14 Days of A/G:Fic:A Day Of Tradition
Title: A Day Of Tradition
Rating/Warnings: PG
Characters/Pairings: Arthur, Rosella brief mentions of Duran, Avlynn and Guinevere
Spoilers: Nope
Disclaimer: I own nothing =[
Summary: A day of tradition
Word Count: 3,448
Author’s Notes: for Camelot_love’s 14 days of love. Prompt was F-56. King Arthur spends a day with his daughter (you decide her age). (FUTURE) and was prompted by felix_aeternus All my child stories sort of interlink in terms of characters etc so it may be an idea to read them first 1, 2
I hope you enjoy, comments are ♥
A Day Of Tradition
Arthur crept into the room, feet pattering lightly on the floor. There was just a glimmer of light coming in through the curtains as the sun began to rise slowly, the room still dark but his eyes were well adjusted to the darkness, so he was able to manoeuvre himself around tables, books and other such things that were scattered about. Arthur could see in the distance the shadowy shape of his daughter, who was lying peacefully in her bed. Her soft slumber filled breaths charged the air. When he’d finally reached the bed he sat upon it softly; not wishing to wake her just yet.
Rosella mumbled and moved a little in her sleep, as Arthur’s weight moved the bed, but then settled down. Arthur smiled as he looked down at her restful face; her dark brown hair was sprayed about her like a halo, strands of lose curls had fallen across her cheeks and gently Arthur reached a hand out and removed them, tucking them back behind her ears. Rosella mumbled again leaning into her father’s touch making Arthur beam and feel a swelling in his chest. Her eyes were closed but Arthur could see through the caramel toned lids, the deep brown of them. Her lips where parted slightly and he felt her breath on the back of his hand as he withdrew it from her locks.
He did this regularly; sneaking into his children’s rooms just to watch them sleep. There was something so serene and comforting about the sight that it eased his mind. Ridding it of kingdoms, knights, castles, duty and replaced it with love, laughter, happiness, simplicity.
Today was different however; there was more purpose to this visit, it held a more significant meaning. Arthur would soon be off, a few more days left and then he would be riding into battle and this was his tradition. Before he departed he would spend one full day with each of his children, just them and him; creating fresh memories to take with him, to hold against his heart shielding it from the suffering and horror of battle. The final day; would be spent with his entire family; his heart, his home. His other children had already had their days, fun, loving and great days they were and now it was his youngest’s turn. His little budding Rosella; who’d seen 8 summers and winters pass by, but had yet to see her father depart for battle; she’d only been two the last time he left and couldn’t recall it.
The sunlight was coming in a little stronger now; the soft song of the birds came drifting in mixing with the breathing of his daughter in a symphony of perfection that soothed Arthur’s mind. The desire to wake her and begin their day together itched within him, but her peaceful face stopped him. Rosella must have felt his presence though, for slowly she began to stir, her eye lids fluttering open and closed till they grew used to the light.
“Father?” her voice was drowsy, full of sleep.
Arthur’s reply came as a soft caress to her cheek and a kiss to the forehead. Roseanne hummed at the contact whilst yawning and then as Arthur drew back began to rub at her tired eyes.
“What time is it?”
“Early.”
Arthur contentedly watched as Rosella began to shift about, sitting up, stretching her limbs out and yawning widely again. And then after she’d shaken sleep’s haze from herself, she smiled up at him brightly and wrapped her arms around his neck.
“Good morning.”
Arthur gave a chuckle and squeezed her tightly against him before brushing her hair out of her face and moving out of the way so she could get up. As her feet hit the ground, she quickly pulled them back as the cold swept through them. Arthur stared down at her bare feet and tutted.
“You should keep socks close by.”
Rosella rolled her eyes at him; she’d heard this speech a thousand times.
“Yes dad,” she flippantly replied, eyeing the cold ground. She was about to place her foot against the coldness once more when her father’s boot clad feet appeared before her eyes. She looked up at him, a little smirk appearing against her lips.
“Come on get on.”
