This isn't my first fan fiction, nor will it be my last. It's a stress reliever. I don't require you to like. I'm just glad you read it.
I'm sticking to the movie until Badon Hill and then I'm going to deviate a little.
I don't own anything King Arthur, blahblahblah. Reviews are love. I do hope you like it.
Tristan smirked as Bors, Galahad and Lancelot talked about what they would do once their freedom was handed over to them, in the form of a piece of paper. He thought it was silly, that something so small, a piece of paper, an unimportant scroll of scrap could grant him something he had so longed for.
Tristan gazed up at Hadrian's wall, squinting against the sun. Arthur's smiling voice snapped him out of his search, "Looking for her," Arthur asked.
"Yes," Tristan said, a grin tugging at his cheeks. He focused his eyes ahead of him, although no one could see them beneath his scraggly hair.
"She'll be at the gates, soon enough," Arthur said.
Arthur liked being around Tristan. Tristan was a man of a little word but, said much with his actions. He was trustworthy, honest and above all, an excellent scout and even better knight. His loyalty to those around him proved unbreakable.
A flash of red hair caught Tristan and Arthur's eyes. Tristan did not hide his smile as the woman who had run to the top of the wall whistled and called his hawk to her arm. When it landed she raised the hawk up to her shoulder where it willingly sat and nuzzled its beak into her red, curly hair. A pang of jealousy washed over him and he urged his horse into a gallop. They were still two miles away from the gates. She must be at her dreadful sister's, Tristan thought, no doubt mending a horse or delivering a goat.
She was an animal healer, sometimes helping out the humans. She made rounds around the city, in and outside the wall, helping farmers tend to sick, pregnant, birthing or even their unruly animals. She had a way with the beasts, wild and tamed. She was the one who had taught Hawk to carry messages back and forth between Tristan and herself. Every once in a while, she could be found delivering a babe, Woad or Roman; Tess showed no favor when it came to helping those around her.
Lancelot saw the woman standing on top of the wall, and his heart skipped a beat. Galahad and Gawaiin saw him and shook their heads, "You'll never get her back," Gawaiin said, waving at her.
"He's right," Bors said, ignoring Lancelot's fury, "Can't go sticking it in one woman one day and another the next. Especially if the second one is whore, the first one never likes that."
"As I noticed," Lancelot said, through gritted teeth. Lancelot recalled the night when Tess had found him in her bed with two whores and shuddered. Hell hath no fury…
The girl waved, out of earshot to say anything and disappeared down, behind the wall. Tristan galloped past the rest of the knights and they took his lead and kicked their horses so they thundered down the packed dirt road toward the gates. Lancelot pushed his horse past Tristan, the two always competing since Tristan ended up with the flame haired girl. Dagonet shook his head and pressed his horse forward, in between the two, keeping his promise to Tess.
Tess pulled her dress up, grabbing the layers of fabric into her fists. She ran into the small stables and pulled her horse out. A tall, enormous black creature she called Deniker. The large, male horse sensed Tess' urgency and began to prance as she threw on her light riding cloak. Hawk flew to the one of the many perches Tess had placed in her most visited spots. As she could not afford a saddle, nor did she want one, Tess ordered Deniker to his knee so she could jump onto him. He quickly knelt and Tess flung herself onto his big, strong back. The horse rose with grace and she let Deniker collect himself before ordering Hawk to "follow", taking Deniker's reigns in her hands and kicking him ever so slightly. The horse responded with a lunge and horse, rider and Hawk were speeding down the cobblestone streets.
She looked up and saw Hawk keeping up with them, soaring in and out of the buildings and chimneys. The blue ribbon dangling from his talon foot told farmers, soldiers and the rest of the citizens that she wouldn't harm their chickens or rabbits. Tess heard cheering and shouting and saw children running along the wall. A man shouted, "Arthur's knights have returned," as she flew past him.
