One Thing - Chapter 4
Disclaimer: Have I done this before? Yup. Again, don't own a bloody thing.
To my reviewers: Thank you and please keep them coming.
June Birdie - Can't say as i know if she will participate in the final battle or not. I haven't gotten that far yet. And to answere your second question - maybe. LOL!
Lianna - No losing interest here. Part two and three of this current obsession are already done. Mostly. And I just adore Lancelot also! And Gawain! And Tristan!
Arriving just a bit late, Teagan made her apologies to Vanora. "That's fine. Just glad you're here, it's mayhem out there tonight. Poor Ani is swamped."
There were only four serving girls. Ani, Teagan, Bess and Vanora. Ani was on duty and Bess was no where to be found. 'Probably in some man's lap.' Teagan thought ruefully. Bess was always in the laps of men. And from what Ani had told her, Bess preferred the knights.
Teagan looked out among the crowd, sure enough, it was crowded. Not much room to move through. It would be fine, she'd done this before. And she liked to be busy. Loud laughter from a table caught her attention. "I guess Jols was right. They are a loud bunch." She whispered under her breath. Grabbing a pitcher and filling it, she made her way around the room filling cups.
"Hey, Teagan!" Jols yelled above the noise. "We need a fill up."
Teagan made her way back to the bar, just barely missing some groping hands of a very drunk Roman soldier. "Come on. Jusss a little bit." The poor sod slurred.
"Sorry, drunk sir." She pushed him out of her way. "Find some other willing wench." Finally getting to the bar, she refilled the pitcher. "You were right, Vanora. It's a madhouse."
The beautiful woman smiled at her. "Teagan, love. This is Dagonet. One of Arthur's knights. He's the only civilized one of the bunch."
Teagan laughed. "Oh, really?" She took in the very large man leaning against the bar. This man looked like he could move mountains. Wouldn't want to be on the wrong end of his sword.
Then he spoke.
"Hello, Miss Teagan. Vanora says that you have some healing skills. I would be grateful for the help." His voice did not sound like it belonged in the body she saw before her eyes. She heard a gentleness, a kindness in him.
"Of course. Just ask."
"Teagan!" This time the yell wasn't from Jols. It was somewhere else. She looked around to find the voice. What she saw was a grinning Gawain, obviously drunk, leaning on another knight she had not met.
"I'm sorry Dagonet. I am being summoned. It was a pleasure to meet you." She brought a filled pitcher along with her.
"Teagan! Come meet the others." He pulled her to the table. "Galahad. See I told you she was beautiful."
Galahad just smiled sheepishly at her. Teagan could tell he was drunk as well.
"Gawain, you're drunk." She filled his cup. Why not help the man along? "Sit down before you fall down." He did. Loudly and with much laughter from the others as he nearly fell off the bench. "I'm Teagan. I'll be your serving wench for the evening."
An arm snaked out and pulled her down. Looking up to see who's lap she had fallen into, she noticed it was the dark haired knight from the wall. And he was grinning at her. Lancelot, Gawain had called him. 'Damn, he's handsome.' Teagan thought, shaking her head in mirth. They were all drunk, the lot of them.
"Hello, love. Will you be my wench this night?"
Pulling herself up, she gave him an ample view of her chest. "Not this night, kind sir." She wasn't above teasing when the mood suited her. But teasing was as far as she would go.
Bringing loud laughs and "Told you she wouldn't fall for you." And "She's too good for you, Lancelot."
Getting up from the table, she stopped in front of Tristan, filling up his cup. "Don't you sit with the others?"
"No." Was the simple reply. Though he did look up at her. Sort of. His hair was covering most of his eyes. But to Teagan, they were the most interesting brown she had seen. They were so dark, they were nearly black.
'Oookay. This one's gonna be a hard nut to crack.' She winked at the knight. "Well, should you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."
0o0o0o
After everyone had left the tavern that night, Teagan again stayed to help clean up. She was tired, but preferred to get the messiness cleaned up first. It wasn't a pleasant thing to walk into a closed room with spilled ale, food and whatever else that dropped. Especially the next day.
Walking to her room, she noticed that Lancelot was standing not far from her door.
He smiled as he noticed her walk up.
"Good evening, Lancelot." She smiled at the knight.
"Good evening, my lady." He waggled his eyebrows at her. "It's a lovely evening is it not?"
Teagan couldn't help but laugh at him. He certainly was handsome. 'And I bet he knows it too.' She thought. She moved to stand beside him at the balcony.
"Yes, it is. And the weather is agreeable also." Teagan chuckled.
Lancelot laughed, a nice deep laugh. "Hmmm, small talk."
"Yes, it's over rated."
The dark knight nodded. Enjoying himself. "Well, let's continue. You new here?" It was actually refreshing to talk to a woman and not have them throw themselves at him. Oh, he enjoyed the company of the ladies, but, sometimes it got dreadfully boring.
"No. Been here for years. You just haven't seen me." She gave him a wicked smile. She liked this knight. He made her laugh. Something she hadn't done in a while. Willingly.
Lancelot shook his head with mirth. "My eyesight must be going to miss that hair of yours."
Teagan flipped it back, exposing the tattoo on the left side of her neck. "Yes, old age has kicked in."
Lancelot peered closer at it. His breath caressing her neck. It wouldn't hurt to try.
Teagan gave an exaggerated shiver. "Oh my, kind sir. I do believe you are flirting with me."
He pulled back, caught off guard. "Is it working?" He was caught.
Teagan looked at Lancelot, giving him the best smile she could. "No. I'm afraid not."
Lancelot gave a heavy sigh and turned to look over the balcony. "I'll just have to try harder next time." He wasn't to put out that she didn't fall into his arms. Right now, he was just enjoying her easy company.
Teagan slipped her arm into Lancelot's, looking out over the fort with him. They started talking about life. Mostly his and the other knights. The sun was just rising when they finally parted, each seeking their own beds.
Review please, but no flames. My fragile ego can't take it.
