Climbing nimbly into the back of his cart, Griffin gathered another bundle of furs before jumping to the ground with a groan. The journey to the wall had been arduous this time around and he was not looking forward to the long day ahead of him. Ignoring his growling stomach and aching muscles, he set about arranging his wares at his usual stall. After sorting them by quality and size, he turned to observe the fort's steady stream of prospective customers.
Across the way, not far from where he was situated, two very attractive young women stood flirting playfully with some of Arthur's knights in training. Watching the interaction secretly, he noted the way they tossed their hair while smiling sweetly and giggled meekly when was appropriate. Very attractive indeed.
Witnessing the scene made his thoughts turn to Meg. While she was not anywhere near as beautiful as the two ladies before him, she did seem humble. Humble and smart despite being a mute. Those are very important things to look for when choosing a wife, he reasoned. A woman like Meg would make a fine bride and if his brief interaction with her was any indication of her demeanor, she would certainly know her place.
Astrid had known her place. Before her death by Saxon hands, his first wife had been the picture of goodness and virtue. It had been difficult to move on after her passing, but moving on was what he had to do.
Making up his mind after months of inner debate, Griffin decided that he would approach Cait with the idea. Cait was a good woman and she certainly seemed eager for him to court her sister. Shame that one is already spoken for, he thought with mild disappointment.
At this point it seemed the only thing to stand in his way would be King Arthur's Sarmatians. They were a rowdy bunch and just the thought of them was enough to put him on edge. Drunks and rogues, the whole lot, by his way of seeing it. He had been slightly disturbed when he noticed one of them silently stalking about in the shadows, watching Meg as she shopped. His alarm had doubled when he realized the more boisterous and leonine one seemed to have an interest in her as well. He assumed the only reason they paid her any mind was because she seemed an easy target, fiends that they were.
Turning his attentions back to a browsing customer, Griffin thought on his plan of action. Meg would be very suitable, he was certain. Now he just had to bide his time until the perfect moment.
Rows away on the far side of the marketplace, Cait was currently dragging Meg from stall to stall hurriedly. The day was cool and unusually sunny and the fine weather had given both sisters a much needed burst of energy.
"Thanks again for helping me, Meg," Cait called over her shoulder as she tucked more produce into her nearly over flowing basket. "Vanora doesn't have the patience to barter for a decent price and I think some of these merchants are a bit frightened by her."
"So did you hear the rumors," she inquired, while going over the list of supplies the tavern needed in her head. "Of course you haven't, eh? I heard one of those young recruits of Lancelot's blabbing to some whore behind the bakery ," she stated matter of factly as she walked further down the row. "Seems there has been talk of groups of wild Woads ransacking villages farther North. Galahad hasn't mentioned it. Not like he would. You listening, Meg?"
Nodding quickly, Meg struggled to readjust the basket she was carrying, praying she didn't spill the makings for tonight's stew in the dirt. Rumors were normally just that in her experience and she always made a point of doing her best to ignore them. Besides, why should she be concerned with a bunch of restless Woads? Losing herself in her thoughts momentarily, Meg nearly came out of her skin at the sudden and noisy gasp that her sister let loose.
"Oh! It is too beautiful," she gushed as she flew across the isle, nearly knocking over a fellow shopper in her excitement.
Ducking through the crowds quickly, Meg approached the stall Cait had been so eager to reach. Peeking over the other woman's shoulder, she admired the wooden comb that she spoke of. It was small and delicate and tiny bluebells had been carved into the handle.
"I'll take it," she beamed while digging into her purse of coins for the correct amount. After finishing the transaction hastily in her impulse purchase, she looked to her side and smiled widely at her younger sibling.
"You'll never buy it will you," she asked in a voice that did nothing to mask her amusement. Plucking the thin green ribbon from Meg's fingers, she eyed it shortly while wrinkling her nose. "Always green," she muttered before tossing it back on the table with the others. Continuing on her way she nodded for Meg to follow.
Glancing once more to the pretty length of ribbon she had wanted desperately for ages, Meg tucked an unruly strand of hair behind her ear before moving to catch up.
"You do realize if you'd stop sneaking skins of wine and buying Bor's and Vanora's kids sweets behind their backs that you could afford it," Cait stated mockingly as she approached a cart piled high with wooden baskets. Seeing Meg's eyes widen in surprise and the guilty smile that accompanied it, she laughed loudly. "You didn't think I knew? Why you don't just come into the tavern and drink like a normal person, I will never know."
Browsing through the merchandise that was offered, Cait made sure to introduce Meg to Ceren, the girl who made them. She had not been at the wall long and was in definite need to friends in Cait's opinion. Finishing her lengthy survey, she turned to Meg and was just about to suggest they head back to the tavern when she spied a familiar face bouncing their way. It was the boy whose mother owned the ribbon stand.
