Devonshirelass
I got the e-mail. It was not boring! Here is a chappy because I feel bad if I don't write one. Oh mum saw the photos on your site and she was all clucky! She thought they were gorgeous!
DisposableTeen666
Larx is over and it was just to show that Tristan and Emile's relationship is cemented. He had unfinished business. He couldn't rest. He was clinging to the idea of being with Emile and he wasn't going to have her so he moved on at last. Yeah it was kind of rushed but dad was screaming at me to get off the computer! I loved the idea of getting back at Junit but I wasn't going to until someone mentioned it and I said why not!
sugarskyline64
Here's an update so you can't shoot! Hahah!
Camlann
I like making people laugh. Such a good feeling! Wolf being named Wolf was because I couldn't think of anything creative myself. I suck at naming things. Yeah they have fathers and it's mentioned in this chapter! I love Kyrilla too. If I could hang with anyone from my story it be Tristan first then Kyrilla!
Etraya
Don't you hate it when your fate is in the hands of old funky people! Tristan got his tattoos with his mum for his sister! They both got them in honor of his dead sister.
Hollow
Hey it's ok. I sometimes get that way about reviewing! I'm terrible. Anywho here is a chapter!
Anti-social17
It is cute when rugged reclusive males start caring! Larx had to live of Emile because I needed a good reason to send him back!
MerenwenTelrunya
Zephyrus is still coming!
Chiefhow
Tristan is such a fun character to play with and try on different emotions. Zephyrus is the much-awaited visitor!
Phantom's Muse
Thanks. I would love a Wolf! Tell your sister she has good taste in animals. I prefer them dangerous than pretty! Strange I know! That chapter brought back memories for me as well! It was sad!
Norian Mauro
I prefer to add little comments I think are funny than writing comedy. If I tried to make the whole thing funny I would fail miserably. I love that Emile is realistic. I didn't want to make her perfect. There had to be something wrong with her or where's the fun? Everyone loves Kyrilla! If only I could hire him out!
Kungfuchick
Yeah it was one of my random moments when I planned that chapter. It was a bit of a risk. I didn't know how people would react but it's been positive! Tristan insecure is such a rare and funny thing!
Modernprincess
I didn't want him staying any longer than one chapter so I got him to live of Emile! It seemed like the ideal way! Tristan needs to reveal his human side occasionally so I gave him a big thing to get worked up over!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything!
IN-LAWSTo my great disgust Junit and Vivendi left the next morning! Now who was I going to vent my pent up rogue frustration on?
"Bye Junit," I had sung sweetly. She had smiled tightly with her lips sealed so she didn't reveal any purple teeth.
'You're evil," Kel whispered in my ear as we both waved the Roman party off.
"I know," I bragged. Arthur walked up to us and we both covered our faces with the picture or innocence.
"Emile, you can't do that anymore. Vivendi was most distressed," Arthur told me slightly flustered.
"Poor Vivendi," I said sympathetically. I turned to Kel; " he wasn't bad for a Roman was he!"
'No he wasn't," Kel agreed casually.
"Too bad someone felt they needed to dye his daughters teeth purple," I said passionately.
"Who would do such a thing?" Kel murmured with fake disdain.
"Someone who thought she was a slut?"
"Well she was a bit forward with the men," Kel nodded.
We both turned to Arthur in unison. He threw his hands up in frustration and walked away to Guinevere, who proceeded to comfort him. Kel and I kept a straight face till he disappeared before bursting into laughing.
"Poor Arthur," I said as if it grieved me deeply.
"Emile," I heard someone call. I turned to face Tristan. I shifted a bit. It had been a little tense since Larx.
"Hello," I responded simply. Kel decided to take her leave and go find Galahad.
"I have a favor to ask," He said keeping his voice low.
"Oh uh," A favor sounded foreboding.
"My mother wants to go for a ride with you. To get to know you," He explained.
"Do I have to?"