"Dammit, he's beat me," Tess said, urging her horse on. Deniker felt the squeeze of Tess' legs around his belly and felt her lean into him, he stretched his powerful legs and his pace quickened. Tess grinned at her steed's reaction. Deniker had been abandoned the day he was born, next to his dead mother. He was still wet and covered in afterbirth when Tess found him, trying to whinny and desperately trying to stand. That was three years ago, Deniker was an enormous Friesian stallion that would only respond to Tess. Something she was highly proud of.
They skidded around the sharp corner and Tess saw the crowd gathered around the gates. Soldiers and peasants craned their necks to see the great Sarmatian knights. Tess slowed Deniker to trot and she dismounted before he even stopped, she led him through the crowd, pushing people away. Hawk had landed on Tristan's saddle as he led his horse into the gates, the last in line. As the knights separated to greet various women and friends, Tristan and Tess gravitated to each other.
Lancelot watched Tess and Tristan walk towards each. His heart sank every time they had come home and Tess didn't come to him. It had been nearly two years and dozens of women since they were together but, Lancelot still wanted her. He turned to face the group of young women that were already lined up to have him.
Tristan's heart pounded in his chest and his groin pulled under his leather pants. He had been away for almost half a year now. Tess slammed into his body, hugging him. Her face instantly found its spot in the crook of his neck. He wrapped his arms around her slender body. Their hearts beat against each other's chests, "I've missed you," Tess said, exhaling against his skin, making Tristan hold her tighter.
Tristan pulled her face away and stared at her for a moment, her red hair was longer but other than that, she hadn't changed. Her milky white skin was red from the wind of riding, her eyes sparkled green and her deep pink lips spread over a wide smile. Her green dress clung to her body, the tight sleeves ended just above her first row of knuckles. The layers of fabric were tied close to her body with a black rope, revealing a figure any woman would envy. Her skirts billowed out in an A line, hiding what Tristan wanted most.
Tess smiled back at her lover. His dark eyes smiled more than his mouth, although they were hidden by a mess of hair. His rough hands held onto her face but, she could bare it no longer. She grabbed him by the back of the neck and kissed him, when she pulled away she ran her fingers over his thick stubble, "You're starting to turn grey," she laughed.
Tristan set her down, took both their horses reigns and handed them to Jols, "Stable them together," Tristan said, "They've been apart too long."
"Arthur," Tess said, holding her arms out and pulling her old friend close to her, "Thank you for bringing him home safe."
"As always," Arthur said, pulling his oldest friend back and smiling, "You look well," he said,
Arthur and Tess had known each other since childhood; always playing together in the fields, stables and halls of Arthur's home.
"Arthur," the mother called to her son, "Arthur where are you?"
"Over here, mother," her son called back. She smiled when she saw her boy's head pop up over the hill, followed by another one, covered in red curls.
The two raced down the hill and skidded to halt next to Arthur's mother, "This is Tess," the boy said, out of breath.
The girl smiled and Arthur stared at her, "She's very pretty Arthur," his mother smiled, "Come you two, how about some honey milk for you?"
"What's honey milk," Tess said, her young voice tinkling.
"You've never had honey milk," Arthur said, his eyes wide, "Its delicious," Arthur's attention quickly turned, "Mother," he said, "Listen to what Tess taught me." Arthur pulled his hands to his mouth and made some sort of noise, a bird call.
The three were silent and a few seconds later, the same call echoed from the woods, "That's wonderful, Arthur! Tess, how did you know that?"
"They're my friends," Tess smiled.
The two hadn't separated since.
Tess was always teaching Arthur something new about the forest and getting him out of sticky situations. Including one with a couple of Woads. Arthur had ridden out into the forest and ran into some scouts. The Woads didn't bother Tess much, only for help with their animals and the occasional sick child. She convinced the two scouts that Arthur wasn't a threat and the two escaped by the edge of their necks.
Tess kept an alliance with the Woads, she helped them and they left her alone. Her cottage was unprotected as it sat outside the wall.
