Babaksmiles: Remember, the Romans think they are everything and all others nothing. That explains why he would push his luck with Laney. Glad you like the story so far. I was beginning to feel it was getting boring. Hope you like these two chapters as much.
KnightMaiden: Glad you like it. Here's more…
LANCELOTTRISTANBABY: Of course Dag lives. I can't kill any of them. I think I might have been a MarySue if I'd lived back then! Sorry! (Not really)
Cardeia: Unfortunately, she won't have a lot of time to 'play' with her powers. But you'll see a little bit of her ego in the next few chapters. And, there will be a little angst on Lancelot's part as well. Poor baby!
Oh, I still don't own them. (Sigh)
Now on with the story…
Tristan was sitting on the edge of the table watching his brothers in arms laugh and joke. He looked at Lancelot and again felt jealousy toward the man. He had so much, but Tristan wasn't sure he truly understood what it was he had. The love Laney gave so freely was worth more than any riches, including freedom. He would happily be bound to her if she wished it. But, she didn't wish it, she loved Lancelot. The child she carried was his and the bond she had with Tristan let him feel some of the things she felt. He listened to the sounds around him and let them slowly fade away so he could feel her emotions. After a few seconds, he started. She was extremely angry for some reason. He felt loathing, disgust, anger, distrust, and a kind of power.
He had felt this once before, on the frozen lake as the ice began to break apart. He knew it had come from her then, but when he had looked around the lake he had not seen her. He had felt the weakness in her before he had found her lying beside the wagon path. He stood up and made to leave the group of knights laughing at some joke made by Bors. No one noticed when he slipped out of the light, heading toward the place where he knew she was. As he walked, he continued to feel her emotions. She was satisfied, amazed he hurried his steps. He felt her power melting away and knew she was growing weak. When he rounded the last turn, he saw Marius and his mercenaries standing around and knew what she had been so angry about. He slowed, when he saw one of the guards pointing in his direction. Then he felt Laney slip into unconsciousness, pulling his attention from the other men, he sprinted into the hallway leading to the knights rooms. He saw her lying peacefully on the floor and stooped to check on her.
He wasn't worried that she was hurt. He knew she was only sleeping. He gently picked her up into his arms and opened the door to her room. He laid her on the bed and covered her with a blanket. Then, he leaned over and gently kissed her temple. "Tomorrow, you will tell me what I have been feeling about you and how I know what I feel." He whispered aloud. He saw her stir in sleep, then settled further into the pillow and blankets. He pulled a chair up to the side of the bed and waited. He hoped she would wake before Lancelot came, but even if she did not, he would stay. He would explain his presence as best he could if Lancelot came before he talked to her.
He had been sitting there watching the blanket covering her move in the rhythm of her breathing. She raised her hand to her forehead as she opened her eyes. She saw Tristan sitting and watching her. Smiling, she said, "It seems you are to be my protector after all." He nodded and waited for her to be fully awake before he asked her his questions. She slowly sat up and began pushing her hair away from her face. "How did you find me this time?" She asked him finally.
He waited for a moment, then told her how he'd felt every emotion she had starting with anger and ending in weakness and unconsciousness. She listened intently, but never once raised her eyes to his face. When he had finished talking, she finally looked up. "So you knew it was me at the lake. Why did you not say anything when I woke up?" He saw the questions in her eyes before they left her lips. "I thought you would tell me when you wanted to without my having to ask." He hesitated, watching the emotions in her eyes. "What is this power I felt and why are you so weak afterwards?"
She swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood up. She walked over to the pitcher of water and poured a small amount in the bowl. She splashed her face and wiped it with the towel before she turned to face him. "Tristan, when all of you went to escort the Bishop I went into the forest, to the stream. I was thinking about my mother and suddenly a mist covered the ground around me. I couldn't see anything, but I felt my mother around me. She told me about the power I could call upon when the time came. That's why I left the fort. I knew the Saxons were landing on the northern shores of Britain. I wanted to confront them and show them the power they would face if they continued to invade this land." She sat on the edge of the bed before she continued, "Unfortunately, I stopped at Marius' estate to eat and refresh before continuing my journey. I never made it out until Arthur arrived. So I didn't stop the invasion. Now I know I wasn't supposed to. Some things have to happen, I can't stop all the evil, but I can protect the ones I care for."
She became agitated and stood to pace around the room. "I saw Dag pick up his axe and start toward the Saxons. I knew if he made it he would die. So I called on the power of the Goddess to help me stop the battle." She turned to face him and said, "As you saw, she did. No one had to die that day except the Saxons who refused to leave the icy lake as it broke apart. For their deaths I feel sadness, but it was their choice, not mine." She waited expecting him to say something. When he only nodded, she continued. "Tonight, as I was walking back here, I saw Marius and his guards talking. They are up to something, I can feel it, and so, I wanted to show them what could happen should they decide to act on their plans. I tried to make it back here before the weakness overcame me, but, since you found me lying in the hallway where I fell, you know I didn't."
