Disclaimer: I am poor and own nothing. And because I'm poor, this is my only source of entertainment, so please do not sue.
Authors Note: This story is dedicated to Tracy137. And this chapter is dedicated to Lunawolf in thanks for all of her wonderful torture techniques. I hope this is gruesome enough for you.
WARNING: THIS CHAPTER CONAINS GRAPHIC VIOLENCE NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN OR THOSE WITH A WEAK STOMACH. CONSIDER YOURSELVES WARNED!
Now enjoy! (And yes, Cornell's gonna die now.)
LANCELOTTRISTANBABY – Glad you liked that part as it was one of my favorites too. My cousin and I used to be like that with my grandfather when he was battling cancer. I was two and my cousin was two and a half and we used to fight over who would carry our grandfather's pills and help our grandma. And of course, we all know, no one knows how to tend the sick like a toddler:o) Thanks, as always, for your review.
Tracy137 – Thank you for your email review Tracy, it meant muchly to me:o)
Cardeia – How very true, and I live for the vicarious living (actually, vicarious is my favorite word for its meaning alone. Well and cause it's fun to say.) Glad you liked the Brenna/Lancelot stuff. Hopefully you will like it more in this chapter as well. There are two reasons he's been more quiet thus far and those are, one I'm playing off his pensive side, especially at parts of this movie (thinking back to the ice scene, where you all knew he didn't want to fight there by the look on his face, but he kept his mouth shut) and because at the time when he was having all his realizations, no one else was really around since I had them fussing over others. I can assure you though, they will both be back to the boisterous selves in this chapter. Just read and find out. I'm glad you liked how I handled Eirwen and Dag as well as Sybil and Gawain. I didn't want to have to get too graphic with them, because neither couple is very graphic and also because the chapter would have been a hundred pages long and never loaded. I thought the way I approached it worked much better and I'm glad you agree. As always I am grateful for your review and undeserving of your praise. (Don't let that stop you from reviewing again though ;o))
Texasgrrl – Yay the periods have returned! And yes it does make me happy, thank you. I doubt I'll name his children, cause then it would just be way too confusing. She's about three actually, closer to four. I mentioned it briefly in chapter 8 (only reason I know the chapter is I just had to look it up.) Thanks again for the review. They make me smile.
FlamezBlaze1 – Glad you liked. And happy dances are always a good thing. Ah, now I understand. Was this soon enough? Thanks for the review.
Lunawolf – Don't feel bad, I'm the same way. One minute I'm talking about ripping someone's arm off and beating them with it, and the next I'm awing over a baby I see in the store or a good movie on TV. So I completely understand. And you're right. Normal people are boring as hell and who wants that? Glad you liked all the couples. Sybil's kind of modeled after my own bad luck when it comes to reading men (especially when I was in high school), and emphasized to make it a bit funnier. Glad you liked it though and as always thank you for your review. This chapter is dedicated to you and I went and reread through all your reviews, writing down the torture methods. I incorporated as many of them as I could so enjoy!
Lucillaq – Glad you liked it. Thanks for the review.
Countess Jackman – Glad you like all the pairings. I thought for a moment about dragging out Gawain and Sybil and not posting the talk until this chapter, but I'm glad I didn't since you enjoyed it so much. Thanks again for the review.
TriGemini – Glad you enjoyed both chapters and I was able to clear everything up for you. As for what is going to happen to the couples, you're going to have to wait and see. Thanks for the reviews once again, I really do appreciate them.
KnightMadien – Thanks for the review and here you are:o)
Evenstar-mor2004 – Yep and this time I didn't even have to use my 2x4. Glad you like Ten as well! And thanks for the review. Makes me happy.
Ryn the whitepanther – Glad you liked the pairings and the girls little talk. That's how me and my friends have always been so I thought it would work. And lighten the mood a bit. Glad you like Ten as well, I've become rather fond of her over the course of this story. Thanks as always for the review.
