Disclaimer: As chapter one; so please, for the love of God, do not make me keep writing it out people!
WARNING: BAD LANGUAGE, VIOLENCE AND SOME SEXUAL REFERENCES (though not too graphic) SO READ AT YOUR OWN PERIL.
All reviews, and constructive criticism, gratefully received – but no flaming please; and I will try to update regularly.
'Thoughts'
"Speech"
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Bethan & Lucan
Chapter Fifteen – Little Scout
Another six months had passed and Tris was 18 months and Darry a year old.
They were turning into bonny children and were as inseparable as their parents; Gawain and Bethan spent much time playing with them in-between training and patrols, whilst Lucan worked at the Smithy. Darry had now long since been weaned, and was supposed to be her father's sole responsibility, but it had not turned out like that.
She adored Bethan and so would toddle off to her at every available opportunity; likewise Tris was the same with Gawain. It was a common sight around the fort, and the cause of much mirth, for the two parents to be seen swapping children!
The bond between Gawain and Bethan had not lessened, in fact time seemed to be strengthening it; she hoped he would find someone to love like he did Ysabeau – but he did not seem to even be looking. He no longer frequented the tavern, and spent all his free time with Darry.
She considered herself to be lucky to have one such as Lucan; she loved him with all her heart. He was a good husband and never really minded her friend; or the children.
He found it touching they were so devoted. "They seem to be finding their own partners younger and younger!" he laughed one night, as they were snuggled together in bed after a rather energetic bout of 'furniture moving'.
She still found the phrase funny and was amazed it was still in such frequent use; in fact it was spreading around the fort now and she had heard others using it!
"Who else then?" she raised herself on one elbow "Come tell me, who else has made their mind up?"
"Milo and Suriana….." he grinned.
"Really? But he hates girls!"
"Not this one; I heard him telling her that I told you at 9 you were mine and he feels the same about her!" They both laughed.
"What did she say?"
"Aye, Milo….I will marry you…." Lucan mimicked the little girl's voice.
"It was killing that Celt that did it! But she is not me - I would not be ordered about like that!" Bethan laughed.
"Nay, you would not and glad I am of it now" Lucan sobered "I was so worried for you - that you would die and I would only be left with my love for you."
"I am sorry my tie to Gawain carries so much from me. I am sorry that you always seem to play second place to the knights." She laid her head on his shoulder "It is hard for you I know; and you are so kind and patient Lucan. I do not deserve you…."
"You deserve better…." He tilted her head and kissed her lips gently "But I am glad that you do not realise it and have settled for me."
"I have settled for nothing! I have married the man that captured my heart as a child and who I love." She looked at him angrily, and then hugged him tightly to her.
He kissed her passionately, his kisses sliding to her neck and then further down "Again!" She gasped as his kisses stirred her senses.
"Again - because I love you so much Bethan, and I need to show you….." his kisses drove her hands and she made him gasp along with her.
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They walked along arm in arm the following morning, they were happy – she could imagine a life with him that stretched as far as the eye could see…..him, her and their son - and hopefully more children. He had been insatiable last night, she grinned at the memory….
"What are you smiling at?" asked Lucan gently.
"You….I was thinking of you – last night! Four times Lucan! I mean we have never done it four times before!" She giggled and blushed.
He hugged her tight "and I do not think I have ever seen you blush before!" he laughed.
They walked along, Tris on his back, chatting about nothing – then the little boy tried to scramble down. Without looking Bethan knew he had seen Darry….
"Darry must be behind us…." She smiled.
Lucan laughed "I cannot believe how attached they are…."
"Do not condemn them, when you were as guilty my love!" she giggle against his lips.
"I could take you back and ravage you now…." He whispered.
"What in God's name have you been eating! Or drinking!" She laughed as she slapped his arm.
"I think it is being married to a knight - I do not know, maybe the armour does something to me!" They both fell about laughing.
He scooped her up in his arms "If I did not have to work this day…." he swung her round and round until they were both dizzy and giggling.
