Lady Scarlet of Camelot

Chapter 2

The snap of a branch wakes me in the morning. Looking around with just my eyes first, I don't see anyone. Then on the opposite side of the bank, a man in just pants and blonde curly hair exits the woods. I didn't move, hoping that he would miss me. Just my luck, a cluster of acorns hit the rocks on the bed, making him stop and check the area. I don't move.

"Dear saints," he says, spotting me. He moves to cross the creek, but I hold the knife towards him, "Easy. I'm not going to hurt you."

"Stay back," I croak.

"Arthur," another voice calls out. I look at the edge of the woods to see another male. He joins the blonde on the river bed, "It's alright. You're safe now."

Neither has anything on that tells me where they are from. So, for all, I care, they must be with the bandits, "Stay there," I order as they move to flank me.

"Easy," the blonde one moves to his right and then forwards one step, "easy, there."

"Stay there, I warn you," I ordered as the other guy moved. I turn the knife on me as they press forward. Placing it at my throat, "I'll not go back."

"Arthur," the second one yells.

At the same time, the first asks, "Go back where," when I don't answer, he tries again, "We're knights of Camelot. You can trust us," he takes a step forward but stops as I start pulling the knife across my skin drawing blood, "Easy, easy."

"What are you yel-," a bleach blonde-haired, blue-eyed man exits the woods. His face is familiar. He studies me for a second before light comes to his eyes. Like he found something or remembered something, "Scarlet," he whispers.

I stare at him, trying to place him. I go straight through the memories that I gained of this time. The red cape with the golden dragon helps with placing him. The last memory that I have of him was a year ago. We are riding horses through the Camelot forest, "Arthur," I whisper. He nods, taking a slow step forward, "Prince Arthur Pendragon."

He nods, his eyes not leaving the knife in my hand as I slowly lower it. The memories and safe feelings I get from him hit me like a truck. My strength leaves me, but before I can meet the ground, Arthur catches me, "You're safe now, Scarlet. You're safe," he whispers, taking the knife and handing it to one of the other men there. I can't help the tears that escape me at the thought of me being safe. He sweeps me up into his arms and carries me back to their camp. Two other knights are there. Arthur barks out orders for different things, "I need water and a cloak. Leon, go ma-"

"No," I cut him off in a panic, "No, we have to ride. We have-"

"Scarlet, you're in no condi-"

"Bandits," I gasp as panic overtakes me, "Six bandits. More were on their way before I escaped. Skilled too."

"Sire, the lady is right," a knight agrees with me, "we can't handle that many."

"Quickly then," Arthur orders; the others gather their few things and start mounting up. The blonde knight comes over to us, "Scarlet, I have to mount first," Arthur starts to tell me. I grip Arthur's armor and cape, "This is Leon. He won't hurt you."

When I make no move to release myself from Arthur, Leon kneels, "My Lady, you are a guest of the royal family of Camelot. I will protect you with my life as I do the prince. I will never cause you harm."

I slowly stand on my feet and release my hold on Arthur. Leon doesn't move to touch me till he has to help me up. I turn to take Arthur's hand to mount when I hear Leon gasp. I had forgotten about my back. I quickly turn to have my back face the horse. Leon tells me to wait. He slowly moves his arms to undo his cloak before sweeping it around me and fastening it, "Thank you," I whisper.

Between Arthur and Leon, they get me mounted and in front of Arthur. They quickly take off to put distance between the bandits and us. I don't know how long we rode, but my injuries were on fire when we stopped for a rest. I all but fall from the horse, but Leon is there to catch me. I have no strength to fight him and let him lower me to the ground.

"She can't go on like this, "Arthur states, picking me up, "Let's move her to the shade."

Once there, Leon offers me his waterskin, but I don't accept it, "Drink, you need your strength," however, I still don't accept it. He looks at me before taking a sip of water himself.

This time, I take it when offered. I smell it before lifting it to my lips. Leon steps away to join Arthur and another knight, who is speaking. I watch as Arthur hands him a pouch to the knight, and he leaves. Leon speaks briefly with Arthur before they both make their way over to me, "Scarlet," Arthur speaks gently to me, "normally I would never ask, but we need to check your injuries."

I let my gaze drift to the other men, "They won't look?"

"Only Leon since he is better with wound care. I will be right here."

I loosen the cloak, and Arthur gently helps me sit up. Leon makes no move toward me. Instead, he kneels, so we are at eye level, "I will ask again, My Lady. May I treat you?"

"Yes," with that, he quickly gets to work on my back. I control my whimpers and hisses of pain. Not wanting to cause them more distress. It takes some time, but he wraps a bandage over my wounds and over my dress in the front. Then he moves to look over my front side. He gently turns my head, "They hit you," he states, "Was it often?"

"One named John backhanded me yesterday."

"Was it often," he repeats. I nod, looking down, "Did he cause the welts on your back as well," again, I nod.

"Forgive me for the asking but..." Arthur started, "did he do anything else to you? Or anyone else, for that matter?"

I know what he is asking about. I keep my head tilted towards the ground, not wanting to meet his eyes, "He tried to. . . um . . . he touched me," I take in a shaky breath, "He tried to ... he almost did more."

"Almost," Arthur conforms. I nod my head, "Did someone stop him," my nod gave him his answer, "Do you know why?"

"They were saving me for their leader. Kanen, our group was to meet with him across the border."

"Leon, stay with Lady Scarlet," Arthur growls. He stands quickly, storming away. I hang my head, so I don't have to see the other's faces.

After a minute, "He's not mad at you," Leon begins. He slowly picked up the cloak that had been removed and gently draped it over my shoulders again, "He's upset that we didn't find you sooner."

"How long was I gone?"

"Two months. We looked for you, of course," Leon lays down on the grass relaxing, "King Uther set out knights and even led some of the searches after Isabella made it to the castle."

"She's safe," I let out a sigh of relief, "What about my family," I inquired. When he doesn't answer straight away, I plead with him, "My father and brother? Please tell me?"

"Your brother has been missing since the attack. We have no news of him," Leon sits back up and faces me, "My Lady, your father, Duke William Stanmore, is dead."

I pull the cloak tighter around me. I fall silent, knowing I would burst into tears if I said a word. Leon joins the others when he sees that I'm not going to speak again. I can feel everyone's eyes on me as I lie down on my side and close my eyes. Just the short ride has tired me out, and then the news on top of that is too much. I don't fight sleep when it comes this time. I welcome it as a way to get relief for a time. I let it take me to rest.