Out Of The Darkness

[Arthur Pendragon]

This was perhaps the first time the young prince was alone in his room. From the moment he had been brought in, in his unconscious state, he had never been alone. He did not have to be awake to know that. For he heard his father's distant voice speaking to him, Gaius' voice . . . and most strangely, yet comfortingly, Guinevère's. He felt her and his father's words strongly helped him get through this. Though, he still did not quite understand how had survived. He remembered what Gaius had told him before he embarked on his journey; that a wound from the Questing Beast was lethal. That there was no cure, and any man struck by it was sure to die. So . . . how was it that he lived? Had Gaius just happened to discover a new remedy for her? He had so many questions, yet they had been answered with the physician's explanation of the new remedy he had never thought to try before. It had conveniently worked, and Arthur couldn't be more grateful.

As these thoughts entered his mind, his head turned down wards and his eyes went to the wound on his shoulder. So very strange indeed.With no servants inside, he was able to get a moment's peace, though at the same time, felt like he did not want to be alone. His father had gone to inform the court and everyone that the prince lived. Guinevère had left after Arthur had managed to embarrass her -- something that still brought a smile to his lips --. Lucan had left after an extensive conversation, and other visitors just came and went. It was good to see all the support he had; to shear from all his friends who had been concerned about him. No sooner did these thoughts of appreciation enter his mind, that he heard a knock at the door. He moved his head forward, his gaze now averted to from his bare chest to the closed door. "Come in," he said, unable to get up and open the door himself, and without servants present to do so, he would have to verbally invite them in.

When he saw who it was, he was surprised; but pleasantly surprised. He was sitting up in his bed, his back against the headboard, and the lower half of his body under the blanket. But he just adjusted himself, sitting up a bit more, though his movement was still slightly limited. Gaius said that the pain should be gone by the morning, and Arthur certainly hoped so. For he could not properly function with only one arm. He looked to his new visitor and found a small smile forming on his lips. "Sasha," he greeted in slight surprise but not alarm. He did indeed find a strong comfort in her presence. For he had known her since childhood and was just recently rekindling that youthful friendship they once had. Granted, Arthur's advances were less on friendship terms and more of a romantic nature. But either way, he knew at the very least that they were friends. And that was what made him rather happy to see her here.

_{Setting: Starts in Arthur's chambers, may move around later
Time of Day: Night time
Timeline: In Le Morte D'Arthur, after he wakes up
Tag: Lady Sasha Tiberius}

[Sasha]

For a moment she had actually thought that the Prince would die which had put her into a panic, not wanting to lose her friend. He was the only one that she was close to in Camelot. Though hearing that Arthur had pulled through relieved her greatly. And so, she went to visit him a few hours after hearing. When Sasha entered the room she saw him sitting up, looking as healthy as he'd ever been. A slight smile crossed her face, and she went over to his bedside. She grabbed a chair and sat down. There was so much to say, and she knew she wanted to say something, but... she didn't know what she could actually say. But she decided said the number one thing on her mind. "How are you feeling?" Sasha inquired softly, looking into his grey-blue eyes, searching for any sign of pain. She imagined that he was by looking at his shoulder.

Ever since the day that they had kissed and spent a wonderful day together. . . things seemed different between them. In a good way. She felt as if their friendship was growing stronger, to the point where she sometimes felt it was more than friendship. But then again she was not used to having friends, maybe it was completely normal?

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur adjusted his position, sitting as upright as he could, moving the pillow behind him slightly higher so that his back would be able to rest against it in comfort. He pulled up the blanket slightly, knowing that he was not dressed with a shirt, but with the current circumstances of his condition, it was better to let the wound remain uncovered for the night, as Gaius had instructed. He watched her take a seat near him and gave an assuring smile to her, her question of his well being informing him that she had been concerned about him. Something that he greatly appreciated. He was not going to lie, nor was he going to dramatize the situation. He was alive. Somehow, he was miraculously alive, and that was all that mattered. "I'm fine," he answered still smiling in reassurance. He didn't want anyone to worry about him, though he'd been told that they had all started mourning for him, holding the candles out in preparation. Thankfully, it would be done in vain.

"As good as can be expected," he added, keeping a light air to the conversation. He felt a bit weak, but Gaius had told him that he would feel fine come tomorrow. Which was good, for he was feeling a bit restless. He felt that he just wanted to get out of this bed and do something, as he was not used to sitting still for so long. It should be a luxury, an excuse to rest, but Arthur felt that it was a waste of time. Knowing he could be doing something better with himself. "How have you been?" He inquired curiously. It was after all the appropriate way to return the question, for he was genuine curious to see that all was well with her. It had not been long since she returned to the city and he wanted to know that she had been settling in alright. He had not gotten to see her as much as he liked, so was grateful for what time they could spend together . . . like right now.

[Sasha]

Sasha was very glad to hear that he was doing good. He must have had some soreness, but that didn't matter. He was out of danger. And was all she cared about right now. "I am very relieved to hear that," she said quietly, a smile finding it's way to her face. For some reason she found herself slightly blushing for a moment. She couldn't understand why she was feeling so nervous. Then Arthur asked her how she had been. "I've been good," Sasha responded softly, then added, "The people of Camelot seem very welcoming. I feel like I never left."

It was true. Despite caring for her mother deeply and wanting to follow her wherever she traveled, she wished that she could have stayed behind in the care of someone in the castle. Maybe her past wouldn't have been so gruesome. But she didn't really have a choice, did she? Delilah had sort of forced her to leave. And she guessed that thinking Arthur was dead at the time she wouldn't have enjoyed it that much if she had stayed. "I've heard that the Questiong Beast has been killed," Sasha said, keeping up the light mood in their conversation. She'd missed him greatly.