"I already said you would," He was beginning to look sheepish.
"You did what?" I screeched. At that point Tristan's mother appeared leading a horse and Trepidation. Already saddled I might add. I glared at Tristan. I was tempted to grab his hair, which had fallen over his face, and yank it.
"You are so lucky you don't have to meet my mother," I snapped.
"Is she like you?"
'No she was a cross between Cedric, a bear and the devil," I said remembering the not so wonderful conversations mother and I had had.
"She can't have be that bad," He started to say and saw the look on my face. I forsook looking angry and retreated to sulky and pouty.
"Can't you come so she doesn't kill me," I begged. He just shook his head and Tristan's mother appeared beside us. I stifled a groan.
"Are you ready?" she asked shortly.
"I guess so," I forced out after a sharp jab in the ribs.
'That's good," Vira said with a complete lack of enthusiasm. She passed the reigns of Trepidation over into my hands and walked her horse over to the gate.
"You could at least beg," I told Tristan. A flash of amusement briefly went through his eyes before he became stoic once more.
"I don't beg," he informed me curtly. I sighed. He saw the look on my face then he whistled. It was the kind of whistle he used to attract his hawk but this was a bit deeper. I heard a howl and Wolf came out of nowhere to lie panting at my feet. I raised an eyebrow. Looks like I did have companion after all.
"You owe me a massage when I get back."
"Oh?" He asked raising an eyebrow.
"I have a feeling I'm going to need it." And with those last words I walked Trepidation to the gate were Vira was waiting. I mounted up and Vira urged her horse out of the gate.
I pushed for Trepidation to go into a gallop. I wasn't go very fast at all but Vira brought her horse up next to mine and snapped:
"Are you trying to kill my grandson?"
I brought Trepidation up quickly so he reared at the sudden stop. I resisted the desire to run as far away from Vira as I could get in my natural lifetime.
"So you were the lover of one of the knights," she stated conversationally. I turned sharply to face her. She was looking straight ahead.
"You could say that," I replied before looking ahead again. There was a brief silence and in that time I was pondering. I came to the sudden conclusion that there was nothing special about this woman. It sounded absolutely horrible! But that was the way of it. People liked her, definitely but why?
If I had to pick whose mother she was I guess Gawain. Gawain is one of those rare individual who isn't an individual. He was a person who wasn't marked by some rare defining quality that set him apart.
Galahad had the young resentment and raw energy. Lancelot was the dark charming devil. Arthur had a commandment and leadership. Bors had a sparkling good humor and a loyalty to his friends. Dagonet was so nice to everyone and everyone trusted him. Tristan had his silent mysteriousness.
What did Gawain have? Nothing like his other knights yet I loved him to death. Just about everyone who met him loved him to death. He could get along with anyone. He just didn't have a definable IT! Vira was like that. Everyone seemed to like her for absolutely no reason. Well it appeared everyone liked her except me maybe.
"And so you just moved on to Tristan?"
I almost gagged at the question. What was it like I was obsessed with knights? That I must have one at any given time? Did she believe that my view on knights was rather like clothes? Yes it looks good on and I love it so much… oh doesn't fit anymore… I'll just have to get a new one.
"No it wasn't like that," I spluttered in my defense. Kyrilla protect me from this woman. I heard strange giggling in my mind and I knew he had heard my plea and decided, instead of helping me, to have a good old laugh at the situation.
"Where did you meet my son?" she asked changing tactic.
"It was uh night time," I hesitated. Was I supposed to tell this woman my chosen profession? Why didn't I think she'd be thrilled about that?
"So you met him at the tavern?" she pressed on. Wolf was trotting alongside my horse was looking me as he ran as if he dared me to tell the truth.
"Yes!" I lied.
"Before he left he was going to marry Lancelot's sister Leanent," she continued offhandedly.
"I had no idea it was that serious," I chose my words carefully. I had picked up that this woman was baiting me. But in truth I hadn't know it was that serious. I had thought it more of a teenage infatuation.
