Limping alone (Lancelot)

[annaclark]

Anna was still running even after she knew she was safe. She began to break down. Her long time servant, and friend was dead. Her horse gone as well and she was limping more then running for she was stabbing in the leg. Before long she collapsed and fell to the ground, crying. Through her blurred vision she could see where she was; in the words covered by dark green trees, alone, hurt and a mess. She slowly wiped away her tears and looked at her leg. It was a deep cut, dirty too. She sighed inwardly to herself, wondering what had happened to cause all of this...this...killing.

She began to cry once again and it was loud and painful to cry let alone hear. She almost stopped when she heard foot steps and a voice calling, but it was muffled and she was hard of hearing at the moment. So she began to cry again, but softer and more lady like, not like an infant whining.

Location} A forest in Cenred Kingdom
Outfit} Clicky

[Deleted]

Sir Lancelot Du Lac was spending his time in a way that was somewhat unusual for him. He had completed an errand and escort for the Earl to an adjacent kingdom. As it turned out, now, he had several days before he would need to return to Wessex. He was just doing some leisurely scouting and exploring of the territory he was now in. The only thing he warned himself of was not to approach to close to Camelot. Sher-fore his horse was the first to hear the strange sounds, or actually, a mixture of strange sounds. It sounded like some muffled crying and as if a foot was being dragged. It was definitely worth investigating.

He knew that often sounds played tricks on you, especially when you were trying to locate their source. Suddenly, though, they became much louder, and more piercing, allowing him to find their source with relative ease. From their tone it was easy to tell they came from a woman. However, not knowing if there were outlaws or bandits close-by he kept is long-swords drawn and at the ready. He soon saw her huddled mass on the ground, and could see the small dark patches of blood on her clothing. "Mademoiselle ..... are you all right ..... can you walk .... here ..... lets take a look at your wound. I'm Sir Lancelot Du Lac, and you would be?"

[annaclark]

Anna almost jumped when Lancelot came towards her. She tried to stop crying. Which didn't work. Her mind was swimming with thoughts and the feeling of pain in her leg. After a moment she spoke. "No, to both of your questions, I'm Lady Anna." She smiled with great effort. Anna was bloody, swore, and in denial. She didn't feel safe anymore. Even with Lancelot there...She felt as if the men who attacked her were always watching her waiting for the best time to finish the job.

She sat up strait, as a proper Lady should. She rested her hands on her lap and had a face with hardly any emotion on it. Even though she want to scream and shot how much pain she was in, she kept on the blank face. Her body shivered from head to toe and her leg was now burning.

[Deleted]

It was obvious that this young woman had been through a traumatic experience, apparently both mentally and physically. The wound on her thigh was obvious proof of the physical end. However, on cursory examination it appeared to be fairly superficial. However, as is the case with those types of injury the loss of blood was the biggest issue. She was likely to feel in a weakened state. Her constant crying, crying that she was obviously trying to stifle, but unsuccessfully. From that he assumed that she was still fairly fearful of whatever or whoever had attacked her.

"Lady Ana, then," as he inspected her injuries closely, "quite a fine name." He could tell she was trying to keep maximum control over herself and her emotions. "Mademoiselle, I have seen many woundings and much pain in my short life. There is no shame, ma cherie, in showing tears or crying in anguish. There is no need for you to hide such, at least for me. In fact, it is probably better for you if you let it out, rather than keeping it in." He dressed her wound simply. lift her, and put him on his horse Sher-Fore and led them into the forest, looking for a hidden path.

[annaclark]

Anna closed her eyes and paid little attention to Lancelot. She wanted the pain to stop, but she didn't want to cry. It showed weakness, her father's rules. but she was running away from all of those rules, so she broke out crying. After a few long, and well used minutes. She spoke. "You are right, I feel much better." She smiled, taking a deep breath in she opened her eyes.

