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: I must apologize for the delay, but anyone who has ever had swimmer's ear will understand why I didn't update. It is an extremely painful condition and it kept me from concentrating at all. Again I am sorry, but it couldn't be helped. Now please enjoy the chapter you guys!
June Birdie – Nice to know I'm not the only dork present then. And I love your thought. Any flames and we can send Tristan to deal with their poster. Thanks for reviewing.
TriGemini – Yeah, Mariska has a rough road ahead of her, as do they all in helping her deal. But I've tried to establish them as a strong knit group/family so that will work to their advantage. Thanks for reviewing.
Sea Cucumber – A hot curling iron? You are the vicious one aren't you? LOL! Glad you enjoyed chapter 16 and hopefully you have gotten to read 17 as well. Thank you for your protection. I didn't know I had a hotline though…cool! Thanks for reviewing!
LANCELOTTRISTANBABY – One of my best huh? Wow. Thank you so much.
Tracy137 – I kinda liked Master Woo but that's just me. She needed him then though, and she didn't need him to be nice. That's why it was him. He'll tell her the truth no matter how much it hurts as all really good teachers do. I'm sorry that one part brought back so much for you though. Sometimes I'm just too graphic and must put in way more than I need to. We are moving past this part into her dealing and trying to cope now, so if you don't want to read I will completely understand that. I can just email you and tell you when the next chapter of fluff is up if you want. And it was Tristan, so you know they shit themselves as they died. I really didn't mean to bring up so much and seriously, feel free to stop here and I'll tell you when theirs fluff. Oh and if theirs other fluff in between I can just email you those parts. I just don't want to upset you. (And as the little sister, I have the right to worry!)
Lilstrummrgrl527 – Glad you enjoyed the chapter. I'm kinda sorry you teared up, because I didn't want to make anyone cry, and then I'm not because it means it struck a cord and that's always a good thing to hear as an author. I am thoroughly glad you enjoyed it though and thanks for the review.
REK – That's okay, I understand. Sorry it took awhile to update, had a bad case of swimmer's ear and it hurt like hell and I couldn't concentrate. I am glad you enjoyed the last chapter though. It was an intense chapter to write. Thanks for reviewing.
Greenday11 – Interesting can be good though. Thanks for reviewing.
Lunawolf – Luna I think Cornell is the only one I've ever tortured to your liking. I do agree with your punishment ideas though. The sad thing is most men get away with it and that's why they do. Last year a girl who worked at a grocery store in the town I live in was abducted in the parking lot in broad daylight, taken down the road and rapped. And when they caught the guy he made a point to say, what's it matter, I'm going to get off anyway. After that they made sure to throw the book at him, but if he hadn't said that he probably would have got off light and that's the sad thing. Don't worry about your ancestry. One this is fiction and two, we've all got things in our past that we can fix mostly because we aren't responsible. Just be proud of who you are. Thanks as always for your review.
Cardeia – I love the men's faces at that point! They are just so great. I hope it wasn't too much like Kill Bill (I think his name was Pai Mai or something like that). I liked those parts of the movie as well, and just thought that since I hadn't went into her master much I would now. As usual you picked up on every point I was trying to get across and I am so grateful for that. The part with Tristan I did the way I did to show that even the others feared his blood lust at times, and while they would want to avenger her as well, since she is their friend and almost sister really, they understand his need to do it on his own. What inspired that was how you had Gawain deal with the mad man in Cerys who killed Gareth. They understood that if he didn't do it, then it would take him a long time to get past it. As always I thank you for your kind words and review.
Galasriniel – Wow, you sound like you needed the sleep. I get like that when I'm sleep deprived, although not to the point of candy confection and poodles and llamas though. Anyway, I am glad you enjoyed the chapter and thanks for the review.
A.K. Anomynous – I'm glad it was able to clear up for you. Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for reviewing.
Newsieskane – I'm glad you're enjoying this story so much. It makes me feel very good. Thank you so very much for your kind words and your review. Please keep it up.
