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Post by Pandra on Jan 9, 2011 4:40:45 GMT -5
Pandra watched the snow land almost perfectly in her palm. The simple things gave her joy. She liked the feel of fresh snow flakes on her palm but she did not much like all the snow. It had to do with the time she was taken by the Saxons. A time that had been haunting her with all the rumors about the Saxon attacks. She was lucky to have gotten into the city the day that she did. If there was one thing that scared her it was the Saxons. She never wanted to be in their clutches again. She had heard of the Saxon Princess that had aligned herself with Arthur. She just hopped that the other would not betray them all. She had yet to see this Princess either. She wondered if she would remember her. The thought almost made her shudder but she did not show it. She refused to show fear which was why she had lasted so long in the first place with them. She was brought out of her musing by Galahads words. A smile spread across her face.
The Knights knew as much about her as she did about them. She was usually quiet and you had to get her outside the palace like this to get her to say more than just a few words. Then again she was usual soft spoken and quiet. He had asked about Gaul and she was willing to tell him for she trusted the Knights. However of all the Knights she trusted Tristan the most. "Gaul is an amazing place. Made up of many different tribes that have a bad tendency to go after each other every once in awhile. We are united only when a common enemy shows themselves. Otherwise we are all separate. The Druids of each tribe meet up every once in awhile to have big meetings but other wise we keep to ourselves." She was not sure if he'd have seen any of their tribes as they road from Samarta to Rome. She was not sure which route they took. It was also some nineteen years ago and things had changed in nineteen years she was sure.
"You may have traveled through Gaul but you may not have seen my tribe. A few of the bigger tribes possibly. You might have run into a bard or two on your travels as well." Gaul was a wonderous place. The oak groves were amazing and a wonder to sit under. She could wander her home oak grove for hours just watching the flowers grow literally. She'd ask the trees for the wisdom and strength. "Oak groves are a wonderous thing. In spring the land is lush and green but in winter much like here it is covered in snow. Though the temperature is a little warmer." How she longed for the groves. She missed them while she was away. The forest beyond the castle and the hill belonged to Merlin but she was allowed to enter them and site and study what she could from them. The land always had something to say. Much like the hill had to say at the moment with the falling snow around them. It was more peaceful then before.
"I miss home sometimes regardless of the way that I am treated when I am there." There was a hint of sadness in her voice but only a hint of it. She would not admit to the fact that what people said about her did get to her. She tried to brush things off and go on living. She wasn't going to change herself for them and she was glad she was born to the parents she had been born to. She was grateful for her teacher and everything else. There was no point in dwelling on what others sad but their words did hurt. [/blockquote] |
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Post by Galahad on Jan 9, 2011 4:57:01 GMT -5
Galahad listened carefully as Pandra spoke of her country and her people. He knew the look all to well that spread across her face as she spoke. It was the same look that he had seen upon his brother’s faces and he was sure upon his own as he spoke of his beloved Sarmatia. Pandra obviously felt great love for her people and her home and it made the Knight curious as to why she had ended up here, bloodied and battered outside the walls of the fort. Her people sounded similar to the Sarmatians, although Galahad’s people tended not to declare war upon each other… unless they were from the Iazgye tribe. But Tristan’s people were from the mountains and far away from his little village so his people never had need to fear of them. But one thing the Gauls and the Sarmatian’s seemed to have in common was the gathering of all the tribes to fight off an enemy, in the case of the Sarmatian’s it had been Rome and it had ended disastrously for Galahad’s people.
The Knight continued to watch Pandra as she spoke and he noticed the look of sadness that swept across her delicate features as she said that she missed her home. Galahad knew her feelings all too well as for nineteen years he had been missing his home and honestly he wondered if he would ever return there.
“As I miss mine…” Galahad commented quietly, sympathising with Pandra’s feelings. “Yet how did you end up here? In Briton? If your home is as beautiful as you describe why did you leave?” It was an obviously question for Galahad since he had no knowledge of Pandra’s horrific past.
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Post by Pandra on Jan 9, 2011 5:21:27 GMT -5
The talk of home made Pandra happy, sad, and mad all at the same time. It was a mix of emotions that she was sure only she understood. Though she knew that the Sarmatian Knights missed their home land as well. They had been away from it for so long. Gaul had had issues with Rome until the Roman Army Commander changed. Some of the neighboring tribes were not integrated into Roman society but the rumors she heard there she did not like one bit. The Roman influence had not reached her little tribe or those around her as they were farther away from Rome. She knew very little about what happened to the Sarmatians only that the Romans made them slaves after they apparently won over the land. It was how Galahad and the others had come to be under Arthurs command. She was broken from her musing as Galahad said he missed his. She wondered if the Knight has ever asked Arthur to see his home land again. They were all free men now. She was sure Arthur would let them. Of course maybe there were reasons for not asking. Nineteen years away was a long time even for the sixteen year old.
