There were Saxons on the coast. Not many, just a few ships but they were attacking the harbour towns and stealing gold, livestock and sometimes women. Arthur was instantly distressed, calling up a force of men to make a defence against the Saxons before they could return.
Amaya wanted to go with them but being four months gone with child, Arthur refused to let her put herself and her child in danger and for once, Tristan agreed. There had been an argument and by the time it was over, Amaya had managed to set fire to the curtains, shatter several vases, freeze the water in the tub into a block of solid ice and turn Tristan's belt into a snake.
Finally she relented, allowing herself to be ordered to remain by Arthur. Frostily Amaya glared out at the rising sun, where Lancelot would be leading a large force of men with Gawain, Ector and Daniel to protect the southern coast whilst Bors, Tristan, Lionel, Percival and Kay went further north where the Saxons were also attacking.
She had not spoken to Tristan since the argument, which was three days ago and he had known to let her anger simmer and cool down. Although Amaya agreed that the safety of her child was paramount, she did not want her husband to leave either with her not knowing what was happening. They could be gone months before they return.
Demon lifted his head and barked in greeting, trotting over to the person approaching and Amaya did not need to look around to know it was Tristan. Her fingers clenched tightly, glaring out of the balcony to watch the sun as the scout greeted Demon with a ruffle of his fur before slowly stepping towards Amaya.
If Tristan was good at something then it was having the ability to know when not to speak and now was one of those times. He watched Amaya contently though he yearned to touch her. Tristan did not like it when she was angry with him and he did not want her to be angry with him still after he had left for the coast.
His hawk landed beside Amaya and she looked towards the creature then instinctively reached out to touch her feathers. "I've never asked, what is her name?" Tristan relaxed slightly when he heard the blank tone of his wife's voice. At least she did not sound angry still.
"Lani." He answered simply but took this as permission to step a little closer.
"And your horse?"
"Ilana." Amaya sighed, lowering her head then turned to face Tristan, fixing her eyes with his before stepping forwards quickly to place her arms around him. Tristan looked down at her, his hands hanging limp by his sides before he placed them on Amaya's shoulders, slowly moving them further down her back to envelop her. "Does this mean I am forgiven?"
"No, but I am no longer angry." She answered, reaching up and kissing him firmly. "Just promise me you'll be careful." He nodded his head, looking down into her hypnotic blue eyes as his hand naturally came to her face and brushed her hair aside, combing through the locks as she slowly smiled. "What token do you request of me this time, husband?" He slipped his hand into the arm of his armoured jerking then pulled out the square of cloth, flicking it open to show her the lock of hair she had given him over a year ago. "You still have that?"
"Yes." He answered simply, tucking it away. "And it is going to stay with me." Chuckling Amaya kissed her husband again, sighing as his fingers followed the curve of her belly. Tristan lowered himself down onto his knees and gently rested both hands on Amaya's stomach, kissing her there gently before resting his cheek to the rounded bump. "Be strong little one. Take care of your mother for me." He murmured and Amaya smiled at his gentle contact and the soft voice he used whenever he murmured to their growing child. Yet he still thought he was going to be a terrible father. Amaya will set him right if she had anything to do with it.
Getting to his feet Tristan touched his lips to Amaya's again before gently guiding her to the courtyard where everybody would be waiting. Arthur was to stay here as, in the exact words of his advisors, a king cannot be expected to oversee every battle when matters at home still needed his attention.
In other words, they did not want Amaya and the Queen to be left with the entire running of the kingdom like Arthur had initially suggested. Amaya was still surprised that Arthur trusted her that much to let her help Guinevere take care of the entire kingdom.
The King stood with his knights, bidding them farewell and she could see that it worried him that he would not be there beside them, but Lancelot made sure to assure his friend that they would all be fine. As Tristan mounted his horse Amaya her attention back to him and smiled confidently, hiding her fears behind her mask but Tristan clucked his tongue.
"You do not fool me." Her smile instantly dropped and she reached out to grip his stirrup, biting her lip briefly as she drew in a nervous breath.
"You be damn well careful, you hear me? If I have to ride four months gone all the way up north just to save your life, then I'll bloody murder you." He chuckled then leaned down, reaching Amaya's brow which he kissed tenderly.
"I've survived before without you, I'll manage a few more weeks." He said to her then looked up as Percival called for his men, leading them away. Tristan looked back, hesitating but Amaya pushed on Ilana, making her step to the side and lift her head.
"Go, the sooner you leave, the sooner you can come back." She said to him, stepping back. He nodded to her then turned, cantering to the head of the first force of men that Percival was leading whilst Lancelot led the other. Amaya looked to Ragnell who was rubbing her belly constantly, biting her lips with worry as she looked after Gawain even once he was gone from sight.
