I've started a new story so my updates might not be as frequent… In this chapter I decided to use a scene from my old story…Oh how I love this scene…Hope you enjoy!
Lioness1- Yes mam!
Katemary77- I'm glad you think so! I was hoping to keep it realistic.
TwistofShadows- Wow! Haha Thanks! Feel free to ramble like that anytime! Awesome ego boost!
KnightoftheRoundTable- Yeah that's probably the closest thing I've come to a self insertion. Cause that's how I would want it to be!
Sugar-skyline- Yay! Someone likes Isolde's character!
The day before I was to leave for Shallot where Galina was living, I made my way to my room after sparring with Galahad. Winter had just ended but it was still freezing outside, and I longed for a hot bath. I had a large tub brought to my room and I filled it with hot, steaming water. The knights bathed only when they had to, I trait I found disgusting. Then again, any woman who looked at Gawain and desired to sleep with him probably already knew he was dirty. Galahad, Arthur, and Lancelot however had impeccable hygiene. I followed in their footsteps and bathed regularly. My lover, however, I had to coax into bathing. Occasionally I had to outright refuse to touch him. Stupid man…
I smiled happily as I lowered myself into the wonderfully hot tub. Soap was all I required. Let the fine Roman ladies have herbs and oils in their baths, hot water was enough for me. For some reason I began thinking of the woad who I had seen several times in battle. The damned woad who had kissed me. Why on earth had a woad kissed me?
"Must have fallen out of a tree one to many times…" I said to myself sleepily as I yawned. I turned my head towards the warmth radiating from the fire and soon I was asleep.
I was on a small boat with the knights. Why were we on a boat? It was too small to be out in the middle of the sea. Why were we in the middle of the sea? Arthur and Dagonet were rowing ever so slowly and Bors was talking to a school of fish.
"Number four, where's your mother?" He was asking a fish. Lancelot was leaning over the boat talking to a girl. A girl? What was a girl doing out here? She didn't have legs I realized. She had a fish tail! I turned to Tristan to tell him, but he was busy making a net and he ignored me. Suddenly Gawain and Galahad grabbed me.
"Let's go for a swim Isolde!" Galahad said.
"No clothes remember!" Gawain added. Uh oh. I had no clothes on. Suddenly Gawain and Galahad were holding me underwater. I tried yelling at them, but it only came out as a gurgle. There was water in my nose and mouth. I was drowning! If I survived, I was going to sit on them I promised myself.
I opened my eyes and sat up as fast as I could, spraying water everywhere. I had fallen asleep in my bath! As I finished retching water up, my door flew open.
"Isolde! What's wr-" Galahad said as he ran into the room with no tunic on. His eyes widened as he stopped in front of me and realized I was in a tub, naked. Gawain rushed in and slipped on the water I had spilled. He was propelled into Galahad, who flew into the tub with me. I yelped as Galahad landed on me in the water. Gawain sprawled out next to the fire as Dagonet and Bors skidded to a halt inside.
"What in the name of all that is holy are you three doing?" Bors roared looking at us like we had gone mad. Dagonet shook his head and lowered the axe he had rushed in with. Lancelot walked in and smirked.
"If only Arthur could see this." He said as he sauntered over. Bors began to haul Galahad off of me when his eyes suddenly widened.
"You're on fire Gawain." He said plainly. We all looked at Gawain and saw that indeed, his tunic was smoldering around his backside.
"Put it out! Put it out!" He bellowed while trying to hit it. He succeeded only in fanning it until it burst in flames. Lancelot panicked and began to pat at the flames on Gawain's rear. Dagonet grabbed the linen I was going to use to dry off with and joined Lancelot in trying to smother the fire. We froze like children who had stolen sweets as we heard a snort. Tristan stood in the doorway and surveyed us. I thought our scout was about to start wheezing. We must have been a sight. Bors was leaning over and grabbing a half naked Galahad who was in a tub with a completely naked me, and Dagonet and Lancelot were taking turns hitting Gawain's backside.
"Enjoying Gawain's ass?" Tristan asked Lancelot with a superior look. Lancelot turned several shades of red, but was saved from having to answer by Gawain's launching himself into the tub. There was a sizzle as the fire was put out and Gawain sighed.
"It would have been a tragedy if my ass had been burnt off. Women would be weeping for days." Gawain said as a bit of steam drifted around the tub. Bors' eyebrows returned to their normal place and he grabbed a hold of Gawain and Galahad. The sopping wet men looked back in the tub at me. So did Bors, Tristan, Lancelot and Dagonet.
"Don't just stand there and drip!" I snapped at Gawain and Galahad. They yanked me out of the tub and I stood in front of everyone. My eyes flew to the piece of cloth that Dagonet had used to pat Gawain's ass with. It was sooty and burnt. I swore just as Lancelot looked up.
"Arthur!" He said in a rather high pitch voice. We looked at Arthur.
