Disclaimer: Same as before….
Evenstar-mor2004: Personally, I don't think men ever grow up ! LOL You're description made me laugh and my apologies to your dog:O) The writer's block seems to be diminishing albeit extremely slowly and I hope to be updating more often now. Hope you like the chapter.
Babaksmiles: Glad you liked it and hope this chapter lives up to your expectations too. Put your request to Calliann and we're both up for it, am a bit snowed right now – but as soon as wind a few of these stories up and get past this damnable writers block then I think we'll being doing a joint effort. I'm glad you like all the couples; and as for Tristan's teasing, I've tried to keep it fairly in character but also funny! As for Van keeping Bors in check – don't we all do that with our husbands, only we're a bit more sly these days (though I have been known to smack Trevor upside his head in extreme circumstances!) LOL Don't worry about reading my other reply to reviews – they're not exactly personal! Yeah I try to be nice as everyone is to me – but also let people know that I value their taking the time to even read, let alone review, the story and answer any questions they may have. As for Lance yeah June's asked to be his partner and makes her debut (albeit in the 3rd person) in this chapter. As to Devon being cool, I agree and just wish it was me! LOL
Sea Cucumber: They are majorly sucking, but you have support them through thick or thin! They'll rise again like the phoenix from the ashes! LOL Glad you like the story and hope you like this chapter too. BTW, have to say I love your name! Made me chuckle muchly:O)
Lucillaq: Hope you'll enjoy this chapter too, and there shouldn't be such long waits from now on.
June Birdie: Glad you liked it – I think you might like this one too, for obvious reasons! ;O) No problem about being your beta, I actually enjoy it!
JediPirateElfyDude: Don't worry about it! Hope you like this chapter too!
Calliann: If you loved me with the last chapter I do wonder what you'll think of me with this one! Also how wide is your smile going to be? Actually, in all seriousness I think you'll hate this chapter as I haven't been able to write it like I wanted….and I'll warn you now….okay tell you – you and Tristan die…sorry. But at least you know and can prepare yourself for the worst. (KIDDING, I'M JUST KIDDING!) Anyhoo, there are lots of aww moments as I love them so much – I couldn't let her die could I and be that cruel to our Dagonet! Lancelot is such a sweetie that I had to find someone for him and our own June stepped up to the plate and 'sacrificed' herself for the greater good! I am so glad that I got your character right – I would've hated it if you said 'you cow, you got me all wrong.' Hopefully, as I've said, you will love this chapter too!
Aelia O'Hession: Hopefully the 'little harpy' has not made you wait so long this time! LOL Tell me what was wrong with the battle scene, it's more likely I've left something out…..so tell me and I can say if it's you or me that's missed something. I'm glad the walls look so good, the green one is my favourite I have to say! Aida and Lucan will be in the next chapter and I will ensure there is no rain for a while….not a short shower:O) PS I sympathise – I go red and then back to milk bottle white, so lovely. I just say I prefer to be pale and interesting than varying shades of boiled lobster red. On the plus side we age better as we have to stay out of the sun! (Huge grin at that!)
Sorceress Misha: I still got it, but thank God, it's working it's way past – Yeah Lancelot ends up with our very own June! Yeah, I am trying to ensure updates are a bit more regular promise! (She says with crossed fingers!) ROFL
Twilight Falcon: Not yet anyway and glad you liked the chapter, hopefully you'll like this one too. More Tris and Calli and also a nod at who has hooked up with Lancelot too! So no more lonely dark knight!
SpectralLady: I am so glad you liked that chapter, and hopefully you'll like this one as much….more pairings too, and more Tris and Calli:O) Lucan and Aida will be in the next chapter.
lilstrummrgrl527: Glad the chapter made you so happy, hopefully you'll like this one too. Yeah loved the axe line….that was my favourite bit! Not sad, expected as it was what I thought when I wrote it! LOL No, you don't I had already guessed how much you would laugh…..as good or better than 'moving the furniture'?' :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 Nineteen!
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Heart & Soul
Chapter Nineteen – News
A month later Devon was vomiting yet again into a bucket….she had hardly been able to keep anything down and Dagonet was so extremely worried.
Tristan came in; leaning on Calliann, though he was much more mobile now – a fact born out by the cries of pleasure coming from his room most nights in the last week.