"How are Llamrei's ankles?" Tess said, staring at Arthur's horse as Jols led it to the stables.
"Alright," Arthur said, rubbing his eyes, "This will be her last long ride, I think."
"Well," Tess said, "I have a spot for her when she needs it." Tess had a small amount of land, just outside the wall where a variety of old, used animals lived out the rest of their lives. Many of the animals, Tess still found work for. The pair of draft horses could still plow her modest garden, the old cow still gave sweet milk and the scrawny, moody hens still gave a couple eggs a day. The skinny rooster with one wing even crowed in the morning. Deniker was the only one who had many years left in him.
Tess walked over and gave Lancelot's hand a squeeze, her past contained more of Lancelot that she would have liked admit but, she still worried about him, "Back in one piece, thank the Mother," Tess said, expressing thanks to her patron goddess.
"Tess," Tristan said, his voice deep and demanding. He hated seeing Lancelot near her and the look in her eyes when he was.
Lancelot's eyes sparked, "My lady," he said, kissing Tess' hand. Her heart fluttered and she pulled herself away, walking quickly to Tristan.
Lancelot grinned when Tristan shot him a look of anger.
"I don't want to meet any of them, Vanora," Tess said, pulling back from the grip Vanora had on her wrist.
"Oh, come on," Vanora laughed, "They're fun! They will love you!"
"For one night," Tess laughed back.
Tess finally gave in and walked to the building where the knights and Arthur stayed. Tess had never really any want to visit the large house other than to visit Arthur as he always would venture out to her farm, which was once or twice a year now. Tess followed Vanora into smoky, shadowy room. A round table, with a huge fire in the middle of it took up most of the room. Vanora walked over to a particularly large man, "Hello Bors," she said, kissing him.
"Vanora," Bors said, "I see you've brought your friend."
"I have," Vanora smiled.
"Shut up," Bors yelled, "Vanora has brought a friend."
Arthur turned and saw Tess, her face red with embarrassment.
"Tess," Arthur said, "What… come, sit!" The men eyed Arthur and smirked, obviously thinking they'd slept together, "Lancelot," Arthur smiled, "Make room, will you?"
"Of course," Lancelot smiled, eyeing Tess.
"Knights," Arthur said, leading Tess to a chair next to his, "This is my old friend, Tess. Welcome her as you would an old friend." Tess smiled and sat down next to Arthur, "Where have you been?"
Tess gave Arthur's hand a squeeze, "Where have you been?"
"Pillaging," Lancelot said, leaning over and joining the conversation, obviously interested in the beautiful woman beside him.
"Tess," Arthur said, "This is Lancelot, a close friend."
"Keep your enemies close, Arthur," Lancelot said with a wide smile.
Tess looked over at Arthur, "A joke," he said.
The hall began to fill up with the smells of cooking meats, wine and ale. Arthur was leaning against the arm of his chair, talking to a man Tess didn't know, "Tell me," Lancelot said, pouring her a cup of wine. "Where are you from," he asked.
"Here," Tess said, "I live outside the wall."
"With your husband no doubt?" Lancelot asked.
"By myself," Tess smiled, taking a drink.
"Outside the wall," Lancelot said again, intrigued.
"Yes," Tess said, "Surrounded by Woads."
"And you're not dead, as far as I can see," Lancelot grinned.
"I don't try to kill them, they don't try to kill me," Tess said, nonchalantly.
"Well," Lancelot said, "You'll have to show us your trick."
After a few jugs of wine and a large dinner, the hall began to clear. Mostly pairs of men and women, brave from the wine in their bodies, off to sleep in one another's chambers. Tess stood up, "I really should be going," she said, "Thank you, Arthur."
"Let me walk you to the stables," Lancelot said, standing up rather quickly causing his chair to fall down behind him. He picked it up and nodded to the men, "Arthur, Knights," he slurred a bit, "I'll see you in the morning."
Arthur shook his head and turned to Tess, "I don't think he knows who you are," he smiled, "She's not another chamber maid, Lancelot," Arthur said, staring at Tess.
