Disclaimer: I do not own any of the character names, save my own original creations. I do not wish to be compensated for this work, nor do I wish to infringe on any copyrights held by any stakeholders of the movie King Arthur. This work is an original creation, based on the legend of King Arthur and his knights.
Chapter 40: Decisions and Announcements
Arthur sat chewing on a bit of bread, and regarded his men. He counted five knights, Ganis, Jols and a few others, some of them with their women, as was Bors, and now, it seemed Galahad.
Who was that girl? Cerys had told him once. She seemed nice, if not shy. He would have to speak with Galahad later and see what the man's intentions were towards her. Since these men were here under what originally was his charge, it was to him to provide the offer gift if any of them were to marry. They had no family here to do it. Most of the men would give him their tokens and he would present it to the family. It was strange how some traditions stayed alive. It had made Bors so mad when Arthur had presented Lorina's family with a basket of furs! Arthur chuckled, remembering.
"You're not my bleedin' father." He had yelled when Arthur explained the process to him.
Bors had eventually calmed down, once Lorina had smacked him and told him to shut it.
That was a long time ago, he thought. So many years these men had stayed with him. Sometimes he wondered why. But, he only had to look around and realize that they were family with one another as much as they were family to him. It made him smile and he turned his thoughts back to the situation at hand.
Neither Lancelot or Cerys had he been able to find this morning, and he had eventually sent young Brinn to locate them. Brinn had come back with a red face and mentioned, very quietly, that he had not seen them, but he had "heard" them. Arthur had just laughed loudly and patted Brinn on the head, excusing him. Brinn had run at that point, back towards the stables.
Guinevere, she had clapped her hands, squealing, and darted off in Lorina's direction as soon as he has told her. Women got so excited about love.
It was about damned time.
If Lancelot had been any more of a fool, he would have locked them in a store room together until... ah, it mattered not anymore, he mused. He realized that if they got married, he would have to present the offer gift to himself.
"How ironic." He muttered to no-one, making Guinevere give him a puzzled look from her seat beside him. He shook his head, reaching for another bit of fruit.
"Anyone seen our two lovebirds this morning yet?" Perceval asked as he picked some meat out of his teeth.
Light laughter echoed around the table. Arthur joined them, Guinevere giving him a smack.
"Just tell them, or you won't hear the end of this until he saunters in."
"I'm hoping they come in together." He replied, giving her a wink and turning his head back to his men. "I won't announce about your...our baby until they are here."
Guinevere sighed and turned back to Lorina, who was feeding her own baby. Guinevere made soft noises to the little child, making him smile and gurgle. Arthur heard the sound come to his ears and he felt very, very content right then.
A baby. A son, he hoped.
Now that there could be an heir, he needed to talk to the men about guarding the princeling. Or princess, as Guinevere would no doubt correct him. It would be no easy task to keep her safe and then to keep him safe until he could take over this kingship, such as it was. Hence, he had gathered them for an informal lunch.
Which would soon turn to supper if Lancelot and Cerys did not get out of bed soon.
"He didn't come kick me out of his room last night, so I assume that he didn't make it out of hers." Gawain said.
More laughter echoed through the hall.
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Tristan sat along one edge of the table, quietly chewing and watching his companions. He had not made much noise of his own.
Tristan was having a war with himself in his head.
In truth, his head was pounding from the large amount of wine he had consumed. Last night he had left the hall after he had danced with Cerys, and he had sat on the wall until dawn, thinking. The lack of sleep added to his hangover and his torn thoughts.
He picked another bit of meat off of his own plate and began working on it. Food would help.
He wanted an apple and there were none on his plate. An apple would help him think. He would have to steal one from Bors' plate when he wasn't looking.
Tristan went back to his war, absorbing himself in his thoughts. He didn't want to have two sides to his life anymore. For so many years he had kept himself restrained, thinking that if he just made it through the fifteen years, he could leave, be free and then find a good death somewhere.
He had not wanted to speak, had not wanted to make friends with the people here. He had guarded himself completely.
But he had, and now... This was his family. It would be nice not to hold himself in anymore. It had been habit, ingrained from years of forcing.
He wasn't sure where to start.
He supposed last night he had, inadvertently. He had really not expected that from himself, the spontaneity surprised even him. The wine had certainly helped, and he had really liked the book. Cerys was so excited when she had taught him to read the cover when she gave it to him. He liked it when she smiled.
Four years ago he had met Wynn and this slow desire to just live happily had started. He had ignored it for a long time. Now, with new romance around him no matter where he went, it was harder to ignore.
He finished the piece of meat, sucking the juice off his fingers. He really wanted that apple now. He spiked a plum instead and bit into it, wiping the juices off his chin with his sleeve.
Wynn loved plums.
He heard more laughter as Bors told them how he had gotten Brinn to stay in the lofts with Gillie to get him out of her rooms for the night. He shook his head and joined their chuckles.