Rosella beamed and placed her feet on top of her father’s, her arms wrapping themselves around his waist as far as they would go, as Arthur’s wrapped around her waist holding her close to him, as he began to walk towards the wardrobe, lifting her weight up with him. He grabbed a pillow off the bed as he walked away from the bed. Walking on her father’s feet was one of Rosella’s favourite things; ever since she was able to walk she’d constantly hung off him, begging and pleading with him to let her walk on his feet.
“You’re getting to old for this,” Arthur said. Truth was he was only saying it to get a rile out of her, she could be fifty and he’d still do it…though if she was fifty he’d be…o lord he didn’t want to think about it. Rosella right on cue let out a disgusted huff and as she was unable to rebuke her father with her hands, she pushed her head into his stomach hard enough for him to feel it, but not enough to make him loosen his grip and let her fall. Arthur chuckled at her as she looked up at him pursing her lips.
When they reached the wardrobe, Arthur slung the pillow in front of it so that Rosella could step off his feet without having to feel the cold of the floor. He waited patiently as she reached in and removed a dress, Arthur fondly noticed it was the red one he’d bought her but said nothing.
“Father,” Rosella’s voice was higher in pitch and Arthur knew the next words out of her mouth were going to be a request.
“Yes,” he responded voice matching her tone in playfully banter.
“Can you give me a push to the screen……pllleeeease?” Arthur shook his head at her fondly and then placing his hands on her lower back gave her a push so that she and the pillow beneath her feet slid across the floor. As the motion threw her back Rosella lent against Arthur’s chest and giggled as he steered her towards the screen. Then moving out from behind it, he went to stand by the window, waiting for her to get dressed.
“What would you do without me hey?” Arthur smirked but then regretted it as he saw how her face, which had peeped out for behind the screen, feel a little, the memory of a battle to be faced springing to her mind. Just as Arthur was about to speak, her face completely changed, springing back into her cheerful smile, voice calling out as she shuffled behind the screen once more.
“Cry; then get Merlin or Duran to do it.”
Arthur laughed thankful that her mood had sprung back so quickly. He started out of the window looking at the rising sun; the light was growing faster now, the sun fully exposing itself to the world.
“Ok ready,” Rosella bounced out from behind the screen, fully dressed and eager to go. Arthur smiled as she bounded up to him, took his large rough hand in her own smooth soft one, swinging their joined hands up and down as they walked into and down the corridor.
“What do you want to do then?”
“Picnic by the lake” She answered back matter of factly.
“Really? Well isn’t that handy I already have a picnic basket waiting and the horses ready”
Rosella stuck her tongue out at him, smiling an impish grin. Together they collected the basket of food, filled with lots of treats and snacks and rode off together to the lake. When they arrived Rosella jumped down from Starlight, her horse so named because of its silverish colour and gave her a quick kiss and nuzzle, then took off at double speed, shouting over her shoulder for Arthur to hurry up. Sliding off his own horse and patting it gently, Arthur took the reins of both and Starlight and Tarrento leading them down to the lake where Rosella was currently cart wheeling everywhere. Happily, the two horses cantered off to the water’s edge to refresh themselves.
Arthur, carrying the basket and blanket, made his way to his joyfully playing daughter. Rosella danced her way to her father grabbing his hand and twirling underneath it before giggling and helping him lay the blanket out. Plopping down, legs crossed she grabbed some bread from the basket. Cheerfully they sat munching on bread and fruit talking about nothing of real importance in terms of the world, but that held great importance to them, father and daughter.
When they had taken their fill and let their food settle, Rosella persuaded Arthur to play a round of hide and seek, then tag and after that she tricked him, or more Arthur allowed himself, into paddling in the river which quickly turned into who can splash and soak the other more; both Starlight and Tarrento stared at them, like they’d lost their minds.
The game ended with both of them drenched from head to foot, wading out of the river, their clothes sticking to their skin and laughing with delight. Thankfully it was a warm day and so they felt no need to hurry back to the castle and change. Instead they lay together side by side on their backs, faces up to the clouds as they bathed in the sun light and allowed the heat of the day to dry them. Arthur, full of pleasure, allowed his eyes to drift shut. The bell like sound of Rosella giggles suddenly made Arthur pry one eye open looking at her curiously.