He then asked the question of how she came to end up here. The memories flooded into her head and this time she visibly shuddered. She pulled her hand back into her cloak wrapping it tighter around her. She placed her hand on her heart as it sped up with the memories. She had not left on her own free will. She did now but she would never in all her years think she would end up in Briton. She had not really known of this place when she was very small. She took a deep breath trying to calm herself enough to tell Galahad the reason why she stuck around and what happened those years ago. It was Tristan and Arthur who had found her. Well more like Tristan's hawk and Tristan. Only a few of the others Knights had seen her as they brought her in and only Tristan and Arthur knew what had happened to her. Was she ready to actually tell someone else without an emotional break down to follow. It didn't hurt to try.
"It was not at first of my own free will. I was taken by the Saxons when I was eleven. I was out out gather things for the tribe. I was not far from our tribe when Saxons came by and grabbed me. I screamed but no one came to my rescue. I fear no one really heard me either." The events played out in her mind as she spoke as vivid as if it happened only days ago. "I had been with them a year before the Battle of Badon Hill. They were cruel and beat me any chance they got. They tried to break me down and other horrible things that I can not relate in words. They didn't understand why I would not perish. It was on the retreat from the battle that they left me for dead. I had managed I suppose to find my way unto the field. As this part is not clear at all to me. I was wounded in the cross fire and found my way to the wall. It was more like Tristan's hawk led me to the wall and somehow got Tristan to find me." That was the just of how she came to be there.
She now had more to explain. Her home was lovely that was for sure but she came back now for many reasons. "I travel back and forth now for many reasons. I'm a diplomat in a sense for my tribe and a few others in Gaul. They'd help him fight the Saxons should he need our strength as warriors. I feel I owe a sense of something to those who saved my life. I simply adore the Princess and want to make sure she never has to go through what I went through. Lastly I am all but shunned in my tribe for the actions of my mother and the death of my father. I am a Druidess of death. I helping the dying. I prepare burial and all other things related with such a thing and that's not exactly the best job. I am too open minded and witty for most of the men in my tribe to give me a second glance." She shrugged the latter off. "Its good to have a place where I'm treated with kindness and seem to be worth something." There he had it. The story of why she still came to Briton and why she'd been here in the first place. It was in simple terms and not in full detail but he was one of the lucky few her knew it now. [/center][/blockquote] |
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Post by Galahad on Jan 9, 2011 15:31:02 GMT -5
Galahad listened to Pandra’s words carefully, not saying a word but simply letting the young woman speak. Her story was horrific and he was surprised that the Saxon’s decided to keep her alive for so long. They were a barbaric people knowing nothing but cruelty and hatred. They cared for nothing or none and it seemed that half the time they cared little for themselves either. They were warriors to be feared and never to be taken lightly and their hunger and thirst for land and power seemed to know no end. The horrors that Pandra must have endured during her captivity. Surely she would have been tortured and abused and possibly raped. Galahad grunted, not wishing to think such a vial and foul thing could have happened to such a beautiful young woman such as Pandra. There certainly was a great strength about Pandra to not only have endured such torture and captivity but also to escape and more so now to survive with what had happened to her. Despite all her pain and hardship there was still an innocence and a purity about her, one that Galahad admired. Sometimes he felt his own heart was growing cold from his endless years of service, but Pandra, she could still smile at the world despite what she had seen.
Silently Galahad nodded as Pandra continued to speak, trying to imagine what her tribe must be like. It saddened him that they would shun her despite all that had happened to her and it made him wonder what his own village, his own people would think of him if he ever returned. But that was a question for a later time and one he did not wish to dwell upon at this present time.
“There is a great strength about you that you should be proud of” Galahad commented with a smile as Pandra finished speaking. A strength and a strong will to survive just as he himself had. “Is your mother still alive?” He asked curiously.
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Post by Pandra on Jan 9, 2011 19:15:41 GMT -5
Pandra did not like speaking of what had brought her to Briton in the first place. She had been in the Saxons way when they caught her apparently. It wasn't like she could fight back. She was after all only eleven years old. About a year she had spent with them and she'd been put through things no other human should ever be put through. She would not do as they told her to do. She was too strong willed for that apparently. Her lack of listening to them is what got her almost killed in the first place. Each time she said no and kept her own peace they got angry with her. She was not sure why she was kept alive and then left for dead after their retreat. Maybe they could not longer tolerate a head strong little girl. She was never sure why they took her in the first place. They could have just pushed her out of the way. She shrugged it off trying to wipe away the pictures in her mind. She didn't need them to pop up again. She shuddered a bit visible to Galahad's eyes but only wrapped up in her cloak tighter and closed her eyes slowly opening them again.