"Do I want to know?" He asked from the doorway. Tristan was the first to recover and he pulled me against him to keep me from being exposed to everyone. My backside was still on display however, so he grabbed a tunic off the bed and held it over my butt. I wondered if he realized how odd it looked now. I was pressed quite intimately against him, and his hands were on my rear.
"Why didn't I think of that?" Galahad mumbled. Arthur quickly pulled off his crimson cloak and handed it to Tristan. Tristan wrapped it around my shoulders and pulled me back to him. Dagonet coughed quietly.
"Enjoying Isolde's body?" Lancelot asked Tristan with a mocking smile.
"You can let her go now." Gawain growled. Tristan's face remained stoic, but he stepped back immediately.
"All in favor of letting her get dressed?" Arthur asked trying to herd everyone out of the room.
"Aye." Dagonet said and dragged Bors out. Lancelot, Galahad, and Gawain still stood in front of Tristan and me. They were staring at the cloak as if they were trying to see through it.
"Ahem."
"Oh yes…I'm going..I'm…" Lancelot said.
"Yes…we were just leaving…" Galahad said disjointedly.
"Well I'm staying." Gawain said plainly. Tristan gave them all warning looks. "Or not."
The four of them made for the door all at once. Galahad lingered a moment but Arthur snatched him out. He gave me an apologetic look and shut the door. Dear gods…
That night I wore my burgundy dress to the yard where we spent our evenings and I sat next to Tristan and Dagonet. They were all giving me smug looks.
"Well it's not like I actually want to see any of you naked…" I said haughtily.
"Don't lie to yourself." Lancelot said. Gawain winked at me.
"You'll make your husband a very happy man." Bors said paternally. I snorted.
"There is not one man you would ever marry?" Dagonet asked skeptically. I looked around at the faces around me. They all puffed out their chests as I examined them as one would examine a horse or a cow. My eyes lingered on Tristan and I looked him in the eyes. Could I ever settle down with the dark haired scout? I imagined us back in Sarmatia with my tribe, married and with our own tent. Children? Making meals and clothes?
"No." I said honestly. His face was unreadable. "Never."
Dagonet shook his head.
"What a waste…" Galahad mumbled.
"Some women aren't fit for marriage." Tristan said shrugging. The others didn't catch on to his subtle insult, but I did. I gave him a withering look.
"Fit?" I mouthed at him. He ignored me and tipped his drink back. He filled up his cup again and swirled the contents. Fit? What was that supposed to mean? Like…Like I wasn't worthy to be some man's wife? Me? Just because I didn't want to be a wife, didn't mean I would have made a terrible one. And who was Tristan to be judging other people in matters such as marriage? I scoffed at him inwardly. Our relationship, if it could even be called that, was probably the closest thing he had ever had to romance! It was the same for me but still. I was fuming at him. I hid it well I knew. I could be as distant as he could. I pushed all thoughts of Tristan away from my mind and focused on enjoying the night with the men.
"Galahad don't be such a girl-" I laughed at him.
"I'm not a girl-Wait you're a girl! You can't call-"
"Yes she can! You do act like a-" Lancelot said while pulling a woman into his lap. Galahad threw a cup at him before he could finish. Bors was cackling hysterically.
"Wha-What are we talking about?" Gawain gasped once he had stopped laughing. Galadad looked puzzled for a moment while Bors continued to laugh excessively. Dagonet shrugged.
"I have no bloody idea…" I said and snatched Tristan's cup from him while elbowing him. He grunted and elbowed me back. I lifted my leg and stomped on his foot. He did the same and then pinched my leg under the table. I bit my lip to keep from squealing. I pretended to stretch my arms and I snatched one of his braids. He winced and pulled one of my braids.
"Let go!" I hissed.
"You grabbed mine first." He said in a distinctly unfriendly voice. I tugged harder.
"Owowwoww!" He returned the favored and I let out a small howl. I tried to yank my head away. I was aware that the rest of the knights were watching us amusedly. I grabbed another braid and tugged them both at the same time.
"Isolde-" He almost yelled as we both fell back drunkenly. We were on the ground tugging hair like children. I let go abruptly. He stood up and stalked off angrily. I made a note not to walk outside after dark for the next few days. I brushed myself off and sat back down. I stared them down, daring them to say something. A few minutes of awkward silence passed and we were drinking and laughing again.
I laid on my bed that night feeling strange. My bed felt cold and empty. I wondered if it was the end of mine and Tristan's usually emotionless liaison. Arthur and I had decided not to tell the knights I was leaving. He would tell them I had gone to see Galina in the morning. I turned over on to my stomach. I stared at the dying embers of the fire. Why was he angry? Tristan was my dear friend and companion. He understood things about me that the others did not. And as much as I felt that I knew him, sometimes he was a complete mystery to me. Sleep eluded me. I stood up and groaned. In a matter of minutes my things were packed in a satchel which I threw over my shoulder. I made my way to the stables.
