A/N: Wow! I just posted this today and I already have reviews! Ok...sry if there was any confusion on the castration part I said in my A/N last chapter...all will be explained here! Newho...yeah, don't really like this chapter but hey, lemme know how it is..only constructive flames please!
Disclaimer: Yadda yadda yadda...no i don't..........
Chapter Two:
"Why does it always have to bloody rain all the bloody time?" I asked, dislike laced in my tone. We had finished our duty and were heading back towards the fort.
"Is that your happy face?" asked Gawain. I sent him a scowl that just made him laugh harder. I turned back around to face the front of our group and pulled my cloak a little tighter around my shoulders.
"I have to agree with her. If it's not raining, it's snowing, and if it's not snowing, it's foggy!" complained Galahad.
"And that's summer!" added Lancelot. Everyone except Arthur, Tristan and I laughed. Arthur just smirked while Tristan continued his observant yet aloof look. I hated the rain for it always sent a chill to my bones, making me...
"AAAACHOOOO!" Sick. I let out a huge sneeze as I rubbed my nose. The knights looked at me in wonder at how such a small woman such as me could let out such a huge sneeze.
"Excuse me," I whispered looking down, but then snapped my head back up when I heard the knights start hollering with laughter. Gawain and Galahad were almost falling off their horses, holding their sides. Even Tristan and Dagonet, who were normally quiet, joined in. Percival rode up and slapped my back.
"Out of all of us you are not the one to look so embarrassed!" he chuckled. I just flashed him my cheesy smile and joined in the laughing. When it had all died down, we continued with our normal talk of home and what we would do when we returned.
"I just want to live out these years, find me a beautiful Sarmatian woman, and settle down for a happy life while I'm cooked meals every breakfast, lunch, and dinner," recounted Gawain for the ump-teenth time.
"A Sarmatian woman? Why do you think we left? MOOOOOOO!" hooted Bors while the others laughed with him.
"You know? There is a reason why I keep one of my knives blunt. I use it to castrate men who annoy me!" I hollered at them. They immediately shut up and instinctively clutched their crotches. I laughed as they flinched when they saw me fingering my "special" knife. The ride over the next few days back to the fort continued on in a world of laughter, mild drinking, and yes more laughter.
When we did reach the fort, we were greeted by Jols, our faithful companion who sometimes went out with us on long trips. I smiled as I led Shadowboxer into the stables. I tied him to a post outside his stall and took off all his tack. I never let Jols or any of the other stable boys take care of my horse, for I chose to bond with him rather than just use him a form of transportation.
I placed my tack in my designated spot in front of Shadowboxer's stall and turned to get an empty barley sack, for I found that these make a horse's coat soft and shiny. I rubbed him down for a good fifteen minutes, making sure that no trace of sweat or grime was present on his grey coat. I then proceeded to brush him and clean out his hooves. When I was finished I led him back into his stall and closed the door, walking off to the feed room. I walked back out to find Shadowboxer nickering and pawing at his door, obviously eager to eat.
"Patient are we?" I asked laughing. He just whinnied in return and I just smiled as I poured his grain in the bin and watched him eat. It was always soothing to me to listen to a horse chew on its food. The rhythmic sound of the grinding of the grain into mush, to watch as the little hollows over the eyes pop in and out as the mouth moved in circles. I sighed as I sat on the floor on the other side of the stall door, leaning up against it.
I was in another world, twirling a piece of hay in my finger as I had another in my mouth, when I heard the sound of someone entering. My head snapped up to find a smirking Lancelot looking down at me. Dear gods I loved that smirk, even if it wasn't real. No, what was real was his smile, for it showed his true emotion.
"And what would my Roisin Dubh be doing out here all by her lonesome self?" he said as he sat down beside me with a sigh.
I quirked an eyebrow as I moved the piece of hay to the corner of my mouth so I could talk somewhat properly.
"Oh yes of course my dear, handsome Knight! I was just so wondering what I would do if a giant, evil, fire-breathing chicken came charging in wanting to take me away to feed to its offspring!" I laughed. Lancelot just looked at me dumbfounded.
"How do you come up with these things?!" he asked. I just smiled and laughed, he gave me his true smile and I felt my heart flip inside me.