Many were surprised that her heart had not grown cold from the torture and the things she went through. She showed no reason to let her heart grow bitter and cold. It would be easy for her to let it too. Pandra preferred the love to being cold any day. She just took a day at a time and let what she could not change pass her by. It was hard to do. However she'd been raised to do just that. You had to have something special about you to deal with so much death and still be a perfectly good person in her eyes. Her experience made her realize her own inner wisdom. It also reminded her that she had no real childhood. There was nothing she could change about that save to grow and offer those children around her the chance to just be a child. She turned to look at Galahad as he began to speak of strength. "Sometimes I do not think I am that strong. Just observant and mindful and well out of sure fate I did not die by Saxon hands that time. I believe the Gods had other plans for me because when it is the time for one to die the gods will call them to their service or to be born again to learn some other lesson." She thought in weird ways she was sure.
Her face turned from partial indifference to sadness when Galahad asked about her mother. "My mother died years ago. She died before I reached my fifth summer. My father perished when his scouting party was ambushed by our enemies at the time. She sort of according to my tribes men went crazy after his death. She had always been slightly an outcast. She was hard headed but kind and caring. She missed my father dearly but did her best to raise me. She was lost though without my father there. He was the only one that ever understood her." She looked to the sky as the snow began to fall a little harder. They could still stay out here just a little longer. She had more to say on the subject of her parents but no one not even Tristan knew the details of that. "I was taken in by our Druid of Death after she died and have been with him ever since." That was all there was going to be. She was not sure she wanted to talk about the details of her life really. The past was harsh and she wanted to leave it back there. [/center][/blockquote] |
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Post by Galahad on Jan 10, 2011 5:58:41 GMT -5
Galahad nodded silently as Pandra spoke listening to her words with care. Although she did not think she was a strong woman Galahad knew different. Over the years he had seen the horror and destruction that the Saxon’s had left in their wake. He had laid witness to the mutilated bodies and buried the corpses of massacred villagers and knew firsthand what they were like in battle. There was nothing caring or forgiving about the Saxons. Well… except Alowyn but then what was a completely different matter.
It was not hard to miss the look of sadness that washed over Pandra’s face when she began to speak of her parents and their passing. The subject appeared to be a painful one for the young woman and immediately Galahad regretted asking such a personal question. He knew the loss of a parent having lost his own father in his youth, but to lose both a mother and a father and to be considered an outcast in ones own tribe….
“I often do not understand the ways of the Gods” Galahad commented aloud, partly speaking to himself and partly to Pandra. “Their kindness is mixed with cruelty and their love with pain…”
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Post by Pandra on Jan 10, 2011 6:23:10 GMT -5
The past was harsh but Pandra was grateful for the present and the fact that she could look forward to a future. It had taken years for her to be able to say anything to anyone abot her parents. Tristan knew a little as did Arthur. Galahad was not in that group as well. Though no one knew the details of her life. It seemed that once someone got that close to her something ill happened to them. Actually that thought popped into her head because of recent events. Aberth was still around and teaching her. The Chief Durid looked upon her with kindness. They people of her tribe had never understood her or her mother. Even those that were her father's friends did not see what her father saw in her mother. She knew that they loved each other very much. She was young when they died but she had the fondest memories of her mother and still a face to put with her father for she was old enough to comitt that to memory before he died.
Pandra looked at Galahad as he started to speak. "The world works in mysterious ways. As to the gods because they created it. If you look through cruelty with a different mind set you see the kindness and pain as you go through it you find love. There is good even in the Saxons you just have to search for it." She may harbor fear and maybe a little hatred for the Saxons but there were people with them that were kind. They had been kidnapped like she had though. There were a few full blooded Saxons that were nice as well. Then again a year with them showed her that she had to look at things from different perspectives. She'd have died long ago if she had not learned how to look. "The Gods have a plan for us all. Even Arthur's one god does. I do not see why it matters if we believe in one or many gods. In the end we all need something to believe in. A little faith to protect us from the unknown and give us comfort." She gave him a smile and stood up from her spot. The snow was getting heavier and they would need to start moving now. "Come before we get caught in the storm that is making itself ever more present." She began to walk waiting for him to come up to her.
