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.
Scribe Notes:
Calliann: Grief, however painful it is, and however much it is horrible to go through, is a necessary part of life. I like to think that all these different things we go through in life, like grieving for a loved one, anxiety when we lose a job, stress when we are moving, the pain we feel for any of life's bumps, are all part of a bigger picture. They are all part of who we are. So, even if we don't want to feel the crappy emotion after something bad happens, we need to embrace these feelings, because without them, we would be one-dimensional beings. I am sorry for your loss of your brother-in-law. I know that his spirit is still alive, and your memories of him prove that.
plzthx101: Thank you! Yes, sometimes the world needs to be put on the back-burner for a little while, and we need to escape to a different world. Books, movies, stories that let us go to a different reality, explore a different way of looking at the world. Everyone needs escapism of some sort. That's why videoand role-playing games are so popular! I use my writing, and my movies, and a good book in the winter. I am so glad I am able to provide that for you, on some level.
Ailis-70: You betcha, heeeeere we go! Lancelot can get caught up in his head if he is not careful, so he inadvertantly developed this habit out of his vain necessity to have his lion crest fixed. Only recently does he understand what it does for him, and now... he's got a career when he decides to stop chopping Saxons down! (grin) I think it suits him, because we see him working, but its not a silent hobby like whittling, or reading. Lancelot is an extrovert, and he needs a hobby where he moves, makes noise, expends energy.
I liked that scene too! I could see the chickens flying up from his feet as he ran, their clucking sending a cacaphony of sounds int othe air as the old woman screams "Git outta here!" and waves her broom. I can see him holding his pants up with both hands and high knee runnning away, shoulders bunched, head down and swearing! Just like the young guy who gets caught coming out of the daughter's room! (grin) That was a fun scene to write, and I may use it in another way for Dust Devils. Brinn could get into some trouble eh?
Here is the catalyst for you, and I think you already know what happens, you have it figured out already. (wink)
Sea Cucumber: Here you go! The next one! And his ghosts are gonna get exorcised. No closet needed! (grin)
lilstrummrgrl527: I am glad you found that funny! I can picture a mans brain. It says "Sex, eat, sleep...sex eat sleep...sex eat DRINK, sleep..." (wink)
Your hippie-lion is going to have a hard time of it yes, but I hope that this chapter works for you. 'Nuff said, enjoy!
Melosine: Thinking with your fingers is awesome! I do it all the time with your stories. And I am glad that it was you to pick up on that thought that Lancelot had. You would understand what I wanted to say there, and you did! Nimli is sort of the fun girl, and we see her with Perceval saying "I don't want to settle yet". Their cavorting is mutual. But Lancelot used to be that way, and of course Nimli would be a conquest in that sense, and a happy one about it. But Cerys and Nimli are friends. Lancelot knows this, and I think, on some level, he is worried that it will upset Cerys if she knew, and cause a problem. I think Cerys is quite aware (wink). But I don't think it was ever a problem.
And you are right about Gawain. Something will happen to make him want to get better. A combination of a lot of things, actually. I hope that it works for you!
Sokorra Lewis: It will be, and it's on its way! I really enjoyed writing Brinn calling Lancelot Da'. It felt right to me. Hey, congrats on getting The Golden Circle done! Way to go! Did I review it? So many stories... If I didn't I really apologize, I'm a week out of release at work and my mind has gone to mush (wink).
gwenn0: You got it! Arthur needs to present the gift to Rhia! And it slipped his mind as well as mine! Good catch.
Lancelot has been such a fun study for me. Not really a study in infatuation, but more of a "what would he be like" kind of way. I tried to get into his head to explore the everyday things in life for him. It was very much fun dealing with his falling in love, and his thoughts when he decided to propose to Cerys. I think you will see how on the nose you were about Lancelot and Gawain in this chapter that I wrote about a week and a half ago. So many people have now said what is about to happen should, and I think its so wonderful that you can read my characters enough to predict this turn of events!
Hypersquishy: Great name! I love it. So fun! Here is part of what you can't wait to see and thank you for reviewing!
A.K. Anonymous: Thanks for reviewing! My mare is a maiden this year and this is round two so we are crossing our fingers. She had a wonderful heat and three follicles that looked promising so this might do it! We find out on the 5th of August. True, mares can be such pains. I love my gelding, he's so even-tempered compared to her.
Chapter 60: Spoiling for A Fight
"Leave me be!"
Lancelot and Galahad rounded the corner into the practice yard to see the Arthur, Bors, and Ganis with Gawain. Gawain had a short sword in his hands and was brandishing it at them, his face set hard and snarling, the men silently watching, trying to talk him out of whatever it was he wanted to do.
"Gawain, put the sword down."
"You shouldn't be working, take the day off."
"Gawain... please."
Some of the men at arms looked up as Lancelot and Galahad entered the yard, and wandered over to see what was going on. Gawain backed himself up against the wall.
