Tristan stalked swiftly through the streets of the fort; the rain and snow pelting down on him but making no difference. He kept his head up as he walked, his braids covering his face as he battled with his thoughts, his eyes darkening as he pictured Day lying so peacefully on the bed.
Water splashed up his leg as he marched down the warren of alleys, his whole posture emanating power and intensity and sending many a villager and Roman soldier scattering from his path as he ploughed along the emptying streets. Though he was lost in thought, his scouting senses were on high alert; he could hear everything going on around him, see every pair of eyes watching from shadowed doorways, feel every rain drop splash against his leather jerkin.
He felt trapped.
What if Day never woke up? What if she left him here, left him with everything he had not wanted and with even more painful memories?
The ominous scout set her jaw tighter and continued on with his purposeful stride. He knew what he had to do now, and no-one was going to stop him.
Dagonet rounded the corner towards the tavern. His whole countenance was stormy. The Knights gathered in the stables across from the tavern looked upon their comrade with surprise and intrigue, as well as a small amount of fear. Dagonet never got this angry, not unless something really had him riled and even that took a heck of a lot to do.
The tall Knight scanned the tavern, and upon finding nothing, turned to the stables. The Knights stared at him with an unspoken question, calmly watching as he stomped towards them.
"Where is he?" Barked Dagonet harshly, glaring past the Knights to see into the stables.
"Who?" Asked Gawain in confusion, peering around behind him to try and see what Dagonet was looking for.
Dagonet growled and pushed past them to have a closer look in the dim light of the stables.
"Tristan. Now tell me where he is!"
"We 'aven't seen 'im Dag. Why?" Bors told him, walking forwards and placing a calming hand on his friend's broad shoulder.
Dagonet sighed irritably and shrugged off Bor's hand before whirling to face the three shocked Knights with a face like thunder.
"If you see him, tell him I'm looking for him." Dagonet said dangerously low and stormed out of the stables and back into the foul weather.
Bors, Gawain and Galahad looked amongst each other once he'd disappeared from view, shaking their heads and shrugging their shoulder's at each other.
"If ya ask me, look's like Tristan's a dead man." Commented Bors reproachfully, continuing to watch his giant of a friend trudge through the streets from the doorway as the two other Knights walked back towards the benches with an uneasy feeling.
She was bent over the side of the bed, coughing heavily and feeling the jets of pain shooting through her every time she took a breath. Panting coarsely, she raised her drooping head and carefully flopped back onto the bed. Her brown waves were splayed around her and she bit her lip as the pain coursed through her again before subsiding. Her glazed emerald eyes were staring unfocusedly at the rough ceiling and it took her a while before the ability to think returned.
She screwed her eyes shut and tried desperately to hold onto any clarity she might have at that moment; wanting to shut out all the light and just let her think. Her mind was slow and groggy and she could feel the concoctions she'd been given slowly drifting away from her.
"Tristan?" She tried hoarsely, her eyes fluttering open blearily and her head twisting this way and that in an attempt to see him.
The empty infirmary was all that meant her eyes though and she frowned deeply in confusion and felt tears welling up in her eyes.
"Tristan?"
Still there was no answer and Day struggled to sit up; ignoring the throbbing agony and her pained breathing and lifting herself up on her hands. There was no-one there. The room was a mess; towels, smashed bowls, tables, utensils…and blood were strewn everywhere and Day looked around in dizzy wonder.
She licked her lips in search of moisture and tried her voice again.
"Dagonet?"
No-one came. A single hot tear spilled over her cheek and hit the blanket over her with a dull splash. Why had everyone left her? Oh Gods, had something happened to her baby?
Day whipped back the blanket covering her thin and bloodied shift and let out a mixture of a relived sigh and pained gasp as she studied her stomach and saw no stitches up the middle; the baby was not harmed. Her brows knitted in confusion though as her eyes glanced over at the large stitch above her right hip and she gently ran a finger over the bloody twine that held it together.