"That," Lancelot stumbled, "I am aware of. I'm just being a gentlemen, Arturios!"
"If you're a gentleman," a man said, "I'm a flying sow."
"Tristan," Lancelot said, "You could learn a thing or two."
Tess smiled at Tristan and walked out into the cool night, the man she would share her bed with following.
The two walked hand in hand, in their usual silence, "I'll be back," Tristan said, as he and the others followed Arthur and the Bishop into the one of the few huge, lavishly decorated Roman buildings.
Dagonet came up and walked next to her, "Kept them out of trouble, I hope," Tess said, staring at Tristan and Lancelot.
"Tried to," Dag grinned, "Sometimes you have to let them fight it out."
"Not while I'm around," Tess said, giving his hand a squeeze, "Keep the peace just a little while longer, will you?"
"Have ale and wine ready," Dag said, walking into the building.
"See you in the pub then," Tess smiled, walking over to Vanora.
The two women watched their knights walk into the shadows of the building. "The next time we see them," Vanora smiled, turning and heading toward the large pub where they would all gather later, "They'll be free."
"We all will," Tess said, taking the baby from Vanora as she went to work, washing out mugs and clay pitchers.
"Tristan, how do you do that," Gawain asked, shaking his head at Tristan's dagger in his own.
Tristan, slightly drunk, pointed at his target, "I aim for the middle."
Everyone laughed at Gawain's expense. Tess waited at the counter with two empty mugs, Tristan's and hers. Vanora thrust a jug of wine at Tess, "Have to serve the men yourself, dearest."
"Of course," Tess smiled. She liked Vanora, straightforward and to the point. They had known each other before they had met Bors and Lancelot (on the same night).
Tess walked through the crowd, in and out of tables, until she reached Tristan who was munching on an apple, leaning against a post. "Here," Tess said, tossing him a mug and pouring it full of wine, "Drink, celebrate."
Tristan smiled, this time his whole face shown with happiness. He gulped down the wine and pulled Tess close to him, "I've got my celebration right here," he laughed quietly and pressed his hips to Tess'. She kissed him and wrapped her arms around his neck, still holding her mug and the jar of wine.
"Get out of here," Gawaiin said, drunk, "No one wants to see t that! I need more ale if that's going to happen."
"Sing," Bors voice bellowed throughout the bar, "Sing Vanora!"
"Yes," Lancelot clapped, "Sing of home."
"Don't drop the baby," Gawaiin giggled.
Everyone settled in to hear Vanora's beautiful voice. Tess turned around so that Tristan's arms wrapped around her waist and she could see Vanora. She set the jug and cup down on the table next to her and leaned against Tristan. The song sobered them all up, knowing they would go home, across the mountains, "I love you," Tristan whispered gruffly in her ear.
Tess pressed her head against Tristan's face and he kissed her temple and closed her eyes. They had yet to be together since Tristan had returned that morning. Both of their bodies ached for each other but, each knew that the wait would make it the best.
Tristan was happiest on the battlefield, killing some Woad with the lick of his blade or the pull of an arrow. But here, with Tess in his arms (even with all their clothes on) gave him such peace, such contentment. He could stay here forever, surrounded by friends, cheap wine, sweet ale and Tess next to him. He would be happy.
Tess closed her eyes and took in this moment, the warmth of Tristan's body against hers, his strong arms protecting her, the smell of smoke and wine and ale. Vanora's voice carrying and echoing throughout the pub and out into the street, causing passerby to stop and look in.
Lancelot glanced over at Tess, "Fucking prick," he muttered, draining his cup.
When Tess opened her eyes, she saw Arthur, standing on the outside looking in. They all called his name and walked toward them, except Tess. The look on Arthur's face scared her. She let Tristan walk past her and he joined his friends. Tess had known Arthur long enough to recognize when he was troubled and his furrowed brow was no exception tonight.
