Disclaimer: I only own Morgan, Isulet and Tempest. Soppy chapter ahead.
Chapter 8
Isulet walked out of the tent to look up at the night sky. It was very late night, the grey light that comes before dawn was giving everything a kind of ethereal glow. It was nice just to wander to the edge of camp and sit on a rock beside the track and stare up at the sky. She remembered when she and Morgan always used to be up at dawn's first light, always ready to plan the days mischief. How much has Morgan changed? Isulet asked herself. I've really changed, Isulet said to herself. I got married, and got beaten badly. I even have the scars to prove it. She felt her shoulder where a scar was. I wish that just for one second I could go back to being how we were before, with me telling my brother everything, not just falsehoods because I'm scared of how he'll take the truth. I need to talk to him, but he's not as approachable as he used to be. He seems to be preoccupied with returning to Rome. I don't want to leave here, it's my home. I have stronger links here than I ever had in Rome. In Rome I would be looked at as a widow, to be sold off to the highest bidder. I want to keep the freedom that was for so long denied to me.
"Is there any room for me old friend?" Morgan joined her.
"You know there is, this is a big rock." Isulet said.
"That's not what I meant." Morgan said, through teeth gritted with pain.
"What do you mean?" Isulet asked.
"I mean is there any room in your heart for an adopted woad?" Morgan asked.
"I'm half Briton, you know that, so are you, but you fight for your mother's side." Isulet explained.
"And which side do you fight for?" Morgan asked.
"I fight for neither. I fight with my brother, and heal his knights, to pay back a debt to him." Isulet explained.
"So you kill us?" Morgan asked, shock written on her face.
"No, rarely, if there's no other way I have to fight, though I do not enjoy killing my people." Isulet explained.
"What about the Romans?" Morgan asked.
"I will not fight for Rome. I fight for my brother. My husband was a Roman." Isulet gritted her teeth in anger at the memory of her husband.
"I heard your story from Tristan, and if what he says is true Arthur should be paying you for marrying you off to such a man." Morgan said grimly.
"In the end he didn't send me back, when he could've. I thank him for that. I wouldn't be here if he had sent me back." Isulet explained.
"I still think that what Arthur did was despicable." Morgan spat.
"Yes, but no-one knew what Decimus was really like. I bear the scars of him to this day." Isulet seemed to be looking back into the past.
"I remember when we were younger." Morgan laughed.
"Yes, all the tricks we used to get up to, it was unbelievable." Isulet laughed.
"I know why don't we turn Lancelot's saddle round?" Morgan asked, giggling at the very thought.
"Oh no, I'm not getting into trouble." Isulet laughed.
"Oh come on, it'll be fun." Morgan wheedled.
"No!" Isulet said firmly.
"Oh right, so I'll have to blame it on you then, shall I?" Morgan asked a grin on her face.
"All right, but as long as we don't get caught."
Little did the two women know they were being watched as they crept off to Lancelot's horse. Stupidly Lancelot hadn't unsaddled his horse. Tristan and Gawain watched the two. Gawain, after Tristan had woken him up, informing him the two women may try something was standing rather sleepily. He yawned and turned to Tristan, who motioned to the two women, who had now succeeded in their plan. The two men crept up on the girls, cutting them off mid laugh.
"What's going on here then?" Gawain asked, looking at the two girls faces.
"Nothing Gawain." Isulet said, looking the picture of innocence.
"Come on, we know something's going on here." Tristan arched his eyebrows.
"Can we tell them?" Isulet asked.
"As long as they don't blab." Morgan eyed the two knights suspiciously.
"We won't tell a soul." Gawain promised.
"What if I told you Lancelot's going to be very uncomfortable when he's riding today." Isulet giggled.
"I'm not getting you yet." Gawain remained unimpressed.
"We've changed his saddle round." Morgan said, indicating the said object. The two men looked at each other and shrugged.
"Come on, before somebody sees us." Isulet dragged Gawain away, leaving Morgan and Tristan to follow.
"I think we're going to have a laugh at Lancelot's expense Isulet. " Morgan hissed when she finally caught up with the first two, Tristan had to follow, considering his arm was linked with hers.