"What a sorry mess we all are." Amaya remarked, sliding her arms around Ragnell who gulped.
"Is this what it's going to be like every time?" She asked in a tight voice. "It's going to be any day now and he won't be there."
"Arthur needed him to go, Ragnell, Gawain is one of the best warriors we have and those poor villagers need protection. He will only be gone a week or two at most, you still have a month to go so he is most likely going to be back in time." She soothed and Maia stepped forwards also.
"He'll be alright. Amaya will keep an eye on them with her Sight, won't you?" Amaya nodded her head and Ragnell relaxed a little, though she still frowned.
"I thought you said you cannot control what you saw?"
"No, I cannot, however it always shows me what I need to see. That was how I knew Lamorak was going to be attacked by those gypsies down the southern road and sent Tristan and Elyan to help him. I always see when the knights need help, it just seems to be my natural instinct to know." Amaya's words soothed Ragnell completely and she walked with her two friends into the garden where they sat on a bench overlooking the water fountain and down below, the city.
The garden was peaceful and they could sit there undisturbed, bathing in the sunlight as the spring flowers began to grow. "May I join you?" Amaya smiled at Guinevere as she approached them.
"Of course, shall I bring you something softer to sit on?" The woman shook her head, sitting down on the bench then looked to the women and their rounded bellies before laughing.
"I feel very out of place." They all chuckled with her.
"Where is Charlotte? Is she still grizzly because of her teeth growing through?" Ragnell asked and Guinevere smiled, looking to a maid who was walking up the path with the child in her arms.
"I thought we would enjoy the sun with you all, so I sent for her." Guinevere explained, reaching out for the child. Amaya leaned closer with interest, sitting on the grass as Guinevere propped the beautiful child onto her lap and smiled proudly down at her.
She had a head of black fluff growing through and her eyes were as darkly mysterious as her mothers. Charlotte was pale skinned with a rosebud mouth and she looked around at the pretty women all looking at her with awe. "Isn't she beautiful? Kings and princes will be fighting for her hand when she comes of age."
"They shall have to fight through me first." Guinevere declared, smiling broadly as she tickled her daughter, making the child giggle and then grin up at her mother. Guinevere then looked to Amaya and shifted Charlotte towards her. "Here, you have not held her yet." Amaya blinked but her arms instinctively took the baby into her arms, the white lace on her little gown lifting up at the lightest of movements before settling again.
Amaya gazed down at Charlotte with a smile though inwardly she sighed. Arthur doted on this child with all his love and he had no idea that the girl was not his daughter. It made Amaya sad but she did not show it, smiling to the little princess as she lifted a hand and gripped onto the wood token necklace she always wore. "Arthur and I have named you her godmother." Guinevere announced and Amaya looked up, startled and shocked. "We both agree that there was no one else we trusted more to guard and protect our eldest child than you, Amaya, will you accept?" She asked hopefully and Amaya looked back down to Charlotte before nodding her head.
"With honour, Guinevere." The Queen smiled beautifully, happily watching her daughter as she kicked up her legs and squealed as Amaya tickled her belly. In her mind Amaya could see a tall, willowy girl with her mother's beauty only with dark, raven hair with more curl. She stood alone on a cliff, watching a pyre burn with tears in her eyes. In her hand she held something but Amaya could not see what before the image was taken away from her.
Instantly Amaya held the child to her shoulder, a hand protectively holding her head as she rocked, listening to the baby yawn prettily before falling asleep in Amaya's arms. Although conceived wrongly, Amaya felt protective of this child and not only because she was now her godmother. She was an innocent, an innocent to face tragedy and much heartache so Amaya will be there beside her and give her strength, comfort and love when all else fails her.
"She likes you, Charlotte won't go to sleep for just anybody." Guinevere chuckled as Amaya slowly passed the child back into her mother's loving embrace. "She's so pretty, I never used to think babies were pretty but Charlotte is the most beautiful creature I've ever seen." She murmured lovingly, warmth blazing in her eyes. Guinevere was nothing but a mother, she seemed to fit the role better than Amaya could ever imagine anyone else to be. She was protective, cherishing and always gazed at her daughter as if she were the most precious thing in the world.
"Maya!" Lucan's voice called and Amaya smiled, reaching out a hand as Lucan ran to her. "Maya, can you teach me how to shoot? Please? Gilly says I could never learn but if you taught me then I would be the greatest archer in the world! After you and Tristan of course." Amaya laughed as she held Lucan in her arms, swaying with him at his excited rush of words.
"Shoot a bow? Why tiny mouse, we shall have to see. There may not be a bow small enough for your small hands to hold." She teased him, making him grin.
"I'll use any bow! I can do it, can't I Guinevere?" Guinevere smiled down at the boy as he continued. "You're a Woad, you must have been learning to shoot long before my age!"
