A/N: Just a little note but the words in Italics are spoken in the native Woad tongue and those in bold are spoken in Sarmatian.
Jocosta and Galahad sprang away from one another as Eiger walked forward into the dim corridor. Galahad looked down at the floor, scuffing his boots on the dusty stone as Jocosta blushed by his side but met her father's eyes guiltily.
"Jocosta…" Sighed Eiger, his voice troubled as he frowned at his youngest child. "Why?"
Jocosta's eyes hardened as he asked her and she glared at him just as Gryfn appeared behind him. Eyes gliding across to meet her brother's guilty but calm face; Jocosta took a deep breath before beginning her tirade.
"Why? I'll tell you why father! Never had I been consulted about this arrangement and yet here I am, betrothed! I was not even asked of my thoughts after it was confirmed. This was forced upon me, something I did not wish for and now you ask me why!" cried Jocosta, her voice steadily building in volume and anger until she had to stop for breath. "Day was able to choose, why not I?" She whispered mournfully after a moment of silence and looked pleadingly towards her father.
Eiger rubbed his large hand across his rugged chin and looked between the two teenagers stood in the corridor. Shame crept into his eyes as he saw how much pain he had caused his daughter and he frowned deeply.
"If I had known Jocosta, this would not have happened." He admitted after a moment's consideration and watched his daughter nod slowly. "I am sorry my child. Forgive me? I have not respected your wishes and you have every right to hate me but understand I did not think. You have my blessing child but just let me ask one more thing." Eiger spoke softly, a faint twinkle coming back into his eye as he talked to Jocosta in their native tongue and she looked at him with a sad smile before nodding her head and mouthing back to him: "I forgive you."
Galahad had looked up at the sound of the strange language resounding around the corridor and he turned his head to watch Jocosta nodding and a smile coming to her face as she too listened to the familiar words. Eiger's voice caught his attention though as his name was spoken and he raised his head proudly; if not with some fear, as she stood straight and looked Eiger in the eye. The Woad smiled fondly at the boy's determination before talking again.
"Do you love her?" Eiger asked gently in Sarmatian and Galahad's eyes widened at the sound of his natural language. A dreamy smile danced across his face at the comforting thoughts it rendered and it was Jocosta's turn to marvel at the foreign words and Galahad's ease.
"Yes." He finally announced after a moment of undisturbed silence, startling himself at his response.
Eiger chuckled to himself then, the light rumble echoing in the darkened corridor and Jocosta looked between her father and Galahad with a confused expression.
"Leave Drogn to me Jocosta, but rest assured I will deal with it daughter." Eiger announced quietly as Jocosta returned her questioning gaze to the young Knight and took his leave. Gryfn walked forward slightly then, the guilt still evident in his face as he confessed to his sister.
"I had to tell him Jocosta. I already had my suspicions but I had to have them confirmed." Gryfn admitted quietly, his head bowed and his hair flopping languidly into his eyes. He lifted his head after a moment as his sister gave him a heart-felt smile and motioned that she would speak to him later, so he too took his leave.
The question still dangled in the air as the sound of footsteps faded away and Galahad shifted slightly under Jocosta's velvety gaze. He clumsily took her hand in his and she smiled warmly as he folded his larger hand around her nymph-like one.
"Jocosta…" began Galahad, her name flowing like silk from his tongue and he resisted the urge to kiss her as she gazed at him so intently. "Let me love you, for I fear if you don't it will consume me."
Jocosta nodded dumbly, losing herself in his eyes and she reached up to him as he bent down to her; both catching the other in a doting and need-filled kiss.
Gryfn stalked after his father along the corridors, wondering how Drogn would take the news. Eiger relaxed as his son came alongside him and instantly matched his pace.
"What will you say father?" Gryfn asked with unease, tilting his head with a frown troubling his brow whilst his father appeared calm as always.
"Simply that I underestimated my daughter's readiness to be betrothed and that one of the older girls of the village will suit his needs." Returned Eiger swiftly, although his voice was unruffled and lilting as always.
Gryfn relaxed then, his father's composure washing over him in a gentle wave and a small, content smile fixed itself to his face as they continued walking. Eiger turned towards his son, catching his gentle gin and posed a question silently.
"She's happy father." Replied his son enthusiastically and Eiger chuckled at the joy it brought to Gryfn.
"Aye, both of our girls our happy now Gryfn." Commented Eiger dreamily as they strode on, both speaking of power and warriors as they walked. "And what of you, son? When will we see you being betrothed?" Teased Eiger casually, throwing his son a lively smile.
