A Fate Forever Sealed
Hi,
This is Chapter 3! Thank-you all so much for reading this, but please please review! I'm getting lots of Hits but hardly any reviews.
Anyway enough of complaining!
Thanks to my FABULOUS, BEAUTIFUL, GORGEOUS, LOVELY, FANTASTIC, AMAZING REVIEWERS!
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Anyway on with the Story!...
CHAPTER 3:
Do You Enjoy Saving Me?
Discalaimer: I do not own anything at all
By the way, this is my longest chappie yet! If anyone cares.
Previously: (I SOUND LIKE a soap lol.)
"Vanora is his lover. They have, what? Eleven children I think." Lancelot explained. I looked at Bors
"You sure she won't mind? Having to have, another dozen of your children I mean." I joked, Bors laughed.
"Finally someone interesting to talk to !" He laughed again.
"ELLE, ELLE." I heard Fulcinia's shout.
"Oh no!"
"What's wrong?" asked Lancelot.
"It's Fulcinia, she said once she finished with Lucan she'd start, healing us."
"And you've got a problem with that because?" asked Bors.
"Have you ever had to have most of your limbs popped back into place?"
"Ouch. Yes. But only a finger and even that was painful."
"Then you'll understand why I really don't want to go back in there."
"You mean, right now your shoulders aren't popped into place." Said Lancelot
"Well the 'priests' kept un-popping them, and it was so much less painful just to leave them. Of course the first few times, I naturally popped them back into place, then I realised that they wouldn't stop doing it. So I decided to save myself a bit of pain in the long run."
They both looked horrified. Then I heard fulcinia's shouts again, I sighed resigned to the worst,
"I should probably go. But it was nice talking to you two."
Lancelot helped me off his horse, His black stallion nuzzled his nose into my face, I smiled at this and stroked his nose affectionately, everytime the majestic creature moved his fir would ripple revealing taught muscles.
"Thank-you" I walked away my legs where still inconveniently weak, which prevented me from walking quickly.
'Breath Elle. Breath Elle.' I thought fiercely. 'concentrate, not much longer.' I said as I fixed my eyes on my destination. My legs began to shake.
Lancelot's voice drifted over to me. Unwavering against the strength of the wind.
"Elle, do you need some help?" he guided his horse towards me, I looked up into his face that was etched in concern, partially hidden against the heavy snow.
"Oh, I'm fine." I laughed nervously "they just need to get a bit of practise." I carried on walking.
My legs shook more violently than ever. 'you're not going to collapse in front of him he'll think your weak' I warned myself 'why do you care what he thinks.' Came that annoying voice in my head, the one that always, just has to contradict or question anything you think or do.
I walked on, I could feel it, my legs where going to give way, any second now, 'no, Elle just walk." I commanded. I stared defiantly ahead at the valleys and hills, the snow capped mountains that looked surreal against the grey sky, they almost blended into one.
They gave way, I felt myself hit cold snow covered earth beneath. As the felt the wetness of the snow on my face and hair, my breathing was shallow, the numbing cold power of the snow spreading over me, I tried to get up but I couldn't my aching limbs wouldn't allow it. Great now lancelot would think I was some damsel in distress who constantly needed saving.
Lancelot jumped off his horse, in a second he was at my side, he helped me sit up.
"I have a sneaking suspicion that you where lying when you said you where fine." He said his words laced with good humoured sarcasm. That annoyingly charming grin on his face.
"Do you enjoy saving me?" I snapped, annoyed he had seen me weak. 'But why' came the voice in my head. The truth was, I didn't know.
"Best part of my day." He answered.
"Well thank-you again." she muttered.
"You're quite welcome again."
"I can walk now."
"If you insist." He helped me up, he stood there waiting for me to walk on, an infuriating smile on his face like he knew what would happen next. I turned and gave him a look which clearly said 'I'm going to prove you wrong.' He didn't say anything but I could see the challenge in his eyes; I stepped out with as much grace and dignity as possible. After two steps my legs began to shake frighteningly hard. I felt myself begin to fall again.
