Disclaimer: Same as before….
Calliann: Well you should – I know how much you love and adore Tristan so had to do this for you….I have also changed the name to be correct to the above now (sorry!) – you feature more in this chapter (and the next one) hope you like it (muchly wiggling of eyebrows here!) I think you would kill Galahad with all his whinging! LOL Well I hope you still like Tristan's 'mystery woman' - and quite holding the foot down, you know I'm the one that's right!
Marblez: Good God, don't worry about it – I was there myself two years ago (I cut my wrists and was self harming until just last October and the urge to do it is still with me….but I am recovering and so completely understand.) Please, please don't worry….I like your little comments and any review is always much appreciated – but at the end of the day, so long as you can read it and like it then that is good enough for me. I hope you like this chapter too and I am sorry for the delay, but with three stories on the go I am getting a bit bogged down… :O) If you ever need someone to talk to you can always e-mail me….I am online almost all day and evening (sometimes until 3-4 in the morning UK time) so am always around for a chat or just to listen.
SpectralLady: I am so glad you liked the chapter and yes they are wed and going like bunnies! ROFL I think they make an adorable little family……..hope you don't hate the end:O
Evenstar-mor2004: I know at 8 as well – they hate all the mushy stuff at 8! ROFL Still, isn't he a little cutie!
Babaksmiles: I am so pleased you like them as a couple – I think Dag is great! Yes she is our own Calliann – she is a THE biggest Tristan fan and I know she loves him so much so just had to put her in this story as his girl! As to co-writing a story, I'm up for it – maybe you should suggest it to Calliann too:O) Galahad is a cutie which is why there is always much hair ruffling! LOL
Aelia O'Hession: No Trojan bunny (though personally I would find that immensely funny!) but more the premise that not all people supposedly suing for peace are really peaceful…..and Mordred…well, he was a nasty piece of work even in the legends, so I had to have him as evil here. He just won't last long, as I can't be arsed to torture him. Impudent child or holier than thou – either way it's extremely irritating! LOL Well, your morale boost was much appreciated but I do think you're being too kind to be honest. Still, it would be nice to meet your mob sometimes – hopefully armed with banana cream pie and cake rather than pitchforks and torches though:O)
Twilight Falcon: I know, I thought he wouldn't really understand the concept of a miscarriage so would automatically assume that she had really 'lost' the baby. I think that's why I found Dagonet's death the most upsetting in the film and felt it was the ill conceived one – wrong on so many levels; tactically, emotionally and literally. Yeah, more Saxons – I was getting bored! LOL
JediPirateElfyDude: Don't ask me why, but I've never really liked Isolde (same as Guinevere) and so felt I wanted to make her the baddy in this….but don't worry she won't last long – mainly because, like Mordred, I can't be bothered to torture her. There is hair ruffling for Galahad a little bit more whining this chapter so hopefully you will like this too!
lilstrummrgrl527: Pudding is what I call Beth and it just slipped in! Well, it wasn't his ear! LOL Yeah more Saxons mainly because I was getting bored and I do like a bit of blood letting! As to Bors, he is so funny and I'm sure it is his version of 'the shining':O) Anyway, hope you like this chapter – more Galahad whining and ruffling of hair! ;O Jolsy may yet dance….just not this chapter, considering the end of it it might be in bad taste…oops!
Sorceress Misha: I thought as he was only about 7 or 8 he wouldn't really understand the concept of a miscarriage so would automatically assume that she had really 'lost' the baby and would so offer to help her find it. Also he seemed so desperate in the film to have someone to love that as soon as he could he would be wanting 'parents'…so hence asking to call her mother. He is such a little sweetheart isn't he? I felt so angry when they killed Dag off in the film it was so futile…..it was tactically an error on Arthur's part to even fight where they did, it was emotionally horrible for Lucan and literally added nothing to the film as they took away one of the stronger characters. Still climbing off soapbox now! 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 Seventeen!
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Heart & Soul
Chapter Seventeen – Death
Devon went to find Van "Bors and I have an idea to help Tristan…"
"Oh aye…and how, pray tell, you do intend to do that?" she smiled.
