Disclaimer: We don't own anything here except the premise of this particular bit of fanfic and Evani and Mira and any other non-King Arthur characters! PLEASE don't sue, Tracy's too poor already, all you'd get is a load of animals and a rust-bucket of a car and Calliann's a trainee nurse and is equally as destitute, perhaps even more so! Disclaimer also
This is the first joint venture between Calliann and Tracy137 so please be nice as our already fragile egos are prone to tears or fits of violence! LOL
nikkitagq: Thank you so much for your input. Unfortunately your source material is a little flawed. Sarmatians actually originated from the Caspian Sea region, which is now, as we all know, part of Iran. They were a nomadic people and finally settled predominately in Poland, but also some tribes moved further on to the Ukraine and Russia. However, the fact that they can also be found here in Britain shows the reach they had, both as nomads themselves but also as slaves of Rome. Just to back up my statement here, I have copied and pasted the text stating, from a respected encyclopaedic source, that they originated from what is now part of Iran. "Sarmatians: coalition of Iranian nomadic tribes, which moved gradually from the Caspian plains (AN: Now part of Iran) to Eastern Europe and threatened the Roman empire." However, we would like to thank you for your valuable input and hope you continue to enjoy our story:O)
lucillaq: Yes we are rather blessed aren't we? To be so very much alike and al despite our drastic age differencel. LOL It's a phrase we've known for years – but being Goths we're not too 'Annie'! I think the poor girl would have a stroke if she met us! LOL Glad you like the story so much, and hope you enjoy this chapter too!
sarmatian-woman: Thank you so much and here it is!
newsieskane: We're glad you like it so much and that it reminds you of your brother. Hope you're still close though:O) Yes, the tricks are funny – though hilariously cruel, especially to poor little Galahad! LOL Tristan, as you may have guessed is our favourite, and so he is and will remain very wonderful:O Though Lancelot obviously is a close second!
lilstrummrgrl527: I know he's hilarious isn't he? I think he's my favourite when he's drunk! LOL I, Tracy137, have just got that dvd so will look out for it! (Not had time to watch it yet unfortunately). Glad you liked the bit with Galahad – we thought it was funny, sadly for him he just begs to be picked on! Yeah they ALL had to be drunk for it to work, and we thought it would be nice to see two of the knights that are always so proper and good be as bad as the others for once, also it wasn't really their fault but the girls who kept pouring beer down their necks! LOL Well you succeeded! Here's the next chapter, hope you like it as much!
HyperSquishy: Yeah, it's good – I have to say that in past centuries there was a belief that twins were in fact one soul split into two by the hand of God and that was why they were so alike to look at and often thought alike; so hence the phrase in this story kindred spirits. Just a little factoid there! LOL They will be seen very soon by others – though not by Arthur! LOL That won't be for a while yet! Hope you like this chapter too!
Ailis-70: Well, frankly he deserves it doesn't he? I mean the boy just begs to be tormented as he's so whiny! LOL The shock was Calliann's idea and a brilliant one I might add! Gives an extra something to the relationships! We hope you like this chapter too!
All reviews, and constructive criticism, gratefully received – but no flaming or nitpicking please; and we will try to update regularly.
'……..' thoughts.
"……" speech.
Anyway…..chapter four!
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Duo Quadim:
Chapter Four – Games
The following morning Galahad woke up and felt like maybe he'd died in the night…..he certainly felt like he should have. As he moved, he felt he was naked.
He smiled broadly, despite the pain in his head, wondering which lovely little thing from the tavern had been his partner the night before.
Just then Gawain loomed into view, and Galahad suddenly remembered what really happened. "Oh Goddess!" he groaned burying his head in his pillow.
"I doubt she will aid you brother! By the moon you were drunk last night; I mean, so were we, but you…..you were deeply drunk!" Gawain laughed gently so as not to disturb his own head too greatly; it was bad but obviously not as bad as Gal's as he looked almost green.
Just then Evani entered with a slight knock. "Come to the tavern, I have enough of the brew to help all your headaches.." she smiled at Galahad "Well, for them it should all but cure it; alas for you it will only lessen the pain considerably."