Two strong soft arms shielded me from the hard floor. I looked up into the face of Lancelot, I was speechless, I just stared into those captivating brown orbs, that I was so attracted to, like a fly to a light. A few of those coal black curls dotted with snow, had fallen into his beautiful eyes. I wanted to brush them out of his eyes, so I could see them properly again.
'YOU WANT TO TOUH HIM!' came the horrified voice inside my head.
"I thought that might happen." Lancelot broke the silence.
"Then why did you let me carry on walking." I questioned. He looked me in the eyes again, amusement written all over his face, cocky grin firmly in place.
"You think you would have listened to me" he quirked an eyebrow to show he was waiting for a reply.
I knew I wouldn't have listened to him, I shrugged. "Maybe I wouldn't have listened."
"I thought so, I know your type." He said.
"Excuse me. You know my type."
"Yes." He replied simply. Before I could give him a piece of my mind and explain exactly what his type was. He swiftly picked me up into his arms, and began to walk over to the carriage, he walked as though I weighed nothing, even with the colossal furs draped over my body.
And suddenly telling him what his type was: achauvinistic man whore. Was pushed into the furthest possible corner of my mind. As I felt his extremely muscled chest.
Once he had left me in the care of Fulcinia and Dagonet, he rode away. I watched his perfect silhouette, disappear into the snowstorm, wishing he was still here.
He soon joined Bors again.
"Poor girl" Bors said sadly, referring to Elle. Lancelot nodded, then smiled at the thought of Elle. They way she had gotten so angry when he had said he knew he type, he loved it when he did it, all women acted the same, angry and shocked that he would or could just label them or categorise them into a group like a market trader organizing antiques. It made him smile as he remembered how her eyes had flashed angrily as he referred to her type, or how she had refused to except his help when she needed it, ignoring the pain as long as her pride wasn't hurt, and how she had except his challenge silently through her eyes when she had tried to walk without any help, or when she snapped at him strands of hair would fall in front of her sea blue eyes, and her forehead would crease into a frown. Or when she laughed, she would throw back her head, and the loveliest sound he had ever heard would escape those very desirable red lips, and little smile lines would appear by her eyes. He shook his head sharply, what the hell was he doing? He was allowing himself to fantasise about a woman. A Woman! They where the ones who fantasised about him, not vice-versa.
"She is a fighter though, she didn't even cry out when I picked her up, with all of the injuries she had I was surprised. When I took her out of that place it was horrible, she had long gashes across her sides, there was blood coming through her clothes, and I've never seen so many bruises and burns on a person." He frowned as he remembered this. How ould someone do that to her. 'why do you care Lancelot' he hissed to himself.'
"Where have you been Elle?"
"Sorry Fulcinia, I was riding with Lancelot."
The next hour was very painful to say the least. I ground my teeth together to stop a scream from escaping them, as I spent all the effort I cold staring at a point of wood in the carriage.
I was bandaged, sewn up, made to drink vile liquids, unfamiliar pastes where spread over burns and cuts, and both shoulders, a few fingers and one of my hips where popped into place, my face was creased with pain and I practically broke Dagonets hand, he didn't seem to mind though, he was very kind about it all. Lucan sat by me trying to take my mind off the pain, it was sweet of him, but nothing could distract me from it.
"There, all done." said Fulcinia, as she finished bandaging up a gash in my side. Lucan cheered. Dagonet smiled at the boy with a fatherly expression on his face.
We stopped for a night in a large clump of trees. It was like a forest in a fairy tale, a faint mist hung low over the forest floor, and little clusters of brightly coloured flowers bloomed everywhere, in such vivid colours that could not be imitated by die. I felt like a little girl again as I ran around the trees in this make believe-like forest, as I followed the wind that effortlessly swerved the trees with such grace, as it picked up leaves on the way, to join it on its journey through the woods. The sound of running water was apparent giving the atmosphere a sweet soundtrack, the sound of running water came from a stream nearby that trickled along beautifully.