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The first night they'd heard it, she and Dagonet had grinned (Tristan's room was on one side of theirs, and Lancelot's the next to the scout's. Aida's was on the end of the row next to Lucan's whose room adjoined his parents, and so the little family had congregated all together).
Of course this led to much mirth at Tristan's expense especially when the second night Calliann had been particularly 'happy' - as Lancelot slyly put it – Bors had come rapping at the door laughingly telling them to 'keep the bloody noise down!'
He'd then knocked on Devon and Dag's door "what is it Bors?" she'd asked, though he could tell by the cheeky glint in her eye she knew why he was there.
"C'mere you little darlin' you!" he pulled her into a tight hug "we did it, didn't we?"
"Indeed we did….indeed we did." She smiled hugging him back "But I believe it was actually almost inevitable, though we helped it along!"
"Do you think he'll be happy?" he seemed concerned for a moment "I don't want the isolated little bugger to get 'urt – he's still a mate and I'm right fond of him."
"She loves him as much as he loves her Bors, do not fret so – they'll be very happy. They'd been watching each other for a long time methinks; but didn't have the courage on her part or the tenacity on his to get together sooner…" She smiled for a minute "they'll be muchly happy Bors, trust me. Anyway, if she did hurt him I'd gut her like a dead fish…" she added mildly.
"Alright, alright…" he stopped for a moment "Now all we need to do is sort our Lance out….the other two can take care of 'emselves." He referred to Gawain and Galahad who were currently vying for the affections of a couple of barmaids.
"I already have someone in mind….she's new at the fort; been helping Hadley at the Smithy. She's a right handful apparently, but I reckon he'll like her – I asked Van to get her to help at the tavern tomorrow, we just need to get him there." She grinned.
"What's her name, and will she be able to handle our Lancelot?" Bors sounded unconvinced.
"June and yes….having met her I have more concerns as to whether he could handle her!" she smirked.
"Well, then let the scheming begin…." They parted chuckling and she shut the door.
As she returned to Dag's arms he smiled "I am so glad you love me…"
"Why?" she snuggled against him and kissed his chin before he buried his head in her neck.
"Because your scheming is scary, especially when it includes my brother…." He dropped gentle kisses on her neck; causing her to gasp and clutch him to her, as he slowly began to love her…
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But now she was sick, though Tristan seemed unconcerned and Calliann was positively glowing. Dagonet's brow creased with worry – he would let it go for today, but if it continued tomorrow he was fetching Merlin and she could say what she liked.
"Have you not told him yet?" Calliann hissed at Devon.
"Do you honestly think I have had my head out of this bucket long enough to tell anyone anything for the last 4 days except….'Oh God, I feel ill?" came the hoarse reply. She shook her head "I only knew for certain yesterday anyway, when Merlin confirmed it." She heaved again "though as happy as I am, death seems pleasurable right now." But her eyes danced as she glanced over the top of the bucket at Calliann.
Tristan decided to pay them back for teasing his Calli "So I am to be an uncle then?" he noted innocently to Dag.
"I thought you'd already come to that conclusion over Lucan?" The large knight seemed confused.
Tristan's passive gaze swung from him to Devon in a pointed fashion…..slowly …very slowly the confusion cleared and his wife suddenly found herself swung bodily away from the bucket.
"Dagonet! What…..?" she cried in surprise, before pleading "my bucket….."
"Are you? I mean…am I?" he gabbled as he swung her round, Devon's anguished eyes still fixed resolutely on her wooden friend.
He went to kiss her "Oh, trust me my husband and future father of our child – this is not a mouth you wish to kiss right now…." She smiled at the happiness lighting his gentle and handsome face.
He stopped and instead smothered her face in kisses…grinning widely at the same time.
"I don't know how you…" she pondered and then stopped "Tristan!"
"Aye?"
"Oh…never mind…." She struggled out of Dag's arms "I need my bucket…." And promptly buried her head once more "I will get you back…one day brother…" came the muffled threat, in between heaves.
Tristan smirked "Of that I have no doubt sister…but it will not be yet awhile I'll wager." But he was happy for her, and for himself.
A few months ago he had no one save the knights; now he had a lover, a sister, a brother, grandmother, brother-in-law and nephew with another little one on the way. Life was good….he put his arm round Calli.
"I'm tired…." He said calmly, face passive, but his eyes twinkled. However her concerned gaze was on the one who was her closest friend at the fort.
