Prompt# 191 - Hidalgo - A Slip of the Tongue- Tekia - Original

[tekia.livejournal.com]

Title: A Slip of the Tongue
Fandom: Original
Prompt: Bullocks Hidalgo
Warnings: read previous parts for full understanding of characters and plot?
Rating: PG 13
Summary: Saya needs to learn to watch what she says, least she reveal something she never intended to.

The man standing in the court yard was a stranger, and that in itself was strange. Saya paused just beside the stables and stared at the tall man with his back to her, speaking with one of the knights.
Strangers were rare. Only the most pure, noblest, and worthy of people arrive on these shores and such a person hadn’t arrived in more years than Saya’s been alive. For a moment she felt a bloom of pride and happiness that another had finally arrived after all this time, but then she remembered that terrible war and realized that things in the outside world had greatly changed.
Who was this man, and why was he here?
She wanted to edge closer but the butterflies in her stomach made her turn away and slip into the stable. Two horses peered out at her when she entered, one neighing softly at her approach. She touched one hand to the mare’s nose, but didn’t stay, instead focusing on the soft cursing coming from further down the stable.
Ulric was combing burrs out of another mare’s hair, his language turning bluer by the moment. Saya covered a smile and leaned against the stall’s wall.
“Somebody had a fun ride,” she murmured. Ulric looked up and flushed a bit.
“Beggin’ pardon, lady, didn’t know you were there.”
Saya wrinkled her nose. Nobody used to call her lady, but ever since the lady of the house had gotten Saya into a dress, everybody did. Rurik said something about her inner self shinning through. She told him to stuff it. She waved her hand and peered back the way she came. Through the open stable door, she could just see the stranger.
“Do you know who he is?” She didn’t need to say who, he was a stranger, everybody will know who she was talking about.
Ulric shrugged. “Some bloke from the other world. Summoned here by Merlin.”
That surprised Saya. She pushed away from the stall and took off at a run, her skirts lifted to her knees. Skirts did nothing but hamper running, she thought as she fought to hold the copious folds in her small hands. She felt eyes on her, mostly disapproving, but she was used to that. Especially from the lord’s lady.
She had made it into the tower before said Lady found her.
Lady Melinda was a tall woman, but still gave off the appearance of being small and demure. She had long delicate hands that snagged Saya’s arm in a vice like grip and tugged her along despite the girl’s protests.
“I have to speak with Merlin!”
“You have to cover your hair. Really, child! How many times must I tell you, a lady never goes with her hair uncovered.”
Saya didn’t pout. Saya doesn’t pout, but she thrust out her bottom lip and frowned at the lady’s back. “It’s important I speak with Merlin right away.”
Melinda thrust her down onto a padded bench before an old polished mirror. “Merlin will be busy with his guest until it is time to sup. By that time, I will have you appearing pleasing to the eye and you will behave yourself before the visitor.” The lady picked up a brush and applied pressure to her hair.
Saya turned to face the lady. “But that’s what I must needs to speak with Merlin about!”
Lady Melinda gripped her by her chin and turned her face back toward the mirror, their eyes meeting.
“Do you think Merlin’s magic can instill manners and proper deportment into you?”
Saya gaped at the lady in surprise. Her mouth opened and closed several times before she snapped her lips closed and folded her arms over her chest. Satisfied, Melinda resumed brushing Saya’s hair.
Saya was a pretty girl, all long black hair and big blue eyes. The very image of a Celtic beauty. She was small and delicate in body, strong and massive in spirit. Unruly, Melinda thought with a fond smile. She would make for a fine lady of a castle.
Saya caught that smile and her eyes narrowed. “What are you plotting?”
Melinda blinked in surprise and quickly covered her smile. “Nothing in importance. Do you know who our guest is?”
The not pout returned to Saya’s face. “That’s what I wanted to speak with Merlin about.”
Melinda’s smile turned smug. “You could ask me.”
Saya rolled her eyes. “Know Merlin’s secrets, do you?”
“No, but I know my husband’s, and Merlin and him speak lots.”
Saya stared at Melinda in surprise. Well.
Well. “Tell me.”
The lady clicked her tongue and whapped Saya on the head with the brush. “That’s not polite at all.” Saya rubbed the top of her head while Melinda set aside the brush and reached for a bit of ribbon. Saya’s eyes widened as she recognized the fabric as silk. “Our guest is a proper, rich hidalgo from the country of Spain.”
“A what?” Saya asked, with aplomb.
“Rich,” Melinda repeated.
Saya shot to her feet, pointing a finger at the lady. “You’re playing match maker!” She skirted around the bench, away from the ribbon wielding woman. Her hand shook as she continued pointing. “You’re trying to gussy me up and make me make gooey eyes at him.”
Melinda stood with arms akimbo as Saya cornered herself, eyes wide and seething with anger, not unlike a cornered cat. “My dear, it’s not everyday a man can enter Avalon. It takes a man of pure soul and honest intentions to be allowed past the gates. Do you think you’ll find a better applicant for husband?”
“I don’t need a husband!”
“Every woman needs a husband,” Melinda scoffed.
Saya shook her head, violently. “No. I don’t need a husband. I have magic. And Rurik.”
Instantly, Melinda’s face transformed. She grinned in a way Saya had never seen her smile before, and clasped her hands before her breasts. Quickly, Saya replayed what she had said in her head and flushed.
“Oh bollocks.”
Melinda rushed forward and embraced the younger girl, cuddling her close as she all but squealed with glee. “Oh, I knew you two would fall in love.”
Saya gave up the fight, resting her head against Lady Melinda’s ample chest and letting her body relax. There was no way out of her tight embrace. She sighed.
“Who said anything about love?” she murmured darkly, mentally cursing Rurik for putting her in this situation.