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The Morning After

Abigail woke long after the sun had made its assent into the morning sky. She stretched languidly on the small cot covered in thick furs. The heat from the hearth added to the homey feel, as Abigail was brought back to consciousness. She knew that Tristan was long gone even before her eyes did a cursory sweep of the small chamber. He wouldn't have made the mistake of letting her wake beside him because it would have been too painful for either of them to have left at that point.

Without allowing her eyes to open and break the spell that his chambers cast over her, Abigail simply breathed in his scent which still clung to both the sheets as well as the tunic he had lent her. The smell of forest, sweat, and something all his own reminded her of times past. The happy memories were just that, memories. Never again would she wake up on his cot wondering what part of the forest he was trekking through on this morning. Never again would she run up to the top of the battlements to stare through the fog in hopes of seeing Tristan's silhouette riding back to her.

Slowly, Abigail opened her eyes knowing that the dream could not last forever. Eventually she would have to rise and return to her betrothed and the new life she had chosen for herself. Upon opening her emerald eyes she noticed something lying on the bed beside her. The small creature was much like Tristan in that it had tufts of fur sticking up in odd places the way Tristan's braids stuck up. She knew immediately that it was a kitten, but it was the poorest excuse for a kitten that she had even laid eyes upon. Besides for the mangy fur, the poor creature seemed to be missing the tip of its right ear, and Abigail was almost certain that it hadn't had a decent meal in days.

"Just like him to leave me with more troubles," Abigail sighed as she continued to look at the hideous creature. She knew that Tristan had left it as a gift to her, but she was also certain that he didn't realize just how hideous the tiny grey and black tabby was. Abigail had half a mind to leave the pathetic kitten right there under the covers, but suddenly the kitten let out a soft whine as it opened its large eyes. Abigail was met with the innocent stare of the two bluest eyes she had ever seen. Almost instantly the roughed up kitten was up on its wobbly legs and making its way closer to her. "I'm going to kill that scout," she said under her breath as the kitten made itself comfortable in her lap.

Looking down at the sleeping kitten tore at her heart strings. The poor thing was actually quite adorable when it slept, much like Tristan himself. Oh, but she could not think of such things anymore, especially not the night she had lain awake watching him sleep all those months ago. Perhaps, he subconscious had known even then that they were not meant to be. Maybe she had memorized is every detail as a way of keeping herself from loneliness on cold winter's nights. Maybe just maybe, she memorized his physical appearance because she already knew the most intimate parts of his soul. However, now that mattered little since she was betrothed to another, and he was to be free soon.

"When you're freed, can we be wed?" Abigail had asked as she had lain in the gentle embrace of Tristan's arms after they had made love.

"Our spirits are already wed in a bond much stronger than any vows could ever boast. However, if to be wed is what you wish, you shall have it for I can deny you nothing," Tristan spoke in his lilting low voice as he wrapped his finger in her hair and gave it a playful tug.

Abigail shook herself from her memories because she had promised that last night would be the end. Instead she focused on her new charge. After several minutes of watching the tiny ball of fur sleep in her lap, Abigail sighed and lifted it into her hands as she rose from the cot. The hearth was still burning and there was a bowl of last night's stew sitting beside it for her. Abigail smiled softly when she noticed the small bowl on the floor containing just a little milk. No doubt that was all Tristan could sneak away with without getting caught by Vanora. Abigail simply placed the kitten in front of the bowl while she ate her own breakfast, before she changed into her now dry clothes and left with her new companion.

XxXxXxX

Líadan sat contentedly beside the heart in deep meditation when the door to the small hut was thrown open. Líadan did not move, but she spoke softly. "You have not forgiven, yet you still seek my guidance," were her all knowing words.

"You know you are unwelcome, yet you still come and seek me out when you have a vision. Is it not the same?" Tristan growled as he stalked to the hearth and sat on the floor beside Líadan's chair.

"You are having them again too, aren't you my child?" Líadan asked knowingly as her unseeing eyes turned to Tristan.

"Those eyes have never left my dreams in eighteen years, but they no longer weep at my death. They simply gaze on it in acceptance. Are you pleased now? She will no longer suffer for my actions. She will no longer feel the stab of lose at my inevitable demise. Now, you can leave and let me die in peace," Tristan said as he began to rise.

"What is in her eyes as she gazes off indifferently, my child? It is not your death as you believe it to be. Tonight as you sleep, look into those deep pools of emerald and see what she will bid farewell to without regret," Líadan whispered as she gently grasped Tristan's strong wrist.

"I shall not be sleeping tonight. Word has arrived; we are leaving to meet the bishop now. I shall not sleep until I return, and by then it shall matter little for I shall be free to die as I please," Tristan informed her as he stalked to the door.

"Tristan, you may never forgive me for the grief you have endured, but take an old woman's advice. The only thing that rides in the carriage of the bishop is deception, it will only bring you more grief," Líadan warned as Tristan disappeared into the morning fog.

XxXxXxX

"Abigail…Abby, where have you been. I have been looking for you all morning," Darius shouted across the courtyard as he rushed toward Abigail's side.

"Oh," Abigail said having been caught off guard by Darius' sudden appearance. "I was just bidding farewell to a friend," Abigail admitted a half truth, but she knew that she would eventually speak to Darius about her former affair with Tristan. Once Tristan was free and gone forever, she would tell Darius for then he would not feel threatened by the scout's presence and reputation.

"Of course, I just heard that your friends are to ride out within the hour to meet Bishop Germanius. Just think by sundown, you may be serving ale to freed men," Darius said understandingly as he stole a sweet kiss from a shocked Abigail.

