Note: As you will see, I changed some of the story to fit my needs, not the movie. Hope you don't mind too much. Hope you will review and although I don't mind criticism (you get used to it after a while!) Please be nice about it… still don't own anything!
None of them saw Arthur walk up and stand at the edge of the group. He observed them as they carried on their usual nightly activities and saw that Lancelot was the only one who wasn't staggering or slurring his speech. Laney had really made a difference in his friend and it was not a bad thing. He shook his head and turned to leave. Just then he heard Laney call his name. "Arthur," she called in her melodic voice. "Join the others and I will bring you a drink." She didn't wait to see if he would, so he just walked over and pulled up a chair. Normally he didn't join them often. They were his friends, but they were also his men and he their commander. It could be disastrous if he became more embroiled in their lives than he already was.
He already felt responsible for them when they were on a mission, constantly watching out for them. If he found himself doing the same when they were in the confines of the fort, he would lose his detachment and they would lose their effectiveness as a group of fighters. Sometimes it was lonely being the leader. Sometimes he envied the love they shared as equals. With all his talk of men being equal, he knew that as their commander, he had to keep some distance from them. Somehow remain a little above them or they would not be the legendary knights they had become. He found himself remembering the ones who no longer could join their comrades in reverie. He felt the loss of each of them in his heart. It was his fault they could not be here and he knew it. They had all died because of his inability to be the leader he should have been. He had led them into the situations that had claimed their lives.
He jumped when Laney touched his shoulder. "Arthur, you are a great leader. Never let your heart tell you otherwise for it would be a lie." She said softly so that only he could hear. He looked up and gave her a quizzical look. "You wear your thoughts on your face, dear Arthur." She answered his unasked question. She sat down next to him as he lowered his head. "Don't worry, they are all too busy to have noticed. I only noticed because I was watching you watch them." He gave her a half-hearted smile and she turned to find Lancelot watching her and Arthur.
She smiled and motioned him over to her side of the table. As he came around, she stood up so he could sit in her chair next to Arthur. He reached for another chair and she motioned for him to stop. "I'd rather sit on your lap." She whispered suggestively. He smiled and patted his knee and she climbed onto his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck loosely. Arthur watched the two and was smiling when they looked at him. "Okay, I give. When are you two getting married?" His tone belied the importance of his question.
Lancelot looked at Laney, then turned his attention back to Arthur. "How about in two days time?" he told him. Laney began to protest, "How can we arrange it in so short a time?" Arthur laughed, "You underestimate my first knight. I think he could arrange it in less time than that, if the need arose." Laney smiled and looked at Lancelot. "I did say I would marry you in my oldest skirt. I guess I need to think before I make promises to you."
"Bors, do you think Vanora could help Laney find a suitable dress to wed in by day after tomorrow?" Lancelot called over the loud discussions around the table. Bors thought for a moment, then sounding serious he answered, "I don't want to ask, she might get the idea we'll be next." Laney joined the others in laughing. Then she pointed her finger at Bors, "You could do a lot worse, friend. She is perfect for you." Bors looked over to the lady in question and a softness came over his face. "Aye, Laney, she is." He quickly got up and headed in her direction. Laney watched the two who were so familiar with each other. The love between them still held a fire that spoke of the passion that kept them together. She hadn't realized she had snuggled into Lancelot's embrace as she watched them until he whispered close to her ear. "You have brought me the happiness I used to envy in them. I love you, Laney, with all my being." The contented sigh she gave as her answer was enough. He tightened his hold on her waist as she blew small puffs of air into his ear.
She felt him shudder as he tried to turn his head away, she was laughing silently as she watched him trying to listen to the conversation around him. Finally, in exasperation, he turned and whispered, "Will you stop! I can't concentrate when you do that." She saw the others look at them and enjoyed the fact that she had turned the tables on him. "But I can't help it, your ears are so delicious." She teased as she gently touched her tongue to the inside of his ear. She saw Gawain laugh as Lancelot closed his eyes.
"Laney, I'm warning you. I can't stand much of this teasing." His voice was husky with suppressed desire. Finally, feeling his arousal under her, she stopped. "Okay, my horny knight, I'll just move to my own chair. I can't resist otherwise." She made to stand up and he stopped her with his hands on her waist. "I don't' think you'd better, just yet." He squirmed a little and she smiled in amusement. "Remember, I told you once that payback was a bitch." She laughed and then she jumped and shouted, "Ouch." Arthur looked at her, "Is something wrong?" he asked solemnly. She gave Lancelot a look that spoke of retribution. "No, Arthur. Nothing's wrong exactly. Lancelot just pinched me, that's all." When Arthur and the others laughed out loud at her tone, she grimaced. "Okay, Sir Lancelot, you can explain the bulge in your britches." She hissed as she quickly moved away.
Lancelot leaned closer to her, but whispered loud enough that the others could hear. "No problem, you little minx, what shall I tell them you were doing to cause it?" She playfully slapped his shoulder and dodged as he tried to grab her. She stuck her tongue out and moved to sit by Gawain. Lancelot almost fell out of his chair when Gawain grabbed her and teased. "Sit here, I won't mind a bulge in my pants, it'll just save me time later." She felt her face light up from embarrassment. "The whole lot of you is completely incorrigible. I think I'll go help Vanora." She said defiantly as she turned to walk away. She shook her head when she saw Lancelot give Gawain a high-five. They were aggravating, but she loved them all.