"Leave me alone. Can't a man work his sword arm?"
Arthur grimaced and stepped forward, his hand out. Gawain swung at it, Arthur ducking back and swearing.
"Bloody hells, I've had it with this." Lancelot muttered, his face storming.
Lancelot waded his way into the men, pushing between Bors and Arthur and walked right up to Gawain, punching him soundly in the nose before Gawain could react. Blood sprayed up out of Gawain's face, sending him sprawling, the sword clattering to the ground.
Ganis darted in a scooped it up.
Gawain brought a hand to his nose, and then pulled it away, seeing the blood. Lancelot stood, seething, his hands balled into fists.
"Do you delight in making our lives a living hell?" He screamed at the downed man. "I was having a bloody nap with Cerys and I was interrupted by him." He gestured to Galahad, "That you were in here sulking away, and that he was worried you would hurt yourself."
Gawain blinked at him, but said nothing, his eyes furious.
"Come on then. I'm spoiling for a fight, I haven't been laid in three days and I am randier than a goat..." He stopped and pointed at Bors who had cleared his throat, "Don't you dare Bors."
Gawain snorted and Lancelot took a step forward to lean over him.
"I really, really want to kick the living snot out of you now. I told you I would stop being so nice."
The men were all silent behind Lancelot, most with mouths open and raised eyebrows. This was more like the old Lancelot, they hadn't seen him this way since he and Cerys had began courting. Arthur was suppressing a smile and a chuckle, but he was the only one to do so.
Gawain levered himself up and stood, his shoulders bunched.
"Leave me alone." He said as he turned his back to Lancelot and started to walk away, wiping at his face.
"Oh no you don't." Lancelot grabbed him by the arm, spun him about and squared his fist into Gawain's jaw.
Gawain staggered back, and then brought his hands up. They began moving about the practice yard, throwing fists at each other, sometimes connecting, dust from their feet, playing up into the air, settled on their sweaty arms and faces. Gawain grabbed Lancelot and threw him, Lancelot grabbed Gawain's tunic and put a knee to his stomach as they fell.
The two men thudded to the ground.
They began rolling about, grappling with each other, alternately swearing and grunting as they jabbed and lunged.
"You are such a bloody pompous ass." Gawain said between clenched teeth as he hoisted Lancelot back off of him and went to stand.
"And you are being a complete idiot." Lancelot shot back as he jumped at the man once more, punching him in the side. Tell us what is eating at you, for the love of the Gods."
"No." Gawain spat as he spun and lunged at Lancelot.
At this point, the cheers had started, and coins had changed hands. Arthur went to stand by Tristan, who had wandered in at the noise and stood, arms crossed, silently watching the fight unfold.
"You got any ideas?" Arthur asked him, as he stood beside Tristan.
Tristan grunted and looked at a fingernail. "Let them. Eventually one of them will be knocked out and we can go back to work."
"I should go break them up." Arthur continued.
Tristan swatted at a bug and shifted his weight to the other leg. "Gawain needs a good beating." He said quietly, and pulled out a tiny dagger to begin cleaning his fingernails.
Arthur pursed his lips and went silent, turning back to the fight, his thoughts much the same. Perhaps he shouldn't have broken up that fight in the common that evening after all.
Lancelot had succeeded in getting back up, and the men were circling each other again. Lancelot threw out a punch, Gawain ducked it and came up with un undercut into Lancelot's side. Lancelot grunted, and shoved his shoulder into Gawain's head. Both men sprawled forward onto the dirt again, and Gawain roared, flipping himself over.
"Come on Lion Cub, can't remember how to fight?" Lancelot taunted, picking himself up yet again.
Both men were covered in dirt and dust, blood running down through it in various areas, sweat mixing with it. They looked like they were, literally, rolling about in the dirt. Lancelot shook dust out of his hair, and pulled his tunic back down as he straightened.
"Don't call me that." Gawain spat, his breathing short. Lancelot stepped over and put a boot to his chest, leaning over to peer at Gawain, his arms crossed over his knee, an amused expression on his face.
"Lion..." Lancelot started.
Gawain spit into his face, interrupting him.
"Cub." Lancelot finished as he wiped it away and grinned devilishly.
Gawain struggled and yelled and beat at Lancelot's leg, but could not move under the pressure from it. Lancelot smirked as the men stood their distance, but laughed at the situation. Gawain gave them murderous looks. Most of the men became quiet, understanding that this was not just a drunken brawl or a disagreement between men.
Both of their chests were heaving, and blood ran freely from a cut on Lancelot's lip, dripping onto Gawain's blood-soaked tunic, his nose already swollen. Both of them had eyes that were beginning to swell. Gawain stilled for a few moments, realizing that he was pinned and defeated.
"Wench." Gawain spat, but with less venom.
"Little girl." Lancelot said back, but this time with a smile.
"Let me up."
"No. Not until you agree to talk."