He was... happy for her, he realized. He smiled as the men made more jokes about Lancelot and his seeming ineptness at bedding Cerys. If only they knew it may have been her to make the first move. He could see her doing that. She could be a strong woman when she knew what she wanted.
He remembered how stubborn she had been, sitting with him for hours when they were children until he noticed her. She had been so proud of herself when he finally decided she merited some of his attention.
She deserved to be happy, and he knew that Lancelot loved her. He remembered the long nights he would be on watch while they were in the Caer and out on the road, and Lancelot would sit and stare like a fool at a pair of mint sprigs and a needle. He had called him on it, knowing full well he would make Lancelot's temper boil over. It had been fun to see the man get so flustered, but he had hoped it would jog him to action. He had been tired of the mans moping.
Tristan doubted that Lancelot had ever been cared for by a woman before; they normally just came into his bed to warm it, then would leave and take the next man in. There was no real warmth there, just release of need.
Lancelot and he weren't that different.
He had brought warmth into his own bed many times himself, but he was not as open about his own trysts. He felt no need to announce conquests.
Now, he abstained, each time a girl would offer, he would think of Wynn.
He was just as stupid for leaving Wynn behind each time he turned for home. He missed her last night after his dance with Cerys. He had wanted her there so badly he almost went for his horse at dawn to ride and see her. He didn't, Arthur would not have approved.
He eyed Bors' plate, and as Bors turned to talk to Gawain about something, he speared the apple. Bors never even noticed.
There was a reason Bors was never put on watch.
He didn't know if Arthur knew about Wynn, but he did somehow feel safe in having Lancelot know. He had let the man in on his secret, more for the fact that he thought the block-headed fool needed to get out of the fort and work some things out in his head. Obviously he had, since they were not present in the hall, and he had heard them in her rooms all the way from his place on the wall last night.
Sound travels well in cold air.
He was surprised no one else had heard that racket. Lancelot sounded like a bull.
He flicked his glance up at movement from the doorway. Lancelot was standing close to Cerys, their hands locked together, and well into a kiss that would have made Wynn faint had he done that to her. Tristan cleared his throat and pointed to the doorway with his eating knife.
"They're here."
Heads swivelled as he pointed, then clapping and hooting came as everyone saw the two of them kissing. They broke apart quickly, Cerys immediately going red, Lancelot raising an eyebrow and pulling her in, his stride arrogant and a bit proud.
He knew exactly what he had. Tristan snorted under his breath.
It was about damned time.
Cerys was descended upon by Guinevere and Lorina, who pulled her away immediately, both of them talking a so fast even he could not decipher it. Tristan followed her with his eyes, the women with their arms about her, their light laughter tinkling as they headed for the side table where there was more food to be found.
She was happy. Good.
He cut a slice off the apple and held it up and back as she passed. He felt her stop behind him, and the apple leave his hand, and heard the crunch as she bit into it.
"Sister, what trouble have you gotten yourself into?" He asked, not turning around. He heard Lorina snort and move off.
"Nothing I can't handle brother." She said with her mouth full.
He felt a hand come down onto his head, and fingers dig in slightly to mess his hair. He heard her skirts rustle as she bent down, and the sound of her dress material sliding over his leather-clad shoulders as she hugged him from behind.
He closed his eyes. He missed Wynn.
"Thank you Tristan. What you did last night was very special."
Her braid flipped forward and he looked at the thin strand of ribbon weaved through the bottom half, faded now, but still as pretty in her hair as the day he had bought it and thought that it would be. He brought fingers to it, flipping it up. He tilted his head back to see her from the corner of his eye. He heard her small giggle, and felt her hands pat his chest.
"Yes it is." she said, knowing he was wondering at how she had managed to keep that ribbon so long.
He put the braid back down and patted her hand back. She straightened behind him. He could feel her smiling.
She walked off to join the women and find something to eat. He was sure she was hungry, her stomach growling as she had embraced him.
Arthur stood and brought him out of his thoughts. Finally the man was going to announce Guinevere's baby. He wondered if any of the other men knew. It was most obvious to him, but, he had a habit of watching other people.
He knew things about some of his friends that they assumed were private.
Another apple dropped in his lap as the women passed by him again. He looked up and caught Cerys' eye. She winked.
He needed to find his horse after this and go for a ride. He needed to stop this warring in his head.
It was time.
He closed his thoughts away to listen to his commander, and bit into his second apple.
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"Friends!" Arthur said as Guinevere returned to his side, locking her arm about him.
Lancelot looked up from where he had taken a seat beside Gawain, and furrowed his brow. Arthur looked much too happy this morning. He flicked a glance to Guinevere, and she was beaming. He felt Cerys settle herself to his side and he put and arm around her.
"Whats up with Arthur? He looks like the cat that found the milk pail."
Cerys put a finger to her lips and winked. Something was up, and she knew. He settled in. This could be one of Arthur's long speeches. He was glad he had Cerys to distract him if it came to spouting off about free-will again.
"My bet is on six paces" Gawain whispered, placing a coin on the table. Galahad nodded and placed his coin.