"How can you be tired….we've only just got…oh!" she had finally looked at him and seen the passion in his eyes. She grinned "I suggest we get you back to bed for some rest then…."
There was a muffled chuckle from the bucket as they left….
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Dagonet rushed out of the room to tell everyone his news, after first making sure Devon would be well without him – his first port of call was Lancelot who was nearly knocked off his feet by the enthusiastic thump on the back from his normally reserved brother-in-law.
"I am pleased for you Dag….if anyone deserves it most it's you and Dev. So I am to be an Uncle once more? I am very happy for us all." Like Tristan, Lancelot had adopted Lucan as his nephew.
"Aye and you'll be a father too, one day – you deserve it Lance; no matter what you think of yourself ,you're a good man. How are things with June?" He grinned.
"Well, progressing I'd say…." Lancelot smiled ruefully "After a month she's finally allowed me to progress from kissing her hand to her cheek…." Then he grinned evilly "Of course once I get to her lips I reckon I'll be alright. I'm well known for my magical kisses….." Both men laughed.
"Seriously though I like her a lot; I hope she likes me as much….time will tell.." he wondered about the olive skinned angel that had snared him. The almond eyes that laughed at his jokes, the brown hair that shone and bounced in the sun as she trotted round the fort, always on the move….
The arms that could punch almost as well as Devon, and the appetite for food that seemed to eclipse Bors but yet did not show on her body – though she was so hyperactive it was almost comical.
As Dag rushed off to tell Bors, Lancelot went along to see his sister….
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Devon still had her head buried in 'her' bucket, which had become a close and very personal friend over the last few days. So much so, that she found herself talking to it…. This was how a highly amused Lancelot found her when he entered through the still open door…
"I don't know why I'm so sick….I haven't even eaten aught yet!" she sighed "Still, you and me are obviously going to have get better acquainted aren't we?" there was a moment of silence, Lancelot leant against the door frame enjoying the scene of his sister apparently finally losing her mind and chatting to a wooden pail.
"I hope Lancelot likes June – she likes him" she stopped to heave "Oh GODS, I won't handle….umm…I wonder how far I am?" another heave "Well, even another day of this is too long – no offence."
Lancelot couldn't stifle the snigger as he heard her apologise to the inanimate object as if she might have hurt it's feelings.
"In answer to your question sister, I do like her – as you would say – very muchly. It's also good to know that she likes me too. As to the bucket I doubt if it would take offence, mainly because it has naught to think itself insulted with."
Devon tried to stand, mainly so she could hit him – but a moment of the room doing strange cartwheels round her convinced her to stay on the floor with her new mate.
He went and sat down with her "looks comfortable enough…" he grinned and shook the handle of the bucket "How do you do? I am Lancelot; second in command to Arturious Castus, future King Arthur of England and brother to your new best friend." He said seriously, before his twitching lips gave way to the laughter brewing inside.
"Oh, very funny brother!" she grimaced, but with merry eyes "I do not choose to become so friendly with an inanimate object such as this, unfortunately 'needs must when the devil drives' as Arthur is so fond of saying!" she chuckled.
"Are you very bad Devon?" He asked suddenly concerned.
"Aye, but Merlin has been in just, and says he has herbs that will stop it being so bad….."
All of a sudden there was a loud groan of pleasure and an 'Oh Gods, Tristan I love you so!' from next door.
Brother and sister looked at each other and laughed "It seems our brother is having a lovely 'rest'!" Lancelot smirked, sending them off into peals of laughter again.
"Do hear them too?" Devon asked with a smirk, as it suddenly went quiet.
"Aye, I sleep with a pillow over my head most nights. Better to die of asphyxiation than laughter!"
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In the room next door, Calliann had helped Tristan to sit on the bed once more, after they had left Devon and Dagonet "It is good news is it not?" she smiled.
"The best I could've had."
"You love her very much don't you?"
"She is one of a kind…" he stopped as if considering "After you…."
She did a double take at that "Really?"
"Aye…she is my sister, but you are my heart."
Calliann could not stop herself, she went and kissed him soundly and deeply. His arms snaked around her waist, and hers around his neck, as he gently lay back onto the bed pulling her with him.
His lips strayed from hers to her neck as he began to make love to the woman who had captured his heart and soul from him, with no magic save being herself – an angel.