“What is it?” he inquired
Rosella giggled more and pointed up at the fluffy clouds scattered over the blue.
“Don’t you think that cloud looks like a man with a really long beard?”
Arthur looked up and chuckled, it did and then lifting his own arm up he pointed to another cloud.
“And that looks like a deer,”
Rosella looked at where Arthur was pointing but couldn’t see.
“Where?”
Arthur scooted closer to her so he could see her eye angle better and then talking her hand in his, he manipulated it so that she was now pointing at it.
“Oh, I see now”
They continued on in that manner for some time, till their clothes had dried and were no longer sticking to their skin.
“And that one looks like……” Rosella voice trailed off as she abruptly stopped the game by sitting up, her face looking sullen, though Arthur couldn’t tell why. She turned her head away from him, her dark locks falling across her face, creating a curtain, hiding her from view.
“Rosella?” Arthur’s voice was full of concern. He sat up placing a hand on her shoulder, inching her around so he could see her face, though she fought back, keeping her head turn away.
When finally she relented and turned to face him, Arthur grew even more troubled when he saw the way she was sucking in her bottom lip and her brown eyes had glazed over, what in the world had just happened in two seconds that could bring his daughter from glee to sorrow? Arthur looked up in the clouds but he could see nothing from this angle, he silently cursed them anyway for whatever it was she’d seen that had upset her so.
“What is it?” he asked voice low and soothing. Rosella smiled sadly.
“It looks like a sword” her voice was quivering a little. Arthur’s heart clenched in his chest, damn those clouds he thought as he pulled her into his embrace cuddling her tightly and soothing her with whispered shhhhh’s.
“Why do you have to go?” She pulled back, voice furious and accusing, hitting him hard on his chest in frustration; it felt like a kiss.
“Why do you have to go?” she demanded again. Arthur stayed silent stroking her hair calmly and holding her as close as he could when she violently continued to bang against his chest. He’d had this conversation before, with his other children, the first time they really understood where he was going always being the hardest for them, for them both; for how could he bear to leave them when they begged him so.
“It’s not fair!” her voice had lost the anger now, only strained sadness was left; a high pitched whine of a child. Her body collapsed against him, her head buried in his chest, exhaustion claiming her.
“I know.” Whispering into her hair, Arthur kissed the side of her head. There was nothing more he could say, it wasn’t fair but there was nothing to be done. Sometimes battles had to be fought. Rosella clung to her father’s shirt, smothering her tears in the material and breathed him in. When her distress over the coming parting had diminished into a dull numbing throb in the back of her mind, she pulled back, sniffing and wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.
“I’m sorry” she mumbled to her father, embarrassed about her outburst, she was supposed to be brave, she’d promised herself she was going to be brave, no tears. Arthur smiled down at his daughter cupping her check and lifting her chin so her gaze met his.
“Nothing to forgive” His gaze was kind, soft, loving and it warmed the dark cloud that hovered over Rosella, making her grin genuinely in return. Arthur, glad to see her face lighting back up, hesitated before he next spoke. In one way he wanted to leave the situation well alone, just act as if nothing had happened, but on the other he needed her to know, understand. The tug of fatherly love in his heart edging him on to speak but at the same time the love wanted him to shield her from pain. He had to say it.
“Rosella” he began attentively, her eyebrows raised waiting for the unspoken words to be spoken.
“You know if I could, I would…”
“I know” Rosella nodded, her voice calm. Arthur inclined his head to the side studding her face, so beautiful. Rosella sighed and gave a side half smile, eyes lowering to look at the grass. One hand came out to pick stands from the ground, twiddling it between her fingers.
“Duran wants to go too.”
Arthur’s jaw clenched a little, his oldest had been adamant about joining him in battle but Arthur had refused thoroughly. Though he was by all rights capable, the finest swords man around, after his father of course and old enough, the thought of his son amidst the world of battle had caused such fear to build in Arthur that he could not bring himself to allow it; torments fine, one and one challenges fine, war no. This had led to a few heated augments between father and son. Duran auguring that he was more than skilled enough and that it wasn’t like he hadn’t killed a man before or seen blood shed and Arthur was taking plenty of knights his age but still Arthur had not budged. Maybe this made a hypocrite of him, but he found he didn’t care, he just couldn’t do it, couldn’t let him come. It wasn’t that Duran wasn’t ready, he wasn’t.