"Oh yes they were betrothed," She said with a sidelong glance and the ghost of a smile playing on her lips. I felt a wave of jealously ride up inside me.
"Why is she married now then? Shouldn't she have waited?" I fought to keep my voice even.
"Well we thought he was dead," she revealed. I tightened my grip on the reigns and bit my lip hard. I was getting aggravated and to tell the truth, I was no Tristan and had more trouble keeping my thoughts to myself.
"Never mind," she continued, "plenty more Sarmatian women."
I couldn't hold it any more. I actually started a hacking cough, "excuse me."
What was this lady doing? I was pregnant with her grandson. What did she want? Me to have the baby and Tristan visit occasionally and then go back to his Sarmatian wife and children.
"I don't mean to offend you but I'm not sure you're the best thing for him," She tried to sound apologetic.
"You don't even know me," I protested.
"I know you're trouble."
Fair enough. She had a point. I seemed to attract a certain amount of dilemma. I wasn't, however, going to take this lying down.
"Well my mother wouldn't approve of him either," I snapped. That was all I could come up with? Was I losing my wit? Or worse… was I losing my sarcasm?
"Why is that?" she said that with a fierce poison.
"My mother was a woad and he's a Sarmatian knight and until recently they had this arrangement we they killed each others people."
"And knowing your mother would disapprove so greatly you still engage in a relationship with him?" Vira tried to comprehend a child disobeying their parents.
"My mother and I didn't get along," I confessed. This subject wasn't one I liked to discuss.
"And why would that be?" Vira was actually enjoying this.
"Because I'm not her!" there was another silence and I enjoyed it immensely because it meant I wasn't being attacked. Vira sighed audibly. I rolled my eyes.
"At least you're not a liar," Vira murmured. My shoulders twitched. I was sick of this woman. This was going to end right now.
"You know what, I am a liar. But the reason I'm lying and pretending to be nice and sweet so you'd like me but since I don't think that's going to happen regardless of what I do so that plan is going out of the window I'm going to try a bit of honesty.
You want to know how I met Tristan? I was trying to rob him. Yes and I was going to get away with it too. I had the rest of the knights gear and all was left was Tristan's room but unfortunately he was on to me. So that went to hell and I got caught. In bargaining for my life I promised to spy for Arthur.
Larx and I hit it off till he got killed by Saxons and I killed one of the knights who was a spy. He deserved it though. Then I got to be around the knights a lot and that meant inevitably I was thrown in with Tristan or Trissy, as he was not so affectionately known to me then.
We really didn't like each other. In fact we had this whole mental chess game and I won recently when I first slept with him. So anyway turns out we were mutual attracted to each other despite previous desires to stab each other. And now I'm having his child we're together.
Oh and another thing I'm not generally a nice person. I have treated you so far with more respect than I thought I possessed. And I did it for him. If you had been the parent of the other knights I would have been calling you Ma by now. In fact I do so behind your back. Well I'd call Dagonet's mother grandma but she'd dead.
So MA this is the deal. You can take it or leave it. Seriously if you weren't his mother and you were threatening our relationship like this I'd have taken you out!"
Vira looked confused.
"Eliminate you. Kill you. End your life! That's what I could do! That's part of who I am. I am Queen of The Rouge. My good friends are dishonorable thieves."
There was a very long pause and I became aware that the horses had stopped and Wolf was sitting on his hind legs like a common dog watching me with a very unnerving look.
"I knew you weren't good for him." She finally spoke. I grunted and glowered at her before turning Trepidation towards the fort. I wanted to speed away but I didn't. I kept my horse next to hers.
"Shouldn't you be galloping away now as cowards do?" She demanded.
"I don't think Tristan would be happy if I left his mother here in a strange country with no protection."
"I'm perfectly capable of protecting myself," She replied indignantly. I snorted in disbelief.
"Listen Ma, I think Lucan's more able to protect himself."