Gawain watched and smiled; mayhap he did realise what he had. He sighed, he hoped they stayed happy – he hoped with all his heart, he prayed to whatever Gods might exist, that they never suffer as he had…..
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Lancelot ran round with the children, particularly Darry and Tris "They are so cute Little Scout!" he exclaimed in glee "Do you want more?"
"Well technically I have two with only a few months between them, so nay not really at the moment Lance! Two lots of latrine training, teething, colic and napkins!" she grinned "the sleepless nights…it was like having twins!"
"Ah, twins - my twins are lovely and my boy….but these two…." He sighed wistfully.
"Dear God Lancelot, I do believe you are getting broody!"
"I know, I know….it is sad that a man such as I once was would be this way; but I have a gorgeous wife and three wonderful children! I would dearly love more! But I do worry, after your mother and Ysabeau" the last whispered because Gawain was nearby "I worry for Amila….."
"You have no need, if it happens it happens; we will cross that bridge if we come to it." Amila wrapped her arms round his waist "and the practicing is fun!"
"Oh Harpy of my heart, what you do to me!" Lancelot swung round and hugged her tightly "I love you so very much; even if you do encourage the children to torment my brain from my skull if I have had too much ale!"
Bethan was grinning at them as Gawain looked away sadly "It will happen again for you Gawain, you will see….." she said as she reached his side, giving his arm a squeeze.
He wrapped her in a hug "I am content as things are Bethan, never fear – just me and Darry will suffice."
"Well, now I am worried sick….." she put on a concerned face.
"Why?"
"You called me Bethan!" She smiled.
He returned the smile "Do you not think you are getting a bit old to be called Little Scout now?"
"Nay, not where you are concerned. Why, do you not wish to call me by it anymore?" She sounded hurt.
"Nay, it is not that – for even if I do not call you by that name, you will always be my Little Scout. But most people grow out of nicknames at some point – yet you never have tired of this one."
"Do you not remember the story behind it?"
"Nay."
"Well," she pulled him down to sit beside her and leaned on his shoulder "it was back at the wall, and all the others would call me 'child' or 'little maid'. It really annoyed me, I mean seriously pissed me off" he raised an eyebrow "Mama's not here to hear me! Anyway, you called me Little Scout - and in that moment I was yours.
It was not condescending or belittling, it was not meant to make me feel a child. It was what I was at the time, a little scout.
Do you remember when you started calling me it?" he shook his head "it was when Papa had been hurt in that Celt attack and I had somehow brought him back to the fort; I was so sure it had been all my fault and you reassured me more than anyone, except Papa, that it was not - it was then you called me Little Scout for the first time." She smiled at memory.
"You have a wonderful mind for the trivial Little Scout!" he laughed.
"Mayhap it is trivial to you Gawain, but to me it meant much and still does." She replied still serious "You treated me as an equal and I was always grateful for that." She sighed "sometimes I do not think you and Papa understand what you did for me."
"I probably do not…."
"Do you remember when Mama was having Milo and how bad things were and you and Amila came to fetch us? You rode back with me and spoke to me like I was an adult; Papa would teach me to scout….and fight….well, you all taught me to fight. But you and Papa never once treated me like I did not have an opinion; you were my biggest heroes.
So was Dag, but then he got the boys and things there changed. Suddenly there was just you and Papa - and some things I cannot even tell him" they shared a knowing glance.
She suddenly sat on his lap and wrapped her arms round him, as he absently tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and tugged on one of her braids "You are all the world to me Gawain; I do not know what I would do without your friendship."
"You will never have to find out" He hugged her tightly before grinning "will you look at those stupid dogs!"
The pack, lead by Guido, were desperately trying to herd all the knights' younger children into one place - obviously tired of watching so many wander about; unfortunately for them they were fighting a losing battle.
She stood and pulled him to his feet "We should aid the poor dumb creatures!" Then she turned to him and laid a hand on his chest "Mayhap when I am old and ugly Gawain I will no longer want to be called Little Scout, but until then I am happy for the nickname to stick!"