Her mind went back to Danick. He was much like her father. The only one that really understood her enough to love her. He was gone now and something in that made her fear being loved by other. She did not want something to happen to them. Her mind went over what Galahad had said about Gawain and Dagonet. If she had not had the feeling that Galahad fancied others she'd have admitted to attraction to him. However she knew he was looking at others so there was not point in dwelling on that matter. She had a soft spot for those that fought for them much like her mother had. It was why those in the tribe shunned her. She was the spitting image of her mother with the temperament of her father and kind hearted caring of her mother. She reminded them of things they had not told her about her parents. One day she's ask Aberth or find out for herself through her mothers writing. She pulled her cloak tighter around her but did not put on her hood. She did not mind the contrast of the white snow on her head mixing with the vibrant red that was her hair. [/center][/blockquote] |
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Post by Galahad on Jan 11, 2011 5:00:44 GMT -5
“GOOD?! In the Saxon’s?!” The words spewed from Galahad’s mouth before he even had time to think about them. “What good is there in a people that care nothing for their others let alone themselves? In people whose only goal is to conquer and slaughter? To rip screaming mothers from their crying babies?! There is no good in the Saxons!” Galahad’s words came with a growl, his brow furrowed as his sudden burst of anger bubbled within. He knew all too well the horrors that the Saxons left behind them, the slaughter, and the heartbreak. He had lived with the nightmare for years of the first mutilated body he had ever seen – work done by a Saxon hand. How could their ever be anything good in them?
And then his mind drifted to Alowyn, the beautiful blond whom had not only caught but ensnared his attention the first moment Galahad had seen her. She was stunning, tall, beautiful, elegant, graceful and unawares to the Knight she was a Saxon. But now Galahad knew what she was, or rather whom she was and yet his feelings for Alowyn had not diminished. In fact the more he spoke with her, the more he saw her the more he found himself entangled in her web. Like a spider catching a fly and Galahad found himself a very willing fly indeed. If there was no good in the Saxon’s then what was Alowyn?
Galahad grunted loudly and shook his head, dark curls bouncing as he pulled his cloak tighter around his body. Gods why did everything have to be so confusing?
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Post by Pandra on Jan 11, 2011 5:36:17 GMT -5
The storm was not letting up and the storm of emotions inside of Pandra were not letting up either. She refused to admit she was grieving. She refused to cry in front of anyone. She was female yes but she had been raised much like a warrior and a male. She'd been raised to have kindness and let your weaknesses not control you but make you a better person. She had however refused to cry after her mother died. When she was with the Saxons and they were doing things to her no other child should go through she did not cry. In a sense some of them seemed to fear her. The did things just to pull the tears out of her but they never came. Her eyes would get cloudy but the tears would never fall. Now in all the time she's not cried she wanted too. She wanted to break down the walls that had been around all her feelings and her heart and just cry. Aberth has been surprised that she had not shown even just a little bit of grief for Danick but he soon learned that she was showing it in a completely different way then most people would. He commented on her slight change but nothing went farther then her saying it was best to remember him as he was and not how it ended. Aberth knew the words Danick has said to her because she had told him but he knew not how to comfort her. She was sure no one did.
She jumpped back as Galahad became angry with the fact that she had said there was good in the Saxons. She knew what the Saxons could do but they did it because they were commanded too. They were fighting people and that was that. There were some that wanted blooshed to stop but knew not how to stop it. She was sure of it but she was not sure how to explain that to Galahad who has seen more years of the horrors then she had. His words finished with a growl and she cowarded away from him for just a second. A full grown knight had just gone a bit tempramental in front of her and it had her scambling for words and to calm herself. "I meant no ill by saying that Galahad. I see things differently. I spent a year at the hands of that horror. Fighting for my own life with them. I sometimes don't understand why I do not hate them with every fiber of my being but I do not. And I believe there is good in everyone not matter how evil you might be. Each person has his own reasons to fight the way he does." She toook a deep breath visibly shaken by Galahad's outburst but not composing herself that befit a lady and continuing to walk side by side with him.
It seemed he calmed down and was thinking about something. She glanced away from him allowing him the time to think. Her mind wandering to Danick's last words. "I am sorry I will never get to ask for your hand in marriage my love. But know I have always loved you just not known a way to come out with it." O Danick why did you have to leave me! Her mind screamed out into the dark void space that held this memory. She was so confused and all this thinking and remembering was going to take its toll on her and she would not be able to sleep. Still she was afraid to voice her opinion of anything or let anyone in on her emotional rollercoaster. Everyone was so busy with the mounting tension with the Saxons she thought it not fair to go completely crazy just yet. She took a deep breath and cleared her mind of everything except what little Helena had done earlier. That reminded her that Helena would be expecting Pandra to kiss her goodnight. She looked back over at Galahad and he seemed to have a confused look on his face. She was sure she had just the same.