According to Fulcinia this meant bath time.
She ordered two maids to heat up two large vats of water over the fire, and bring them to her. The poor maids couldn't carry it on their own; there was a huge fuss of gathering up some of the villagers to help, in the end with the help of 6 men, having to go back and refill it twice since it kept being spilt, and Fulcinia declaring the water unclean once. It was ready.
Outside the knights had built a huge fire where they where seated around eating and drinking. Dagonet and Lucan joined the knights.
"Dag!" Bors called. "What happened? got chucked out of the carriage."
"yes, Fulcinia's giving them a bath."
"Why'd you leave?" asked Bors. Earning a laugh from Galahad.
"You're first Elle." I stepped into the hot water and felt myself relax instantly; I hadn't felt water on my skin for such along time. The water caressed my skin as I lay my head back on the cold tin. Fulcinia lathered me with soap and washed my hair, it was lovely, feeling clean and fresh, I soaked in the tub for a while, while Fulcinia searched for a dress I could wear in her big wooden trunks.
"So how was your day girls?" she asked as she searched in her trunk, for something that would fit Elle.
Guinevere started to giggle, I glared at her from the bath.
"Don't you dare." I warned from the tub.
Guinevere looked like she was desperate to tell Fulcinia, she had been wanting to tell her all day, after glancing at Elle, she decided that her best option would be to say it all as quickly as possible, which would mean she could tell Fulcinia, and the possibility of bodily harm from Elle was minimal. Pleased with her decision she begun to gabble it out as quickly as she could.
"Elle was talking about the knights, about Lancelot – the one with the two swords, yes, curly hair- and well…" she giggled again "He kind of overheard, and started talking about it, and Elle blushed really, really badly, it was hilarious." I blushed again as she remembered the actual scene my face was covered with shame as she looked down at my knees.
This made Guinevere laugh harder, she rolled around clutching her sides from where she was on the floor. I glared and said.
"Oh, that reminds me-" I started, then cupped her hands in the water, and threw it at Guinevere. She spluttered.
It was Elle's turn to laugh, Guinevere broke into laughter too.
"You blushed harder than me, about that thing with Arthur." I protested.
"Trust me Elle, I didn't." she gasped between giggles.
"I made a mental note to kill you afterwards, just so you know."
"Well good luck trying, your not exactly in the ideal position." Laughed Guinevere.
I made a sudden movement as if to get out of the bath, which made Guinevere dash towards the flap.
I dried myself off and changed into an aqua green/blue dress that Fulcinia had given me. As my hair dried I lay on the floor, sleepy and warmed from the bath, it was ecstasy as I gazed up seeing but not registering the ceiling, through the gaps in the wood I could make out the starry sky, Guinevere gasped.
"I never knew your hair was blonde."
"I know, not many people do know. The dirt turned it brown." I stood up, my hair hung down my back in loose curls.
"Are you sure this dress is alight Fulcinia, it's a bit low cut at the back." I said worriedly, as I examined it in the cracked looking glass.
"Elle, it looks lovely." She said in a motherly fashion, as she washed Guinevere's hair in the tub. I blushed at her praise.
"I'm starving." I announced to no one in particular as my tummy grumbled.
"Definitely sounds like it" laughed Guinevere, from the tub, where her hair was forming into little ringlets. She stood up and was wrapped up in a big white sheet. Se dried herself and began to change.
"Why don't you go outside and tell Dagonet and Lucan they can come in now. Maybe you could get some food off the knights." suggested Fulcinia.
"Okay." I shrugged. I left the carriage and walked outside, it was a warm night, and through a gap in the layer of trees I could just make out the stars which shone against the deep purple sky, dotted across the sky like droplets of paint across a violet canvas. I sighed it was beautiful. I heard shouts and roars of laughter through the trees and a patch of light that looked like a fire, 'Yes, that's probably the knights.' I thought with a smile.