Gryfn laughed aloud then, his floppy dark hair shaking as he did so, and he replied with a shake of his head as they came to a stop outside the stables.
"Arthur." Eiger nodded towards the Roman commander with a focussed expression before turning his attention to the attentive boy on his right. "Good to see you again Drogn."
The boy smiled and nodded his head courteously towards the older man before smiling politely to Gryfn who had paused slightly before going to talk to Anise and Gawain. They had both moved further around the stables, far enough away so that neither could hear any of the conversation from the other group.
"Eiger, what brings you hear?" Arthur asked pleasantly after a moment and the Woad seated himself next to Drogn sternly.
"Just coming to bring reports of the outpost and also to check on my daughter." Eiger replied curtly, although his voice was warm.
"Ah Jocosta." Smiled Drogn, his blue eyes twinkling joyously at the mention of her name and he turned to face Eiger fully.
"Well Drogn I need to talk to you about Jocosta." Began Eiger hesitantly.
"They have Eiger's blessing?" Whispered Anise with amazement, her eyes having widened with excitement and surprise and she felt Gawain lean closer into the small huddle of whisperings.
"Aye." Confirmed Gryfn quietly, his contented smile speaking volumes to the pair and Anise breathed in glee before turning to Gawain and flashing him a knowing smile.
"So what will happen now? Won't the tribes go to war?" Urged Gawain hastily and he allowed himself a quick glance over to the small group across the other side of the stables.
"No," Gryfn assured him quickly. "Father is suggesting another of the young maidens from our village, one who would suit him well. We hope it will not come to war as Drogn seems to be wise." The boy glimpsed shrewdly over to Drogn before turning back quickly to Gawain and Anise.
"So our boy has got himself a lover." Breathed Gawain in amusement and Gryfn nodded with a warm smile, his green eyes shimmering with delight and his hair falling into his eyes.
"They are suited well."
The threesome agreed with that comment and continued talking amongst themselves, excited whispers and quiet glances ensuing.
Drogn's face visibly dropped at Eiger's words and he took a breath before opening his eyes again.
"I'm sorry Drogn, she is just not ready." Apologised Eiger gently and he placed a calming hand on the boy's shoulder.
"She's in love with the Knight isn't she?" Whispered Drogn, almost to himself as he stared with disbelief at the straw-strewn floor.
His eyes glinted dully and he ran a hand through his sandy hair as he sat back against the bench and sighed heavily, letting his head fall back against the wood.
Eiger nodded with remorse at the boy's disappointment and obvious distress and he looked over to see Arthur's puzzled frown.
"Galahad?" He asked lowly and nodded his head sagely when Eiger signalled he was correct.
"We have a number of fair maidens in our village Drogn and many would be more than willing to be your betrothed." Added Eiger as Drogn sat back up, and he sighed sadly before nodding his head regretfully.
"Thank you for your kindness Eiger. I would be more than happy to uphold the arrangement between our tribes and I am grateful that you would think of me so. She will make Galahad a fine wife someday."
Eiger gave him a small, sorry smile then and nodded in leaving as Drogn excused himself from the stables in a daze.
"How did he take it father? Gryfn enquired evenly as he appeared at his side and Eiger looked over to Arthur with a relenting smile.
"Well."
Jocosta had parted from Galahad, explaining that she must talk with her brother and father and that she would meet with him later. He had reluctantly let her go, but not before kissing her deeply once more, and walking off to find Gawain or Day and Tristan.
"Lady Jocosta." Drogn's soft voice pierced her thoughts as she sat in the gardens of the fort, her cloak huddled around her as she enjoyed the stillness of the winter whilst waiting for her father.
"Drogn." She returned anxiously and peered at him warily as he sat down beside her with a hesitant smile.
He looked out across the gardens wondrously as he gathered his thoughts and came to terms with the fact that the beautiful, nymph-like creature beside him would no longer be his wife. Turning back to her, he could not repress a gentle smile from working its way across his lips and Jocosta relaxed slightly.
"I'm sorry." She whispered with regretful heartfelt but Drogn but a hand on her arm to stop her.
"Nay, you needn't be Jocosta." He assured her kindly and she could see the compassion and thoughtfulness resound in his ocean-blue eyes as he looked at her. "You have been more than kind to me and I cannot repay you for letting me have your tenderness if only for a little while." Murmured Drogn quietly as he placed a strand of her auburn hair behind her ear. "You will make Galahad a fine wife someday."
Jocosta breathed in relief at his doting words and smiled delicately at him.