"Galahad...How do you know if you actually love someone?" It was an innocent questions and one she hoped would not perplex the Knight anymore.
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Post by Galahad on Jan 11, 2011 5:57:10 GMT -5
Galahad visibly flinched when Pandra jumped back from his outburst. He had not meant to frighten the young women with his raging of words. He had a temper like a fire, quick to start and scorching hot when in full blaze, but just like a fire it was quick to be dampened and once the flames were out he simply smouldered until the embers of his anger were gone.
“Forgive me” Galahad said softly, his face full of kindness and a flicker of regret washed across his deep blue eyes. “I have lived nineteen years of the horror that the Saxons have inflicted upon others, upon my fellow Knights… upon myself. It is not so easy for me to forget.” Galahad tried to explain himself but he doubted that Pandra would truly understand. She had not lived his life, just as he had not lived hers. He could not understand how she could find forgiveness in her heart for her captives and she could not understand how he felt such anger and hatred towards them. Such was the nature of their lives. But certainly the Knight did not wish for his anger and disagreement to stand in the way of their friendship.
The brunette was staring at Pandra with a slightly confused expression upon his features when she spoke. Her question, coming what seemed out of nowhere took Galahad completely by surprise and for a moment he simply stared back at the young woman, deep blue eyes blinking.
“I…” Galahad opened his mouth and then closed it again his brow furrowing in thought. How did you know you loved someone? A moment passed and then another and Galahad continued to look at Pandra in confusion. How did you know? You just… you just knew!
“You just know…” Galahad finally answered, shaking his head slightly. “I cannot describe it, you just… you know it in the pit of your stomach.”
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Post by Pandra on Jan 12, 2011 3:20:47 GMT -5
Pandra took a moment to realize that Galahad had flinched when she jumped back from his outburst. She knew that all the Knights had a temper but she had not meant to start up Galahad's. She just had a very different out look on things. She had been at the hands of the Saxons but she still had not seen all the bloodshed that Galahad had. She could see where he would not think that the Saxons had any good in them. He asked for forgiveness then went on to try and explain himself. "Its okay Galahad. I forget that we live very different lives. I have not seen the horrors that you have and my taste of it was just that." She offered a smile. There was not much a Knight could do to lose her friendship. The only things that she would count a Knight not as her friend was if they raised a hand to her. None of them did that and they respected females so a tiny little disagreement was nothing.
It seemed that her question had perplexed the Knight a little more then he was already. She could not help but ask. She was so clueless in the forms of love that she had to ask the questions. She felt stupid for asking such things and felt that Galahad deserved to know where all these questions were coming from. She couldn't help but want to keep it secret though. She was not used to sharing feelings nor was she used to having ones such as she was. A rollercoaster of emotions. She knew what love in definition was but in application she was not sure. She also figure she was not worthy of love of a man. Danick had showed her and told her differently. There were little things she could remember him doing. Each of those things was to let her know his feelings for her. All of them she did not understand and pay much attention to. Well she paid attention to everything but it was something that was so strange to her that she didn't know what to think of it. Now all these strange made her want to go crazy. Was this an effect of love lost? Love that never really got to get started. She was not sure.
She watched Galahad open his mouth and say "I" but he closed it again. He was thinking about her question. She kept waiting for him to say something as they made it closer to the Inn inside of Hadrian's Wall. They had made their way into the City but the storm was only getting worse. His answer made things even more confusing. Of course love was confusing so why would they answer not be. "So then if you feel it in the pit of you stomach does it make you simply want to do something crazy?" The question she was sure she knew the answer to it but she wanted that confirmation. Something told her that from afar she loved Danick the entire time that he loved her. It would make sense as her mother had written something about falling for a boy but not realizing it until that boy actually said something to her. That boy having been Pandra's father.
She took a deep breath. "I think that I've been in love with someone. But they are now gone to the gods." That was about all she was going to say in explaining what she was asking the questions that she was asking. There was more to it but being the person she was saying much more seemed not to be something that she would do. [/center][/blockquote] |
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Post by Galahad on Jan 12, 2011 5:37:24 GMT -5
Galahad pulled his cloak tighter around him glad that they were closing in upon the inn. He could do with a nice warm drink or even a strong mug of ale, something to warm up his insides as well as his hands. Plus if they were lucky they would be able to get a table somewhere near the fire that raged happily in the corner flooding the tavern with warmth.