Chapter Seventeen: Torture
It was a month later and Cornell still jumped every time Jols entered the prison. The squire shook his head slowly and sighed. He'd never in his life seen a more pathetic coward and he had been with the knights in many battles and had seen many cowards in that time.
"Hello Cornell, how are you doing this day?" he asked as he moved further into the room, a tray of food in his hands. He had taken it upon himself to keep the man alive until Tristan was well and had to admit, it was fun to play with his emotions.
While he did not take pleasure from torturing the man, which was more Ana and Tristan's passion, he did enjoy giving him that false sense of hope. And every time he walked into the room, he saw the look of expectation on Cornell's face. The one that said today is the day he would pull one over on the stupid squire and talk him into letting him go free. And Jols loved the look of defeat on his face every time he left, Cornell still in the cell. And the look of mirth in Tristan's eyes and the laugh Ana had when he told them of the events.
"I ail Jols," Cornell said pathetically, same as he did everyday. "I think I will not be long on this earth," he stated, leaning his face against the bars, the brand still a bright red color against his pale skin.
"Nay Cornell, you will recover, I am sure of it," Jols said, fake optimism in his voice. He had to admit to himself, either Cornell was very stupid, or he was a fine actor. He liked to believe the later as he turned to hand Cornell his stew.
"How fares my old friend today?" Cornell asked, false concern in his voice, but annoyance on his face as he took the food.
"Oh no better I fear," Jols said sadly. "Tristan has still not woken and Ana is besides herself with grief." A noise, similar to a stifled snort sounded near the door and Jols quickly coughed to try and cover it up.
Cornell looked towards the dark corridor quickly. "What was that?"
"A rat no doubt," Jols said, sitting on a nearby stool. "I worry for you Cornell. That you are so ill, and to die over a simple misunderstanding." He shook his head slowly for emphasis. "It saddens me for I see you as a friend now." It made Jols sick to speak to him so, especially since he was usually such an honest man, but it was necessary. "I wish there was something that I could do to help you."
"Aye there is," Cornell said, his face brightening as the words, the ones that he had been hoping to hear for some time now, left the squires lips. "You could set me free."
Jols grinned internally as Cornell took the bait, but kept his face saddened, as he spoke. "I could not. I am friend to Tristan and Roxana as well, and under strict orders from Arthur to not let you from this cell. I cannot break my duty."
"Ah Jols, you are such an honorable man," Cornell began immediately, "and a good friend to me, so that I would not want aught to befall you. But perhaps if we worked together, made it look as merely I escaped upon my own and then you would suffer no ill from the others. And if I am to prove my innocence to your dear friend and mine, and the dear sweet Roxana, then I must be free to do so. You must understand my friend," he looked at Jols imploringly, a small smirk playing on his lips, giving away his true intentions.
Jols pretended not to notice as he looked deep in thought, and made himself appear distressed. Cornell was truly making this all too easy he thought sadly as he finally looked up at the man. "Very well, you must move quickly though," then, picking up a hammer for good measure, he smashed the lock open, so that it looked as if it were broken from the inside and let the man out.
"Thank you my friend," Cornell jumped out, his legs collapsing under him from lack of use and struggled to stand. It would be slow going to get out of here, but with Tristan bedridden, and the fort worrying over him, Cornell had a chance. "Now, is there a back way from this place?"
"Nay," Jols lied. "Only the front exit, but they are all away at supper now, you should have a clear shot," he continued, unable to hide the grin that spread quickly across his face any longer.
"Thank you again, you have been a true friend to me and I shall not forget it," Cornell smirked, finally able to stand on his own two legs, and thanked the Gods the squire was so trusting and gullible as he made his way towards the door, the sound of feminine laughter stopping him before he moved three feet.
As he watched in horror, Roxana, Tristan and Bors emerged from the shadows, as if made from them. Ana was laughing softly, Bors grinning and Tristan watching him in indifference.
"Dear Cornell," Ana said after a moment, composing herself as she moved further into the dungeon. "Do you really think we would have believed for an instant that you were able to escape this cell on your own? You, who cannot find his own ass without a detailed map and a guide?" She shook her head slowly, making a tisking sound with her tongue.
