Disclaimer- the usual…I own only my characters anyone else Touchstone Pictures does…
Well they are married… so begins an interesting life for Tristan with a new wife….
Is he prepared for what lies ahead for him? He is a knight he can handle anything...or can he?
Chapter 25: On the Fourth Day
"She will not betray her I tell you Arthur" he said "It is one of those sworn secret women oaths they make with one another."
"Then you shall just to persuade her Gawain" his commander said forcefully "We leave at first light. Go now. IF you can not bring her to me."
"Arthur I.." he began before being cut off by Arthur
"Gawain, this is not a request, it is an order. I am sorry to put you in this position but I must." he said steadfastly
"Yes sir!" angrily retorted the knight as he turned resentfully and stormed out of the room
Grumbling under his breath he entered the stable Gawain cast his eyes at his page ordering him to saddle his horse immediately. Kicking the wooden step of the bench as he made his way to his weapons, he continued to grumbling as he sat down in a huff. Placing his head in hands he rubbed his face several times exhaling heavily. It was no time at all before his page brought his horse to him and Gawain mounted the animal riding off hard toward Caistershire to have a talk to Helena.
He dreaded being put in this position, especially since the two had not recovered from the row they had two nights past. He very much resented being ordered to mix his personal life with his duty. Had Rome not taken enough from the knights, they wanted this as well.
Gawain felt frustrated at the fact that Helena had become moody and terribly sensitive over the lightest thing as of late. What was it with women that they had to change all the time anyway (he thought irrated)?The female mind was indeed a snares trap he gruffly thought to himself. He could not even recall what he had done to cause her to burst into tears and run off. Women, that was one thing Tristan was right about, they were nothing but trouble for any man. Now Arthur expected him to ride up and convince her to betray her cousin's whereabouts. He had a good mind to just head to the tavern instead, perhaps Priscilla would be about. Now there was a girl who knew her place and her duty.
'You idot you' he scolled himself as he rode on 'You know that will only be the means to no end'
After a short ride he came within the sight of Caistershire and his grumbling out loud began once again. Not only did he now have to deal with Helena withher mood swings but her father William as well. He had made it perfectly clear that he was not the least bit pleased with the knights interest in his daughter. He rode his horse straight to the Smithy's shop dismounted his horse and tied it to the post. Taking a deep breath with a crack of his neck from side to side the golden haired knight headed toward the house.
"Here knight" he heard the voice of William shout to him "What is it you need?"
"I need to speak with Helena" he said as he continued toward the house
"I thought I made my feelings clear on this matter knight."
Stopping dead in his tracks he clinched his fists. Taking a deep breath as he turned around to face WWilliam who stood int he doorway of the smith shop. With several long strides Gawain made his way toward William who had now stood straight at attention. William held within his hands a heavy piece of metal which he was fastening into an leaver. Coming to a halt nearly face to face Gawain cast his eyes straight into William's.
"And I thought I made it perfectly clear to you what I thought about your feelings on this matter." he turned taking two strides before turning around to face the smithy again "I am here on business for Arthur, where is she?"
"Round back of the house in the garden." he replied
"Thank you" he turned again to make his way looking over his shoulder "Do not try and interfere with me, your daughter will make her own choice in this William."
oooooo
Helena was kneeling in an herb garden just off the back of the house when Gawain turned the corner and caught glimpse of her. Stopping to observe her. His breath was caught for a seconds time as he quietly noted to himself how lovely she was. The sun shone down on her hair making it cast off illuminating lights of flickering hews of gold. For a moment he had forgotten that they were cross with one another. He was caught by surprise as he noticed a soft smile pressed her lips when their eyes met. Smiling back he stepped forward watching her as she stood up brushing her dress off of the dirt that had soiled her apron.
"Hello" she whispered as he neared
"Hello" he said softly "Helena I ne.."
She inturupted him "Gawain I must apologize for my ill temper the other night. I have not been feeling well but that is no excuse for taking it out on you. I hope you will forgive me." she spoke soft as she placed her hand on his forearm
"There is no need to ask for forgiveness Helena" he said
"I just do not know what has come over me as of late. I am truly not myself. You must think me a monster." she spoke as her eyes fell to the ground
Taking her chin up in his fingers he leaned down and placed a soft gentle kiss upon her lips.
"No not a monster...perhaps though a... " an impish grin crossed his mouth "a wee beastie... but no monster." he gave a wink
"I can have a rather sharp temper at times can I not?" she laughed
"Yes" he replied with a chuckl without thought
"So quick with a reply, why thank you! How gentlemanly of you to be so agreeable." she stated with a irrated tone
Noting that the conversation was quickly heading in an unpleasant direction Gawain took her by the hands.
