Title: A Woman Among Men
Author: sabor ice
Summary: Where did Vanora come from? How do she and the knights meet? How did she meet Bors and fall in love with him? This is their untold tale.
Disclaimer: I don't anything, etc, except for any orginal characters and this story.
Feedback: Yes, please.
To All the Reviewers: Thank you; your feedback is much appreciated.
Six
Ten Years Later
"Come on, they're are thirsty and hungry knights over here!" Bors slammed his fist down on the table.
"And, there are thirsty and hungry men over here, too!" a reply came from one of the barmaids.
The other knights chuckled heartilly. Lancelot hit Bors on the shoulder.
"I think I know that girl from somewhere before," Lancelot said, winking at Gawain.
"Yeah, Lancelot, I think you're right," Gawain chuckled out.
"You know who she reminds me of, Bors?" Lancelot grinned openly. "Your mother!"
The knights roared with laughter as Bors waved his hand dismissively at Lancelot's comment. He picked up his mug and slammed it down on the table three times, finally getting a barmaid's attention. She lithly walked over the the table, hands on her hips. Her hair was light brown with a tint of red in it.
"So, what can I get you?" the barmaid asked, trying to catch her breath from running about, serving men.
Suddenly, Lancelot grasped her by the waist and sat her on his lap. "How about me?"
The woman, maybe twenty-five or so, sighed deeply and rolled her eyes.
"Hey, woman, we need more ale!" another man cried.
"I'll be right there!" the woman replied.
She wrestled her way from Lancelot's grip and turned to face them again. "What can I get you? I haven't all night."
Bors silently studied the barmaid from head to toe. The woman was young and quite beautiful for a common barmaid. Her hair was auburn colored and pulled back in a lose bun. Her high cheekbones highlighted her fair facial features and light brown eyes.
"Ale and stew, for the three of us," Gawain answered, gesturing to he, Lancelot, and Bors.
The woman quickly glanced at the awestruck Bors before hurrying back to the bar. The burly man rubbed the stubble on his chin. The unusual beauty had also caught Gawain and Lancelot's eyes. Lancelot had boldly declared so when he wrapped his arms around the woman. Gawain had leisurely sat back in his seat and watched her; he was one to wait for an opportune moment to speak to a promising new lover.
"That girl with the auburn hair, she's new, isn't she?" Lancelot asked.
"I'm not sure. I'll ask Lanora, she'd know for sure," Gawain replied.
Moments later as a dark-haired woman passed Gawain, he grasped her arm and pulled her onto his knee.
"Gawain, I all ready told you my shift isn't over until eleven," the husky woman said, smiling.
"I know, darlin'," Gawain replied. "My friends here were just wondering about that girl over there."
The barmaid called Lanora peered over to where Gawain pointed.
"What, her? Yeah, she's knew. Haven't caught her name yet, but she just started here last week while you all were out of town," the barmaid answered. "Now, I've got to get back to work."
Still smiling, Gawain wouldn't release her arm. Sighing, Lanora leaned over and deeply kissed the knight. She giggled and stood, collecting her things. Gawain tapped her on her bottom as she went on her way. He shrugged towards Lancelot and Bors, who had been watching with amusement.
Moments later, a crash and struggling was heard. The three knights turned towards the commotion presently. The auburn hair woman had dropped her tray when a drunkard grappled her. She pulled backwards, trying to fight him off as best she could. Suddenly, the drunkard's eyes bulged as his throat was met with a short blade. His eyes moved from the young woman to the dark, curly haired knight beside him. Bors and Gawain were there as well, watching their friend's movements and chuckling lightly.
"Touch her again and they'll be one less man like you in this world," Lancelot said, grinning.
The auburn hair woman cocked an eyebrow at these young knights. She gasped slightly, for she knew she had heard those words before. Maybe not to the exact ones, but still very similar. The barmaid hid her blushing cheeks as she bent down to pick up her tray. Lancelot lowered his sword as the drunkard vacated the tavern.
Looking back towards the three knights she said, "Thank you, sirs. I will bring your food and drink shortly."
The three watched her make her way back through the crowd and went back to their table in the corner.
Sitting down and resheathing his sword, Lancelot said, "My, what a way to start the evening."
"Nothing like dealing with the night's first drunkard, eh?" Gawain replied, his eyes lighting up with laughter. "So, what are the others up to anyway? I thought they'd be here by now."
"Who knows," Lancelot mused, almost uninterested. "Our beloved commander is probably in his tent get ready for our next mission."
"Gods, we just return from a mission and the man all ready thinks to send us on another one!" Gawain tried to sound upset.
"Just a few more months, brother, and it'll all just be a bad dream," Lancelot smiled.
Gawain turned and tapped Bors on the shoulder. "You've not said hardly anything this whole time, what's wrong with you, eh?"
Lancelot clapped Bors' other shoulder. "The man's lovestruck, can't you see?"
It was true, for Bors had been watching the new barmaid since they arrived. It was refreshing to see a new, pretty face among all the used and washed-up wenchs. This woman had spunk to her; he saw that when she fought back at the drunkard earlier.
The auburn haired barmaid returned and set her tray on the table as she passed out the knights' ale and bowls of stew. Standing erect and wiping her brow, she pushed her losse hair back from her face.
"Is there anything else I can get you, knights?" the woman asked.
"Yes, there is," Bors said, and the woman looked directly at the bald man. "Please tell me your name."
End, 'Six.'
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