A/N: I hope everyone enjoys this. This is three months after the last chapter ended. :D I apologize for the long wait!
Vanora and the bastards were waiting behind the gates as the knights rode in. They were returning from a small scrape with the Woads who had attempted to attack a village. Most looked as if they were fine, with minor scratches and bruises being the extent of their worries. As they dismounted, Vanora was lovingly greeted by Bors, only after she smacked him for leaving with out notice. They walked off towards the tavern, children trailing behind them.
Shyare got of her horse gingerly, favoring her right leg. She was soon tackled to the ground by her adoptive children. Even in three months, they seemed to have grown a foot. Danu clung to her waist after the twins lifted her from the ground. Tristan was suddenly by her side, a small bundle in his arms. Shyare smiled lovingly at him.
Arthur shook his head as he watched her. The commander and Shyare were much friendlier with each other, but still had their occasional arguments. All though, there was quite a decrease on the drinking problem when he threatened to shackle her to Lancelot again.
Lancelot walked away with the horses after greeting his crowd of wenches and fawning girls of the fort. Gawain and Galahad wandered off as well. Things were quiet again. Tristan and Shyare remained behind with the other children.
"I have a bit of a surprise," Shyare told the children as they looked at the bundle curiously, "I've adopted another child."
"But you already have us!" Tadg cut in, a bit angry that they were to have another person to share the attention with.
"Tadg," Shyare said tiredly, "I'm not replacing you. She's simply a new edition to our family."
"Shyare," Danu added while tugging on her sleeve, "What's her name?"
"We haven't decided yet," the woman replied, looking to Tristan for reassurance.
"How old is she?" Gebann cut in, his arms crossed.
"Less than a year," Tristan said gruffly, rearranging the child in his arms.
The children shrugged it off. Bored with the new addition already, they ran off in search of more entertainment. Shyare sighed, leading the horses towards the stables. Alexander nudged her back as she put him in a stall. She turned to pat his velvet nose. Tristan stood watching Shyare care for the horses.
He looked down at the young babe in his arms. She had dark brown hair, almost black. Her eyes fluttered open; they were a deep brown, unlike the usual blue of most infants. She wasn't flawless though. The poor child had been caught in-between a quarrel of the mother and her husband. In the process, she had received a large gash down her face, starting at the corner of her eye and down to her chin. The husband had accidentally swiped her while aiming for the mother.
Dagonet had taken care of the wound as best he could. Small black stitches angrily raised themselves on the milky white skin. He and Shyare would have to name her, for the mother decided it would be best if she lived away from them, the child being the cause of their initial fight.
Shyare was done a few minutes later. She looked at the scout as he stared at the child with adoring eyes. Walking up to him, she placed a kiss on his cheek. She still marveled at the fact they were still together. They didn't have a perfect relationship, for they had their quarrels quite often. He stopped pushing her to go further into their physical relationship about a month ago. But over all they were very happy, to be honest, Shyare had never had a better companion. Everything had gone for the better after they had admitted their love for each other three months ago.
The two walked over to the Fortress Hall. Arthur was to find a nurse to tend to their babe for the next few months and while they were on missions. Flidais already cared for the other children while they were away. Plus, she now had a serious relationship with the gentle giant who had finally told her his true feelings.
Lancelot was the same as always, his face was back to normal, no bruising now. His hair finally started to grow back, a short cropped style naturally continued to lengthen. He and Shyare still had their pranks and jests, mostly trying to best the other during practice, or Shyare sending the children after him. But they were friends nonetheless.
Gawain and Galahad were the same as well. Both had their barmaids and ale. Neither to settle down soon, although, the young pup had eyes for Delia, she for him. But neither had the courage to talk to the other. Shyare simply shook her head at the two.
As they reached the hall, Shyare was now holding the babe. Tristan opened the door for them. Arthur sat on the other side of the table; he rose upon seeing them enter. A young woman was at his side. She was a bit plain, none of her features to be breathe taking. A simple gray dress hid her plump figure.
"Shyare, Tristan," Arthur began brightly, "This is Brenna, a young maid willing to care for the child."
"What is her name?" Brenna asked with a kind smile while walking towards them.
"We haven't decided yet," Shyare replied a bit embarrassedly, color rising on her cheeks.
The young woman pulled the cloth away from the babe's face. Shyare was waiting for a scream, or refusal to care for the girl. But instead, she heard a soft 'oh' and looked to see Brenna smile at the child. She lifted up the child and walked away.
"I'll bring her to you in the morning," she called over her shoulder while cooing at the babe on her way out.
"Well, that was easy," Shyare said with surprise lacing her voice.
Tristan let out a low laugh and placed a hand on her lower back. He led her towards the tavern. There was sure to be entertainment tonight, as there always was after returning from a mission.
A/N: How did everyone like this? I'm sorry if it seemed boring. Please review! No flames. I'd like to know what you all think. If you have any suggestions or ideas, send them my way. Thanks!