“You know the only reason he decided to not continue to press the matter…was because of Avlynn” Rosella continued.
Arthur didn’t know this but the fact didn’t surprise him, Duran and Avlynn had retained the strong bond they’d formed when she’d been born, even before that really. Sensing that he was supposed to answer back this time, he spoke.
“No I didn’t know that.”
Rosella looked up from the ground, studding her father’s face.
“They argued over it more than you two did. It all came to a head though when he told us he didn’t care what you said, he was going anyway. She slapped him right across his face, hard”
Arthur eyebrows rose, this was also new to him. Rosella smirked a little then, knowing her father’s thoughts.
“There’s lots of things you don’t know about us father.”
“Oh really?” Arthur was amused by this “each other’s secret keepers are we?”
Rosella giggled and nodded “Something like that.”
Arthur smirked at his devious children.
“What happened after that then?”
Rosella smirked, like her father, a little as she recalled the memory.
“Well you know Avlynn once she gets going,” Arthur chuckled, how he adored all his children personalities, such a mixture of perfection.
“She basically went into this rant about how could he do this to us as if it wasn’t enough we had to watch our father and friends march off into hell, not knowing how many will come back alive, now we had to watch him go too, increasing the chances of grief upon us.”
Arthur closed his eyes.
“And then she went on to say how Duran was such an idiot that he didn’t realise that you didn’t want him to go because you’ll just be worrying about him all time and it’s not that he’s not ready but that you aren’t ready for it.”
Avlynn so like her father in appearance seemed to know his feelings through and through, as if she’d picked up the ability to see through his soul in her genetics as well.
“And when Duran went to retaliate, she slapped him again, telling him to shut up and that she knew perfectly well how capable he was for war, how skilled, ready, strong and how one day he would be king and will no doubt have to fight his own wars and so yes he would have to leave at some point, join you on another battle field but that wasn’t the point. The point was you don’t have a choice, you’re king and you have to leave for every battle where as he can stay, stay for a little while longer. Then she ripped his sword from its sheath and refused to give it back.”
“Avlynn does hate the sword” Arthur sighed turning his face into the sun’s heat.
“No father, she hates what the sword can do.”
Arthur hmmmed and nodded, understanding.
“And I suppose something she said or the way she said it made Duran stop because the next day he told you he would respect your decision.”
Arthur nodded thoughtfully, he had thought Duran had given in rather suddenly, he’d half expected for him to sneak into battle, even told his knights to look out for that. Arthur turned his head to look at Rosella.
“But he also told us that he was going next time no matter what and we should prepare ourselves.” Arthur nodded. He’d told him the same thing and Arthur couldn’t blame him, he was right, he’d have to let go of him a little.
“Why are you telling me this then?” he asked. Rosella shrugged, in her lap she now had a small pile of green grass stands that she’s collected during her tale.
“I don’t know, really just came to mind, maybe so you’d understand that we understand, but that we also can’t help that we don’t want you to go? We can’t help the fear. I don’t know, I just felt like sharing. ” and then she brushed off all the grass in her lap back onto the ground turning her body and laying down so her head was now in her father’s lap.
“Today’s been a good day.”
Arthur smiled down at her, running a hand through her dark hair and nodded.
“Even with my outburst and you know telling you all that, I didn’t upset you did I, I didn’t mean to, I don’t even know why I said it .” fear was creeping into her voice now and her eyes where getting wide as if she’d just realised all she said could have burned him. Arthur hushed her.
“No, you didn’t upset me, I’m glad you told me. I like knowing what my children have been up too, good, bad, arguments, laughter, all of it.” Rosella smiled back, relaxing and she closed her eyes feeling the soft breeze brush against her cheek fluttering her hair. Arthur’s own eyes drifted shut as they fell back in comfortable silence.
“Father…”
“Hmmmmm”
“I love you.”
Arthur smiled and finding her hand he gave it a tight squeeze.
