Disclaimer: Same as before…. 'Turn your face to the wall' is an saying for when someone gives up on life and, quite literally, wills themselves to die – and succeeds.
According to various online websites early pagan and roman marriages were basically two people living together and saying they were married to all those that knew them (God, think of the money we'd save if we could just do that these days!). There could be a ceremony if they wished, but it carried no legal substance – the actual 'marriage' took place by consummating the relationship and then living as man and wife, anything more was really for show.
LaurelinRe: Oh God, poor you – hopefully things have eased off a bit for you now? Well, they are my favourites – plus I had people e-mailing me and asking where they were! LOL It will and the chapter after that is where you find out more about Devon's destiny – I've got to start getting some action and angst in here before I go bloody mad with boredom! Nope, you are very right – I don't though I am trying to be a little nicer to her now….. ;O) Yeah I could imagine a man like Dag being seriously scary if angry and not only because of his size, but also because he so quiet and gentle the rest of the time. Freaky but comforting – or maybe that's just me and my sick mind! Yeah, what a horrible way to find out all you love are dead and gone – still helps the story and as you know I am happy to make my characters suffer for the sake of the story! LOL
Calliann: Glad you love both the story and the chapter – hopefully I can get things back on track in the next one so I too love it! Wow, my own folder – that's really sweet, jut hope you like the others as much too! Ah yes, the idea….well, it'll be in the next chapter so you'll have to wait! Aren't I evil! LOL
JediPirateElfyDude Can I just say once more how much I love your name, it always makes me smile! Well, I had to put it in because I love it and people were e-mailing me and asking why I wasn't! LOL I use Google and it takes a lot of time – listen, if you need any info let me know, I have a whole folder of bookmarked research sites and Arthurian/Roman/Sarmatian/Briton stuff and can always e-mail you the addys…just e-mail me whenever you need aught(!) and let me know. I can't promise results all the time (there are times when I have to admit defeat and just wing it), but I'll do my best.
Marblez: Yeah, but I was a bad bad person! LOL But thank you for not noticing:O)
Aelia O'Hession: I can because it's true, and it's also true about this chapter – which I also hate. Still, I never said I was anything but a rubbish writer! Anyway, the angst and horror are back in the next chapter – battles and the like. Mainly because I can't stand them all being too happy for long – I get bored! LOL A friend told me something the other day that freaked out a little bit. She said she'd read on the internet this premise for a book where the characters in the story were living out the reality of the plot…….doesn't bear thinking about does it – especially with 'Bethan & Lucan'! Anyway, he won't die and neither will she – beyond that I make no guarantees! LOL Dagonet is the sort of man we all wish for in our lives (and as for Ray Stevenson, don't get me started on him…..;O) I've just bought Cookson's 'The Tides of Life…' he was so good in that! Lucan is mine, sorry – but I invented him and he's coming home with me! LOL That is exactly what Gypsy was thinking – so good for you for knowing! Not sure if I agree with the timeline itself, but hey the guy says there is historical evidence to support it (and another site is more professional in their presentation of the evidence they have about it – and I must admit they're take on it is slightly more believable than the other one!) 'Black Death' – very horrible, but then it had to be to get the scout so upset; but I agree it is a horrible way to die. Though all the plagues I read about were pretty evil, this one is the one most people know. He will be soon, and her wall is…slowly. But Dag is a good, patient, loving, kind , thoughtful……..I think we've covered all this(!) and he will be there for her….in this chapter, things get interesting! It is the longest, but forget the babbling – it made perfect sense and I thank you for it:O BTW, I'm also trying to make some Dagonet PC wallpapers as I'm deeply saddened at the lack of Dag stuff (you have now made me like so much he's my favourite!)
lilstrummrgrl527: A friend told me of that yonks ago, but I had to put it in! Yes, cruel – but incredibly funny! You sound like me and my mates back in the days when I was your age (some time before the flood I think!) They do you are right, but I don't think Devon would abuse that ownership – I won't let her anyway! I know what you mean about Dag though – and I too have piccies of him; and I am currently making some wallpapers of him! Don't worry and no it doesn't bother me! Of course it's okay, I have three friends round here that use it too now – hey, I could be an urban legend! ROFL I absolutely fell about laughing at the queen song you mentioned – as I pictured them in a kids wagon with Devon pulling it with a bike and them all singing the song! Glad you liked it – hope you like this one too!
