A little Tristan/Amaya interaction for you guys, hope you enjoy!
Tristan rode hard back to the castle, loathing the slower paces he had to give his horse to rest him a little then hated the gallop as it was not fast enough. Amaya did not look well, she was even paler and her lips were tinged blue. He held her close to him, his cloak wrapped around her to try and keep her warm but it did not seem to be making a difference.
Slowing his horse down once again when he began to show signs of tiring, Tristan dropped the reins with one hand to frame it against the woman's face, pleading silently with her to wake up. Glancing to his saddle he drew the water-skin, bit off the lid with his teeth then carefully dripped some of the water into her mouth, which opened naturally as she exhaled, tongue welcoming the drink as she swallowed all Tristan afforded her before giving her some more. "Wake up Amaya."
"Tristan?" She whispered, her brow creasing slightly as her eyes gradually opened, revealing the hypnotic blue orbs that fixed on him. She saw the scout's face relax as she looked at him and her eyes drifted to his tattoos that brushed against his cheeks, sharpening his features as Amaya exhaled deeply and closed her eyes again. Tristan shook her, clucking his tongue.
"Stay awake." She moaned in protest so Tristan shook her again.
"I'm awake." Her voice mutter hoarsely though she couldn't quite manage to keep her eyes open and her head swayed slightly before she slumped against Tristan's shoulder. "Where is Maia?"
"She's alright. Galahad is looking after her." Tristan assured her quietly, nudging his shoulder against her head to keep her conscious, even it meant irritating her. "Just do not fall asleep again. Keep talking."
"I don't want to." She retorted grumpily, shifting to get more comfortable in Tristan's arms which suddenly sparked a fever in her body, causing her heart rate to quicken when she realised that she was practically on his lap.
"Don't make me douse you with the rest of the water." She shot him a look. Finally after a couple of moments of scowling, her features softened.
"How did you find us?"
"The girl called for help." Her eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Aye, she spoke. For your benefit only, mind." Amaya looked over Tristan's shoulder, hoping that Galahad and the others were catching up but saw no one behind. "And I am a very good tracker. It was not hard to follow the tracks you all left behind." Rolling her eyes Amaya tried to sit up a little straighter, swinging one of her legs up over the horse's neck to sit properly in front of Tristan.
His hand rested against her hip and she looked down at the contact, frowning slightly so he drew his hand back to his reins. He urged his horse into a canter and Amaya whimpered slightly as her headache returned. Tristan ignored the sound, knowing that it was better to return as quickly as possible.
When Amaya suddenly slumped to the side Tristan instantly caught her, pulling her back upright then shifted her against him, keeping her secure in his arms before sliding into a gallop when he saw Camelot's tall spires rising into view.
He galloped through the gates, forcing his way through the people as they hurried to get out of his way. The clattering of his horse's hooves against the stone only stopped when he halted quickly in the courtyard, Arthur striding forwards to meet them. Without a word Tristan slid Amaya from his arms and Arthur took her, holding her upright then swept her legs into his arms to carry her to the court physician.
Tristan dismounted then watched her retreating form, head tipped backwards with one arm splayed down towards the floor as the scout led his horse into the stables. Arthur set Amaya down on the worktable, the physician examining her carefully. "She is not wounded save for these cuts on her head. She is severely concussed."
"Will she be alright?" The king asked, watching the physician as he began to clean the wounds and wipe her face clean from the blood.
"In time. She merely needs good rest and something substantial to eat." The older man with thinning hair prodded her ribs. "She is too thin."
"I shall send Vanora to you." Arthur nodded his head and swept away, satisfied that Galahad's sister would be well cared for. Vanora ran all the way to the Amaya, flinging the door open and striding inside armed with Bors and two maids.
"Lift her up Bors, you'll need to carry her to her room."
"She can rest in mine." A voice whispered from the doorway and everyone turned. When they saw it was Maia who had spoken their jaws dropped in shock. "My bed will be more comfortable and it is freshly washed." Maia lowered her head, sniffing. "It is my fault she was hurt and so I shall help care for her." Vanora was the first to snap out of her shock, coughing to wipe off the look of shock from her face.
"Well then, you heard her Bors! Get moving!" Bors carried the still unconscious woman to Maia's room, the woman leading the way then opened the door. Once Bors was shooed away Maia helped the maids prepare a bath for Amaya as Vanora stripped her down to her shift. Once the water was ready they all lifted Amaya into the tub.
Vanora dismissed the two maids so that she and Maia could see to Amaya themselves. "So you're talking now are you?"
"Yes." Maia whispered, struggling not to tremble. "Thank you for all you've done for me." Vanora softened further, touching the girl's shoulder with her dry hand before continuing to wash Amaya's face and chest away from the blood. Once she was washed, dried and dressed in a fresh shift loaned by Maia before they slid her into bed.
Vanora had to rush away to see to other matters but Maia sat by Amaya's side, biting her lip nervously as she listened to make sure that she was still breathing. A few minutes passed before there was a gentle tap on the door. "Mai? It's me."
"You can come in Galahad." Maia answered him softly and the knight walked in, closing the door quietly before approaching the bedside. "She is alright, just resting." The woman said, standing to give up her seat but Galahad shook his head and gently sat her back down again. Galahad sat down on the bed, reaching out to brush Amaya's hair back from her face, her curls spilling across the pale pillow, revitalised by their recent wash.