We reached the gate and I dismounted quickly and passed the reigns of Trepidation over to Jols. I would normally look after my horse myself but today I was in escape mode. Tristan was waiting outside. He was sharpening his sword carefully. His hawk sat on his shoulder. I was tempted to send Wolf to go maul him. He had agreed to this female bonding on behalf of me.
I stormed past him.
"She hates me," I snapped as I passed. He looked up from his sword and followed me for a while with his gaze before it went to his mother. He sighed and got up to go speak to Vira.
Later after dinner I sat in front of him. We were back in his room. He was giving me the massage I said he owed me. It was very relaxing but I was still too angry to sit quietly.
"You could have told me you were engaged, Tristan," I was telling him slowly.
"It didn't seem important," he said indifferently.
"That you were all set to marry Lancelot's sister? No that's not important at all!" I was emotional and it was showing through. I wanted to hit something. Tristan seemed like a good candidate.
"I never wanted to marry her. It was arranged," He tried to set my fears at ease. I was comforted a little by what he said. His thumbs were working on the tender muscles in the back of my neck before sliding down to my shoulders.
"And she's in my room!" I wailed finally.
"Emile, she is still my mother," he said this with a note of finality. He obviously didn't want to here me slander his mother any more. I wished I wasn't in his position. I wished she'd just go back to Sarmatia or fall down some steps. I almost gasped at the last thought. Did I really want Vira to die? I decided no!
Later that night I lay in bed watching Tristan sleep. I couldn't get any rest I was so fidgety. I couldn't stop moving and settle down.
"Are you going to sleep or are you going to watch me all night," Tristan asked not even opening his eyes. He was good! I wished I had that uncanny sixth sense he seemed to posses.
"I'm sorry. I have things on my mind."
"Your mother wouldn't have approved of me either," He pointed out logically.
"True but I doubt that's going to be a problem. She'd dead!"
Tristan reluctantly open his eyes to look at me, propped up on one elbow.
"As I said before she's my mother."
'I'm never going to make you pick between us but what if she forces you to?" I was worried. It seemed the kind of thing a desperate mother would do.
"I'll tell her I can't pick," And with that he reached other and pulled me to him so I could rest my head on his chest, "Now go to sleep," he murmured. I sighed. The moving when he breathed and the warmth of his skin comforted me. Eventually I couldn't help but be lulled to sleep.
I woke the next morning alone. Almost alone Wolf sat in the room panting with his tongue out, his tail thumping the ground as he wagged it ardently. I groaned as I stretched out my muscles. It was getting late in the day. Tristan couldn't wait around all day for me. I slowly got out of the comfort of the bed. I washed and put on a dress. I was going to find someone who liked me. After the Larx incident I defiantly didn't need another encounter with the mother.
I couldn't find any of the knights or any of the women. I saw Ganis so I grabbed his arm and asked where everyone was. He informed me that a message had arrived telling that the knight's kin were coming and they were off preparing for their arrival. Finally! I didn't suffer the troubles of family alone.
I was making my way down to where they were gathering when the shout went up that they were here. I put on a tiny burst of speed.
I made my way to the gate where a large group of people came through. Dagonet was standing off to the side with Fulicina, Alecto, Alera and Lucan I moved to stand with them. Knights and their wives were together. Tristan stood a little way off with his mother. Kel was shifting nervously.
The first woman off was Galahads mother, Zarch. Dagonet was whispering a running commentary of introductions. His father had died.
She ran forward and embraced her son crying. I watched Galahad introduce Kel as his wife. Zarch surveyed her then pulled her into a huge hug crying all over again. Kel sighed with relief.
Bors sister Gannedt and her husband Jronté followed her. They had two children. Twin girls who took immediately to their eleven cousins. Vanora and Gannedt seemed to get along straight away. It looked like Fulicina and Vanora were about to become a threesome.
