Disclaimer: I own nothing save characters not appearing in King Arthur. This story is not meant to insult, impugn the dignity of, or otherwise cause difficulty for the reader. Flames will be used to heat my house, constructive comments will be welcomed and used to improve the story.

Author's note: Don't ask me why, but I seem to be channeling Titus Pullo from HBO's Rome (probably because Ray Stevenson is incredible in that as well) for a lot of Dagonet's scenes. For the record, I love my reviewers. You all are my angels and your comments are keeping me inspired to write this thing. Please keep the reviews coming. And I would also like to say thank you to my wonderful husband for being willing to keep reading this and get these chapters out to y'all. Also, if any of you are interested in what song seems to embody this song, my husband suggests Daughtry's "Home." J

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VISIONS OF DEATH

Chapter Fourteen: Homecoming

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Brigid leaned on the casement of the window, her forearms resting on the stone. Her back itched under the wool of her gown thanks to the healing stripes. Her stomach rolled thanks to the baby growing in her belly. And her nerves were a wreck thanks to Dagonet and the Sarmatian knights returning the following morning.

Her first instinct was to run. If she hid long enough, maybe she would come up with an intelligent way to explain the last two weeks to Dagonet. Of course if she hid then Dagonet would think that she was angry and they would keep circling each other like warriors on a battlefield for weeks again.

Brigid sighed and let her head rest against the stones of the window, ignoring the rather spectacular sunset in front of her.

"What is wrong?" came the gentle voice of Fulcina. She had just finished inspecting the new stripes that crisscrossed Brigid's back, pronouncing them free of infection and well on the mend. They even lacked the tenderness of the first few days. The Roman woman had also been kind enough to loan Brigid yet another gown. At this rate, thought Brigid, Fulcina will have no gowns at all.

"I am fine. Just nervous."

Fulcina smiled and sat down on the edge of her bed. "Ah."

Brigid frowned and looked over her shoulder. "Ah?"

Fulcina nodded. "Ah. I will admit that telling your lover that you are with child is no easy task. I remember when I was pregnant with Alecto I had difficulty finding the words."

Brigid nodded. "And how did Marius react?"

"He ignored me. But then he married to me out of duty, not love," admitted Fulcina. "Not like your Dagonet, I believe."

"We'll see."

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Brigid had risen early and spent the morning preparing a welcoming feast for the Sarmatians. Thankfully, Ganis, the young man who volunteered his service to Arthur and had fought at the wall, was quite a good hunter and had managed to bring back rabbit and deer. The aromas of cooking meat filled the tavern and already had lured people from their daily lives to sample the stews and roasted meats that were appearing from the kitchen. Now apples lay in the well of a pie crust and were baking with the bread in the oven.

Only two weeks before the healer had been oblivious to the life in her belly. An old friend turned enemy and then one of Merlin's healers had confirmed that she was, indeed, with child. Aside from the relentless teasing from Fulcina, Vanora and Gueneviere about the baby, nothing had changed. She dusted off her floured hands on her apron and turned the venison on the spit that had been installed over the fire.

Suddenly a pair of hands were on her waist and someone was pressed to her back.

"What--" she started, rearing up and slamming her elbow back into whatever was pressing against. Whatever it was, it had dozens of pointy pyramids and smelled of sweat, horses and a little blood.

"Is that a welcome home?" teased Dagonet as he turned her around in his arms and lifted her to set her on the table to sit. He slipped between her legs and leaned down to look into her eyes.

Brigid giggled and twined her arms around his neck. "Welcome home, darling."

The two lost each other in the kiss they shared for a long moment before Brigid pulled back. "I have a surprise for you," she whispered.

Dagonet chuckled. "What, are you pregnant?" he teased.

The look on Brigid's face told him everything. He swept her up into a bone-crushing hug, forgetting that he was still wearing his studded vest.

"Ouch!" squealed Brigid. "Air!"

Dagonet released Brigid and grinned down at his lover. "I believe that we must celebrate." He lifted her into his arms so that she was cradled and started out the kitchen door and into the tavern.

Brigid shook her head and tried to get down. "The venison! The pies! Dagonet, you must let me down--I'm still cooking!" she shouted, wriggling like a fish in his arms. "Arthur! Gueneviere! Tell this man to let me down!" she ordered as they started past the Sarmatians, the Woad woman and their Roman commander.

Arthur watched as his healer carried Vanora's cook through the tavern. "Dagonet, let the lady down," he ordered with a curious look on his face as he glanced at his future bride who sat beside him.

Dagonet stopped and frowned at his commander, clearly trying decide between insubordination and setting his lover down, then looked down at the woman in his arms who had a pleading expression on her face. "Alright. But you're mine once you're done cooking," he informed Brigid as he slid her down to her feet, taking care to make sure that her body slid against his very aroused body.

Brigid had a glazed look in her grey eyes by the time that she rested on the ground, her hands gripping Dagonet's forearms. "Uh-huh," she nodded, agreeing quickly. Shaking her head to clear it from her confusion, she darted back to the kitchens before the Sarmatian could change his mind.