"Miss!Miss," he shouted as he neared the two of them. Holding out a fist in Meg's direction, he practically beamed with mischief. "For you, Miss."
Arching an eyebrow at the boy and then looking to Cait quizzically, Meg held out her palm to accept whatever the boy offered.
Smiling even more broadly, the boy lowered his hand and placed the prize in hers.
Looking at her outstretched hand, Meg stared at the shiny green treasure the boy had just given her.
"What's that for then," Cait all but shouted when she saw the familiar ribbon glistening in the sunlight.
"It's from a man, Ma'am. He said to give it to her. Only I had to promise to not tell who he was," the boy replied, still smiling and obviously pleased with being apart of the secret gifting.
"Alright, run along then," Cait ordered as she turned her attentions back to her little sister.
Standing on her toes, Meg struggled to see over the crowd. If you were just a bit taller then maybe you could see something...someone. Turning to Cait she couldn't help the smile that quickly spread across her face.
"So it seems you have a secret admirer, then," Cait purred as she shoved Meg further down the row, in the direction of the tavern. Glancing to the side she noted the faraway look in Meg's eyes and the small smile that tugged at her lips as she twirled her new present between her fingers. Sighing loudly, she couldn't help but smile herself. "I guess it is terribly romantic."
As the women left the market behind and walked swiftly towards the soon to open tavern, neither noticed the two sets of eyes that had just witnessed it all. One full of mischief and satisfaction. The other full of jealously and bitterness.
Flexing her fingers and rotating her wrist, Meg tried to ignore the pain in her right hand. Her stitches itched and the bandage was beginning to become a nuisance. Luckily the cut wasn't very serious and Dagonet had assured her that once it was fully healed it would not affect her sewing in any way. He didn't mention anything about chopping carrots, Meg smiled as she went back to helping Cait prepare the meal the tavern would be serving that evening.
"Are you going to keep that silly smile on your face forever, Meg," Cait teased as she dried another mug before placing it on one of the high shelves above her. "If I would have known it would make you this happy, I would have bought you that ribbon months ago."
"The green one," Galahad questioned as he entered the kitchen through the open side door. Anyone with eyes who knew Meg had probably seen her mope over the thing. After kissing Cait gently on the cheek, he took a seat at the large work surface Meg was settled at. "You finally bought it?" Sensing he was teasing her, Meg quickly flicked a hunk of chopped carrot in his direction which he promptly shoved into his mouth with a grin.
Setting a large mug of ale in front of her nosy husband, Cait smiled coyly before shaking her head in the negative. Looking to her sister and then back to Galahad, it only took a moment before she could no longer contain herself. "It is from a man! She doesn't know who yet, but I have an idea."
Sighing loudly and then taking a large swig of the bitter drink before him, Galahad turned to Cait. "And I am sure you are practically dying to let us all know who, aren't you?"
Snorting loudly, Cait turned back to drying mugs and did her best to pretend she had no interest. After just a few moments of silence, she decided she'd had quite enough of pretending. Tossing her drying rag on the table, she found herself struggling to ignore Galahad's muffled snickering before blurting out. "Oh hush! I think it was Griffin, alright."
Pausing in her task, Meg looked from Cait to Galahad and back again with a look that was full of both shock and disgust.
Laughing loudly and slamming his empty cup on the table, Galahad turned to Cait and grinned broadly.
"What," Cait mumbled as she waited for him to start crowing in triumph.
"What? Meg doesn't like dead-animal man. That is what, and didn't you say you would stay out of it," he replied after noticing how adorable his wife looked when angry.
Taking a step closer to the table, Cait rested her hands on her hips and took a deep breath. "Meg does not even know dead-animal man."
At her referring to the woodsman as "dead-animal man", Galahad erupted into a fresh bout of laughter.
"Griffin," she corrected, but it was too late. Both Meg and her husband were now having great difficulty containing themselves.
"Well I am glad the two of you find this so amusing. I am only trying to be helpful. I would rather not sit by idly and watch my only sister turn into some lonely old hag!"
Rising from his chair, Galahad walked around the table to Meg's side. Leaning down to her level, he nodded in the direction of his frowning wife. "I'll hold her down while you sew her mouth shut. What do you say," he teased.
After seeming to consider the proposition for a moment, Meg nodded in agreement.
"Out! The both of you. You should be resting that hand. You," she stated as she swung her attention from Meg to Galahad. "I will deal with you later."
Taking a step towards her, Galahad couldn't help but ask, "A promise is it?"
"Out," she warned, struggling to keep a mask of seriousness at his flirting.
"Alright, alright. No need to get ugly," he replied, holding his hands up to show his acceptance of defeat. Offering his arm to Meg, he continued. "We can tell when we are not wanted."
