Pieces of the Puzzle

[Arthur Pendragon]

None of this made any sense. Arthur knew he had his fair share of being knocked unconscious . . . but by Merlin? Of all people?! Something just didn't add up. The man could barley hold a sword, how had he managed to catch Arthur so off guard and knock him out cold? That, and of course there was the matter of Sophia. He remembered bits and pieces of what happened . . . that he had almost eloped with her! Why he had done that, who knows! Arthur knew himself that he was not ready to settle, so why the hell had he been willing to risk for much for a woman that he knew only for a couple of days?! Granted, she was incredibly beautiful . . . but her whereabouts were also unknown which just made this whole thing even more suspicious. Perhaps she did not return for this father would have her killed, as he so threatened to do before. Yes! That would make sense! But if that were the case, then Arthur would need to apologize to her. But more importantly, he needed answers.

Which was why he was currently on horseback, going through the woods of Camelot. He was dressed in his regular hunting attire, so for those who had never laid eyes on him before, would probably not know of his true identity. He was surprised he was even able to leave the castle after what he had nearly done. But Merlin had kept Arthur's intentions a secret, and what his father didn't know, couldn't hurt. But for now, he would focus on the road ahead . . . even though he hadn't the slightest idea where he was going. Everything from the moment he left the castle was a complete blur. Perhaps it was short term memory loss, or maybe something more. Either way, Arthur was determined to get to the bottom of it for the blanks and holes in Merlin's story agitated the Prince's mind.

He remembered there was a lake. Yes! There had to be for he woke up in his bed, wet from something. But, that didn't exactly narrow it down. There were many lakes in Camelot. Never the less, he was not about to give up. He dismounted his horse, tying the reigns to a nearby tree and patted his neck a few times. The road ahead was heavily wooded and therefore, too difficult to ride a horse through. Arthur was only going to take a look, not straying too far away from his only form of transportation. There was always the risk of bandits or dangerous strangers lurking about, and all he had on his was his sword in its holder. So all he could do was continue to walk forward, appreciating the early morning air and trudging his way over the protruding roots and the interfering branches on the trees that needed to be swept back with each step he took.


_{Setting: In the woods of Camelot
Time of Day: Early Morning
Timeline: After the Gates of Avalon
Tag: Daae
Notes: I wasn't sure where to start it, so just stuck it in the woods area, but it can always move around closer to Avalon if need be!}

[Daae]

First light meant only one thing to Daae. Work. With the sun's rise came an endless list of responsibilities and chores to be done. There were tools to be sharpened and cleaned, a faithful hound to be fed, camp to break, and the usual round to check her traps. In truth the routine was welcome and Daae did it all without complaint. Things in Camelot had been lively enough as of late that the tracker didn't have any desire to stir up any entertainment or adventure. Not when it had been finding her. She was fair certain she'd even seen a griffin bandying about the trees a few weeks past. Living in Camelot, even on the fringes as she did, was exciting enough without looking for more trouble.

With her loyal white Beast in step beside her, Daae moved smoothly through the trees. There were traps to be checked and hunting lines to be repaired and moved. She never kept a trap down for more than a few days. Most would call that foolishness or impatience but Daae never over hunted an area. It was common sense after all... if animals went into a clearing and never came out again, their little furry friends would eventually catch wise. The fox and three hares strapped lifeless to her pack only proved her methods. "Socrú síos, Beast. Téigh!" With a quiet wuff, the massive wolfhound took off into the trees. He'd return eventually, hopefully with a prize.

He'd only been gone a moment when Daae heard a sharp bark. Bow in hand, she followed in the direction of her dog... and rolled her eyes. "Oh, well done." Her tone was laden with sarcasm but she pulled a bit of dried meat from a pouch on her belt and awarded Beast with the treat. He'd sighted something alright. A horse was hitched to a tree, quite alone and looking thoroughly annoyed by the hunting dog that was running back and forth between it and his mistress. Clearly, Beast was very proud of himself, his white tail held high like a banner. "Yes, you dozy idiot, you found a horse. We don't hunt horses." Her tone was colored with laughter, an easy smile on her face as she glanced over the animal. It was very well taken care of, properly fed, clean, it's hooves recently trimmed and shod. This wasn't some peasant's work horse, that was for sure and Daae looked about alert. It was entirely possible that this was some knight's mount and she'd just followed a barking dog straight to it. Wonderful. "There goes the neighborhood," she muttered, absently giving up another bit of dried meat to her gluttonous hound. "Let's go, Beast. Before anyone hears your noise..." Her bow hung out of her hands as she backed away slowly. She wasn't worried about being caught. After all, she'd not done anything wrong. But Daae was far from the most sociable of young ladies and if she could avoid some dopey knight and his ego she would do just that.

