Awakening Gawain breathed deeply in a sigh then turned over, looking to Ragnell who was facing away from him, still asleep. His eyes roamed her creamy shoulder and he reached out to kiss it, sliding a hand under the covers to stroke her bare stomach. "Ragnell." He whispered and she shifted, moaning softly.
"Gawain?"
"It is time to break our fast as well as break the news to the others. Will you join me in the round chamber?" She nodded her head sleepily, yawning.
"I shall follow after you." Ragnell murmured. "But I need to rest a little more."
"Of course." Gawain said to her softly, kissing her cheek. "Take your time." He slid from the bed and dressed after a wash, glancing to the sleeping form of his wife with a smile before leaving her in peace. When the heavy door swung shut behind him, Ragnell threw back the covers to see the blood she had spilled onto the sheets.
When she saw it was only a little, she sighed with relief. Getting up she stretched, feeling a pleasant ache between her thighs as she too washed and dressed in a gown that Vanora had placed among several others for her. She would remember to thank her later.
Ragnell brushed her hair at the vanity table, admiring how her hair caught the sunlight. It had been a while since she had let her natural skin seen the sun and she planned on soaking it up to return some colour to her cheeks. Smiling to herself, she got up and strode confidently to the round chamber.
When she approached the guards she smiled as they halted her. "Good morning, I am here to see Sir Gawain and Lady Amaya, would you be so kind as to let me pass?" They bowed their heads to her and one opened the door for her and she swept inside. Everyone looked up then stared at the ethereal woman as she approached them without a worry etched into her features.
"My lady, are you in need of something?" Lancelot asked her with a dark, flirtatious smile but Ragnell ignored him, going straight to Gawain who turned his head and smiled at her as she lowered her mouth to his and kissed him. Everyone stared in shock. Arthur was about to haughtily reprimand Gawain's behaviour when Amaya chuckled.
"Good morning Ragnell, how do you find married life so far?"
"Very agreeable." She answered with a dark smirk and a bright gleam in her eyes as she then kissed Gawain again then sat by his side. Everyone continued to stare with open mouths and Ragnell blinked innocently. "Oh, do you not recognise me?" She questioned then laughed. "I think marriage has already done wonders for my skin. Don't you think so husband?"
"Very much so." He answered, grinning at the faces everyone was sending them. Finally Arthur could tolerate the confusion no longer.
"Lady, would you please explain yourself?"
"But of course, my lord." Ragnell bowed her head then began her tale, from beginning to end. Amaya listened to the part about the witch and instantly knew it to be Morgana. She needed to try and find out what that snake was planning and work towards defeating her. Still, Amaya could sense there was still some time left for them to enjoy peace and plenty.
She looked over to Tristan who, sensing her eyes on him, turned to return her gaze. Slowly she began to smile, her eyes shining warmly before she looked down at her hands. He continued to look at her for a moment after before he sighed and shifted his eyes elsewhere. He would not ruin this second chance, not for anything.
Guinevere glanced around the table then plastered a fake smile to her lips. "Amaya, there have been rumours spreading about you." She tilted back her head and groaned.
"What now? Don't people have better things to do with their time than to whisper stories about me?" Guinevere chuckled, swirling her wine in her goblet as she sweetly continued to talk, anticipating the small degree of revenge she was going to extract from the woman who had threatened to take away her lover.
"I want to congratulate you." Amaya frowned in confusion and Guinevere smiled again. "On the child you carry, the entire castle is talking about it." Several mouthfuls of wine were spat out as her smooth voice revealed the rumour. Amaya's jaw dropped wide open as Galahad leaped to his feet, wine dripping from his beard.
"What?" He roared, eyes wide as several others repeated the same.
"What? What do you mean?" Bors demanded loudly, leaping to his feet too.
"You're with child?" Gawain frowned as Ragnell blinked in confusion as other voices all began to speak and shout.
"Whose is it?" Kay asked, glancing around to the knights.
"Amaya is this true?" Arthur asked her gently but her mouth continued to gape before she spluttered.
"What?"
"What? Who is the father?" Dagonet asked, standing. "Did someone hurt you?"
"No!"
"Then whose is it?" Suddenly Galahad turned on Tristan and snarled. "Tristan you bastard!"
"What?" Tristan frowned, remaining calm as all eyes turned on him.
"WHAT?!"
"You and Tristan?" Ector could not believe his ears as everyone now stood on their feet, voices ringing in the hall as Amaya leaped to her feet, Demon barking with worry.
"I am not with child!" Galahad furrowed his brow in confusion.
"What?"
"Huh? Then why is a rumour spreading that you are?" Bors demanded then cracked his knuckles with a growl. "I'll skin the little weasel who touched you."