The other men looked at Dagonet with a mixture of confusion and surprise while Gueneviere just laughed softly.

"Talk, Dag," ordered Bors as Vanora handed her lover a mug of ale.

Vanora grinned and shook her head before kissing her lover's stubbled cheek. "Bors, you should recognize his expression. You've had the same look eleven times."

Bors's and the rest of Dagonet's companions gaped at the tavern owner who grinned back at them as Dagonet claimed a seat between Bors and Gawain. Only Dagonet seemed to be able to wrap his mind around the concept of either Dagonet being a father or Brigid being pregnant, but to be fair the tall Sarmatian had had more time to digest the news.

"Congratulations," offered Tristan finally, raising his glass to the man across the table.

The others followed suit and soon the discussion turned back to the scouting mission they had just returned from. The Saxons had been defeated but not all of the Saxons had been killed. Bands of Saxons still roamed the forests and plains around Hadrian's Wall and raided and pillaged unsuspecting towns and villages.

Dagonet nodded at something that Galahad said, his eyes following the redhead darting back and forth from the kitchen. She sent serving girl after serving girl to their table, food soon covering the surface of the table.

"I think she thought we would be hungry," joked Galahad as he took a bite of venison. He paused, savoring the meat. Soon the other men were digging into the food and most of the food on the table had been consumed. The Sarmatians leaned back, satisfied expressions on their faces.

"Don't tell me that you're done!" scolded Vanora as she and Brigid approached, each carrying a steaming pie. The two women set the pies on the table and Vanora perched on Bors lap. "Brigid has been baking all morning so don't make me regret sending our bastards out to fetch apples," she warned.

Brigid blushed and began to slice the pies, laying the pieces on wooden plates. Suddenly a hand snaked around her waist and she was pulled into Dagonet's lap, her back pressing against his jerkin since he had shed his studded vest.

"This is good," offered Gawain, trying to contain the grin caused by the sight of Brigid swatting ineffectively at Dagonet's wandering hands.

Tristan swallowed his own smile as he watched Brigid shoot a dirty look at Dagonet and drag his hands onto the tabletop, her small hands holding them in an iron grip. "So, should we expect this," he motioned to the food, "each time we come back?" He could live with apple pie as a reward for returning to the fortress alive.

Brigid was struggling to keep Dagonet's hands above the table and looked up at the Sarmatian scout with an exasperated expression. "Yes," she promised through clenched teeth.

"Are you done cooking?" asked Dagonet of the young woman on his lap as he grazed his teeth against Brigid's neck, the man having given up getting his hands loose for the time being when there were other delights to sample.

"I still have to clean--" she offered breathily, eyes at half-mast even as she leaned into him.

Vanora shook her head and smiled at Dagonet. At this rate, they would be on the table naked if she didn't get them out of the tavern. "The girls can clean. Go."

Dagonet grinned and tightened his grip on the cook into his arms. "Then you are done cooking," announced Dagonet as he stood up, Brigid clasped in his arms, and stepped over the bench and towards the entrance of the bar.

Brigid giggled into Dagonet's chest as he made their goodbyes and strode out of the tavern. "Welcome home, Dag," she breathed against his neck as they stepped into the darkness, one hand resting against the back of his neck and the other curled in the fabric of his tunic over his heart.

No one stopped the two as they made their way towards the quarters belonging to the knights and the only pause in their movement forward was as Dagonet opened the door to his rooms. Pushing it open, he carried the young woman in his arms to the center and set her down. His hands rested on her hips, the top of her head barely reaching his chin. He stared down at this woman who had captured him and offered a rare smile at this woman.

Brigid reached up, his smile mirrored in her eyes as she stroked his stubbled chin. "I missed you," she admitted softly.

Dagonet ducked his head to kiss her forehead and sighed. "And I you. It is good to be home." He tugged her tighter and just held her, listening as Brigid breathed. He stepped back and looked down at her again, a thought coming to mind that gave him a wicked grin. "I have an idea," he announced before stepping out of the room.

Brigid stared at the door for a moment before her curiosity took over. She had never been in Dagonet's rooms and she had wondered what his private place was like. There was a large bed with a fur blanket and a pile of thick blankets folded at the end that looked to have been custom-built to fit the tall Sarmatian in front of a small fireplace which put out a comforting warmth. There was a desk with an apparently comfortable chair before it. She pulled it out, marveling at the horses and birds carved into the wood and sat down. The desk was covered with bags and pots of herbs and bottles of liquids. Brigid knew better than to investigate Dagonet's tools of healing and war and let the bottles, jars and bags have a wide berth. Besides, there was so much to explore. She pulled open cabinet doors and peered out the window, not surprised that the healer had a relatively good view of the rolling hills away from the Wall.

A knock at the door drew her from her investigation and she straightened her dress, attempting to look more presentable. A servant girl she had seen in the hallway bowed her way into the room carrying bath sheets and soaps, followed by two thickly built men carrying a heavy copper tub and Dagonet. Her eyebrow rose as the tub was set on the floor and filled with a dozen buckets of steaming water by a quick succession of servants.

