One Thing - Chapter 5

Disclaimer: Gah! Same as before.

A/N: I know this is boring, but bear with me.


Teagan walked into the stables and noticed Gawain by her horse's stall, obviously admiring him. She went to stand beside him. "How's your head this morning?"

Gawain looked at her and tried to smile. "Better than his, I think." He said pointing to Galahad who was laying sprawled in the empty stall next to Aodh's.

Teagan laughed, not feeling one bit sorry for the lad.

Gawain put his head in his hands, groaning. "I think I drank to much last night."

She laughed again. "I'm sure you did." She clucked to Aodh, bringing his attention to her. He promptly put his nose in her shirt pockets. Obliging him, Teagan pulled out a sugar cube, which he lapped up quickly.

"So that's how you do it? He's a magnificent animal." Chuckled Gawain.

Teagan took a moment to rub Aodh's neck. "Thank you. You like horses then?"

Gawain nodded. "Since I was a boy. I prefer stable duties to watch." He indicated Aodh. "He has unusual markings. I haven't seen many like him. Especially red."

Teagan entered the stall, starting to check the horse's feet and legs. "A ghost horse, some say. Arabian. He's my good friend. Has kept me out of a few scrapes." Satisfied that he was healthy, she refilled his water and left his stall. "Well, Sir Knight. I am going to practice my bow. Enjoy your chores. And wake up Galahad. Mayhap, I will see you this evening. I do not work."

Gawain smiled at her and groaned again. It hurt to move. "Mayhap, I will be sleeping this evening."

0o0o0o

Teagan had decided to take Aodh for a ride in the late afternoon. As usual, she chose to ride without a saddle. She had learnt to ride without one as a child and felt that it was better for her horse. She had never had trouble with balance.

Bent low on his neck, she let him have his head. She closed her eyes and trusted her horse. He had never led her into harm before. Teagan let him run, as fast as he would. She felt herself become one with him, she felt herself free.

After a while, the two slowed down and Teagan dismounted to rest under a tree, letting Aodh graze to his heart's content. She didn't tether him, he never strayed far. In fact, the stallion often took to following her around. When she let him.

Teagan was just about to doze off when she heard the screech of a hawk. She had learned from Jols that the hawk belonged to Tristan. Or that Tristan belonged to her. She watched as the great bird circled, agreeing that she and Tristan were of the same cloth. Proud. Glorious. Alone.

Closing her eyes, she heard the bird call again. Peeking her eyes open, she watched as the hawk circled lower to her. The bird made another pass, almost right on top of Teagan and dropped something into her lap. Looking at it, Teagan let out peals of laughter.

0o0o0o

Walking into the tavern, Teagan went immediately to the table the knights shared. Stepping in front of Tristan, she waited until he looked at her.

Looking up, Tristan noticed that Teagan had fixed amused blue eyes on him. Hands on her hips. She looked like a wildfire. Admittedly, a beautiful wildfire. Confused, he just looked at her, not knowing what to say. Or for that matter, what she wanted.

"Do I look hungry to you?" Teagan was trying hard to keep the laughter out of her voice.

At the sound of her voice, the other knights looked their way. Tristan just looked silently at her, not understanding what she meant. No, she didn't look hungry. At least not hungry for food. In fact, she looked like she was about to roll with laughter any minute.

"Do I look hungry to you?" She repeated.

Tristan shook his head. "Well...no."

Teagan dropped the dead mouse on the table in front of Tristan. Glancing at it, he almost laughed. This was too funny. And Teagan was taking it so well. If it were Vanora, she would be pounding the life out of him by now.

The other knights roared with laughter.

Teagan snorted. She put her hands on her hips. "Well, your bird must think I need to fatten up." She leaned low to Tristan, making sure he could see a fair amount of cleavage. She was rewarded with his sharp intake of breath. She smiled wickedly at him. "Remember, paybacks are bloody hell."


A/N: Ghost Horses are real and quite beautiful. The one described above is a real horse, beautiful. But Aodh is not that animal's name. Aodh: means 'fire.'