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: This chapter is dedicated to Tracy137 and a lovely story she is working on called 'Heart & Soul' as well as 'Wild Child' and 'Erik and the Gentlemen'. They all keep me thoroughly happy and entertained and I could not ask for more than that.
TriGemini – Glad you enjoyed it. Mariska and Merlin are starting to work things out, which is a good thing. Although as for if Guinevere took their advice, only time will tell. Thanks for reviewing.
LANCELOTTRISTANBABY – Glad you liked it. Thanks for reviewing.
Sorceress Misha – Good to know I'm not alone in the Guinevere dislike. Then perhaps if something happens to her, a large crowd wont lynch me. Just a small one. She is nothing but a troublemaker in my opinion as well. Thanks for reviewing.
Tracy137 – Bad language is not only excused but also encouraged. You know how bad I can be after all. Hope Dag helps more, since your last chapter was the most brilliant piece of work I've ever seen. (I've lost count now as to how many times it's been read…;o) Excalibur isn't really going to be a dragon; so much as it's going to raise a dragon. It's an actual spell that I have in my books and requires a sword…well I don't want to spoil it. Your favorite line however does not surprise me, and of course you can use it, as I have already informed you. I would be honored if you used it. LOL! You're almost as impatient as I am, but soon, I promise you. I was able to finally come up with a chapter layout today so hopefully the writing will come more easily. Glad you enjoyed it though. I can assure you though, it was not enjoyed half as muchly as I enjoyed your update. I'll be grinning like a maniac for the next three weeks I swear to you.
Cardeia – Well I wasn't originally going to put that part in, but since you expressed an interest in it before, I decided to write it up. Glad it was acceptable. I don't know which knight would slay it, but I'm always open to suggestions. I have a plot layout finally so hopefully the chapters will come more quickly now, like with 'My Ana'. Thank you as always for your review.
Snape's Opera Rose – 6 cookies and Lancelot to work them off for a whole week? You are a wonderful person you know that? Although, keep offering me these knights and you'll never get your updates. Especially ones like our Lance (and Tristan, cause I'd keep him busy then). But you are more then welcome to keep sending them. Thanks as always for the review and I'm glad you liked the chapter.
Lunawolf - Glad you enjoyed them both, and that schools out for you. I'm glad I'm not the only one seeing a problem with what Merlin did to her mother. Everyone keeps telling me to have them make up because they love Merlin, but not looking at the bigger picture. So thank you for that observation. So I take it I can add you to the I Hate Guinevere That Dumb Cow fan club? We have hats…okay so we don't but someday we might. Glad you liked the bit of Jols, can't leave him out. Thanks for reviewing.
Zelinia – More for the club on not liking/trusting Guinevere. I think the fact that this story is set back in time is why ho just doesn't work as well. Wench perhaps? Glad you liked the bit on Jols, I just love him. I can't say who it will be yet, so no promises that it will or won't be her. And as for the dragons, it will fit I promise…er hope anyway. Think back to the spell to bring them back from the dead and that kind of fit. Thanks for reviewing.
Quinn - Always glad to see a new face on the review board. I'm glad you're enjoying it thus far, thank you for your kind praise and don't worry. I can't leave Dagonet lonely long. I'm glad you like Hayley as well. Thanks for reviewing.
Ryn the whitepanther – Glad you're enjoying it. Thanks for reviewing.
Evenstar-mor2004 – You'll see on both counts. I don't know, it's not that good in my eyes, especially when it takes me a long time to write. Glad you enjoyed it thought and thanks for reviewing.
The Priestesses of Avalon
Chapter Eight: Childhood Plagues
It was three nights later and Mariska's mind plagued her with worries of what was to come. Several Woad scouts that had been sent out, much to Tristan's annoyance, and still they had no word on the progress of the Bandit Saxon troupe heading their way. Dagonet and Tristan had fully recovered enough of their strength now to return to their rooms, and Vigdis had been sent to inform Sonia of the turn of events.
She sighed and quickened her pace towards the rooms she was currently sharing with her two fellow Priestesses, her hands already burning in anticipation of yet another night spent before the runes. She raised her hand to her eyes and massaged her brow gently, dreading the activity for the first time in her life. It was proving to be a waste of time, something she was not accustomed to when dealing with the stones.
She continued on her path, her thoughts clouding her vision so that she did not see Lucan run in front of her, smashing into her legs and knocking both of them off balance.
"Oh, I'm sorry Lucan," she grasped, regaining her composure quickly before reaching out and taking him about the shoulders before he could fall, settling him. "I did not see you."