"My lady, your bath," Dagonet offered, a wicked look on his face as the last bucket was emptied into the tub.

Brigid watched as the servants left the room and Dagonet threw home the bolt, locking the door. "I could just go to the bathhouse," she offered weakly, the warmth of the water drawing her even as she said it.

A thud drew her attention and she found that Dagonet had stripped off his boots and was unfastening his belt. "Nonsense. Then you would get cold as I carried you back here," he teased as he dropped his shirt to join his boots.

Brigid gasped as Dagonet's pants joined his shirt and boots. She never got tired of seeing the body of this powerful man and shivered despite herself. She watched as Dagonet stepped behind her and felt him begin to unlace her dress, her eyes closing as he parted the fabric.

The fingers stilled as Dagonet drew in a breath, his eyes riveted on the recent lash marks. "What happened?" he asked quietly.

Brigid felt Dagonet trace one of the scabbing scars and sighed. "Cerdic's sister happened. I knew her when I was little. She had the same gift as I. She kidnapped Vanora to lure me into a trap and to torture and kill me to punish me for not keeping Cerdic and Cyrnic alive and to punish me for changing fate to allow Tristan, Lancelot and you to survive. Gueneviere killed her and saved me," she admitted in a small voice.

Dagonet stayed still for a moment, churning emotions fighting for dominance. He was angry at this dead woman, at Gueneviere for not telling him or summoning him, and at Brigid and Vanora for not telling him earlier. But he was also thankful that she was alive and safe and here with him. He would deal with this later, he decided. At the moment he had a healer to seduce and bed.

His fingers went back to unlacing Brigid's gown and the young woman let out a breath she hadn't realized she had been holding. Soon the gown was pulled from her and she stood in only her shift and slippers. She felt the shift rising and being lifted over her head and kicked off her slippers, leaving her naked before Dagonet's eyes. His hands swept from shoulder to hip and he turned her around.

"My love, shall we share this bath?" he asked, nuzzling her temple.

Brigid nodded and watched as her lover climbed into the tub, the steaming water lapping to the middle of his chest. She grasped his hand as he held it out and helped her over the lip of the copper tub and settled her in front of him. Lying back against him, she watched the water lap around the edge of the tub, their forms barely distinguishable through the water.

Dagonet scooped a handful of water and let it run down the shoulder of the woman before him. He'd imagined sharing a bath with the healer before him since Badon Hill. Reaching for the rose-scented tallow soap that one of the servant girls had left for him, he began to rub it across Brigid's shoulders, lathering her skin. He grinned at the moan he wrung from her and continued to wash her back.

"I seem to be getting all the bathing," admitted Brigid with a dreamy smile, her head resting against Dagonet's chest.

Dagonet chuckled and scooped more water to pour over her body. "I have no complaints."

Brigid nodded. "I'm glad," she admitted sleepily.

Dagonet held her in the warm water, smiling when he realized that his lover had fallen asleep. He stood carefully, her smaller form cradled in his arms, and stepped from the bath. He picked up one of the bath sheets provided for the bath and wrapped her in it before laying her on his bed. He wrapped one around himself and quickly toweled off. Turning his attention to his sleeping lover, he began to rub her body with the bath sheet before lifting her again to lay on the bed. Dropping the bath sheets beside the tub, he crossed back to the room, his skin chilling despite the warmth of the fire in the fireplace. He slid into bed and curled against his healer, his arms wrapped around her middle and his hands spread protectively over her belly.

He could just lie with her tonight. Tomorrow would be another story.

TBC….

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To My Wonderful Reviewers:

homeric: Sorry to have worried you. I'm glad you like the fact that the women aren't helpless--blame yourself for that inspiration. Well, that and my husband says that I have a latent feminist streak. I agree that Lucan could find himself in a lot of trouble very fast, but what else is a boy to do? Hope that this little reunion (at least the first part) made you happy. Poor knights--they are soooo over their heads. J

shariena: Thank you. I'm glad that you said that. I've been feeling guilty if I'm not posting at least every other day. But I promise, much more is coming. And here's the next installment.

Samantha AKA Anime Princess: Thank you. I'm glad that you are enjoying Brigid's introspection about being pregnant. And I'm also glad that you liked Vanora's reaction. Here's more.

parixs: Sorry that I didn't get your review before. It was probably because I didn't know how to accept anonymous reviews until Homeric (yes, you are a goddess) told me how to. I'm so glad you're enjoying. Don't worry if you've missed some--I seem to be churning it out with frightening regularity. And I won't spoil the surprise as to whether any or all of the knights are alive, though if you've gotten to this point, you already know. J

Saxongirl1345: Yay! I'm so glad that you are enjoying. Sorry that it took so long but here's chapter 14.

Scottishgal12: Glad you are enjoying. And I'm also glad that you're glad that I didn't kill anyone yet. J

Cleopatra32003: I'm glad you're enjoying. And yes--poor Lucan. You do not mess with a military man's daughter if you know what's good for you.

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