Mist  



The mists that had gathered around the peaks of Cader Idris early in the

morning, had, slowly as the day wore on, sent creeping tendrils down the

mountain side, until the mountain and the foot hills were covered in a white,

dank, cold and eerie blanket.



It was this mist that now confused Guinivere, even though she knew the

surrounds of the Castle as well as anyone who had been brought up in the keep,

the mist added its' own contours to the landscape, admitting that running away

this morning had probably been a bad mistake, she was not willing to admit that

she was lost, even though she could not immediately recognise her surroundings.



Choosing a thicket that had escaped the effects of the mist, she sat down facing

the opening, her back against the reassuring roughness of a large tree, now that

she wasnt moving anymore, she was struck by how very quiet it was, the only

sounds she could hear were her own breathing and the plop plop of mist droplets

gathering on the leaves and falling down to the thick moss under her feet.



Guinivere soundly told herself off for running away this morning and

for arguing with her Guardian, but she'd had to tell him, she was NOT going to

marry that gormless Arthur, her Guardian knew very well that Guinivere loved

Lancelot and it mattered not one iota that it was a "matter of state" that she

marry Arthur, let one of the court Ladies marry Arthur, they all thought he was

charming and wonderful and "those simply dreamy eyes" it was enough to make any

sane girl throw up, whereas Lancelot, now there was a man, someone who enjoyed

the same things she did, riding, hunting and archery not someone who expected

her to sit and simper prettily and gush, Guinivere

detested people who gushed.



While she was sitting there, imagining several rather pleasant interludes with

Lancelot, whom she hoped was as skilled with his hands and lips as he was with

his sword and bow, she failed to notice the slight movement in the bushes behind

her, so when she was touched on the shoulder, she screamed,loudly and her heart

leapt into her mouth, she caught a flash of brown out the corner of her eye, but

all she could see was the ripples caused by something moving fairly fast through

the thicket.



Standing up she cupped her hands around her mouth and called.



"Whoever is in there, come out NOW, I demand that you show  yourself"



Patience was not another of Guinivere's virtues, along with not suffering fools

gladly, and detesting people who gushed or screamed for silly things like mice

and spiders, she stamped her foot and called again.



"Come out NOW, I command you, I am Lady Guinivere, of Llynhywl Keep,   ceasethis

skulking around immediately"



There was a low chuckle from behind her.



 "Ahh it is the Lady Guinivere, My Lady you have the common arrogance

of one used to getting instant obedience from others, but of course, it's easy

to expect obedience from someone who knows that you hold their lifein your

hands, and that on a whim you may have them killed, but my Lady, I am NOT your

servant, if you wish to converse with me, ask me politely, there is only one

Lady I obey without question, and you are not She"



Guinivere whirled around, but all she could see was the thicket and the creeping

tendrils of mist, pacing slowy around the thicket she searched in vain for the

owner of the voice, she realised that commanding would get her nowhere, she

stood in the middle of the thicket and said.



 "Please, would you show me where you are, I would like to talk to you"



There was a movement in the trees above her head, and then landing in front of

her, balancing neatly on his feet was a tall figure, dressed in brown and

carrying a small sword and strangely curved bow.



 "The Grey Mouser at your service, my Lady"



He bowed low and swept an imaginary cap of his head, Guinivere noted that he was

well put together, he had a rangy strength about him, and his bow would require

a strong man to bend, as her eyes roamed over him she noted the startling blue

of his eyes, and more strangely the lack of pupils, but the oddest thing of all

was his ears, small and delicately upswept, they lacked lobes, biting her lip

and stepping back in fear, Guinivere paled, she knew what he was.



He saw the fear in her eyes and smiled, then raised his hand,



 "Please My Lady, do not fear me, of all the things in this forest, I am notthe

one you should fear, yes My Lady, I am a Daoine Sithe, but I mean you no harm, I

come to warn you"



 "Warn me? about what? no person in this demesne would dare raise a hand to me,

my Lord Guardian would have their head and that of their families for such a

treacherous act"



 "My Lady, Men will do many things they would not otherwise when greed is

involved and even more so when there is power to be had, and you can trust in

this, there is great power to be had, you are important to these people they

have made pacts made with dark powers, in exchange for what we do not know, but

it is not to your good, you can be sure on that Lady Guinivere"