"Pair him up with our Calliann!"
"It'll never work – he needs someone feisty like you , not someone soft and gentle like her…"
"Did you not see her deal with that drunk the other night? Slashed him across the face good and proper….it'll scar and everything!" Devon positively gloated.
"You know, you have an almost scary fascination with all things bloody and violent!" Van smiled "Anyway, dealing with a drunk is one thing, dealing with our blood thirsty Tris is another…."
"You didn't see the way they looked at each other just now…." She turned and saw Dag and Bors coming in "Tell her how our Call and Tris looked at each other…."
"He gave her one of those "Hellloooo" looks and she blushed and gave him a 'ooh, you're lovely' looks" said Bors doing silly voices too.
Dag smiled as he looped his arms round Devon's waist and she leant her head back onto his shoulder "aye, they certainly looked interested I'll say that much…."
"Not as interested as you two though!" smirked Bors "Has she told ya yet wench?"
"Told me what?" Van was confused.
Bors realised here was a way to get revenge on his lover for the morning – well, no one said the man had any sense….
"I know something you don't know….I know something you don't know!" he warbled as he danced around Van.
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A few minutes late a cold wet cloth had stopped the bleeding and Dagonet pronounced only a broken nose from where she'd hit him with the tray, of course the empty mugs on it at the time hadn't helped – but the rest were only minor cuts and bruises as they were broken against his head…
"So…" Van turned to the two tending her now subdued lover "what does he know that I don't?"
"We took the oath…" Devon grinned.
"You didn't!" she beamed.
"Aye we did, and it were her idea…" smiled Dag hugging Devon to him.
"Well, I am glad…I am….oh, come here the pair of ya!" and she hugged them both hard.
"I'm off to tell Jols and Aida…" Devon grinned.
"Don't be long…." Dag looked lovingly at her.
"As if I'd stray far from you…." she laughed as she went out.
"She's awful happy isn't she?" Van said with a smile watching her friend head towards the stables.
"Aye, she is – but not as much as me….I never thought I'd meet anyone to love, let alone one like her."
"Why shuddn't you habe wone sut ad 'er?" Bors said his nose stuffed with the cloth to stop the bleeding, but defending his brother all the same.
Van patted him "soft sod!" she whispered, and kissed his head. He grinned at her "Jud don' buddy 'it me agid wubud!"
"I need a translation of all that…" Dag said with a grin.
"He said 'why shouldn't you have one such as her' and 'just don't bloody hit me again woman'!" Van laughed.
"Ah, right……well, she is kind, loving and thoughtful…..she's as tough as old boots and she saved me, Tristan and Lancelot. She loves fiercely and hates the same way. She is the most beautiful woman I have ever met and, as I say, I can't believe she loves this old war horse." He finished with a rueful smile.
He felt two arms snake round his waist. "She loves you because you are the gentlest man she has ever met, your eyes are the windows to the kindest of souls she's ever seen and that soul is the other half to her own.
She sees a fierce warrior, loyal friend and a wonderful and loving man. A handsome, honourable man; and she can't believe that a twisted and bitter individual like her could end up with one such as he."
He turned and pulled her into a deep kiss, literally lifting her off her feet. Aida came in as they were wrapped up like this "You looking for me?" She smiled.
"They took the oath then?" she looked at Van.
"Did she tell you?"
"Nay, I was not there – but I've never seen two so besotted as these." She turned to Devon who was reluctantly being set back on her feet by Dagonet, who had the strongest urge to take her back to their room…..
"Well that and the fact their little lad is telling every one he meets that he has a mother and father again!" She grinned gummily at the happy couple.
"You know you got trying times coming right, girl?" she looked at Devon.
"Aye mother I do – but I'll weather them, as I always have…" she looked at Dag "so long as I have him, so long as naught befalls him I will always be alright."
"What if it does?" Aida voiced the question that was in the heads of all that knew the couple.