Tess watched as Arthur spoke words she could not hear and watched the men laugh in response. Arthur showed no such emotion and spoke again. The mood shifted and Tess took a step forward, ringing her hands together.
"If you're so eager to die, you can die right now," Galahad roared, "I've got something to live for."
Tess felt a lump in her throat and knot in her stomach. It was not over. The waiting, worrying and watching was not over.
Dagonet walked past Tess, "Bors," he turned to his friend, "You coming?"
"O'course I'm coming can't let you go and get killed," Bors screamed in reply, "I'm just saying what you're all thinking!"
The baby in Vanora's hand started to whimper, a preamble to a fit of crying. Vanora handed the small babe over to Tess and followed Bors.
Tess watched Bors followed Dag and Gawaiin followed Galahad. Arthur left Lancelot standing alone. Tristan walked up to Tess and kissed her forehead, "One more trip for the Romans. Meet you at home."
"What?" Tess said, her eyes full of tears. She knew the answer, "No. You are free."
Lora, Vanora's sister came and took the crying baby away from Tess. Tristan walked away, he knew an argument would come of this, sooner or later. Tess watched as he slunk into the shadows and smoke, no doubt preparing for the morning. Tess stood dumbfounded. Lancelot turned and saw her, the look on her beautiful face nearly breaking his heart, "Tess, c'mere," he said pulling her close to him, "We'll be back." Lancelot knew it may not be true, knew it wasn't. Tess sunk into Lancelot, excepting his comfort, "Go home," he said, "Love Tristan." Tess heard the strain in his voice. She hated that Tristan was so willing to go and Lancelot was so willing to stay and comfort her. If only it had been that way years ago.
Tess walked in, dog tired from bring three babies into the world. A woman Woad, known for her fertility had brought three more into the world. Tess had been there all day and all night, before leaving she advised them to not try for any more. Unlikely.
She slumped down into a chair and poured a cup of water. Her head shot up when she heard a woman's voice. She walked over to the bed, which was moving. The covers and blankets shifting between bodies. Before she got to the bed, she picked up two dresses that were laying rumpled on the floor, "Damn you," Tess whispered. She pulled the blanket off the top to expose Lancelot and two women, naked. Lancelot pulled out the brunette as Tess pulled her out of the bed by her hair. She grabbed onto the blonde the same way and drug them out, not saying a word. She turned around to Lancelot and pointed it at the door, he stayed sitting in the bed, "I'll pull you out as well," Tess said through her teeth, "It won't be by your hair. Get. Out."
"Tess," Lancelot said, laying back on the bed and putting his hands behind his head, "Join the romp."
Tess' eyes grew wide, "Son of a whore," she said, stomping up to him. She reached for his privates but, he scooted past her, "Get out of here," she yelled, she picked up Lancelot's belt on which his sword was attached. She threw it out the door. She chased Lancelot out into the night, where the two girls were standing, all of them naked. Tess let them watch her as she picked up their clothes and tossed them onto the fire. She slammed the door shut, took one look at the bed and slept on the floor.
Tess went to the stables to fetch Deniker, warm tears threatening to spill over, "Damn Romans," she muttered to herself. Lancelot followed her and grabbed hold of her as they entered the shadows and kissed her, "No," Tess said, pulling away, "I belong to Tristan."
"You belong to me," Lancelot argued, resting his forehead on hers, "You always have."
"Together we were nothing," Tess said, "Purely carnal."
"We were happy," Lancelot shot back.
Lancelot couldn't cut the silence with his sword. He stared at Tess, waiting for her response.
"I miss you," she said quietly, looking out into the road, away from Lancelot.
"As do I," Lancelot said, pressing her against the wall with his body, "Come with me, come home with me."
Tess pushed him off of her, "Leave me," she said and she stomped around the corner and ran into Arthur, who was kneeling against a bridle rack, "Damn you," Tess shouted as she fell to the ground, she did not realize who had tripped her. The body came falling down on top of her, "Get the fuck off me you bastard," she yelled.