The Knight was not exactly sure why Pandra was asking him of all people about love. It was not like Galahad had been madly in love anytime. Lust certainly, desire, passion, need, but love? He could not say for sure that he had ever fallen in love with a woman before. Although he knew the feelings that bubbled within his belly anytime that he looked at Alowyn were stronger and stranger to him than anything he had ever felt before. There was something about the Saxon Princess which seemed to tug at every fibire of his body. Made him think stupid thoughts and want to do insane things just to spend more time with her. Galahad could have snorted, if love made one want to do something crazy then what was this feeling he felt inside? But Alowyn would never want to be with someone like him… a Sarmatian that had killed her kin. It was completely crazy!
“Perhaps… I am not expert in love Pandra. My current personal life is nothing but confusing!” Galahad shook his head a smirk upon his lips.
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Post by Pandra on Jan 12, 2011 6:04:18 GMT -5
Pandra's mind was on Danick once again. She opened the door to the Inn half usher Galahad in and half dragging him in shutting the door behind her. She shook her head a bit and took off her cloak revealing a white dress that was under it. She gave a small smile to Galahad finding the table by the fire open. She claimed the seat away from the fire so that Galahad could sit by the fire and warm up. She was perfectly okay where she was. She was still waiting for him to actually say something about her last comment. She knew that most of the Knights might not truly know much about love or be experts in it. However there was no other knight save maybe Tristan that she would ask such questions too. Pandra have more trust in Galahad that she was sure that Knight didn't know about. Each Knight had a measure of trust with her. Tristan had the most trust she would ever give anyone besides maybe the person that she fell in love with.
His answer made very much sense to her. She couldn't help but smirk back to his own smirk. She had to agree that everything was confusing at the moment. Her personal life and that of a Knights personal life. Maybe that was what love did to a person. It made them so confused that by the time they were unconfused love was taking another course with them. She wouldn't admit out loud to how much she had loved Danick on different levels. She viewed him as a brother when she was but a very small child. She loved him as a friend as they got older. That love had changed to something more as he lay dying in her arms. The Gods were trying to show her something through all this she was sure. What that was she did not know. One of these days she was going tp have to learn how to admit things. She had finally admitted to herself that she was in fact in love with Danick.
A maid came up to them and asked if they would like anything to drink and or eat. Pandra thought about it for a moment but she was not hungry nor did she want anything to drink. "No thank you." The maid waited for Galahad to reply after giving a small nod to Pandra.
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Post by Galahad on Jan 12, 2011 6:14:41 GMT -5
Galahad entered the tavern, looking over his shoulder instinctively to make sure that Pandra had entered safely. Satisfied that she was he stopped and let her take the lead waiting for her to choose a table. A smile crept over his lips as he followed the young woman to a table by the fire. It seemed as though at least this time they had both had similar thoughts about the warmth of the smile. Following behind Galahad stopped by the seat closest to the fire and ran a hand through his hair shaking his dark locks to get out any snow that might have collected. He then removed his cloak also shaking it and then throwing it over the back of the wooden chair. He was wearing a long shirt and a thick tunic and of course his black breeches and boots. Feeling more comfortable Galahad finally pulled the chair out and sat down, stretching out his long legs and rubbing his hands together to warm them up.
As one of the barmaids approached the table Galahad nodded his head and ordered a mug of ale, deciding that a drink would be just what he needed to warm his belly. Once they had ordered, or at least he had, the maid smiled and turned to head back to the kitchens.
“Far warmer in here” Galahad said with a smile and a playful wink.
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Post by Pandra on Jan 13, 2011 5:21:22 GMT -5
Pandra watched the flames of the fire dance. She was calmed instantly by the methodical dance. She loved watching the flames of a fire dance. It had always been something that calmed her. When they laid Danick to rest she had held a small candle as Aberth led the ceremony. He knew it was not something she was ready to do yet. When something was that close to you another led the ceremony if it was possible. However, it was the duty of the Druid of Death not matter what the circumstances. She as lucky that she was just training as Aberth had not given her full duties yet. He still had much to teach her and she was still willing to learn. However the soft flicker of the candle had been the only thing to keep her concentrated on anything at the time. Now the flames of the fire were reminding her that she was human and that as a human she needed to let her feelings out. Whether she headed the warnings of the dancing fire was a completely different story.
Pandra turned to watch Galahad as she shook out any snow that might have collected in his dark locks. Her cloak sat on her lap but a few moments later it too was on the back of her chair. She returned his smile and with with a playful smirk of her own. "I would have to agree with you there Galahad. Its far too cold out there at the moment." The snow storm had gotten worse sense they had entered the Inn. The only reason she could her the storm on the outside of the Inn through the noise of the Inn was because she had been trained as a Druid to hear everything one could possibly hear. The storm outside seemed to be matching the emotional storm within her. Life was complicated and no one ever told her it was going to be easy. At times she thought the Gods were out to get her. They through her tragedy after tragedy. She figured it was to see how she would cope with her world crashing down around her. She was not sure if she was learning what she was supposed to or not.
