One Thing - Chapter 8


Cardelia - Thank you for reading this mess. No, I have better plans for Dag in part three. And yes, I bet he is passionate. And I like your idea about Galahad. As I was jotting the bones for that chapter, I filled his name in just as a filler until I made up my mind. Now, I'm thinking of leaving it in. Smile But just to warn you, he's not going to take it well.


It wasn't that early when Teagan slipped into the main hall. She had wanted to replace the book she had borrowed from Arthur. She didn't expect to see him there at this late hour.

"Good morning, Teagan." She heard him say from behind her. Making her jump.

He chuckled. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to startle you."

Teagan had placed her hand on her heart to calm the beating. "It's okay Sir. Just startled me is all. I didn't think that anybody would be here at this hour."

Arthur watched as Teagan replaced the volume on it's shelf, then looking for another. She seemed transfixed, almost losing herself in another world. He caught himself watching the way she moved, graceful, fluid. He watched the way her long red braid swung with her movements. He chuckled to himself as she stood on tiptoe to reach a higher shelf. She was small, but her movements belied a power he wondered if she knew existed in her. It was natural. Like breathing. It wasn't a physical strength. Watching her, he found himself mesmerized by this woman. He was beginning to understand the spell she had on his men.

Shaking his head to clear it, he moved to reach the book that she was having trouble reaching.

"Thank you, kind sir."

"You are welcome." He said as he regarded her. Then he remembered something that Lancelot had told him earlier this morning. "Can you fight?" He had heard from Lancelot what had happened at he tavern last night. She had bested his most accurate of knights.

This woman had unknowingly opened a can of worms.

Teagan nodded at Arthur, not a little unnerved by the man. He oozed confidence, authority. "Bow mostly, and dagger."

"No sword?"

She shook her head. "No, not really. Maybe some. I generally have no need for it. Not since I left home. Besides, I'm not strong enough. I'm better at a distance."

Arthur regarded her for a moment. He figured that she probably could take care of herself, the stories the men have been telling told him that. He wanted to see what all the fuss was about. But he honestly was just curious. He had heard several of the Roman soldiers say she was a knight. A deserter on the run. Arthur didn't believe that. But, you never knew.

"Why don't we see where your skill level is?" He gave her a wink. "And it may just prove entertaining. Do you mind?"

Teagan chuckled. "Not at all Sir, not at all."

0o0o0o

Arthur handed her a sword and everyone present laughed when it dropped to the ground with it's heavy weight.

Instead of being upset, Teagan laughed along. "I'm thinking that it's just a might bit heavy."

"Ya think?" Lancelot smirked as he unsheathed one of his twin swords and handed it out to her.

"No, Lancelot. You keep it. It'd like something longer." She gave him a sly wink. She stepped to Tristan who was standing to the left of Arthur. "May I?"

Without a word, Tristan unsheathed his blade from behind his back and handed it to her.

Smiling, she took it from him, just barely brushing her fingers with his.

Lancelot noticed this little exchange and couldn't let it go. "Ho ho. Looks like Teagan has found herself a friend." Tristan glared at him. Lancelot shrugged his shoulders. "What? Seriously. He does not give his blade to anyone."

The rest of the knights agreed with Lancelot, wholeheartedly.

"He's just damned selfish, he is." Grumped Gawain.

Teagan gave an elegant bow to the knight. "Thank you, kind sir for the use of your blade." She stepped away from the group, swinging the curved sword over her head in several wide circles. It felt good in her hands. Maybe a little on the long side, but light. Pointing the sword at Gawain, she winked at him. "Okay, big boy, you first."

Teagan took a defensive stance and Gawain moved up, drawing his own sword. Her knees were lowered, and Tristan's sword was pulled low, close to her hip.

"You sure you want to take me on?" He teased.

"Just as long as your big head doesn't get in my way." She gave him an innocent smile. "Then we'll be just fine."

Gawain laughed, bringing his sword in a wide circle to Teagan's left. She easily parried it with the flat of the blade. Again bringing it in close to her hip.

Gawain again rushed for her, this time bringing his sword down then up, which Teagan easily sidestepped.

"Come one, big boy, are you playing with me?"

"No. That's my job." Lancelot yelled to her, trying to distract her.

It did distract Gawain though. He glanced to his friend, momentarily taking his eyes off Teagan.

She took advantage of this by moving in to him, swinging her sword low to the left.

Gawain saw it to late and tried to block the shot. But Teagan's size was to her advantage. Bending low, she swung out her right leg, sweeping her legs around Gawain's, catching him in the calves of his legs. Not enough to bring him down, but enough to make him stagger so that Teagan was able to swing her entire body around and strike Gawain's sword, low on the blade. With enough force to knock it out of his hands.

Gawain dropped his sword, holding up his hands in surrender. "Okay. I give. You're quick."

Teagan just laughed, breathless. Coming to Gawain, she stood on tip toe and kissed him on the cheek.

"No. I'm just smaller. I take up less space."

He pulled her into a hug. "Aye. That you are." They walked this way to the rest of the knights and Arthur.

"Are you sure you're not a knight?" Asked Galahad. "Gawain uses brute force."

"No, Galahad, I'm not." Teagan said as she handed Tristan back his sword. "And he didn't want to hurt me. He was only playing."

Bors was laughing his head off at Gawain. He'd get ribbed on later. "But, I bet Red has some talents she's not sharing, don't you?" He gave Teagan a good natured slap on the back that nearly sent her into Tristan.

Tristan straightened Teagan, immediately dropping his hands. Touching her felt like a bolt of lightning went through them. He stood looking at her with solemn eyes.

Lancelot quickly took over. "I'm sure we'll find out what secrets the lady holds."

Teagan shook her head, laughing quietly. "Not if I can help it."

"Nope. We'll pester you until you give." He said, pulling her close.

"Yes, Lancelot, I'm sure you will."

0o0o0o

As Arthur looked on, watching her interact with his men, he was beginning to think that she was a good distraction for them. They had been increasingly irritable and edgy getting closer to their discharge. With her, his men seemed at ease. Yet, they didn't force her into anything she didn't want to do. And she kept pace with them. Giving as good as she got. But she also seemed to have a level head on her, knowing when to back down. She read each one separately and reacted to them. It was as if she picked out their distinct nuances and adjusted. She did it naturally, without thought.

As he watched her interact with his men, he was beginning to think that he could use her talents. He needed a mediator. Someone who could help with disputes. Use talk instead of swords.

Arthur wondered at her. She had told him once that she did not bed knights. That she did not become attached to them as they could fall in battle. She would be friendly with them, yes, but never love one. Arthur shook his head. She was deceiving herself. His men were drawn to her, and she to them. The bonds were becoming closer every day. And, yes, she could see her with one of his men. The question was, which one?


A/N: Not sure I like most of this, but it leads into the next chapter. Teagan is NOT a fighter. She only does it to survive.

Again: review please. Smile