Chapter 12:
I was standing upon a bank close to the river, watching the steady stream as it went by quickly, the fog so thick it was almost suffocating.
I knew that this was all a dream, least it felt like a dream. I watched calmly as I saw to my own surprise my mother heading towards the edge of the river quickly as she could while glancing behind her shoulder as often as she could as if afraid of someone or something to come after her then she set whatever it was she was cradling into the river in what seemed to be a basket.
Narrowing my eyes in wonder at what it was she had sent into the water and went to follow as well when all of a sudden a big, wildy blond saxon came towards her. My eyes widened in shock at recognizing Cedric, Cynric's father yet a more younger Cedric.
"Get back here you whore!" he yelled. Her eyes wild with fear as she made sure that the basket that held whatever it was within it kept going on the right and safe path. I ran towards her but found that I couldn't reach her, I couldn't even seem to touch her. I watched with my fist pressed against my heart to ward off the pain as I watched Cedric ran after her as she screamed with all her might for someone to help her as she desperately tried to get away from this mad man.
He growled as he lunged at her, tackling her to the ground as she yelped in fear then automatically turned to fight him off as he tried to overtake her.
I pressed a hand against my mouth to keep from screaming as I watched the horrific sight before me. I couldn't believe all of this nor why I was seeing all of this now.
"No! Please! Somebody help me!" she sobbed out as she tried to fight him off. Without thinking I picked up the skirts of my dress and went to go help when I saw I couldn't move, glancing down I saw that it seemed that my legs were rooted into place which I had no idea what to do all that I did know was that I needed to get to my mother.
I glanced over to my mother who was whimpering and crying to be saved by anyone and I reached out for her yet I couldn't even move to reach her. I watched with horror that was reflecting in her eyes as well as Cedric decided to kill my mother right in front of me as I saw him unsheath his sword as he held it high above his head.
"You shouldn't have done that my dear! You are my prisoner and as my prisoner you must stay here. Your little brat may fall off of the face of this earth for all I care yet you my dear possess to much for me to let go" he remarked. Yet he did not lower the sword as my mother's terrified, tearful eyes rose to meet his I saw to my surprise his eyes soften a bit then with a curled sneer he lowered the sword and grabbed her by her arm yanking her to her feet.
"Now get a move on! If I see you try to escape once more I will have you guts for garters girl! Understood?!" he bellowed. I even jumped at his bellowing voice. My mother meekly nodded as she wiped away the tears that had stained her cheeks.
He pushed her to walk but she looked over her shoulder as the basket that laid in the water, rocked by the river floated down to its path. I cocked my head to the side as I wondered as to who the little child was in that basket.
I was finally allowed to move as I ran to reach the basket that floated with the stream of the river. I dove into the water, managing not to kill myself as I swam to get to the basket. I looked inside as I struggled to catch my breath and to my complete and utter shock saw that the little baby that laid within the basket was none other than myself.
Stumbling back in shock at the evidence in front of me, I didn't know what to think at the moment. I watched myself and then I felt the ground beneath me sway as I slipped into the water and the black abyss that overtook me.
About an hour later...
I felt someone's soft yet calloused hands hold onto my own or so it seemed. I felt the thumb rub the back of my hand gently as I heard his voice.
"Milady please open those beautiful brown eyes of yours. I fear that I cannot take anymore of this silence. Please open those eyes of yours" murmured Lancelot, pleadingly. I stirred at the sound of his voice and I slowly opened my eyes, noting that it was a bit dark within the room, seeing that a mere candle was the only source of light I had. I heard his sigh of relief as he rose above me, a happy smile upon his handsome face.
"My love you are alright. You frightened me so" he admitted. I smiled weakly as I brushed a lock of curl from his face as I cupped his cheek. His eyes closed in pleasure as he placed his hand against mine to hold my hand in place.
"I love you Lancelot" I murmured. He opened his eyes at my confession and he leaned in, not seeming to care if anyone walked in on us as his lips swooped down on mine in a passionate kiss that took my breath away and if I wasn't laying down I probably would of fallen over with the intensity of his kiss.
He seemed to always blow me away with just little things, if not his kisses which were recent mostly but always his expressions, glances, touches, his concern, his affection and to treat me as an equeal.
