Disclaimer: Nope, don't own the knights or the tales. Just the OC.
Lancelot and Laney had been soaking in the water for a bit, each on opposite sides of the big stone tub. Finally, Lancelot moved across the pool and settled down beside her. She pretended not to notice that he was close enough to touch but the fact that he was totally naked did nothing to help. Finally, she was so distracted by his presence that she couldn't relax any longer. "Well, I guess it's time to dress and head back. If we don't hurry, we'll miss all the fun at the tavern." She flashed him a smile and saw the look of mischief in his eyes. "Well, we could stay here and make our own fun." He suggested, sinking deeper into the water and looking up at her through half-closed eyes. His rugged good looks and boyish behavior did not match at all.
She laughed with delight and moved to go to the other side of the water where she could step out and grab her bag. Suddenly Lancelot lunged toward her and grabbed her around her waist, pulling her under the water with him as he fell forward. They got their footing and stood with their arms around each other. He leaned over and kissed her. He saw the sparkle in her eyes as she looked at his bare chest. She was remembering how she'd run her hands over the muscles there and he was remembering how she felt pulled close to his body.
She reluctantly pulled her gaze from his chest and moved toward the steps that led out of the water. She felt the cool breeze as she stepped out of the water. She knew Lancelot was watching her and rather than feel shy about her body, she felt more alive than she had ever felt. She purposely turned so that she could see his face as she dried her skin. He was standing hip deep in the warm water and his eyes held a fire that told her how much he enjoyed her little 'show'. She stopped and reached for her skirt. "Lance, we'd better be heading back. People are going to think we've gotten lost." She told him through her smile.
Lancelot looked at the woman standing there showing him her beautiful nakedness. He had never thought he could feel this way about anyone. When she spoke to him he noticed she used the nickname his sister had used years ago. No one else had ever called him that and it felt right that other than family, she should use the name so easily. He moved toward the steps, "Do we really care what people think?" his voice asked huskily. "I think we should just stay here for awhile. You'll probably want another bath later." His tone held a teasing quality but she could see in his eyes that what he meant was anything but teasing.
"You said yourself, I have to face them eventually. I just want to get it over with so we can spend all our time getting to know everything about each other." She knew as soon as she had said the words that she had left him open to question her about the secrets she was keeping from him. She was surprised when he didn't take the opportunity. He just climbed out of the water and walked over to take the towel she had dropped. Now it was her turn to watch him dry the water from his gorgeous body. And watch she did, forgetting the skirt she was holding in her hands.
When he had finished, he looked up at her with a smirk on his face. "Like what you see?" he asked as he tried to suppress a grin. Instead of being upset at being caught openly admiring him, she smiled and moved closer. She dropped her skirt and wrapped her arms around his waist. "You know I do." Was all she said as she raised her head to look into his face. He raised his hand and tucked a damp lock of her hair behind her ear. Then cupping her chin he leaned down and gently kissed her lips. "I hope that look never leaves your eyes when you see me naked. Even when I'm old and wrinkled." Then he kissed her one last time before he pulled her arms from around him. "If we're going, we'd better leave now. I usually don't let a woman get away once I get her clothes off."
Laney laughed at the implication as she threw him a retort. "Since you didn't get my clothes off, you haven't broken any of your rules." She pulled her skirt over her hips and tied the strings to hold it in place. She reached into her bag and pulled out one of the camisoles she had packed when leaving home. As she pulled the spandex lace over her head she heard him move up behind her. She turned around to face him as she pulled it down over her breasts. "You have things like I've never seen before. Someday I'll make you keep that promise to tell me everything..." His voice trailed off as he gently rubbed his fingertips over the flimsy material. His touch made her nipples instantly become erect and he smiled as he removed his hand. "I think I might like some of the things you'll have to tell me." She returned his smile and reached for the blouse she had chosen. It was form fitting with little pearl buttons up the front. She left the top three buttons undone, showing off the lace at the top of her camisole. She then reached in and took her brush out of the bag. She began tugging the tangles loose, gasping as she found a couple of rather bad ones.
She felt him take the brush from her hands. He turned it over in his hands before he took over the job she had been doing. She was surprised at his gentleness as he tugged the tangles free. When all the tangles had been removed he brushed the length of her hair a few times before handling her the brush, which she immediately dropped into the bag. Taking both of his hands he then pulled her hair back and held it as she tied the ribbon around it to hold it out of her face. She turned around and asked, "Do I look presentable?" He didn't bother to answer, just smiled as he took her bag and headed for the exit. "Are you coming, or should I just turn around and join you?" He jolted her out of her thoughts and she headed to the archway to step out into the clear night air.