Gawain's mother and father, Witcarl and Yorka, followed by energetic triplets. They jumped all over their brother, absolutely delighted to meet him. They hugged and kissed Lyndaal as well. She actually seemed speechless. The triplets ran over to the growing number of children. I watched the children with a feeling akin to dread. I was aunty Emile to most of them now I was going to have to play with all of them. I could barely manage two at a time.
Finally Lancelot's family came. His mother Unisal and his father Sontec. And I finally got to see his sister Leanent. She was pretty. She didn't resemble Lancelot that much. She looked more like her father while Lancelot seemed to have gained his looks from his mother. Her husband stood nearby. I caught his name on her lips. Bejec. He greeted Lancelot warmly and Lancelot seemed to approve of him. He then gestured to Alera to join them and he introduced her to them
They seemed immediately to take to her. I was glad. I was glad for all my friends that their knight's families had accepted them with out much question. Their son's loved them and that was enough for them.
I watched as Vira pulled Tristan over to be reunited with Leanent. I watched through slitted eyes at this evil conniving woman. Leanent wasn't a threat. I could see she loved her husband and when she embraced Tristan, I saw him tense. When he tensed I relaxed. He didn't care for her anymore than the fact he was his good friends sister.
Vira went of to talk with Gawain's mother, Witcarl about the journey and Tristan made his way over to me. He held his hand out to me and I took it hesitantly.
"Come and meet them all," He coaxed gently. I was hesitant. Vira hated me, why wouldn't the others?
"Leanent, this is Emile," He introduced me to her. She smiled appealingly.
"Nice to meet you. This is my husband Bejec," She introduced the man standing next to her. He wasn't that attractive but he had a nice smile.
"Bejec you are my favorite person," I told him. They both looked confused. Tristan subtly rolled his eyes.
'You don't know how glad I am to hear you are married," I continued. It was true. Leanent nodded and looked at me like I was crazy. Lancelot and his parents drifted over.
"Emile is pregnant with Tristan's child," Lancelot announced very loudly. A round of congratulations from all in hearing distance. I gave Lancelot a withering glance
"Am I ever going to be able to tell any one before you?" I demanded of Lancelot who tried to look bashful. It didn't work so he just introduced me to his parents. They were pleasant people. I enjoyed talking to them but I found I had to be introduced to other family members.
In Gawains parents, Witcarl and Yorka, I saw exactly what Lyndaal and Gawain would look like when they reached that age. Very much in love and still very sexually active! They were amusing and blunt.
Bors sister reminded me of Vanora. She started joking with me immediately after I was introduced to the group. It was good fun. I was drawn to her straight away just like I had with Bors. He husband seemed milder though just as nice. Jronté was a very devoted husband.
There was just Galahads mother left and she was having an animated conversation with Kel about everything and anything under the sun while Galahad stood nearby looking mildly embarrassed. I left Tristan with Jronté. They seemed to be getting along.
I walked past the large group of children who was being addressed by Lucan.
"And that's aunty Emile. She's not really our aunty but you can call her that. She's really nice. She lets us climb her and she tells us stories."
I could see the glint in all the children's eyes. This would not be good.
"Climb a tree," I suggested.
"I'm not allowed since I got stuck!" he said sulkily. I finally got to Kel, Galahad and Zarch. The strangest thing happened. Zarch pulled me into a big hug and rubbed my back.
"You poor, you don't have your mother here during such a wonderful time. I remembered when I was pregnant with Galahad my mother refused to leave my side. Never mind I'll be there if you want and I'm sure Vira…"
"No!" there was a pause.
"Uh Vira and Emile get don't get along, mother," Galahad explained tentatively. I was pulled into another hug this time Zarch whispered in my ear.
"I don't get along with her either. She thinks me foolish." She let me go and smiled warmly.
"Ma, I love you." There were no sarcastic overtones as I called her Ma. It was an affectionate name. Kel had definitely got the winner mother. In fact it seemed like all the women got great mother in laws. Served me right for picking Tristan. I caught his eye over the crowd and he gave me a secretive smile. I reviewed my last thought and took it back. He was worth it.