A fresh shot of pain blinded her and she gasped loudly as her hand froze in mid-air and she fell back to the bed with an agonized groan.
"Tristan?" She whispered tearfully as a figure loomed cautiously near the bedside, Day's hand reaching out to touch them before everything faded to black and her arm dropped limply to the bed.
Dagonet didn't pause in his incensed striding as he flung open the door to Tristan's and Day's chamber.
"Tristan?" He roared, flying into the room and looking around frantically to find…nothing.
A frustrated snarl worked its way up into the usually calm Knight's throat and he stalked back out of the room. How could Tristan have left Day like that? Did he not care for his fiancée and child? The arrogant bastard, Dagonet was going to sort him out.
He grabbed a startled handmaiden who was scurrying past on her way to the kitchens, grasping her shoulders and bending down to peer into her face.
"Have you seen Sir Tristan?" He asked gruffly, his face stony and his eyes dark with underlying malice.
The maid squeaked and nodded her head frantically, pointing a shaking finger down the corridor behind her and staring wide-eyed at the Knight.
"Thank you my lady." He said as a sly smile graced his face and the maid looked after him in shock as he strode away.
"What was that about Helena?" Whispered another maid excitedly, standing impatiently in front of her friend with an expectant grin.
Helena looked back to her in stunned silence and let herself be dragged away towards the kitchens.
"I'm…not quite sure. Something about Sir Tristan." She stammered out eventually and her friend gave her a wink and nudge before leaving her outside the kitchen doors. Helena simply frowned after her and scurried into the warmth of the kitchens to prepare the evening meal for the Knights.
Tristan appeared from the cover of a small building within the fort's confines and glared up at the grey sky above him. The rain was still pouring and he squared his shoulders as he started back out into it; his hair soaked and sticking to him and his legs drenched from the constant splashing of puddles.
If he didn't do this now, then he never would. He had to do this, it was the only way he'd make sure of all eventualities; Tristan reasoned with himself, his jaw setting in determination until a large hand grabbed his shoulder and shoved him ruthlessly backwards as another fist hit him powerfully in the face.
The scout stumbled backwards, falling onto the muddy ground and holding his jaw as he looked up to see who had hit him, turning his head to spit some blood out.
The tall figure of Dagonet loomed in front of him and Tristan glared at him; anger flashing vibrantly in his eyes.
"What do you think you're doing Dagonet?" He rumbled huskily, attempting to stand but the other Knight wrenched him up and propelled him back brutally hard into a wall.
"You arrogant bastard." Hissed Dag in a voice full of venom. "How could you just leave her like that? Not only her but your child!"
The hands holding Tristan's shoulders to prevent him from escape gripped tighter, almost painfully, and the scout snarled.
Dagonet lost his patience and shook the dark Knight roughly before slamming him back into the wall and glaring at him hard.
"What am I supposed to tell her when she wakes up? That the man she loves just walked away from her and her child when he thought they were going to die? Hmm?" Bellowed Dagonet in sheer rage and Tristan just stared at him from beneath his dripping braids; both too angry to notice the rain soaking them to their skins.
"No." Tristan said softly hanging his head, and the larger Knight stopped in confusion at the sudden change. "Tell her I went to get her brother to ride back to the village and get me him." Tristan jerked his still hung head to one side and Dag followed the movement to see a stunned Woad elder stood in the alleyway beside them.
"Oh, erm…" Mumbled Dagonet, moving away from the scout; his anger evaporated and guilt rising fast to cover his face.
Tristan brushed himself off and quirked an eyebrow at his friend from beneath his braids, hurt flashing across his eyes before being hidden meticulously by the stony exterior that he'd had years to practice.
"Come." He rumbled, motioning to the Woad elder and stalking away down the drizzly alleyway; leaving Dagonet stood watching after them feeling guilty.
After a few seconds his instincts kicked in and he ran after his friend, falling in step beside him easily. The scout glanced from the corner of his eye and tilted his head questioningly as they walked in silence.