The Priestesses of Avalon
Chapter Eighteen: Realizations
Tristan groaned as he sank against the wall outside his quarters, bringing his hands up to his head, rubbing his face in frustration. Mariska had clung tightly to him all the way back to the fort, and long after they had arrived late that afternoon. Eventually Jasmine had talked her into letting go of him long enough to be treated for her injuries. Their room was the only one she would let him release her in, and so a tub had been brought up and now she sat in a bath of antiseptic herbs while Esmeralda, Jasmine, Hayley and Vanora worked at cleaning her wounds. She would let none of them look at the extent of the damage the Saxon's had inflicted when they raped her, so the bath was a compromise. Tristan had never seen her look more frightened or more ashamed as long as he had known her as she did when Hayley had been asking her what all had been done.
He had no idea how he was going to be able to help her through this. He had never had to deal with this subject before. His father had taught him to respect women when he was growing up, as all the knights had been taught. And as soon as Arthur became commander of the Garrison he had instituted strict penalties for those who would rape any of the women. And to have it happen to the woman he loved…it was almost too much for him to bear. He needed to kill something.
Massaging his head, he groaned. How was he to deal with all of this?
He heard Merlin approaching but did not give any indication that he did as the old Shaman came to stand next to him, leaning heavily on his walking stick. As soon as Tristan had dismounted upon returning to the fort, Mariska in his arms, Merlin had been there, wrapping her in a tight hug and murmuring to his only granddaughter. Tristan could see the pain in the old man's eyes as she stiffened in his arms, clinging tighter to the scout.
"The days ahead, will not be easy ones," the old man spoke softly, eyeing Tristan closely.
"I know," Tristan snapped back.
"She will blame herself, and think that she is unworthy of your love," he continued undaunted. "You must decide if you are strong enough to help her. If you love her enough to stand by her in the days ahead. If you do not, tell her quickly and let her be. I will take her back to the temple and her sisters can help her there…"
Tristan cut him off then, looking up at the magician, his face deadpan but his eyes swimming in anger. "There is no need for you to take her anywhere!" he growled at him. "I will tend to her."
Merlin looked at him closely, noting the determination, the fear and the love in the young mans eyes at the thought of Mariska being taken from him. Yes, he would do well. "It does my heart good to hear this," he said after a moment. "She will need you now. As you will need your brothers. Do not be afraid to lean on them boy, when you need to," he reached out and patted Tristan's shoulder. "My Granddaughter is lucky to have found you."
Tristan merely grunted in response, holding the old mans gaze. He'd never trusted the Woads, not since Miranda, and he still didn't by nature, but he could see something in the old mans eyes now akin to relief, which made the scout slightly less leery.
Before either could say more, the other knights came lumbering up the stairs, led by Arthur. "Tristan, how is she?" the King asked, placing a comforting hand on his scouts shoulder.
When they had first arrived back the noise and multitude of people had had Mariska trembling, so the others had worked to hold back the masses of villagers, answering questions so that the women and Tristan could get her safely up to the room. She, as well as the other Priestesses, were all well liked about the fort. "Frightened out of her wits and in a great deal of pain," Tristan replied, his face passive but his voice filled with annoyance. How did they expect her to be?
"Poor thing," Bors muttered, shaking his head slowly. He couldn't bear the thought of anything like that happening to his Vanora; he could only guess what Tristan was feeling at that moment. "What about you?"
"How do you think?" Tristan asked coolly, his eyes still filled with rage. Somehow killing the Saxon's in the cave had not been enough for him. Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that they were now dead, and yet there was still the demons they had left in her mind to fight. The ones that would not fall under his blade alone.
"Is there aught we can do my friend?" Lancelot asked, his face pensive. Esmeralda had regained consciousness a few miles from the fort, and had been rushing off with the other women before he could find out how she was. It had scared him when she had collapsed, and it frightened him more so to not know how she was dealing with all of this. She could be more sensitive than the others, he had discovered, although she rarely showed it; and to top it off, she looked up to Mariska a great deal. She would suffer this deeply.
