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'Thoughts'

"Speech"

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KING ARTHUR:

Fallen Knights Return

Chapter Three – Bethan

Sandrina went back to the tent, she had agreed to move herself and the tribe into the fort at daybreak; she would also let Merlin see to her cough, as she had been unable to fix it herself.

Lynette had left, after Sandrina had thanked her for looking after the children "They love you a lot, don't they? You were all they spoke of!" she laughed as she left through the flap.

Bethan; a miniature of mother, and a serious, industrious child for her age, came to her and hugged her "I am glad you are back Mama, I missed you. Are you well? Did they treat you kindly?"

"Aye, they hope to help my cough and….and they are good people. Well, the knights are anyway. Merlin is there too - it is good to see a familiar face after so many years of strangers. We move into the fort in the morning; now go to sleep my angel, and dream of wonderful things…" She hugged the little girl tight and kissed her hair.

"I see; it will be safer there, I am sure. Mama, tell us what we should dream about….." a yawn escaped her as she settled back in her place.

Sandrina lay on the floor on her back; this was a familiar ritual.

"What do we always dream about little one? A wide open plain and us riding as fast as our horses will gallop across it; the sun on our backs, blue sky above us and the wind in our face, the freedom that comes with being able to run as far and as fast as you wish with no one to hinder you.

The solitude of a quiet wood with no disturbance save your own thoughts and the call of a bird; the excitement of a thunderstorm, where the thunder calls your name and writes your dreams in the lightening.

That is what you should dream about Bethan….…what I always dream about…."she spoke wistfully and with great longing.

The silence told her that her daughter, like the others, was finally asleep. She leant across and kissed her hair "and to know that there is at least one person in this world who cares if I died tonight. You fill my soul with pride and my heart with love Bethan….because of you I have not lost all faith in mankind."

Outside the tent, strangely ignored by the dogs, Tristan stood and watched.

His face inscrutable, his emotions masked – he absently patted the large black wolfhound nuzzling his hand, and turned and walked slowly back to the fort.

He knew from this day forward, whether she ever knew it or not, there would be one other who would mourn her passing; without being able to explain why; except, perhaps, because her dream was also his.

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The next morning, as dawn broke, Sandrina and her ragtag 'tribe' of children entered the fort. Dagonet was there to greet them; Tristan standing a way off, by the stables, watched too.

"The others had a few ales too many last night..." he apologised smiling. "I have no idea when Lancelot will surface, or the others. I, Tristan and Arthur were the only ones who did not overdo so can be here to help".

Sandrina smiled warmly "You cannot blame them for celebrating your return! I am used to hard work and so will be fine on my own – but thank you.

Where are we to sleep? Also, I intend to do my share, is there any work here I can help with; even in the Tavern say?"

"You can all sleep in those two rooms over there. But no work yet – not until we get that cough sorted out; Arthur and Merlin's orders…by the way, are you not a healer?"

"Of sorts, Merlin taught me a lot – but alas this healer could not heal herself. I have healed men of awful wounds in battle; even raised the dead it would appear….but cannot cure my own simple cough!" Her laugh rang out lightly, but all too briefly, before another cough overtook her.

"What Harpy disturbs my sleep, and breaks my skull with her cackling!" cried a voice from the gallery above them.

They all looked up to be confronted with a dishevelled Lancelot; as Arthur roamed forth from his, and Guinevere's, bedroom on the ground floor. Merlin too, ventured from the stable where he had been sleeping. Galahad peered out from his room, and Gawain stuck a sleepy head out from beneath a pile of hay in the stable…unsure as to how he ended up there. Even Bors staggered into the yard, roused more by Lancelot than Sandrina.

"Good morrow Lancelot! I see you are learning swiftly how mortal you truly are; for would an invincible being suffer such a hangover?"

"Witch! You curse me with your banshee cry!"

"Careful Lancelot, this witch's dagger might well hit its target this time!" He glanced down to his underclothes which just covered him and, laughing, he strode back into his room.