Tristan stood up and walked purposely toward her. "Laney, these things I feel about you, is it the bonding we shared at the stream that allows me to feel them, or is there some other connection between us?" He stopped just in front of her so that she had to look up to see his face. "I don't know, Tristan. But I am comforted that I am not the only one to feel it. If I were completely alone in this, I would be frightened." Then he saw the sarcastic smile that came across her features, "maybe that is the reason I can't let you leave, the reason I want to keep you near. Whatever the reason, I'm sorry that my selfishness causes you pain." Before he thought about it he took her in his arms and held her tightly to his chest. "Laney, you do not keep me close. It is I that wishes to stay close to you. There is a thread, invisible to everyone else, that keeps pulling me toward you." She looked up and saw the confusion in his eyes.
She made to pull out of his embrace. He tightened his hold and she stopped pulling against him. "Tristan, I feel the thread as well, but I don't know why. I asked Merlin but he would not tell me anything." Then with one last effort, she pulled out of his hug. "I guess I should tell Arthur about this. I did promise that should I find out anything about my duty, I would let him know." She sounded sad and the thread once again pulled him toward her. "I will go with you, if you wish it." Was all he said as he took her hand in his and raised it to his lips. The sound of the door opening, brought them out of the emotional bond and they turned to see Lancelot standing in the doorway.
He had his arms crossed across his chest and his eyes were angry at the scene he had witnessed. Tristan dropped Laney's hand and took a step backwards as she moved toward Lancelot. "Lancelot, there is something I need to tell you and the others." Then she brushed past him and walked toward the tavern. He watched Tristan as he stared at the floor. "What just happened, Tristan?" he asked the other man. He tried to keep his voice from showing the anger, the jealously that he was feeling, but knew when Tristan quickly raised his head that he had not done so.
"It's not what you think, Lancelot. I found her once more passed out on the floor of the hallway. She was explaining to me what caused it." He hesitated for Lancelot to understand what he'd just said, then he added as he headed toward the door, "Come, she will need us when she tells Arthur." As he brushed past Lancelot, he felt him put his hand on his chest to stop him. "You were not attempting to steal her love from me?" Tristan looked down at the hand on his chest and followed the arm up to Lancelot's face, "I couldn't if I tried. She loves you more than herself. If you were sober you would know it to be true." He saw Lancelot's face relax and let his hand drop to his side in relief. He saw him open his mouth to say something, then close it as he nodded. Then they stepped out into the hallway and headed toward the tavern. Before they got there, they met Laney, Arthur, and the others. They turned and followed them to the Hall of the Round Table.
There was an uncomfortable silence as each man took his usual place at the table. Laney stood beside Arthur and waited until he gave the go ahead for her to speak. She looked at Lancelot as she began her story. "I told you that I would tell you when I knew more about my reason for being here. I did not do as I promised because of the way some of you reacted the last time, but tonight Tristan made me realize that I could do so without fear." She paused and waited for Lancelot to acknowledge her words. He nodded and she turned to Arthur, "I caused the ice to break at the lake." She stated simply and saw that he did not seem surprised. "You knew that, didn't you?" He nodded and she sat down in the chair next to him. "Why didn't you say something to me?"
He looked around the room before answering. "Laney, I think we all knew you were responsible somehow. But since you didn't say anything, we wanted to respect your wishes." She saw the others nodded their agreement, then Arthur said, "But since you wish us to know more, we will listen." She cleared her throat and began to tell them the same thing she had told Tristan earlier. No one interrupted her, not even Arthur. When she finished by replaying her meeting with Marius, she became quiet. Bors spoke up, "Good for you! That som'bitch deserved worse than what he got!"
Laney smiled at him, "Thank you, Bors." Arthur had been sitting looking around the group. They seemed to take her story in their stride. He shook his head, things had certainly not been boring since she came into their lives. "Well, men, do any of you have anything to add?" When no one spoke up immediately, he leaned back in his chair. "Laney, I don't think this changes much between us. We all knew you had some kind of power, it was evident from the beginning, but now that we know what it is and how you use it, maybe we can all have the peace we desire." He paused, then finished, "I think we should all retire for the night, tomorrow will be a big day, I think." He smiled at Laney, then turned to Lancelot, "What time is the wedding?"