Tristan was about to object, saying he could handle it all on his own, when Merlin spoke up. "She will need you with her now. Mayhap someone else could handle the patrols?"
"Aye, Galahad and I will," Gawain said solemnly. "As we did when you were injured."
Galahad nodded his agreement. "Think nothing on it Tris, just tend to Mariska."
Tristan nodded his thanks before Arthur began to speak again. "Anything you need my friend, just say the word. We are with you in this," he gave Tristan's shoulder a squeeze just as the door opened and Vanora came out, her face grim.
"Van 'ow is she?" Bors asked, stepping forward and taking her in a hug as she flung her arms about his neck.
"Not well Bors," she said, her voice exhausted and tight with unshed tears. "She won't hardly let us touch her to 'elp. Just shakes and stiffens up," she pulled away enough to look at the other knights, focusing on Tristan for a moment before looking away, unable to hold his gaze. "It's bad. She's pretty banged up. Her rib is broken, as is her ankle and the knot at the back of her head ain't good. She's askin' for you again Tris. Won't let 'em touch her until you're in there."
Tristan pushed off of the wall, not even looking at the others before walking into the door, shutting it soundlessly behind him. As soon as it was closed Vanora spoke again, her voice holding a bit of awe. "I ain't never seen nothing like it."
"Like what?" Dagonet asked, leaning heavily against the wall to wait for his wife. It had taken him some time to get Lucan to go back to their rooms to wait, since he was worried about his aunt and his son's questions had left him emotionally exhausted.
"I've known a few women who've been raped, and usually they won't let even their men touch them this soon after. Other women usually are okay, but not a man alive can come near em. With her it's everyone but him," Vanora explained.
"She told me not three days ago, that she never feels safer than she does with him," Merlin began, leaning even more on his walking stick. "She is clinging to that feeling rather than pushing it aside. I believe it will help her in the end."
"Aye, but it makes a hard road ahead for Tristan," Galahad observed.
"For all of us," Lancelot corrected him. "This does not only affect him and Mariska, but us as well. I don't know about you all but she is like a sister to me. And Esmeralda is even closer to her than I, as are Hayley and Jasmine. This will affect them greatly."
"Lancelot is right," Arthur said, his own emotions raging against what had happened to the woman he held responsible for bringing back his three brothers. "We are all touched by this, and the other girls will need our help as well as Tristan."
"So what do we do?" Bors asked, squeezing Vanora a bit tighter.
"Just be available for them," Merlin supplied. "Help them when they need it."
"Tristan is not one to ask for help," Galahad stated, reminding them all of how proud the scout could be.
"Then we must help him when he does not know he needs it," Dagonet stated, the others all nodding in agreement.
xoxoxoxoxoxox
As soon as Tristan was through the door Mariska flew into his arms, her panicked state easing slightly at the feel of his body against her own, the safe feeling settling over her once again. He held her close, wrapping his arms about her body and soothing her hair, kissing the top of her head before resting his cheek against it, murmuring to her as he would a frightened animal or child, rocking her slowly.
Hayley and Esmeralda watched on while Jasmine listened to him comfort her friend. It was as if Mariska was trying to crawl inside of Tristan to escape the very world around her and it broke the girls heart to see the woman they usually looked to for leadership to be broken so. Hayley shuddered at the thought of what had been done to her before speaking to Tristan.
"We've set her ankle, and cleaned her wounds as best we could. And she's had some herbs for the pain. It's best to just let her get some rest now," she said softly, taking Jasmine by the elbow to lead her from the room. "If you need anything at all…" her voice trailed off as she locked eyes with him, the helplessness she was feeling evident in her gaze.
He nodded in thanks before tearing his gaze away, focusing on Mariska who was still trembling in his arms. "We will be fine," he added softly.