Devon shrugged and spoke matter of factly "Then wherever he goes, I shall follow – even to death. That time they will not stop me entering, even if I have to pull the very gates of death from their hinges I would follow him."
Aida smiled "Then it is as it should be….." She hugged the girl and saw the surprised look on the large knight's face "She loves you more than you thought, eh?"
He nodded.
"Aye, well you deserve it I reckon…." She released Devon and patted his arm.
"What of you Mother? Where do rest now – surely not still in the stables?" Devon was concerned for the old woman. She had grown mightily fond of her and wanted her cared for.
"Aye, where else?"
"Come then…I have an idea…." Aida followed her out and to the other half of the barracks that was solely the knights. She took her along the rooms on the second floor and entered the smallest on the end. "No one likes this one because it is small – it is next to Lucan's and ours is the one after that. You could have it if you like? I…..I…would like you to be part of our family Aida….we have no other; well, Dagonet's not sure….but I have not….I…" before she could get any further, the old woman had flung her arms round her neck.
"Oh, girl, girl….you are such a sweet soul….you are, you are indeed…..the Goddess did a good thing bringing you to us…she did at that…yes I'd liked that too for I have become awful fond of your little lot and all the knights in general. But you two are my favourites…." She smiled at the young woman as tears streaked down her cracked and wrinkled cheeks.
Devon rubbed them away and smiled a little shakily herself "now, now, don't take on so….I did not do it to make you weep….but we need family do we not?" she looked at her "I know your name is Aida…but…can we call you…..Nanna?"
The old lady blushed, knowing the meaning for the girl "Aye lass, you can at that…..Nanna is a good name…."
Before they could say more Bors appeared at the door with Jols "It's to the wall!"
They all ran out – except Nanna, she looked to the Heavens and prayed "Dear Goddess keep her safe for me….keep them all safe, for this is a great evil they are facing…."
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Devon saw the couple beneath them on their horses - a small Saxon army at their rear. She quickly gauged their numbers and realised that they could take them, with aid…..
She turned to Ganis and Merlin "we need your Woads fighters Merlin and Ganis, I need to get all the able bodied men from the fort that can ably wield a sword and/or bow….no heroics, no wannabe heroes, just able men. We will get one strike at this and one alone." Both men nodded, Ganis left.
Merlin merely raised his staff, and Devon saw the Woad fighters coming slowly out of the wood and heading towards the rear of the Saxons – they got close and then held their position. He looked at Devon and smiled "Your plan is a good one……it will work…but be careful…"
"Aye…I will. But first we must let them believe we do not know the truth…" She signalled Gawain.
"Who are you and want do you want?" he called.
"I am Mordred and this is Isolde, my wife, we come to sue for peace with King Arthur!" he called. He glanced at the black haired woman beside him and Devon saw him smirk.
"You bring many men to sue for peace Mordred…" she called.
"We have heard of blue savages that live in the woods and eat their own babies, I wish only to protect my wife and myself…." He smiled thinly.
Dag restrained Devon….that was an insult to the man stood beside her, but he too stayed her arm "Not yet child, he wishes to goad us to play our hand too soon."
She nodded "then I will goad back….for now; but retribution will be swift when you allow it." She looked down at the couple "No, that is the Saxons….though I do not know about their own babies, but I know they eat ours."
Mordred's eyes flashed – oh he would enjoy killing her slowly, mouthy bitch. Let her talk so when he had cut out her tongue!
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Back in the sick room Calliann was wringing her hands as Lancelot strapped his weapons on, and Tristan struggled out of bed to collect his bow.
He knew he was still too weak to fight, but he could bow for them…..for his sister; if they were to die, then he would damn well make sure they did it together.
Lancelot turned to him and grasped his arm "Brother?"
"Brother - Let us face fate at our sister's side…."
"Aye…"
The scout turned to the girl before him. He liked her, she was quiet and he felt there was more to her than the frightened little thing he saw most of the time. With the right encouragement and training she could be a good fighter – he had watched from the sick room window a lot recently and had seen she was good with a bow if nothing else.