"Seven."
Several other coins made their way to the table, with bets whispered, much to the amusement of Arthur, as he watched. They always bet on how many laps he would pace as he spoke to them. No one ever came close. Well, Lancelot usually did. But that was usually because Lancelot knew exactly what needed to be said.
Not this time.
A coin was tossed over from Tristan's place, and he nodded. "Three."
"When you boys are done, may I continue?" Arthur asked, humour in his voice. The men stilled and returned to their passive faces. Perceval held back a laugh. Bors threw a plum pit at him.
"Now that we are all here," He glanced to Lancelot, "Guinevere and I have an announcement."
He could see Cerys smile and her eyes sparkle. She sat up on her cushion, her arm wrapped through Lancelot's, and rested her chin on his shoulder. She winked at him.
"Guinevere is with child."
More hoots and clapping sounded. Arthur held up his hands, pacing away from his wife.
"However, this has far reaching effect on all of us here."
The noise died down as the men regarded their commander. Lorina's baby, woken by the noise, made small crying noises as she hushed him again. Bors took the child out of her arms and bounced him about, which brought happy burbles instead of complaints.
"This child will be heir, and as such needs all of your protection."
"Protection? From what? Falling off ponies and skinned knees?" Bors said as he handed his now happy son back to his own wife.
"Such as that is, yes, but more so," Arthur continued to pace, "From outside forces. We cannot let this child become a pawn in the power struggle we find ourselves in."
"So you are asking us, as your knights, to be the princeling's protectors?" Lancelot asked, as he perused Perceval's nearly empty plate for food.
Arthur nodded. "Yes. It is my hope that each of you would find that task an acceptable one."
There were nods about the table, some affirmative noises. Most of the men may have volunteered for the task, he realized, but he still found the need to ask such things of these men. They were, after all, here on their own volition.
"What about his champion?" Galahad asked.
"He would have all of you."
"All of us?" Perceval asked, standing and walking to the side table to refill his cup. He turned after he had done so, taking a sip. "We would be able to bicker amongst ourselves if pressed to defend your princeling's honour?" He gestured to the men now in front of him, a jesting smile on his face.
There was laughter at that, knowing full well that it would be the case. Arthur watched his knights for a moment as they talked amongst themselves, bantering about who would be best to serve the new heir.
He knew then that his child would be safe. These men were the finest fighters he knew, and all understood the implications. He felt satisfied that he had put the thought into their brains, despite their humorous notions. He did not need to continue with his speech.
"Good. Then it is settled." He said, "Now, let us drink to family, and this happy news."
Yeas echoed as each man and women raised their glass and then drank deeply. Talk amongst the men started again, and much teasing towards Cerys and Lancelot, who were not going to get away so easily from their entrance a few moments before. Cerys again blushed deeply as she was teased just as hard as her new lover.
"Who won?" Someone suddenly asked.
"Tristan." Gawain said, as he pushed the coins into a heap.
Tristan looked up from his spot, rose and wandered over. He picked up the coins silently, jingling them in his hands. He looked about quietly and then made his way to Arthur.
"It's going to be a girl." He said as he reached the man, a small smile on his face.
"You're sure?" She asked, and handed a coin to him. He raised an eyebrow. She shrugged. "I bet four."
Arthur gave his wife a hurt look but then chuckled. "My wife..."
She stuck her tongue out at him "It might just be a girl, you know."
Tristan looked at the extra coin for a moment and then pocketed the lot of them. He grasped Arthur's hand and they shook.
"Permission to ride?" He asked.
Arthur nodded and walked away from Guinevere, motioning for Tristan to follow him. They stopped a few paces away, and Arthur looked to the scout.
"Permission granted. Usual run?"
Tristan nodded curtly, spinning on his heel to leave.
"Oh, and Tristan?" Arthur added, "Buy her something nice with your winnings on your way there. Women like that kind of thing."
Tristan stopped. Arthur could see the scout thinking, processing what he had just said. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, then continued on his path out of the hall.
Arthur chuckled and shook his head as he walked back to his wife. For a man who watched people like a hawk did, he certainly hadn't seen that one coming.
Dear Reader:
What fun I had with this. I wanted to put in more direct teasing but I thought it more poignant for Tristan to get the first barb in. Truly, he would enjoy that. Besides, the cacaphony of jests, barbs and little jokes would be much too much to put into one chapter. I should spread them out, no?
We all know that the men would rally to protect any child of any of the men. Arthur's intended speech was cut short by the men's complete acceptance, which did not surprise him as much as make him happy that they were there. After so many years together, they are like brothers.
Tristan is thinking about a new way of looking at life too! Cerys has done so, Lancelot has finally accepted it, it is his turn. Not so fast will this happen but I wouldn't want to give it all away!
Thank you for your continued reading. I am really enjoying writing these chapters as we discover the good life in the middle of winter in a Post-Roman fort. I may not be factually accurate, but love is for the ages, and its roots never change.
Cardeia