However she stood strong where others would have broken. She gave kindness and thought good things about even those that had done her wrong. The only thing she didn't do was cry and mourn in the ways that other did. She grieved but each person was different in how they grieved in the first place. She took a deep breath looking from the fire to Galahad. "Galahad, do you know if those in your family are still alive?" She knew that was a personal question and it was rather bold of her to ask someone who had not seen their family in nineteen years. However she was not to sure on whether or not as a free man Galahad had any contact with the family he was made to leave behind. She disliked the Roman's for what they were doing to her people before the battle on the Hill and for what the had down to Galahad's people. She just disliked the Saxons far more. She had more of a reason to dislike them as they had hit home for her. The Romans had not yet reached her tribe and they had backed off since a little before the battle of Badon Hill. In the places they had taken over mostly however they treated her people much like they treated the Sarmatians. She hoped she did not strike the fire or anger in Galahad again for her question. [/blockquote] |
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Post by Galahad on Jan 13, 2011 5:54:15 GMT -5
Galahad’s attention was on scanning the tavern when Pandra spoke again. He had been looking around as he always did to see who was out and about and who was trying to seek shelter from the storm which was picking up outside. As the red head asked about his family Galahad’s head snapped back, blue eyes widening as he looked directly at her. There was no anger or offence in his look just one of shock which was quickly replaced with a wash of sadness and longing. Then Galahad blinked and the look was gone.
“I think they are” The Knight said with a nod as he placed a hand on the table and then looked up in time to see the barmaid return with his mug of ale. He smiled up at the woman and reached into his pocket, pulling out a coin he handed it to her in exchange for the ale. The woman smiled and nodded and left to tend to other tables. Galahad wrapped his long fingers around the mug and brought it to his lips, taking a long drink having the chance both to savour the taste of the ale and collect his thoughts.
As the liquid trickled down into his belly warming his insides Galahad placed the mug down onto the table with a small thud, his fingers still wrapped tightly around it. Looking back up his blue eyes locked on Pandra’s face.
“I have a mother and two younger sisters. My father was a Sarmatian Knight just like I am but he died when I was only eight years old. My mother told me that he was gravely wounded his last year of service and was lucky to return home at all. I remember every winter he would get sick and spend weeks coughing and in pain. Then one winter he just… he called me to his bed and told me it was my job to protect my mother and sisters. He was a man who hated war and longed for peace.” Galahad sighed, pausing for a moment as he swirled the ale around in his mug. He then smiled softly and looked back up at Pandra.
“I think my mother is alive and my sisters. Anna is two years younger than me and Evy five years younger. You remind me a lot of Anna actually. She was smart and beautiful and had such a kind heart, always wanted to help everyone and everything…”
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Post by Pandra on Jan 14, 2011 6:06:26 GMT -5
Pandra's eyes and ears scanned both conversation and persons in the Tavern. Of course there was a few Knights and soldiers in trying to hide from the snow. The Roman soldiers didn't seem to really like how cold it got here no matter how long they had been living in Hadrian. Pandra had gotten used to it by traveling through it. The travel time it took her to reach Hadrian and back home anything was a long one depending on how she did it that was. Either way she had a horse for the first part of the journey that had been trained to go back to either her village or back to Hadrian's Wall. It would take her weeks if she just walked it. She did not like winter all that much but she loved it when it rained. She liked watching the snow fall even if she didn't like snow all that much. Her eyes fell on a group of soldiers bantering about one thing or another. Sounding like a buddy got a girl for the night and the others didn't. She let out a bit of an annoyed huff at their conversation. She was brought back to her own by Galahad's voice.
Her full attention turned to Galahad as she noticed he had gotten his drink. He said he though they were which made her slightly happy and she was glad she had not angered or offended him. She waited as he took a drink of his ale. He soon looked back at her and explained what his family was like. She listened closely it dawning on her why they had such a connection. She felt like she knew Galahad a little more by what he was saying about his family. She was glad that he opened up to her and didn't close himself down to her so to speak like other Knights would. Of course she was sure there woud be things he would not tell her. Most of the Knights did not want to worry her and she stopped even asking some. Tristan being the only one she'd patiently wait for a reply from. She smiled as Galahad finished speaking about his father. "He was a wise man Galahad." Peace was something however that ironically one had to fight for. You couldn't have complete peace for too long. Still they had seen enough war it was about time it all stopped.
