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 I must dedicate to Cardeia for her lovely comment in a reply to a review I wrote that got me thinking. Hope you like it.
LANCELOTTRISTANBABY – Thanks for the review. Here's your chapter.
Tracy137 – LOL, no it doesn't make you sick, but it does make us more alike…okay you might be a little sick. LOL. Lunawolf is brilliant isn't she? I knew you'd like the part with all of them sticking up for their men. I just had to put it in there, cause that's what I would have done, and yeah I could just picture Van saying that to him. Again, knew you'd love it so in it went. Well, Ana's not exactly the one to put the cow in her place, but she does get put. Read on and find out. Now, I wonder if this will be the next favorite chapter ever? Doubtful, but I hope you enjoy it just the same.
Cardeia – Yeah, I kind of go into it all here with the whys of the torture. Guinevere's problem is she wants to have her cake and eat it too. Thanks for the idea for the ending of this chapter. Hope you like it. It's nowhere near as good as your story but I don't think it sucks too bad. Thanks for the review.
Texasgrrl – Glad you liked the torture. Thanks for the review.
FlamezBlaze1 – Yep, no coming back for him. Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the review.
Lunawolf – Well you most definitely deserved the dedication! I wouldn't have been able to come up with half of that stuff in such a short time without your help. Most of my other torture scenes involve modern weaponry as well, so it was a bit of a challenge not blowing his knees out with a handgun, but I think I managed okay. However, the next bastard I conjure up though, I'll be sure to gut him for you. Glad you liked the chapter and you share my love for Jols. Poor guy is so great and yet constantly forgotten. Hope you like this chapter. More cow…er Guinevere suffrage and even some threatening and more cuteness. Thanks for the review.
Lucillaq – No I've never physically tortured anyone, but I've always found it fascinating. And I can tend to be rather violent which shows in that last chapter doesn't it? Thanks for your review.
Babaksmiles – Glad you're happy with everything. And don't worry about Guinevere. I can't see Bren or any of the others letting her get away with much. Thanks as always for the review.
Sorceress Misha – Glad you liked it. I didn't go into a lot of details with the weddings, especially Arthur and Guinevere's since it is the same as in the movie, but I hope you enjoy the chapter just the same. And thanks again for the review.
Dmitchell – Yeah, Cornell's a bastard, and thankfully, now a dead one. You keep mentioning a sequel and I'm wondering if that is some kind of hint? ;o) I guess I'll have to start seriously thinking about that. Thanks as always for your review.
TriGemini – Thanks again for the review. I think I was able to clear everything up that you mentioned in this chapter. Let me know what you think.
KnightMadien – Here you go, hope you didn't have to wait too long. Thanks for reviewing.
Immortalwizardpirateelf-fan – Hey! Nice to see you back with us. Glad you liked the chapter. I think you've got about two more to go before the end, unless I get struck by some kind of new form of inspiration. Thanks for the review.
Priestess of the Myrmidon – Glad you loved it, and the part at the tavern. I was struck by that idea at the last minute and was glad for it. Thanks for the review.
Evenstar-mor2004 – I agree, and have done so in this chapter. Let me know what you think. And you'll find out soon enough and yes I am evil that way. Thanks for the review.
Ryn the whitepanther – Glad you liked it. And don't worry, I don't think you're any sicker than anyone else who loved it. I made him to be a total bastard so that when he did die, no one would really be that upset about it. And that way, I could take out any of my aggressions or anger on him. It didn't help that when I came up with this story, I had just gotten out of school for the semester and had a lot of pent up aggression due to that. If I had written his death and torture then, it would have been a lot more violent. Anyway, enough of my thoughts, thank you so much as always for your review and you are so very welcome for the update.
Megan – Fucker! LOL. Remind me to kick your ass one of these days! Or better yet, read the torture scene to you. ;o)
Chapter Eighteen: Weddings
It was later that night and the moon was high in the sky as Tristan rolled over away from the window to wrap his arms around, empty space. He was immediately awake and looking about the dimly lit room, the only light coming from the glowing embers on the hearth. His eyes adjusted quickly and he scanned the room, immediately spotting Roxana, sitting in a chair near the fire, a pelt wrapped tightly about her shoulders, crying quietly.
