One Thing - Chapter 12


Again: I don't own a thing. Except this nasy migraine. You can have it if you wish. But I do own all the spelling errors. Didn't have time to check much. I blame the headache.


Again, Teagan was prodded awake, this time by her horse, Aodh. Opening her eyes, she swatted at the foul creature. "Go away. It's to early." Opening her eyes, she noticed that it wasn't light yet.

She heard Lancelot chuckling next to her, he wasn't up yet either.

"Oh, shut up." Teagan muttered, still trying to push the horse away.

Lancelot laughed harder. He propped himself up on one arm. "You're not a morning person are you?"

She gave him a glare. "If you had a smelly horse in your face, would you be?"

Now he sat up and Teagan's breath caught at the sight of him, shirtless. He didn't notice though as he was pulling on his boots.

"That's why we tether the horses. Prevents them from wandering." He was still chuckling as he got up and moved to the fire.

Teagan sat up, pulling on her own boots. Aodh got closer, nuzzling her shirt front. Teagan got the hint and pulled her bag closer to her. Reaching in, she pulled out a sugar cube, which the horse lapped up quickly. His treat over, he left Teagan to finish dressing, and made his way to where the other horses were still secured. Nickering softly to the other two stallions, he found himself some water and took a drink.

"You've got him trained well." Lancelot said as he reached out his hand and helped Teagan up.

"No, not really. He does what comes naturally to him." Bending over, she shook her red curls out. Not realizing that both men were watching her. Straightening, she again tied the mass of curls into a knot, keeping it out of the way.

"But you really shouldn't let him loose."

"Not necessarily." Tristan said. Out from nowhere, startling them both.

Lancelot just looked at his friend. "Why not?"

Teagan just smiled. She knew her horse well. It was obvious that Tristan did as well.

Tristan shrugged. "He never left her side. He even lay down close to where she slept." He had been watching Teagan and her horse. They had a special kind of bond. That, he could see.

"Excuse me?"

Teagan spoke to Lancelot. "He's right. Aodh is like my guard dog. Or horse as the case may be. I don't tether him because he stays more alert that I can. He'll notice things before I do." She looked fondly at her horse. "He has been my protector many times."

"But you don't worry that he'll wander off?"

Teagan shook her head. "No. He'll follow me around if I'd let him." She left the two men to go check on the subject of their conversation. He nickered his greeting to her and nuzzled her hands. She obliged him by rubbing his soft nose.

Both men watched as she checked his legs, hooves, and back. To them, it seemed she knew what to look for, running her hands over nearly every part of his body. Satisfied that he was fit for travel, Teagan saddled him and attached her bag and weapons.

She waited quietly as the other two got their things together. Now Lancelot couldn't say that they waited on her.

0o0o0o

The village itself wasn't very large. The huts were mostly straw, some of wood. Most were congregated together, some further apart. The village didn't look like it was doing too badly. The houses seemed in good repair and the people she had seen seemed in good health. Even the fields looked like they were doing well.

But one hut, furthest away, was what caught Teagan's eye as they rode in. It was smaller than the rest, more worn out. And there was an ugly red mark on the front door.

But, quelling her curiosity for now, Teagan followed Lancelot and Tristan. They knew this area better than she. She would ask them later.

Their arrival must have attracted attention. It seemed to Teagan that most of the villagers had come out. To see who had entered their space. They gathered around the horses. Making a wide circle. They didn't seem to be Roman. Or woad. To Teagan, they looked Briton. Several of the men seemed to have swords and bows. Many of the weapons pointed at them.

Neither Lancelot not Tristan dismounted. Teagan followed suit and stayed on her horse.

Teagan noticed a movement to her side. Tristan had quietly unsheathed his sword and held it low, next to his horse's side. She noticed that Lancelot had done the same. She wondered what was going on. Did they expect trouble?

"Ho!" Lancelot called. "You know who we are. Why so defensive?"

Tristan stayed quiet, his grip on his sword tightening.

One of the largest men, besides Dagonet and Bors, Teagan had ever seen, pointed his broadsword at Teagan.

"You. You travel with a woad."

