Ghosts of the Past [ RDR2 - Arthur Morgan ]

Chapter 12 - To the Campgrounds

Word count - 2034

The sight of Arthur arriving back at camp the next morning, steering a carriage pulled by a large, slightly hyperactive horse was not missed by many. Next to the man was a lady they all recognized as the doctor who had tended Hosea's wounds and following slowly behind was Laurel, Arthur's trusty mare looking thoroughly dejected by the fact her rider had chosen not to use her in this instance. John was one of the first to walk over and greet the new arrivals, giving Arthur a knowing smirk as he did so.

"Hey, it's the crazy lady." He held out his hand in an uncharacteristically gentlemanly way, offering Rosemary a hand down from the wagon "You must really hate yourself to end up back here." This was spoken slightly more quietly, only Arthur, still on the seats, and Rosemary had heard that.

She chuckled a little, starting the fire in his lungs he fears may never go away now. "Mrs Grimshaw!" He called out to the older lady who had already began making her way towards the commotion, shortly followed by Dutch "Where would you like our new comers medical wagon?"

"We have a medical wagon now, uh?" the lady asked smirkingly "We're living up in the world now." She motioned arthur and carefully led him through the camp towards the cliff edge, where she instructed him to stop. This was a good position, in Arthur's mind. It was right in line with his cot, this way he would be able to see her if he so wanted to. Something in Mrs Grinshaws knowing smirk told Arthur perhaps she had planned that.

Just before climbing down off the seat, he glanced back over his shoulder to see Rosemary almost surrounded by women. She was clearly uncomfortable to an extent and that made him laugh a little as she forced a smile to greet them all. Busying himself untacking Sammy, Arthur felt someone walk up behind him "Who's the beauty you just brough in, ay? Jesus you been hiding any more stunners?"

"Go away, Sean." Arthur grunted as he took Sammy's reins and began leading him back towards the other horses.

"I'm just saying, you reckon I got a shot?"

"You'll get a shot in the head if you keep going, Irish." Arthur threatened in an unsettlingly calm voice as the ginger man kept at his heels.

"Oh," He started laughing "I get it, Englishman. You've got your eye on that one. Well may the best man win." Sean slapped a hand firmly on Arthur's shoulder with a chuckle and walked off towards the waning crowd towards the woman.

A disgruntled sigh came out of Arthur's throat as he took his time brushing down Sammy, giving him a good scratch on the chin as he did "You're all grown up, little Sammy. I remember when you gave me away, could'a gotten me killed." He mumbled under his breath "Ended up doing me a big favour, now, didn't ya?"

"I see you convinced Miss Rosemary to join us then, son." Dutch's voice broke his train of thought as the man lent again the hitching post, thumbs resting on his holster and eyes turned towards the new arrival "Good work. We need a doctor without shaky hands."

Arthur hummed a little "Reackon Swanston might sober up when he realises he's got competition?"

"Lets see if he even notices the new carriage, or if he walks face first into it. Then I'll hash my bets." Dutch laughed, clapping Arthur's shoulder once more and walking back to the centre of camp and into his tent.

Now, alone for a moment, Arthur looked up towards Rosemary, who was smiling and talking as she tried to pry herself away from the crowd, he listened carefully.

"I don't want to be no burden, but if you wouldn't mind, Thank you, Mrs Grimshaw, that would be a great help." She was speaking to the elderly lady with a small, perhaps slightly anxious, smile on her face as the lady took her arm and guided Rose over to her carriage. Now they were blocked from his sight behind Dutch's tent. Looking back at the girls Arthur rolled his eyes to see them already gossiping and shooting furtive glances at him.