Arthur laughed out loud, as did the other knights present, before returning to his room to tell Guinevere of the altercation; the others too staggered back to sleep off the drink some more.

Merlin smiled in satisfaction; aye, already the melancholy was lifting, and it had only been one night. Fate and destiny were both smiling kindly on them it would seem.

Another coughing fit overtook Sandrina, and Bethan rushed to support her mother. Lucan, who had been standing with Dagonet, offered his assistance to Bethan.

"Can…can I help you?"

"My name is Bethan, what is yours?"

"Lucan…how can I help you?"

"Can you keep the others busy whilst I tend my mother?"

Lucan looked dubiously at the other children, ranging from toddlers to children as old as he "Will the older ones do as I say?"

"They will if you tell them and mean it - but I will tell them for you if you like." She smiled "This is Lucan, he is a new friend – heed him. I have to tend my mother. We will return swiftly." Dagonet passed a hand over his mouth to shield the smile; she was her mother's daughter that much was certain!

Lucan decided that to play with them in the yard was the better bet, as they seemed reluctant to wander where they could not watch over Sandrina; and soon he had made many new friends – though still kept a watchful eye on Dagonet.

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Bethan and her mother made their way to Merlin who stood at the stable door, near Tristan.

"Come child; let us see what we can do with this cough of yours." Merlin guided her inside, whilst registering the look of concern that crossed the faces of both Dagonet and Tristan. 'So, it was to be between these two….so be it'.

Bethan hugged her mother tightly "You will be alright won't you…I… I…won't lose you, will I?"

"Nay, you will never lose me. I love you little one, more than you will ever know. What mother would I be to leave my best girl all alone in the world? Merlin is a wonderful healer, he saved us when we should have died when you were born – will he let me perish for the sake of a cough?" Merlin was genuinely touched at her faith in him, and a swift check of her revealed it was not misplaced; her ailment could be dealt with.

"Nay, nay, you are right; but still, I worry………can I go and see the horses?" her mind changing on a coin as all children are wont to do, Bethan walked over to make friends with one of the black horses.

She found herself standing next to Tristan. Tall dark man looked at small blond girl; then her face lit up "You have a hawk as a friend! You are indeed fortunate – they are very choosy about who they share their friendship with. My name is Bethan."

Tristan was surprised as much at her knowledge, as at the gentle way she spoke and carried herself; as if aware that to be quick and noisy would disturb the animals "You are correct. She became my friend long ago, and I am glad to have her back. I am Tristan".

"She is gladder to have you back" said Bethan taking a long look at the hawk, who regarded her with calm beady eyes.

She looked around her "He is your horse?" she pointed to a grey Andalusian stallion stood next to the black.

"Aye."

"He missed you too, and is just as pleased to have you back. That is nice."

"What is?"

"That your animals missed you and are glad of your return. It shows you are a good man, with a good soul."

"I think not."

"I do. You cannot lie to animals – there is no duplicity about them, only instinct. If an animal likes you, it is because they trust you. They do not trust lightly; therefore you cannot be as bad as you think you are."

He was impressed with her knowledge of animals; glancing at her mother, and knowing this is where it would come from - but still….."I killed men for 15 years as a knight of Rome; now I would kill for my friend and my King, Arthur. That does not make me a 'good man' Bethan, does it?"

"Did you kill for glory or fame and fortune?"

"Nay."

"Did you deliberately inflict suffering for your enjoyment when you killed."

"Nay."

"Did you kill innocents, like women and children? Did you burn villages?"

"Nay."

"Then you are no bad man Tristan. I like you a much as they…." she indicated the hawk and the horse, placidly watching them talk "and I would be proud to call you friend."

He felt a small hand creep into his and looked down. The same serious blue eyes as before regarded him but with a smile on her lips and, despite himself, he smiled in return.

Sandrina, watching the exchange between the solitary, silent man and her serious little girl, smiled with them.

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The wheels of destiny, turned on………another twist, another unexpected bend.