The women nodded and made their way silently from the room, shutting the door with a quiet thud behind them. As soon as they were gone Tristan scooped Mariska up into his arms gently and took her to the bed, laying her down and pulling the covers about her. He went to rise but found quickly that she would not release him, and instead laid down next to her, watching as she snuggled against him, ignoring the pain it caused her rib to do so.
He let out a sigh and held her, stoking her hair slowly while she cried softly against his chest, grasping tightly at his tunic. They stayed like that for a long while, until she finally ran out of tears and merely clung to him, her trembling slowly subsiding.
Finally he spoke, his voice low and quiet as he continued to stroke her hair, gazing out the open window. "I am sorry I failed you."
Her body went rigid for a long moment before she spoke. "How do you believe you failed me?" Her voice was hoarse and tired and laced with confusion.
"If I had been paying more attention; had not been drinking more than usual; had accompanied you and Vanora…"
"Then it would have happened all the same. Except mayhap you would have been killed in the process," she pulled herself up enough to look into his face, stroking his cheeks and rubbing his tattoos with her thumbs, in the way she always did late at night, after they made love. "Destiny may not always be kind, but she cannot be avoided. And while what has happened plagues me, I do not blame you for it. I could never blame you for it."
He leaned over then, overcome by his emotions, and gently kissed her forehead, pulling her closer, grateful to have her near him once again. Her next words however shocked him to his core.
"All I ask for is that you stay with me tonight. Tomorrow I will return to the temple and you need never hear of me again."
It was his turn to be confused as he pulled away from her, trying to capture her eyes with his own, but failing as she ducked her head, closing her lids enough to block his gaze. "Why would you do that?" he asked gently, capturing her chin with his fingers and lifting her head up so he could see into her eyes.
"Because I have been shamed beyond measure," she began, fresh tears coming to her eyes, her voice trembling. "I could not expect you to love me after this, or any decent man. I will return to the temple, it is what is best."
He regarded her for a long moment before nodding his head slowly. "If that is what you wish, then I will not stop you," he said going to rise.
"Where are you going?" she asked, slightly alarmed, rising in the bed and clutching at his arm. She had expected this, as much as her heart had hoped she would be wrong; that he loved her enough to look past what had been done to her, but she was prepared for it. She was not good enough for him any longer, although she was not prepared for him to leave so soon. She had wanted the night….needed it to say a proper goodbye.
"To give the King my resignation," he said without skipping a beat. "If you are to go to the temple, than I am to go with you. Do not for a moment think otherwise." His voice was stern and left no room for argument, nor did his eyes as they bore down into her own. "And do not dare think for a moment that you could ever be undeserving of my love."
"Oh Tristan," she was on her knees in an instant in the bed, her arms wrapped about his waist and her head buried in his chest. "I do not deserve you," she whispered, as he held her just as tightly, trying to mind her rib, kissing the top of her head and rubbing her back slowly.
"Nay, you deserve much more," he answered, capturing her chin again and forcing her to look at him. "What can I do?" he asked after a moment, unsure how to proceed. He knew she needed his comfort now, although he was unsure of how to give it. This was not the instance where physical comfort, at least on certain levels was appropriate. He knew that it would most likely be sometime before they would be able to be as intimate as they once were, due to her healing as well as the fear he was sure she harbored, and the memories it would bring back. And he had never been good with emotional comfort. Dagonet, he could sit and listen and discuss feelings, and Gawain and Arthur and to a lesser extent Lancelot. Hell even Galahad, as dense and self-absorbed as he could be, was more sensitive when it came to women's feelings. But to Tristan they were a mystery, and one that before now, he had never been too eager to figure out.
"Just don't leave me tonight," she whispered, moving her head to nuzzle her cheek against his chest.
He nodded slowly before leaning down, kissing her forehead once more and went to pull away. Her hands caught about his wrists and she looked almost pleadingly up at him. "I am just going to remove the blood at the basin," he assured her, kissing her cheek this time. "I will not be further than across the room."
Nodding slowly she let go, sitting back onto the bed and brought her knees up to her chest, hugging them closely. He sighed and walked over to the basin, picking up the cloth to wash the blood from his face and hands, glancing over at her periodically, working as fast as he could.