"Roxana, Tristan," he began to stammer as he backed up and into Jols, who grabbed him rather roughly around the arms.
"Is there anything else I can do for you Ana?" the squire asked, a grin still on his face.
"No Jols, you have done quite splendidly," she smiled at him as Bors and Tristan moved, taking Cornell violently from the squire and throwing the prisoner rather unceremoniously to the ground. "You are free to leave, unless of course, you would like to stay for the fun that is," she placed an arm on his shoulder, as she spoke, her other resting over her already growing belly.
"Thank you just the same, but I believe I will head to the tavern, have fun though," he grinned, resting his hand over her own on her stomach, giving it a squeeze.
"Very well," she replied, leaning over and kissing his cheek. "And we intend to," she winked at him and walked further into the room, stepping into the light for Cornell to see her better.
Jols smiled at her and shook his head slowly as he left the prison, leaving them to their enjoyment.
As soon as the door closed, Cornell gulped and Ana smiled as Bors and Tristan hauled him up, Bors grabbing a handful of his hair, forcing him to look at Ana. She was pleased her husband was well enough to finish what they had begun, as was Bors, who was anxious for a good fight since they had had none since the battle with the Saxons. And even Jols was tiring of playing with the man and anxious to see him done with.
"How are you Cornell?" Ana asked pleasantly, walking slowly forward, a hand resting on her stomach, the bulge of her unborn child evedent. "Have you missed us?"
He began to tremble violently at the coolness of her voice and opened his mouth to beg.
"Shh," she said, resting her fingers on his lips. "Take your punishment like a man and perhaps our ancestors will be kind and let you join them," she whispered, before walking over towards the wall. "Bors, as was decided," she sent a pointed look to her husband, whose face was unreadable as always, but whose eyes gave away how annoyed he was at the decision. "You get to hit him first. But both of you mind his eyes," she smiled ruefully. "I have plans for those."
Bors grinned and stepped in front of Cornell, his arm blades already in place as he punched him hard in the jaw, sending his head flying to the right, an audible cracking of the bone was heard, and blood began to flow as the blade sliced into the meat. "That's for looking at my Van," he said, bringing his knee up to connect with Cornell's ribs. "And that's for touching her." As Cornell doubled over, Bors punched him hard in the kidneys. "And that, is for threatening to take her away from me and the little 'uns." He spit at Cornell and walked around behind him, still glaring down at the man, who was groaning in pain, clutching his jaw.
Tristan walked around and knelt in front of him. "Look at me," he said, slapping Cornell across the face. He looked up at the scout, tears in his eyes as Tristan watched him for a long moment, his face passive. "You killed my daughter," he said after a moment. "And hurt my wife."
Cornell watched in terror as Tristan rose, pulling his blade from his side and looking at it for a long moment, before slapping the blunt end across the front of Cornell's face, breaking his nose. He replaced the blade and motioned for Bors to help him get Cornell on a nearby table.
"That the only hit you takin?" Bors asked, rather disappointed as they threw him bloody and broken onto the wood table.
"I plan on taking more than that," Tristan said, removing his dagger and examining Cornell's still damaged hands, pulling on each of them. When he got to the one that made the man scream the most, Tristan sliced slowly across the joint, removing the appendage, causing Cornell to scream louder in agony.
"Whatever you do, keep him awake," Ana said as she walked over, resting a hand on Tristan's shoulder as she came to stand next to the table. "Look what the smithy made me," she said to Cornell, pulling a long, slender needle from her pocket, the point of it extremely sharp and glistening against the firelight. She smiled at it as she twirled it in her fingers. "Isn't it lovely?"
He looked at her, his eyes wide as suddenly, she gripped one of his eyelids, Bors holding down his arms while Tristan moved to hold his head steady. "You know," she said as he began to sob, "I heard once that the eye feels no pain," she grinned down at him, bringing the needle towards his right eye. "Lets find out shall we?"
"No Ana please," he said, as best he could, struggling against the two stronger men.