"Ahh it's the pagan girl who fights…" A drunk Roman slurred. Most of the soldiers looked up to Arthur and his knights, but the occasional pain in the ass was ready to stir up trouble. The man grabbed me roughly. Who in the name of Kolaksay did he think he was? His breath was rank and I nearly gagged. I kneed him in the groin and he dropped like a stone. I hurriedly saddled my horse and began my journey to the south.
The trip was exactly what I needed. I was going to see Galina and her new baby. I would have my friend back. It felt wonderful to be alone out in the green wilderness. I was responsible for myself alone and I could do whatever I wanted. I could organize my thoughts and relax. It was wonderful. For a week I traveled like this. When I finally reached the slightly warmer south, I rode into the gates of the castle feeling calmer than I had in months.
"Ah you must be Isolde. Arthur told us you were coming!" A man in a fine green tunic said. "I am Bernard, Arthur's kin."
I nodded and offered him a smile.
"Galina is in her chambers with the child. Come, I'll show you to your room." He said and began leading me through his halls to a tower. We climbed up a flight of stairs until we reached a wooden door. He let us into the room. It was comfortable, if small. I threw my things onto the bed and turned back to him expectantly. He led me up another flight of stairs to another door. He opened the door and I walked briskly into the bright room. I saw a familiar head of dark gold.
"Hello Galina." I said quietly. She whipped around from where she was kneeling on the floor and smiled brilliantly at me. My breath caught in my throat. She was more beautiful than ever. Pregnancy had made her slightly plumper so she was not as bony as before. She still looked as though a breeze could blow her away though. She was deathly pale, but motherhood had put a rosy glow in her cheeks.
"Isolde!" She whispered and danced over to me. She embraced me and I saw that she had dark circles under her eyes. I wondered how one could look so healthy and sickly at the same time. "Look!" She said and dragged me over to where she had been kneeling.
"What do you call him?" I asked in awe. He couldn't have been four months old, yet he already had a head full of dark gold curls. He giggled and reached out with a tiny hand. I knelt by him and gave him a finger to grasp. He gurgled happily and I couldn't help but smile.
"Geraint." She said watching him lovingly. I picked him up and surprised myself by nuzzling him with my nose. He cackled and touched my face. He had a wonderful smell and laugh. I realized I was getting emotional and quickly handed him to his mother.
"You have to come back." I said sternly. She shook her head. "You have a duty."
"My son needs me." She said weakly.
"Bring him to the wall."
She looked at me with a panicked expression.
"They would all know whose son he was! You know they would!" She said passionately.
"Galina, I know it's hard, but you have to tell him! He should know he has a son!" I said quietly. "It must be done."
She took a sob ridden breath.
"How is he?" I hesitated.
"Fine. Same as always." I put emphasis on the last few words to let her know that indeed, he was the same as always. In everyway.
"Does he ever speak of me?" I didn't answer.
"Galina, he loves you. Perhaps not in the way you would wish, but-"
"You think I don't know that?" She said harshly and then looked remorseful. "I'm sorry."
I nodded. I couldn't imagine what thoughts swirled in her head.
"Just… Just give me a few days." She begged softly.
"Of course." I said understandingly. "We've all missed you Galina."
"I know. I've missed you more than I can say. How's Galahad? And Bors? Any more bastards?" She asked and I laughed.
"They're all fine." I said and suddenly Geraint began to wail. I gave him and alarmed look.
"What's wrong with it?" I asked. It had been years since I had been around a baby. My little brother was born while I was still very young, so I had not paid much attention to baby needs.
"Not 'it'! He!" She said slapping my arm. "He's hungry. It's time to feed him."
However ignorant I was in the matter of children, I knew how infants were fed. I felt nauseated.
"I'll go unpack." I said stiffly and walked quickly out of the door. Her laugh followed me down the stairs to my room.
The next two weeks were spent lazing around the castle. Bernard and his wife were kind and attentive to Galina's needs. They treated her like their own daughter and I knew Galina had come to care for them. It was much warmer in the south and spring was already on its way. We spent our days in a nearby meadow. We laid in the soft grass with Geraint in between us. He recognized Galina as his mother, but he seemed to be fascinated by me. He laid on his stomach and propped himself up on his elbows and just smiled at me.
"Oh he is most certainly Lancelot's son." I said as the babe laid a sloppy kiss on my nose. I wiped the slobber off with the edge of my tunic. Eck.
"I'm ready." She said and I turned my head to look at her.
"Tomorrow then?" I asked and she shook her head miserably. I didn't know if I would ever have the strength to do what she was going to do. I cringed inwardly as she gave a hacking cough. I had hoped her sickness had passed, but it had not. She licked away the speck of blood on her lip and stood up. I watched her walk a distance away and stared at the endless fields of green and gold.
"You're going to meet your papa." I said to Geraint. He cooed happily at me and I tweaked his small perfect nose.
Ok! I'm quite fond of my old bath scene soI had to recycle it!We are very near the movie time! Get ready! REVIEWWWWW