The steady movement of his horse calmed her somewhat, bust she continuously looked behind them to the sides of them and at times suspiciously at Lancelot. She was an red alert. She was ready for anything, well only if she was hurt she would be. Anna exhaled and rubbed her face in frustration and worry.

[Deleted]

As Lancelot watched her, he realized that her traumatic experience, whatever it had been, was still weighing heavily upon her. He did not think that she was ready to talk about it yet, but he assumed that she would divulge her story. So it would be a waste of time yo even ask, so he did not. He could see the brave front that she was trying to put up, but quite quickly he saw her body tremble, and the facade of her courage crumble, as she descended into tears and crying. After a short time, though, her emotions were spent and she thanked him for his advice, finally giving him a real smile. "Yes, mademoiselle, I knew that would help. It almost always does."

As they walked deeper in the forest, he saw that she was now calmed, at least over what had happened to her, whatever it had been. However, he could tell from her furtive glances, that her mind was worrying and other issues, one of which he assumed was himself. "Lady Ana, is there anything that you wish to ask, either of myself or our situation? Understand this ..... you have nothing to worry on as it pertains to your safety. I will lay down my life in defense of your safety if the situation demands it... It is my knightly duty. For now, though, it would be best to keep moving. Few but myself will have ready knowledge of the forest paths we will take."

[annaclark]

"I am glad to hear that, but a part of myself has already died." She said uneasily, rubbing her arm, thinking. She could always ask to just be left here, in the middle of a forest, but he would most likely say no. So she decided to ask where he was going."If you don't mind me asking, But where are you going? I myself am going to Camelot. I hope that I can speak with King Uther."

Not only that she hoped that she could speak with Uther, but that she didn't say something that would make Sir Lancelot uncomfortable. She began to play with a piece of her hair, which was bloody and sicking. Her heart skipped a beat, the blood was of her Servant's.

[Deleted]

Her first statement was not something that was likely to instill any confidence in a rescuing hero, let alone Sir Lancelot. "Rest assured, milady, you are not the first or only person to have felt that they have gone through such a thing. There are those of us who have lost everything they once loved in this life, recovered to love again, and then lost that as well." He saw her apparently thinking of something else to say, in response, but she had decided to take a different tack. She now wanted to know where he might be heading.

"I can take you as far as the steps of the castle in Camelot, but I will take you no farther. I may be a knight, but I am not a Knight of Camelot. My knightly duties are assigned to another house than the Pendragons, and they are not sad to see me elsewhere. However, on this occasion, I will hold you safe through the Forest and deliver you there if that is your desire. Is Uther expecting you?," he inquired.

[annaclark]

"No, not quite." Anna didn't want to go any further, it was hard enough to leave without anyone knowing but to tell someone that her Father could easily get a hold of? No she wasn't stupid. "Well you see, I think I can get myself to the castle just fine, but to the city gates would be just fine." Anna said with a smile, and this time it was truthful. The pain was gone for the first time, all throughout her body, both physically and mentally.

She felt that rush of freedom run through her veins, that same feeling the moment that the castle was out of site. She let a gaps of realf escape her lips. She couldn't have felt any better, everything felt like it was lifted of her back. Everything was alright for once.

[Deleted]

Hmmmm ..... she was a woman ...... a noblewoman of few words. He had rescued her, but he was currently unsure of how thankful she was of what he had done so far. He reminded himself, though, that fear can cause people, even nobles to close up. "It would be my pleasure Lady Ana. I'm sure that they will be most helpful. I expect they will send you to Gaius, the Court Physician, for your injuries. He's very good at his work."

At least she can smile, he thought to himself, and smiled back in response. He noticed that as they went farther and farther the more relaxed and less rigid she became ..... the more she seemed to smile. It didn't quite make sense to him. There was always the possibility of her being attacked by assailants out of the dark forest around them. It was as if she was putting distance between herself and something else. He wished he knew what it was, he thought to himself. Perhaps he should accompany her into the castle itself, until he was sure of her safety and that she was in the proper hands.