She sat on the bed, rocking slowly, her eyes glazed with fear as she gazed ahead, not really seeing anything. He threw the cloth down and pulled off his tunic, throwing it onto a chair before grabbing another, pulling it on as he walked over to the bed to take her in his arms, knowing that the road ahead of them was far from an easy one.
xoxoxoxoxoxox
As soon as the door opened all the men standing in the hall were gathered around the three women exiting. Jasmine's hand shot out in front of her and Arthur immediately took it, pulling her into a comforting embrace while Dagonet and Lancelot did much the same with Hayley and Esmeralda.
"What say you, daughters of Avalon?" Merlin asked after a moment, his face grim, his eyes glancing worriedly towards the room, which held his granddaughter and her lover.
"She has suffered much," Esmeralda said, hugging closer to Lancelot, tears falling silently from her eyes.
"And will suffer more," Jasmine agreed, closing her eyes and trying to block her mind against the horrors her sister must have endured. "The path ahead is far from easy."
"And he knows that above all," Hayley added, clutching tighter to Dagonet, one hand going to her belly as his larger one came down to cover it both thinking the same. Should it be a girl, they begged the Gods that she never suffer as Mariska had.
"What can we do?" Galahad asked after a moment, looking worriedly towards the door.
"All that can be done now is to wait in case we are needed, and to show him our support," Hayley answered sadly.
"The bulk of this trial rests on their shoulders alone, and it is their burden to bare," Jasmine agreed.
"None more than Mariska though," Esmeralda added softly. "May the Goddess grant Tristan the patience and the strength to see her through it."
They all nodded in agreement with the prayer before Vanora spoke up. "I had the girls fix something up for all of you. It was a long day and you all have aught had anything since last night."
"What about them?" Bors inclined his head towards the door.
"I'll bring them up something directly," Vanora assured him, rubbing his head as he rested it against his shoulder and the two began to walk down towards the tavern. Both knew they owed Mariska their lives, since had it not been for her stalling them as she did Ganis and Jols would have never shown up in time and Vanora would have been taken as well.
"I do not feel much like eating," Esmeralda said after a moment, pulling away from Lancelot and hugging herself tightly. He wrapped an arm about her shoulders and kissed her head.
"Nor do I," Hayley agreed.
"Come Hayley you must eat something," Dagonet said, placing an arm about her waist and leading her towards the tavern. "For the baby's sake."
"He is right Hayley," Jasmine said as Arthur began to lead her down as well, his hand holding tightly onto hers, his other arm wrapped firmly about her waist. "Mariska would not wish you to put yourself or the babe in jeopardy over this."
"You are right my sister," Hayley said as they all began to make their way downstairs, Gawain and Galahad trailing after them behind Merlin, leaving Esmeralda and Lancelot standing outside on the landing.
"Do you wish to go and eat?" he asked her after a moment, kissing the top of her head once more.
"Nay. My stomach is flipping about too much to eat now," she said, rubbing her belly slowly. "I am just so tired…"
In an instant he had her swept up in his arms and was carrying her down the hall to their room, kicking open the door and then kicking it shut again before taking her to the bed, laying her gently on top of the blankets.
"Sir Knight, not that I am complaining mind you, but what was that for?" she asked, smiling up at him as he sat down next to her, resting his hands on either side of her head.
"You deserved it after what you did today," he replied, leaning forward and kissing her chastely. "Do not ever scare me so again," he murmured against her lips before wrapping his arms about her and pulling her closer, burying his head in her hair.
"I did not mean to," she murmured back, kissing his temple and running her fingers slowly through his hair.
After a moment he pulled back enough to stand up and lie down on the bed next to her, gathering her into his arms. "How are you truly?"
