Disclaimer: Same as before…. '
lilstrummrgrl527: He had to be really….I was going to keep him as a rival for Dag, but couldn't do it. That's the sort of multi-tasking I can do! There is no point yelling or killing a drink whilst they're just that – drunk! Revenge is so much better the next day, when they'll really suffer! laughs evilly Well, I can't write the actual 'sex' bit – I just can't….LOL How sad am I? I mean I've been married for 13 years and I can't write a more graphic ahem 'scene'! But no, I will always leave it before they get too cough,cough 'frisky':O Actually, my husband loves to cook too – however, the aftermath has to be seen to be believed! Though I should tell you about my jam making one day – that was a real laugh riot! VBG
Sorceress Misha: I think he is as lonely as Dag and Tristan, but just covers it better. But she is a lot closer to Tristan….though she loves Lancelot, but somehow her connection to Tristan runs much deeper (all will be explained there soon). You made tea come out of my nose! When I read the bit your Mum wondering why you were laughing….I had a mouthful of tea! ROFL Yeah, I can see that phrase being written on my gravestone! It caused some confusion here the first time I said it to Trevor (husband) he said "But its 1 o clock in the bloody morning!" But now he's happy about it – and I have two friends who use it too! LOL
Babaksmiles: I am so glad that you liked it…. No, sad little puppies make me cry! So hopefully this will keep you not sad….and it is slightly better than the last one. :O)
LaurelinRe: This chapter….you find out….what she has to do. She is not a happy camper about it, but hey she will do what's necessary. This lot will be Saxons, but I'll keep the Huns in mind too. Glad work has lessened…..hope it continues to not bug you!
JediPirateElfyDude: Your name is brilliant, I smile every time I read it! Glad you liked that chapter; I think this one is slightly better! The marriage thing took some tracking down…but glad I found it. :O)
Twilight Falcon: Glad you liked it, and they had to make Lance a brother really. The three died together so they should be tied in some way in this life too. Hopefully it will make him more secure that she likes him too. As to the 'moving furniture' I started that in 'Fallen Knights…'and it now is almost a catch-phrase – if I don't put it in now, people e-mail me and ask where it is, along with word 'muchly'! Glad you like it though! LOL
Calliann: Ye Gods! I forgot about the foot with the hand! LOL Tristan will be fine…you'll find out in this chapter…also my idea is in this chapter and ties in with his being alright, will you guess? LOL Lancelot is a cutie and hopefully will be happier now he too has family. Hope you like it!
SpectralLady: Thanks, but it was a good few years ago now – but every time I see Bors, I smile. I am so sorry about your Great Aunt, it's always horrible to lose someone we love but I do believe they go somewhere better than here and you can't begrudge them that – it's just sad for those they leave behind. Yeah, furniture moving…..I think the word, bunnies, will say much! ROFL
Aelia O'Hession: Yup, only by a whisker and I may drift back….but you have – you made me realise what a gentle giant he was and how kind and loving he could be. No stolen glory…it's all yours! We did have a few words over San and Bethan, didn't we - but I enjoyed them! ROFL I enjoy debating the merits of stuff in my stories with you. But thank you for the boost – though I honestly don't think I'm any good. But am glad you like the writing anyway. No, our ancestors are off the hook! It'll be the Saxons, and possibly the Huns, this time:O Tristan will be fine I promise – I would not make him suffer too much! Glad you liked it though….
Evenstar-mor2004: Don't you just love thought I'd never get the chapters up! LOL Oh yeah! Tristan and Dag would be my knights of choice! Hubba, Hubba! ;O) Thanks for the boost, I think the Mona Lisa is pretty spectacular….but your probably right, but you can't imagine it really! LOL "Oh, sorry Mona…have to do it again – don't like the smile on that one!" :O)
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 Sixteen!
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Heart & Soul
Chapter Sixteen – Announcements & Warnings
She awoke the next morning with his arm pulling her tightly against him. Like that first morning, she was spooned into him only this time they were completely naked and she felt like she truly belonged somewhere and, more importantly, to someone.
She rolled slowly over and stared at him, just as she had that first morning. Only now he was hers….she smiled. Remembering their final exchange before sleep claimed them last night, he was hers and she was his – forever.
Did she regret what she'd said? She thought about it – no, she didn't. She wanted to be his, she could think of no better man to own her heart and soul. She leant forward and gently kissed his lips.
