Disclaimer: I am poor and own nothing. And because I'm poor, this is my only source of entertainment, so please do not sue.
Authors Note: Hopefully the updates on this go as fast as they did for 'My Ana', but no promises. Vigdis is ancient Scandinavian meaning war Goddess, Cadeyrn is Welsh meaning Battle King and Nefertari is Egyptian meaning the most beautiful.
Zelinia – I'm quirky that way, and it's not that hard really. And no it's not just cause of the bad stuff. Mists of Avalon depicted her as a not so bad character, I'm just not that big a fan is all. Yeah they use the Elysian Fields in 'Gladiator' and other older stories. They talked about it a lot on 'Hercules'. It is Greek in origin and tied back to what we would consider Heaven. A blessed paradise, which is why I use it cause I figure, if the knights were going anywhere it was there, at least in my eyes. And I could tell you what she meant, but then you wouldn't be surprised. Thanks for reviewing.
Dellis – Thanks for the warning, but I've never read any of Bradley's work before, and wasn't even aware that that was who wrote Mists of Avalon, and it's been years since I've seen that. Now I'm kinda nervous that I might use something unintentionally. I'm not am I? Anyway, thanks again for the warning and the review, and it's nice to see you here with me for another story. Glad you are enjoying it and as always, thanks for the review.
Texasgrrl – Hmm, I'll see what I can come up with, although it would be hard to give her a nickname. I just like nicknames cause usually it cuts out on typing time. But I'm lazy that way. Thank you so much for that. I agree. I mean if we were getting paid it would be different, but we're just doing this (or at least I am) for our enjoyment and our readers, and sometimes late updates can't be helped. Thanks as always for the review(s). ;o)
Ryn the whitepanther – You'll know soon enough. Glad you loved the chapter. Thanks as always for your review.
Tracy137 – Ah, a daftie then. I'll remember that next time. Yes scene setting does suck, but I'm glad you don't think this chapter does. I don't blame you for not having a favorite line yet. That usually stems from dialog and there hasn't been much of that yet. Hopefully there will be some in this chapter though. I'm sorry you have a headache. I hope it all went well though. More Lucan in this chapter, just for you. Nope, not even a bit close. I'm so happy. There for a minute I thought I was being to obvious. It will all become clear in either the next chapter or the one after that. Hopefully you like the idea I've come up with. This story is taking a lot of research so far, but it's all in my element so I'm pleased with it. I'll stop arguing when you do! Enjoy.
Sorceress Misha – Ooh, who told you my weakness! Glad you liked the chapter and the animals will be more important as is shown in this chapter. I would tell you but it would ruin the suspense. Thanks for the review.
LANCELOTTRISTANBABY – Thanks for the review, glad you liked it.
Isolde – Squeal! Glad to have you back. Since 'My Ana' is your favorite, than I'll forgive you for saying this isn't as good. Hopefully it will get better once I get out of scene setting and into more character interactions. As always, I thank you for reviewing. It makes me smile.
Snape's Opera Rose – Oh, cookies! I love cookies! Thank you. I'll think about it. The only reason I hate naming his kids is cause there are so many of them and it's hard to keep track. I will consider it. Never had Dip 'N' Dots, is it good? (I love randomness in my reviews, so don't worry about it.) Thanks for reviewing!
Evenstar-mor2004 – Hmm, I don't know…I kind of like them both. Sorry there's no pages to turn. Glad you're enjoying it so far. Thanks for reviewing.
The Priestesses of Avalon
Chapter Three: Uninvited Reunions
It was late that night and the candles had burned low since they had been lit as the three Priestesses worked diligently over their patients. Hayley had managed to re-stitch Dagonet's injuries without loosing him, cleaning out the bit of infection that had begun to build within the wounds. She smiled at the sleeping Lucan, still in the chair near the wall, and brought her cloak over, draping it about the small boy.
"How fares he?" Mariska's voice whispered as she walked over, a bowl in her hands.
"The boy worries and sleeps fitfully, while the Knight burns and does the same," Hayley smiled, moving back over to her patient and lifting the blankets, again checking the wound in his upper side. The arrow had barely missed his heart, and they were all grateful for that. Running her fingers gently over the injury she was relieved to find that the skin no longer burned to the touch. "His wounds are faring well though," she accepted the bowl of chamomile, honeysuckle and red clover, steeped in hot water.
"Here, this should help with the fever and infection," Mariska said.
"Thank you," Hayley raised Dagonet's head and poured a bit of the liquid into his mouth, making sure it went down and did not choke him before resting his head again. "How do the other two fare?"