She sighed and rested her head against his chest. "It scares me Lance, so very much. When I first came to the temple as a girl, it was Mariska who first took me under her wing. She wasn't so very much older, but her whole presence was like that of a grown up. And she was so brave and so very strong. Even when her husband and daughter died, she did not breakdown and sob. She fought, and while she became lost in the battle, she never broke." She paused to collect her breath and her thoughts before continuing on.
"If someone as strong as she is can break, then what chance is there for me?"
"Oh Esmeralda, everyone handles stress differently," Lancelot soothed her. "And just because this has happened to her does not mean that it will happen to you," he pulled her closer, so that she was laying on top of him, her head cradled against his chest. "I will protect you, I swear it," he murmured kissing her hair.
She looked up at him, tears glistening in her eyes before she leaned forward, kissing him deeply. His hands came up to tangle in her hair, pulling her closer and intensifying the kiss, before rolling her onto her back, their cloths quickly disappearing as they took comfort in one another.
xoxoxoxoxoxox
Later that night, Hayley and Dagonet sat in their rooms with Lucan, a fire burning in the hearth and Lucan curled up in Hayley's lap as she sat in the bed, stroking his hair as he clung to her. She rocked him slowly back and forth, murmuring softly to him.
"Will Aunt Mariska be okay?" Lucan asked for around the hundredth time.
"In time baby," Hayley said, kissing his forehead.
Dagonet stoked the fire once more before rising and coming to sit next to his wife and son on the bed. "We will have to help her though son. She will need us to be there for her as will Uncle Tristan."
Lucan nodded in understanding, still clinging to his mother. "How can I help them?" he asked after a moments thought, looking seriously at his father, wanting desperately to how to help.
"Just show them that you love them darling," Hayley said, leaning over to look into his face, brushing some hair away from his forehead.
"Aye, and if they ask you for anything, you get right on to doing it without any trouble," Dagonet added, running his hand through his sons hair as well. "And be extra sweet to your aunt."
"Oh yes father," Lucan nodded vigorously, his face set. "Mayhap tomorrow Gilly and I could gather her some flowers, do you think she would like that mother?"
"Yes I think she would like that very much, but do not be hurt if she does not hug you as she usually does. She is very…sad right now. It will take her time to heal," Hayley smiled down at him, hugging him tighter to her, never prouder to call him her son.
"Hmm, then we will have many flowers to pick," Lucan said, earning a proud smile from his father, as well as ruffled hair.
"She will like that Lucan," Dagonet said softly, sharing a look with Hayley. "Now run to bed. It is late and we have all had a hard day."
"Yes Father, goodnight mother, I love you," Lucan reached up and kissed his mother.
"I love you as well my little knight. Sleep well," she kissed him back and smiled as he leaned over and kissed her still flat stomach.
"Goodnight baby, I love you," he said before turning and throwing his arms about Dagonet's neck. "Goodnight father, I love you." It was their ritual and it still brought a tear to Dagonet's eye each night. He had never dreamed that having a family would be this wonderful.
"Goodnight my son. I love you more than you will ever know," Dag replied, hugging him back and watching as he scampered off the bed and over to the side door, joining their room with his, which Bors had helped him build, closing it carefully behind him. "Such a good boy," he murmured to Hayley, turning to face her.
"Aye, that he is. He will be a good one for this little one to look up to," she patted her belly lovingly before sighing. "Oh Dagonet, what are we going to do?
"Just as we told Lucan," he said after a moment's thought. "Be there in case we are needed and make sure they know that we love them and that they are not alone."
Hayley nodded slowly, sinking further into the bed, leaning against her husband as he snuffed out the candle before snuggling closer to her. "I am lucky to have found you Dagonet," she murmured, looking up and kissing his lips gently. "I love you more than you will ever understand or know."
"I might have an idea," he smiled before kissing the top of her head, both gently sinking into sleep.
xoxoxoxoxoxox
The night was over half way through when Arthur knocked upon Jasmine's door, running a hand through his hair once more. He looked tired and worn and had been up pacing his room for most of the night and had come to several decisions, two of extreme importance. First, he was going to increase the patrol on the boarders of the fort, to keep what had happened to Mariska from happening again. Secondly he was going to tell Jasmine how he truly felt about her.