"Calli? Come with us….I know you can bow and bow well….we will need help, and you and my brother can help me to the battlements." He held out his arm.
"She will be mightily angry…and she is my friend, I do not wish to cause her pain." But she stepped forward and let him put his arm round her shoulders.
"She will understand and I would not let aught harm befall you….." he levelled his dark eyes at her "I like you.."
She willed herself not to blush, but failed miserably – it wasn't helped when, despite his passive countenance, she could see the merriment in those gorgeous brown eyes of his.
She liked him a lot, he was quiet and thoughtful. Always polite when she came to help in the sick room – she would feel his eyes follow her about, and it would make her clumsy with nerves. But whereas Lancelot would laugh out loud, he never did – though she could tell he was amused by the look in his eye.
She could also see he was in pain, and not just physically – she wished to help him, but was unsure how. He was a good man, and had a good heart –despite what others said about him on the battlefield; she had seen him with his brother and sister and knew he loved them dearly, as he did all the knights……
She sighed, she just wished she wasn't so stupid around him – maybe then he would look at her as more than a potential friend as….. She shook her head - that would never happen, he was a knight and she was a barmaid. But by, she did like him muchly.
She felt her neck prickle and glanced up to find him staring intently at her "Where did you go?"
"I….ummm…" – great! Stutter now, look an even bigger idiot! – "I was just thinking…."
"Worried?" he nodded towards the battlements.
"Nay, as you say I can bow….but…" a thought occurred to her "How did you know?"
"I've watched you….." his gaze darkened momentarily, causing her to blush even more, then it lightened and swung to his brother. She was stunned, as they talked, he had watched her! Maybe he liked liked her and not just 'liked' her!
Goddess, what in Hades was she talking about! Did that rubbish even make sense! She just hoped they all lived long enough for her to find out whatever like it was he liked…..
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As they reached the battlements Isolde saw Tristan, she glanced at Mordred who nodded. So this was the one that was the greatest danger to them along with the girl…well Mordred, her beloved demon, would deal with her soon enough – but she had to handle the scout. She began to incant some words, those on the battlements watching her lips move….
Devon and the others looked at Tristan as he began to say some strange language…..Devon glanced at Merlin "What is wrong with him?"
"She is casting a spell…..black arts…. Now! Deal with the witch now! You girl" he pointed to Calliann "Do something to distract him – she must not steal his soul!"
Calli did the first thing that came into her head……..she spun him around and kissed him - as he struggled to break free she kissed him harder and more passionately, deepening the embrace until they were both lost in the kiss…
"Well, that'd work for me!" Laughed Bors.
Arthur had pushed his way onto the battlements, pursued by Aida and Jols. "What is going on! I heard him call they sued for peace!" No one had seen him this angry.
"Aye peace that included your death, and I will not have it!" Devon cried as she let loose her arrow. It found it's mark in Isolde's left eye just as Merlin had ordered.
Arthur was outraged and struggled against the knights who held him fast "What is this madness? Why do you wish to seek war with these people Devon?" He yelled.
Remembering Merlin's words she turned and stared him in the eye "Pelagius always said beware of Greeks bearing gifts' - remember Troy Arthur. I think you are looking at your own Trojan horse!" He faltered and knew, deep down, that none would do anything that would hurt or destroy his dreams….she had to be right…
Merlin nodded as Mordred let out a thin scream "Isolde!" His head spun to Devon "You will pay for that you bitch!"
"Nay but you will….you demon!" and with that she let loose another arrow, striking him in the right eye.
"Now! Quickly you have to take their heads…..and now!" but they all realised it would take too long for her to run the battlement steps.
Devon looked once more at Dagonet, knowing what she had to do – saving Arthur was what she was here for and save him she would….her oath remained. "I love you Dagonet….I love you with all that is in me!" and she leapt from the wall.
"NO!" Dag yelled, having to be restrained from following her by a stricken Lancelot. All the knights stood rooted in horror as she vanished over the battlements….
Tristan was held back from going too by Gawain and Galahad; his scream of anguish as she disappeared from view rang round the entire fort.