Out in the Countryside

A Storm

Any plans made for the following day were ruined due to a heavy and dreadful storm that swept through England. High speeds of the wind caused a closure of the school and everyone stayed inside. That week, the power had gone out quite a few times but as long as you were cuddled up in your bed, there was no threat. Lancelot ended up staying for another week as a result and scheduled his ticket to London for the nearest day possible; which happened to be a week and a half later; on a Saturday.

Grainne had not once turned up anywhere near the Ua Duibhne residence and who could blame her with such a weather. Finally, Cú and Jeanne had also postponed their meeting until further notice.

The station was as filled as it could possibly be for a Saturday. The morning sun was not enough to warm it up on such a cold autumn day. The tips of the trees were beginning to change colour, they almost looked as if they were being nipped by flames. The small stone station had soft instrumental music playing within its small frame. The ticket office had a short line of people and Arturia could barely bring herself to look at Lancelot.

"Will you come visit me again?" She asked, eyes downcast and hand rubbing her other arm.

Lancelot nodded, "Yes. Christmas, remember? I'll be here for you."

"And your parents won't mind? What will you tell them?" Her eyes finally landed on his, she blinked, thinking back to when he first arrived, "What did you tell them?"

He shrugged, "Nothing."

"Did you tell them that you were coming to see me?" Worry filled her eyes in an instant, drowning her in anxiety and paranoia.

He sighed, fixing his coat, "I told them that I was going to visit the cottage. I said I needed time to myself after... well your disappearance."

"My disappearance," she echoed, "Will you please tell me how my parents are doing? I'll give you the number for the gas station." She swung her backpack in order to reach it.

Lancelot landed a hand on hers. "There's no need for that, Jeanne already gave it to me."

Arturia laughed, ever so lightly, "Right, of course she did." They exited the station and waited upon the wooden deck, the cool breeze biting at their cheeks and nose.

The roaring of a halting train interrupted their stare and they both looked out towards it. The prestigious new train slowed to a complete stop and it seemed rather out of place in the small and vintage town.

Arturia breathed, "Will you write?"

He looked down at her again, picking up his luggage. "You make it sound as if I'm heading off to war."

"Well," she frowned, "it sure feels like it."

A bell rung, echoing and dancing through the wind.

He gave her a salute, "Milady, I promise to return to you as soon as I am able to."

Arturia offered an even look, smacking his hand, "Don't joke with me."

The bell rang a second time.

Laughing, he ruffled her hair, "Well, Artie," there was a bright smile on his face, "I hope we see each other again. And please," he enraptured her into a tight hug, "talk to your parents. Contact them."

She slowly returned the hug, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist. It was odd, she was so quick to let London and everything in it go when she ran away but now...Lancelot brought her the comfort of home, a familiarity of something she had known forever, and now... Now she didn't want to let that go.