Later that night there was a feast in honor of the new arrivals. Vira had spent most of the day and evening glaring daggers at me and talking sweetly to Leanent. Arthur was engaging some Witcarl and Zarch in conversation and thoroughly charming them.
The children were jumping on me! They thought it was great fun and when I didn't yell and just chased them they thought it was a great part of the game. I spun to a stop against a wall.
"That is why you're not meant to be with my Tristan," A voice said from the shadows. I turned to face Vira.
"Ma," I said it rudely.
"You're still a child playing games pretending to be a woman," she insulted me. I clenched my jaw and turned and sang loudly to the children.
"Who wants to play hide and go seek?" I blocked my ears at the scream of loud children screams.
"Me too," Lyndaal shouted suddenly and laughingly got up to join in. Zarch had watched the exchange between Vira and myself got up as well.
"Sounds like fun," And winked at me. I really did love Galahads mother.
"Why not?" Witcarl said. I wanted to do a victory lap. We actually played hide and go seek with the adults tracking down the youngsters. Alecto had calculated the best hiding spot. It was good but I found him in a minute. He chased me back into the dining room where I dived behind Tristan. Alecto looked like he was willing to climb over Tristan to get me but Tristan did the look and Alecto ran off.
"You scared him," I told him before climbing under the table. Tristan watched me go amused.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
"I'm going to hide and you can find me," I told him.
"I can see you're foot."
"Don't be a spoilsport!" I could hear him sigh.
"Alright." He looked lifted the tablecloth and looked under the table. I grabbed the front of his clothes and pulled him under.
Nearly every one saw that but I didn't care and neither did they. The only person who cared was Vira. I kissed him on the lips.
"My mother is up there," He whispered to me.
"Your point?" I kissed him again. I loved getting away with this.
"Can we save this till later?" He was uncomfortable with the fact that parents surrounded him. I gave in and let him help me up from under the table. Gawain's father Yorka gave us both a lusty wink and turned back to conversation with Sontec. Vira was glaring at me horribly.
I wandered over to Leanent.
"Can we trade men?" I asked. She looked surprised before laughing.
"Why do that?"
"So I don't get killed by Vira," I explained. Leanent faintly looked over at Vira.
"Oh I understand. But I thought you loved Tristan."
'I do but she really scares me," I told her.
"Don't worry about her. She'll come around," she reassured me.
"Thank the gods because I really want to keep Tristan." Leanent laughed again. Someone breaking into the hall disturbed this moment.
It was Namede. She looked horrible.
"Highness. People attacking The Rouge. Over running the town. Mercenaries wearing this."
She held up a tunic. There was a Z and a howling wolf on it. I was jumping over the table and running to her.
"Arthur," I shouted over my shoulder, "you must help." He nodded and began shouting orders.
"I summon the woads," Guinevere informed us. She was gone. I urgently ran to Tristan's room where my weapons. Tristan was just behind me.
"Anything I can say to get you to remain here?"
I shook my head. I was their queen. I had grabbed a sword. One made so it was a lot lighter then the norm.
I ran out with out waiting for Tristan. He caught up as I hit the streets.
"I'll go to the rouge and meet you back here when it's done," I instructed. I didn't like the idea of leaving him but he would be needed elsewhere. I had my own people. He nodded and kissed me swiftly before running off.
I made my way to The Rouge quickly. I was stopped by a figure fighting two mercenaries with a sword. The person had some basic skill but they would be dead in a minute. I jumped in. I fought them quickly and killed them both. I was surprised at the efficiency with which I killed them.
I turned to the person. It was Vira. Why didn't I let them kill her? Because I was deep down a nice person unfortunately.
"You saved me," Vira was stunned. I wouldn't have had to save her if she'd stayed inside where the people who couldn't fight belonged.