Tristan inched his horse toward the man, but he held firm.

Teagan cursed, her own hand going to her sword. She had forgotten to leave her hair down, covering the tattoo.

Lancelot though, did not seemed worried. He smiled. "No, man. She is no woad." Though the chance of danger from the man was slim, it was still there. And Lancelot was actually smiling.

Teagan could only shake her head. He was either looking for a fight, or stupid. She hoped it was the former.

"But she wears their marks. She is a blue devil." The man protested.

Lancelot brought his horse right in front of the man. He leaned down. "What is your name?"

The large man stood tall. "My name is Wat. I am the smithy here."

Wat was an exceptionally large man. His shoulders were broad and heavily muscled, probably due to being a smithy. Teagan noticed that he was bald. Though if it was by choice or natural, she could not tell. His eyes were small and dark. His face was not that of a friendly man. His features were lined as if he spent a good part of his life frowning and angry. Teagan also noticed that his skin had such a red tint to it. She wondered if it was due to his work.

Lancelot straightened in his saddle. His smile broadened. "Well, Wat. Though she may be a devil, I tell you that she is not a woad."

He looked like he didn't believe a word Lancelot said. "Then why are you here?"

Lancelot scanned the crowd, taking in the many faces that he saw. To Teagan, it looked as though he were looking for someone, but she could not tell for sure.

He addressed Wat. "We came to ensure that things were going well. There have been several woad attacks lately. Have you had any?" He motioned for Tristan, who turned his horse away from the group.

Teagan watched as he quietly rode away. Turning back, she watched Lancelot and the villagers.

The smithy shook his bald head. "No. Not for many weeks."

Lancelot again looked through the crowd. "I understand that your healer died a short time ago."

"Yes. Why?"

He motioned for Teagan and she brought her horse forward. Looking around the crowd herself. Another movement caught her eye. This time is was from the small hut that sat away from the others. The one with the red mark on the door. The door had opened and a small woman holding a baby stepped out. She didn't move toward the crowd. She just stood at the doorway, watching.

"This is Teagan. She is a healer."

Wat eyed her suspiciously. "We have no sick here." He said quickly. He did not trust her.

"But, Wat..." A woman ran up, grabbing Wat on his arm. "What about the..."

"Shut it, woman." Wat interrupted her. He roughly pushed the woman behind her. "I said, we have no sick here." He turned to the crowd. "Everyone, go to your homes."

"Lancelot."

"I know, Teagan. I know."

Both watched as Wat ushered his townspeople away from Teagan and Lancelot. Many glancing back at them as they moved to their own homes. Teagan watched that the young woman was still standing in the doorway to the hut. She didn't look like she was doing to well, like she may be ill.

Teagan slowly turned Aodh towards the hut.

Lancelot's eyes moved to where Teagan was headed. Who she was headed towards.

"Shit." Lancelot muttered under his breath.

"What?" Teagan asked him, looking at the girl.

"Nothing." This was not going to be a good thing.

Suddenly, the woman who had spoken earlier ran up to Teagan's horse, startling him. "Lady! Lady!"

It took a moment for Teagan to calm Aodh down. Once she did, she slid to the ground, holding the horse's reins tightly. He was dancing around, nervous. "What can I do for you?" She said as friendly as she could. She didn't want to scare her away. Or her horse, any more than he already was.

The woman was out of breath. "Please. There is one who is sick." She pointed to the girl holding the baby. "Please. The baby is ill. And he is not that old."

"Shit." Lancelot muttered under his breath again.

He paid no attention to the look that Teagan gave him. She addressed the woman. "Who is she?"

"She is Gina. She is the smithy's daughter." The woman said, out of breath.

Lancelot groaned. He dismounted and took the reins that Teagan was holding. She smiled her thanks. She watched out of the corner of her eye as he took both animals away in the direction Tristan had headed earlier.

Teagan smiled at the woman again. "Who are you?"

The woman finally smiled. Just a little bit. "My name is Acacia, Lady."

Teagan nodded. "Right. Acacia. Take me to Gina and her baby." She followed the woman to the small hut and the pale girl.