"It's just my sick and twisted mind…" I chuckled. I stopped however when he reached over and pulled the piece of straw out of my mouth, his hand cupping my cheek.
"That's what I just bloody love about you," he whispered huskily. Sure his voice and eyes were filled with lust, but I could also see true, honest love behind that. I raised my hand to the back of his neck as our faces neared, soaking up every moment. At first the kiss was sweet, but as it always was, it soon changed into heated passion as we both instantly deepened the kiss. Our tongues waged a battle and soon I gave in, letting him win this time. The kiss went on for what seem liked hours, and I whished it had, but the need for air was great and I liked being alive. But then again, to die like this wouldn't be so bad!
However when I pulled away Lancelot continued kissing me down my jaw and onto my neck. I moaned at the attention and tilted my head to give him better access. I ran one hand through his curly locks while the other I used to massage the back of his neck, making him moan as well. I lent back so that he couldn't reach me, which caused him to give me a questioning "Huh?" I smiled as I looked into his longing eyes and replied with my most seductive voice,
"Until later my dashing Knight, until later…" I whispered. He looked completely put out as I stood up and left the stable, swinging my hips a little more than normal. I could hear him give a growl and whistle as I turned around and blew him a kiss and left to my room to change.
Once I reached my room, I shut the door and surveyed my room. With a look around to see that everything was in place, I walked over to the chest that I had at the end of my bed. I had few possessions apart from my armor, weapons, and my tack. I took off my armor, followed by my breeches and then my dirty tunic. I sighed as I felt the cold water splash across my face, washing all the dirt and grime away. I pulled a clean white tunic and a pair of brown pants out of the chest and put them on. Bors and I had a competition tonight and I didn't want to get any of my dresses dirty.
When I reached the tavern I quickly found my fellow nights and sat between Galahad and Gawain. Gawain instantly laced arms around my waist while earning a disapproving look from Lancelot.
"Oh dear is someone jealous?" I teased.
"I do think that someone is!" answered Gawain. I just smiled. Lancelot scowled as I ran my hands up Gawain's back, making him hold tighter to me. I wasn't any whore, gods know I would kill myself before I was that desperate. I just liked to tease Lancelot to keep him in line.
"You better get your bloody hands off her or-" he started.
"Or you'll what?" cut in Gawain, smiling like a fool. I just sat there in amusement as I watched my lover tense up in his seat.
"Or I'll use her 'special' knife on you!" he hissed. I laughed as Gawain instantly pulled his hand back. Lancelot looked full of himself as Gawain muttered something about getting some more wine and walked off, Galahad close on his heels.
"Do you always have to scare them off?" I asked as I got up, walked around the table, and sat next to Lancelot. He smiled as he directly pulled me into his lap, brushing my hair aside and kissing my neck.
"Yes, because if I didn't then I would have the love of my life having children that look like my best friend instead of me," he responded. I leaned so I was out of his reach for the second time that afternoon and yet again saw that put out look.
"Once you're done snoggin' your lover could you kindly come over hear so I can beat your bloody arse!" yelled Bors over the noise in the tavern.
"Only so that I can watch you wallow in self pity as I yet again out drink you!" I hollered back as I extracted myself out of Lancelot's lap and headed to the table that the rest of the knights were seated. I sat across from Bors as Percival called for six pitchers of ale.
"My! Trying to prove ourselves are we? Three pitchers in one go?" I teased.
"You bet! I know you can't hold that much ale! You can't even hold one!" he shouted across the table, spit flying everywhere.
"Say it, don't spray it Bors. People are going to start confusing you with an ass with a bladder problem!" I shouted right back, smile in tact. Everyone in the tavern soon gathered around our table, placing bets and the sort.
"Why did I have to fall in love with a woman who even drinks more than I do?" I heard Lancelot sigh. I turned around with a cheesy grin on my face.
"Only because it's sexy and unique for a woman to hold such an amount! And don't deny it because you said that very thing last time me and Bors had a competition!" I replied. He just shook his head and smiled. That's what I loved about that man, he really did think it was sexy!
"'Bors and I' little one, not 'me and Bors'," Tristan said, coming out of nowhere. I jumped a little at his quietness. Even in a tavern full of yelling and drinking men, Tristan was still able to go off and hide somewhere and then show up when no one expected it.