Gawain swallowed and turned his head, looking away. He blinked, and Lancelot realized he was on the verge of tears. That would not do. Losing a fight, that was one thing, but crying in front of your companions... that would get you ribbed.
That was the last thing this man needed.
Lancelot swiftly pulled his foot and jerked Gawain up by his tunic. They met face to face and Lancelot grabbed him about the neck, pretending to give him a companionable hug.
"Don't lose it now man, let's go to the baths and we can soak away the bruises we just gave each other." he whispered so no one could hear.
Gawain took in a breath and steadied himself. The men were talking quietly, coins changing hands yet again, and Arthur had made his way over to the two.
"All is well?" he asked cautiously, stooping to look in at Gawain's face.
Gawain nodded and Lancelot played his best smile, giving Gawain a tug about his neck with his still crooked arm.
"All is well. A good fight always sets it right, eh Gawain?"
Arthur made a noise in his throat and eyed the pair warily. Lancelot knew Arthur didn't believe a word of it, but he hoped that he would just let it slide.
"Go see Dafydd and get cleaned up."
Gawain nodded again and the two embattled men limped out of the practice yard, holding each other up. Galahad pulled a hand down over his tired face as he watched them go.
"Well, that was unexpected." he said.
Murmurs from the crowd echoed him, and they dispersed back to their original chores. Each of the knights looked to one another, silently understanding what Lancelot had just tried to do.
Each of them hoped that in some way, it had worked.
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
Gawain sat in the water and let one of the attendant women dab some disgustingly smelly tisane on his nose. She hummed as she worked. Lancelot sat on the other side, a cloth with some equally distasteful herb infusion being held to his lip. The woman patted his head and winked at him, and she left him with the cloth. He smiled past the cloth and fished in his coin purse at the edge of the pool and handed her one. She nodded and went away.
The other woman tutted and lifted her cloth to poke at Gawain.
"You are careless." She said.
Gawain grunted. "Tell that to the fists over there." He raised his hand out of the water and pointed to Lancelot.
Lancelot chuckled and raised his hand in salute. Gawain endured the ministrations for a few more moments, and then jerked his head away. "Leave us. I will see Dafydd later."
The woman nodded, gathered up her things and padded silently out of the bath chamber.
For a few more moments, the only sound was the dripping condensation, and the sounds of water splashing as Lancelot moved his toes out in front of him in the water.
"Cerys will be proud of me, two baths in one day." He said good-naturedly.
Gawain looked at his friend. He had just had a knock-down drag-out fight, and he was thinking about his lover? Strange things had happened to this man since he fell in love.
"Bathing for a woman. What's next? Picking flowers and poems?" He grunted. Lancelot raised an eyebrow and splashed his hand out towards Gawain, sending ripples in the water over to lap at his chest.
"Glorious sex, that's what's next. Women love a clean man. You would be surprised what Cerys likes to do when I've..."
Gawain gave him a strangling noise and interrupted him. "Lancelot! I do not need to know these things about Cerys!"
Lancelot chuckled and continued with his splashing.
Gawain closed his eyes and leaned back against the edge of the baths. He was tired. More than tired, he was... he was ready to just hand it all in. He didn't want to carry this guilt anymore. He was tired of thinking...
He was tired of everything.
He heard the splashing getting closer and felt the water lap on his chest harder as Lancelot moved over beside him.
"Alright Gawain. I really meant it, I have had enough. It's time you told what happened out there."
Gawain opened his eyes and regarded Lancelot, standing beside him. He could see Lancelot's face was set, his eyes hard, his arms crossed. He would not get away this time.
It was time to unload these memories, and maybe he could get back to living without it dragging him down into this pit he felt he was trapped in. He just wanted to be free of it. The past three days were making him so beaten down, angry and ready to just jump off the wall. He didn't want to be babysat anymore.
He was tired, but he was also tired of being tired.
He realized that it made no sense, what his mind was circling around and he growled lowly, hitting his hands out into the water, seemingly striking at nothing. He scowled, turning it over again in his mind. Lancelot waited him out.
Gawain made his decision, and turned to look at Lancelot. He took a deep breath.
"What do you want to know?"
Dear Reader:
(ducks the flying tomatoes) Ok... ok.. I know I'm going to get the "AHH DON'T END IT THERE!" reviews for this one, but I hope that it gets you thinking. I am interested to see the hypotheses of what Gawain is going to say!
This chapter I had written awhile ago, and a few people have said "Lancelot needs to do this..." and I smile and shake my head. You know my characters so well! It makes me happy to know that you have read, understood, and tried to think about what happens. I hope that it has inspired you as much as it has me.
So now I am going to go retire to my room, curl up in the corner of my bed and work for awhile. Thank you everyone who has reviewed, and given me food for thought, inspiration for words, and laughter to keep everything in focus.
Tomorrow I got into the dentist for the firt step in a new crown for my front tooth. Ugh... root canals and freezing. But my smile will be better for it. Wish me luck!
Cardeia