"It's okay Lady Mariska," he said, his voice sounding softer than usual. "Tis my fault."
"Lucan what is wrong?" Mariska knelt down before him, her hand resting on his shoulder. "Are you ill?"
"Aye, my throat, it scratches and my stomach pains me," he rubbed at his throat and swallowed, a pained look crossing his face as his other hand went to rest over his belly. "Mayhap you could send Lady Hayley to tend me?"
"Yes of course," Mariska said, resting the back of her hand over his forehead, her other going to his throat, feeling gently. "Run home to your father and get right to bed. I will send her shortly."
"Thank you Lady," he bowed his head before rushing off towards his quarters.
She rose slowly, her eyes trailing after him and a sudden fear growing in her heart as she continued on her path.
From his place in the shadows near the stable, Tristan saw the young boy wink to Gilly, who was hiding behind a bale of hay, before scuttling off towards his rooms. Tristan cocked an eyebrow in question and stroked Saoirse's feathers as she rested on his hand, deciding to follow Mariska the rest of the way to her quarters, keeping to the shadows.
xoxoxoxoxoxox
After seeing that Mariska made it safely back to her rooms, Tristan went on a new mission, heading over to Bors small hut located near the outskirts of the fort, that he shared with Vanora and all their children. Pounding on the door, he was surprised to see the big knight answer it himself, but not half as surprised as Bors was to see him there.
"Tristan! In eleven summers you have not once entered my home," he said after a moment, crossing his arms and leaning up against the frame of the door. "What brings you now?"
"Your son," the scout replied, pushing past him and into the room, seeing Gilly setting in the corner with a few of the older children, all watching the flames dance in the fireplace, Vanora nearby nursing the baby.
"Which one and what's he done now eh?" Bors asked, closing the door behind them and coming up to stand next to the man, glaring down at his boys, who all shrank back in fear, wondering which one had been caught at their usual mischief.
"Gilly," Tristan inclined his hand towards the dark haired boy, his dagger causally appearing in his hand as he began to clean his nails with it, his face an impassive mask. "He, Lucan, two more of your bastards and a couple of the towns children approached Mariska, all complaining of ailments, on her way home today."
"What's this? There something wrong with ya?" Vanora asked, motioning for Gilly to come over, her hand flying to his forehead.
"They were well not five minutes before she arrived," Tristan added lowly, watching the small boy gulp and look frightfully between the silent knight and his two parents.
"Out with it boy, are you ill?" Bors said, setting down in one of the chairs that occupied the small room that served as their family area, looking hard at his favorite son.
"Nay," Gilly sighed and looked at the floor. He would have to tell them now. "We just thought that if we were all sick, then the Priestesses would have to stay and then everyone could be happy."
"Why do you want them to stay so bad lad?" Vanora asked, watching her son closely, capturing his chin with her fingers and forcing him to look at her. "Come on out with it." She gently detached the suckling baby and adjusted her dress, handing him over to her eldest daughter.
"Cause Uncle Dag and Uncle Lancelot and even he seem happier with 'em here," he answered honestly, knowing he could never lie to his mother, no matter how hard he tried, pointing to Tristan as he spoke. "So maybe if they stayed, everyone could stay happy."
"Well ain't that my sweet boy," Vanora smiled, her face softening as she pulled him into a hug.
"That what you were thinkin?" Bors asked, turning to Tristan who was looking at the boy, his face still unreadable. He nodded once before heading towards the door. "Where ya goin?" Bors called, rising and following him stopping just outside the door.
"To tell her," he answered, never pausing as he headed back towards the fort. Bors shook his head slowly before closing the door, a proud look on his face as he turned to regard his son, who definitely had his mother's heart.
xoxoxoxoxoxox
Meanwhile, across the fort, Mariska rushed into the room to find Esmeralda and Hayley there, both deep in mediation. "Sisters we have a problem," her heart was racing and her voice was in a near panic.
"Mariska what is it?" Hayley asked, her and Esmeralda immediately on their feet and in front of her, Hayley taking her hands to try and steady her.
"On the way here, six of the local children, which included dear Lucan and three of Bors bastards, approached me, all with signs of the Black Death," her voice was trembling as she spoke and immediately the other two women's hands shot to their mouths in shock.
They had all suffered the loss of fellow Priestesses at the hands of the vile sickness, but neither of them had suffered the losses that Mariska had.
"Are you certain?" Esmeralda asked, her voice trembling.