He mumbled slightly in his sleep and pulled her closer. His lips seeking hers and finding them "Love you…." he whispered against them.
She smiled "love you too…I….." there was a tap at the door.
"Who is it?" she sat up and struggled to get into her under shirt and shorts; whilst Dag nibbled her shoulder, himself now waking too.
"Lucan…..can I come in?" Devon immediately batted Dagonet away and literally fell out of the bed as the large knight rolled with laughter.
Lucan came in and saw his new friend lying on the floor in a heap trying to put her shirt on, and his father helpless with laughter in the bed.
"Do you not think you should see if she ails father? After all, she has been sorely ill…." He said, not a little reprovingly.
"Thank you Lucan, I am glad this family has one gentleman in it!" Devon smiled as she tried to rise.
All mirth gone Dagonet flew round the bed; only stopping, thankfully she thought, to put on his shorts.
"Are you well? I am sorry Devon, I forgot….I…." she silenced him with a gentle kiss, as she drew away she smiled as he went to follow her mouth with his own.
She coughed slightly "Lucan is here?" she smiled at the young boy, before leaning to Dag's ear "there is always tonight!" she grinned.
"I….if…I…am sorry…" he was still worried "are you sure you are not hurt?"
"Aye, the only thing bruised is my pride….shall I kiss you again to prove it?"
"Not unless you wish to show Lucan what furniture moving really means?" he smiled mischievously, his face relaxing as he realised she was alright.
She giggled and Dag laughed once more "What's so funny, my love?" she asked.
But then he crushed her to him "what? Dag, what is it?" She was concerned now.
"You called me your love…." He muttered into her hair.
"Aye….well, you are. Would you rather I didn't?"
"No….no, it is….was…nice…" he finished lamely, before elaborating slightly "I have not had much truck with women; my wife – Vala – was not one for endearments and so I am not used it….but…but I like it…." He finished before adding "It makes me feel…wanted."
She stroked his face "Oh, that you are my love….that you are."
They both noticed Lucan standing almost immobile "Lucan are you well?" Devon went over to the boy, concerned.
He looked up at her his eyes swimming "family…." He whispered "you called us a family…"
"Aye…" Devon was deeply concerned now; she would not hurt the boy for all the world, and if he would rather have Dag to himself she would not stay "is that a problem? Would you rather it just be you and Dagonet?"
He stepped forward without a word and flung his arms round her waist "No, No…." he gasped, biting his bottom lip so as not to weep "No, I….it's been long see….a long time since I had a family…"
"Would you like to tell me?" she sat down in one of the chairs and pulled the boy onto her lap, whilst Dagonet dressed.
"I shall fetch some breakfast…." He said finally as Lucan stared in to the flames of the fire he had banked up.
"No, father….no….I wish you to hear this too." He put a hand on Dag's arm.
"Those men in the robes, they killed my family – tortured them as they tortured me. I tried to protect my little sister, she was only 3, but she died a week before you came.
My mother died a few days before you arrived – they did something to her neck. My father followed the day after her….they cut some of his toes off and I think he bled to death. They - they put me in the little hole thing you found me in." His young voice shook, but he did not falter.
Devon hugged him so tightly that Dag thought she would crush him; so did Lucan "Devon….you're…I…can't…." he gasped.
"Oh Lucan I am so sorry…it's just…something similar happened to me…and I am so sad for you…." She said.
"That's alright – it's nice you care…but you see, with you and father, I have a family now…you said so…" he seemed to hesitate "can I call you…mother? Would that be alright? I don't mind if I can't…." he added quickly.
"Of course you can – oh Lucan of course you can, pudding….I would love that. I was going to have a baby once, all of my own – but the Saxons came and I lost it."
"We could go and look for it?" the boy offered "I mean, if you have a rough idea of where you might have lost it….."
Devon didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and actually ended up doing both. "Lucan, when you came to us….Arthur's God definitely lost an angel…"
"Tell him…." Dag said, smiling.
"Dagonet and I are married…under both Pagan and old Roman Law, we….umm…we made a promise, of sorts, and now we're married."
"Really? Goodness, that was quick! But I'm glad I am….Merlin says you will be needed Dev…..Mother…you will be needed to stop Arthur getting killed. So now you're married, maybe Father can help you?"
"Maybe, but first I think me and your Father need to speak with Merlin….." she looked at Dag in confusion.
