocosta rose up from the bed slowly, resting upon one of her arms but paused when she was unsure of what to do.
"Galahad…" She mumbled, her voice heavy with guilt and remorse, the sleep still trailing from it's edges.
He lifted his head gradually; her hair was mussed slightly from her sleeping but her deep green eyes were as big and bright as ever, although they seemed to be filled with so many emotions it hurt his head to try and think what they could be. She blinked at him for a long silent moment, what was she to say to him?
"I'm sorry." She whispered and let her hair fall forward in front of her face to hide her eyes. "It came as much a surprise to me as it did to you."
Galahad gulped back a torrent of shouts he wanted to let loose, not at her but at the world for constantly screwing him over so badly.
"You weren't to know." He replied tightly and Jocosta peeked out from behind her hair to look at his grave expression.
"I should go…" She mumbled awkwardly as the tension in the room grew steadily and she jumped down off the bed and began padding across the floor towards the door. Galahad moved quickly, blocking the door so she couldn't leave and folding his arms across his chest.
"You don't love him." He said desperately as she stopped short in front of him.
Jocosta cleared her throat and bade for him to remove his person from the doorway but Galahad only resisted further.
"You don't love him." He reiterated slowly and reached out a hand to cup her cheek.
Jocosta shuddered at his warm touch and shut her eyes tightly to stop the tears from rising again.
"Well?" Asked Galahad after a second and Jocosta shook her head faintly.
"But what is love anyway? How do I know he won't care for me, love me, cherish me?" Whispered Jocosta with passion and she looked up at Galahad; her deep green eyes glistening with unshed tears and her brow furrowed.
"He can't love you anymore than I already do." Said Galahad softly, with such vehemence and feeling in his voice that Jocosta nearly choked on her own breath as she jerked backwards from him.
Hurt welled up from deep within the young Knight and she could see it piercing his eyes as she moved away from him.
"Let me out." She said quietly, her voice not much louder than a whisper and her eyes glaring at him.
"But why? Did you not hear what I just said?" He asked in surprise as he moved towards her.
"Don't you see that your words are the problem? This cannot go on; you must disregard your feelings for me and leave well alone. I am betrothed now, can't you understand? Now let me out." Jocosta hissed violently at Galahad as his face darkened with listening to her words.
"Are you to disregard your feelings for me too?" He growled back and he could watch her tense from his words. He continued edging slowly towards her and Jocosta backed away, until her legs hit the edge of the bed. Galahad stopped mere inches in front of her and Jocosta paused in her frantic searching for a way out.
"You cannot run forever Jocosta." He whispered in a husky voice, his eyes much darker than they usually were.
Galahad was just starting to lean in towards the muddled girl in a passionate kiss when a knock at the door brought them both to their senses. The young Knight stared hard at Jocosta before turning towards the door and asking who it was.
"It's Arthur Galahad. We are looking for Lady Jocosta and we were told she was here." Came the muffled reply from the other side of the door.
"We?" Called Galahad in a deep growl.
"Aye. Drogn is with me." Arthur replied.
Galahad clenched his fists tightly and gritted his teeth before calming striding towards the door and opening it.
The two men looked in to find the girl seemingly asleep on the bed once again and Galahad blinked in surprise. At that moment, Jocosta rolled over at the noise of the intrusion, yawning and rubbing her eyes as if she had just woken.
"Lady Jocosta." Breathed Drogn in relief and rushed forward to help her from the bed.
"Oh, I am sorry Sir Galahad. I must have fallen asleep thinking this was my room." Jocosta commented casually as she stared at him forcefully. Galahad too came forward and offered her his hand so that she could stand. Jocosta's hand wavered in mid-air as she seemingly decided who to choose; finally she placed her hand into Drogn's grasp and allowed him to gently pull her from the bed. Galahad gulped back his anger and stood straight as he watched the couple exiting his room.
"Thank you for your kindness Sir Galahad." Breathed Jocosta calmly as she passed him, her jasmine laden scent wafting past him and he fought to clench his jaw slowly.
"Yes thank you Sir Knight for looking after the Lady Jocosta. She is too precious for me to have hurt." Said Drogn warmly, smiling at the young Knight who bowed his head in respect but did not return the smile.
Arthur gave his Knight a worried look at his behaviour but followed the couple from his chamber and left the angered young man to his thoughts. The thoughts that led to a pitcher of water to be thrown across the room and left shattered as he strode from the room dangerously, heading for the stables which had since become used for training as the snow left the practice fields unusable. The same thoughts which followed the Lady Jocosta from room to room like the ghost of his kiss.
A/N: Well I couldn't very well have Galahad beating the poor guy within an inch of his life as he isn't really to blame but never fear, there may well be a little confrontation on the horizon! Hehehe. But the next chapter will include some more fluff and stuff actually involving the other Knights lol. What do we think of Drogn? And how everyone is reacting? Tell me what you want to see and what you think, please! lol Thanks ever so much for taking the time to review everyone as I know many of you lead very stressful/busy lives like me and it's always lovely to hear from everyone! Thanks x