"Did you really think I would leave her like that?" Tristan asked, his head now facing forwards so it took Dagonet a few moments to realise he was talking to him.
"I'm sorry, old friend. I didn't know what to think. I shouldn't have doubted you so but when I saw you walk away…" Dagonet trailed off shamed fully, but looked up when he felt a hand on his shoulder and Tristan stared at him with a seldom intensity reserved only for those closest to him. Dag smiled at the gesture of friendship and nodded his head as they continued towards the infirmary in silence.
The infirmary was immaculate when the three wringing wet men made their way in through the doorway. Dagonet looked around amazed at what he saw; not a spot of blood could be seen, there was no smashed pottery littering the floor and everything was as it should be. Their eyes were drawn instantly over to the figure on the bed, and the sudden appearance of another from behind a screen pulled across to one side.
"Excuse me, can we help you?" Dagonet asked in slight bemusement and the strange woman looked up nonchalantly from where she was dabbing a cool cloth on Day's face.
"Oh," Piped up Baudoin from behind the two Knights. "I brought her with me; she is another healer from the village. Cliona, how is she?"
Baudoin hobbled forward towards the bedside, followed protectively by Tristan and Dagonet and all three looked towards the ash blonde who was still dabbing softly against Day's forehead.
"She is well. When I arrived she was already awake, and," She looked up at Dagonet then and gave him a small smile of approval. "Her stitches were done well and she shows no sign of bleeding."
The three men let out a slight sigh of relief, although Tristan's eyes still stayed trained upon Day's unmoving face.
"Have you given her anymore herbs?" Dag asked quietly, moving around to stand next to the new woman and checking upon the bandages that had been placed carefully upon the wound.
"No, there was no need. She blacked out as soon as I came to the bed, she was asking for you Tristan." Cliona moved her head to look at the tense scout and he inclined his head slightly in recognition. "Baudoin do you think there is reason for me to stay?" Cliona asked softly, moving around to kneel in front of the elder who had found a chair to sit upon. "Dagonet seems to be in control of everything, don't you think?"
Baudoin laughed wisely and took the woman's face into his gnarled hands; resting his staff against the wall.
"Child, help is always needed, and suppose the Knights be needed elsewhere? You are to stay with Arthur's permission and to look after our leader's daughter, and your childhood friend." Baudoin smiled from beneath his grizzly grey beard and patted the young woman's face as she rose.
"Aye." She sighed and looked towards the scout keeping a vigil at the bedside, before tilting her head back to look at Baudoin. "Come, let's away. We still need to greet Arthur."
Baudoin chuckled at the girl's logical words and nodded at the pensive Tristan as the two Woads began to move from the room, Dagonet in tow.
She was there. Right there. Not a mere breath away from him and yet he couldn't quite bring himself to touch her, just in case she was some illusion and would vanish if disturbed.
Tristan found himself studying her intently; constantly searching for any sign that she was in pain or if she was in fact not real at all. His dark eyes swept across every piece of skin visible to him; not a mark was out of place, not a freckle missing.
She shifted in her sleep and Tristan's hand stealthily made it's way to her swollen stomach without his realisation. He could feel her warmth and spirit radiate into his rough palm and he relaxed internally as he let his hand rest over their child; safe in the knowledge that both of those closest to him were out of harm's way, especially now that he was here.
The infirmary was dark as the sun died in the sky and the dark scout set about lighting the few candles around the room. He was happy enough to stay by her bedside in the dark; after all he was used to darkness, but he didn't want her to panic when she awoke, and she always looked beautiful in the firelight. With these thoughts in mind, among others, he glided back over to her side and kept an unyielding vigil over her; he was her guardian.
"Tristan?" Whispered that angelic voice and Tristan's protective gaze met Day's sleepy one. "You're here." She breathed with a smile and Tristan felt his mind lift at seeing her contented face.