"No! No one touched me!" Amaya tried to assure them but her voice was lost in the voices. Guinevere smirked then spoke soothingly, interjecting the moment there was a small lapse of quiet.
"Do not worry Amaya, there is nothing to be ashamed of."
"I am not with child!" She bellowed, narrowing her eyes sharply. The queen shook her head, tittering slightly.
"If you fear for your reputation I'm sure we can find you a husband swiftly." Amaya's eyes widened as Tristan snapped his eyes darkly to Guinevere, seeing the malice in her eyes. "No one will ever know."
"What? A husband?" Galahad threw up his hands. "I cannot take this."
"No! No husband, I do not need one as I am not carrying a man's child." Now Guinevere frowned, pursing her lips as if irritated by Amaya's stubbornness.
"I would have thought you could at least be honest with your family." Dagonet looked to Amaya and spoke kindly.
"We shall not shun you, Amaya, you are still our beloved sister." Amaya groaned, slapping a hand to her brow.
"I'm not ashamed of anything!"
"So you are with child?" Daniel frowned then closed his eyes as Amaya roared.
"No I am not!" Lancelot arched an eyebrow.
"So what is this about you and Tristan?" He smirked slightly then looked to Galahad who paled, realising his mistake. "Is it his?"
"What?" Amaya frowned then looked to Tristan who looked thoroughly puzzled. "No we're…can't you just believe me? I am carrying no one's child. It is not possible." Amaya tried to get her temper under control but it was proving difficult, her breaths were deep and laboured and her shoulders heaved slightly as she looked out through the narrowed slits of her lids.
"If Amaya says she is not with child then these rumours are obviously false." Percival spoke, his calm yet firm tone calling everyone to listen but Guinevere shook her head.
"I heard from one of my maids. Amaya said so herself that she was with child." Amaya growled.
"No I did not!" Guinevere placed a hand on her rounded belly, making Amaya seethe further slightly at the stab the queen was making at her.
"One of my maids told me. You said so to Arthur, did she not?" Guinevere looked to her husband who then frowned.
"What?"
"She said that she should not sit down in her condition when watching the joust." Guinevere pressed and Arthur vaguely remembered Amaya saying something along those lines. "Because she is with child."
"No, because I was feeling sick." The dark eyed woman arched an eyebrow.
"Because of the child?"
"No! Because of the food!"
"Bearing a child does put you off food a little, does it not? Perhaps that is why you have not been eating well." Dagonet's eyes widened but then he frowned. Amaya had shown no other symptoms of pregnancy, so how could it be possible?
"Of course not, I was ill from eating the richer foods, I cannot stomach the spices and dressings!" Amaya tried to explain. "I am not with child and even if I were laying with someone, it would still not be possible!" The words flew from her mouth before she could clap a hand over her lips. Her hand pressed hard against her mouth as her eyes widened, realising she had spoken too much.
"Of course it is possible. I do not see why you are being so childish, Amaya. Perhaps a husband is exactly what you need. Try and tame that wild animal inside you."
"No!" Galahad and Amaya snarled at the same time and Tristan clenched his fists together tightly. He'd like to see anyone try and marry his woman. Guinevere rolled her eyes.
"You are losing the prime of your life, Amaya, you need to start birthing children before it becomes too late."
"I cannot have children!" Amaya roared, slamming her fist onto the table, making Maia jump with a squeak so Galahad rested a warm hand on her shoulder to reassure her. "Not now or ever!"
"Why not?" Guinevere demanded, getting to her feet and the men all drew back slightly, watching the two women face each other down. "It is your duty as a woman to give sons to the kingdom and to your husband. You have been running wild around this city for too long. Now it is time you settled!" Suddenly Amaya broke, lifting the chalice she had been drinking from and flung it with a strangled cry, letting it clatter and crack against the stone as she bellowed.
"Because I am barren!" Her words echoed around her in the silence, her own voice torturing her as she suddenly went lax, her shoulders slumping as she looked down at her feet. "He made sure that I would not ever bear a child after…after he captured me." Tristan was instantly looking at her. He did not know of what she spoke of but he was sure as hell going to find out. Slowly she lifted her eyes which were dead and empty. "He made me drink a potion that took away any chance I had of bearing a child." Pressing her lips into a thin line, Amaya glared at Guinevere who slowly sank back down into her chair. "So I wish you luck in trying to find a husband who would want a barren wife."