"Well, it may be painful for him." Isulet giggled her reply.
"Agony, Isulet, agony." Morgan giggled her reply.
"I almost pity Lancelot." Tristan laughed.
"Almost, dear Tristan?" Morgan asked sweetly.
"Almost, dear Morgan." Tristan replied.
"Dear Tristan?" Isulet looked at Gawain in disbelief.
"Dear Morgan?" Gawain returned her look, which made them both burst out laughing.
"What are you lot up to?" Arthur asked.
"Nothing Arthur, we were just watching the sunrise." Isulet explained.
"I don't believe that." Arthur said.
"Oh come on, doubting Thomas, can't you even trust your own sister?" Morgan meant to make it sound like a joke, but it came out the wrong way, earning her a stony look from Arthur.
"That reminds me Isulet I would like to speak to you." Arthur offered his sister his arm, which she had to take after a pained look at Morgan.
"I haven't done anything!" Isulet cried out, making Arthur give her a strange look.
"Your pranks are not what I wanted to talk to you about." Arthur said.
"Oh." Isulet blushed.
"Oh, indeed. Is there anything you need to tell me?" Arthur asked, scrutinizing his sister.
"Like?" Isulet asked back.
"Like you're spending an awful lot of time with Gawain." Arthur explained himself.
"Like that." Isulet began to get uncomfortable.
"So, what's going on with you Isulet, since we started this mission you've been avoiding me. And spending a lot of time with Gawain. The other knights may have noticed." Arthur looked at his sister, whose head hung down.
"Arthur, I have to tell you I have fallen in love. And I've been avoiding you because I've been worried about something big. I can sense it coming nearer." Isulet looked her brother in the eyes. He saw no lies there.
"Is it to do with your powers?" he asked.
"Yes, I've been having nightmares for ages now. There are so many possibilities; I don't know what to do. I'm scared to sleep." Isulet seemed upset.
"Thank you for telling me Isulet, I know it won't have been easy for you." Arthur escorted his sister back to camp, where she fell exhaustedly down next to Gawain.
"Gawain I would like to talk to you." Gawain got up and shot a look at Isulet, who just shrugged. He followed Arthur out of the camp. Soon Alecto came and joined the knights, sitting next to Isulet.
"Good morning." Alecto chirped.
"No it isn't, not when you've been awake all night." Isulet passed a hand across her eyes.
"What, are you ill?" Alecto looked a little too concerned.
"No, I'm a healer Alecto; I've explained it all before. I've been up all night looking after my friend."
"Oh well, would you like something to drink?" Alecto asked.
"Look, Alecto, you are a nice boy, you will grow into a nice man. But I'm a little too old for you. I'm sorry; I hope you find a nice woman when you're older." Alecto left, looking mournfully back at Isulet as if she'd just martyred him.
"Isulet I believe you've just broken that poor lad's heart." Bors joked.
"Oh, so now I'm the baddie am I? He's the one that's been looking balefully at me." Isulet snapped.
"I believe there's a name for that, cradle snatching." Galahad sniped.
"Yes, and I believe what you're doing is called stalking." Morgan sniped back, referring to the fact Galahad had taken to following her around. Galahad blushed.
"I didn't like him following me round looking like a trodden on puppy." Isulet was defending herself.
"Oh, so you like the idea of someone sweeping you off your feet then?" Lancelot asked.
"No, I'd like someone whom I love to sweep me off my feet." Isulet looked over her shoulder.
"Isulet, I'd like to talk to you." Gawain had finished talking to Arthur.
"Nothing serious I hope?" Lancelot shot, as Isulet followed Gawain into a secluded clearing.
"So, what was it you wanted to talk to me about?" Isulet asked.
"Isulet, your brother Arthur says I'm to do one of two things." Gawain looked uncomfortable, "So, Isulet, would you marry me?" Gawain asked, going down on one knee.
"Of course I will, now get up." Isulet raised Gawain up and threw her arms around his neck.
"Need...air." Gawain joked, Isulet backed off.
"I'm sorry." Isulet said, tears gathering in her eyes.
"Don't cry." Gawain seemed uncomfortable.
"I'm crying because I'm so happy." Isulet leaned forward to accept a kiss.