Pandra watched as he swirled the ale in his mug. She met his smile when he looked back up at her. She listened with a slight nod of the head as he told her about his sisters. Her smile grew wider as he told her that she reminded him of his sister. "I'm glad in a sense that I can remind you of her. I'd like to meet her one day." She sounded so much like how others thought Pandra to bed. It was true that Pandra was willing to help everyone and everything and was kind but she was also stubborn and hard headed. She let a soft giggle leave her lips as she thought about the last part. "I wish one day that we can all either be with lost family or create families of our own." Her smile only faded as the last words came out of her mouth. Oh how she missed the people she had lost but most of all at the moment Danick. "Looks like we might be staying her for the night." She could hear the wind now outside. [/center][/blockquote] |
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Post by Galahad on Jan 14, 2011 20:13:55 GMT -5
Galahad found himself raising an eyebrow when Pandra said that she hoped one day they could start families of their own. To be perfectly honest Galahad was starting to wonder if a family would ever be in his future. Alowyn, the beautiful blond Saxon Princess who had captured his attention still seemed to hold him at bay. No matter how he tried to make his feelings known to her she still held a distance between them. And the other woman whom he felt strong desire for was as much of a mystery to him as when he had first met her. The Knight sighed softly, family was important to him, something he desired but perhaps it was simply not what the Gods wanted for him. Maybe he was just meant to be alone.
Hearing Pandra speak again Galahad looked up and towards the direction of the tavern door. Despite the crackling of the fire and the chatter of the many people in the tavern Galahad could still hear the wind pick up outside howling as it swept through the street. He nodded and took another drink of his ale. “At least we are safe and warm and have plenty to drink” he said with a lopsided grin.
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Post by Pandra on Jan 22, 2011 6:25:19 GMT -5
The wind was calming the young lady even if it was blowing with fury and a storm was going on outside. The wind blew like the roller coaster of emotions inside of her. Both of them competing in trying to take her over. Her mind drifting to the weeks before Danick had left to meet his end. She didn't not understand why there had to be so much fighting around her. For once it would be nice to be in a completely peaceful world. It was a dream but only a dream for she knew that there would always be something that would try to break the peace. You could not have the good without the bad, the light without the dark. Life was just that way and there was nothing that you could do to change it.
Pandra began to think about the future. She as not sure what was held for her in it. She knew that she probably didn't want to know at this moment either. She hoped that all the Knights found women to call their own and families. It was something one needed to even keep motivated. Family was something you wanted to protect and if a man was just protecting himself it seemed so sad. Though in the end it was true that in battle one had to protect ones self. Pandra only knew little of fighting but enough of it to join in an all out battle like Badon Hill had once been. She's been practicing with the warriors in here clan and found her way to the training ground for them even after Danick died. There was a sort of respect that she got from some of the warriors now because they realized her dedication not only to being a Druid but to being able to defend them. Some had even tried to make amends for things they might have said that were cruel. Still others found it bad that a female wanted to fight. It wasn't that she wanted too it was that she wanted to be able to protect those whom she held dear. Yes that even mean the tribe that pretty much out casted her.
She turned her head back to Galahad as he began to speak again. She could help but giggle at his words and the lopsided grin that he gave her. "Yes plenty to drink." She gave him a wink and then looked back onto the fire. "Galahad...What's your opinion of me?" She had no clue where that had come from but she did wonder what the Knights thought about her. Especially the ones that had been around when they first rescued her outside the wall. He knew a little more about her so maybe that was why she had come out and asked the question. [/center][/blockquote] |
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Post by Galahad on Jan 23, 2011 3:32:00 GMT -5
“What?” Galahad blinked, quite taken back by Pandra’s sudden question directed straight at him. To be honest he had not been expecting such a comment and for a moment he could not collect his thoughts enough to reply. What did he think of her? He… he liked her, from what he knew. He had not known a great deal about Pandra before today. Of course he had known that she had been rescued by Tristan near the wall and that she was injured and in a poor state. She was not a Briton nor a woad nor a Saxon but more than that Galahad did not know until they had started to speak today.
“I like you” Galahad said honestly, the corner of his lips turning upwards in a gentle smile. “I admit I did not know you very well before today, but what I know now I will reassure you that like you very much. You are a beautiful woman Pandra and you seem to captivate attention around you but… I don’t know, you remind me so much of my sister, of my Anna…” Galahad paused, lowering his blue eyes to look down at his drink as though needing to break the intensity between the pair. “I feel… safe with you. As though you will not laugh at what I say and you make me think, I like that. I like that you challenge my thoughts.”
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