Instantly he was out of the bed and at her side, ignoring the cold crisp air against his bare skin, he knelt before her, soothing her hair. "Ana what is it? Is it the baby?"
She shook her head quickly, still crying, her hands covering her face.
"Are you ill?"
He received another violent shake of her head.
"Then what is it my Ana?" he asked, his voice was calm, but concern filled his eyes as he hovered about her.
"I'm sorry for what I did today," she sobbed, throwing her hands around his shoulders and sobbing into his neck. "I should not have made him suffer so."
"Shh, shh," Tristan soothed, lifting her up into his arms and carrying her over to the bed, placing her under the covers before climbing in with her, drawing her close to him. When she began to quiet he spoke again. "There, now why are you sorry?"
"Because he suffered so, when we should have just put him to death," she sniffled.
"The debt needed paid," he sighed, pulling her closer and nuzzling her nose with his own. "And you gave him our forgiveness at the end. What more could you have done?"
"Made it faster," she sobbed against him once again.
"How many years did you suffer the loss of the baby?" he asked after a moment.
"I still suffer it now, and a part of me always will."
"And how much pain did you endure in the cell?"
"Do not ask me to relive it," she shuddered, her hand automatically going to the scar on her forehead.
"And I suffered three months, due to his heartlessness. His torture lasted an hour, ours lasted almost a lifetime. Now, did he make it quick?" He brought his hand up to brush her hair behind her ear.
"Nay," she sighed, snuggling closer, twisting a finger around one of his braids.
"Then why do you feel so bad about this?"
"I know not," she answered, fresh tears jumping to her eyes as she buried her head into the crook of his neck again.
Tristan let out a sigh and stroked her hair. He knew why, as memories of her pregnancy with Cadogan came to his mind. Aye, she did not suffer the sickness at her stomach but her emotions were so wild that half of the tribe refused to even walk next to her on a path, or sit near her by the fire. He had been hoping that this pregnancy would not be as that one was, but sadly, it was already off to a bad start. "I am sure you will feel better after you have some rest," he assured her, kissing her forehead as she began to quiet again.
"Thank you Tristan," she murmured, lifting her head to kiss his lips. "I do not deserve you," she smiled against them, deepening the kiss.
The next morning, they built a pyre and burned Cornell's body, the knights in attendance and Sybil saying the proper blessings before setting his ashes free on the east wind, effectively closing that chapter of their lives forever.
xoxoxoxoxoxox
It was a week later and Guinevere sighed in frustration as she entered the meeting room, wondering why of all the places in the world, Arthur wished to meet with her here. Usually they met in his quarters, but Sybil had said he wished to speak to her, and this was where he was. Strange also, since usually it was Jols that sought her out for Arthur, but no matter. If he summoned her, she would go quickly. She sighed when she did not see him in the room and looked about, absentmindedly running her fingers over the carvings in the large round table.
"Arthur's not here," Brenna's voice sounded from behind her, startling Guinevere and causing her to jump before turning to face the other woman, her hand going to her heart.
"Brenna, I did not see you when I entered," Guinevere stated as she watched Brenna, sitting in the chair Lancelot usually occupied, a dagger-twirling end over end, easily through her fingers. "You startled me."
"Good," Bren grinned rising, the dagger still moving effortlessly. "Well, shall we get down to why I had Sybil send you here then?" she asked.
"Of course, if you wished to speak to me though, there was no need for lies," she stated, feeling a bit uneasy under the dark haired girls stare.
"Oh, you would have come otherwise? Well that's good to know," Bren mused, the dagger still moving as she stopped right before Guinevere, glaring at her. "So, you are getting married in four days time, that must be very exciting."
"Aye, as you well know," Guinevere replied, wishing she had a dagger or sword on her as she spoke to the young woman before her. "Are you not marrying the same day?"