"Now what did I say about calling me Ana?" she asked, plunging the needle into his eye, the viscous fluid inside spilling out onto her hand. He screamed, but she was not sure if it were in shock or agony. "Well that did not answer anything," she murmured after a bit. "Well, I know one thing that I can cut off that will hurt," drawing a dagger from her boot she walked down the table, plunging it between his legs.
He screamed loudly, and even Bors and Tristan cringed as blood began to soak through his breeches, and pool on the table. "That's better," she said, handing the knife to her husband. "Have your fun then."
They spent the next hour, removing his fingers and toes. Bors, becoming agitated by his pleads for mercy and forgiveness cut out his tongue about halfway through, reducing him to whimpers. After they were satisfied, Ana walked over to his left side and knelt so he could see her, his vision cloudy from loss of blood and pain.
Slowly she began to speak. "Now, you have suffered as I have. Felt the pain I felt when you stole my child from me, and the pain I endured at the hands of Marius in that dungeon. And you have also known a fraction of the pain that my husband felt in his very soul when you so coldly told him I was dead. And at last, the pain and fear Bors knew when he heard what you tried to do to his Vanora. Retribution has been paid, and I grant you a safe passage into the next life," she kissed his forehead gently and moved aside, nodding to Tristan.
Unsheathing his sword in a fluid motion, he swung it once before connecting it with Cornell's neck, severing his head from his body. It fell limp then, blood still spilling onto the floor as she wiped her hands on a cloth.
"Well that's a bloody mess," Bors muttered, wiping a hand over his head and face.
"Aye," Tristan agreed, picking up a cloth as he began to clean his blade.
"It is done then, and we are all free of it," Ana said after a moment, handing the cloth to Bors. "We will burn him on the marrow and send him back to Sarmatia."
The two men nodded in agreement before Bors let out a sigh. "I need a bloody drink," he said as they began to move towards the door.
Tristan re-sheathed his blade and wrapped an arm around his wife, kissing her head. "You had your fun then?" he asked.
"Aye, and you your revenge?" she asked, looking up at him with her crystal blue eyes.
"Aye," he answered slowly, drowning in them once again.
"Then all is well," she smiled, leaning her head on his shoulder and the entered the cool night air, heading for the tavern.
xoxoxoxoxoxox
By the time Tristan and Ana arrived, Bors was already at the bar, chugging a mug of ale with his arm slung happily over Vanora as she held the baby. Gawain and Sybil were dancing with Galahad and Gabrielle, as well as Jols and a young Woad woman in the middle of the room as several of the older men played some music against the far wall. Eirwen and Dagonet sat happily discussing healing techniques with Merlin while they held hands above the table. Nearby, Brenna sat on Lancelot's lap, her fingers running through his hair as they bet with a few of the Woads that had moved into the fort since the Romans had withdrawn.
The couple slowly made their way across the room, joining the healers at the table, Tristan retrieving an apple for himself and a glass of water for his wife before they sat, pulling Roxana into his lap.
"How did it go?" Eirwen asked as they settled, Ana wiping a stray bit of blood from Tristan's cheek.
"Well, he is with the ancestors now," Ana replied, leaning back and resting her head on Tris's shoulders as he brought his arms around her, slicing the apple.
"The debt has been paid then?" Merlin asked, raising his mug to his lips.
"That it has," she answered, sighing contentedly.
Guinevere and Arthur walked in then, snuggled closely together, talking in hushed tones. They joined those at the table, and Ana noted the glance Guinevere cast towards Lancelot, and sent the girl a disapproving look over her mug. Guinevere blushed slightly before looking back up at Arthur, kissing his lips softly.
"And what has you in such a cheerful mood?" Bors asked, coming to sit between Dagonet and the commander.
"We were discussing the wedding," Arthur stated, as those dancing moved to join them, as well as Bren and Lancelot, grinning over the sum of money they had won.
"Ugh, let us not speak of weddings around my Vanora," Bors stated, as Van came up with a fresh pitcher.