"Helena" he said squeezing her hands "Arthur has sent me to ask you information on the where abouts of Tristan and Lorna."
"NO" she shouted pulling her hands from his "I will not tell you this Gawain, how dare you ask it of me." she yelled as she walked off
Grabbing her shoulder with his hand he spun her around and lifted her in his arms.
"Woman, do not try me. This is not a charge that I took in favor but it is one that I must fulfill. Either you tell me or I have been given orders to take you back to the Wall to face Arthur himself!" he yelled forcibly "Which is it to be; me or Arthur!"
Placing her small frame back down he closed his eyes and took a breath.
"Helena, this is important or I would not ask it of you, neither would Arthur. We ride out first light for a some time. Tristan has to come, there is no choice in the matter. Please tell me where they are."
Taking her in his arms Gawain could feel her melt into his hold as her arms wrapped tightly around him. Looking up at him with tears welling in her eyes she spoke.
"You are to leave on a mission?" she began to weep softly "For how long?"
There she was again crying again at the slightest thing. Why did he even care if she wept for him, after all so many women had in the past. What made her tears affect him so? His embrace tightened. All he knew is that she was making her way into his head and he was not sure he liked it.
"I can not say, until the mission is complete." he said unsure of how to comfort her "Here my beautiful girl, no tears. I am a seasoned knight I will be fine." kissing her head "Helena...please tell me... they are to return in the morrow at any hand. It is not as though we fetch him early."
"Alton Glen, near the pond" she whispered "You will find a Sarmatian hut there just near the water's edge in the clearing."
"A HUT?" pulling back he looked into her face smiling "Ah, that was her gift to him then?"
"Yes, I helped her put it up. It was not an easy task at that." she said proudly "Do you think he will be pleased?"
"Well pleased I imagine" shaking his head in amazement
"Would you be?" she asked looking up at him "If I did this favor for you?" she asked shyly
Smiling he whispered "Indeed" bending down he kissed her lips
"Will you come to me later?" she pleaded
"I thought..." he began
"I know, but I changed my mind" she stated
"If you are certain." he inquired with a cat like smile on his lips
"Certain" squeezing him tightly
"Then I will call for you."
"No" she said quickly "I will meet you at the large tree by the roads bend"
"Helena, I will not sculk about in dishonor. I will call for you." he stated firmly
"Please no, just do as I bid, just this once, please Gawain."she begged with child like eyes
"As you wish girl." he said with a huff "But this will be the last time, do you hear me. I am no coward."
"No, you are not...you are a brave knight." she tipped up to kiss him "Til later then" she ran off to the house
"Till later" he said watching her small figure run away from him
THE NEXT MORNING:
Far too early he thought; too early to get up and begin their journey back to Badon, back to his charge, his duty. He yearned to make this day stretch for as long as he could. Reality was not to be his friend this day. Rolling over aroused for the embrace of his woman he found to his dissatisfaction that his hand caressed nothing but empty furs. Lazily he barely opened one eye looking for his life mate, his woman. Pushing himself up on his forearms he scanned the hut finding no joy of her presence. Grumbling under his breath he pulled himself up to a sitting position scratching his head. Rubbing his eyes with the heel of his palms then stretching and arching his back.
"Where have you gone my beautiful little rabbit?" he moaned in a gruff low tone as he threw the covers from his body
Stepping out of the hut he paused briefly indulging himself in a decent full body stretch and a well deserved arch of his back. Looking up in the tree canopy he spotted Arête perched staring back at him. Letting out a squawk in her usual communication to him he smiled as she took flight out over the pond. Taking a step he made his way to the pond he muttering under his breath.
"That's my girl." He smiled to the hawk
Reaching the water's edge he stood casting his eyes over the water smiling as he saw ripples moving toward him. Soon the beautiful face of his wife slowly emerged from the depths of the dark water like that of a goddess rising. With only just the tops of her shoulders exposed she gazed upon her husband and smiled.
"I woke and you were not by side again woman. It would seem the call of this water pulls my woman from my side."
"The water is lovely…will you not join me?"