"I-I didn't realize…" she stammered not thinking that their freedom had loomed so close. Could it really be? Could…she couldn't think about it without feeling tears prick her emerald eyes. She was happy that they would all be free, but that would mean they would leave. Vanora would probably even go with them, and where would she be? Abigail would still be sitting here once again alone except for Darius, and she couldn't bear that thought.

"What is wrong, my love?" Darius asked as he smoothed some of the hair out of her face before going to hold her, but he was prevented from doing so by the shriek of the poor kitten within Abigail's arms. "What's this?" he asked looking down at the scruffy kitten.

"Oh, he's just an orphan one of the knights asked me to look after. I haven't thought of a name for him yet, but he's very sweet," Abigail replied as the small creature licked the pad of her thumb as she held him.

"It's quite filthy, and no doubt infested with flees. I would give it right back," Darius as he took in the missing tip of the right ear. "The thing can't be more than a month or two old and already it is missing a piece of its ear."

"I think it adds character," Abigail defended the small creature just as she had defended Tristan when they were together and even now when villagers or Romans would spread rumors about him. Just then Lancelot came trudging by holding his saddle over his shoulder and looking less than pleased. "Good morning, Lancelot," Abigail called, but Lancelot seemed to ignore her.

"Don't mind him. He's just grumbling about how we have to babysit this bishop who's to give us our freedom," Gawain remarked as he too walked toward the stables. "I see Tristan found a home for that stray," Gawain said as he noticed the kitten clinging to the front of Abigail's work dress.

"Indeed, it would seem so," Darius said skeptically as Abigail smoothed the frightened animal's fur. Obviously, the cat did not appreciate crowds, which was something Abigail could completely understand.

"I must be going, but hopefully I will see you at the tavern tonight," Gawain said as he placed a brotherly kiss upon Abigail's forehead before rushing off toward the stables.

"Tristan gave it to you, eh?" Darius asked once Gawain was out of earshot. "He's barely said two words to you since we met, but now he's giving you presents?" Darius asked with a raised brow.

"It isn't anything really. He knows I can't resist an outcast, so when he found it he gave the kitten to me," Abigail lied, but frankly she just didn't have the energy to argue with anyone at this point. She was still attempting to recover from the fact that very soon everyone she held dear would be abandoning her, even if they didn't see it that way. Suddenly, the sound of the fortress gates being opened filled the air. Without realizing it, Abigail found herself bounding up the steps of the battlements to see the knights ride out. It had been her practice as a child, but she hadn't done it since leaving Tristan. As she looked out upon the open land she saw the seven most feared warriors in all of Britain riding toward their freedom. The hawk over head pierced the clear sky with a cry to the heavens themselves as she followed her companion below.

Tears came to Abigail's gentle eyes when she realized that the next time she did this, it would be the last time. She didn't even notice Darius come up behind her and wrap his arms around her in a comforting embrace. "You should not be up here. Come, I will bring you home, you are looking rather pale," Darius spoke softly as he held her tightly.

XxXxXxX

Tristan rode at the back of the line as they exited the gates, but he knew he would soon be sent ahead. There was no rest for the weary after all, and weary was the best way of describing how Tristan felt. His mind's eye was filled with the image of Abigail sleeping peacefully in his bed this morning as he said goodbye. How young she looked when she slept. He was almost sure she hadn't aged a day over thirteen when he saw her sleeping, but he knew differently. His stomach clenched every time he saw her long flowing auburn hair or emerald green eyes or tiny figure because he knew differently. He had told her that she was too young, but he knew that deep within she was an old soul, a soul that had been twined with his even before birth.

His hawks cry pierced the air bringing Tristan back to the present. He turned in the saddle for a reason known only to God. However, when he did, he saw Abigail standing upon the battlements as she had even as a child. She didn't know that he had caught her watching them ride away many times over the years. However, today had a different feeling. She was not standing there wishing them a safe journey so that they would return to her. No, today she was bidding them farewell despite the fact that they would return. She too realized the end was near; however, he doubted that she realized just exactly what kind of end it would be for him.

He noticed her betrothed come up behind her and wrap his arms around her. Tristan couldn't help but feel a pain in his chest as he watched, but he knew it was for the best. He hadn't lied when he said she would be better off with another. He just hoped that Darius was worthy of her love because Tristan wouldn't be around to protect her if he wasn't.

Tristan turned back in his saddle to face ahead, to face the future and fate. He could smell the forest getting closer. He could hear the call of freedom, but he could also feel the every present specter that lurked beside him. Death had been his companion for fifteen years. It had been a good one, taking the lives of his enemies instead of his own. However, Tristan realized that he couldn't escape forever. Soon he would meet the shadowed figure that lurked just outside his vision with a scent just faint enough to go unnoticed and a voice smooth enough to be mistaken for the wind. However, Tristan knew he was their. He never lost sight of the fact that death was always present, and perhaps that is why he had lasted so long, but that would not be true much longer. He could feel it in his very essence. He wondered if Abigail could feel it too. A year ago, he would have believed she undoubtedly felt it as well, but now he only hoped that she was free of his pain. He only hoped the gods spared her the heartache.

XxXxX

Oh man, it's been two months. I've been so busy, I'm pretty sure my head was continuously spinning since I last updated. And every time I had a moment to write, I worked on my Mummy story. However, things are beginning to wind down, I hopefully I will be able to focus more on this piece. I hope you guys are still enjoying it, and thank you to everyone who reads and reviews. You guys keep me coming back to this story!