"I cannot believe I failed her again." Galahad murmured softly, his hand falling limply to his side. "I had spoken to her mere seconds after the attack, I had walked away and did not know anything was amiss until the guards were alerted."
"It was not your fault, Sir Galahad." Maia told him in a tender voice, reaching out and touching his wrist. "She was brave to ride after me. In all honesty I did not expect any kind of rescue. You have a wonderful sister and she is very strong, I should not worry for her so much."
"But I should have been there to protect her." He argued, clenching his fist tightly before letting the tension go.
"You cannot protect someone all the time, eventually it becomes too tiresome. All you can hope for is the chance to protect the ones you love when they need you the most, when you are there beside them." Maia said then stood, joining his side as he looked into her eyes and she smiled softly. They looked into each other's eyes for a while before she blushed and looked down. "There was something I wanted to ask you."
"Ask." Galahad said to her. "And I shall provide whatever your heart desires." She blushed further but smiled at his charming words.
"I was wondering if you could teach me to ride." She admitted quietly. "I have a fine mare, Aquila, whom Amaya gave to me but I am stuck with simply leading her around the fields or turning her loose to give her exercise. I should like to ride her properly."
"I will teach you." Galahad agreed, reaching out and tucking a long lock of golden hair behind her ear, making her blush deepen again. "If there is anything else you need, don't hesitate to ask."
"You are too kind." Maia murmured in her light, airy voice that Galahad was swiftly coming to adore. It was a gentle as a chime, melodic as a whispered song and as light upon the ear as a feather's touch. "I know I hardly deserve to ask for anything."
"Nonsense. You deserve far more than anyone on this earth could give you." Galahad told her with a warm smile. "With a face as beautiful as yours, only the stars themselves would suffice to crown your head." Her smile brightened further.
"You are good, Galahad. Very good and kind." She whispered then turned her head to modestly look at her hands. Galahad reached out and touched her chin with his finger, turning her head to face him again.
"I am also known to be honest. I mean every word." He rose, turning to face the woman then lifted her hand to his lips, kissing the back of her hand gently before lifting his eyes to meet hers. "I shall meet you in the stables tomorrow after breakfast." He said to her in his calming voice. "I would wear riding attire, if I were you." She nodded her head, making a note in her head to ask Vanora if there were any riding dresses in her seemingly endless wardrobe of ladies wear.
At the chime of the afternoon bell Galahad smiled. "May I escort you to the afternoon meal?" He asked politely, one hand held behind his back as he continued to hold Maia's hand. She glanced over to Amaya.
"Should one of us not stay with her?"
"It may be best to simply leave her to sleep. My sister will not go anywhere, do not worry. More likely she will sleep until tomorrow afternoon." Maia giggled and Galahad was enchanted by the sound as she rose up and nodded her head then dropped an elegant curtsey.
"In that case, my lord, I would be honoured." Galahad smiled again and led her away like a gentleman. When the door closed behind them Amaya cracked open an eye then smirked, rolling over.
"Finally." Sinking into the soft pillows and the warm covers Amaya drifted in and out of sleep, turning over several times. Her mind became wide awake when someone entered the room, however. She lay perfectly still, trying to gather her sleep ridden thoughts when someone touched her shoulder and turned her over. Her eyes shot open to catch the intruder's wrist but she frowned when Tristan arched his eyebrow at her. "What are you doing?" She asked him quietly, sighing as she pulled the covers higher over her shoulders.
"Do you want anything to eat?" She shook her head. Tristan remained standing there, staring at her loose hair. It rippled across the pillow and a powerful urge to reach out and touch the silky tresses overcame him but he stilled his hand before he could make a move. "I came to see if you were alright. Galahad was not very useful in describing your state of health seeing as his attention was solely focused on the girl."
"I'm sure." Amaya murmured, keeping her eyes closed. "They are both smitten for each other."
"Anyone can see that." Tristan replied sardonically, shifting on his feet then glanced to the door.
"Are you hungry?" Amaya asked the scout who frowned as he turned to look back at the woman, who had rolled over and was now looking up at him innocently. He shook his head. "Then sit down and keep me company." A smirk tugged at his lips as he looked to Maia's vacant seat before taking it up and drew a little closer to the bedside, their eyes locking on each other briefly before Amaya closed her eyes to rest.
For a long time nothing was said between them. Amaya was not sure why she had asked him to stay but she felt like she needed him close beside her. His presence was a comfort, though sometimes it made her skin burn and chest constrict tightly.
"I have nearly finished your bow." Tristan suddenly stated and Amaya sat up quickly, her eyes snapping wide open.
"You have?"
"I shall bring it to you once I am done." A smile lit her features and Tristan felt inwardly proud.
"You work faster than I would have expected." She said to him, still smiling. "I remember it took my father several days, sometimes a week, to get a bow perfectly carved. Sometimes he went through practically an entire tree just to correctly make the one bow." Tristan shrugged.
"I am good with wood and I have had many years practice." His soft voice made Amaya relax back into the pillow as her muscles went lax. "Try and sleep now, Amaya. You will feel better tomorrow." Tristan got up to leave but Amaya caught his hand without thinking, making the scout freeze in place but he did not draw away.
"Stay." Her voice whispered and he could not help but sink back into the chair at the simple plea. Her thick lashes rested against her cheeks, her once pale lips now rosy red once more. She wanted him to stay. Did that mean she cared? Had feelings for him? Or did she just seek company and his was the only one available. Tristan didn't know what to think. Women were just too damn complicated.