Thanks to all the reviewers!

Fifteen

The music of nature was melonchaly this day. It usual earthy mood was silenced, as if nature had given up trying to be cheerful. Tristan felt like nature today. The robins and other songbirds had begun to leave the forests. All was quiet, subtle, but also tense. It was the calm before the storm. Whether it was the storm of winter, or something else, Tristan could not know. He hoped it was the first, though he felt that the latter of the two would reign supreme. The faithful sun rose slowly, and its colors ranged from light to darker oranges and reds. A slight whisper of clouds lingered over the top of the sun, and made it seem as if it were winking in Tristan's direction.

Tristan sighed deeply as he stood on the hill that overlooked where they had made camp the previous night. The long nights tortured Tristan enough, but it had become the days that almost killed him. He knew that the others must be suspicious of the situation between Lancelot, Percival, and he. His notions were solemnly answered entirely when Arthur approached him as he came into camp. He took Tristan aside for a moment to speak with him.

"Tristan," he said. "I know not of the issues between Lancelot, Percival, and yourself, but I suggest you three work it out and soon. I will not have any of you, especially those two, brawling anymore. It's interferring and becoming to the point of violence."

"I understand," Tristan answered.

Arthur looked at his scout with question in his green eyes. "Is there something you would like to talk about? Anything at all?"

Tristan nodded no. "I thank you, Arthur, but no. There are some things a man must figure out himself. This situation is one of those things."

"Then, I leave it all in your hands, Tristan. I trust that you will be discreet," Arthur said.

"Very," was Tristan's reply.

"Good. Saddle up and ride on ahead. We'll be along accordingly," Arthur ordered.

He nodded to his commander as he left to tend to his horse. He nodded to the other knights as he passed them, Lancelot and Percival included, but he said nothing to them. They would speak tonight.

It had been another hard day's ride, but it had been even tougher with trying to avoid both Lancelot and Pericval, and knights' gossip. Tristan swore that the others were like scheming old ladies with nothing better to do than talk behind his back. He didn't let it bother him, though. He knew what he was doing. Besides, he had more important things on his mind.

After the other knights had stopped and readied to make camp, Tristan rode past Lancelot and Percival. As he did, he whispered to them, "Follow me."

The two younger knights exchanged confused glances and reluctantly followed the scout on horseback as he led them away from the main group. Again, the other knights watched the three leave, still partly unaware of anything that was happening. They just went about what they were doing, and tried not to think about it.

Once the three were out of hearing range of the others, and nearly out of sight as well, Tristan stopped his horse in its tracks. He blew out a soulful sigh and looked from Percival to Lancelot, and back.

Feeling uncomfortable, Percival said, "Tristan, we don't have to do this now."

"It's best to get everything out and over with as soon as possible. Besides, we can't have anymore outbreaks of you two. It's distracting to Arthur and the others," Tristan replied scornfully.

Lancelot scratched his neck and the back of his head nervously. "I suppose then that you heard our little arguement the other night?"

"I heard enough," Tristan replied.

Tristan quickly dismounted and was intently followed by the two younger knights as they ran after him.

"Of course it was all true! Are you that blind, Tristan?" Lancelot said, waving his arm through the air. "Can't you see what I feel for you?"

Percival cut in. "Now, wait just a minute! You make it sound like I care for him less than you do!"

"Because you do! I've known him longer, even as boys for awhile! I've always felt this sort of unknown bond between us," Lancelot answered.

"A bond?" Percival quirked an eyebrow.

"Well, a feeling that we were the same. A feeling that was mutual, I believe," Lancelot added.

"You feel that you two are the same. That is not the same as love!" Percival turned slightly to Tristan.

Lancelot continued his protest taking a few steps closer to the scout, who had remained in silence once again.

"You must have felt that same thing, Tristan! I know you must have; tell him you did!" Lancelot blurted out.

Tristan shook his head slightly, his thoughts still in a jumble. Then, he spoke, "Lancelot, I did feel that we were the same. We had a special connection on some level that I had with no one else."

Lancelot grinned and Percival frowned as Tristan continued.

"But, it was on a level of friendship," he said, and then looked at Percival. "You are a good man, Percival. Maybe one of the best I've ever met. Yet, you too, I think of only as a friend."

Both knights fell silent. Their eyes searched Tristan's face for recognition and answers. Tristan's heart beat like a thousand stallions running across the plains. He did not mean to tell them this way, but it was the only thing left that he could do.

Lancelot stepped forward again. "Why can you not love me as I love you?"

"Or I?" Percival added.

Tristan placed a hand on each of the knights' shoulders. They both stared at the ground, for they could not raise their chins tothe scout'sface.

"My friends, my brothers in arms...I cannot love you as you love me. You are my friends, nothing more. I only have one love in life, and I have no room for any other," Tristan explained.

Lancelot and Percival raised their heads at his words. Their lips all parted as if they wanted to say something more, but, the words wouldn't come.

"My one and only love in life...is that of my duty as well as myself," he said. "Scouting is my life; it always has been. I have not known any day since I can last remember that I was not dutiful on some account. It just happens that now my duty is to Arthur's command. Someday, perhaps, I will only have to answer to myself once again. But, until then, my love is here, in my duty."

He paused, then continued, "I hope you will both understand in time that this is the right decision. We will all reach home soon, and you both will eventually find wives and have many children. Until then, let us fight on together, as brothers."

He held out his hands to Lancelot and Percival. In a moment's notice, the two shook his hands firmly. Lancelot sighed deeply and stared at Tristan.

"We will always be there for one another, for you," Lancelot said.

Tristan smiled somewhat and looked at the other knight.

"Percival?" he asked.

Percival nodded in agreement. "All is forgiven, do not worry. I am with you as well."

Tristan felt a sense of relief and release as he, Lancelot, and Percival had come to an understanding. He knew that the two would take their time in healing, but that was all part of the process. As he made his way back to his bedroll at nightfall, he passed Arthur, who looked up to him with question still in his deep green eyes. Tristan smiled to him and nodded that everything was right now.

End, 'Fifteen.'

THE END.