"The last time you bade me that request I denied you…. This time I shall not." Smiling as he took a step from the bank of the water's edge into its coolness stopping suddenly as the chill took him
"Come husband…let your wife warm your body." She purred like a siren of Greek mythology
Diving in the waters he shuddered as the cold dark water stung his body like a thousand sharp daggers. With his eyes opened he swam toward the warmth he ached for, his woman. His arms embraced his desire as he felt the warmth of her naked flesh. His head emerged through the water into her waiting arms that quickly wrapped around his neck. Their eyes locked in an enamored gaze nose to nose before her lips tenderly pressed upon his. Wrapping her legs tightly around his waist she parted his lips with her warm tongue finding a welcomed entrance. Spinning her around Tristan submerged their bodies as their mouth shared breath as his hands roamed her body. Surfacing once more they caught their breath inhaling before resuming their kiss.
They stayed frozen in this moment for only a brief time. Reality soon came to claim him, Rome banged on his door once again as it did so long ago in his youth.
Holding his wife in a treasured embrace he could feel her body pressed so tightly against his. Suddenly he heard Arête screech a warning signal, casting his eyes up to see Lancelot and Gawain standing on the bank. Tightening his hold on her in a last embrace he kissed her neck soft.
"It is the fourth day wife." Sadness emanated from his voice
"I know and we must return later this day… but for now let us enjoy what we have." She pleaded
"Lorna" pulling his head back to look her in the eyes "The time has come" he whispered as his eyes cast over her shoulder
Spinning her head around he heard a heart broken gasp release from her mouth. She laid her head on his shoulder and tightened her grip around his neck.
"Could they have not waited… until we returned?" her legs tightened around his waist
"You know this means I must ride out from here." Pulling back so he might see her face to face again
"No" placing her forehead on his lips
"Lorna…we had our dream… it is the fourth day …I am no longer just a Sarmatian man…I am once again a knight …I am once again a scout for Arthur and Rome…it is my duty. You must learn your duty as the wife of a knight… woman." holding her tight "Come now we must go my beautiful little rabbit."
"No" whimpering softly as he made their way closer "No, please"
"Wife, we had our time…do not make this harder than it already is." He said firmly
Nearing the bank he stopped.
"Wait here I will return with something for you to cover yourself." Kiss her forehead
Reluctantly exiting out of the water he turned to gaze remorsefully at his wife smiling briefly at her before making his way to the hut. Entering through the opening he glanced around looking at his commander and fellow knights. Finding his clothes he hurriedly dressed before bending down to fetch a cloak for his wife.
Passing Arthur they made eye contact
"I am truly sorry my friend. I waited as a long as I could."
Saying nothing the scout nodded with a look of compliance. He exited the hut and returned to the water for retrieve his wife.
"She did this for him." Galahad stood looking in amazement at his surroundings
"Come we should wait outside." Arthur instructed
With silence in the air, a pang in their hearts the knights took a last look around the reminder of their far off distant homeland and a life long ago enjoyed. The men gathered outside the hut as Lorna and Tristan made their way. Wrapped in his cloak his arms tightly around his wife Tristan lead Lorna in the hut. As they passed the circle of men huddled just outside the opening she received smiles of endearment and nods of respect from each one. Arthur suddenly felt very much like an outsider intruding on a private scared moment. The knights were a tight knit family and always allowed him in their circle, but not at times like these. These times he was very much aware that he was not apart of the family of Sarmatians.
Once inside the safety of their temporary home Tristan spun her around, embraced her, and kissed her in desperation in longing. Dropping his cloak she moved closer into the security of her husband's arms. He held her tightly feeling the warmth and softness of her naked flesh against his hands. Taking her head in his hands he kissed her feverishly as her hands snaked around his naked, her fingers meshed in his wet locks. Their mouths made love wildly, their tongues entwined passionately. Pulling away from her he whispered as his forehead braced hers:
"Johls will see you safely to the fortress Wall. I will return as quickly as I can." He whispered "I will expect you naked in my bed when I do" grinning at her in a poor attempt to lighten the situation
"Tristan…we must leave." A voice came from without
"I love you wife" he said as he placed another kiss on her lips
"Return home safely to me husband." She said "Remember there is no life for me without you."
Grabbing his cloak she wrapped herself and followed him outside. The men were all on their horses. Johls handed Tristan the reins of his horse and he quickly mounted. Looking up at the knights she smiled.
"Safe journey to you all." She said sternly "Bring him home to me alive and well. This is your charge." Smiling
Smiles and nods all around were cast upon her.
"Johls, see that my wife returns to our quarters safely, that is your charge." Tristan commanded of the page
Short chapter—sorry but I will update again soon…reviews always welcome and appreciated…thank you