"I'm going to go and find Seven and tell her!" Lucan jumped off Devon's lap and ran out – then ran straight back and kissed her cheek..
"Well, that was a twist I wasn't expecting…." Devon looked perplexed after the boy had gone off in search of his friend.
"I think we need to speak to that interfering old Shaman…. I'll not risk you again…" He sounded angry.
"Are you mad?" She rose and went to him, wrapping her arms around his waist and feelings his arms go round her. She rested her head on his chest and felt the steady beat of his heart.
"Not mad, just exasperated…..can't we have just a moment's peace before it all starts again?" he sighed.
She rubbed her cheek against his chest "Do you know how safe you make me feel, how loved and needed?"
He squeezed her tightly "Aye, but I could listen to you telling me…."
"You're so tall, I cannot reach your ear…" she smiled up at him.
He leant over her and she pressed her lips to his, the kiss quickly deepened "That's not my ear…." He breathed raggedly when they broke the embrace.
"Mmmmm…close enough….." she sighed, as he picked her up and carried her back to the bed.
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It was much later as they lay tightly clasped together that she told him more of her love for him "I do not fear anything now….not with you with me. Dagonet, you are the best part of me, the very best…." He hugged her tighter.
"Aye and you are the best part of me…."
She snorted her derision "that is a nonsense, I'm sorry… I hate, you don't; I have a quick temper, you are gentle; I enjoy killing, you don't. Believe me you are better than I in every way."
"Ah, but in a battle your ways are better than mine." She kissed him and then started to rise.
"Where are you going?" he pulled her to him protectively.
"It is well past dawn and I have to help Jols in the stables, and also I must help Van torment Bors……"
"I saw him last night before you barrelled into me – he was very drunk wasn't he?"
"Dag I've never seen another living soul that drunk and still able to continue breathing!" she exclaimed in genuine incredulity.
"Ah well, that's Bors for you….but Devon trust me, there will be nothing you can do to him that will make him stop drinking. Van's tried everything, we've all tried…." He smiled "but if you feel you really need to help her get even…."
There was another tap at the door "This is getting too monotonous now…" Dag groaned burying his head in his pillow "What do they all want? I never had this trouble before – they all left me alone." Devon grinned and tapped his shoulder.
"Maybe they're just worried for you…worried I'll break your heart…."
He pulled her into his arms "You would never do that…..I trust you too much."
"And deservedly so…..for I never would." She kissed him once more.
They quickly pulled on some clothes and then he opened the door – Bors stood there.
"Talk of the demon!" he grinned turning to Devon.
"You have got to help me – they're driving me mad! I am not allowed a moments peace from the racket! They're even following me with bowls of porridge and I hate porridge! But the noise – oh ye Gods, the noise!"
Just then Devon dropped all their swords, weaponry and armour "oops, sorry…" she smiled mischievously.
Bors glowered as he flinched "You did it, didn't you? My van would not torment me so! You bloody put her up to it….you HARPY!" he flinched again at the sound of his own raised voice.
"You deserved it!" She suddenly flew across the room "You left her to work in the tavern, cook your meal AND look after the herd whilst you drunk yourself to the point where she actually thought you were dead! YOU!" she prodded him in the chest "do not deserve HER!" she glowered at him before continuing "YOU won't even marry her….and good job too, because at least if someone better comes along she has bloody options!"
"You mean she'd LEAVE ME!" He sounded shocked and bewildered.
"If you don't appreciate her more I can bloody GUARANTEE IT – even if I have to bloody kidnap her to make it so!"
Dagonet thought it best to step in as they gathered a crowd of the knights. But Devon stomped down the stairs to the sick room to visit with her brothers, Bors following her "You WOULDN'T?"
"OH WOULDN'T I? YOU JUST BLOODY WATCH ME – YOU, YOU…..PIG!"
Calliann, a new barmaid came up. She was a nice girl, very dark and pretty with bright blue eyes like sunflowers; Devon and Van adored her…
"Ummm…..Devon? Arthur wondered what was happening?"
"Tell him to ask his bloody self….and that I am probably going to kill this bloody oaf of a knight!" She reined in her temper purely because she did not want to yell at the young girl in front of her.
Calliann scurried off…..Arthur roared with laughter when she told him. "Well, that sounds like Devon; and as for killing the oaf of a knight - that could be any of them!" He sobered "I'd best go….before she does."
"She wouldn't – would she?"
"Aye – she would…oh, she definitely would…" he chuckled as he left.