He returned the smile gratefully "Lady, right now any lessening of this pain would a welcome relief."
She almost felt sorry for him…almost. She then went and fetched the other knights. She and Mira had agreed that they would not think any more of the events of the last night for now. They would wait and see what their respective knights would do.
Galahad too, wished to wait…in fact he would rather have waited in his room and until he was old and grey and his beard reached the floor. For he knew what they would say and do to him – what he would say and do if it had been one of them. His foggy brain still couldn't fathom what had happened, he had no knowledge of removing his clothes that was the scary part.
He dressed and braced himself for the trial by fire which was to come…..and headed for the tavern, if nothing else at least he might ease his aching head.
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Mira arrived at the back of the tavern to find Tristan waiting for her "We need to speak of what happened last night, I know you felt it the same as I; and I observed something similar between Lancelot and Evani – this…" he touched his fingers to her cheek and they both smiled slightly at the shock "What is it?"
"I am not sure exactly what it is," Mira replied honestly forcing herself to break the connection, the disappointment clear in his eyes that she did so. She was not sure if she was ready to have a conversation like this, at this time of the day. Unlike her sister, who had been married, she had had little more than the occasional kiss on the cheek, and only then from friends of her family or from her family itself. What had happened between her and Tristan the night before still had her reeling, albeit in a very good way.
"It must mean something," Tristan stated, a determined look in his eye. He had every intention of figuring this all out. "It did not happen when I took your sister's arm yesterday."
"Perhaps it means we shuffle our feet too much?" Mira offered, earning a genuine smile from Tristan that almost turned her into a puddle at his feet. His face truly did soften when he smiled.
"I do not shuffle my feet lady," he replied taking a step closer to her; ever since that kiss last night a part of him had been almost craving her touch, even more so than he craved the revenge for Gareth's death. He reached his hand up and brushed a stray hair away from her face, the electricity bouncing between their skin.
"It is odd," she breathed, stepping even closer, almost feeling someone push her towards him. She brushed it off though as his eyes caught her own, holding her in his gaze. "You would think it would hurt," her hand went unconsciously to his face, her finger running lightly over one of the tattoos, almost driving him mad with desire.
Without thinking he leaned forward, once again capturing her lips with his own. The shock was almost instantaneous and warmed both their bodies, boiling their blood. Before long he deepened the kiss, earning a deep moan from her throat as her hands wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer and then….
She pulled away, breaking all contact with him, a deep blush rising to her cheeks. "I am sorry but it is moving too quickly," she stammered before rushing into the back of the tavern, leaving a very confused and slightly injured scout in her wake.
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Likewise Lancelot was waiting outside the front of the tavern for her sister "Lady" he smiled fondly as she walked up, her pulse quickly jumping just at the sight of him, she could still feel the pressure of his warm lips on hers if she merely closed her eyes, "I was not so drunk last night that I would forget that I kissed you…." he sobered "More importantly however is the fact that it….did something to me." He rubbed a hand over his head "can you tell me what?" He shook his head "I speak not in jest…" he touched her arm, his fingers grasping her wrist and they both felt it again.
They stepped back; he looked at her quizzically but with a warm smile "It seems we definitely have much to discuss….." He took her hand again, bringing it this time to his lips, kissing her knuckles and sending a shock thorough them both.
Evani felt it in her very toes and had to catch her breath when he released her hand, Lancelot doing the same, a broad smile one his face. "Perhaps my old friend was right," he mused.
"About what?" she asked, looking up at him now, reaching up to rub the back of her neck and pulling her hand away, her pendant slipping to the outside of her dress unnoticed.
"Gareth used to touch all the barmaids hands when we were young, and each time he would smile and say nothing, and go back to his drink. One day I asked him why, and he told me he was looking for his kindred spirit. His grandmother…your grandmother had explained to him that, when he found her, he would feel a spark and that was how he would know she was the one," Lancelot smiled fondly at the memory. "Perhaps that is what this is."