"Aye that I am, which is why I thought we should talk," suddenly the dagger stopped and imbedded itself in the wood, next to Guinevere's fingers, but just missing them, causing the Woad to jump back a bit once more. "If you are not happy with your husband to be, then do something about it, but keep your eyes from mine."
"I do not know what you mean," Guinevere replied haughtily, trying to hide her fear of the younger woman before her.
"Oh please, I have seen the looks you cast at my Lancelot," she made sure to emphasize the word my as she spoke. "As has everyone in this fort, including your husband to be. Now he may be to polite to say anything, but I am not." She took a step forward, her face a mere millimeters from Guinevere's own. "If you do not desire to marry Arthur, or wish him to be different than how he is, talk of it with him, but if I catch you laying one hand on Lance, or if he tells me of one pass you make his way, or it gets back to me of a look that should only be directed towards your own husband is being directed at mine, you will wish I had allowed my sisters to deal with you as they asked to." She wrapped her hand around the dagger and pulled it from the wood, her eyes never leaving Guinevere's as she walked from the room, slamming the door behind her.
xoxoxoxoxoxox
It was four days later and Roxana's hormones were raging. It was early the morning of the wedding and everyone had started to come out of their rooms to begin preparing for the day. As they greeted one another Tristan and Roxana's door flew open and Tristan stepped quickly out and around the corner, as a pot followed him and smashed into the opposite wall.
"What in bloody hell was that?" Lancelot asked, placing a protective arm in front of Brenna as Gawain did the same with Sybil and Dagonet physically put himself in front of Eirwen and Lucan. Galahad, who was still groggy a few minutes before was now wide awake and looking on in shock at the door.
"I told her she was not fat, but pregnant, which is of course my fault," Tristan replied with a sigh, as another piece of pottery flew from the room, shattering in a million pieces before the door slammed shut. Everyone in the hall flinched, while Tristan sighed, muttering something about six months left.
"Is she always like this?" Dagonet asked concerned as he glanced down at Eirwen.
"Aye, that she is," Tristan replied with a sigh as he listened to more things being tossed about the room.
"Why is she like this?" Galahad asked confused.
"It runs in the family," Eirwen said with a sigh.
"What do you mean?" Brenna asked, turning to her sister.
"Well, according to Tristan and Sybil's mother," Eirwen began, "when mother was carrying me, father earned a black eye and slept on the floor. When she was carrying Roxana, he received a cooking pan to the head and slept with the horses, and when she was carrying you, it was a broken nose, two broken ribs and sleeping in the woods until two days after the birthing."
"What about your first child Tristan?" Gawain asked, looking at the silent scout, who was staring up at the ceiling, still listening to the sounds within their room.
"Oh yes Tristan, how many stitches did it take to seal that wound in your head?" Brenna asked with a grin.
"Twenty seven," Tristan replied.
Suddenly everything grew quiet in the next room and the door opened, Roxana emerging in a lovely red dress, done in the Roman style with gold accents. "Brenna!" she squealed, rushing to her sister and kissing each of her cheeks. "After tonight I will no longer be the only married one," she smiled happily at her little sister.
"Yeah, it'll be great," Brenna said awkwardly, as her sister squeezed her tightly.
Pulling away Ana flashed her another bright smile before moving to Lancelot, hugging him as well. "And you will be my brother," she pulled away again. "It is all just so wonderful," tears began to pool in her eyes as her lip began to tremble. "I just know the two of you will be so happy together," she said, wiping at her eyes.
"Yes, well, thank you Ana," Lancelot said, patting her shoulder awkwardly.
She smiled brightly again, the tears still falling as she turned and spotted Tristan. "Darling," she said, rushing over and wrapping her arms about him and kissing him deeply. She pulled away and gazed lovingly up at him. "I am sorry I lost my temper," she stated, twirling one of his braids around her finger. "Forgiven?" she looked up at him innocently.
Tristan sighed inaudibly and pulled her close, kissing her once again. "Forgiven," he answered after a moment, leading her towards the stairwell.