SpectralLady: Sorry to hear you're feeling poorly – hope you're feeling better by now. Mine's ongoing am just waiting on stuff from the hospital. Devon and Van do….much against his will, luckily the lady is very tenacious! LOL Oh stop whistling – you know they're going to get into some serious furniture moving! VBG I LOVE Bors…he's like my (sadly now deceased) uncle! I forgot how much I missed him, until I saw the film and then started writing his character – he would have fared well back then:O)
Sorceress Misha: I had to laugh at your pun – nice one! Yes and mine…Beth thinks it's brilliant when I told her of all the people that like and use her word now! Yeah, Lancelot was a bit of a bugger wasn't he? But trust me, he's better now and really comes into his own soon. I think Devon will be doing a lot of winding soon as she starts fulfil her destiny. I think Dagonet, Lancelot and Tristan are a lot more vulnerable than they were shown in the movie, though I think that you could still sense it, and maybe that was why everyone was so annoyed when those three were the ones that died. They had the more in depth and angsty characters. Anyway, hope you like this one and I love the lj – though am trying to avoid the G/G slash (not that I have aught against it) as I am bit worried it would make me think things about my little boys in this story that would not be good! LOL
WARNING: BAD LANGUAGE AND VIOLENCE, SO READ AT YOUR OWN PERIL.
All reviews, and constructive criticism, gratefully received – but no flaming please; and I will try to update regularly.
'—' signifies thoughts.
"—" signifies speech.
Anyway…chapter Fifteen!
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Heart & Soul
Chapter Fifteen – Blood Kin and Forevers
Devon was with Tristan and Lancelot saying goodnight. Both men were tired, and keen to sleep. But the younger knight was amazed at Devon's healing ability and told her so.
She shrugged "I've always been quite a fast healer….don't know why…when I was alone I always healed quickly, even if I did not take care of the wounds and got sick."
She turned to Tristan and touched his arm; dark brown eyes opened to regard honey ones "Do not let your grief destroy you brother as I did mine." She murmured to him "I would not wish that suffering on my worst enemy – let alone one I love so dear."
He gripped her arm and pulled her down so that his mouth was level with her ear and whispered brokenly "If not for you I would have turned my face to the wall long since sister……."
She hugged him; wrapping her arms around his neck and whispering nothings into his ear, merely trying to ease the grief of the lonely man who was blood kin now and deeply loved by her. He let her comfort him for a while before pushing her back "Go; he will be waiting…"
She wiped her eyes, the tears pooling there and looked to Lancelot.
"I will be here…but I ask a gift of you…." he said reassuringly, though the last was more hesitant.
"Ask - and if it is in my power I'll give it, you know that Lance."
The dark knight cleared his throat; asking nervously and uncertainly "Would you be my sister too - my blood kin also?"
She looked to Tristan, who nodded "The Goddess knows he's earned it Devon, has he not? Have we three not traversed the realm of shades together and returned?"
She smiled "If you agree brother, I think we could stand another sibling in our midst – even an annoying one!" Lancelot positively beamed as she pulled her blade and cut their palms – twisting them together as she had done with Tristan a few weeks before.
"I will be worthy…." He whispered as he pulled her into a hug.
"I know….you already are – you are not the man you were when I came…." She whispered back. She stood "I leave our brother in your care….."
"Who are you speaking to?" Asked Lancelot.
"Both of you!" she smiled as she left.
She felt a little happier that they had another blood kin to rely on – though deep down she knew that the connection she had would not be as deep with Lancelot as it was Tristan. She and the scout were more like twins, she and Lancelot were merely siblings. She felt somehow Galahad and Gawain would understand her and Tristan more than the others…she smiled as she thought of the two young knights.
She had often thought lately that all the knights worked as a pack…..she had seen wolves in her time; seen how they hunted, how they cared for their young, how they would all die together rather than fight alone, and how they always had an alpha male with another male ready to step in if the first became weak.