He felt he should say something, just to let her know it was truly him, perhaps to comfort her.
"I am here." He told her in his familiar deep, rumbling tone.
Day nodded drowsily and wrinkled her nose as a drop of water splashed down on her.
"Tristan," Day asked in slight amused confusion. "Why are you all wet?"
He was soaked through to the bone and the usually unruly mass of braids and dark hair was plastered to his head thanks to it's drenched state. His stared down at her with a seriousness in his eyes from beneath his braids hanging in front of his face and Day frowned.
"I went to get someone." He muttered huskily and Day couldn't help but start at the tone of importance within his voice.
"What's happened? Tristan tell me please." She was begging with him, tears coming to rest in her emerald eyes and making them sparkle like the precious gems they were the colour of, Tristan mused to himself.
His cold, clammy hand closed around her slender one and he bent down to crouch next to her bed; his face level with her's so that the other could their faces clearly, could gauge each other's emotions, and see, really see what the other was thinking; who they were.
"Day," Tristan whispered huskily, his hands entwined tightly with her's as his other one rested gently on her swollen stomach along with her other hand. His forehead was resting against her's and their hair was intermixing; his black, drenched tresses with her damp, chocolate brown waves. "I won't ever lose you, either of you."
Day's breath caught with the raw emotion and vindication and she smiled softly as the tears of anxiety were replaced with tears of love. "I won't ever let you go, I won't ever let you be harmed, I would die for you." His words were coming out in fervent whispers now and his eyes spoke of the defensive and protective nature he felt towards this young woman and their child. "Marry me."
Day's nose wrinkled in confusion again as she laughed lightly and moved a hand to brush against his face and move some hair from his severe face.
"Tristan, I have already said yes to you." She whispered, her eyes sparkling amusedly in the candle light as she nuzzled against him.
"No I mean now. Right now, as soon as possible."
Day's eyes shot wide open from their drooping state of fatigue and she eyed him with stunned silence. She had not moved her forehead from his however, and the two stayed in the intimate position; his eyes boring into her's, searching, as he waited wordlessly for her to answer. There was some amount of possessiveness behind his words, some raw quality that made her feel safe, yet know he would be merciless to those that tried to harm her or their child and also know that no words ever spoken from his mouth were truer.
"I would want no other." She whispered so softly that even he had to strain to hear her, but hear her he did and she found herself instantly wrapped within his arms nuzzling into his damp neck and feeling his hot breath waft across her hair. His hold was strong and powerful, yet loving with a possessive quality and Day knew that this man's true depths would never cease to amaze her. The cool drops of water that trickled down her skin soothed her, washed away any fears she had, told her she was his. Her scout, her lover, her husband-to-be.
"How do you know so much about us?" Dagonet asked conversationally as the three trudged towards the fort.
The Woad woman turned to him and he caught his first real look at her; it had been growing dark in the infirmary with the dying sun. She had a look of wisdom about her and understanding; very much similar to that of which he had seen in a younger Arthur.
"Eiger is constantly telling us of his visits here. He likes to explain everyone to us, so we may understand more." Cliona smiled friendlily and dodged at oncoming villager with easy grace without even turning her head from Dagonet. "It also helped to know who you were fighting." She added laughingly and Dag smirked as he remembered the ferocity of Woad women within battles.
Her hazel eyes glinted sharply in the darkening skies and she turned her head up to the heavens and let the sleet rain down on her upturned face. Another warm smile edged across her nymph-like mouth; her open face brightening even more and her smooth cheekbones being emphasised perfectly.
"Cliona always was one for rain." Baudoin echoed on Dag's left and the Knight nodded his head in thought as the woman caught up with them and smiled from beneath her dirty blonde locks that were fast becoming wet.
Arthur and Lancelot were in the Table room, gathered amongst their papers and maps; Arthur frowning in deep concentration as Lancelot flicked wearily at some small nuts he had lined up on the table. One went slightly off-course and hit Arthur in the face as he leant studying his papers and he looked up at his First Knight with a scowl.
