Here's another chapter…
When Laney and Lancelot finally left the tavern she found she had a hard time keeping her eyes open. Every time she had finished one cup of wine someone was pushing another into her hand demanding to make a toast to the couple. She had never been much of a drinker and found she was feeling tipsy earlier than the rest of them. Galahad was enjoying his second drunk of the day as was Bors. Lancelot had stood around with his best friend enjoying each toast and slap on the back. It was a while before he realized just how tipsy she was. Arthur had nudged him after one such toast and he followed Arthur's line of vision. When he saw her head slowly lowering to the table he had stepped over and announced, "I think Laney has celebrated all she can for one night." As he picked her up to carry her to bed, she had snuggled into his shoulder. That was the last thing she remembered.
The next morning she had opened her eyes only to quickly shut them against the sunlight streaming through the window. The sudden movement of her eyes caused her to feel nauseous and she threw back the covers and climbed over Lancelot's sleeping form. She found the chamber pot and quickly emptied her already empty stomach. When she finally raised her head, she found Lancelot standing at the doorway with a look of satisfaction. She wasn't in the mood for any 'I told you so's', and held up her hand to stop him from saying anything. She stumbled to the bowl and pitcher and poured water. When she had splashed her face and rinsed her mouth, she turned to face him.
"How can you look so unaffected after drinking so much? I feel like death warmed over." He laughed out loud at her words and she tried to give him a look to stop him but she must have looked pitiful. He walked over and wrapped his arms around her holding her head against his chest. "I'm sorry, I know what you're feeling. If you're not used to drinking it can be quite a horrible feeling the next day." She waited a moment and enjoying the feeling of security in his arms. Then she raised her head, wincing she said, "I think I need some of that willow bark tea. My head feels like someone is beating a drum in there." She smiled weakly. Only then did she realize she was completely naked, as was Lancelot.
"I see you weren't so drunk that you couldn't get my clothes off." Raising an eyebrow, she looked at his face and saw the look he was giving her. When she cocked her head to one side, he went on to explain. "I just wanted to feel your naked skin against mine. I didn't try anything while you were incapacitated." He smiled and she doubted he was being totally honest with her. "Well, I didn't try too hard." He amended as she stared at him.
They laughed and held each other. When he turned her face up with his hand on her chin she didn't try to stop the kiss he gave her. They kissed slowly and she let him explore her mouth with his tongue. After several minutes, he pulled his head back and looked into her eyes. "Are you feeling better?" he asked her quietly. She answered with a kiss of her own, offering herself to him fully.
Later, as they lay in bed, legs entwined, her head resting on his chest as he gently made little circles on her skin with his fingers, she told him, "Lancelot, we don't know what will happen in the future. Even I don't know and I've read all there is on the history of your time. But you can know that I love you with all my heart and will do so no matter what happens." The melancholy tone of her voice made him raise up on his elbow to look at her. "You haven't had a revelation or anything have you?"
She slowly shook her head. "No, I just want you to be sure that this is real for me, not something that I'm doing because I have no known ties to your history." He gave her a squeeze and slowly raised up off the bed. "I don't know about you, but I'm starving. If nothing else you will ensure I eat regularly, just to keep up my strength." She stretched and smiled at his words. They seemed to fit together as God had intended. Both doing everything they could to make sure the other was completely satisfied after making love. She sighed contentedly and got up to join him in getting dressed. She was hungry too since she didn't remember eating anything at all the day before.
As they were heading down the hallway Gawain joined them. "How's your head, Laney?" She looked at him and saw the amusement in his eyes. "I'm fine now. I was a little sick at first, but that went away pretty quickly." She tried to down play the whole throwing up part, but unfortunately, Lancelot was not having it. "A little sick, I thought you were going to lose your toes!" He made a gagging sound and she playfully slapped him on the shoulder. He returned her laughter and told Gawain, "I thought it would take longer to get her in the mood after all that, but…" and he let his words trail off. Laney felt her face blush as Gawain realized what he was implying. He gave a little cough, "…well, er…" and he stopped trying to talk letting the uneasy silence take over as they kept walking. Laney gave Lancelot scolding look and he laughed out loud. His laughter made her heart swell with the love she felt for him. She dropped the scowl she had and joined him in the laughter. Putting her arm through his, they were laughing as they entered the kitchen.