He pulled back as I opened my eyes once more to meet his as I tried to get a hold of my breathing once more as he played with my hair, I tried to wiggle over to give him room but I winced at the pain it caused me. He shook his head at my antics then merely picked me up so that he could lay next to me and placed my head upon his chest as he played with my hair.
"Tis unbelievable" I murmured catiously. He glanced at me questioningly and I sighed. "How did I manage to tame the wild Lancelot?" I wondered. He seemed surprised that I would wonder or ask such a question then running a hand through his unruly hair he made a comment.
"Why must we bring up my past? Do you not trust me or my love for you?" he wondered. The tinge of hurt apparent in his voice and I regretted bringing up the matter yet it was a question I needed to speak of to clear a more clearer path for a future for us both, also I supposed I was wondering due to the fact that I was scared to death.
"Lancelot I am not trying to cause you any pain or distress" I started. I wracked my brain to try to find a way to continue this conversation but apparently Lancelot came to his own conclusions.
"Yet you question my feelings?" he remarked, his voice rising a bit. I turned to him with my eyes pleading to him to calm down but I had myself to blame.
("God Shirin you can never seem to keep your mouth shut") I scolded myself. Lancelot rose and got up from the bed as I watched fearfully at thinking he was going to leave.
"Lancelot please I did not wish to make matters a mess, tis only a thought..." I was cut off by the wave of Lancelot's hand.
"May I ask what possessed you to ask such a question?" he wondered. I sighed as I proceded to tell him about my dream.
I patted him to come back to the bed once more as he just gazed at me questioningly then he finally came over and sat down as he waited for me to give him a explanation. Sighing I turned to him as I tried to keep the tears at bay.
"I-I had a dream before I awoke and it was about my mother, I saw her with that madman saxon Cedric yet it was years before we met for I was a mere babe" I started. I saw his interest and I carried on with my story and told him about what I saw and confessed my fears to him, by the time I was finished I was sobbing against his chest as he cradled me close.
"My darling you have naught to be afraid, you will not suffer the same fate as your mother, you did not suffer the same fate as your mother" he explained in comfort as I just merely nodded. We laid back upon the bed as we both fell asleep in exhaustion both from our injuries and from lack of sleep.
In the morning...
I awoke with Lancelot next to me and saw that he was still fast asleep. I laid still as I watched him for the first time sleep peacefully and without the crests of worry that normally creased his handsome face. I brushed my hand over his beard but he did not even stir.
As I laid there I heard shuffling outside and I sat up wondering who it was that stood outside my door, looking over to make sure that I didn't wake Lancelot I slipped out of the bed and grabbing my robe and slipping into it, being careful of my injuries as I did then I went over towards the door pressing my ear against the door to hear anything which sounded like constant muffling.
I pulled back and opened the door and to my surprise saw Gawain and Galahad standing outside my door looking quite embaressed and a bit ashamed for standing there but I felt the prickle of concern instead creep upon me.
"What is it? What is the matter?" I asked, the fear apparent in my voice for Galahad stepped forward and wrapped his arms around me to comfort me.
"All is well sister dear we were just coming to see how you are faring" he remarked comfortingly. I relaxed automatically at that and merely rested my forehead against Galahad's shoulder then I heard Gawain comment.
"Shirin where be Lancelot? We went to see how he faring also and he wasn't in his room" he asked. I blushed lightly as I pulled back to face him but I saw that he was already grinning at me while I merely glared at him playfully.
"If you already know why must you ask?" I wondered. He just chuckled then Galahad saw that Lancelot rose and was heading towards the door spying them standing close to the entry of the door, the relief evident in their eyes at there brother in arms sudden quick recovery.
"Lancelot how do you fare?" Gawain wondered. I saw that Lancelot was getting a tad bit annoyed with the question giving away that it was being asked to much.
"My darling sister!" came Arthur's voice. My head snapped up at his voice and as I saw him walk up towards me I took off running into his open arms as he swept me into them.
"Oh Arthur your alright!" I remarked. After saying that made me realize what a silly comment it was for I just saw him yesterday.
Catching on Arthur merely dropped a brotherly kiss upon my forehead as he hugged me tightly while glacing over at Lancelot with a knowing smile as we just basked in our newfound renuion yet I had that awful dream at the back of my mind and I knew that I needed to get answers somehow and in anyway possible.