Slapping him over the head she growled playfully, "Why not? Let 'em be happy. 'Sides, I'm still waiting for someone worthwhile to make an offer," the knights and ladies all laughed loudly while Bors watched her go, reaching out and pinching her bottom on the way by. "Little vixen," he muttered, a grin on his face.
"And when is this glorious ceremony to be?" Galahad asked, a dreamy look on his face as Gabrielle sat perched in his lap. A few of the knights rolled their eyes at him while Gawain and Sybil exchanged a small smile, holding hands beneath the table.
"On the day of the next full moon," Guinevere said with a grin. "Father will perform the ceremony," she continued as Merlin nodded in agreement.
"Are you excited?" Eirwen asked, resting her head against Dagonet's shoulder, a dreamy look on her own face as well.
"How could I not be," Guinevere smiled, her eyes locking with Arthur's. "Marrying the bravest and handsomest knight here."
"Tristan, why did you not tell me?" Ana asked mock surprise in her voice as she glanced playfully at Tristan who grinned back at her before kissing her deeply causing the others at the table to smirk.
"I care not what you think sister," Eirwen began, a smirk on her face as she looked up at Dagonet. "But I am hurt kind sir that you would think so little of me to not inform me of you engagement."
"Do not worry, when we are engaged, I will tell you," Dagonet said with a grin, winking at her.
"Gawain, I do not understand how they think so, when you are by far the bravest and handsomest here," Sybil stated, earning a kiss on the temple from Gawain.
"Whatever, you know you all wish you had my Lancelot," Bren said with a grin, joining the game as she wrapped her arms around Lance's body, resting her head against his chest. For a moment she wondered why he remained silent, until Bors broke her thoughts.
"Have you nothing to say wench?" he asked, as Vanora had rejoined them.
"Nay. Why should I?" she replied with a smirk, causing them all to laugh once more at the loud knight.
After a few moments the group fell silent again, and Brenna moved to join her sisters and the others as they once again began discussing the wedding. Jols and his lady returned to dancing as did Galahad and Gabrielle and a general commotion fell over the crowd again. Lancelot watched Brenna closely, the way the firelight danced on her skin, and the way her eyes sparkled.
Suddenly he bellowed for everyone to be quiet. "I have something to say," he stated, as a hush fell over everyone in the tavern, similar to when Vanora would sing. "First, I would like to congratulate my commander, and dearest friend on his upcoming wedding," he raised his mug to Arthur and Guinevere. "It could not happen to a more deserving man, and I wish you years of happiness and many sons, and daughters," he added, raising his glass in the direction of the four sisters who also sat at the table. "We have shared much over the years my old friend," he continued, "and now I wish to share in your joy as well. So, that being said," he turned to look directly at Bren now. "Brenna, will you marry me?"
Everyone was silent for a moment before the whole tavern started laughing boisterously save for Brenna, who had a shocked look on her face as she locked eyes with him. Lancelot's grin widened as he held her gaze, his breath catching in his throat as he awaited her reply.
"That's a good one Lance," Galahad said, slapping the older knight on the shoulder and wiping his eyes.
"I am quite serious," Lancelot replied, causing the whole room to fall into a hushed silence again as they now gazed at the couple in shock and anticipation.
"Brenna?" Eirwen asked after a moment, as she and the others watched her sister closely.
Finally, Brenna, who had been as in shock as everyone else by his sudden proclamation, found her voice, rising slowly from her seat. "Merlin, can you perform the hand fasting?"
"Aye, of course child," Merlin replied, a small smile gracing his lips.
"Then yes Lancelot. I will," she stated, her voice loud and strong. The grin on his face broadened as she rushed into his arms. He kissed her deeply and a cheer went up around the tavern. As the kiss broke he spun her around, both laughing wildly.
Drinks were passed around then and the music began in full, everyone rising to dance, including Tristan and Ana, as Guinevere watched the newly announced couple, sadness in eyes.
Authors Note: I do believe I like this chapter more than the last one. What do you all think? Hopefully it will get a few more reviews. (And that was my not so subtle hint to review). Take care all and I hope you enjoyed this chapter.