Per usual, Beast had other ideas. Tail wagging as though it were all just a delightful game, the wolfhound went tearing into the thick of the forest. Throwing her arms up, exasperated, Daae took off after him, pulling an arrow from her quiver. No, she wasn't going to shoot her own dog, but there was a stranger about, and nothing makes a stranger think twice so much as the threat of a pointy stick. "I ought to trade you in for a cat," Daae hissed, easily hopping a fallen tree. A flash of white up ahead alerted her to her quarry and the petite trapper smirked. "Fool dog. Where did you think you were off to?" Beast ignored his scolding, simply plopping his butt down and looking up at Daae with liquid eyes and his tongue lolling out of his mouth.

What was she going to do with him? She was contemplating her next move when something moved in her peripheral vision. The arrow was already in hand and in less than the time it took to breath in, it was nocked, drawn, and released.

The bolt thudded deeply into a tree practically under the nose of a blonde man around her own age. He certainly didn't look like a knight but that did nothing to encourage her to lower her bow, another arrow already on the string. What was a hunter doing with a knight's mount? A thief perhaps? Daae's smirked as she lined up her shot. That was more likely than anything. He could hardly be a hunter by trade, he was far too clean. "The second one won't miss, mate." she said carefully, honey eyes intent. "Oh, c'mon, Beast!" The dog was licking at the stranger in a plea for attention and the trapper lowered her bow, shaking her head in amused annoyance. "Ferocious, is he not?"

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur could have sworn he heard a dog barking in the distance. And the approaching footsteps confirmed his suspicions that he was not alone. He quickly pulled out his sword from its sheath, prepared for whatever intruder was lurking about. He stood in a defensive stance, readying himself for a potential attack. He knew it was not the wisest thing to wander around in the woods on his own. But it was necessary for him to discover the truth about Sophia. While he trusted Merlin, there was still something that did not add up. And he just felt frustrated at the missing pieces in his head . . . and trying to retrace his steps seemed like the best way to do it. Even if he was alone. He looked around him, waiting for the person, or people to reveal themselves. But the next thing he knew an arrow cut through the air near him. Had it been just mere inches higher, it would have struck into his head. This alarmed him even more, making him instantly raise his guard.

He heard the rustling of leave and directed his attention to where it was coming from, waiting to see if it was going to be an ambush of bandits or something more threatening. But to his surprise, a young woman revealed herself, holding a bow and arrow in her hand. So apparently it was her who dared fire an arrow at the Prince and future king of Camelot. From her 'threat' following the first arrow, it was even more evident that she did not know who she was conversing with; who she had just somewhat threatened the life of. He was about to say something when he noticed her dog -- probably the one he heard barking, which eased his mind that he was not actually going insane by hearing things -- because to lick him. Arthur did not mind dogs, he had a couple of his own. It was the woman he was more wary of, and even though she had lowered her bow, did not mean there wasn't the possibility that she would just raise it again, prepared to fire once more.

So for that reason, he held his sword firmly in his hand, only lowered it so that the point touched the ground. But he did not lower his guard in the slightest. In fact, he was going to inquire as to who this woman was, and what she was doing here. Was she associated with a band of bandits? Which meant that there could be more people around, though Arthur heard nothing that suggested that. It was still a possibility. Besides, he entrance was not exactly of the friendliest kind. She fired an arrow at him, apparently intending to miss. "And what reason do you have for shooting an arrow at me?" Right near him, and then threatening to do it at his head. "Who are you?" He added, his tone holding a strong authority and confidence to it. Whether she recognized him or not, he was going to find out as many answers as he could while he prolonged the revelation of his true identity.

[Daae]

Daae slung the bow over her shoulder, idly scratching her head with the arrow still in hand. "Who me?" She couldn't help but smirk at the indignant blonde man she'd razzed with her first shot, her tone perfectly innocent. "I was just shooting for the tree there, mate. Were I aiming for you, you'd be less chatty. I take it you'll live?" An impish twist turned her smirk into a full blown mischievous grin as she dropped her pack and leaned back against a conveniently placed tree, appraising him with a raised eyebrow. Daae had a tendency to look half asleep at times, her wide whisky eyes seeming to wander, but very little got past her. Honey-brown and unimpressed, her gaze lingered an extra moment on the well kept sword that the stranger held at his side.

What sort of hunter used a blade like that to take down their game...

