Beautiful Disaster
((PREQUEL TO 'Fondness can't save you'))
Notice: Since many of the other fics I've written, I understand some people don't enjoy their favorite characters to be written in a light which isn't 'perfect'. Well, in the movie 'King Arthur' Lancelot is given a twist, he is more or less somewhat slimy, rude a womanizer and arrogant. I believe it to be an interesting twist on the tale I love. I wish to portray Lancelot in the manner he was written in the movie, so, spare me the rude comments. And of course, there are far more Knights alive at this moment, but since I'm lazy to research their names, all I have are the original seven within the movie.
No flames, or utterly rude comments please, although helpful comments allowed.
Also, I have created my own female character, just to make it interesting, and I slapped more of a romantic twist. ((It doesn't involve a romance with Arthur))
I don't own any characters; Lana is solely my own crafted character.
Italics mean that it is either a memory, or a thought.
One - A Spot of Wine
((Ten years into their duty with Rome))
The cold chill down her spine rushed over like sloshing waves, filled with the ocean filth. The water at her side wasn't helping ease the pain, and the days felt shorter than before, and with every sip, she felt her life slip farther into the depths of this out post faster in these past few weeks, than her ten years here. The water in her mug frosted at the sides, was half full and it seemed the more that was gone, the more she wanted to drink.
Once a guard hollered a few times, she knew it was them; licking her lips, she tottered down steps of the wall, pacing back to the small shack they called a pub. Placing her water on the counter she closed her eyes as the gates opened. Swigging down the last bit, she watched Vanora approach her, she leaned over the tarnished counter and held Lana's shoulders.
"Darlin' he's coming in. Smile, this is what you've waited for." Vanora's eyes turned soft as she saw Bors in the distance. "Lana, look." She whispered before kissing Lana's forehead gently. Vanora cared for Lana deeply, she always promised to watch after Bors when Lana traveled with them, and in return, Vanora watched over Lancelot when Lana wasn't around.
As Vanora told her, Lana turned around, she saw Lancelot, with a single rose in his hand, and his eyes lay directly on her. Lana relaxed her elbows on the counter and waited for him to approach her. Blushing, she laughed in joy when he was a few inches in front of her.
"It's been days," Lana said, she wasn't angry, but Lancelot just smiled while twirling the rose in his fingers.
"Look honey, I have a rose, all for you." He'd ignored what she said, and after she took it from his hand, she smelt the sweet aroma in the pink petals. Closing her eyes, she in hailed all the wonderful smells. "You like it?"
"Adore it." Lana placed the rose on the counter, before leaning forward, tossing her arms around his neck and kissing him deeply. His heart raced pulsed faster as her silky lips meshed with his. "But still, I remember begin told this trip was just a late night travel." Lancelot placed his arms about her waist and pulled her closer, his face smirking with a tough attitude. Leaning in, Lancelot kissed her cheek.
"Well, you know the reason as to why plans change. You should know better than most wives," Lana raised an eyebrow, wife? She wasn't his wife.
"Lancelot, is your head alright? I'm not you're wife, merely a partner in crime."
"And bed." Lancelot quickly corrected, Lana playfully slapped his chest, which didn't affect him at all. His wide smile made Lana's chest pound, seeing his big dark brown eyes engulfing only her, Lana felt the most cherished when she was with Lancelot. "How have you been feeling?"
"She's eating like a horse," Vanora wiped her hands on a rag behind the bar, then point up at Lana. "Honestly, she keeps begging me to make pies, bake berries and such. You're woman is driving me nuts!" Vanora laughed sarcastically, Lana seemed to always come down sick, or eat nervously when she wasn't on a mission with the Knights. Thus she had Vanora keep her company. But Lancelot and Lana knew more to her strange eating habits.
"Vanora you volunteered," Lana tried to save herself, but Lancelot just laughed and stared at her face, he wasn't bothered but Vanora's words, and his softening eyes made Lana's heart melt.
"You can have anything you wish my love." Lancelot corrected, and then he smirked and turned to Vanora behind Lana. "Anything, but ale of course, you get rather dangerous with a load of ale in your blood."
"Ale isn't what I enjoy anyway." Lana growled as Lancelot laughed loudly before kissing her forehead.
"I need to change, you coming?" Lancelot dropped his arms and questioned Lana; she reached up and brushed her fingertips over his chin.
"Ohh, I'll wait for you down here. I wish to speak with Arthur and the boys." Lancelot tilted his head and sighed.
"Arthur's still upset, I suggest you watch what words slip from you're lips." Lancelot winked before turned around, and headed to his chamber's for a fresh change of clothing. Watching Lancelot walk away safely to their chambers, Vanora shouted with excitement, in the distance was Bors stood, celebrating his return home. And With Vanora at his side, his ten children ran to their father, with wide smiles and joyous laughter.
The flashing flames illuminated the darkness as the Knights flushed passed the gates, seeing their tired yet home sick faces, they where welcomed by the people with thrill. Galahad had released his horse in the barn, and found him heading to the bar for some wine. Lana adventured behind the bar while Vanora reunited with Bors. Leaning over, Lana was looking at the shelves, built into the bar and moved around jugs of wine in order to find her favorite.
"Vanora, wine please!" Galahad said restlessly, he moved his fist on the bar, and turned to see the out post, oh how he hated this place. Rubbing his chin with his free hand, Galahad cleared his throat.