"Did he ever find her?" Evani asked, enraptured by the story of her brother, as she always was when hearing of him; unconsciously she stepped closer to Lancelot, eager to know.
"Aye he did. Her name was Lillian." Lancelot let out a sad sigh before continuing. "They were very much in love, and he would have married her had Rome not been so uptight about their soldiers marrying. He used to brag to Tristan and I when we would go on missions how he was to take her home and how his sisters would love her best," Evani smiled at this, a sudden dread in her heart. She had a feeling she would not like where this story was going.
"When he…when we brought him back from that last mission, she threw herself on him, sobbing and then she just stopped suddenly and went to Vanora, hugged her and whispered something into her ear and ran off. Less than five minutes later there were sounds of a struggle up on the battlements followed by screaming."
"What had happened?" Evani asked, having a pretty good idea already.
"She threw herself from the top of the Wall," he answered sadly. "We buried them together…they would have wanted it so."
"What had she told Vanora?" she asked, knowing that if she did not know it would eat at her.
"That she could not feel the spark any longer," there were tears pricking at his eyes, threatening to fall and he tried every way he could think of to fight them back. Bury them with all the others. He hated that memory most of all.
The sadness at the story and the pain on Lancelot's face overwhelmed her and she threw herself at him, hugging him tightly. "Shh Lancelot, please do not be so sad," she murmured to him as he hugged her back, both of his arms snaking about her.
They pulled back and gazed at each other then, a certain spark flying between their eyes as he leaned over and kissed her gently, both of them losing themselves in the embrace.
"See, now I truly do not understand why she hit me?" Galahad's voice broke them apart, their breathing slightly ragged as they gazed at one another, Lancelot's arm still holding her steady.
"Because you were being an ass," Gawain answered knowingly, with a smile towards the two who they had just caught red handed…so to speak.
"Gotta feel sorry for Gareth though," Bors chuckled, nudging at Dag who had his hand to his head and a sour expression on his face as he glared down at his brother, who was much more used to the drink than him.
Arthur merely smiled at them as he passed behind his men, nodding at Lancelot.
"Well this surly is an interesting start to the day," Lancelot said after a moment.
"Just wait," Evani smiled sweetly, giving his cheek a peck before she hurried into the tavern and straight for the back room. She noticed Tristan as she passed, his face unreadable as usual, but a certain sadness about his eyes. This only caused her to double her efforts to reach the back.
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Evani entered the back room to see Mira hanging her head over a barrel looking unwell while Vanora scolded her incessantly.
"What is all this, are you ill sister?" Evani asked, rushing to Mira's side to find her white as a sheet, her hands clutching the barrel and her arms trembling slightly, tears in her eyes.
"What all this is, is your sister being a daft cow!" Vanora said, coming to stand next to them. "She and Tristan were moving at it just fine, lookin' damn near adorable, when she goes and ruins it sayin' he's movin' too fast!" Vanora loved all the knights as her brothers, save Bors, which was obvious, but the scout, Dag and Arthur were among her favourites. They were good men, loyal and brave and always ready to take up for the others and even for her. But Tristan, he had held a special place in her heart ever since Gareth had died. She had never seen anyone take a death so hard as he took that one.
"Oh Mira," Evani said, taking her sister by the shoulders and helping her to straighten herself. "Was it all that bad?"
"I just do not think that I can now sister," she said, the tears very near the surface and evident in her voice. "I have only just heard of Gareth and here I am more concerned with how I look for Tristan than the fact that my brother is no more and his killers are yet alive."
"Oh but lass, Gareth would not want you beating yourself so," Vanora said softly, coming up to Mira's other side, wrapping her arm about the young woman as well. "He would want you to be happy."
"She is right sister," Evani agreed. "Remember what he used to say?"
Together they intoned, "Marry a knight for I cannot protect you forever!" The two girls shared a laugh and Mira whipped at her eyes.
"Sides," Vanora added. "There is no shame seeking comfort from a friend that you trust."
"You are both right. I will apologize and right it with him," she smiled a small smile then. "I do like him so," she added sheepishly.
