Disclaimer: I do not own King Arthur. I only own Maili. And no you may not have her.
Tristan/OC pairing... Aren't you surprised?
A few general things:
I will NOT tell you who will live or who will die, so don't ask. The only thing I will say is this is not a Mary Sue. So don't ask.
The Knights may not come into the story until chapter two or three. Just be patient, god things come to those who wait!
Reviews and constructive criticism are always welcome (often begged for), however, flames are not.
I'm done rambling now...ON WITH THE STORY!
Chapter One-Capturing and Planning
"Guinivere!" Maili screamed as Marius' guards dragged her from their small hut. Guinivere didn't spare her a glance, but simply continued struggling against her captors. There were a few unconscious guards littered in front of the hut, compliments of Guinivere, and if Maili had been in a better mood she might have finished them off. Instead, Maili watched the scene unfold in front of her with a cold face. Her hand, almost unconsciously, went to the hilt of her sword. She smiled at the cold steel upon her palm, and she drew it slightly from the hilt as she stepped forward. However a small man stepped in her path, giving her a cold stare.
"Do want to join her, Woad?" Marius hissed as his eyes wandered over her body. Maili shifted her icy glare from Marius, to Guinivere, and then to the small hut by the wall. She knew her task was to protect Guinivere, not that the girl needed protecting, but Merlin had thought it wise that Maili go with her, and no one argues with Merlin. Maili also knew that if she followed her into the hut, neither of them would ever return, but perhaps what was waiting in there would be better than the punishment that awaited her with the woads. But then Maili thought of someone who could help, Marius' wife, Fulcinia, a shadow of a woman. The guard's would not question her authority. So, Maili brought her gaze back to Marius and took a step backwards, removing her hand from the hilt of her sword. Marius smiled triumphantly and walked back to the comfort of the wall. Maili watched him go with a hateful stare, all the while plotting the details of her plan.
Maili waited patiently by the river, knowing Fulcinia would soon come to wash. Fulcinia had never liked bathing in front of her husband, so she kept to the relative privacy of the river. Maili gasped in horror as Fulcinia stepped out o the shadows. The entire left side of her face was covered in bruises, and Maili could only guess where they lay hidden in the folds of her clothes. Fulcinia looked up and gave Maili a weak smile. Maili's only response was a cold stare.
"You should not let him do this. You should leave." Maili said, more out of ritual then sincerity.
"What other choice do I have?" Fulcinia sighed, "If I leave he will find me and kill me and my son will be left alone in this world. But, if I stay I can protect my son and he allows me to live."
"Allowing you to live and allowing you to breathe are not one in the same." Maili said, her voice barely a whisper.
Both women just sighed out of frustration and let silence reign over them. Maili turned and gave Fulcinia privacy, thinking over what she had said, what she always says. She did not leave and stop the abuse, all to protect her son. Maili didn't see how freedom was worth it. Alecto was a good boy and he loved his mother, but he could survive without her. Maili just shook her head. She'd never understand why one would sacrifice so much for the good of another. It's not that she was selfish or cold-hearted though, just bold, independent, and slightly bitter. She heard Fulcinia lower herself carefully into the water. It did not strike her until sometime later that she did not know the reason of the beating. It was more usually for something frivolous, such as not having dinner ready or warm enough, but Fulcinia would have said that. Maili realized it must be something bigger.
"Why did he do it?" Maili asked, shattering the peaceful silence that had settled upon them.
"I asked him to free Guinivere." Fulcinia said simply.
Fulcinia was good to Maili and Guinivere, and they were good to her in return. Maili and Guinivere would tend to her more serious wounds and protect her when they could, and in return Fulcinia gave them a house inside the village, feeding them the information they needed. Maili and Guinivere, well mainly Guinivere, felt awful about betraying her trust and not telling her the truth about why Merlin had sent them. However, they would assure that Fulcinia and Alecto survived the impending woad attack, and then they could repay her ten fold for all she had done for them.
"About Guinivere..." Maili said, but trailed off, not sure if this was the best time to ask for the woman's help.
"Yes? What about Guinivere?" Fulcinia asked, urging her on.
"Would you be willing to help me keep her alive?" Maili finally asked.
Fulcinia's head snapped up at the question and she stared at Maili with eager eyes. Maili came close to giving her a smile. She was overjoyed that the beatings had not scared Fulcinia away from helping them.
"Will you sneak her in some food and water? They will let you pass without question, but not me. Never a woad." Maili said.
Worry flashed across Fulcinia's face and Maili's heart sank. "What if Marius comes looking for me? He will kill..." Fulcinia started, but Maili cut her off.
"Do not worry. I have found a way to distract his attention from you." Maili said mischievously.
Fulcinia raised an eyebrow, but knew better than to ask her what she was planning. With Maili, there were some things you just didn't want to know. But at the same time, Fulcinia had a foreboding feeling that nothing good would come from this.
"Very Well." Fulcinia said solemnly.
"As the sun sinks below the horizon, we will begin." Maili said.
Fulcinia nodded, then dressed and returned to the wall. Maili lingered by the water for a moment before going to take rest. She knew she would need all of her energy.
Maili woke nearly an hour before the sun rose the next day. The thoughts of the day to come would allow her no rest. She slid lazily from the covers and pulled on a tunic and a pair of breeches. After she stretched her ore limbs, Maili strapped on her sword and hid a dagger in her boot. She was headed towards the woods, when Ganis' hut caught her eye. She sighed inwardly remembering she and Guinivere had promised him they would help the elders collect grain. She knew she needed this time to watch the guards and she tried to convince herself that it was truly Guinivere's promise, not hers. But, it was her promise, and she had never broken one, and she also knew what would happen if the elders failed again to collect enough grain for Marius. She sighed once more and then strode dejectedly over to Ganis' hut.
"Mornin' Maili." Ganis called as she neared his hut.
"Morning." Maili replied shortly.
"I hadn't expected you to come." Ganis said, almost inaudibly, an expression on his face Maili was not familiar with.
Maili didn't respond immediately, but instead studied his face. Then she recognized the look. It was one someone had only dared giver once. It was pity.
"Why the look of pity, Ganis?" Maili hissed dangerously.
"Well it's just that, well seeing how Guinivere was, well um..." Ganis began, but Maili cut him off.
"Do you take me for a fool Ganis? I could not get past those guards unaided. Even with the help of one of the gods I couldn't pass them! Only a fool would risk getting themselves captured."
Ganis shifted his eyes to the ground, obvious embarrassment on his face. Maili just sighed, waiting for him to hand her something to put the grain in. Ganis however did not move. He looked deep in thought.
"A sack, Ganis?" Maili asked, slightly irritated.
"Yes. Right." Ganis said quickly then disappeared into his hut. He reappeared a few moments later, sack in hand. "Here it is."
Maili nodded her thanks and good-bye to him and then left towards the elders' field. As she walked, Maili tried to remember exactly where she had seen the guard called Gallius at sunset. She had often watched the guards, trying to reads each of their personalities. It was easier to kill someone when you knew there weakness. And she knew Gallius had many, fear and ineptness being one of them. Maili believed him to be in arrow range of the trees at sunset. She sighed, hoping her location was correct. For without the distraction, the plan was doomed.