[annaclark]

"So I have heard." Anna knew of Gaius but not much, Her Father often complained about not having a very good Court Physician like Gaius. She closed her eyes for a moment and saw her father's face in her mind. How he must be worrying about her sending out every Knight to look for her and giving out an award to whomever finds her." He must be worried about me..." She muttered to herself, now feeling dreadful.

Her father had so much on his mind already and to give him morre to thnk about was her plan. Yet, he wouldn't get anything done until she was home and safe inside her life call brick walls and wooden doors of a tower bedroom. She couldn't go back now, no she couldn't, Anna would have to go on with the plan, escape to Camelot.

[Deleted]

Well, he wondered how much she knew that she had just told him. By saying that she had heard, that she had knowledge of the name told him that she knew or had been told much of Camelot. It was likely that Uther, then, would be quite knowledgeable of her kingdom as well. He barely heard the words that she had mumbled. It had sounded like she said that someone would be worried about her. Since she had said it mainly to herself, he assumed that she really didn't want him know.

So he just left it as something to come back to later and investigate. Perhaps when her natural defenses were a bit less pronounced it would be better, he thought. He wondered if she had thought about what her future would be like, and how it compared to the life she had had before. Many times, he found, people did not take the time to really compare what they were leaving, and how their potential future compared to it. In any case, they continued down the hidden forest path, getting closer to Camelot with each step.

[annaclark]

It was getting dark and she was getting tired. Anna would rather keep on going rather then sleeping. She was afraid, unlike her usual self. Anna had no idea what to do and she hoped with all her heart that Sir Lancelot did. The trotting of the horse was comforting and soothing. The smile that was across her face disappeared. She was solemn and cold looking and emotionless like before. Anna didn't want to think of what she had done. It was all for the better. She told herself over and over again. She hid her happiness now, with that dreaded thought that she could be caught, she couldn't rest now, not even if she tried.

She felt a cool breeze flow throughout the trees it weaved in and out making the leaves rustle and her hair dance. She looked up to the sky and in between the tree tops she could see thunder clouds, or what she thought were thunder clouds. Everything was still for a moment, before lightening cracked and the rain began to poor down, they where covered by the trees but she knew that not all of the tress could handle a substantial amount of water. She sighed and looked at Lancelot. “What do we do now?”

[Deleted]

Night was rapidly approaching, and their path through some of the densest forest, and therefore the travel was fatiguing. Fortunately Lancelot had been on this path many times in the past, and even in the dark he knew the way back to the castle. In fact, he knew, that though the castle was hidden by the dense growth all around them, in reality, it was quite close. He did notice, in the brief glimpses he had of her in the dimming light that the smile that had been gracing her face had disappeared, and her face had a stony kind of blankness to it. He wondered if it was the poor company he was providing, or if she was simply remembering back to the recent events that had afflicted her. In any case, it did not seem to be a vote of confidence him, as they continued on, growing closer and closer to the entrance to Camelot.

Lancelot did not even have to look up to sense the storms that were building up. As always, he could sense it in the nervousness and body language of his black Arabian stallion. He did not even want to waste the time to look up. He knew it would only slow them down a little more, in the end, causing them to get a little more wet, and exposed to the danger of lightning a little while longer. He could see, though, out of the corner of his eye, that Lady Anna was getting a lot more nervous. "What do we do now? ..... Well, we'll cut through the brush here, since the entrance to Camelot is just on the other side!" He almost felt like leaving here there, out in the open, for the lack of faith that she had displayed in him so far.

She felt a cool breeze flow throughout the trees it weaved in and out making the leaves rustle and her hair dance. She looked up to the sky and in between the tree tops she could see thunder clouds, or what she thought were thunder clouds. Everything was still for a moment, before lightening cracked and the rain began to poor down, they where covered by the trees but she knew that not all of the tress could handle a substantial amount of water. She sighed and looked at Lancelot. “What do we do now?”