"Oh, that does remind me," Evani beamed. "Gareth had a lover! A lovely woman according to Lancelot."
"Aye, that she was," Vanora answered sadly, thinking back on her dearest friend. She only hoped that she could be as close to these two women as Lillian had been to her.
"What happened to her?" Mira asked, noticing Vanora's sadness and leaning over to hug the woman, sensing that that was what she needed at that moment. Vanora gratefully returned it, squeezing her tightly.
"She killed herself when he died," Evani answered, somewhat sadly surprised at the smile that appeared on Mira's face. "You are glad by this?"
Vanora looked at her in shock as well as she nodded her head. "Aye, I am. For then they are always together; neither must live without the other and know that sadness," Mira answered honestly, forever the romantic at heart. "It is what he would have done."
The two sisters shared a knowing smile, and Mira gave Van another quick squeeze. "Now I must be out to start our latest bout of mischief," she smiled, taking the tray with the herbal remedy already prepared and carrying it out the door, tucking an apple into her pocket as a peace offering on her way.
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Mira entered the main of the tavern, the knights the only ones there at such an early hour, walking over and carrying the tray of remedy, setting it down before them.
"Morning," she smiled at them, going around the table and handing them the drinks. When she got to Tristan she slipped an apple into his hand offering him a small apologetic smile, her eyes pleading with him.
A ghost of a smile appeared on his face and he gave her hand a squeeze, taking the fruit. A wave of relief washed over her as she continued on, Jols entering the tavern then, a smile on his face.
"Congratulations are in order I hear," he said smiling over at Tristan.
"What are you going on about?" Lancelot almost growled, a confused look washing over him as Mira handed him his mug. When he brushed her hand there was no spark.
"Tristan and Mira," he said with a broad smile causing everyone at the table to pause mid drink before looking over towards the two aforementioned people, anger on one knight's face in particular. "I saw them behind the tavern not twenty minutes ago."
"That's impossible," Bors scoffed. "She was out front with Lancelot then. We all saw them!"
The knights continued to gaze at them in confusion, Tristan remaining impassive while Mira looked more than a little shocked at the accusation. 'Dammit why couldn't it have been Evani out here now!' she thought, recovering rather quickly.
"Bollocks," she said after a moment, almost cringing at the word. She hated that word. "How could I have been with Tristan in the back when Lancelot had me so well engaged?"
"Well you looked pretty well engaged in the back," Jols began, looking determined.
"Tristan?" Arthur asked the scout eyeing him closely, his headache suddenly returning.
"I know not of what he speaks," Tristan replied, eating at his apple.
"Perhaps you have been in the ale early this morning Jols?" Gawain asked, taking a drink of the brew before him.
"Nay," he was about to begin when Vanora's head shot out of the back. "Jols come back here now! I need your help!"
Looking more confused than ever Jols walked into the back and was not gone but a minute before he returned, a grin on his face and a knowing look in his eye as he winked over towards Mira. "Right, mayhap I was still just caught up in the show from last night. Galahad pray, did you ever find your clothes?"
The young man blushed scarlet, and the ensuing ribbing he had to endure soon detracted everyone from Jols' comments. Mira smiled at Tristan, it seemed they had another ally.
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Lancelot, however, could not shake the feeling something was not right….Jols comments only aroused his suspicions further.
He couldn't put his finger on it, but it wasn't the same – then it occurred to him, where had been the spark? She had touched him and he had felt nothing…. He stood, a little unsteadily, and made his way to the back, time for a talk he felt.
Suddenly Tristan was in his path "Where are you going Lancelot?" he enquired mildly.
"I have had a thought and wish to follow it."
"Aye…" the scout nodded seriously "mayhap that is only right and proper; you have so few, it is not wise to let them wander about alone." There was silent mirth in the scout's eyes.
Lancelot grinned "Tristan, why do you bother with a knife to cut that apple? Your tongue would work as well, it is sharp enough…."as the scout flashed a smile, the dark knight continued on his way. Tristan let him go feeling he had delayed him long enough for the girls to scatter.
