Hello! This is my first fanfic ever, so I hope you like this! I don't own anything with King Arhtur: Legend of the Lost Sword and yeah.
Just a heads up, I cannot guarantee consistent updates. BUT if you stick with my story, I promise you will not be disappointed! Thank you!
-Juliet
The sun did not wake Asilia. It rarely does anymore, not with the darkness that has been consuming the lands of Camelot, and the hour she normally rises. No, normally not even her brother stirs at this hour. She slowly crawled out of bed, jumping slightly at the sensation of the cold wooden floors making contact with her bare feet. Padding her way to the small window that crowded a wall of her minuscule bedroom, Asilia watched the indigo sky change for a few moments, leaving the window sill once she could barely make out the faintest streaks of orange to the east. She moved to the small basin in the corner and examined her face in the dirty mirror. The bruise from the day before was a sickly green on her sun-worn skin, matching the shade of the shadows under her eyes. Being the only female blacksmith in the city meant competition. Yesterday a drunk man who wanted her job attacked Asilia on her way home. However, all Asilia came home with was the bruise. The man, on the other hand, was in bad shape, Asilia's years of training with her dear friend George serving her well.
Asilia washed her face in the ice cold water from the pitcher she always kept underneath the basin. Looking back at the mirror the circles under her eyes had toned down a bit, but not the bruise. Asilia knew she would have to hide it from her brother. Although younger than herself, Arthur was extremely protective of his older sister. Asilia didn't want Arthur's often impulsive anger to get him in trouble. It happened often enough, but usually, his quick mouth would save his arse at the last second.
After styling her unruly dark hair to somewhat hide the bruise, Asilia swapped her thick off-white nightgown for her work clothes; a soot-stained grey smock, near black leggings, thick socks, and boots that had seen better days. Grabbing her soft leather pouch with her work supplies Asilia sneaked down the narrow stairs of her home, trying to avoid anyone who could be up. Making her way down to the kitchen, Asilia was unlucky. Leaning against the exit doorframe tying his shoes was none other than her brother Arthur. At the small stove Lucy, one of the women who had taken Asilia and Arthur in when their skiff had made its way to the city, was stoking the fire in an attempt to warm up some bread.
"What are you doing up so early?" Asilia inquired her brother, leaning against the other doorway.
"Good morning to you too," Arthur grumbled as he stood up.
"Good morning Arthur," Asilia said curtly, "Well?"
"Well…" Arthur said, hesitating, "I'm meeting up with the boys. Just some business, that's all."
Asilia was not at all convinced, rolling her eyes at her brother. Taking her attention away from Arthur, Asilia smiled at her mother-figure. "Good morning Lucy, how are you this morning?"
Lucy just smiled as she stood up to face Asilia, "Well, exhausted can't explain it enough. Your brother here wouldn't stop pestering me because he was hungry."
Asilia softly laughed, "Even at 24, he still acts like he is 4."
"Aye," Lucy said, adding her own laughter to the mixture, "But a noble one nonetheless."
Arthur gave a sheepish smile as he picked off the bread from the stove but quickly dropping it back due to its heat. At this, Asilia laughed again at her brother's stupidity.
"Nice job you geezer. Way to use the esteemed brain of yours."
Lucy smiled once again, before turning to Arthur to pat him on the cheek, similar to how a mother would to her child.
"Excuse me Lia, but I would like to make my way to the kitchen," said a kind voice behind Asilia.
Asilia, recognizing the voice, quickly jumped out of the way and greeted the woman, "Of course Bella, pardon me for choosing to stand in the way."
Bella made her way into the kitchen, the older woman planting a kiss on Asilia's forehead.
"Good morrow Lia, Lucy, Arthur. Now, what wakes you at this absurdly early hour?"
Lucy just grumbled, "Ask the princeling."
Asilia answered with, "Why Bella, you know I am usually awake earlier than this. Just this morning a baboon has decided to join me."
With a sly smile, Arthur responded, "Why Lia, don't say that about Lucy she was just keeping me company."
The women in the room laughed and Asilia soon joined in, but not after throwing an obscene hand gesture her brother's direction. The women bid their farewells and exited the kitchen the same way Bella had entered. After, Asilia made her way across the kitchen, snatched a piece of bread that was supposed to be her brother's, and stood next to Arthur on the opposite side of the doorframe.
"Hope you don't mind I take a piece of your breakfast," Asilia said running a hand through her brother's pale hair.
"Nah, not at all," said Arthur. The expression on Arthur's face then changed, from playful and mischievous to one full of concern.