The scene they walked in on made them stop. Arthur was sitting at the table with Tristan standing beside him. Tristan was holding an arrow in front of Arthur's face and Arthur was trying to focus on it. When he saw the happy group file into the room his gaze settled on Laney. He took the arrow and held it out for them to see. "Laney, this is a Woad arrow. It seems that Merlin has sent his men closer to the wall than they've been in a long time." He didn't finish the thought and Laney saw the question in his eyes.
"I have no idea why they would be here. Do you think they are trying to contact me? Should I send an answer?" Before Arthur could speak Lancelot and Tristan both exclaimed in unison, "No!" She gave them a startled look before continuing, "You all know that Merlin may hold the answer to my reason for being here. It only makes sense for me to seek him out if given the chance." Arthur hadn't said anything to that point and then looking from Laney to Lancelot, he gave his opinion, "Laney's right, Lancelot. But," he started as he looked back at Laney. "we must be sure that you aren't putting yourself in danger needlessly. Either I or one of the others will accompany you." He saw Lancelot open his mouth to speak and he held up his hand, "No Lancelot, I don't think it wise for you to go. You are too involved with Laney to be objective. You might react the wrong way and cause a full fledged war."
Laney saw Lancelot start to protest. Then she heard Tristan's voice say quietly, "I will go. I will see things one of you might miss." When no one else argued his point Laney felt compelled to say something to lessen the tension. "Thank you, Tristan. But whoever goes as my body guard will have to go unarmed." She saw Lancelot look at her quickly. "They must not think we mean them any harm." Then looking directly at Tristan, she asked, "where did you find the arrow?" He looked at Arthur and then Lancelot, when they both nodded their permission to tell her, he told her, "in the stand of trees near the bath house."
She remembered how she and Lancelot had paraded around without their clothes the night before and felt the heat creep up her neck in a blush. Lancelot must have noticed her blushing, he leaned close to her ear, "they couldn't have seen anything, we were on the inside, and I would have seen if they had been in there. Even with the scenery so beautiful." She looked at him and then turned to Arthur. "I'll get some different clothes and meet you in the stable. Is there a horse I can ride?" Lancelot wanted to let her take his horse, but she wouldn't be able to handle such a strong animal. Arthur told her he would try to find one gentle enough for her and she answered, "don't worry. I'll manage to ride whatever you find. That was another untruth. I'm a fairly good horsewoman. I'm not afraid." With that she turned and walked out of the room. So much for her hunger.
A few minutes later she stepped into the stables and found the others standing beside a beautiful white horse. She looked young and strong but she never flinched as Laney stepped up and placed her hand under her nose. The animal took the small piece of dried fruit from her hand and Laney spoke softly to her. When she stepped around to the side she would be mounting, Lancelot was there, waiting for her. "Be careful, my Love." He whispered softly. "I won't be able to rest until you are safe in my arms again. You are my life." He backed away slowly and looked at Tristan who was already on his horse and ready to ride. "Bring her back safely." He told the scout. Tristan nodded and moved toward the doorway slowly, giving Laney time to get accustomed to her new friend.
Once outside in the courtyard, she moved the reins several times to gauge how the horse would react. She nodded as she realized it took very little movement for the horse to go the way she desired. "Okay, Tristan, lets go." She waved to Lancelot and followed Tristan toward the gate. She glanced back just as they were going through into the countryside and saw Lancelot watching them. He was too far away to read his expression but she knew it would be one of worry and concern. 'I'll be back my Love.' She whispered. She had not realized Tristan was so close that he could hear her whispers. "He knows that. I gave my word." He told her. She nodded and they rode in silence to the bath house.
When they arrived, Tristan looked around quickly, scanning the tree line to ensure there were no surprises waiting. When she climbed down from her horse she saw that Tristan was already standing on the ground to help her. "Thank you." She said as she looked up at him. He nodded and turned away from her to again scan the surrounding countryside. "It seems we are early." She looked around and then, back to the man by her side. "So you think the arrow was left as an invitation, also." She stated unnecessarily. When he didn't bother to answer her, she looked in the direction he was looking.