“I love you too my little Rose bud.”
Rating/Warnings: PG
Characters/Pairings: Arthur, Rosella brief mentions of Duran, Avlynn and Guinevere
Spoilers: Nope
Disclaimer: I own nothing =[
Summary: A day of tradition
Word Count: 3,448
Author’s Notes: for Camelot_love’s 14 days of love. Prompt was F-56. King Arthur spends a day with his daughter (you decide her age). (FUTURE) and was prompted by felix_aeternus All my child stories sort of interlink in terms of characters etc so it may be an idea to read them first 1, 2
I hope you enjoy, comments are ♥
A Day Of Tradition
Arthur crept into the room, feet pattering lightly on the floor. There was just a glimmer of light coming in through the curtains as the sun began to rise slowly, the room still dark but his eyes were well adjusted to the darkness, so he was able to manoeuvre himself around tables, books and other such things that were scattered about. Arthur could see in the distance the shadowy shape of his daughter, who was lying peacefully in her bed. Her soft slumber filled breaths charged the air. When he’d finally reached the bed he sat upon it softly; not wishing to wake her just yet.
Rosella mumbled and moved a little in her sleep, as Arthur’s weight moved the bed, but then settled down. Arthur smiled as he looked down at her restful face; her dark brown hair was sprayed about her like a halo, strands of lose curls had fallen across her cheeks and gently Arthur reached a hand out and removed them, tucking them back behind her ears. Rosella mumbled again leaning into her father’s touch making Arthur beam and feel a swelling in his chest. Her eyes were closed but Arthur could see through the caramel toned lids, the deep brown of them. Her lips where parted slightly and he felt her breath on the back of his hand as he withdrew it from her locks.
He did this regularly; sneaking into his children’s rooms just to watch them sleep. There was something so serene and comforting about the sight that it eased his mind. Ridding it of kingdoms, knights, castles, duty and replaced it with love, laughter, happiness, simplicity.
Today was different however; there was more purpose to this visit, it held a more significant meaning. Arthur would soon be off, a few more days left and then he would be riding into battle and this was his tradition. Before he departed he would spend one full day with each of his children, just them and him; creating fresh memories to take with him, to hold against his heart shielding it from the suffering and horror of battle. The final day; would be spent with his entire family; his heart, his home. His other children had already had their days, fun, loving and great days they were and now it was his youngest’s turn. His little budding Rosella; who’d seen 8 summers and winters pass by, but had yet to see her father depart for battle; she’d only been two the last time he left and couldn’t recall it.
The sunlight was coming in a little stronger now; the soft song of the birds came drifting in mixing with the breathing of his daughter in a symphony of perfection that soothed Arthur’s mind. The desire to wake her and begin their day together itched within him, but her peaceful face stopped him. Rosella must have felt his presence though, for slowly she began to stir, her eye lids fluttering open and closed till they grew used to the light.
“Father?” her voice was drowsy, full of sleep.
Arthur’s reply came as a soft caress to her cheek and a kiss to the forehead. Roseanne hummed at the contact whilst yawning and then as Arthur drew back began to rub at her tired eyes.
“What time is it?”
“Early.”
Arthur contentedly watched as Rosella began to shift about, sitting up, stretching her limbs out and yawning widely again. And then after she’d shaken sleep’s haze from herself, she smiled up at him brightly and wrapped her arms around his neck.
“Good morning.”
Arthur gave a chuckle and squeezed her tightly against him before brushing her hair out of her face and moving out of the way so she could get up. As her feet hit the ground, she quickly pulled them back as the cold swept through them. Arthur stared down at her bare feet and tutted.
“You should keep socks close by.”
Rosella rolled her eyes at him; she’d heard this speech a thousand times.
“Yes dad,” she flippantly replied, eyeing the cold ground. She was about to place her foot against the coldness once more when her father’s boot clad feet appeared before her eyes. She looked up at him, a little smirk appearing against her lips.
“Come on get on.”