Asilia stiffened at her brother's reaction, knowing that he noticed the bruise. She quickly reached up to hide the bruise, but her brother grabbed her hand first. The look in his eyes was stern and concerned.
"Oi," he said softly, "what's this?"
"Nothing bad, just something from work," Asilia quickly said as her gaze met her brother's troubled one, "Nothing you need to worry about."
Arthur took a deep breath, "Who did this?"
"No one you need to worry about."
"Blimey Lia," said Arthur with a pleading expression, "that's the second time this week alone you have come home with something. And it's only Thursday! It aint right for people to be treating you that way."
Asilia placed a comforting hand on her brother's cheek while choosing her next words carefully, "I am much safer there than in the brothel with Lucy, Bella, and the others. You know that. For someone of my stature where I am right now is the best place for me."
Arthur sighed, "I know, and that is what angers me. That because of our prostitute mother and bastard father our lives are already chosen for us."
Asilia bit her tongue, knowing the life already chosen for herself and her brother is to be very different than Arthur imagined. Being the only one to fully remember the night they lost their parents, Asilia kept it a secret from Arthur in an attempt to protect him from those who wish him murdered. Forcing a smile, Asilia whispered, "You will be successful and rich one day, just as you hope. And the girls will be safe from the men who abuse them. And your friends will no longer have to worry about where their next meal is coming from. I promise you this."
Arthur sighed, "Love you, Lia."
This time Asilia's smile was genuine, "I love you so much more than you could ever imagine."
Arthur gave Asilia a strong hug before leaving the house. Asilia quickly followed but began walking the opposite direction towards the blacksmith.
The sun was fully starting to rise when Asilia arrived at the smithy. Upon arrival, she quickly slipped on her thick leather apron and gloves. She was the first one there, nothing out of ordinary since the owner of the blacksmith was normally hung-over and arrived late. Sure enough, Asilia was already well into an order by the time Jorgen, the head of the blacksmith, arrived. He was evidently suffering a hangover, just as Asilia had predicted.
"Oi, Jorgen, looking a bit out of sorts eh?" Asilia asked jokingly.
Jorgen chuckled as he grabbed his work clothes, "The Kind Kings was bustling with lovely ladies last night, I'll tell you that."
"No wonder you trousers seem a little rustled."
"Eh!" Jorgen exclaimed, his expression turning slightly offended "Watch that tongue of yours!"
"Oof, sorry boss," Asilia muttered sarcastically, as she resumed to pounding a hunk of hot metal to resemble a hammer.
Paying no heed to Asilia's apologies, Jorgen quickly got down to business, his charismatic self, becoming rigid, "How many orders are up?"
"13," Asilia quickly replied knowing the reprimands to come.
"Bloody hell Lia! 13?"
"I'm working on them as fast as I can," Asilia mumbled. Based on Jorgen's rather quick changing personality, she knew very well where this conversation was going.
"Fast isn't fast enough. We are far too behind than I would like. If you were a man, I bet you my sales would increase tenfold!" Jorgen's voice was quickly getting louder and louder, "Women have no place in a man's world, you bitch! You should be groveling at my knees in gratitude for this job! Most women your stature belong in the brothels."
Asilia played the role Jorgen expected her to play, by painting fear on her face. It was easier to go along with Jorgen than stand up to him, something Asilia learned from past bruises. Inside Asilia knew she had nothing to fear, that because of Jorgen's constantly changing emotions he would most likely be back to his normal self in an hour or so. She just had to stick it out until then.
"Well then!" Jorgen was roaring now, "Where's your respect?"
Playing the part she had so frequently practiced, Asilia got on her knees and gripped Jorgen's shirt, "Apologies Master, I will be more efficient next time."
Jorgen looked disgusted and shoved Asilia back, her head hitting the workbench. Taking a few deep breaths Jorgen grumbled, "You best behave now. You is lucky to have this job and you better know it," Jorgen then took off his apron and slammed his gloves on the ground, "I'm gonna be at the pub. Don't you bother me one bit with your petty excuses."
Internally rolling her eyes, Asilia sweetly responded, "I would never think of it, Master."
With that, Jorgen shuffled off. Asilia knew that she probably wouldn't see him for the rest of the day and that tomorrow he would come to work still drunk. The hangover days Asilia could act along with. The drunk days were more difficult.