The girl, realizing that they were headed toward her, moved into the hut, closing the door. Inside, the baby started to cry. A small, weak cry.

Reaching the hut, Teagan moved inside and was surprised that Acacia didn't follow. "Why don't you come in?"

Acacia shook her head, frantic. "I can't it's forbidden." He eyes widened. Teagan saw tears. "Gina is an outcast. She had a baby without being married." She took a deep breath. "I should not be aiding her, but I could not let her die. Please help her." She turned and ran back into the village.

Sighing, Teagan turned into the hut. What she saw saddened her.

The hut was small. The floor was bare, except for a few furs near the small fireplace. There was a basket that obviously belonged to the baby. A table ran along the far wall. The hut was clean, but so small and barren.

Looking around, Teagan noticed that there wasn't much. Not much food, clothing, anything. Her heart went out to this young girl.

Gina.

She stood near the fire, clutching the small baby. And like everything else, she was small. She was just a bit taller than Teagan, but thinner. It looked like she hadn't had a proper meal in days. She was gaunt and pale. And her clothes were mere rags. And she had no shoes on her feet.

Compared to the rest of the village, this girl was impoverished. Teagan's temper started to rise. How could anyone make her live like this? This was wrong.

"What is your name?" Teagan asked her quietly.

"Gina, Lady."

Teagan threw off the title. She was no lady. But the poor girl looked so scared at the moment. "What's wrong with the babe?"

"He burns, Lady. I can't get the fever down."

She took the baby from Gina's arms, gently taking his clothes off, leaving him nude. "Go to Lancelot, he's the one with dark, curly hair. Tell him to bring my bag in here." She looked at the frightened woman. "Can you do this for me?"

Gina nodded, then hurried to find Lancelot.

Teagan quickly found a rag, tearing it in five pieces. Makingthem cool with damp water, she lay the baby in his basket. She took the cloths, placing one under each of the baby's arms, two in his groin and one on his head.

After she settled the baby, she added more firewood to the small fireplace. Finding a small pot was hard work, and she couldn't find one. Teagan settled for a clay pot and set it near the fire to boil water.

Teagan was about to go find Lancelot when the knight entered the tent, followed by a still frightened Gina.

"Here's your bag. What's going on?"

"The baby. He has a fever. It won't go down."

"So, you are going to try and save the child?"

"Of course, Lancelot. Why not?"

He gave Teagan a level look. "Because, you can't save everybody. Some must die."

Gina gasped, and started sobbing quietly. She moved to where her son lay, quiet and still.

Teagan whirled on Lancelot. Her eyes burned a bright blue fire. "How dare you say that? In front of her? Can you not see that she is grieving?" She put her hands on her hips.

Lancelot held his ground. "I only state fact."

Teagan stood directly in front of Lancelot, looking up at him. "Leave this hut. If you must, leave this village. I am staying until the fate of this baby is decided."

She turned away from Lancelot and rummaged into her bag. Finding what she was looking for, willow bark, she set to grinding the bark into a powder. Gina could only sit and watch.

After grinding the powder, Teagan made a weak tea, which she gave to the baby. Replacing the cool cloths, she then tented a thin cloth over the basket.

"You know what you are doing." Lancelot was surprised at her sureness and composure.

Teagan barely spared a glance at him. What he said hurt her. She would do everything she could to save this baby.

"Aye. I have spent many years in Roman forts. I keep my eyes and ears open."

She went back to work, not noticing that Lancelot had quietly left.

0o0o0o

"How old are you, Gina?"

"I am 15 summers, Lady."

Great, she was so young. "Who is the father? Is he here in this village?"

Gina shook her head. "No, Lady. Not here. The fort."

That caught Teagan's attention. "What do you mean? The fort? Is he a soldier?"

Gina shook her head again. "No. He's...he's a...he's not Roman."

Teagan looked at the young girl. Not Roman. That left only a few more choices. She reached out and put her hand under Gina's chin, bringing those deep green eyes to meet hers. "Is he a knight?"

The frightened girl nodded her head, tears springing into her eyes.

Teagan dropped her hand. Her gaze went to the sleeping baby. Wishing that he would survive. She wondered who the father was.