Aw, hell. Daae was as stupid as her dog, charging off first and taking in the details later. Whoever she had just vaguely threatened, he was no peasant. Too clean to be a hunter, too dignified to be a thief, armed and traveling by a well bred horse with expensive tack... at best he was an errant knight going to or from Camelot. At worst some little lordling had wandered out of his keep. Either way, the man might have been a threat but Daae didn't find him all that threatening.

Shrugging, she waved a dismissive hand, a mere flick of her wrist, and strode forward. "Didn't mean to scare you. My dog found your horse and I thought it might have been stolen. We don't get many lofty types this far in. Usually people like you stick to the path. You know..." she paused, deciding what best described the armed man being slobbered on by her hound, "pretty boys." There was a teasing lilt to her voice, a playful trace as she smirked up at him. When would these freshly scrubbed city folk learn that the heart of the forest was no place for them. Daae had no way of knowing that the man she was judging so harshly was the crowned prince. She only saw another idiot with a sword, albeit one who seemed confident enough. She had no doubt that if push came to shove, blondie over there could and would use that blade.

"I'm Dy," the small trapper gave up her name and then promptly ignored him, inspecting the arrow that had bitten deeply into the bark. She didn't ask for his name in return for the simple reason, she didn't really care. She was more concerned that between Sir Studly there and her own fool dog, all the game in the wood would be in hiding. Clicking her tongue in disapproval she scowled and cut the shaft of her arrow free, the bolt embedded several inches into the bark. "What a waste. Next time don't sneak up on a person." The look she sent in his direction was laced with annoyance, as though it was his fault that she'd shot at him.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Well well, wasn't she cocky. Reminded him of himself in that way. But the confidence that she exuded and the nonchalant way she referred to him was slightly agitating to the prince. Of course he could not blame her as it was clear she did not in fact know who he was. Had she, perhaps her entire attitude would have been radically different. But for now, he would play the role of lone wanderer, his status remaining undetermined. Either way, he was slightly wary of her. She already fired one arrow at him. So he kept a very watchful eye, trusting his reflexes in case she decided to do something impulsive. So far, it appeared she was trying to make conversation. Something else the prince was not entirely fond of, and yet, did not discourage by walking away from this situation.

He gave her a very subtle glare at her rhetorical and seemingly sarcastic question about whether he would live from the one arrow. "Do you always greet strangers in such a way," he retorted, with the same level of sarcasm though the smirk was missing from his expression. Instead, he just had a slightly raised eyebrow, curious to what her motives were. "Next time I suggest starting with a simple 'hello'," he told her, the sarcasm still not void in his tone. He of course knew that there were dangers that lurked about the forest. Bandits, creatures, sorcerers . . . but there were also knights, such as himself. Who did not at all appreciate having arrows targeted at them. Had he really been a bandit, then he would have felt she was in her right to be so defensive. He supposed he could not judge her actions while she did not carry the knowledge of who he was . . . but still! It did not help that the prince was not in the best of moods either.

He resented that! He was not scared! He tried to push her dog off of him, as she came closer, not wanting to distract himself with the canine creature. Wait. Did she really just say . . . 'pretty boys' . . . really. Arthur just looked at her, his glare becoming slightly less subtle. He did not take that as a compliment, as there was something in the way she said it that made him feel it was not intended to be one. People like him indeed. He was the prince! He could go wherever he pleased. "Well I assure you, the horse is mine," he said in a low voice, not quite sure how well to describe it without revealing himself. He would soon enough, he just felt he needed to find out a bit more from her first. "Now if you would kindly control your own animal," he added, referring to her dog who was getting slobber all over his clothing. While he would just make Merlin wash it later anyway, Arthur still had a little ways to go in terms of his journey to uncover the truth.

But alas, it did not seem that he was going anywhere as she continued to hold his attention with her words. While she offered her name, he did not do the same. She had not asked, though he assumed that it was implied for him to return the favor; he did no such thing. Instead, he felt another wave of annoyance pass through him as she indicated that it was his fault that she fired at him. Oh that did not settle well with him at all. He kept his sword in his hand, knowing that he would never be able to actually strike a woman. She would hold that advantage over him, but it was better to at least keep himself well guarded, and show that he was armed. "I believe that you were the one who sneaked up on me," he said very bluntly, and perhaps a little rudely. "And it is after all you who has interrupted my travels." Her and her beast. He had already said one impolitely toned remark, why not just throw in another one there.

[Daae]

"Do you always greet strangers in such a way? Next time I suggest starting with a simple 'hello'."

His tone made Daae bite her lip to keep from laughing. "Mayhap next time... I will." There was no deference in her words, only a lightness that was meant to rib him. It seemed to work and she rolled her eyes at the sword that remained out and in his hand. With an amused chuckle she gestured to the blade. "It's very nice... but unnecessary. I'm not going to bite. Lord only knows where you've been." Her small jab was accompanied by a wicked smirk.