In no time they were back at the fort and Lancelot was unsaddling the horse. When he had put him back in his stall they walked arm in arm toward the tavern. Laney could hear the laughter and loud shouts coming from there. The others had not wasted any time in getting into the celebration mood. She smiled as they rounded the corner into the din. Lancelot led her to a table and kissing her hand, he went toward the bar. She could see Bors slap him on the back and Gawain was giving him a stupid grin. Dag raised his hand and waved to Laney. She waved back and flashed him a smile. Galahad was coming toward her with his cup of beer raised in salute. "To Laney, the only woman to ensnare the heart of the elusive Lancelot." He shouted to the entire place. She lowered her eyes and silently prayed that no one else would join in the salute. Just as she was about to look up, she felt cool liquid spilling down her blouse.
She jerked her eyes up and looked into the angry eyes of one of the barmaids. "Sorry, Miss, I didn't mean to spill that all over your nice clothes." She apologized, but the words belied the look she was receiving. She slowly stood up. "Liar, you did that on purpose." Laney was angrier than she had ever been. How dare this bitch ruin her outfit so soon after arriving. The other woman smiled at her vehemently and sat her tray down on the table. Just as Laney was about to slap the look from her face, Tristan walked over and picked up the tray. He placed it back in the woman's hands and told her, "I think those men are waiting for their drinks." She reluctantly moved away from the table and Laney looked at Tristan gratefully. "I'm glad you stopped that before I made a fool of myself." She told him.
He smiled and said, "I don't think you would have won. You're not the type to cat fight over a man." Then he handed her a towel to wipe herself off. As she did Galahad walked up. "I saw that. She poured that drink on you on purpose." He stated unnecessarily. "I don't think she likes it that Lancelot is off the market." Laney winced at the remark. She stole a glance at Tristan and found his face to be unreadable as usual. "Well, I guess its something she'll have to get used to, isn't it?" Just then Lancelot and the others came walking up. He handed her a cup as he asked, "Isn't it, what?" Laney smiled and told him, "Nothing. We were just discussing how beautiful a night it is." She gave Galahad a look that dared him to contradict her statement. He was drunk, but he understood perfectly the look she gave him. She heard the snort come from Tristan and she turned the look toward him. He covered up by taking another piece of the apple and placing it in his mouth. Satisfied that she was in control of the conversation, she turned to Lancelot.
"What is this?" she asked as she took a quick sniff. "Wine, I didn't think you'd like the flavor of our ale. It can be a little strong if you're not used to it." She nodded and took a tentative sip of the wine. It had a fruity flavor and she could taste the honey that someone had used to sweeten it. She knew that without the honey the softly bitter taste would have been like drinking vinegar and silently thanked whoever had doctored it up for her. "The honey will make it easier to drink." He said as she lowered the cup, letting her know he had been the one to consider her tastes. "It did, thank you." She looked up to see Arthur standing at the edge of the tavern watching silently.
Jols had also spotted their commander. "Arthur!" Arthur moved toward the group with a look of concern on his face. As he stepped up beside his second in command he gave Laney a searching look. "Lancelot, are you sure you are up to this form of entertainment?" Lancelot laughed, "More than you'll know." Was all he said as he looked at Laney. She felt the blush creep up her cheeks but she never took her eyes off Arthur. "He's much better." She told the man. When he nodded, she offered him the seat across from her at the table. "Please sit down and join us." He was about to decline when Lancelot said, "Laney and I have some news we'd like to share."
Arthur looked from Laney to Lancelot, then he sat down. Galahad still held the second cup of ale and sat it in front of him as if he had been bringing it to him all along. Arthur took the cup in his hand but did not take a drink. He just looked at Lancelot waiting for the 'news' he had spoken of. He hoped the man had not persuaded Laney to tell him her secret. It would not be good for whatever her task was to be. He knew that Lancelot could be very protective of people he loved and since he had declared his love for her that morning, he knew that he would have told her his feelings if given the chance. He had seen how Laney looked at the dark man when he was sleeping and knew that she loved him too. The radiant look she had on her face let him know he thought the truth.
Lancelot cleared his throat and called for everyone's attention. Arthur looked away form Laney's face and expectantly into the face of Lancelot. "Delaney Sullivan has agreed to be my wife." He proudly told the group. He was disappointed that no one seemed surprised, but even more disappointed when Arthur spoke to Laney. "Are you sure this is the right thing to do?" he asked her in a quiet tone. Lancelot looked from Arthur to Laney and back to Arthur. "What do you mean, 'the right thing to do'?" he demanded. Arthur watched her face for any sign that would give away her feelings. When she just defiantly stared back at him as she took Lancelot's hand in hers, he stood up.
"Before I salute the happy couple, I'd like to speak to you both. In my quarters." Then he turned and walked away from the group. Everyone was watching him leave with their mouths hanging open. Bors summed up the collective thoughts, "Well, that was diff'rent." He slurred. Lancelot looked at Laney and she back at him. Then sighing, she stood up and still holding his hand they followed Arthur from the tavern leaving their friends to decipher the situation as best they could.