"Yeah yeah shut up!" I retorted. I was off in the direction of the Rouge again.
'Where's Tristan?"
"Don't worry about him. He's having the time of his life right now," I retorted.
Sontec and Bejec joined me suddenly. They had swords.
"Where too, lady?" Bejec asked. I pointed ahead. I entered the Rouge. There were rogues fighting unknown men everywhere. Fox was stabbing desperately with his sword. I danced up and killed the man he was fighting. He sighed thankfully.
He gestured up the stairs.
"Many went up there highness," He informed me. I nodded digesting the information.
"Stick close," I told Vira and Fox. I was running up the stairs.
"She's pregnant?" Vira was amazed.
"You should have seen her before. We wouldn't have kept up," Fox praised me. I knew mercenaries. I knew the leader would be in the richest room. The treasury, which was right next to my quarters here.
I ran all the way then opened the door. There was a singular man. He looked surprised that we had gotten here. He fumbled with his sword. I sprang forward and held it at his throat.
"You are a terrible mercenary," I hissed, "how much did Zephyrus pay you?"
"Zephyrus?" the man stuttered.
"The man who hired you," I was running out of patience.
"Galfus hired us. He made us wear this. I have not heard of Zephyrus," He was telling the facts. I lowered my sword confused. I had to admit that this attack wasn't the style of Zephyrus. The wolf was his idea of a good threat. The man thought this was his chance when I lowered the sword and he charged me.
I punch him directly in the nose. He fell to the ground out cold. I shook my hand. Vira and Fox looked at me surprised.
"That hurt," I revealed. It really did! I felt as if I had broken a finger.
"Fox, go check for the wounded."
I followed more slowly after him. Vira was watching me curiously. I walked down to see the last mercenaries being picked off.
"Try and stop as many as you can without killing them," I proclaimed.
As things were under control here I went outside. The mercenaries were still roaming around. I stayed mostly to the shadows. There was no point deliberately inviting trouble when you could slink by.
Yorka and Jronté were fighting close by with Galahad and Dagonet. I didn't distract them from their job. I heard yelling from down an alleyway. I would have run past thinking it just another outlet of a fight but it was a woman screaming. I turned and ran down.
"Be silent you bitch," The man was hissing as the woman proceeded to howl for help. I let lose my dagger. It landed between his shoulder blades. And he acted as if it was an insect bite. The man rose to his feet. He was gigantic. I imagined he was the inspiration for the bible's Goliath.
"I'm in trouble," I said to myself and did the one thing I did very well. I screamed! Goliath advanced on me and I held the sword up. I factored I had a total of ten seconds before my sword was lying on the ground and I was dead.
Two figures rounded the corner and rashly I assumed they Goliath had buddies. It turned out to be Bors and Arthur attracted by my yelling, which I guess was quite distinctive.
I dunked behind them as they ran at Goliath. While they fought I moved around to the woman. She looked dazed and was incapable of walking. I helped her up. She had her arm around my shoulders and I held her waist.
Goliath fell to the ground. Did the earth just tremble?
"Emile, get back to The Rouge," Arthur commanded.
"I'm on it," I responded and I began heading back with the woman. Again I remained in the shadows. I knew the situation would be under control soon but it was still dangerous. I passed Kel and Lyndaal, back to back, dispatching mercenaries. They killed the last and ran to join me.
Lyndaal took up the other side of the woman and we could move faster. Kel darted around in front ready to stab anyone who tried anything. We made it back into The Rouge. Fox was tending a wounded rogue. Vira was helping him. As soon as she saw me she rushed up.
"We must go and find Tristan," She commanded me. I was willing to take her rudeness at the fort but not in my own domain.
"Sit down Ma and be quiet or help Fox," I returned with my own command. I knew she was worried about Tristan but it wasn't going to help him if she was running around looking for him.