Tess looked up and saw Arthur, "Oh, it's you," she said.
"What are you doing," Arthur said, staring down at Tess below him.
"Going home," Tess snapped, pushing the Roman off of her.
"Tess," Arthur said, pulling her up but not letting go, "It's not my fault. It's our duty to Rome."
"What about me, Arthur," Tess said, the tears finally flowing onto her cheeks, "And Vanora, do you know what it's like to wait for you? Wondering how many of your knights will return? If you? My best friend will return?"
"I am sorry, Tess," Arthur said, letting her go.
"You're not sorry, if you were sorry it wouldn't be happening! None of this would be happening. You're heading straight into Woad territory," Tess said, "And, I've heard the rumors of the Saxons, presently on their way. Us women, we know what awaits you and your Knights. Our knights."
Tess walked over to Daniker's stall and pulled him out. The horse sensed her anxiety and pawed and pranced around the barn. Tristan walked in as Tess mounted, "Wait for me," he said. Tristan stopped in his tracks when he saw the streaks on Tess' face, "What'd you say to her, Arthur," Tristan said, trying to wipe her face but she pulled away.
"Nothing," Arthur said, feeling his temper flair he walked out of the barn.
Tess clicked her tongue and Deniker kneeled to the ground so she could jump on top of him. Tristan mounted his horse, a dappled grey mare he merely called Bay, "Let's go," he said shortly. The two rode out of the stables and out the gates. The road was lit by moonlight and the only sounds were that of the horse's feet on the hard dirt and the intermittent sniffles from Tess. She wasn't one to cry and she hated doing so but, her situation proved to be far crueler than she had planned. Tristan felt a pang of sadness and guilt for leaving Tess alone again. He reined his horse closer to hers and took her hand, a gesture she returned willingly. The guards at the wall were shutting the gates for the night as Tristan and Tess slipped through, Tristan flipping them a few coins for their pause in work.
They rode together until they met the slow flowing river that led into the city on the other side of Hadrian 's Wall. They rode next to it now, against the flow. In a few moments they rode into a clump of trees, tall, twisted and old. The small, round hut with a pointed straw roof sat silent in the moonlight. The two dismounted and led the horses to the paddock, a fenced in area that stretched out into the woods and around the stream. After unbridling and unloading Tristan's horse, the two walked hand in hand inside.
A large, wooden table with a few chairs around it took over most of the space. An array of bowls, cups, clay vases and mortar and pestles filled the table top. Poultices, liquids and herbs sat in disarray. Dried herbs and plants hung from the ceiling. A fireplace sat off to one side of the table, remnants of the fire from breakfast, glowing. In the corner, was a bed, sitting up off the ground, it was covered in blankets and furs.
Tess sat up in bed and listened for another voice, "Damn Woads," she said to herself.
"Tess," she jumped when she heard Bors voice in the dark, "Get your skinny ass out here and help us."
Tess threw the covers off of her and ran out the door, she ignored the frost on her bare feet and ran straight into Bors, knocking herself on the cold, hard ground.
"That's not helping," he said, hoisting her up.
"Get inside," she said, helping Tristan off his horse. She, with the help of Gawaiin, walked him inside and plopped him down on the bed. Three arrows stuck out of his legs and his torso was covered in blood. Lancelot and Arthur limped into the house and sat in the chairs around the fire. Dagonet was nursing a wound on his arm and Galahad was laying on the floor, warming himself against the fire. Gawaiin sat in the last available chair. Tess looked around at the wounded and bloodied men, not sure where to start, "What happened," she said, turning in circles.
"Woads," Arthur said, his eyes closed, "We road to far North."
"Testing them," Tess said, shaking her head.
Tess heard rustling outside and quickly closed the shutters and walked out in the dark, "Atá déanta agat ar do dhamáiste, iad a fhágáil anois," she shouted, you've done your damage, leave them now.
A familiar face spoke, "Tessa," Merlin said, she could hear his footsteps crunching against the frost, "Those men you are helping are our enemies."