The knights were the same she'd since realised – obviously Arthur was the pack leader, the alpha male with Lance as his second And, apart from the herd and Lucan, the other 'pups' in the pack had to be Gawain and Galahad. She chuckled at what the knights would think of her strange musings….
As she was leaving she bumped into a worried and distraught Van "What is it Van?"
"My Bors…I…think he's dead." she whimpered.
"What! Show me!"
Van lead her back to the tavern where she saw Bors slumped over a table, apparently immobile. "I told him where his drinking would lead him…I did…." Van whispered to her friend.
"I cannot…" she said with a hitch in her voice as Devon gestured for her to come with her "you go."
Devon sighed and strode over to Bors. She pushed him back to a sitting position; indeed it did look like he was dead. But she felt his chest and opened an eyelid; he was breathing and she could see now he was still alive.
"He's not dead Van…" she called back to her friend with a roll of her eyes and a smile "he's merely dead drunk! Though in truth I would not worry ever about death with Bors, for I believe he's pickled!"
Van stalked over, all sadness gone "I'll bloody kill him!"
Devon stopped her with a hand at her shoulder "Nay, Van – he'll not know it….he'll enter the Land of the Dead wondering how in Hades he got there!"
"What then?"
"leave him here until the morrow and then send the herd to wake him…with much noise, back slapping and general mayhem; and you greet him with the breakfast he hates most in all the world - porridge!" she grinned mischievously.
"Aye….mayhap that'll teach the drunken oaf a lesson!" grinned her friend.
As Bors started to making horrible snoring noises, his mouth hanging open, Devon leant across and pushed it shut "Ye Gods, is he always like that! How in Hades do you sleep?" she said, as each time she let him go his mouth would fall open and the noise would start again.
"I am well used to the daft old pig and his snorting…" Van looked on with an affectionate smile now "Drives me mad he do, but I love him dearly."
"Van…..I am sorry – about before…." Devon hesitated.
"Nay, do not fret Devon – even the best of sisters' fight! Tis all forgotten!" she hugged her and they parted.
The younger woman trotted off, not knowing they had been seen by Dagonet who smiled; all was well. A bonus would be he would not need to kill Bors now – his own whelps and wife would do that for him on the morrow…….
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Devon walked hard into Dagonet as she rounded the corner of the tavern "Goddess, this takes me back!" she laughed, as his hands reached out automatically to catch her.
He hugged her to him "Aye, that it does….are you done?"
"Aye…..we have another brother…." She hugged him back.
"Oh, who?"
"Lancelot…."
"Aye well, that's probably as it should be…after all, he went to the gates of death with you…"
"That he did…." She leant against his solid frame "I am so tired Dag…"
He swept her into his arms "Are you sure you should not be staying in the sick room?"
"Nay, I am more than content to remain in your arms…." She leant her head against his shoulder, and then looked around "where is Lucan?"
"He has his own room now…I…I…thought it best…if you were going to be in my room….umm….every night now." Dagonet wondered suddenly if he had mayhap presumed too much; he said the same to Devon.
"Nay, Dag, you have not. If I could not spend every night with you – where would I spend it?" she smiled at him, pulling his head down for a kiss as he carried her to their room.
He kicked open the door, before nudging it shut with his foot and setting her down by the chairs. It had been a few weeks since she had been here, yet it was as firmly imprinted on her mind as if she'd spent every night there.
Even the smell was as good "Been cooking again I see?" she smiled.
"There's always a pot of stew around when I am here…" he shrugged, but was pleased she'd noticed. He fetched their bowls and was about to start spooning stew into it, when she stayed his hand.
He looked at her as she shook her head and leant in to kiss him "I've missed you…" she murmured against his lips.
"Is this the same woman who was going to run away just this morning?" he grinned.
"Aye…but thankfully this handsome knight and intelligent steed made her see sense…."
"What sense was that?" he murmured into her hair, as he sat down and pulled her into his lap.
"the sense that if she'd done something that foolish she would have died….for the same knight had stolen her heart and she could not stray far and live without it – or him." Her voice was quiet and she moved back to look into his eyes "I love you Dag, I truly do. But it is hard for me, I have had only myself for so long – and all those I love always leave me…."