"Is it one of the two that came here with me?" In her heart she wished it wasn't.

Gina shook her head. "No, Lady."

Teagan let out a breath she hadn't realized she had been holding.

0o0o0o

After what seemed like forever, Teagan noticed that the fever had gone down. Just a little bit. But she felt sure that it was no longer dangerous.

As she picked up the infant, she took the time to look him over. He looked pale, and slightly underweight. Considering how long he was. He was nearly the length of her arm. But, he held no bruises and there was a nice shock of dark hair growing on his head. Teagan hoped that the weight loss was due to the fever. She hoped that the baby was still at the breast. If she could get him to nurse.

With that thought in mind, she gathered the infant, bundling him into a blanket. She was quiet as she placed him in Gina's arms.

Gina woke up for barely an instant, recognizing the closeness of her child. She pulled him closer to her body and drifted again into sleep.

Teagan gave the pair a sad smile, slipping out of thehut to find Lancelot.

0o0o0o

It didn't take her long to find them. They had set up a campfire near to the hut where Gina and the baby lay.

Teagan realized that she really wasn't angry at Lancelot. What he said had made sense. And this was a time of war. Squaring her shoulders, she joined the men beside the fire.

Lancelot was the first to speak. "Are you still mad at me?" He didn't want her to be. It was quite an uncomfortable feeling to have this fiery red head angry at him. She had poured her entire self into her words and actions. And she had been acting a little off since their kiss.

Teagan just smiled, giving him a kiss on the cheek. "No, I'm not."

He gave her a toothy grin. "Good."

"Lancelot, did you know about that baby?"

Lancelot looked at her, shocked. "No. Teagan. I did not." He knew who Gina was. But he had no inkling of a baby. Galahad's life was about to be tipped upside down. If the child and his mother survived.

"Do you know who the father is?"

Lancelot nodded, his face looking grim. "Aye, that I do."

Teagan let out a sigh. She wasn't going to ask who it was. She wasn't to sure she wanted to know. Maybe after she could find a way to get them back to the fort she would ask who it was. "What's going to happen now? Do we just leave them here?"

"What else do you expect us to do? We can't take them with us."

"Lancelot. We can't leave them here. They are outcasts here. Not given enough food, not enough water, no clothes, nothing. They will not survive here."

Lancelot gave her a hopeless look. "I don't know what you expect me to do." There was just no way to get them back to the fort. Alive.

Teagan thought. How could she appeal to them? "What would Arthur do?"

"Arthur would take them back to the fort." Tristan said from the tree he had been leaning against.

Teagan gave him a grateful look. He agreed with her. Surprisingly.

Lancelot turned to his friend. Anger in his eyes. "What would you do? Tristan?"

The scout just shrugged. "Take them back to the fort."

Lancelot's eyes flashed again. "You're siding with her? You agree with her? You?" This was hard to believe. Cold-blooded killer, Tristan, agreeing to save a baby.

Tristan shook his head at Lancelot. "No. I don't agree with Teagan. I'm just saying what Arthur would do." He crossed his arms on his chest, calmly looking from one to the other.

Teagan's shoulders fell. She was on her own in this. Not knowing what to say, she quietly left the two men standing by the fire.

0o0o0o

Lancelot eyed Tristan, who eyed him back.

"Do you really think we should take them back?" Lancelot asked.

Tristan just stared ahead, towards the small hut. "No." He said simply.

"Do you think we should leave them here?"

"Yes."

Lancelot ribbed the heels of his hands in his eyes. He felt a headache coming on. "Do you think that's wise?" Teagan would fight to take them back. But the girl was sick. And if the baby did live, how would they get them back to the fort?

"No."

"Then what should we do?"

"Take them back." Tristan moved to the fire, throwing the twig he was shredding into the fire. "Do you really think that Teagan would leave them here? Knowing that baby belongs to one of us?"

Lancelot snorted, kicking a nearby rock. "No, she won't."


A/N: Ahh. Should they bring the baby back to the fort? Hope you like this chapter. I had a horrific headache, but wanted to get it done. Now that it's done, I'm going to bed. I have to get up at 4am. Work. Gah!