Lancelot looked at Laney, "As soon as we can get up and get ready, I think. I don't want to wait any longer than absolutely necessary." Laney seemed surprised by his words so he spoke to her, "A sunrise wedding seems appropriate since my sun rose when I found you." She smiled as he stood and held his hand for her to take. She placed her hand in his and stood to walk with him. She looked over and saw that Tristan was still sitting at the table, his head bowed, looking at the table top. She nudged Lancelot and he followed her gaze. He stopped walking, "Tristan, can you spare a few minutes? I'd like to talk to you." He waited for Tristan to acknowledge him and when he did, it was not what he expected.
"Lancelot, it is not necessary for you to speak with me, I would not try to do what you think." Lancelot motioned for Laney to go ahead as he went back to the table. "Tristan, I wish to apologize for my words earlier tonight. I know you are an honorable man, as I know Laney would never betray my love. We need to forget all that has transpired and move forward from this night. The love you feel for her is returned, as you know, but her love for me is deeper and when I see you with her, I will never doubt what my heart feels, even if my eyes say different." He held his arm out for the embrace of brotherhood. Tristan stood and clasped his hand around Lancelot's arm. Lancelot did the same, then pulling his arm loose, he put it around Tristan's shoulders as they headed for the door. None of them knew that one of Marius' guards was standing below the high window listening to what had transpired at the table.
Laney stepped into her room and began to take her clothes off. She stepped over to the wash basin and dipped her fingertips in the cool water. She looked at the water rippling in the bowl and suddenly saw scenes playing before her eyes. She saw fires burning brightly all around the fields inside the fort. She saw Woads, covered in their blue paint, holding bows with arrows ready to fire. She saw Guinnevere giving a feral grin at a man with a long black beard as she jumped on his back. She saw Tristan holding his sword before him as he faced a large man with long dirty blonde hair, also holding a sword. The scenes started changing more rapidly and all she saw was glimpses of the other knights, all fighting with hairy men. She tried to see Lancelot, but the scenes were moving so fast she couldn't see anyone she knew. She stepped back from the bowl and placed her hand on her forehead.
What had she just seen? The scenes looked real, but she knew the Saxon army had been turned back at the lake. What could it mean? She slowly sat down on the edge of the bed. She was still holding the shirt she had pulled off. She sat there pondering the things that she had seen. The door opened and Lancelot walked into the room. He stood there watching the emotions crossing her face. She hadn't realized that Lancelot had entered the room until he sat next to her on the bed. "Are you feeling alright?" he asked as he took the shirt from her hands. She looked at him and he saw how wide her eyes were. "Laney, sweetheart, is something wrong?" His voice sounded worried and she shook her head to clear her thoughts.
"No, I was just thinking about something. I'm fine." She smiled at him and he took her in his arms to hold her close. "I love you, Laney." Was all he said as he held her. She leaned into him to lay her head on his shoulder. After a moment, she lifted her head to look at him. When he looked at her, he felt the desire for her begin to grow. He leaned down and kissed her gently as he pushed her hair away from her face. When he lifted his face from hers, he whispered, "Tomorrow night I will make love to my wife, tonight, as great as the desire to do so rushes through me, I will not do so." He saw his desire reflected in her eyes as she leaned up to kiss him. "Lance, I don't care if we are married yet or not. I want you tonight."
He searched her eyes and saw the desire there. Moaning, he pulled her onto his lap and kissed her with all the love he held in his heart. She returned his kiss, as she took his head between her hands and held him. He stood up holding her in his arms as he did so. He laid her on the bed and watched her eyes as he dropped his pants to the floor. When he pulled his shirt over his head, he saw that she was admiring what she saw. He grinned and moved to lay on top of her. He pushed her hair away from her face and smiled, "Your hair has a mind of its own." He said huskily. She arched her body into his, "As does the rest of my body when I'm with you."
They took their time exploring each other, enjoying all the sensations caused by the touches each was giving the other. Lancelot heard Laney moan softly. He raised his head from her breasts leaned on his elbow, head in hand. "Laney, I love you." Then she felt him put his hand on her naked stomach. She opened her eyes and looked at him. "I love you, too, Lance." He gently ran his hand up her stomach, between her breasts, to hold her chin. He kissed her lightly, then moved on top of her. His lovemaking was gentle and slow, bringing her to the height of passion. As they finished, she ran her hands over his back to hold his shoulders. He kissed her lightly on the tip of her nose as he rolled over, taking her with him.
She raised up, straddling him. He saw the mischievous glint in her eye, but before he could react she began tickling him in the ribs. He grabbed her hands and tried to stop the tickling. Finally, he flipped her over and began tickling her. She was giggling when a knock came at the door. "Lancelot, come to the wall!" It was Jols, but he didn't wait to see if Lancelot would comply. They heard him run down the hall, knocking on doors as he went. Lancelot jumped up and pulled on his pants. Slipping on his boots, he headed for the door. Laney was there before him. She had pulled on a dress without taking the time to put anything else on under it. He cocked an eyebrow at her as he opened the door. She shrugged and followed him out.