By then Vanora, Bors's lover came with the pitchers, placing three each before us.
"Ready?" Bors asked. I nodded, my smirk coming upon my face. By now the entire pub had started chanting "Drink! Drink!" Both of us looked at Gawain with confident looks on our faces.
"All right then! One, two, three, GO!" He shouted. Bors and I immediately grabbed our first pitcher and drank as fast as we could. I had a plan in my head. I was going make him think that he was winning, and then come up from behind with a spectacular finish. I was three quarters of the way done with my first when he grabbed his second. I just continued to drink and watch him out of the corner of my eye. I could hear the people around us cheer and we downed the pitchers. I had finished my first so I decided to put my plan into action.
I slammed my first onto to the table and grabbed my second. Here was where my secret weapon came in. I had learned from past experiences that if you sat up straight enough, you could open your throat to an extent that all you had to do was poor the drink and it would go straight to your belly. No swallowing required!
I easily finished my second and he was half way with his third. From the spectators' point of view, it had looked like he won, but oh how false they were! I grabbed my third, sat as straight as I could, and pored the entire pitcher into my mouth in no more than half a minute. Sure it seemed impossible, but then think of how much it takes just to swallow that much ale. I slammed my pitcher down just as Bors finished his, also slamming it down. But unfortunately for him, he was done just have a second after me, clearly making me the winner.
"You! You-you and that rabbit…swimming with short hairy little women…" and he passed out, falling onto the floor amid gales of laughter from the spectators.
"I feel a sort of tingling in my fingers!" I exclaimed quietly to no one. I gasped as I looked to Galahad. "Dear gods no! It's affecting me!" At that, those who were not already laughing were and those who had already begun laughed even harder. I smiled as I felt a pair of arms snake around my waist. I turned around to come face to face with none other than Lancelot.
"That was bloody brilliant! One day you'll have to teach me how you do that" he exclaimed. "But, to more important matters, you said to wait until later and I believe that it is now that time…" he said, his tone now quiet yet seductive. I laughed again as I faced him fully.
"You know bloody well that I can't perform well unless I have something to eat! And only the gods know what would happen if I didn't meet up to your standards!" I told him quietly. He smirked and leaned in to give me a sweet kiss, but we were interrupted when Arthur came down and ordered us to meet him in the Throne room. We both sighed as we headed off hand in hand.
"Arthur, we were having so much fun! You should have seen Annabelle beat Bors into the bloody ground!" exclaimed Galahad. This normally would have brought a smile to the commander's face, but it remained set, full of worry.
"Brave knights, you never once complain of the tasks set before you, and yet you still come when you know that for some reason I always have to bring you bad news," he said, unhappiness laced in every word. At this we all seemed to immediately sober up and we placed our full attention to Arthur.
"As we all know Britain is owned by the Romans," this sent us into thoughts full of hate towards the Roman bastards. "So because land and labor are so cheap here, some lords are looking to move here. One of these lords is Marius Honorius."
"So, what does he have to do with any of us?" asked Gawain. We were all on panic mode now. What did this Roman bastard have to do with our lives? Arthur sighed and continued.
"He requests to have one of the famous Sarmatian knights to keep him safe while he lives north of the Wall on an estate that he had built a while ago so that he and his family may live there," he paused. I felt sorry for the man for what he said before was true. When he ever did confront us after a mission it usually contained bad news.
"He has heard of everyone of you and has inquired after each, but he has decided to take Annabelle as his personal guard." All the knights, even Tristan, gasped. I just stood there dumbfounded. I was supposed to leave my home, the closest thing I ever had to a home, to go serve a Roman bastard who had a death wish. I could feel the tears come, I could feel my stomach twist, I could hear my heart beating somewhere up in my throat. I thought of leaving my knights, of leaving Lancelot. I gasped as the tears came. I couldn't hold them back. Lancelot came and wrapped his arms around me. I let myself loose. I had always thought of crying as weak and for children, but now I could hardly contain myself as I wailed into my true love's chest. I could hear Lancelot shush me as he stroked my hair. I could feel his tears on the top of my head. What would I do with out him? What would I do with out the man who had stolen my heart, my soul?