Rosella beamed and placed her feet on top of her father’s, her arms wrapping themselves around his waist as far as they would go, as Arthur’s wrapped around her waist holding her close to him, as he began to walk towards the wardrobe, lifting her weight up with him. He grabbed a pillow off the bed as he walked away from the bed. Walking on her father’s feet was one of Rosella’s favourite things; ever since she was able to walk she’d constantly hung off him, begging and pleading with him to let her walk on his feet.
“You’re getting to old for this,” Arthur said. Truth was he was only saying it to get a rile out of her, she could be fifty and he’d still do it…though if she was fifty he’d be…o lord he didn’t want to think about it. Rosella right on cue let out a disgusted huff and as she was unable to rebuke her father with her hands, she pushed her head into his stomach hard enough for him to feel it, but not enough to make him loosen his grip and let her fall. Arthur chuckled at her as she looked up at him pursing her lips.
When they reached the wardrobe, Arthur slung the pillow in front of it so that Rosella could step off his feet without having to feel the cold of the floor. He waited patiently as she reached in and removed a dress, Arthur fondly noticed it was the red one he’d bought her but said nothing.
“Father,” Rosella’s voice was higher in pitch and Arthur knew the next words out of her mouth were going to be a request.
“Yes,” he responded voice matching her tone in playfully banter.
“Can you give me a push to the screen……pllleeeease?” Arthur shook his head at her fondly and then placing his hands on her lower back gave her a push so that she and the pillow beneath her feet slid across the floor. As the motion threw her back Rosella lent against Arthur’s chest and giggled as he steered her towards the screen. Then moving out from behind it, he went to stand by the window, waiting for her to get dressed.
“What would you do without me hey?” Arthur smirked but then regretted it as he saw how her face, which had peeped out for behind the screen, feel a little, the memory of a battle to be faced springing to her mind. Just as Arthur was about to speak, her face completely changed, springing back into her cheerful smile, voice calling out as she shuffled behind the screen once more.
“Cry; then get Merlin or Duran to do it.”
Arthur laughed thankful that her mood had sprung back so quickly. He started out of the window looking at the rising sun; the light was growing faster now, the sun fully exposing itself to the world.
“Ok ready,” Rosella bounced out from behind the screen, fully dressed and eager to go. Arthur smiled as she bounded up to him, took his large rough hand in her own smooth soft one, swinging their joined hands up and down as they walked into and down the corridor.
“What do you want to do then?”
“Picnic by the lake” She answered back matter of factly.
“Really? Well isn’t that handy I already have a picnic basket waiting and the horses ready”
Rosella stuck her tongue out at him, smiling an impish grin. Together they collected the basket of food, filled with lots of treats and snacks and rode off together to the lake. When they arrived Rosella jumped down from Starlight, her horse so named because of its silverish colour and gave her a quick kiss and nuzzle, then took off at double speed, shouting over her shoulder for Arthur to hurry up. Sliding off his own horse and patting it gently, Arthur took the reins of both and Starlight and Tarrento leading them down to the lake where Rosella was currently cart wheeling everywhere. Happily, the two horses cantered off to the water’s edge to refresh themselves.
Arthur, carrying the basket and blanket, made his way to his joyfully playing daughter. Rosella danced her way to her father grabbing his hand and twirling underneath it before giggling and helping him lay the blanket out. Plopping down, legs crossed she grabbed some bread from the basket. Cheerfully they sat munching on bread and fruit talking about nothing of real importance in terms of the world, but that held great importance to them, father and daughter.
When they had taken their fill and let their food settle, Rosella persuaded Arthur to play a round of hide and seek, then tag and after that she tricked him, or more Arthur allowed himself, into paddling in the river which quickly turned into who can splash and soak the other more; both Starlight and Tarrento stared at them, like they’d lost their minds.
The game ended with both of them drenched from head to foot, wading out of the river, their clothes sticking to their skin and laughing with delight. Thankfully it was a warm day and so they felt no need to hurry back to the castle and change. Instead they lay together side by side on their backs, faces up to the clouds as they bathed in the sun light and allowed the heat of the day to dry them. Arthur, full of pleasure, allowed his eyes to drift shut. The bell like sound of Rosella giggles suddenly made Arthur pry one eye open looking at her curiously.