"I won't…." he said sternly.
"Is that your 'do not fear me' voice?" she smiled.
"Aye…so don't."
"I don't fear you, I just fear you leaving me…." She rubbed her hand over his cheek, he turned his head and pressed a kiss into her palm.
"Do not fear that either…" he mumbled as she leant down to kiss him.
"I'll try…." Was the last thing she said before she became lost in his kiss.
After a few minutes he drew back "Devon…I…I don't think this is a sensible idea. You have been very sick and….." before he could continue she pressed her lips against his once more.
He tried to resist; but her arms round his neck pulling him closer against her body, her small tongue flicking against his lips were more than he could endure; with a low groan he gathered her into his arms, standing as he did so, and carried her to the bed where he laid her gently down.
Finally breaking the kiss he divested himself of his jerkin and then his suede shirt. He lay down next to her on the bed and gathered her to him once more; they began to kiss, and the embrace quickly deepened.
"We can't…" Dag gasped eventually "I don't want to hurt you…we should stop, whilst I still can…"
She gazed at him with her honey eyes now a deep amber "I don't want to stop Dag….I want to be yours; completely and utterly yours…for now and forever."
"Do you know what you're saying?" he asked staring at her in amazement.
"Aye, under our faith, and even old roman law, once we've made love I am yours."
"And you wish that?"
"With every fibre of me….." the desire, love and devotion rang out of her eyes "I won't be easy to live with Dag…you could do better than me, far better…."
"I could not love another as much as I love you Devon, and I would want no other in your stead. You are the best, there can be no better than you….anywhere." he hauled her to him and she ignored the pain as he crushed her slight body to his, almost trying to push her into him.
"I'll always love you…..I will…" he muttered against the skin of her neck as he tugged her shirt over her head.
He stared at her bare top; only covered by the thin under vest, saw the scars as she crossed her arms over her breasts "Don't….don't be ashamed Devon…you are beautiful…" he breathed.
"I have many scars….my back…." She sighed, rolling over so he could see "You'd best see the worst before you decide you want me for always."
He gently ran his hands over the myriad of criss-crossing scars on her back, all thick ridges showing how deep the original wounds must have been; it looked as if she'd been almost flayed alive "They do not make me love you any the less; I merely wonder that you survived." His fingers touched the vivid red one of her most recent injury on her side, causing her to gasp as his fingers trailed rivers of red desire through her veins.
He rolled her over once more, tugging her breeches off and seeing the two puckered scars on her thigh and one on her shoulder from the arrows she had taken protecting him, once again he ran his fingers over the red scars. "These were from protecting me…"
"Aye and I would do it again in a heartbeat….." she snagged his hand and brought it to her lips "You are worth more to me than a couple of arrow wounds; you are worth my life…my soul…"
He touched another scar on her stomach; he raised his eyes to hers "you mean as much to me Devon, full as much. Is this where the Saxons...?"
"Aye…" she stayed his hand, her breath ragged "Dag…you know not what you do to me with your wandering hands."
He reached down and kissed the scar, then the two on her thigh, and finally the one on her shoulder – before reclaiming her lips "Only as much as you do to me with those eyes…" his breath equally as uneven as hers.
He trailed red hot kisses down her neck….she wound her arms round his muscular shoulders….. they removed the rest of their clothes…burying themselves in their embrace; their bodies becoming a tangle of limbs as their love finally found a physical outlet, and their souls at last met and melded together.
Much, much later the large and gentle knight pulled her form possessively against him – before they drifted into sleep he whispered one word possessively against her ear "mine."
"Yours…" Devon smiled, tugging his arms even tighter around her and burrowing into his chest, she ignored the slight pain in her side. Reaching up and patting his cheek she murmured as possessively as he "mine."
"Yours…." He smiled into her hair as sleep claimed them both; two hearts, one soul – finally at peace.
Okay – this is not the end (well unless you want it to be – and I wouldn't blame you as I hate this chapter too….what is it with me at the moment, my writing is more crap than usual!) – and it is a bit of a short chapter I know….but I wanted to get the furniture moving out of the way before going on.