"I think we better get back, we're attracting enough attention as it is already." Gawain started to go, but was pulled back by Isulet.
"Let them guess." She said, untwisting a ribbon from her hair and twining it around Gawain's hand.
"Here." Gawain slipped his ring over Isulet's thumb, the only place it would fit.
"I think we ought to get back, Morgan's probably dying from curiosity." Isulet laughed as they walked back, letting Gawain pull her back and put his arm around her waist.
"What's going on here then?" Bors asked as the two walked back into the camp.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" Isulet joked.
"Yes we would, don't think we didn't see you." Morgan looked astounded that Isulet would go anywhere without her.
"Shall I tell them?" Isulet asked Gawain.
"Mmm, yeah, might as well." Gawain turned to the group, pulling Isulet with him.
"Everyone we're getting married." Isulet announced.
"What?" Bors almost fell off his log.
"I think you heard Bors." Isulet smiled.
"I don't understand." Lancelot looked confounded.
"I can." Morgan smiled at her friend, and gave her a hug whispering into her ear, "I'm so pleased for you."
"Yes, I suppose I am happy, when you can get over the initial shock." Bors smiled giving Isulet a hug.
"I can't think of a better person for you." Dagonet said, stepping up to give Isulet a hug.
"I could." Lancelot muttered, stepping forward to give Isulet a hug.
"Well done." Was all Tristan said, as he hugged Isulet.
"I can't believe it." Was all Galahad could say.
"Are you sure?" Arthur asked.
"I'm sure." Isulet said, stepping forward to accept her brother's hug.
"Well then, I couldn't be losing you to a better man." Arthur shook Gawain's hand.
"Don't you think we ought to get ready?" Lancelot asked, referring to the fact that the sun had been up a half hour.
"Yes, I think we should get going." Arthur said.
"I think you should not ride Tempest and get some rest." Gawain said, eliciting a look from Isulet, which he quickly quelled.
"I think he does speak some sense, you look exhausted." Arthur agreed.
So when the others set out Isulet was sent to sleep into the wagon. As soon as she set her head down on the pillow it was hard for her to keep her eyes open. She risked a look at Gawain and then surrendered herself to sleep, with all her thoughts running through her head. Morgan looked back and smiled at her friend's sleeping form. She was curled up at the edge of the wagon with the snow swirling into her face. Looking over at Gawain she couldn't help but smile. Her friend was different, she had expected that. But to be in love. Hadn't the two of them made a promise not to fall in love? But looking at the knight Isulet had chosen she smiled. He couldn't keep his eyes off her. But she hadn't fallen in love. Not her, not Morgan. She well intended to keep her promise of not falling in love. Looking over at Tristan she felt a slight flutter. What was happening to her?
"Would you like to ride with me?" he asked, offering his hand to her.
"Yes." Morgan said, revelling in the feel of Tristan's skin against hers. She clung to him as he pulled her over the dappled greys back.
"You've got a good grip on you; I wouldn't be surprised if you could handle yourself."
"And what is that supposed to mean?" Morgan asked daring him to star into her green eyes.
"You could take out some men..." Tristan replied taking on the dare.
"I have done in my time...I think I might have taken out some knights as well." Morgan smiled dangerously.
"You're a good fighter then." Tristan was willing to give her that.
"I have to be, it'd be hard to survive otherwise." Morgan explained.
"We all want to survive." Tristan nodded at what Morgan said.
"Yes, but sometimes that's just not possible." Morgan looked ominously at the sky.
"Are you O.K?" Tristan asked, grabbing Morgan's hand.
"Absolutely. I'm riding a horse again after so long. I didn't think I would ever escape from that place, this is a miracle." Morgan threw up her hands to catch a few flakes of snow. Morgan laughed at Lancelot rode past, looking extremely uncomfortable.
"What's the matter Lancelot?" Tristan asked, turning to shoot a smile at Morgan.
"I don't know, but whatever it is, it's painful." Lancelot was shifting round a lot.
"Lancelot, did you know that your pommel's in the wrong place?" Morgan stifled a laugh.
"Yes, now you mention it, how did it get like that?" Lancelot asked, looking over at Morgan.