"Thank you." She whispered as she hugged him tightly, his surprise leaving him instantly and his arms reaching around her slender frame. "Thank you, and I truly am sorry. You will make a fine husband too someday." She whispered and Drogn felt his heart tugging as he released his grip on her; feeling her warmth drift away from him, her sweet scent leave him and her soft embrace desert him.
He stood to leave with a soft smile, the wind ruffling his sandy hair as it ghosted through the gardens and he stared down at the gentle girl.
"No, thank you." He whispered faintly before turning and making his way back to the fort.
"I can still train, I need the practice. It won't harm the baby."
"I don't want you getting hurt, especially not when you're with child."
"Tristan," Day laughed and stroked her hand down his cheek. "I am not yet more than 2 months pregnant and you are panicking about the baby's and my health. It will do no damage to either of us if I partake in a little exercise and when I am tired; I will stop as I know where my boundaries are." Assured Day sympathetically and Tristan sighed in defeat.
"You're unstoppable my love." He rumbled as she glided away from him, her fingers lingering on his cheek for a moment longer.
"It's why you love me so, I remind you of yourself." She commented with a smile, her head appearing from behind the bed as she pulled back the covers.
Tristan laughed then, bidding for her to come join him on his seat and Day nestled into his lap after throwing the pile of clothes she was holding back onto the bed carelessly and with a grin.
"Every day brings new horizons." He added quietly as he placed a kiss into her chocolate locks and she turned her head slightly to capture his mouth with her's.
A knock broke the moment, however, but Tristan pulled back with a devious smile before calling the intruder in.
Galahad strode proudly into the room to find Day curled up against Tristan in a chair and he smiled to himself; thinking of Jocosta nestled up against him like that.
"Galahad, how are you?" Day asked curiously, breaking his thoughts and watching him intently from her place in Tristan's lap.
The pair were looking at him oddly, he seemed happy considering Jocosta had just been taken away from him, and Tristan's gaze narrowed as he attempted to find the reason for Galahad's contentment, his fingers twirling Day's hair in his hands.
"I am more than well Day, Tristan." Galahad announced with a nod to his fellow Knight, hardly being able to restrain the grin that threatened to split his face.
Day eyed him with a wondering smirk and sat up slightly from Tristan, although his hands simply traced loving circles across her back now, and a sly smile graced her lips as she pondered upon Galahad's joy. Galahad simply beamed back, letting the couple try to guess the reason for his joy and he resigned himself to sitting himself down on the edge of the bed so he was opposite them.
"Well it has to be something to do with my sister, yes?" Thought Day aloud and Galahad nodded to confirm her suspicions, his eyes lighting up at the mention of her name.
"Hmm…what do you think Tristan?" enquired Day thoughtfully as she twisted to look at him.
"You haven't killed him have you Galahad?" Tristan asked with a flicker of amusement and a chorus of laughter rose up.
"Nay." Confessed the young Knight and he wrung his hands in excitement.
"Gryfn mentioned something about…" Day muttered but trailed off as she tilted her head to look at Galahad. His eyes spoke enough to her and Day let out an excited cry of "Oh Galahad!" before throwing herself at him with such force that they fell backwards onto the bed. Galahad let out a bark of laughter as Day smothered his face with kisses
"I think Tristan might get jealous." Laughed Galahad mockingly as Day wrenched herself away from him and glanced down at him with an ecstatic grin.
"You will do my sister well, or I will be after you with Gryfn no less." Warned Day laughingly and Galahad nodded fervently as he sat back up and Day resumed her place with Tristan. The Knight unconsciously put a possessive arm around her waist although his eyes sparkled with amusement and he congratulated Galahad on his news.
Galahad thanked them and all but ran from the room in excitement and delight as he went to find his beloved, leaving Day and Tristan alone once more.
"Do you think it to be a girl or a boy?" Mused Day aloud as Tristan's fingers danced across her stomach and caused shivers to run up and down her spine.
"A boy without a doubt." Murmured Tristan with humour and smiled when Day turned to him, his braids falling into his eyes.
"It's a girl, I can feel it."
"It has to be a boy."
"You're wrong it's a girl, I'm telling you!"
Laughter erupted and drifted down the hallways as the arguing continued, but it was cut short when a shriek rang out and the door was kicked shut and followed by muffled laughter and giggles.
A/N: And there we have it! All is now well in the world of Galahad and Jocosta. Do you love me again? lol Hope I fulfilled everyone's needs in this here chapter and shown you that Drogn isn't such a bad guy after all, but feel free to still hate him if you wish, and should it have been Galahad to beat him to a pulp or are we happy with Eiger redeeming himself? Thanks for reviewing as ever as I love writing for you all, as well as my own amusement lol, so tell me what you think! Thanks x