Coming toward the bath house was Merlin. He had a man with him, walking a few steps behind him. The man was doing the same that Tristan was, surveying the situation for any sign of a trap. By the time Merlin came close enough to speak, Tristan was standing just in front of her, but to the left so she could still see. Merlin looked at Tristan with an upraised eyebrow then dismissing him like you would a small child, he turned to Laney. "Delaney Sullivan, I see you fare well in this time. I'll admit I had my doubts that Fate knew what She was doing, but I was wrong."
Delaney walked forward and placed her hand on his arm. "Merlin, I had begun to think that you were only a dream. But here you are, flesh and blood as I am." She turned toward the bath house and beckoned him, "Come let us sit, and discuss matters." Merlin looked at Tristan for a moment and then turned to follow Laney. "The matters we need to discuss are private. Will you send your guard away so we can talk?" Laney looked at Tristan and knew she would not be able to get him to leave. "Merlin, Sir Tristan knows everything I know of my circumstances. He will stay." Merlin cocked an eyebrow at her words. Then turning, he motioned his guard away. The man hesitated as if trying to decide whether it was safe to do so. Laney looked at him and said, "Merlin will be safe. Tristan is here to ensure both our safety." The man waited only a moment longer and then nodding once, he turned and ran back to the trees. Laney glimpsed someone else as he entered the darkness but never let on that she had seen.
The three people walked a few steps until they were at the same rock Laney had sat on the morning she was discovered. She sat on the ground, giving Merlin the comfort of the rock so he wouldn't have to sit on the ground. He sat and looked around the area. "Such beautiful country to be under the threat of war. I have seen this land both as it is now and also covered in the blood of my people as well as my enemies. I have seen a lot in the years I've been on this earth." He looked to Laney and continued. "What do you think of our land?"
Laney looked around once and then looked into Merlin's eyes. His eyes held a wisdom that spoke of many years, they also held a question. Why it was important what she thought wasn't evident but she owed him some kind of answer. "I find this land both beautiful and intriguing. There is a freshness that is not here in my time yet, I also feel that the land is old. Older than the years can explain." Merlin nodded absently and looked at Tristan. The scout had a look of wonder at Laney's words. He too had felt the oldness of the land. He sometimes felt he was intruding on a living being when he stepped onto ground undisturbed by man. When he realized Merlin was watching him, he turned to survey the countryside as if nothing had been said of interest.
"Delaney, have you discovered any reason behind your arrival?" The question came suddenly and Laney was caught off guard. She had expected a lot of small talk before she could get around to asking the question foremost on her mind. "No, I am still at a loss, though I admit I am happy in my life here." She waited to see if he would enlighten her further, when he did not she started again. "Merlin, I know that I've always felt out of place in my time. And as you've told me, my desire was great enough to sway the hand of Fate. But I can see no purpose for it other than letting me see how I could have lived if I hadn't been put in the wrong place to begin with." She paused, then finally finished with her question. "Merlin, what is my purpose here?"
He looked into her eyes until she felt she would have to look away. "Delaney, you are the blood of Britain and you must fulfill your destiny." He heard her gasp and held up his hand to stall her question. "I cannot enlighten you further. It is up to you and the people you have adopted as your new family to help you do that which you must. All I ask is that you meet me occasionally so we can talk. I would know more about the descendant of my land." When he had finished speaking, he reached down and took Laney's chin in his hand. "You are strong because you are of our blood. You must not fail. If you fail, the blood of the king will be spilled upon this soil." He released her chin and made to stand up. She jumped to her feet and stopped him by placing her hand on his shoulder.
"What does that mean? You must explain further." She tried to stop him leaving with her words. "I have said too much already perhaps." He gave as his answer. "Someday maybe we can discuss your lineage without fear of causing harm." The he bowed to her one last time and turned around and walked back toward the woods. When he had gotten almost to the edge Laney saw several Woads, covered in blue paint. She assumed it was used as some kind of war paint and hoped nothing happened to cause them to want to fight. She quickly looked at Tristan. She could see that he had tensed when the Woads had made themselves known. But he made no move that would be interpreted as an act of violence.