"And, you are their's," Tess shot back, "I have no enemies, Merlin. You know that. These men are my friends, as you are mine. If you cannot accept that, I will no longer be of service to you."
"Mend who you wish," Merlin said, his footsteps disappearing.
Tess rubbed her face, stared at the sliver of moon and went back inside. The knights looked at her, "What was that," Arthur said.
"A friend," Tess replied shortly.
"Start with Tristan," Dagonet said, avoiding a fight. Tess walked over to Tristan, who had his eyes closed. Dagonet walked over, "knife in his side, he pulled it out."
"Lovely," Tess said, unbuttoning his shirts and pulling them back. She her fingers over his torso, searching for any signs of ribs broken, "Clean wound," Tess said, stepping outside and getting a bucket of water from the rain barrel.
She cleaned Tristan's wound and applied a pain relieving poultice to it. She then cut away the fabric around his leg, exposing the three arrows. Tristan was wide awake now, staring at Tess. Tess dried her hands and nodded at Dag, who stood at the ready to hold Tristan down. She looked at Tristan, who nodded at her. The rest of the Knights craned their necks to watch. Tess got a firm grip on the first arrow and Tristan tensed. With a firm yank, Tess barely moved the arrow, "Damn," she said, grabbing it closer to the skin, this time she put all her force into it and the arrow came out and she landed on the floor. Without blinking, Tess covered of the hole with bandages, "Two more," she said, pulling the next to out with ease.
She wrapped Tristan's leg up and let him sleep in her bed. She stitched the rest of them up and they sprawled out on the floor. Tess flopped down into a chair and leaned her head on the table, instantly falling asleep. Lancelot draped a cloak over her and sat back in his chair, watching her sleep.
Tess overturned the smoldering coals in the fireplace from that morning and tossed some kindling and straw knots on top of that. She coaxed a small fire out of it and set some heavier wood on top, letting it catch light. She lit the candles and lanterns that hung about the small, one room hut. Tristan had fallen on the bed, his eyes already closed. He had undone his tunic and shirt so that his torso, covered with brown and grey hair, was exposed. Tess climbed on top of him and kissed his neck. She looked back up at him, his eyes were still closed but, a grin had spread across his face.
"Let me go with you," Tess said, kissing Tristan's chest, nuzzling it.
"No," Tristan said, nonchalantly.
"You'll need a medic, no doubt," she said, throwing her argument back, "And, you'll need someone to fend off the Woads." Tess ran her fingertips up and down Tristan's chest, knowing it would be harder for Tristan to say no to her if he was going to fuck her.
"I think that's my job," Tristan said, sitting up on his elbows, "We'll be gone a week, probably less."
"So," Tess said, "None of you can speak to the Woads or mend each other without getting killed."
"No," Tristan said again, firmly.
"You know I'll come," Tess shot back. She sat up and straddled him. Tristan knew she was right; he wouldn't be able to stop her from staying or going. She was a strong, stubborn woman. But, he also knew that she couldn't take much more waiting. He saw her glances at Lancelot, felt the threat of them.
Tristan ran his hands up under Tess' dress and up her thighs. She closed her eyes and let her head fall back as she felt his touch on her. Tess reached behind her and pulled the end of the cord that held her dress close to her and pulled it away. She pulled the next piece of flex that held her dress to her, a criss-cross of black, thin rope up her back. Tristan sat up so that he was staring at her. He lifted her dress up over her head, leaving only her thin under dress on her, which he quickly removed as well.
Tristan flipped her over onto her back and took off his shirt, tunic and removed himself from his pants while Tess adjusted her body underneath him. Tristan, already hard, rested his tip at her entrance. For a moment, they said nothing and stared at each other. Tess brushed a strand of hair out of his eyes and smiled.
With a gasp followed by a moan, Tess welcomed in a long awaited night, ridding her mind of Lancelot, the Saxons and what tomorrow would bring.