"Stop your shouting Galahad." Lana peered up from the back of the bar, and with Galahad in confusion, he laid his elbow on the bar, and leaned over, it was Lana. He could recognize that long brown chestnut hair anywhere. Keeping his balance, Galahad burst into laughter with a large grin.
"Taking over the post are we?"
"Yes," Lana slammed a vanilla colored jug on top of the counter, some wine splashed out, and with a laugh, Galahad turned over his shoulder and yelled for Vanora.
"Vanora! Lana's ruining the wine!" Lana stood up, and gripping the half-empty pitcher, she drenched Galahad in the last wine contents. With a cocky grin, Lana's brown eyes outlined Galahad as the purple wine dripped from his now flattened hair. His eyes where glossy and large, while his hands opened up, catching the last few drops of wine from his hair. Galahad looked at Lana, she was trying to cover her mouth as she laughed, and soon enough, Galahad was grinning as well.
"Galahad," Lana was beginning to apologize, but just before the word 'sorry' was even pronounced, Galahad reached for the tall jug full of wine. Lana, laughing hysterically, ran from behind the bar, with Galahad close on her tracks. "VANORA!! GALAHAD HAS YOUR WINE!" Lana shouted, her eyes lifted up, she saw Gawain and Tristan ahead, and ready to have a shield, she ran behind to bemused two.
"What the hell?" Gawain mumbled as Lana latched onto the back of his armor and Tristan. Tristan pointed ahead, as Galahad ran wildly with a jug of wine. Gawain placed up his hands, still with Lana hiding behind them. "Now Galahad."
"Nice hair," Tristan interrupted Galahad's curls where soaked, and the aroma floating from him a thick grape smell. Gawain chuckled at the saturated Knight, but Galahad stopped and stared at his two dear friends.
"Will you move so justice is served?" He asked with a smile, Gawain shrugged his shoulders to Tristan, then looked back at Galahad, Tristan took a step sideways, and Lana screamed mischievously as her face was now seen by Galahad. With his rosy cheeks gleaming in the firelight, Galahad taunted Lana.
"Justice has been served," Lana giggled before turning and running when her shield broke, and Galahad penetrated in. She ran back, and seeing her savior in view, her dress flew in the air, weaving with her running pace, until she captured Lancelot in her palms. "Save me!" She whispered in laughter, then shifting to hide behind his back. He had on his usual leather weaved vest, and his sheathed sword at his side, a interested laugh left his lips, while Galahad sprinted over with his drenched hair and shoulders.
"Lancelot hiding your woman will not stop her fate." Galahad pointed at the jug of wine. Lancelot opened his eyes -- this could be appealing.
"You're looking good Galahad." Lancelot's deep voice boomed over the partying crowd, and with Galahad bowing with a proud strut, he opened his mouth.
"Well thank you, my look takes hours." Sarcastically Galahad shouted, pushing his hair from his eyes. "Mind if I speak with Lana, it'll only take a moment," Lancelot pulled up a finger to Galahad.
"One moment." Lancelot turned around, still between the two he bent over and whispered with Lana. "If I save you, what is my reward?" Lana smirked, Lancelot wanted a reward? Nibbling on her bottom lip, she flashed her eyes up at him.
"Whatever you want." She murmured, but in a swift motion, he gripped her wrists, and swung her in front of Galahad. "NO!" Lana shouted, Lancelot stepped back, clear from any wine splatter, when Galahad released the jug of wine on her head. So there she stood, all the men laughing, and her light green dress now a dark purple. Opening her eyes, she looked at the nearest table to her right, and reaching for Bors' ale, she chucked the remaining ale back at Galahad.
"Why you!" Galahad sneered, in half a laugh and half a disrespected tone.
"All is fair in war Galahad!" Lana shouted, her back hunched to dodge any other attempts Galahad must have. Her feet paced backwards, and with all the other Knights in her view, she knew safety was near. Galahad licked the ale which dripping from his maroon lips, he tossed his arms in the air, and shook his soaked head; spats of wine and ale fell down as he grunted.
"I surrender, I suppose I'd rather drink than splash about the alcohol."
"That's my boy," Lancelot patted Galahad's shoulder, Lana curled her finger and laughed at her lover. "Surrender when you're behind."
"Oh be silent trader." Lana spat while, her drenched palm pulled up her dress from the dirt, awhile walking near Lancelot, he finally realized her plan, and jolted back, causing dust to fly from his old position.
Galahad turned to Gawain, whom already had a glass of wine waiting for him. Gripping the clay glass, he took a swig with pleasure, Gawain rested his palm on Galahad's shoulder, nearly applauding him for his effort.
"Better luck next time," He grunted, as the crowd laugh, Galahad rolled his eyes and began to defend himself.
"She's tricky! You've seen her on the battlefield! She can maneuver her way out of a nailed box if you give her the chance." Gawain pointed at Lana as she launched her sopping skin onto Lancelot, he cried on in despair, he'd just changed clothes to stay dry.
"There was no nailed box." Gawain admitted for Galahad, honestly their tiff wasn't so difficult, and if weapons where allowed, Galahad could have sworn he'd won, Bors, Tristan, Dagonet and Gawain cracked up, before turned back to their drinks.
"Pay back I see," Lancelot detached a strand of Lana's wine soaked hair off her shoulder, as she stared into his face, smiling all along. Wrapping his hands about her waist, he waited for her reply, with his newly wine-covered clothes.
"You know damn well,"