He didn't seem amused.

"Well I assure you, the horse is mine." The annoyance in the knight's words was unmistakable and Daae's fingers itched to hold her bow, if only for a bit of security. The rough wood was draped across her back, comforting in its weight, but it did her no good hanging off her shoulder. "Now if you would kindly control your own animal..."

"Yes, well, that is the trick, isn't it?" Daae threw the dry tone right back as she nudged Beast with her foot. "Knock that off, pup. You have manners, don't you?" The dog immediately obeyed, leaving off of his rather thorough inspection of the prince to sit by his mistress. The goofy hound's tongue hung out of his mouth in a comical grin, his tail wagging a mile a minute. "He doesn't mean any harm. He just thinks you're interesting, the dopey thing." Her nose was scrunched up as she spoke. Clearly she didn't share her dog's opinion.

She seemed to agitate him but if Daae noticed, or cared, she made no indication. It was simply in her nature to be plain with people, same as a it was a predator's nature to hunt, and a prey's nature to run. Among the trees the ranked and privileged fell just as easily as the lowly and poor. Wild creatures didn't stop to ask for titles before they attacked. Bandits didn't stop overlook a purse because of its owner. And the young trapper did not curb her tongue for anyone. The knight did not appear used to people snarking at him, his words clipped as he addressed her. She could practically see him puffing up with self-importance and she bit down on her lip again. "I believe that you were the one who sneaked up on me. And it is after all you who has interrupted my travels."

Daae couldn't help it. She let out a light laugh and dismissed him with fluid wave of her hand. "My apologies then. Travel away, mate, and don't let me stop you." One dark eyebrow was arched upward in a delicate questioning gesture. Beneath the dirt smudges and puckish expressions Daae was really just confused. What the hell was a knight doing flailing through the wood? Didn't they have people for that sort of thing? The trapper didn't know much about nobility. She made a point to avoid most of the places that people of power tended to tread, but the stories of nobles' laziness were many and varied. With a slight pursing of her lips she turned her back to the future king and hauled her pack over her shoulder...

...And Beast let out a vicious snarl, his attention intent on the trees.

[Arthur Pendragon]

To say that he was not amused was indeed true . . . and perhaps even an understatement. He did not appreciate her 'jokes'. The prince did not have a similar sense of humor as she seemed to display. She seemed to humor his sarcastic remarks, by throwing in a few of her own. This Dy woman truly was a character. And slightly inappropriate. First using the term 'pretty boys' and now talking about biting him?! She had been spending too much time with her dog, that much was for certain. That would explain the biting comment, not the first one though. Maybe she just did not see that many attractive men who were . . . well, not barbaric looking. Yes. Arthur was cocky enough to allow himself to fit into this category of attractive. Of course he was not going to say this out loud. He may not know her well but judging from their conversation thus far, something told him his comment would be followed by a snide remark . . . which seemed to be her specialty. Had Arthur been any more rude than he already was . . . perhaps he would have replied with a witty, equally snarky retort as her. But he was not.

And he managed to refrain himself. He was not sure why . . . probably, because despite her somewhat masculine nature -- mostly her clothing -- she was a woman. It was ingrained in knights to respect women, to protect them. While it did not look like she needed his protection -- for she had been the one pointing the arrow at him just moments ago -- she was undoubtedly a woman, and for that reason, Arthur felt less inclined to lash out at her. Now that did not mean he did not want to . . . he just could not bring himself to do so. "Who are you?" He asked. The question may had sounded rhetorical but he was expectant of some sort of reply. She had said her name was 'Dy' but there had to be more to it. Who would name their child Dy [Die]? He wanted to know more details. Who she was. What her reason for being her was -- not with him, but in terms of her general location in the woods. "And you should better discipline your animal," he added, slightly rudely as the dog seemed to be slobbering wherever he pleased, though he seemed a bit more contained as he took his place next to his owner's side.

When she wished him luck with his travels, and appeared to slowly exit the scene, a thought hit him. She looked like someone who spend a significant time in the woods -- perhaps a little too much time in the woods. But she seemed to know her way around. What if she had come across Sophia? It was evident that she was wary of any travelers who appeared to be higher than a peasant; surely someone like Sophia and her father would have captured Dy's attention. "Perhaps you can assist me," he stated. He did not make it sound like it would be a favor to him, he said it with great confidence, leaving little time and room for her to object. "I am looking for someone. A young woman traveling with her father. Both are of nobility." He paused for a moment, waiting for her to respond to that first, holding back on giving more details. That, and her bloody dog was distracting him as the canine began to growl.