When Jorgen was out of sight, Asilia got back up and went back to work, ignoring the throbbing from when her head hit the workbench. Occurrences such as these were quite normal for her. Years at work have taught Asilia how to play the part men expect her to be in order to protect herself and her job. She knew when to pick her battles. Asilia's thoughts were distracted as she mindlessly pounded over and over again on varying pieces of metal in an attempt to speed up production without sacrificing quality. Although Jorgen took all the credit, Asilia made most of the products, the occasional sword being her specialty. However in these parts of town not many have the funds necessary to purchase one. Mallets or hammers are the most common.
Asilia's strong arms and shoulders had barely begun to tire as the sun crept down. When most of the sky was black Asilia began to close up shop. By the time she finished, it was night time. Grabbing her back and cloak Asilia began her walk home. As a woman in a man's job, walking by herself on a dark evening, Asilia knew how dangerous the streets were. But many years of training with George she knew how to care for herself. As a result, Asilia never felt scared when walking alone at night. Cautious, always. But scared, no.
The walk home was going well until Asilia passed a local pub. She almost always struck trouble here, and tonight was no different.
"Look at that fine thing," an unknown man called out to her, "she deserves a special place on this lap." All around him men began laughing and calling out to Asilia as well.
All too familiar with this behavior, Asilia ignored their comments and kept on walking.
"There she goes," another man said, "Ignoring us. How rude!"
"Best we teach her a lesson," yet another man growled.
"Hey missy, get that pretty arse of yours over here," the first man demanded.
Asilia continued to ignore them as she picked up her pace away from them. From behind her, Asilia heard the screeching of stools as the men got up and began walking towards her. Asilia only walked faster.
"Aww, look how scared she is," one of the men cooed.
"Come on missy, make this easier for yourself. You'll feel safe in my arms,"
Asilia looked around for an alley to dart into as she heard them come closer and closer. She has dealt with men like them before. She didn't realize how close they were until one grabbed her bag.
"Don't touch me!" She yelled at the one who had grabbed her. In the time she had stopped moving, the other men had caught up and begun circling her. There were four of them total, all drunk.
"Missy we just want to play," the third man called out.
"Come inside with us, we'll have lots of fun," said another.
"Look at that figure," mumbled the fourth man.
Asilia gripped her cloak tighter as she prepared to dart. The second she saw an opening she darted from the group. However, despite their drunken haze, they were able to grab Asilia's long hair, causing her to be jerked back and stumble over someone's set of feet. Asilia cringed at the back of her head smacked against the knee of one of the men.
"Think we got her now, eh?" one of them jeered.
"Look at that angel face," said another as he bent down to stroke Asilia's cheek.
Before the man could lay a finger on her, Asilia's own hand darted out and grabbed the man's hand in a vice grip. He yelped in sudden pain and surprise.
"Don't touch me," Asilia growled as she glared the man down.
The other men began laughing, not taking Asilia's words seriously.
There loss, Asilia thought.
Then, two of the men heaved Asilia up and pinned her against the nearby wall. Asilia grimaced at the alcohol on their breath. One of them had the audacity to attempt to grope Asilia's breast.
Quickly, Asilia brought up her knee and struck the man in the crotch. His howls confused the other three men, for it was too dark to see much at all. In their confusion, Asilia reached up and grabbed the wrists of one of the men holding her against the wall. Before the man could even react she used her strength to bend his wrists back until a sickening snap filled the air. As the man howled in agony, the second man who was holding her against the wall let go and swung a punch. Anticipating the attack, Asilia ducked and heard the thump of the man's fist hitting the nose of his broken-wristed comrade. She then slammed her foot and the puncher's foot, shoving him against the wall where he collapsed from the impact.
However, the fourth man was now in the fight. His punch took Asilia out of surprise hitting her squarely in the stomach. She gasped as she felt the air be hit of her, unable to move fast enough as the fourth man swung again, this time hitting Asilia's jaw. Amidst the stars now flickering in Asilia's vision, Asilia rammed her strong shoulders into the fourth man, catching him by surprise and shoving him against a nearby stone wall. Asilia heard his head slam against the wall and let him fall when he slumped in an unconscious stupor.
As Asilia began to run away, the first man she had struck in the crotch grabbed her from behind, heaving her up in the air from her armpits. Before the man could do anything more, Asilia jammed her leg back, hitting the man in the chest. He dropped her, and Asilia took off running. She didn't dare to look back, instead, she took satisfaction in the groans of the four men she had just defeated.
Once certain she was out of sight, Asilia slowed to a walk and assessed her injuries. She could already feel the bruise on her face beginning to form, and certainly, a similar bruise would eventually appear on her gut, but nothing major. Asilia readjusted her cloak and her bag as she began making her way back to the brothel.