Evani was coming back through the sideway door and collided with him "Ah, I wished to speak with you and here you are." He smiled.
He looked down to speak and saw a small piece of wood protruding from her dress. He reached down to touch it, his fingertips caressing her skin briefly as he did so – both noting, even with that brief contact, the sparks that flew – and pulled forth a wooden pendant.
He noted with a start the shape of a wolf's head similar to his own. He turned it over saw the letter 'E' with 'ly' above it.
He looked quizzically at her and she smiled. "Gareth had a Lion with the letter 'G' and 'ch', my…sister had a dragon with the letter 'M' and 'mu' and I have this…..put them together and it spells the word 'muchly'."
"Aye, I remember it – Tristan took the pendant and the tapestry you made him" Evani wrinkled her nose, as if she would sew! "I took something else of his….would you like to see it?" Evani glanced behind her where Van was flapping her hands in exasperation at her to go.
"Aye….I would."
He held out his arm "Lady?" he saw her look "I think we will be safe through the cotton of my shirt." He grinned.
She took his arm and both were surprised to still feel a slight tingle "Mayhap I should wear my armour?" he smiled.
"Mayhap you should…for it is obviously fierce magic!" Evani laughed.
Suddenly he stopped, a new thought appearing in his mind. "Why an E?"
"What?" she asked startled, immediately seeing her error. 'Bollocks!' she thought, trying to quickly come up with an explanation for the letter.
"The E? I understand the G for Gareth, but if your name is Mira then why not an M?" he inquired further. This was all very strange.
"Um, my baby's sister's name is Margaret…Evani is my middle name. And I wanted to make sure she could tell the difference in all ways," Evani covered quickly, heaving a quiet sigh of relief as he seemed to buy the story and they continued on.
"Evani…" he studied her closely for a moment. "Aye, that suits you better I think," he grinned at her, causing her to blush a bit.
'Damnit all! I never blush!' she thought to her self as they continued on before a thought occurred to her. "Oh and it was my baby sister who made that dreadful tapestry," she added quickly with a grin.
Lancelot chuckled slightly, a nagging feeling still edging at his mind. He suddenly looked as if a thought occurred to him and leant over and sniffed her hair "It's smells wonderful…" he grinned wolfishly, earning himself a sunny smile and smack on the arm.
"Save your flattery for the women who need it remember?" she rolled her eyes.
"You know, I have already forgotten them….." he grinned.
But he noted that it was different than before; first thing, when there had been no spark he suddenly remembered she smelt of lilacs and roses, now the spark was back and she smelt once more of a delicious concoction of vanilla and honey…..he's mind began to ponder all this even as they walked and talked.
Dagonet walked over to Tristan as the scout watched them go; Tristan knew he'd have to warn them, he knew that look only too well – Lancelot was suspicious "Something is not right here Scout, and I know you know."
"What?" Tristan looked passively at the large knight.
Dag smiled despite his aching head "Tell me your secret and you have my solemn word I'll not tell another soul – not even Bors."
Suddenly a small hand snaked from behind the door, cutting off the kitchens from the bar, and yanked him back. Tristan followed quietly, making sure no one saw.
As he staggered into the kitchens Vanora was stood shielding someone "You swear Dag, not to tell? You swear on my Bors' life, you won't?"
"Aye….I swear, but on my own life – not another's." The large knight vowed honourably.
She stepped aside to show….the duplicate of the woman he had just seen leave with Lancelot.
"But…I mean…how?" He looked very confused and put a hand to his head.
Mira held out another mug of brew to him "Here; this will help the pain." She smiled "alas the confusion I cannot aid with."
"Twins…" supplied Tristan.
"Goddess…that would explain a lot!" suddenly he thought "Poor Galahad! So it was you…sort of….." he chortled quietly "Aye, well, the pup had it coming I'm sure!"
He smiled again at Mira "Well, it's good to meet you lass – though I reckon we've probably already met more than once, if I had but realised?"
"Aye…." She went and hugged him, something about him made her feel safe and she liked him. He was large with kind eyes, like their father had been.
