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.

P.S.: I'm not following the story in KA completely. It's true in the time period I've set, Bors and Vanora couldn't have 11 children. Therefore, they're not. Hope that cleared some stuff up.

Twelve

Vanora made her way to Dagonet's place. Today was going to be the day. She would tell him everything, about Bors and the baby, and the fact he was going to be like an uncle. He and the other knights were the closest she had ever had to brothers, and she hoped they all would be like uncles to her and Bors' child.

Along the way she spotted newly bloomed bluebells. She stopped on the hillside to pick some. She brought the flowers to her button nose and inhaled their fresh beauty.

"Vanora!" she heard a familiar voice call out to her as she finished picking flowers.

She didn't need to turn as she knew who it was. A moment later Lancelot was by her side.

"Vanora, finally caught up with you," Lancelot gasped. "You walk fast for a woman."

"A woman must learn to walk fast to keep rogue men like you at a distance," she replied, not looking up. "You forget, I'm still angry with you."

Grasping the stems of the bluebells she had plucked from the Earth, Vanora stood and began walking again. Lancelot folded his hands behind his back and smiled inwardly as he followed her.

"I've come to apologize, you see," he said.

Vanora let out a laugh. "You apologize? That's a first. I've never known you to apologize for anything."

He laid his hand on her shoulder; she stubbornly stopped.

"Well, I'm apologizing to you, Vanora. It was wrong what I said to you the other night," Lancelot admitted. "Can you forgive me?"

Her light brown eyes met his deep, dark orbs. He flashed his famous grin that often had ten women swooning at the sight of him. She sighed heavily and shook her head.

"How can I say no to that face?" she asked, hands on her hips.

"You can't. I'm simply irresistible, I'm afraid," he said cockily.

She poked him in the chest as he embraced her like a brother would his sister.

"Don't push it," she smiled in return.

"Where are you off to, then, this morning?" Lancelot wondered, walking alongside her.

"I'm going to see Dagonet. I have something to discuss with him."

"Oh?"

"Privately."

"A woman's mind has many rooms; some of which are never to be entered."

"Poetry?"

"Lancelot."

Vanora laughed openly. "I should have known."

"I'll leave you to your business then," the knight said.

Vanora watched him until he was out of sight. Lancelot was always so confident and sure of himself. Sometimes he was even an arrogant and downright cocky bastard. He always knew what to say or how to react, though. She wished she could always be like that.

The sun rose high and plastered the lands with its milky warmth and goodness. One could hardly tell that the land was more than anything innocent. In a way, the lands were like people. It carried the sins and scars that all people did. It was like an open book; one that could be read or destroyed. Vanora silently wondered if the lands knew of her past sins.

Once she arrived at Dagonet's hut, she was warmly greeted by his presence. He had been outside chopping up wood when she came. He lowered his axe and set it into a tree stump. Wiping his hands on his pants, he approached Vanora and embraced her tightly.

"It's good to see you, Vanora. I haven't seen you a few days; been keeping yourself busy at the tavern?" Dagonet wondered.

"More or less," she nervously smiled.

"Been keeping Lancelot and the others out of trouble, then?" he asked.

"I don't think any amount of anything could keep any of them out of trouble," Vanora replied.

Vanora felt sick to her stomach. It wasn't because of her pregnancy, but because she was suddenly stricken with a case of fright. She wasn't afraid to tell Dagonet of her and Bors' affair. She was more afraid of losing his respect and trust. After all, she had not been truthful to him since they met again. Slowly, she sat down as Dagonet fetched them some tea. She smiled and took the small mug in her hands.

"So, what brings you here today?" Dagonet asked, sitting beside her.

Not knowing how to began or finish what she had to say, Vanora decided just to tell him everything straight out.

"Dagonet, I've been meaning to tell you some things for some time, but it's never been right until now," she sucked in air and continued. "I love you as my brother, so I wanted you to know before any of the others did. Bors and I are in love. I didn't realize how much he cared for me until one night over a month ago when we were still at the other town. Some Romans tried to have their way with me, but Bors ended up killing them first. It was then we had our first sexual encounter. Since then, we've been together many times."

A strange look of betrayal and disbelief crossed the older man's face as he listened.

"I'm so sorry, Dag, I never meant to lie to you," her voice and eyes pleaded. "Bors wanted to come to you the first time, but I wouldn't let him. I told him that I needed to tell you; you had the right to hear it from only me."

The knight sighed deeply and shook his head slightly.

"I'm not angry with you, Vanora. I've had a feeling that something had been going on," he said, taking her face into his hands. "But, you should have told me sooner."

"I know," she answered. "I promise not to lie to you again, Uncle Dagonet..."

His grey eyes widened as he searched her glowing face. She placed his large hand on her stomach. It was then he understood.

"You're pregnant, too?" he asked. "You are no longer like my little sister; you're all grown up."

Vanora ran her slender fingers down the ancient scar on his cheek and placed her palm on his face.

"I will always be your little sister," Vanora said, smiling. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

That night the news had spread to the entire town about Vanora and Bors. The other knights were told by Bors with a round of ales. When Vanora only drank water, the knights suspected something; she was always a drinking woman.

"Here, here, to the happy parents!" Gawain raised his goblet to the others. "May this not be your first and last child!"

The other knights raised their drinks to that.

"Of course not! We're planning on an even twelve!" Bors gleamed.

"Twelve? Well, dear lover, you may have to go without me," Vanora replied with a laugh.

Galahad leaned inward. "So, when will you have the baby, Vanora?"

She placed her hands on her belly. "Well, it's all ready been a month, so in eight more."

"Nine months! Glad I wasn't born a woman!" Gawain chuckled.

"Me too," Lancelot grinned. "You'd make one ugly woman!"

The long-haired knight punched Lancelot on the shoulder.

"You'll make one ugly man after I hit you with my axe," he retorted playfully.

Vanora's laughter was the loudest over the others'.

"I think you've bruised his ego now, Gawain," Vanora made a pouty lip towards Lancelot.

She was the first to notice quiet Arthur watching the group from a distance.

"Arthur!" she shouted. "Come join us!"

The group was still having their giggling fit as the Commander approached them. When they saw the deadly serious look upon his masculine face, they quickly quieted.

"Arthur, what is it?" Dagonet asked.

"My brothers in arms, I regret that I must be the bearer of bad news on this joyous occaison," Arthur began.

"Then keep your bearings and don't let this joyous occaision come to an end!" Lancelot suggested.

Arthur shot his first knight a glance and he quieted once again. Vanora watched the green-eyed man with fear in her thoughts, for she knew what he was about to say.

End, 'Twelve.'

Please R&R! Thanks!