"You know Brenna, I was just thinking," Lancelot said, draping an arm about her shoulders. "We could follow Eirwen and Dag's example and adopt a child," he said, as Bren rolled her eyes at him.
"Sure it's not too late for that?" Sybil asked cryptically, a smirk on her face as she and Gawain turned to follow her brother, Gawain's arm about her waist as they moved.
Eirwen, Dagonet and Galahad snickered while a shocked look passed over Lancelot's face and Brenna's mouth dropped open.
"What exactly is that supposed to mean?" she called after the seer as the others all began to head towards the tavern. "Sybil?" She called taking off after them, Lancelot following dumbly behind.
xoxoxoxoxoxox
Arthur and Guinevere's wedding was a beautiful one. Merlin performed a combination Christian/Pagan ceremony and the Woads released a barrage of flaming arrows and Merlin declared Author King. After that preparations had begun for Lancelot and Brenna's wedding, which was to take place underneath the full moon that evening.
"Is Brenna really with child?" Roxana asked Sybil as they carried Bren's wedding dress towards her bedroom, where Eirwen and Vanora were helping her with a bath.
"Nay, not yet," Sybil grinned. "But I could not resist the jest."
Roxana smiled back at her as they entered the bedroom to find Bren wrapped in a large cloth while Eirwen worked at braiding the sides of her hair, tying them together at the back with a strip of ribbon and lacing flowers through them.
"You look lovely sister," Ana smiled, sinking onto the bed once the dress was laid out, her hand resting over her belly, rubbing gently.
"You think so?" Brenna asked, rising and walking over to the bed, fingering the dress that lie there.
"Aye I do," Ana smiled up at her, reaching out and taking her hand. "Mother and Father would be so proud of you today," she added softly.
"Thank you sister," Bren leaned over and hugged her, both becoming teary.
"I do believe your child is rubbing off on me," Bren laughed rising as they both wiped their eyes.
"On all of us I fear," Vanora added, wiping her own eyes as well.
They quickly helped Bren into her gown, which was a lovely cream color, similar to Guinevere's with wild flowers accenting it. "This is beautiful," Bren said, fingering the flowers.
"The children worked for hours finding the best ones," Vanora smiled as they fastened the dress.
When she was dressed Vanora maneuvered her in front of a looking glass, letting her take in the sight. "My Goddess," Bren breathed, looking at her reflection closely.
"Told you," Ana said, coming up next to her and resting her chin on Brenna's left shoulder, while Eirwen placed hers on Brenna's right. "So lovely."
They stood like this for a long moment, Brenna taking their hands in her own and all just standing there, looking at the reflection. "Come, let's go get you wed," Eirwen said with a grin.
Bren nodded slowly as they began to make their way out of the room.
xoxoxoxoxoxox
"Nervous?" Arthur asked Lancelot as he was strapping on the last of his freshly polished armor, wanting to get wed in style.
"You could say that," Lancelot answered, looking up into the mirror. "How do I look?"
"Like a horses ass," Bors said with a smirk as he and the others stood about the room, watching as Lancelot got ready.
The others grinned and Lancelot merely snorted. "Being the expert on horses asses you should know, considering you look at one every time you walk by a mirror."
The men began to laugh again, and Bors rolled his eyes, chuckling himself.
"So, any pointers for him from the married men?" Gawain asked, curiously.
"Adopt," Tristan said passively, earning another uproar of laughter from the group.
"And you Arthur," Lancelot turned to regard his friend. "Any advice?"
"Well, I have only been married a few hours, and they have been splendid, so I do not know of any personal advice I can give you," he stepped forward and held out his hand, taking Lancelot's arm in his own and resting his other hand on the mans shoulder. "But from what I have seen in viewing Tristan and Roxana, learn to duck now."
After the fresh wave of laughter died down, Galahad sighed. "It's so romantic, you both marrying on the same day," he had a dreamy look about his face that earned him a slap upside the head from Gawain.
"I told you to stop that. You're worse than a woman," he chided
Jols then spoke, regarding Lancelot closely. "No one can believe it you know? The worlds greatest bachelor settling down."