"Lancelot's fever has broken," Mariska said proudly, looking over at Esmeralda who was cleaning his wound again. "I wish Tristan fared half as well."
"He burns still?"
"Aye, and his wounds, the infection is almost pouring from them. I need to open them up and clean them again but I had to send Vigdis for some marigolds from the temple first."
"Is that wise? Can it wait I mean?"
Mariska smiled. "She travels on the winds of the Goddess's own breath. She will return in time."
As if on que the owl fluttered in through the open window, a satchel hanging from her talons.
"You see?" Mariska smiled, taking the parcel and patting the bird affectionately as it came to roost at the end of Tristan's bed. She moved quickly to the side and took out a bowl, beginning to make a poultice.
Esmeralda rose with a yawn, stretching her arms as she looked about the room. "Has anyone seen Cadeyrn?" she asked, looking about the floor.
Suddenly Hayley felt something brush against her leg and looked down to see the aforementioned boa moving towards her hare, Nefertari, who was sleeping near Lucan. "Now stop that," she scolded, reaching down and lifting her hare and cuddling it close to her chest. "Shoo!" she said, nudging the boa away with the toe of her boot.
"Be nice," Esmeralda scolded the elder Priestess, leaning over and picking up the large creature, letting it wind itself around her arm, making kissing faces at it. "He's just hungry aren't you?" she cooed, the snake flicking its tongue in response, staring at her with intense red eyes.
"Well find him a rat," Hayley said, placing Nefertari on the bed next to Dagonet.
Mariska rolled her eyes at their bickering, knowing that they were both tired and frustrated, which was fueling their nerves. She looked down at her patient, still lost in the sleep that had claimed him and his companions. "Noisy aren't they?" she asked him, pulling down the blanket again and removing the bandage, taking out a knife and running it through the flame of a nearby candle. "Strong, silent type I see," she said with a smile as he remained motionless. "Only serves to make you more intriguing," she pulled the blade from the flame, noticing it had begun to glow a faint red, before moving to his wound, pouring a bit of strong alcohol on it, glad that he was unconscious for this part as she moved the knife to loosen the stitches.
"How fare's he child?" a voice asked from the end of the bed, causing Mariska to jump just before the knife could connect with the skin.
Her hand went to her heart as she turned to glare at Merlin. "Do not sneak up on someone when they are removing stitches!" she stated, returning her gaze to the wound in Tristan's shoulder. "And not as well as I would like." She cut the stitches swiftly, removing them before taking a cloth and some warm water, and began to clean out the wound gently, removing the pus that oozed from it with the clean cloth.
"Have you tried," he began only to be cut off.
"You sent for me because you could not help them," she paused and poured some alcohol directly into the wound. "So perhaps you should just let me work, besides, I know what I am doing."
Merlin sighed, feeling more than a little defeated as he watched his granddaughter. She favored her father more, with her red hair and pale complexion, but her eyes, oh did she have her mothers' eyes, and it pained him for them to look on him with such contempt. "Is there anything I can do to help you child?"
"Yes," she looked at him again, pausing mid stitch as she had already begun to reseal the wound. "Leave."
Esmeralda and Hayley had quieted and were watching the scene closely, in case they needed to step in, concerned looks on their faces. Sonia had warned them about Mariska's unsteady relationship with her grandfather and they had prepared for this.
Merlin sighed dejectedly before turning to go, Mariska's voice causing him to pause in the doorway.
"Funny though, how you are so willing to help the sons of my fathers people when you condemned your own daughter to death for loving him," she did not look up again and his shoulders sagged as he left, closing the door silently behind him.
Hayley and Esmeralda exchanged a look and nodded to one another, and Hayley stepped forward to speak to Mariska. That was when Dagonet began to convulse.
xoxoxoxoxoxox
Several hours later Dagonet was resting normally again after it had taken all three of them to restrain him as well as some passion flower tea. All of Tristan's wounds had been tended to, and Esmeralda was beside herself with confusion. Lancelot's fever had been broken for almost half a day now, and his wound was in excellent condition, but still he would not wake. The sun had already set and rose on the time they had been at the fort and it was well into the following afternoon. Arthur and the others were becoming impatient, as was she. By all rights he should have at least showed signs of waking by now, especially once the fever had broken.
"It troubles you?" Hayley asked, coming to sit next to her.
"Aye, everything is doing well and yet he will not return, no matter how much I ask him to," Esmeralda replied with a sigh. "No matter how much his companions ask him to as well."
Hayley looked sadly down at her sister Priestess before over at Dagonet. "I know. If something is not done soon, they will die. Even Dagonet's fever has begun to subside." Their eyes met and together they looked towards Mariska who sat quietly, staring intently at Tristan, her hands folded into her lap.