“What is it?” he inquired
Rosella giggled more and pointed up at the fluffy clouds scattered over the blue.
“Don’t you think that cloud looks like a man with a really long beard?”
Arthur looked up and chuckled, it did and then lifting his own arm up he pointed to another cloud.
“And that looks like a deer,”
Rosella looked at where Arthur was pointing but couldn’t see.
“Where?”
Arthur scooted closer to her so he could see her eye angle better and then talking her hand in his, he manipulated it so that she was now pointing at it.
“Oh, I see now”
They continued on in that manner for some time, till their clothes had dried and were no longer sticking to their skin.
“And that one looks like……” Rosella voice trailed off as she abruptly stopped the game by sitting up, her face looking sullen, though Arthur couldn’t tell why. She turned her head away from him, her dark locks falling across her face, creating a curtain, hiding her from view.
“Rosella?” Arthur’s voice was full of concern. He sat up placing a hand on her shoulder, inching her around so he could see her face, though she fought back, keeping her head turn away.
When finally she relented and turned to face him, Arthur grew even more troubled when he saw the way she was sucking in her bottom lip and her brown eyes had glazed over, what in the world had just happened in two seconds that could bring his daughter from glee to sorrow? Arthur looked up in the clouds but he could see nothing from this angle, he silently cursed them anyway for whatever it was she’d seen that had upset her so.
“What is it?” he asked voice low and soothing. Rosella smiled sadly.
“It looks like a sword” her voice was quivering a little. Arthur’s heart clenched in his chest, damn those clouds he thought as he pulled her into his embrace cuddling her tightly and soothing her with whispered shhhhh’s.
“Why do you have to go?” She pulled back, voice furious and accusing, hitting him hard on his chest in frustration; it felt like a kiss.
“Why do you have to go?” she demanded again. Arthur stayed silent stroking her hair calmly and holding her as close as he could when she violently continued to bang against his chest. He’d had this conversation before, with his other children, the first time they really understood where he was going always being the hardest for them, for them both; for how could he bear to leave them when they begged him so.
“It’s not fair!” her voice had lost the anger now, only strained sadness was left; a high pitched whine of a child. Her body collapsed against him, her head buried in his chest, exhaustion claiming her.
“I know.” Whispering into her hair, Arthur kissed the side of her head. There was nothing more he could say, it wasn’t fair but there was nothing to be done. Sometimes battles had to be fought. Rosella clung to her father’s shirt, smothering her tears in the material and breathed him in. When her distress over the coming parting had diminished into a dull numbing throb in the back of her mind, she pulled back, sniffing and wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.
“I’m sorry” she mumbled to her father, embarrassed about her outburst, she was supposed to be brave, she’d promised herself she was going to be brave, no tears. Arthur smiled down at his daughter cupping her check and lifting her chin so her gaze met his.
“Nothing to forgive” His gaze was kind, soft, loving and it warmed the dark cloud that hovered over Rosella, making her grin genuinely in return. Arthur, glad to see her face lighting back up, hesitated before he next spoke. In one way he wanted to leave the situation well alone, just act as if nothing had happened, but on the other he needed her to know, understand. The tug of fatherly love in his heart edging him on to speak but at the same time the love wanted him to shield her from pain. He had to say it.
“Rosella” he began attentively, her eyebrows raised waiting for the unspoken words to be spoken.
“You know if I could, I would…”
“I know” Rosella nodded, her voice calm. Arthur inclined his head to the side studding her face, so beautiful. Rosella sighed and gave a side half smile, eyes lowering to look at the grass. One hand came out to pick stands from the ground, twiddling it between her fingers.
“Duran wants to go too.”
Arthur’s jaw clenched a little, his oldest had been adamant about joining him in battle but Arthur had refused thoroughly. Though he was by all rights capable, the finest swords man around, after his father of course and old enough, the thought of his son amidst the world of battle had caused such fear to build in Arthur that he could not bring himself to allow it; torments fine, one and one challenges fine, war no. This had led to a few heated augments between father and son. Duran auguring that he was more than skilled enough and that it wasn’t like he hadn’t killed a man before or seen blood shed and Arthur was taking plenty of knights his age but still Arthur had not budged. Maybe this made a hypocrite of him, but he found he didn’t care, he just couldn’t do it, couldn’t let him come. It wasn’t that Duran wasn’t ready, he wasn’t.
