Chapter Two
The knights watched as the black clad nuns and monks dressed in garbs as dark as mud drifted past them; all heads bowed except for that of the head nun, who walked with her chin high and her eyes narrowed.
"I don't like this, Arthur." Bors barked. "Them comin' here won't do any good. They'll just foul up our air with their talk of God." He spat on the ground.
"Bors is right, Arthur." Galahad agreed. "We don't need them here. Do you really think our people will accept them. We don't want anything to do with this god of theirs. You should send them back to Rome."
"No." Arthur spoke firmly, his jaw set. "I won't risk a war with Rome. We're too weak to withstand any attack by Rome's army."
"Ah let 'em come. We'll make those bastards turn tail and run." Bors grinned wickedly.
"I don't want to hear anymore of this talk." Arthur snapped, looking each of his knights in the eye. They were so few now; too many had lost their lives in battle. Arthur's heart still ached at the thought of losing Lancelot, the best friend and knight he could ever have asked for.
He looked back at the somber group that approached the church. Rome was sticking its nose where it didn't belong, and Arthur was swiftly losing his patience with the empire. But if building this church, and telling Rome that he would "convert" his people to the Christian way, would keep the bully of a empire off his back, Arthur was prepared to do it and bare the ridicule that would most certainly arise from his people.
He turned back to his knights.
"Come," he said more gently this time, "let us go and eat. It's been a long day."
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Juliana washed the dirt and grime off her face and neck with the cold water that she had drawn from the church's well. Patting her face dry with the rough towel that had been provided for her, she tried to hold back the sigh that threatened to spill from her lips. It had been such a long, hard journey from Rome and all she could think of was what a nice hot bath would feel like. But no, nuns were not allowed that luxury. They, instead, lived simply without life's comforts and lavishness.
Running a hard-toothed comb through her hair, she worked out the tangles that had formed before pulling her hair once more up into her habit.
Juliana longed to see the view outside her room's one small window, but the sun was already set and the night had descended long ago. She had been too busy caring for Mother Superior to note the passing of the sun from the sky. Now, finished with her chores and prayers, Juliana was granted the rest of the night to herself. But there was not much she could do. The one candle she had was nearly out and that meant that she would soon have to retire to the small, hard bed that served as the only furnishing in her new room.
A slim beam of moonlight traveled through the window, spreading across the cold stone floor. Juliana felt herself being pulled towards her window. She was one of the lucky nuns. Most had to share a room. But Juliana, being the personal attendant to Mother Superior, was afforded her own room, one that adjoined with that of Mother Superior. A blessing and a curse.
A cool breeze wafted in through the open window, brushing across Juliana's face with the gentleness of a lover. She sighed contentedly. Juliana might not have been allowed all the things that most young women her age were allowed, but life was still good to her. What more could she really need than a roof over her head, food in her stomach, and God in her heart?
The walls felt all too close to Juliana right then. It might have been bedtime for the rest of the nuns, but for Juliana it was time to explore. The young woman craved space and freedom and air untainted by the incense and candles that burned in the sanctuary directly below her room. She turned from the window and slowly opened her door, making sure that the hinges did not squeak and alert Mother Superior that one of her precious nuns was out after night prayers.
Stepping lightly on the stone floor, her bare feet making barely a sound, Juliana hurried down the stairs and out the door.
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The church was separated from Arthur's home and court by a low wall. Juliana climbed over the stone wall easily without her nun's garb to limit her movements. The wind had picked up slightly and blew through the light shift she wore. She had been too impulsive in leaving the church and had forgotten to pull her dress on over her underclothes. Goosebumps rose on her flesh, and Juliana rubbed her arms to try and bring the warmth back to them.
Drunken laughter and bawdy singing traveled on the wind. Juliana listened silently, trying to gauge how close she was to the revelry. The sounds were distant enough that Juliana felt safe to continue with her night prowlings. She took a cautious step forward, glancing over her shoulder at the darkened windows of the church. This was so unlike her, to feel so trapped within the church and to wish for escape. Juliana loved the church, she loved the closeness to God it provided her. But here, in this strange land, away from all that was familiar to her, she wanted the freedom she'd never had.
A garden rose up before her, its flowers and trees lit mysteriously by the silver light of the moon. The sight was as close to Eden as Juliana could imagine. She closed her eyes and breathed in the fresh aroma of the flowers, their scents mingling to form a heady perfume. All around her crickets chirped, adding their song to that of the town's people who celebrated God knows what.
Light spilled out of an open doorway some yards away from Juliana. Shadows danced in the pool of pale yellow light. Juliana watched them, entranced by their depraved dance. It was like watching the shadows of a nightmare: so beautiful yet so wicked. Juliana felt herself unable to pull her eyes from the scene.
Unwittingly, Juliana took a few steps towards the doorway. She wanted to see this sinfulness for herself, to see what the allure was. She was drawn, like a moth to a flame, to this wantonness.
A figure stumbled out the doorway, shoulders hunched as if he had been pushed. He stumbled forward slightly and fell to his knees. Juliana, frightened and fascinated at the same time, was unable to move from her spot. He pushed himself back to his feet and moved to turn towards the door, but his eyes caught on Juliana.
> > > > >
Surely this creature that stood before him was a dream. He had never, in all his life, laid eyes on a vision such as she. In the moonlight she was pale, her skin nearly as white as the garment she wore. Hair that was nearly as red as fire fell down to her waist in loose curls. Her eyes were wide, catching the light of the moon within their depths.
He took a step towards this vision, his drunkenness nearly dispelled at the sight of her. Her eyes widened even more, pulling him in. He moved closer and closer until there was barely a breadth of air between them. Her head was tilted back and she gazed up at him with a gaze so innocent that he wanted to take her right then and there.
They stood there, staring at each other for a long moment. He studied her, taking in her dark eyes and pert mouth and small nose that had freckles traveling across it. She was unlike any woman he had seen before, not just in looks but in the naivety that seemed to cover her like a shroud. She truly was not of this land, maybe not even of this earth. He slowly reached out to touch her. The pale skin that looked so soft in his slowly sobering sight was just too much temptation for him. His fingers nearly brushed her cheek when she turned and fled.
> > > > >
I'm sorry this chapter was so short, but y'all will soon see that I am a fan of writing short chapters. Occasionally I'll write a decently long chapter, but most of the time my chapters are roughly three pages. Anyways, please review and tell me what you thought.
grullo-cowgirl: It's so cool to know that I have a reader as loyal as you who likes to read my work no matter what the genre. Thanks.
Mandamirra10, KingArthurgirl, Wander of the Roads, and Sweek A.K: Thank you all for thinking that this story is interesting and original. I was really worried when I started writing it that people would think the concept was stupid, but you guys have helped me to realize that it's a good idea.
KnightMaiden: Sorry to tell you that everything that happened in the movie happened in the story. Right now I'm not sure who Juliana is going to end up with. It's kinda between Galahad and Gawain. Both guys have something unique to bring into the story, but I'm still deciding. And why don't you want it to be Galahad? Hugh Dancy is super hot! Lol. But of course the guy that plays Gawain (I can't remember his name) does kinda remind me of Heath Ledger's character in A Knight's Tale. Oh gosh, this is such a deliema. Lol.
the sarahnater, MedievalWarriorPrincess, and Evenstar-more2004: Thank you all for reviewing this story. It really means a lot to me that you guys would take the time to read and review my work.