They arrived as Dagonet and Lancelot were trying to separate them; finally it took one word….from a bed in the corner "Devon…Stop!"
Calliann stopped dead as she locked eyes with the legendary killer scout. She blushed, but then saw him grimace as he moved and quickly went to aid him. He smiled slightly at her in thanks and she blushed again.
All fighting ceased as the knights exchanged looks…Bors and Devon grinned at each other.
Arthur groaned….he could see the only thing worse than those two fighting, was those two working together….
Devon hugged Bors "Don't drink so much , eh? She worries about you…"
"Aye…I won't – anyway, we'll be busy elsewhere won't we maid?"
Dagonet shook his head smiling – the way her temper could turn on a denarii, no wonder she warned him…
"Not having second thoughts?" Devon asked with a smile, but he could see the concern behind it.
"Why would I? I love you too much…." He hugged her to him.
"Second thoughts about what?" Lancelot asked.
"We've taken the oath….." Dag smiled, still staring down at Devon.
Lancelot clapped him on the back and the other knights went to congratulate him.
Tristan smiled from his bed "'bout time Dag….I began to wonder if your intentions to our sister were honourable."
Arthur looked confused "what oath?"
Galahad looked dreamily at him "They are what you would call 'married'…"
"Already?" Arthur was startled, but then as he watched them together he knew he shouldn't be…
Gawain slapped Galahad's head "Stop it!"
"OW! What!"
"The dreamy thing……stop it! You go on like that and you'll be married before me!"
"Why is that a problem!"
"I am older….so I should marry before you…." Gawain said officiously.
"Only by a bloody 12 month! So stuff you! If I meet someone sweet…" he glanced at Calliann "Then I am marrying her….so there!" he stuck his tongue out at Gawain.
Bors slapped him "Not her…." He gestured to Calliann and whispered "me and Devon want her for the scout…"
"BORS! That…is SO not fair!"
Devon slapped his head "NO pouting and NO whining!"
"But….but…"
"No 'buts' either….AND no sulking!"
"You love me don't you?" he looked imploringly at Devon.
"If I could pick an annoying little brother Galahad, you would be him in a heartbeat!" she grinned and hugged the young knight, before releasing him and ruffling his hair "I'll always love you…"
He grinned at Gawain who mumbled "I bet she loves me too.."
"I do Gawain…indeed I do…." Devon said kissing his cheek.
"Don't ruffle my hair!" he grinned.
Merlin came over and drew Devon to one side "we need to talk…."
"Merlin…can it not wait?" she sighed "Dag and I would just like a day, one day, where we are not worried or battling…."
"Aye child and I agree with you…..but this will not wait. There are Saxons coming, they say to plead peace – but it is to attack us and kill Arthur."
"Please Devon….I do love him and wish no harm to come to the man I am to marry." Guinevere walked forward. "You helped me face my destiny, and now I only ask that you help me keep the man I love alive that is to be part of it."
"what do you wish for me to do?" Devon asked in resignation.
"Two will lead them…..one will be a man called Mordred and the other his wife, Isolde….they are evil, Devon. Very evil….they use the dark arts. You must kill her with an arrow to the left eye and him an arrow to the right…
If they beg peace, Arthur will not stand against them, and his men will not disobey him. You are the only one who will act – kill them both…." Merlin said quietly.
"what of Arthur?"
"If he says aught to you say this…. 'Pelagius always said beware of Greeks bearing gifts' remember Troy Arthur.' He will know…it may not do much, but he will stop to think. But you must kill them, Devon, you must." He was bordering on desperate.
"I will Merlin…I will…if it is that important, I will not fail." She patted the old man's arm, saddened to see him so distressed "when?"
"I am not sure…in the next 2 days…." He left.
She touched Guinevere's arm "All will be well, I will not let him perish and I will not fail your father." The younger woman walked away smiling; completely trusting the woman before her.
She drew Arthur away "We should arrange something for them…."
Devon turned to leave as well "Where are you going?" Dagonet asked quietly.
"To make some arrows – I think I will need them…." She sighed.
"To do with what Lucan spoke of?"
"Aye…gather the knights Dag – without Arthur – I think I will need help to restrain him…." She went over to her brothers and they began to gather the others, she told them what she must do.
Merlin was wrong; whilst they would not disobey Arthur as a rule – neither would they obey orders that would see him dead. They stood with Devon….whatever happened, the two Saxons would die.