[Arthur Pendragon]

He could tell from her words, and tone of voice, even her demeanor, that she had been concerned about him. And he truly appreciated it. All the concern that others held for him was something that he would not take for granted. Some he knew it was just because he was their sovereign. But others, because they were friends and people he cared about. He gave a bit of a smile and a small nod of assurance, then focusing on her next words regarding her own well being. Something that Arthur was far more interested in discussing rather than his own. "And I'm very glad to hear that," he said, almost using her exact same words, with the exception of one. He was indeed glad to hear that though. That she'd been fitting in well with the others. That they embraced her with open arms. He knew she could be a bit shy and was happy to hear that she was integrating well in this society.

"Have you met many of the nobles here?" He inquired, wondering who she had been acquainted with. What she had been doing with her time, knowing that coming back was not easy for her . . . as she had been away for so long. When she spoke of hearing that the Questing Beast had perished, that was indeed something to keep the mood light. And he would only encourage this non-tense air of conversation. "That is what I heard too," he said jokingly, with a slightly cheeky smile. He had been attacked by it before he could fully see its demise, but others had informed him of it. They had confirmed that it was no longer terrorizing their woods. "It should no longer be a threat," he added on a more serious note, wanting her and others to be well assured of it. That they were not in danger from it. That Camelot was safe once more. Well, until the next threat posed itself. As it seemed to be a never ending string of attacks. But alas, that was the way it was in any kingdom.

[Sasha]

Sasha had met a good amount of nobles here at Camelot. It was easy to see that she was gaining a good reputation with them. None of them had really become her friends so far, but she definitely considered them to be good acquaintances. “I've met a few people here,” she answered enthusiastically.Things were finally settling down for her now... no more long travels through forests or cold nights wherever she had ended up while traveling to Camelot.

“I am very grateful for that,” Sasha agreed with him. “Now everyone can relax. No more innocent blood will be shed... at least not anytime soon.” She was thinking about Arthur specifically as she said that, the concern for his well-being still at the back of her mind.

[Arthur Pendragon]

"I've met a few people here." Arthur was actually quite glad to hear that. That she was settling in well. He knew that she had a rather trying past few years. She deserved to have some time of peace and happiness. He gave a small smile when she spoke of how grateful she was, and how no more blood would be shed. He looked at her for a moment, locking his eyes on her trying to determine if it was just his own mind playing tricks . . . or if there was a deeper meaning to the world, specifically referring to him. Either way, he just smiled. "Indeed," he said casually in reference to her words. "It is just good that we stopped the beast before it could make way toward the city." That would have been an utter disaster. Much like the Griffin. He didn't doubt that the Questing Beast would have left even a greater trail of bodies in its path if it managed to get through the city gates.

"So tell me, how else have you been spending your time here in Camelot? I feel as if it has been a great deal of time since we last spoke," he said smiling, as he tried to sit up a bit more. Wanting to be distracted from all else that had happened, merely by speaking to a beautiful woman . . . if that was what it took. He felt it strange, that part of him wished Guinevère had not left the room, or that she would come back. Yet he explained these bizarre thoughts in his head by realizing that Guinevère was becoming a friend. A servant becoming his friend. The notion was so unheard of, yet now he had two. Merlin and Guinevère. Yes. That was all it was; the unusualness of such a friendship. For the time being, he would focus his attention on Sasha. For he was rather grateful she had come to see him.

[Sasha]

How else had she been spending her time in Camelot...? Just being at peace! Except of course when Arthur had nearly died earlier. That was very disrupting. She cared for him greatly, and he was the only friend she had here. For him to have died would have left her... in a very bad place, to say the least. But anyway, she took a moment to think of what she'd done to busy herself while she was residing in Camelot. "Well, I have taken many walks in the forest, of course never straying too far away from the city." And what was the other thing? Oh yes! "It seems I've taken an interest in painting wolves. Well, I wouldn't call it art... the wolves I've painted are very off in anatomy! They don't look anything like wolves."

Other than the anatomy, she ejoyed painting the feared yet beautiful animals! With their gray and cream pelts, and their deep golden eyes. Some wolves, she learned, were black with red orange eyes! How stunning! "Have you ever had a creative interest?" Lady Sasha asked the recovering prince. "Like painting, or..." She didn't finish that sentence, not exactly knowing of anything else creative.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur listened as she explained that she had taken many walks in the forests, and was relieved to hear that she hadn't strayed too far from the city. "You should make sure you do not walk alone. Bandits and other creatures of threat are known to lurk in the woods." A woman, all by herself was a prime target for either danger. Especially bandits and slave traders. They tended to target whoever they saw easy to overcome. She then went on to a lighter subject, talking of how she had taken an interest in painting, seeming to have a particular interest in wolves. Well that was good, that she had taken up an activity she seemed clearly passionate in. "It's good that you are able to do something you are so passionate about," he told her truthfully.

When she asked him if he ever had a creative interest, he paused in thought for a moment. He had used to enjoy riddles when he was younger but that was not something he often told people. Not because it was a grand secret, but because it was something very personal; just as all his childhood interests and such were. "Not quite," he told her truthfully. "If time permitted me, I would enjoy engaging in more reading of literature." He missed that. Just sitting down and reading something for leisurely purposes. Instead, everything he read was centered around treaties, politics, other documents, maps, etc.