[annaclark]

She nodded quite happily that they where near Camelot. That smile could have come across her face once more, but she held it back. She wanted to thank him, but he wouldn't leave her here in the rain. Perhaps if she asked. "I think I'll be fine from here on. I am grateful to you." She smiled at him with great ease. As she smiled she lied to herself, she knew it wasn't smart coming here. Cenred and Camelot didn't have the best realtionship, but what better to anger her father? Nothing, but she was sure that she had angered her father enough by leaving.

The leaving of her chanbers and not listening once again wasn't why he would be mad, but what she was about to do. Anna was going to betray her Father and all of Cenred, if she was able to speak with Uther, which was a long shot. Anna could try, not that anything good for the rest of her family would come out of this, but she was being selfish. Anna would come up with something for Uther that would make him listen to her, she wold find a way.

[Deleted]

Although she did not smile at the news, Lancelot could tell by the expression on her face that she was pleased with the news. She was at end, of at least the first leg of her journey, thought. He had no idea, though, if Camelot was where she wanted to end up. It was at least, better than staying in a wet forest, at least for her. Her response was sort of a thank you, but it seemed that she wanted to be left here, outside of Camelot itself. That would not do. "No, for the peace of my mind, even though I may not be all that welcome inside, I must deliver you to the castle steps I think."

He was sure that that was not what she had in mind right now. However, since he had basically rescued her deep in the forest near the border with Cenred, he felt that she was his responsibility, as a knight. So, no matter what the consequences or awkwardness, he knew it was his duty to deliver her inside the entrance of the castle proper, so that he could hand of the responsibility, physically to someone else. However, it was all so strange. Why wasn't she traveling with some kind of escort, and wasn't this a bit odd,with current state of affairs between the two kingdoms. Lancelot had to admit silently that his curiosity about the reasons for his trip drove him to take this mission a step or two farther than he normally would have.

[annaclark]

“I understand.” She said not looking at him. She wanted to ring his neck. Uther wasn't expecting her, what was she going to do, a lie perhaps. “Sir Lancelot, you see Uther is expecting me until tomorrow. Maybe I should just spend a night at an inn. I can walk on down to the castle myself in the morning.” She said hoping that he would stop being a gentlemen and let her have what she wanted. The tones she use was harsh, Anna was demanding that is what was to be done. She saw the city walls just up ahead.

Her goal was in reach, just beyond the gates, but first she had to get rid of Sir Lancelot. That was going to be hard. He was one of the nicest men she had ever met and under any other circumstances she would have given him the utmost respect back. “You seem like you have questions for me.” She said with a normal and approachable voice. “Feel free to ask them.” She said this with a smile and she looked over at him. She would answer them, no matter what, but how to answer them was the question. She knew he'd ask why she was alone. Anyone would, that was a given, but it was a simple answer for a complex question. They where dead and she spoke the truth, they would be dead if they didn't find her. She smiled at the thought.

[Deleted]

She seemed like she was going to be reasonable about this, at least by her words, but something about her body language did not appear to be quite right, Lancelot thought. "I see, well, that would make sense, there are several good Inns within the town. Perhaps the one associated with the Ram would be the best. their pub serves good food and good ale, which might be a good way to warm up from the effects of this rain. That is, as long as the guards let the both of us through the main gates."

He did wonder how welcome he would be and whether he would be recognized. It was always possible that Uther would simply welcome him to a dungeon cell. "Yourself ..... in the morning?" Now why did she want so much to go in by herself. "I'm afraid, mademoiselle, that whether you present yourself tonight, or in the morning, I will have to accompany you to your destination. It's my duty to make sure that you are accompanied, so that I can be sure that you arrive safely. And I am not really prepared to debate that." To his surprise, suddenly she was actually asking him to ask her questions, when she had been silent the whole trip ..... most interesting .... and with a ready smile on her face. "Well, the first ones would be, what brought about the situation that you were involved in, and why were you traveling in potentially hostile country with so little protection?"