Out in the Countryside

The City

She held her shoulder as she rolled it, due to her sleeping position it had caused her to wake up in the middle of the night. She was seated on her bed, the blue pyjamas clinging messily to her body while her legs were tangled in the sheets.

She breathed while she stretched her arm, hoping the pain would soon subside and she was able to sleep for the next couple of hours before she had to hurry off to work. The memory of the accident dashed through her mind and she shook her head. There was a bit of fear in her eyes but she blinked it away, suppressing the memory.

She pushed herself from the bed and slowly made her way to the kitchen, filling a kettle with water and setting it on the stove. She made sure to make as little noise as possible so as to no wake Lancelot up. He was turning on the couch at the sound of the click of the stove knob.

Arturia could remember that he was a light sleeper, but she was always stealthy.

The whistling of the kettle snapped her from her gaze on Lancelot and she immediately removed it from the flames, placing a few tea leaves inside. She shot her gaze to her sleeping friend, praying she had not woken him—he was completely fine.

Arturia poured herself a cup and made her way towards the bed. She settled back in the covers, wrapping them tightly around herself while she sipped her Earl Gray.

Leaning into the wooden headboard she closed her eyes; the single thought of the car had her shiver and the pain in her shoulder continue.

The following morning, she stood from the bed when the rooster cocked. She walked towards the kitchen and shook Lancelot awake on her way there.

He yawned audibly, groaning and shuffling on the couch. He was usually a light sleeper but she noted that he slept more soundly out in the countryside. He stretched as he stood, yawning a couple of more times and groggily walking towards his best friend, "What's for breakfast?" he grumbled.

"Tea." She replied, eyes on the boiling water, "Go take a shower; Scáthach invited us to go to the city with her."

"Oh, really?" Lancelot raised an eyebrow, sleep still leaving his eyes half-closed, "Are you looking forward to heading out?"

She nodded, enjoying the silence of the early morning, "In fact, I am. In some way or form, I miss the city."

Lancelot laughed, walking towards the window and taking in the sight before him. Rolling hills across green and bright while the further ones cast blue shadows. He could spot the neighbours on the hill over tending to their farm, walking the sheep out towards the pastures for the day. The fluffy clouds strolled over them, forming shapes and dissipating. The strong smell of the countryside made him smile. The grass, the pines, the aroma of fresh air.

He could tell that Arturia did seem happier out in the middle of nowhere; far away from civilization and away from the power-hungry circle she was weaved into. She was free from the chains of social etiquette.

He turned towards her, "You love it here, don't you?" He asked, leaning against the window frame and crossing his arms over his chest.

Arturia glanced at her friend, a simple and humble smile snaking unto her lips. "I suppose."

"You don't want to go back, do you?"

Her smile dropped and she immediately looked back down at the simmering water that seemed nearly ready for the tea, "I never said that." She mumbled, flickering his gaze up to him for a few seconds, "One day I will return, but not any day soon."

"I would only hope." Lancelot nodded.

Arturia's ear perked at the sound of a knock on the door. She wiped her hands off on a kitchen cloth and excused herself before nagging Lancelot to take a shower. He followed her out of the kitchen and headed his respectful way to the washroom while the young lady hurried to the door.