I made my way over following the light, trying to dodge brambles and thick trees trunk roots all the way. Yes it was them, as I came nearer they all stared,
Confused I carried on walking.
"Err….Dagonet, Lucan. Fulcnia says you two can come in now." Glancing around nervously at the pairs of eyes fixed on me.
Gawain pulled me onto his lap,
"And who might this beautiful young lady be?" he spoke seductively. I laughed,
"Ha, Ha, Ha. Very Funny Gawain."
"How do you my name?" he asked.
"Well apart from everyone knowing your name Gawain. It's me Elle." he looked disbelieving.
"The Elle we know, has brown hair, not blonde." Said Galahad.
"No, it is her." Said Tristan from the shadows. As he sliced pieces of apple of with his knife. "The eyes." He said simply.
"See it is me you doofus!" I said, playfully slapping his arm and standing up.
"The dirt turned it brown." I explained, conscious that Lancelot was staring at me. "Then Fulcinia gave me a bath." His deep dark eyes where so mysterious, they stared right through me, I felt uneasy as he stared, I looked down.
I sat down next to Lucan on a fallen tree trunk. I ate and talked with the knights. The flickering and crackling flames lit up the faces of the group beautifully, their faces shone in the warm glow, as they laughed and joked, it was clear right there all they had been through, as they laughed and joked, their strong friendship and loyalty to one another was clear the way they teased each other like school boys, but they always knew when they should stop and what was going to far. The air of things they had been through together, trials they had faced together, burdens they had shared was heavy on the atmosphere, all of them where so different to one and other, their personalities opposite. Yet they where so alike, their different personalities almost complicated each other, they all had a deep understanding of one and other, that maybe could only be reached through shedding blood?
Dagonet began to talk to Arthur they seemed to be in a very serious discussion. Beside me Lucan yawned deeply.
"I think it's time for bed" I said to him quietly. During the Journey I had become almost a caring a big sister to Lucan, Fulcinia was his mother Figure, and Dagonet who he admired above all others, was definitely a father to Lucan.
"No. I'm not tired." He struggled to conceal yet another yawn.
"Yes, I think you are Mr." I replied, I tickled him as he began to squeal with delight. "Are you sure you're not tired now." I asked as he giggled.
"I don't want to go without, Dagonet." He said after I had stopped tickling him. I crouched in front of him, so we where at eye level, I put my hands on his shoulders, I saw in his eyes that he needed Dagonet, he was Lucan's safety net.
" Ok, you can stay up but-"
"Thank-you! Thank-you!" he said. I smiled at him, he was such a sweet little boy. His eye lit up when he smiled.
"Ok, but you have to promise Elle, that you will go to sleep when Dagonet does, because we have a long day tomorrow." I said seriously, though I wasn't that serious about it, he looked so happy.
"I promise Elle." He replied seriously. His little face flickering in the light from the dying embers, as his face was scrunched into seriousness.
" Okay then." I smiled again. We sat down, and after a while I heard Lucan's steady breathing, and felt his head on my shoulder. I looked down on him fondly, I carefully picked him up, making sure I didn't wake him. I walked over to Dagonet with lucan on my hip, his head resting on my shoulder, with his arms around my neck. I tapped Dagonet on the shoulder, he and Arthur looked up.
"Sorry. Dagonet I'm just going to take Lucan back to the carriage, you can come when you're finished, I know he wants to be with you when he wakes up." I half whispered, so as not to wake Lucan up. He nodded, and looked at Lucan with a fatherly expression on his face.
I walked back to the carriage slowly with Lucan on my hip, holding him close, stroking his back, as he drifted off to a land where anything was possible. Not knowing that those two mysterious eyes had been following my disappearing figure.
That's IT! (for chapter 3 anyway.)
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