I apologize for not updating sooner. I will try harder to keep things updated, the niext few pages will be difficult to weed through. kinda sucks when i know where the story ends up yet i have to make the prelude just as interesting lol. Hope you enjoy. Please R&R and i hope i have not lost any of my readers because of my delay. Good day to you all.
She didn't want to get out of bed. The air was cold, the sky still partially dark and the warmthness of her bed begging her to stay. Reluctantly she rose from her small piece of heaven. Grabbing a nearby cloth she washed before dressing, her mind going back to the night before, to Arthurs decision. He was right, at times both groups did well together, and that was rare, most of the time they were at eachothers throats. They needed to find a common ground, and time was something they could not waste. Part of her thought the idea insane, to push people together, force them to interact when they don't want to, and with weapons so close, but when she went to bed she let the idea sink into her mind and in the quietness she found in her room, she found herself agreeing with Arthurs decision. Afterall, all of them were once thrown together when they were first brought into the war, unsure of one another, untrusting, yet fighting and practicing had broken that, let them get closer, urged them to depend and trust the other. Maybe Arthur is right. Maybe this just might work, then her mind drifted to who she was being forced to be with.
'Lancelot' she thought to herself, securing her last article of clothing tightly around her. 'This is going to be a long day.'
Closing the door behind her she saw Ellaine run her way.
"Morning." She announced, her long blond hair held back atop her head.
"Morning." Lillian replied. Yawning, she tied her own back in a loose bun.
"Did you sleep well?" Ellaine asked as the proceeded outside, just above the sky had started to lighten.
'The sun will be rising soon.' Lillian thought moving slightly aside to allow others to pass. "Could have been better but not much I can do about it. And you?"
"Better night then you apparently." Ellaine smiled. "Today is going to be so much fun." Ellaine exclaimed stretching her hands above her head.
"Yeah sure." Lillian sighed.
"Youre so lucky you get to train with Lancelot." Ellaine said a smirk across her face. Knowing the buttons she pushed by her statement she hoped to get her comrade to speak and to hopefully cheer up.
"Luck isn't the half of it." Lillian replied. "The man lives to annoy me in every way possible. Someone up there must be have a field day watching me squirm." She added pointing to the heavens.
"Come on Lillian, he cant be all that bad." Ellaine laughed slightly. "I mean he has his rough spots it seems. We all do. Overall, I like him." Ellaine smiled.
For weeks Lillian had to listen to Ellaine discussing Lancelot. She was always a quiet type, not on to tell a man she liked him, but always quick to talk of them. Lillian had warned her not to get involved with him in a romantic way, rumor was held high that Lancelot was always surrounding himself with women and always a different one.
"If you want him you can have him." Lillian sighed. "Who did Arthur pair you up with, I zoned out after I was told who mine was." Lillian laughed quietly as the entered the practicing arena. She was to train with Lancelot for a few hours before making her rounds around the perimeter of Hadrians Wall with several others.
"Well,…." Ellaine started to say when Dagonet came to them from the side, a pair of swords in his hand.
"Hello." He said smiling to the two women, sending a cheerful grin to Lillian as he noticed the tired look on her face.
"Good morning Dagonet." Lillian smiled happy to see one of her dearest friends, atleast that was one thing she enjoyed about the temporary transfer from her post, that she was able to see her dear Dagonet again.
"Good Morning Dagonet" Ellaine replied smiling at the tall man.
"Ready for practice?" He asked turning to the blonde haired woman who quickly shot Lillian a glance of apology.
"Yeah when ever you are ready." She said after a moments hesitation.
"We're over here today." He added showing her their destination. "Whenever you are ready." He smiled quickly and left.
"You're with Dagonet?" Lillian asked rather surprised at the pairing.
"Sorry, I know you wanted to be partnered with him, if I had my choice you would be, and I with Lancelot. Hope this doesn't spoil your day." Ellaine pleaded, looking earnestly into her friends eyes.
"Don't worry about it. Dagonet is a good teacher, you will learn many things from him. As for me, I will try and learn patience when it comes to Lancelot." Lillian smiled, urging her friend to go to Dagonet who awaited her in a far corner, swords ready. Around them other began to roll in, some to watch how the new pairs would do, others to practice. "Ill be fine go he's waiting."
Smiling, the shorter woman turned away and hastened quickly to Dagonet.
"If you hear a scream of insanity that's only me." She hollered to her, get a big smile in return before she finally set out to find Lancelot. Sighing deeply she looked for the dark haired man.
"This is going to be a long day." He sighed running his fingers through his hair. He had risen early from a restless sleep and had remained in the stables ever since. Content at the occasional nudge from his horse who stood nearby.
"It cant be that bad." A man replied back. His lighter hair hanging around his head blew in the slight gusts of wind that entered the otherwise secluded arena.
"The woman tried my every nerve." Lancelot replied scratching at the neck of his stallion, who nuzzled his master in appreciation, and the wanting of more.
"And you try hers as well with your constant nagging and jokes." The other laughed. "Admit it man, you are still sore that she beat you at your own game in that sparring match not long ago." Images of that day filled his mind, the strength she held when she fought, the look of embarrassment on Lancelots face when he found himself on the ground, looking up at her.
A sour look from Lancelot showed he remembered the day just as clearly.
"You have to give her credit. You underestimated her, and she proved it." Raoul added, only causing the frustration in the mans eyes to grow.
"Change of subject please." Lancelot growled. He admitted secretly to himself that yes he had underestimated her, but he did not like being reminded that he had been beat by a girl. He had expected her to fold and to try and squirm away like she had done so much when they were kids but she didn't, she fought back, fought back and won. He remembered the power he saw in her eyes when she towered over him. Her deep blue…….
"Am I interrupting?" her voice broke through his vision and snapped him back to attention.
"Not at all Lillian. Please come in." Raoul spoke first welcoming her. He stared at her, the light of the still pale sky of the early morning casting down on her. He wondered how she would look if clothed in more feminine attire, how even more beautiful she would look under the light.
"Good morning Raoul." She replied embracing him in a brief hug, slightly squirming away when he held on a little longer then she had hoped. Laughing it off she turned her attention to Lancelot.
"I have looked everywhere for you. We were supposed to meet in the courtyard to practice." Her voice changing from the light more docile tone to a more annoyed sound.
"Well you found me haven't you." Lancelot replied, rising from his sitting position he approached her. "Miss me?" he laughed. To his side he swore he saw Raoul grin and roll his eyes at him.
"I'll leave you alone." Raoul said gathering his things. "Try not to hurt him to much." Raoul laughed taking a quick glance to Lancelot whose grin and laugh faded, replaced by that of Lillians.
"I'll try." Lillian replied smiling as he left.
"We should hurry back to the courtyard. I have to round the perimeter soon and I want to get this over with as soon as possible." She announced looking to him hoping the dark haired knight would try and not be his usual self during their time together.
"Never liked practicing there. Prefer to be in a more solitary place with my brawling partner. Seeing as you are the only one here you will have to do." He smirked enjoying the annoyed look that leapt to her face but was taken back when it quickly faded.
"Yes lord knows we wouldn't want the others to see you loose to a girl again would we?" she shot back her voice sounding as serious as she could muster.
His eyes wide her tried to think of a come back yet none came. Usually he was one of the best at wit games, and throwing insults, but he found himself dumbfounded by her words.
"This way." He grumbled.
Smiling wide she followed him.