After gathering her things, Meg took Galahad's offered arm and let him lead her to the door in a grand act of mock offense. Then sticking their noses in the air, they made their dramatic exit to the sound of annoyed sighing from Cait.
"Stay out of it," Cait mumbled to herself after their ridiculous departure. "Not a chance."
Walking down the narrow passage that led to his room, Galahad groaned lowly. After walking Meg to the laundry he had gone straight to the training yard and had been there ever since. His muscles throbbed and his mind felt like mush. A nice quiet evening spent with the woman he loved sounded like the Christian's heaven at the moment.
Entering through the creaking, wooden door he found Cait lounging in front of the hearth with a small spread of cheese and bread.
"Secret picnics without me," he teased as he tossed his gear on the table and lowered himself to her side.
"Yes, very secret. My lover just left actually," she quipped before handing him a chunk of the loaf she held in her hand. Dusting a few stray crumbs from her skirt, she looked into the flames and suddenly became very serious. "Galahad, we should talk," she said in a much quieter tone than her husband was used to hearing her use.
"Everything alright," he questioned as his brows knit together in worry.
"Yes," she stammered. "No. I keep hearing people talk. They talk of Woads." Watching his face carefully, she noticed with disappointment the way his eyes darkened at the word.
Sighing softly, Cait turned her attention back to the fire. "You'll have to leave soon, won't you?"
Setting the small platter that separated then aside, Galahad scooted closer to her and took her face in his hands. Looking into her soft brown eyes, he felt his heart clench at the worry and fear he saw clearly in them. Cait meant more to him than anything else in the world and the fact that he was the cause of any unhappiness she felt was agonizing. He would do anything to remedy that.
Looking down at her hands twirling nervously in her lap, he decided to avoid the question entirely for the time being. Smiling slowly, he winked at her before finally speaking. "You worry too much, darling."
Wrapping her arms around his waist, Cait snuggled close to his chest, tucking her head under his chin. "Yes, I worry. I can't help it."
Lifting her chin, Galahad let his lips graze hers momentarily before murmuring against their softness, "I can."
As soon as the words had been uttered, she flew at him. Wrapping herself around him tightly, she was all legs and arms and desperate kisses. She knew he had purposefully avoided telling her the truth. Deep down they both knew that sooner or later the day would come when he would have to leave her alone. A day when he would leave and face the type of dangers she had only heard stories of. Holding his mouth to hers, she forced the dark thought from her mind. If he had to leave then she wanted nothing to mar the memory of her moments with him.
Rolling her beneath him, Galahad made quick work of the laces at her chest. Then pulling his tunic over his head, he went to removing her skirts.
As he trailed hot kisses down the valley of her breasts, he slid the thin layers of cloth over her hips causing Cait to whimper his name in her need. If she could just feel his skin against hers then she knew nothing else that was happening in their world would matter. Sliding a slim leg up the back of his thigh, Cait wrapped it tightly about his waist, pushing herself against him.
Cursing under his breath, Galahad fumbled with the laces of his pants, the only barrier between them. Pushing the rough fabric away, he pulled her to him closer, it was never close enough. At her first kisses his desire had been strong, almost painful. Watching now as she gripped his shoulder and rubbed herself against his thigh, it was almost unbearable. Grabbing her thighs and pulling her legs apart further, he let himself slide into her slowly, enjoying the way she tightened and twitched the further he went.
Moving her legs higher up his back, Cait began to rock her hips gently, keeping in time with his rhythm. They moved as one, each giving and taking what they both needed. Each doing what they could to prolong their pleasure and postpone the inevitable ending.
Pressing her tiny nails into the taught muscles of his shoulders, Cait held her breath as she felt the familiar tension building deep in her belly. She did not want it to end, but as his deep stroked quickened in pace as he neared his own completion, she was powerless to fight it. At last her hips bucked sharply of their own accord as she called out her release, Galahad following shortly after.
It was some time later before either of them had gained the energy it took to move to their bed. Not long after, Cait had dozed off, all worries forgotten. As Galahad lay awake watching her sleep, he ran his hand over his face and groaned. Cait had heard someone talking and he suspected it would not be long before all her fears were confirmed.
Yay! Valentine's day sexin'.
First off- I am so sorry it took me this long to update. I am still trying to unpack.
Second- I should apologized for the lack of Gawain and Tristan in this chapter too, I suppose. I felt like I had been neglecting Cait and Galahad. I hope you all enjoyed it anyhow! They will both be back in the next chapter, promise!
Third- A big thank you and kisses to everyone for their reviews and for voting in the poll. I take it most of you are big Tristan fans then? Lol
Lastly- It is now time for me to pair Miss Meg off. I have to know who before I start writing this next chapter. If you have any last bits of advice or any last arguments for which knight and why....Tell me now!
I hope everyone has a lovely holiday!