Turning Amaya strode away, anger bursting from her chest but she summoned the magic that flowed through her to allow peace to fill her as Demon trotted at her side, nuzzling her hand until she placed it on his head. "Good dog." She murmured then sighed. She did not cry, there was no need to. Her past was behind her and it no longer bothered her that she could not have children, seeing as she had never wanted to risk bearing a son anyway but recently, she had been dreaming about two pretty eyed children, a boy and a girl with dark hair carrying bows as they hunted a white stag through the woods. It was enough to cause her pain.
"Maya." Tristan's soft voice spoke and she stopped, turning her head to look at him.
"I am sorry. I did not mean to lose control." He stepped up to her, pausing before placing a hand on her shoulder.
"When you are ready, I would like you to tell me who it was." He said to her quietly, his eyes flickering darkly with rage. "So I can hunt him down and kill him."
"He is already dead." Tristan blinked then growled, irritated that he had been cheated out of taking down the man who had harmed Amaya. "I killed him." He grunted quietly, feeling some of his irritation leave him as he stepped a little closer and she lifted her hand to his, holding it against her shoulder. "But it is true. I can never have children." She turned her eyes to him and Tristan watched her silently, giving away nothing. "So if we were ever to…you know." She blushed and Tristan held back his chuckle at her shyness with talking about the particulars of a relationship. "I could never give you a son, Tristan." He shrugged.
"I need no son." Amaya swallowed the lump in her throat as he slowly inched closer, his eyes dropping to her mouth.
"And I could never give you a daughter either."
"I need no daughter." He whispered softly then kissed her lips, soothing her immensely with the gentle touch. Amaya gave a relaxed sighed, lifting her head slightly to meet his mouth better before he pulled back slightly. "Never liked children much anyway." She chuckled, turning to face him and she rested her hands on his shoulders, her eyes travelling across his face tranquilly.
"There may come a time when you may change your mind." She murmured but he shook his head.
"I don't need a child to be content, Maya." He frowned, thinking carefully then progressed slowly. "I'm content enough." She arched an eyebrow at him with a smirk.
"Only content?" He growled at her and she chuckled again, sliding her arms closer around his neck as his hands slowly rested on her waist. "You know, I think Galahad may have given us away."
"Stupid pup." Tristan growled and Demon gave a low whine, gazing up as if hurt.
"Not you Demon." Amaya assured him, offering him a hand which he nuzzled affectionately then lay down at their feet. "So what now?" Tristan shrugged unhelpfully. "Tristan…" She warned him with a smirk but he merely cocked his head to the side and Amaya was instantly reminded of the hawk.
"There's nothing to be done." He answered blankly but he leaned his head forwards, resting his brow against hers. "Come riding with me." Instantly Amaya smiled and nodded her head.
"I will meet you at the stables." She murmured then drew away, striding to return to her chambers so that she could change. Demon raced ahead, barking to get everyone out of the way but whenever Amaya passed some ladies or maids, they would look on her with a disapproving face before haughtily moving away. She did not care.
Demon scratched at the door as Amaya opened it and he darted inside, bounding towards the hearth where he had left the leather ball Amaya had made for him and he began to chew on it, rolling onto his back as he tried to break it. Since the dog enjoyed chewing things, Amaya had had to make something that he could sink his teeth into and keep him occupied, so she had fashioned the ball for him and it had held firm so far.
Amaya changed into riding breeches, shirt and jerkin before adorning her boot with a knife then collected her bow. "Demon, stay here alright?" Amaya said to the dog who grunted, still gnawing on the leather ball. "Behave, don't let Vanora catch you in the kitchens again." She left the door ajar then strode towards the stables, cloak sweeping behind her.
She found Tristan had already set out but Arluin was tacked up for her, prepared to go. "Hello friend, how are you this morning." Amaya turned at the sound of a soft screech, seeing the hawk perched on a post, waiting for Amaya. "Alright, I am coming." She answered, mounted Arluin then rode out into the city.
The bird led the way, soaring overhead where Amaya saw grey clouds drifting above, bringing a slight chill. It was nearing the end of August, which meant the harvest would soon be upon them. Turning her face from the skies Amaya cantered out of the city and Arluin, used to the path they took, took her into the forest.
Tristan met her at the treeline then glanced up to the sky. "Perhaps this was not wise." He said, still looking up but Amaya laughed.
"Afraid of a little rain?" She challenged then smoothly guided Arluin into a canter, riding past Tristan who smirked then chased after her. Seeing that Tristan was gaining on her Amaya pushed Arluin into a gallop, smiling as she leaned low over his neck and followed the road before branching off, slowing the pace slightly to rise up over a ravine, cantering through the trees then allowed Arluin to have his head.