I sat down and put my head in my hands. I knew Tristan was one of the best fighters out there but I couldn't help sharing Vira's sentiments about her son! If one braid on his head were hurt there would be consequences. Emile at her rogue best kind of consequences.
Namede walked past at this point. She had a lovely stolen crossbow that I hadn't known of before. She saw me looking at it and shrugged.
"The mercenary didn't need it anymore," she said sensibly.
"I have a job for you," I informed her wearily from the ground, "Find out who Galfus is. Start with Zephyrus. There's a link there!" she nodded and was off again.
I watched Vira pace frustrated. Well she could just be frustrated. We weren't leaving till we got summoned and told it was safe. Eventually Gawain came. Lyndaal flew across the room into his arms. I ran across before they could start kissing because after that began, it didn't stop.
"Can we go?"
"Yes you can go find your man," He said cheerfully.
"Thank you," I shouted and ran out the door. Kel was just behind me. She was eager to see Galahad. I'm sure Vira wasn't far behind. There was a big crowd around the fort. I pushed my way through. When they realized who I was they moved for me. I spotted a familiar head above the group.
I ran over to Dagonet.
"Where's Tristan?" I asked hurriedly. Dagonet looked fine and I was revealed but I had to see Tristan. It was the first time he had been in a fight since we had come together and I didn't like it!
"Last saw him over that way," He gestured with his hand somewhere past the group.
I ran through again. I saw Kel kissing Galahad repeatedly. I hoped when I found Tristan that Vira was a long way behind because I planned on kissing him just like Kel was kissing Galahad.
I saw a figure slumped against the wall. I ran up to this person planning on interrogating them. I saw it was Tristan and my heart jumped to my throat. I sprinted over and crouched next to him.
"Oh gods you're hurt," I whispered to him.
"No I'm just tired," he assured me. I quickly examined him to check for wounds. He had a couple of small cuts but apart from that he was fine. I kissed him then. After I released him I spoke.
"Come on lets go find your Ma before she goes frantic," I pulled him to his feet. I moved to support him with my arm around his waist. He was walking fine but I was just using that as an excuse to be close to him.
We made it to the big group and Arthur found us immediately.
"Round table now," He yelled out to us and glared at me.
We had to postpone finding Vira. Arthur didn't look like he'd wait.
Eventually we were all seated around the table. There were the knights, Kel, Lyndaal, Guinevere, Bejec, Sontec, Jronté and Yorka. Everyone who had just fought.
"Explain, Emile. Is this the Zephyrus that is after you?" Arthur demanded. I guffawed.
"No. It lacked style and elegance. Zephyrus wants me. This person wanted to eliminate me! Relax I have my people on it," I told the company. Arthur began addressing everyone on one matter or another. I was racking my memory for Galfus. All I could do was connect the name to The Rouge.
I was so rapt up in this that I didn't notice Arthur had finished and it was time to leave until Tristan grabbed my elbow and signaled to go. We made it outside before Vira threw herself at her son and kissed his cheek repeatedly.
"I was so worried," she gushed. I stood there silent. Finally she turned to me.
"You saved me," She said simply. Tristan turned his dark eyes to me.
"I didn't know it was you," I up to dated her honestly.
"Still,' she said and held out her hand, "maybe I was wrong about you."
I smiled and took her hand, "don't be too hard on yourself, being wrong about me runs in the family."
She returned my smile. Could life get more beautiful? I had won over Tristan's mother. It had only taken a life or death situation. She walked away to my rooms. I turned with a big grin to Tristan and beamed at him. Wolf had bounded up and sat at my feet and I scratched behind his ear.
"Alright I know! A victory to you," and he did the unexpected. He put his arm around me! Did I mention life was beautiful?
AN: I'm seriously running out of names for people and they are beginning to lack in any quality but hey life goes on. All the names originate from things lying around the computer as I wrote this. Oh by the way to Gawain lovers I realize it might have looked like I was launching anattack on him but I wasn't. He's just scrumdidleumcious and I never figured why!
MD666