“You know the only reason he decided to not continue to press the matter…was because of Avlynn” Rosella continued.
Arthur didn’t know this but the fact didn’t surprise him, Duran and Avlynn had retained the strong bond they’d formed when she’d been born, even before that really. Sensing that he was supposed to answer back this time, he spoke.
“No I didn’t know that.”
Rosella looked up from the ground, studding her father’s face.
“They argued over it more than you two did. It all came to a head though when he told us he didn’t care what you said, he was going anyway. She slapped him right across his face, hard”
Arthur eyebrows rose, this was also new to him. Rosella smirked a little then, knowing her father’s thoughts.
“There’s lots of things you don’t know about us father.”
“Oh really?” Arthur was amused by this “each other’s secret keepers are we?”
Rosella giggled and nodded “Something like that.”
Arthur smirked at his devious children.
“What happened after that then?”
Rosella smirked, like her father, a little as she recalled the memory.
“Well you know Avlynn once she gets going,” Arthur chuckled, how he adored all his children personalities, such a mixture of perfection.
“She basically went into this rant about how could he do this to us as if it wasn’t enough we had to watch our father and friends march off into hell, not knowing how many will come back alive, now we had to watch him go too, increasing the chances of grief upon us.”
Arthur closed his eyes.
“And then she went on to say how Duran was such an idiot that he didn’t realise that you didn’t want him to go because you’ll just be worrying about him all time and it’s not that he’s not ready but that you aren’t ready for it.”
Avlynn so like her father in appearance seemed to know his feelings through and through, as if she’d picked up the ability to see through his soul in her genetics as well.
“And when Duran went to retaliate, she slapped him again, telling him to shut up and that she knew perfectly well how capable he was for war, how skilled, ready, strong and how one day he would be king and will no doubt have to fight his own wars and so yes he would have to leave at some point, join you on another battle field but that wasn’t the point. The point was you don’t have a choice, you’re king and you have to leave for every battle where as he can stay, stay for a little while longer. Then she ripped his sword from its sheath and refused to give it back.”
“Avlynn does hate the sword” Arthur sighed turning his face into the sun’s heat.
“No father, she hates what the sword can do.”
Arthur hmmmed and nodded, understanding.
“And I suppose something she said or the way she said it made Duran stop because the next day he told you he would respect your decision.”
Arthur nodded thoughtfully, he had thought Duran had given in rather suddenly, he’d half expected for him to sneak into battle, even told his knights to look out for that. Arthur turned his head to look at Rosella.
“But he also told us that he was going next time no matter what and we should prepare ourselves.” Arthur nodded. He’d told him the same thing and Arthur couldn’t blame him, he was right, he’d have to let go of him a little.
“Why are you telling me this then?” he asked. Rosella shrugged, in her lap she now had a small pile of green grass stands that she’s collected during her tale.
“I don’t know, really just came to mind, maybe so you’d understand that we understand, but that we also can’t help that we don’t want you to go? We can’t help the fear. I don’t know, I just felt like sharing. ” and then she brushed off all the grass in her lap back onto the ground turning her body and laying down so her head was now in her father’s lap.
“Today’s been a good day.”
Arthur smiled down at her, running a hand through her dark hair and nodded.
“Even with my outburst and you know telling you all that, I didn’t upset you did I, I didn’t mean to, I don’t even know why I said it .” fear was creeping into her voice now and her eyes where getting wide as if she’d just realised all she said could have burned him. Arthur hushed her.
“No, you didn’t upset me, I’m glad you told me. I like knowing what my children have been up too, good, bad, arguments, laughter, all of it.” Rosella smiled back, relaxing and she closed her eyes feeling the soft breeze brush against her cheek fluttering her hair. Arthur’s own eyes drifted shut as they fell back in comfortable silence.
“Father…”
“Hmmmmm”
“I love you.”
Arthur smiled and finding her hand he gave it a tight squeeze.
“I love you too my little Rose bud.”