"Sorry Arthur," Smirked Lancelot, full of mischief and amusement. "Need to practice on my aim."
"Hmm, let's just hope you've still got a good enough aim with your swords."
Lancelot chuckled and shook his head; his dark eyes glinting with laughter and his brown curls bobbing in front of his eyes.
A knock on the door interrupted the two and both stood up as Baudoin bowed, along with Dagonet, and the new arrival curtsied.
"Welcome Baudoin. I don't believe we have had the pleasure of meeting under amicable conditions before now. I welcome you to my fort, and I trust my Knights have been treating you well." Arthur said with a warm smile and motioned to the array of chairs around the table as a maid appeared with a tray of goblets of wine.
"To be sure Artorius Castus, your Knights have been more than welcoming. You're formal hailing is awaiting at the village and Eiger is forever singing your praises of leadership skills." Lancelot smirked at the Woad's comment and rolled his eyes at Dagonet who returned a slight demure smile as was usual.
"We have been attending Day. She is well it seems, and your Knight has done a fine job of tending to her. I ask of you, though, to perhaps house another of our people? Cliona is another healer from the village and she would be more than willing to tend to Day to give your Knight a rest, and perhaps even teach him of some of our own remedies?" Baudoin spoke in his lilting, cracked voice and Arthur smiled at the young woman who sat staring around her in silent contemplation at her surroundings.
"Surely."
Cliona turned her attention back to the others, although she had been listening the whole time. Her fairy-like face broke out into a cordial beam and she nodded her head to Arthur who returned the gesture.
"Well I thank you for your hospitality Arthur but I best go back to check upon Day before I take my leave." Groaned Baudoin as he lifted his creaking body from the chair and lent heavily upon his staff. He waved at those gathered around the table as they moved to stand.
Cliona moved to go with him but he hushed her and sent her back to her seat; her large hazel eyes staring respectfully at the intricate carvings that had been engraved painstakingly into the dark wood.
A cough raised her head and she shifted beneath Arthur's grey-green gaze.
"Come, I shall show you to your quarters and the rest of the fort. You shall have to know if you're going to be staying here." He spoke softly to her and she agreed, letting him take her arm and guide her from the Table room.
Lancelot sat back down with a redundant thud and looked sulkily over to Dagonet who was still standing.
"I need something to do around this fort."
Dag smiled to himself at the childishness of his fellow comrade, strolling around the table to place his nearly full goblet of wine in front of the self-indulgent Knight. Lancelot looked up at him with a dolefully pathetic face and Dag rolled his eyes at the younger Knight who broke into a cheeky grin.
"Well I did tell Arthur to find himself a woman…" He announced wistfully, eyeing the door daringly which Cliona and the half-Roman commander had exited from.
A/N: Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry! Ah, I can't believe I made you all wait so long! Please forgive me? -puppy dog eyes- lol. I started this chapter straight after I posted the last one, and as you can see I've just been adding a tiny bit each night (if I was awake enough / if I could be bothered) and it's been driving me mad. I've been way too tired and busy to do anything properly on it but last night I got into my writing mood and finally finished the darn thing; making it a little bit longer than previous chapters as a way to repay you all for putting up with me lol. Its a bit jumpity but hey, it needed to be lol. And what do you all think about yet another character being added? -groan- I just can't help myself lol. Only one more week till Christmas holidays though! Thanks everyone xx
LANCELOTTRISTANBABY: I admire your ability to stick with this silly story lol. Hope this will compensate for the extensive wait, and hope you like! Thanks so much xx
Elfvamp1-13-97: My faithful reviewer! I'm sooo sorry! It was just plain mean of me to keep you all waiting this long, but well I had nothing to give so ya know lol. As you can see you were so right about Tristan! He's such a sweetie...-sighs dreamily- damn Day lol. Hope this chapter was ok and thanks for keeping up with me xx