"I was shooting arrows before I could walk." Guinevere continued to laugh. "There will be bows to your size in the training grounds, all the boys learn to shoot at early ages. All you have to do now is persuade Amaya to teach you." Lucan instantly turned wide, pleading eyes up to Amaya who instantly surrendered.
"Very well. I shall teach you to shoot but you must make sure it is alright with your father first, I do not want to intrude on any plans he may have for your training." Lucan nodded his head, soft curls bouncing cheerfully.
"Perhaps we should all learn how to use a weapon?" Maia suggested, surprising both Guinevere and Amaya as she blushed. "I mean, we are hardly defenceless with our husbands and brothers, but I think it may be better if we all knew how to at least wield a knife to defend ourselves. Don't you, Ragnell?"
"I will admit, if I was walking alone in a street, I would feel much safer knowing I could defend myself." She nodded her head. "And I could have defended myself from my brother. We live in dangerous times and we are bringing children into a country at war. As mothers, we should be able to protect our children."
"Do not feel you have to." Guinevere said to the two women with a soft gaze. "You could always simply have guards with you."
"And what if they are struck down?" Maia returned, resting a hand protectively on her belly. "I do not want to be at someone's mercy, we need to be able to protect ourselves, our children and if need be, our husbands." Amaya looked to Guinevere who pursed her lips then shrugged.
"We can teach you. In fact, you have given me an idea. I shall require all my ladies in waiting to learn a weapon art. Though a few of them are Woads, they have not trained in nearly two years and should our home come under attack, I want them all able to protect us." She rose to her feet, carrying Charlotte with her. "I shall speak to Arthur about this and you should speak to Galahad, Mai, see what he thinks." Ragnell chuckled.
"I do not think I will be learning anything until this child is out of me." Amaya smiled then lifted Lucan up as the women began to head off in their own directions, Ragnell leaving with Guinevere and Maia shooting off to find Galahad.
"Would you like to see the foals with me?" Lucan nodded his head and so Amaya led him down to the stables, stopping to greet Arluin and Demon, who was taking a nap in the straw. "Demon! Off from there you lazy thing." Demon jumped up with a bark, wagging his tail then leaped towards Lucan who laughed and flung his arms around the dog's neck, hugging him tightly. Demon wagged his tail then stood as Lucan let go and chased after Amaya who headed towards the nursery field.
A fair few mares grazed in the fields while the foals chased one another around, kicking up their long, spindly legs before dashing off again. Some of the more independent foals were beginning to be weaned from their mothers but not all.
Sensing Amaya approaching Bow lifted her head then snorted, trotting closer to the fence to greet her. "Hello beautiful." Amaya murmured, reaching out to stroke her nose. Lucan climbed up onto the face and leaned forwards, patting Bow's neck.
Suddenly a shrill whinny dragged their attention to a black colt with a white blaze down his face cantering towards them, jumping about before standing protectively beside his mother. Bow nudged him and Lucan grinned, reaching out to Arrow who instantly pressed his nose into the boy's hand. Amaya watched them interact then a thought came to her mind.
"When he is old enough, would you like to help me train him?" Lucan beamed from ear to ear, nodding his head enthusiastically.
"Yes I would! I really would!" Amaya looked to the handsome colt, his features already promising a fine stallion of speed and intelligence as well as strength. He would be a good war horse and he seemed to have chosen Lucan to be his rider. The two of them were always inseparable whenever Lucan got the chance to come and see him. "Would you like that Arrow? Would you like me to train you?" Arrow snorted, tossing his head down then reared up, showing off to the other foals who he then dashed off to play with them.
"When will the baby come?" Lucan asked, nodding his head to Amaya's stomach and she chuckled.
"Whenever it is ready, though not for some time yet. I still have six months to go." Lucan smiled up at her.
"Will it be a boy? I think Tristan would like a boy." Again Amaya smiled, shaking her head at Lucan as he dropped down from the fence.
"It will be whatever it wants to be, I'm not fussed and I don't think Tristan is either. I think he just hopes it doesn't scream through the night then all through the day as well." She turned and leaned back against the face, lowering her head with a sigh. "Lucan, do you think I would be a good mother?" Lucan frowned in confusion.
"What do you mean? You're going to be the greatest mother anyone could ever have! I know because I think of you as my mother." He wrapped his arms around Amaya's waist and rested his head against the round mound of her belly. "And I will love this baby as my little brother or sister and I'll protect them. I'll be just like you are to Galahad, only an older brother." Amaya stooped down and lifted Lucan up, holding him close to her as she embraced him.
"Thank you Lucan." She murmured, kissing his face before gently setting him back on his feet. "Now, let's go see your papa about archery lessons."