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.
Thirteen
Arthur stood perfectly erect, not allowing himself to slouch in the least. His green eyes held a sense of saddness, but never fear. Vanora held her hands over her growing belly and tried to prepare herself for the worst.
"Knights, we have new orders. Eat and sleep well tonight. Be prepared, for we leave at dawn," Arthur finally said.
Gawain spit out his drink and Lancelot looked upon his commander in disbelief. Galahad, half-drunk, only laughed, believing that it must be some sort of sick joke. The others, including Vanora, knew he was dead serious.
"New orders?" Galahad asked. "We just got home! What new orders?"
"I don't issue orders, I just follow them," Arthur eyed him up curiously.
"Nobody told you to follow them," Lancelot said, never looking away from Arthur.
"I follow them because it is my duty," Arthur answered.
"So are we!" Lancelot added. "You owe something to us, me and the men. It's our lives we've laid on the line for you for the past ten years! What do we have to show for it?"
"I ride into battle whether any of you join me or not. I do not force you into any man's war. I only ask that you will consider it," Arthur replied. "I do not ask you to follow me, Lancelot."
The knights were left both stunned and speechless. Arthur put on his dutiful face, one that was expressionless.
"Are you with me, knights?" Arthur asked sternly.
As each one reluctantly agreed, Vanora looked up at Bors, who had not yet said anything. He rubbed the stuble on his chin with his forefingers as he gazed down at his pregnant lover. When she could not find her voice, Vanora allowed her pleading eyes to speak for her. The burly man hugged her shoulders and kissed her atop the head, as tears began streaming down her face.
"I am with you," Bors declared. "Can't let you go alone, you'll all get yourselves killed without me."
Without a word to any of them, Vanora stood and began walking away. Bors immediately followed her, but was stopped by Dagonet.
"Let her go, Bors, she just needs to be alone for a while," the gray-eyed knight said.
"She's been alone most of her life, and now we're leaving her again. I'm going to her while I still can," Bors replied, brushing past his friend.
Vanora was all ready half-way back to their hut when Bors caught up with her.
"Vanora," he said, grabbing her arm lightly.
She pulled away. "I'm not speaking with you!"
She entered the hut and tried to close the door on him. It didn't take much for Bors to regain entry.
"Go away, Bors! Leave me alone!" she cried.
He chuckled lightly. "That's a bit difficult, love, considering you're living with me in my hut!"
"I'm glad you find this so amusing."
"I can't even get a few words in without you snapping back at me."
"What is there to say! You're leaving tomarrow; all of you are leaving tomarrow."
"It is our job as knights, Vanora."
"And, I am your lover, carrying your child! What am I supposed to do all the months you all are gone? Sit home and knit! I have to support our family because it's obvious you're not going to!"
Bors grabbed ahold of her and held her in his arms tightly.
"Now, see here, Vanora! I wouldn't go if I didn't have to, but I do! You knew from the moment you met me that I would someday be a knight and have to follow Rome's rule."
"You don't even believe in the Roman rule," Vanora huffed, blowing her auburn hair from her eyes.
"I believe in the men. I believe in Arthur," he answered thoughtfully.
Vanora turned in his embrace to face him. Her eyes still welled with tears, but she was strong enough to hold them back now.
"Is there anything else you believe in, Bors?" she whispered.
He took a step towards her. Her presence was stimulating and intoxicating.
"I believe in this..." he said, kissing her. Then, he moved one hand to her stomach. "And, I believe in this."
Wrapping her arms around Bors, Vanora lay her head on his chest. She sighed deeply and closed her eyes. Bors caressed her hair lightly. His hand ran from her hair down the length of her backside over and over again, comforting her.
When dawn came, it was unusually warm and sunny, though one couldn't tell by the sorrowful looks upon everyone's faces. It was especially difficult for Vanora, though she wouldn't allow herself to cry as she bade farewell to each individual knight.
"It's ten years ago, all over again, isn't it?" Galahad put on his best happy face as Vanora kissed him on the cheek.
"We will hurry home," Lancelot grinned. "Especially if we know you're homemade cooking is here waiting for us."
She patted the dark-haired knight on both shoulders.
"Just get home, Lancelot," she said.
Dagonet and Bors were last in line, as they had been last time they parted ways with her. It was a sudden rush of reality that really hit Vanora like an arrow. They were leaving this time, not as boys, but as Knights. She embraced Dagonet.
"We will return to you soon, little sister," Dagonet promised.
"Just remember to bring back my lover with you, too, all right?" Vanora whispered.
When her eyes met Bors, Vanora could no longer hold in all her tears. He held her tenderly, stroking her hair and back as he had done the previous night.
"It'll be all right, my strong woman," Bors coaxed. "I'll be back in no time."
He placed his hand over her stomach.
"Little Jana or Augustus will meet their father when he returns," he added.
"Jana or Augustus?" Vanora smiled hopefully.
"Well, I don't know if it's a boy or girl yet," he chuckled lightly.
"I love you, Bors. Return to me," Vanora embraced him one last time.
"Always," he replied.
Bors mounted his faithful black steed and walked in line with the others. Vanora waited until all seven of the knights were out if sight before she collapsed to her knees and wept.
End, 'Thirteen'
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