"The barmaids will be weepin' for a week," Bors agreed.
"Doesn't matter," Lance turned back to the mirror, examining his beard closely. He'd had it trimmed, as well as his hair, and was doing one last check. He wanted to be perfect for her. "She's all that matters now."
Dagonet grinned knowingly over at Tristan before rising from his place next to the scout against the wall. "Well, let's get it done then," he said, clapping Lancelot on the back before heading for the door, Galahad, Bors, Gawain and Tristan in tow.
They walked out leaving Arthur and Lance alone for a moment. The two men regarded each other for a long time before Arthur finally spoke.
"Congratulations my friend. I wish you all the happiness of the world."
"Thank you," Lancelot replied wit a grin, which quickly became a smirk as he bowed slightly. "Your majesty."
Arthur chuckled faintly and slapped Lancelot on the back once more. "Come, let's make an honest man of you."
xoxoxoxoxoxox
Lancelot couldn't breathe. He was standing before Merlin, Brenna's hands in his own as the Shaman performed the ceremony, fires burning around them and a full moon high in the sky over head and he could not breathe. Not because he was afraid of the ceremony or losing his freedom. Or because when it was over he was condemned to a life of waking up and going to bed with the same woman. But because he'd never seen a more beautiful woman in his life than the one that was holding his hands and staring up into his eyes at that moment. Quicker than he could realize the ceremony was over and the crowd around them was cheering.
Broke from his trance, he hauled her to him and kissed her passionately, causing even more cheers to rise about them. They broke apart after a moment, their breathing ragged as they gazed at one another, desire, passion and love in both their eyes and both afraid to speak and break the spell that had fallen over them.
Finally, Brenna gained enough courage and murmured softly, "I love you."
"And I love you," Lancelot replied with a smile. "You little harpy." They grinned at one another before they made their way down towards the fort.
xoxoxoxoxoxox
It was later that night and the whole fort was turned out for a grand celebration of both nuptials. There was music, food and dance and all the children were chasing one another about.
"I cannot believe you're married!" Eirwen was saying as the sisters sat on one of the benches, her arm about Brenna's shoulders.
"The men will be crying for years," Sybil said, as she sat on the ground, her head resting on Ana's knee. The four women set to giggling when a voice interrupted.
"May I join you?"
They looked up to see Guinevere standing before them, a determined look on her face as she regarded them all, but mostly Brenna.
"Why not, we're all free now I'm told," Brenna said after a moment, indicating a nearby stump.
Guinevere sat down rather awkwardly, clasping her hands in front of her as her arms rested on her knees. "You were right, and I am sorry," she said after a moment, looking at Brenna again. "I have made my decision, and am not saddened by it. And if I want him to behave differently, than I must go to him and not look to others."
Brenna nodded in agreement. "So long as we understand each other then," she held out her arm to the new Queen. "Forgiven and forgotten."
Guinevere smiled and took her arm. "Thank you." They released each other and sat in silence for a few moments. "Where is Vanora?"
"There," Ana said, indicating the middle of the floor where her and Bors were dancing wildly, their children creating a circle around them as they moved, their eyes never leaving one another's as their laughter filled the night air. Galahad and Gabrielle not far off.
"They seem to be enjoying themselves," Guinevere laughed.
"Aye they do," Sybil agreed and they continued to watch them, never hearing the five men sneak up behind them, smirks on most of their faces.
"And what are the two blushing brides doing sitting by themselves?" Lancelot asked, laughing loudly as the girls jumped.
"Being ignored while our new husbands drink," Brenna replied with a snort, resting her head on Ana's shoulder.
"So preparing for the rest of their married lives," Ana answered, an annoyed tone to her voice as she cast a glance at Tristan before looking back to the dance floor. Tristan sat down his mug then and walked around, standing before her and regarding her with an impassive face. "Yes?" she asked as Sybil grinned knowingly and moved from her sister's legs.
Without a word Tristan held his hand out to Ana, waiting for her to accept it.
"You don't expect me to dance like this?" she asked, indicating her belly and swollen ankles.