Tristan glanced to the right then pulled his horse's head around, riding to the east. Amaya glanced back then frowned, seeing Tristan was not behind her. Had she accidentally lost him? She pulled back on Arluin's reins, gently squeezing her thighs to ride him into a slower canter and was about to look behind when Tristan rode out in front of her, cutting off her way as Arluin leaped to the side, snorting in anger and tossed his mane as the scout smirked.
"Never try to elude a scout." In reply, Amaya leaped at him. Her body collided with his and she pushed him from the saddle, laughing wickedly as they tumbled to the ground in a roll which continued down the slope, hands holding onto one another as Tristan slowly smiled. He held Amaya down into the ground, arching an eyebrow at her. "Not very intelligent are you?" She mirrored his look then her eyes slid down to the knife she held at his side, a satisfied smirk spreading across her lips as Tristan spotted the weapon.
"No, not really." She couldn't help but chuckle, lifting her leg to slide the knife into her boot and made to sit up but Tristan captured her lips, grabbing her wrist to hold it at the side of her face with his thumb rubbing smooth circles into her skin.
Rain began to patter down onto the ground, brushing against Amaya's lashes as she arched into the scout, drawing him closer to her until he broke their kiss with a soft growl. "We should go."
"But I want to stay." She said to him with a mischievous look in her eye. "And I want you to kiss me again." He laughed, shaking his head but complied, curling his hand underneath her head to feel her soft curls and lift her towards him. Suddenly he grunted.
"No, we should go before the rain thickens." Tristan said, lifting her to her feet but did not draw away. "I do not want you getting ill." She rolled her eyes, drawing up her hood then lowered her hands to her side, gazing up into his eyes before sighing, looking pensive.
"Tristan?" He tilted his head to the side questioningly, signalling that he was listening. "I could always just magic the rain to stop." He smirked, glancing up to the heavens which began to pour down upon them.
"Well, any time you're ready." Amaya grinned then took a step back, biting her lip in concentration then looked upwards, beginning to lift her hands. An arrow shot from the tree tops, cutting blood from Tristan's arm as he hissed and leaped back, the arrow burying into the wood of a tree.
Amaya whirled around, her concentration broken as a large shape dropped from the trees above and she ducked under the fist that swung at her, twisting around then lashed out with a powerful kick. "Tristan!" She called to the scout, who slid over the ground, his boots churning up the muddied soil then grabbed two men who had ran forwards with swords, knocking their heads together and darkening their world.
"Leave!" Tristan commanded, turning to the four men who were closing in on Amaya, who was growing angry. She was trapped and unable to use magic against them, so she lashed out with her feet, trying to kick them away but a sharp blow came to the back of her head and she cried out in pain before falling to the ground as limply as a boneless fish. "No!"
"Leave that one, that's Arthur's scout!" One of the bandits bellowed. "We'll be done for if we take him!" Tristan fought back the bandits, cursing himself for not bringing his sword. Their bows lay with their horses, who called out in fear. Arluin slid down the slope precariously, snorting in anger as Tristan was flung against a tree and held down by two of the bandits, a third punching him in the gut then across the jaw, blood filling his mouth as he bit into his tongue.
Suddenly the powerful horse reared up and gave a great battle cry, lightning flashing behind him and in blind fear, the bandit who landed the heavy blows on Tristan leaped back with a yell. "Let's get out of here!" Tristan dropped to the ground as he was let go, eyes blurring as he lost focus and for a long time, his vision went black.
Arluin nuzzled him, breathing hot air onto the back of his head and although he wanted to follow his mistress, the horse sensed that the scout would be better for reclaiming his rider, as Arluin was only a horse. Nudging at the scout's head it rolled to the side, mud splattering his features as the rain continued to hammer down upon them.
The hawk called out with worry, screeching as she fluttered her wings then stepped closer, spreading her wings up protectively over her master then began to peck at his chip, tugging on his braids but still he did not move. Hissing and clicking her beak with irritation, the hawk nipped his ear and drew blood but the pain made him grunt then shift, groaning as he slowly began to move. "Maya…" He breathed in a daze, struggling to push himself off the ground as his gut ached from the blows he had endured. "Maya!" Lifting his head he scanned the area but found nothing in sight. "No!" Arluin pawed the ground, shifting on his weight with concern and Tristan dragged himself up and called for his head.
"Go home, Arluin, bring help." Tristan ordered, quickly twisting the reins and linking them through the throat lash. With a firm slap to his hindquarters, Arluin instinctively bolted, galloping through the trees to the only familiar place he knew. Home.
Tristan groaned with pain as he hauled himself up onto his horse then looked around for tracks but then cursed. The rain had washed everything away. "Find her, find her for me." Tristan whispered then let his hawk soar and without hesitation followed her.