Secrets in the Shadows
A/N: So as I was writing this chapter I somehow managed to consume 4 cups of coffee. As a result, I may be slightly insane. And by insane I mean hyper, and by hyper I mean weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! In this chapter we get to see Tristan, man of very few words, try to talk his way out of a potentially dangerous situation.
MistakenLove- You are my first reviewer and thus, amazing. I'm glad you like my story and I will take what you said about Inara and Tristan into consideration. Sorry to leave you with a cliffy, but it had to be done.
Me: Can't I buy you?
Lancelot: Well...alright! wink
People who own the rights to the movie: No!
Me: Stupid mean people.
Chapter Six: The Morning After
"You!" Spat Fatima with a stone cold glare that could rival that of Medusa.
"You defile my daughter!" Fatima continued with a hiss.
"I have done no such thing." Tristan said calmly.
"Lies! You were in her room in the middle of the night!" Fatima shoved him hard so that he backed into the wall.
"I was returning your daughter to her room. She fell ill in the hallway, and I was returning from patrol when I found her and brought her back here." Tristan lied.
"If you are not telling me the truth I shall see your head placed upon a pike!" She threatened before pushing him aside and entering the room.
"She was retching, the bucket is outside the servants entrance if you want to examine its contents." Tristan said from the doorway.
Fatima sat on the edge of the bed looking at her daughter. She was still wearing her evening gown which was a good sign, and her fitful sleep suggested that she was in fact ill. Pressing the back of her hand to her daughter's forehead she noted that Inara was not with a fever and she thanked the gods for that.
"Perhaps what you say is true. In that case I thank you for attending to her, you may take your leave Sir knight." Fatima said bringing her voice back to its usual warm tone.
Tristan inclined his head and left the room returning to his own quarters. Fatima spent the rest of the night tending to her daughter, and watching her with sad eyes. Her daughter did not belong here in this land, nor did she belong in Rome. It pained her greatly to know that she would never see the sands of Egypt again for her fate was sealed when she married Marcus.
When the sun reached high-noon did Inara finally stir. Her evening gown was twisted about her legs and the kohl around her eyes was smudged down her cheek. Inara's skull pounded, and her stomach felt as if the slightest jolt would send her vomiting again.
"You finally awaken my child." Fatima said from across the room where she had been examining one of Inara's gowns.
"Have I slept so late?" Inara said as she weakly stood.
"Aye, you have nearly slept the day away. But I shall have some food sent for you, and water drawn for a bath." Fatima let the silk gown slide from her fingers and swept from the room.
Inara fingered her braids not particularly knowing how she had come by them. She glanced at her reflection in the looking glass and saw that she was a mess. Make-up smudged, dress askew and hair braided haphazardly.
"Your mother tells me that your stomach has been uneasy because of something you ate..." Came the voice of Vanora from the doorway where she stood holding a tray.
"But I know, that it was in fact ale that had set your stomach churning last night."
"You will not tell her?" Inara said fearfully.
"Of course not. And she'll never be any the wiser to the matter if you drink this quickly." Vanora held out a small glass to her.
Inside was a vile brownish looking substance, with the consistency of porridge and the smell of a skunk.
"This is terrible. An animal would not be fit to drink this. What on earth is it?" Inara pinched her nose as she held the glass.
"A little of this... a lot of that. There isn't one day that goes past that my dear Bors doesn't wake up with a headache, it will fix you up right proper. Now drink." Vanora nudged her arm.
Inara reluctantly downed the substance, which took its sweet time making its way down her throat. She ran for the water basin and quickly rinsed out her mouth to rid herself of its taste.
"Now, that should take care of your stomach. We need to get some food in you, this porridge here should stay down." Vanora pushed a bowl into Inara's hands.
It was almost as if Inara was another one of Vanora's brood, the way she mothered her that morning. After making Inara eat every last spoonful of the warm porridge, she escorted her to the bathing chambers.
Inara felt slightly odd having this strange woman bathe her, but knew that the only way she would get entirely clean was if someone else did the job. Vanora chatted most of the time about her children and how Bors was a pain as much as she loved him.
"These braids will have to come out if I am to give your hair a proper washing." Vanora said as she began to undo them.
"Its strange, I do not remember braiding my hair at all last night." Inara said as she stared at the stone wall with much interest.
"That's because you didn't." Vanora continued as she worked the lavender oils into Inara's thick raven locks.
"Well who could have braided my hair last night? Gawain? Galahad?" Inara joked.
"Tristan." Vanora said firmly.
"Tristan!" Was all Inara had time to say before Vanora forced her head under the water to rinse out her hair.
Inara came back up sputtering and wiping the soap water from her eyes before it began to burn.
"Yep, he took care of you and brought you back to your rooms last night." Vanora said as she held out the cotton robe for Inara to step into.
"But whatever happened to Lancelot?" Inara questioned.
"Dagonet had to carry him back to his own room. Drank too much the two of ye." Vanora began to comb out Inara's hair.
"Why did Tristan take me?" Inara was surprised the silent scout was not the one she could ever see playing nursemaid to a drunken noble.
"I have no idea. All I know is that he volunteered for the job. Maybe he fancies you? Or more likely he was the only one sober enough for the job."
Inara seemed to accept this fact and made a mental note to thank Tristan later. Vanora's eyes widened with excitement as she looked at Inara's exotic wardrobe. None of her clothes were this fancy, she was a mother and a barmaid. It just wasn't practical to own anything so vibrant and fancy.
"Oh, m'Lady you should most certainly wear this today." Vanora stated as she produced a cream colored gown with gold trim from the chest
"Vanora, I'd freeze to death in that. Besides, I plan on exploring the fort today and I want to be comfortable." Inara replaced the gown.
"Ooh what about this one?" Vanora said as she held up a blue dress made of a gossamer like material.
"Vanora, I'll freeze!" Inara stated firmly.
It didn't help that most of her clothes were meant for the warmth of Rome and Egypt. She hadn't had time to update her clothing for their move to Britain and she could not deal with the cold air.
"Alright, alright. Here, this should be lovely." Vanora pulled out a light green gown with white sleeves and tiny leaf stitching on the cuffs and neck.
Inara had almost entirely forgotten that she had brought that dress with her. It was what she wore the day she came of age for marriage nearly seven years ago. Most had though it strange that she had not yet wed, it was unnatural for a woman of twenty-two winters to not have a husband.
"I suppose this is suitable." Inara stated as she pulled the gown on to her body.
It was more snug than when she last wore it, as she had filled out with time, but it was becoming.
"Ah, lovely." Vanora said as she examined the girl who had been her doll for the past two hours.
Inara's thick curls gleamed and she looked the picture of innocence for once as opposed to a temptress. No kohl was around her eyes, no crushed rose petals adorned her cheeks, it was simple and she adored it.
"Thank you, Vanora. You have been a most wonderful companion." Inara said as she embraced the fiery red head.
"I am sorry that I cannot escort you about the fort, but I have a bunch of little ones to get back to."
"Of course. I shall find my own way." Inara smiled.
It was only when Vanora left the room did she recall her inability to find the tavern in the winding layout of the fort. She prayed to the Gods that she would not lose her way today, and set off to explore.