"Don't look at me, it must have been you. I haven't touched your saddle." Morgan looked the picture of innocence as Lancelot rode off.
"I can't believe he fell for it." Tristan laughed.
"Well, if he likes me, he won't say anything to me about it, just in case I decide I don't like him." Morgan giggled.
"You spell mischief." Tristan smiled.
"I always did." Morgan smiled back.
"I bet you wouldn't do anything like what you did to Lancelot to me." Tristan dared.
"I would, but I like you." Morgan gave Tristan a warning glance.
"Good and I would like to keep it that way." Tristan looked behind them both.
"Tristan, can you go scout ahead." Arthur shouted from up front.
"Yes certainly." Tristan yelled back, and then he turned to Morgan, "I'm afraid our ride will have to be cut short." Tristan handed Isulet back into the wagon.
"Ohh. I was enjoying that." Morgan pouted, earning her a smile from Tristan.
"Enjoying what?" Isulet asked emerging bleary eyed from her slumber.
"I was just enjoying a ride with Tristan." Morgan said, looking absentmindedly into space.
"Morgan, you sly dog." Isulet giggled. After a while Morgan joined in.
"I can't believe you would think that of me." Morgan played at being shocked.
"I can, I have something for you. I didn't give it to you when you were unconscious, as I didn't want you to lose it." Isulet took out a rag, which Morgan looked at with some interest.
"I can't believe it; I thought I'd lost it on the road here." Morgan gasped, looking down at the necklace.
"Well, that's where I found it." Isulet explained.
"I'm so happy." Morgan gave Isulet an unusual hug, and wiped a few tears from her eyes.
"Now Morgan, this is not like you at all." Isulet gently admonished.
"This is what saved me you know." Morgan stroked the necklace absentmindedly, lost in her own thoughts.
"Morning, or should I say afternoon." Gawain said as he smiled at Isulet.
"It was you who told me to go to sleep." Isulet smiled back.
"I was you are right." Gawain said.
"Stop that Gawain, I haven't woken up yet." Isulet complained.
"I think I know what would. How would you like to ride a gorgeous stallion?" Gawain asked, referring to Tempest.
"Yes please." Isulet got up and walked to the front of the wagon, where she saw Tempest being led by Gawain.
"I don't think he likes me leading him." Gawain said, as Isulet swung herself over Tempest's back.
"Well, he doesn't like being lead, so it's nothing personal." Isulet settled herself into the saddle.
"Pleasant dreams I hope?" Gawain enquired.
"None whatsoever, which is good for me." Isulet said stretching back to catch what little sun there was.
"I'm glad, Arthur told me about your nightmares." Gawain looked uncomfortable.
"Don't worry, I'm fine. I appreciate the worry." Isulet reached out and touched Gawain's arm.
"Hey sleeping beauty. Did you know that someone's put Lancelot's saddle on backwards?" Bors asked, looking suspiciously at Isulet.
"What have I done now?" Isulet looked shocked.
"Someone's put Lancelot's saddle on backwards." Bors repeated.
"I know that." Isulet shared a smile with Gawain.
"How?" Bors looked suspicious.
"Because you just told us, if you remember." Gawain was trying to throw Bors.
"So, any ideas who did it?" Bors asked.
"I do, but I'll have to ask her about her." Bors was satisfied with Isulet's answer and rode off.
"Finally." Isulet murmured, which Gawain caught.
"Careful." He smiled at her.
The rest of the day passed pretty uneventfully. After a while Tristan came back and Morgan sat and talked to him. Arthur and Guinevere had discussions about him and his knights and Gawain refused to leave Isulet's side. Lucan woke up for a bit, letting Isulet give him a little of her potion for fever. He settled down when Isulet sang him another lullaby, to soothe him. Lancelot managed to ride with a backwards saddle for most of the day, though he was in agony afterwards. When evening set in Isulet looked up at the now clouded over sky. How she longed for a glimpse of the stars. Arthur, who was riding at the head stopped when he saw some trees. Lancelot joined him.
"We stop here for the night, take cover in the trees." Arthur ordered.
Author's notes: Wow, another chapter up. I can't believe how fast I'm churning it out. All for now. Lol.