"Their complaints, were all too familiar," Mariska said softly, the tears threatening to overtake her. "Lucan asked for you Hayley, I have sent him home to Dagonet."
Hayley nodded slowly, already moving to grab her cloak. "Esmeralda perhaps you should check on Bors lot," she added, tying it about her shoulders as Esmeralda moved to do the same.
"I will go to the infirmary, gather the herbs we need. Mayhap we can stop it in time," Mariska's voice was low and laced with fear and pain as she moved out of the room following her sisters, shutting the door behind them.
"Shall you fetch Merlin?" Esmeralda asked as she and Mariska began to rush down the stairs, Hayley turning to head down the hall towards Dagonet's rooms.
"Nay, not until we know for sure. The medicine is much more important now," Mariska said, shaking her head violently. "If it is not given quickly then…" her voice trailed off and a shudder ran down her spine.
"Take heart sister," Esmeralda gave her arm a squeeze. "It is early yet," she offered her a small smile before turning and rushing out towards the outskirts of the fort where Bors and Vanora's cabin lie.
Nodding numbly Mariska moved into the infirmary, lighting a candle as she began to move about the room, throwing open cabinets to find the herbs she needed. She never heard Tristan enter, or close the door, she was so engulfed in her work. It was not until he cleared his throat that she startled, spinning, her hand flying to her chest.
"Do not ever do that again!" she breathed as soon as she realized who it was, immediately returning to her task.
"I did not mean to startle you," he said, watching her move almost frantically about the room. He had never seen her this unorganized before, and he had a pretty good idea as to why. Settling against the wall he regarded her closely before saying in a low voice, "It is not the Black Death."
She paused and turned to face him, skepticism and a bit of hope clear on her face. "And how would you know this?"
"Because I tracked the source," he answered with a ghost of a smile. "The children were fearful that you three would leave. They jest only."
She looked bemusedly at him, the reality of his words sinking in. "They do not ail then?"
"Nay," he answered, watching her closely, his face impassive as always but an understanding in his eyes. This must have been very troubling for her, considering how her husband and daughter had perished.
"Why would they do that? Why not just ask us to stay?" she was still lost, sinking slowly onto one of the beds.
"They are children," he answered simply, coming across the room to sit besides her, unable to gage the look on her face. It was one he had never seen before and he was curious as to what it meant.
Without any warning tears began to stream down from her eyes, a mixture of relief and past grief swelling to the surface and she leaned over, burying her head in his chest and sobbing quietly.
For a long moment he was unsure what action to take. He had never had anyone, man or woman, act this way around him. Even Miranda would go cry to Vanora before she would cry to him, and it distressed him a bit. Thinking back he remembered what he'd seen others do and very slowly, and awkwardly, he placed his arms about her, patting her back a few times, murmuring nothings to her, as he would a frightened animal.
"I know they do not understand, do not know," she choked out between sobs, her tears dampening his shirt thoroughly. "But it is still so hurtful."
She cried for a few more minutes and Tristan continued to do the only thing he knew to. Let her. Slowly his pats turned into rubbing small circles over her shoulder blades and he fell silent, just letting her cry out all of her emotions. Finally she brought her face up, wiping at the tears and her red streaked eyes. "Look at what a mess I am," she said, sniffling and pulling a white cloth from the pocket in the skirt of her dress, wiping at her nose. "I must look just dreadful."
"Not really," Tristan said, his voice unemotional as he tucked a stray hair behind her ear.
"I should go and tell the other two," she rose, stuffing the cloth back into her pocket and soothing her dress, feeling like a silly emotional woman. She rarely ever cried, and surely never in front of anyone, so why had she cried in front of him? She had only ever cried in front of Duncan once and that was as she stood before him in Elysia, begging him to not abandon her.
"Bors knows," Tristan said, rising as well, unsure of what to say so relying on saying nothing. That had always worked well for him.
"Then Esmeralda will as well," she said softly, running her hands over her hair to sooth it. Suddenly she looked up at him and leaned forward, kissing his cheek gently. "Thank you," she murmured, pulling away and glancing down at her hands. "You are a good friend to me," with that she moved quickly out of the room, leaving him alone.
He looked at the place where she once stood, his hand going to his cheek for a moment before shaking his head and leaving the room. He needed a good nights sleep to clear his mind, although something told him he would not find that tonight.
Authors Note: I am pleased, this chapter went much faster than the last two. Thank Tracy for inspiring me with her lovely update to 'Heart and Soul'. Now off to bed. It's 2 am here and I do need to sleep, at least that's what I've been told. Please R & R!