"You know what must be done as well as I," Esmeralda whispered quietly to Hayley. "But I dare not ask her."
"Nor I. It is so much to expect from her," Hayley agreed. "Perhaps one of us could attempt it," she began only to be cut off.
"Nay. It is a difficult spell and in this case, it will take experience to accomplish it," Mariska said softly, casting a glance over at Dagonet and then towards Lancelot before sighing. "Collect what is needed, and watch him closely," she indicated the scout as she rose, grabbing her cloak and heading for the door.
"And where are you going?" Esmeralda asked rising.
"To find out the information I need," she answered, the door closing behind her.
xoxoxoxoxoxox
Mariska walked out into the crisp afternoon air, allowing the sun to bask on her face a moment. She sighed and began to move, watching as children ran about, chasing one another with wooden swords, and noted a rather large band of them ,varying in ages, as they sat near the stables looking sullen. Their eyes followed her as she crossed the compound, and they began to whisper amongst themselves then, pointing at her and making gestures with their hands. Normally she would have found out why, but now was not the time as she continued on her way, entering the tavern, her eyes scanning the area. Sure enough, at a table near the center, Arthur, Gawain, Galahad and Bors sat with a dark haired woman and her grandfather. Steeling herself, she took a deep breath and walked over, her head held high in the air as she approached them, clearing her throat to get their attention.
"Mariska what is it?" Arthur asked rising quickly, the others following, all fearing the worse.
"They still do not waken. Lancelot is well out of the fever and Dagonet's has come close to breaking. Even Tristan begins to fare better, but they do not wake," she said softly, her voice even and calm, but a slight irritation and perhaps fear lurking in her tone. She paused for a long moment, letting that information sink in before continuing. "A different path must be chosen now."
"What do you mean?" the dark haired girl asked, narrowing her eyes at Mariska.
"Tell me, why should they come back?" Mariska asked, ignoring the girl's question. She had heard from Vanora that her name was Guinevere and she was Merlin's youngest daughter and one family reunion a day was enough for Mariska. "What reason do they have to live?"
"Because we bloody well need them that's what," Bors growled, slamming his fists onto the table before him.
"Besides that. Lovers? Children? I need something to barter with," Mariska stated, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Lucan. The boy will be lost if aught happens to Dag," Gawain whispered, still not quite understanding what she was getting at.
"Aye my little 'uns too. They haven't played since we returned with 'em," Bors agreed.
"Barter how exactly?" Arthur asked, eyeing Mariska closely.
Still ignoring the questioning she added, "And Lancelot?"
"The barmaids," Galahad said with a snort.
"Our friendship," Arthur added quietly. "I cannot be king without him to guide me."
"And Tristan?"
They were all quiet for a long moment, looking at one another. They were all friends and brothers to the scout, that was sure, but she had said something more than just that was needed. And quite frankly, he kept himself so guarded that no one knew what exactly would bring him back.
"Does he not have a lover?" Mariska asked, dread growing in her heart. "A child perhaps? Something to fight for?" Her voice was still clam, but had a frantic edge to it.
"He loves his hawk and his horse and us, at least we think he loves us," Galahad answered quietly. "Other than that we do not know."
Mariska sighed. This made her job that much more difficult, but she would find a way. She always did. "Thank you," she said turning to head back to the infirmary.
"Lady a word!" Arthur called after her, all of them coming to follow. "Why did you ask us this?"
"She intends to go after them," Merlin answered, causing everyone, Mariska included, to pause. Slowly the knights and Guinevere turned to face him, as he walked towards Mariska, pausing to stand behind her. "Am I wrong child?"
"It is no concern of yours either way," she replied, her voice icy.
"It is a dangerous task."
"Aye, and one that I have taken before," she turned to glare at him. "They are worth it are they not?"
Merlin did not answer, but only stared at her with saddened eyes.
"Are your brothers not worth everything to save? Are they not the good, brave men that I and my sisters have heard so much of at the temple?" she redirected the question to the knights, turning to face them.
They all looked at one another before Gawain sighed, answering for the group, "Aye."
"Then let me to my task," she answered, abruptly turning and leaving the group staring at one another for a long moment before following.
Authors Note: Wow, this chapter was really hard to write. I'm a nursing student (and over halfway through thank the Gods!) and so when I was talking about cleaning wounds and stuff I had to pull out my herbal books and remember that back then, bacteria didn't exist (at least not as far as they knew). Mariska and Merlin will have a better "talk" later on, but right now she's a bit distracted. Has anyone guessed what she might be planning to do yet? Anyway I hope you all enjoy this chapter, please read and review, and no flames.