"As you wish; but you will never be ugly to me Little Scout!" He laughed as they wandered over to try and aid the dogs in their monumental task.
It was not being helped by Galahad and Lancelot who were now chasing the children as if they were monsters, causing them to squeal and run round.
The dogs were becoming agitated and Lancelot, who was advancing menacingly on a squealing Tris, was not aware of Guido coming up to him with his teeth showing "OWWW!" Lancelot yelled as the dog's teeth suddenly made contact with his arm.
"Guido! Leave!" Bethan commanded and the dog immediately dropped to her heel, as all the others lay down.
"He BIT me! That bloody hound of Hades BIT me!" Cried the knight.
Bethan inspected his arm "He has barely nicked the skin my brother, stop being such a baby – you who have fought to the death, literally, with Saxons and wiped the blood of Celts from your face!"
"But he BIT me!"
"As will I if you do not stop your wailing!"
"Your sympathy for my injury, inflicted I might add by your brute of a dog, is truly underwhelming sister!"
"If you were grievous injured my brother I would indeed feel sympathy for you….as it is I can only feel confusion!" she goaded.
"Confusion?" Lancelot bit….
"Aye, Confusion. Confusion as to why you make so much fuss for something that has not even broken the skin!" She roared with laughter.
"Ye Gods you are your father's daughter, for he is just as unsympathetic to a poor injured knight!" He scolded, but with mirth in his voice.
"Well I will take that as the best compliment I have yet to receive! For to be likened to my darling father is what I strive for…." She crowed "So your insult is misguided dear Lancelot!" She hugged him.
"Ah, but it is good to have the old Bethan back." he whispered into her ear.
She hugged him all the tighter "Aye, and it is good to find myself returned."
"What is a compliment that should be insult?" a steady voice enquired.
They all turned to see Tristan regarding them levelly. Bethan explained the whole story.
"I see; she has a point Lancelot."
"You see - like father, like daughter" he wandered off muttering, ignoring the mirth in Tristan's eyes.
"Papa, could I speak with you? Something is troubling me…." Tristan frowned, Gawain was immediately alert.
"Of course…"
"It is about the blood oath…."
"What of it?"
"I pledged you to be my brother and you pledged me as your sister - does that mean I am no longer your daughter?"
"Nay; it was words, you are blood kin to me now that is true - the wording could have been a little different for us, but it matters naught.
You were daughter to me before, and you are daughter to me still" he embraced her. "Our blood is tied now Bethan, you are mine now in blood as well as love; you are now truly my daughter in all ways, full as much as Milo."
"Thank you Papa, I was a little concerned – I much prefer you as my father than as a brother." She hugged him tightly.
Tristan felt his heart swell "You are a good person Little Scout and I love you" with that he walked abruptly away. She watched him go - that man was all to her, in all ways she admired him and loved him; she would hear naught against him.
"If there is any of those going spare?" hinted Gawain hopefully, with a grin.
She went across and hugged him too "Feeling neglected were we?"
"Just a little!" he laughed, as they released each other and sat on the grass again with the children.
"Gawain?"
"Hmmm?" He was playing with Darry.
"What are we to each other? We go deeper than mere friends, even deeper than brother and sister and yet we are not a couple…so, what are we?"
There was a long pause while he mulled over her question; it was something he too had been pondering "What do you think we are Little Scout?"
"Us…just that; we are just……us. I do not think they have invented a name for our sort of friendship yet." She grinned finally.
"Nay, but I do know what we have is very rare." He kissed her cheek "Come we must take the children to be tubbed and scrubbed!" he indicated the two muddy little ones toddling round.
After many minutes of trying to catch their own respective children, Bethan thought of another tack….
"Ye Gods, Tris hates me bathing him; I will tell you what, you bathe Tris and I will do Darry?"
"Agreed!" They separated and began chasing their little monsters round to catch them for a bath……this time it worked and they separated still laughing at their contrary offspring.
Merlin watched from the battlements 'sometimes, Destiny could be too cruel' he thought.