"Would you deny me the opportunity to dance with the most beautiful woman here?" he asked, his voice and face as calm as always, but a certain amount of mirth in his eyes.
She looked at him for a long moment before sighing, a smile coming to her lips as she took his hand, allowing him to pull her up and lead her towards the center of the floor.
"Shall we as well my darling?" Lancelot asked, pulling Bren up into his arms.
"No, I am content here," she smiled, leaning back against him as his arms went about her waist and his lips came to rest at the top of her head. "Besides, I wouldn't dare miss this."
"Miss what?" Gawain asked, sitting where Roxana had been and pulling Sybil up into his lap.
"Them. They are amazing when they dance," Sybil answered.
"What, we've seen them dance before," Lancelot brushed it off, pulling Brenna closer.
"Yes, but not like this," Eirwen spoke. "It's always something to see when he seeks her out," she smiled as Dag settled next to her, resting her head on his shoulder as Lucan ran over then, climbing up to sit between them.
Arthur smiled and sat down on the ground next to Guinevere, bringing her hand to his lips. She returned the smile and pulled his head against her knee, running her fingers through his hair as they watched, Jols wandering up then with the Woad woman he'd been seen everywhere with.
Tristan led her onto the floor and released her before walking over to the musicians and leaned over, whispering to them. They nodded after a moment and the music stopped, causing the floor to clear. Bors and Vanora went to join the others, as did Galahad and Gabrielle, while Tristan approached his wife their eyes locked on one another's.
He stopped and stood before her, slightly to the side, his right hand raised in front of him and his left resting on his hip, while she raised her right hand and gathered her skirts in her left, smiling at him. Suddenly the music began to play, a slightly fast paced beat. A few cords in they began to move, circling one another, their hands hovering in front of each other but never touching as they moved. Suddenly Sybil, Eirwen and Brenna began to clap, indicating the beat, and soon everyone there was doing the same, watching the two move about one another.
Swiftly Roxana began to spin, releasing her skirts and stopping, clapping her hands as well. She kept this up, Tristan following closely, his hands clapping with the rest of them, their eyes still on one another's. They moved as one across the floor, her spinning just out of his grasp and then she quickly spun the opposite direction, coming to stop against his chest, their faces mere millimeters apart and they continued to move.
It was then the other knights realized they'd seen Tristan do this dance before. Every time they were on the battlefield.
"So that's how he does it," Bors muttered as the other knights all watched in awe.
"Where did they learn to do that?" Galahad asked in admiration.
"Sparring. At least that's what we think," Brenna answered, her hands still clapping. "It's a dance that only they know the moves too, and it always changes."
"They just got up and started doing it one winter solstice," Eirwen smiled at the memory. "It was so sudden and the whole tribe was at a loss watching them."
They watched as Tristan grasped her hand and spun her once, his other hand resting on her lower back as he dipped her to the ground, before pulling her back up, their lips easily finding one another's as the music abruptly stopped. There was silence for a long moment before everyone began to cheer. The couple broke apart, lustful longing in their eyes as Tristan once again took her hand and led her back to the others, settling on a bench and pulling her into his lap, picking up his mug as if nothing had happened.
The knights, Guinevere and Vanora all looked on at them in shock wile the girls merely smirked.
"Tristan! Why did you not tell us you could do that?" Galahad asked after a moment, curiosity getting the better of him.
"You never asked," the scout replied easily, taking a drink from his mug, as Roxana began to laugh.
Authors Note: What'd you think guys? Not sure really, as I've never wrote a wedding or a dance scene before. And the fact that I'm a huge arachnophobic and a big ass spider walked across my foot in the middle of typing this and I had a panic attack before hunting it down and killing it. Not that that matters to anyone, but I'm still a bit wigged by it.
Oh, and so everyone knows, all the credit for the dancing goes to Cardeia. She suggested that they might move well together, and I tried to incorporate it for her. Hence the dedication of this chapter. Now if you want to read a really well written dance scene and story, you should go check out her Cerys at Knight cause it's really good. Take care all and please let me know what you think.