He had been worried that it was too soon after Guinevere's death to make his feelings known, and had hated a part of himself for feeling the way he did for her. They had connected on a level that Guinevere and he could have never dreamed of, and it lightened his heart to see her each day and she was the last thought he had each night, as well as the first each morning. And his dreams were plagued with her to the point that sometimes he was sad to wake.
Quite simply, he was in love. And he had to tell her now before it was too late. Mariska's abduction proved that much. It could have just as easily been Jas… he stopped his thought there and resumed pounding on the door.
After a few moments he heard the scratching of furniture against the floor and muttered swearing before the door opened, revealing her groggy face in the pale moonlight. She rubbed her eyes and muttered, "Who's there?" trying to gain control of her still hazy mind.
"I am sorry Jasmine, did I wake you?" Arthur asked, kicking himself for not realizing that it was the middle of the night, of course she would be asleep.
"Arthur? What is it? Is something wrong?" She awoke considerably at hearing the distress in his voice, reaching out her hand only to have him take it and bring it up to his lips.
"No nothing is wrong except… I wonder if I could come in for a moment? There is something I must tell you," he said looking into her bleach white eyes admiring how exotically beautiful they were.
"Now? This late at night?" she asked, her face scrunching in confusion.
"I fear if I do not tell you now, I will loose my nerve," he said honestly, smiling nervously down at her.
"Of course then Arthur come in," she stepped aside and allowed him to enter, shutting the door behind him. "Give me a moment," she said, putting her hands before her and walking to the table, finding her flint rock and striking it, bringing a candle to life along with the dull fire glowing in the hearth. "Now," she turned to face him, motioning for him to sit while she settled in a nearby chair. "What is it that has you trying to break down my door in the middle of the night your majesty?" she asked, her voice teasing as she rested her hands in her lap, a smirk playing at her lips.
Once again Arthur found his hand in his hair as he rested the other on his hip and began to pace the room. "It is complicated…you see, after what has happened to Mariska, I realized something."
"That we need better guards?" Jasmine asked, a hint of anger and a great deal of sarcasm in her voice. The sentries had seen nothing, which made her wonder how far they kept their heads shoved up their asses on night watch.
"Aside from that, and do not fear, they will be punished," he assured her smiling. "But it made me realize that, it could have just as easily been another," he paused for a moment, fear in his heart. "That it could have just as easily been you. And I cannot let you go another night, with that fear in my heart, that you could be injured so. And that something could take you from me without you ever knowing how much you mean to me."
Jasmine smiled softly, yet sadly. "Oh Arthur, I know how dear I am to you," she rose slowly and came across the room, holding her hands before her to have him take them, squeezing them tightly in his own. "We are the closest of friends, who share a similar past. No one could ever break that bond. I do appreciate you coming to re-assure me though, and your concern," she squeezed his hands back, going to release them only to find them held firmly in place. She turned her face questioningly up towards him.
"I beg pardon lady, but you do not know how dear you are to me if you believe I think of you only as my friend," he said in a soft voice. He took in a deep breath before continuing. "I am helplessly in love with you."
A shocked look appeared on Jasmines face. It was more than she could have ever dreamed of and for a moment she wondered if it were real and if she had heard correctly. And so she had to ask, "I am sorry, but you did just say you loved me yes?" her voice was hopeful and she turned her face up towards him, trying to guess what his expression might be.
Arthur smiled then and leaned forward, his lips a mere millimeters from her own. "I love you Jasmine of Avalon, more than the world could ever comprehend," he said before capturing her lips in his own in a passionate kiss.
Authors Note: Again sorry this took so long guys. It was a combination of the swimmers ear and the fact that this chapter was a very emotionally exhausting and draining one to write. Especially the scenes dealing with what happened to Mariska and everyone's perspectives on it. And then Arthur is just hard for me to write for so that didn't help. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this chapter and it was worth the wait. Let me know what you think.