He hugged her back "You have your brother's gentleness, so I reckon your sister must have his sharp tongue and sharper fists. I'm assuming she was the one wielding Excalibur yesterday?"
"Aye that she was….my expertise lay with the bow. Evani prefers to see her enemy up close and personal when she kills them." Mira smiled ruefully "You know, even when she takes their heads - despite the blood spatter even - she never flinches, never wavers."
"She is like the scout here and Lancelot then, for neither do they." Dag smiled "Though I think Tristan is the only one who does not feel remorse for the killing we do."
"Nay, nor does she….I, on the other enjoy the hunt but less of the kill."
Tristan shrugged "Not all need enjoy killing…."
"Did Gareth?"
"Yes and no…." Tristan waved a hand.
"It depended…" Dagonet added.
"On what?"
"On whether he felt they deserved it or not. If they had attacked us then he usually had no qualms about it…..but if it was an attack on our part ordered by Rome, then he would wrestle his conscience about it."
Mira smiled, noticing instantly the sadness that had appeared in Tristan's eyes. "Then he remained true to himself as we knew he would."
"Aye in a way we all envied him…especially him and Lance." He indicated Tristan.
"We did wish to be like him…to know that when this was over we could go back to how we used to be. But we found we hardened to the bloodshed and killing over the years; both Lancelot and I know we will one day perish on a battlefield; but we wished better for Gareth." The scout said matter of factly.
"NO!" Mira's cry was so emphatic that it caught the others by surprise, and made Van shush her.
"Do you wish the others to come thundering in?"
Mira blushed before walking over and wrapping her arms about Tristan, hugging him close. "No….but he will not die on any battlefield, not while I have breath in my body; and the same for Lancelot, for my sister feels as much for him as I do for Tristan! We would not let you perish!" Adding quickly in a hushed voice "Do not be so sad for Gareth; I miss him as well." She then pulled away and turned to look at Dagonet "We would not let any of you perish!"
The scout, however, was more interested in her actions as well as her protestation of caring for him and her sister for Lancelot……
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Meanwhile across the fort, Lancelot was holding the door open for Evani, leading her into his room. She looked around and noted that he was indeed a messy bachelor. Blushing slightly, with his lopsided grin firmly in place, he hurried about the room, picking up the clothing and weapons that were strewn about.
Within moments the room was presentable and he led her to the bed, holding her hand, revelling in the feel of the energy flowing between them, as she sat down upon it.
"I do not understand why you cleaned," she laughed, disappointed when he broke the contact to go over to a trunk near the fireplace, blowing some dust off of it as he knelt down. "My room is usually just as bad."
"Is that so lady?" he asked with a smirk, opening the trunk and reaching inside, pulling out a heavy cloth that was wrapped around an item that was about a foot long in total. He walked over to the bed and settled next to her, holding the parcel between them he opened it carefully to reveal a small dagger. There were a few shinny rocks attached to it somewhat haphazardly and a few crude carvings on the blade, but it was sharp and in good condition.
"The dagger," Evani breathed, reaching out and running her fingers softly over it.
"He took meticulous care of it," Lancelot said, smiling at her reaction to the trinket. "Many a Woad died at the end of its blade, and he would spend hours sitting at the campfire, polishing it after each battle."
She slowly took it from him, holding in gently in her hands, running her fingers across the blade and down the hilt. It had been the only thing she had taken the time to make, sitting cross-legged out behind their hut, concentrating on making it perfect while her sister had been inside, working at the tapestry. She had been so proud of it and still remembered his face as she ran over to him, then 15 summers, kneeling down next to her and placing a hand on her back as she explained each carving to him; and the proud look he had when he tucked it into his belt.
"You kept this?" she asked, looking up at him, a soft smile on her face and tears pricking her eyes.
"Aye. He would hate for it to have been buried in the dirt," Lancelot stated. "I remember he would only use it when the battle was just; when the enemy attacked first. Otherwise, no matter how dire the situation, he would not draw the blade. I asked him of it once, and he said he would not tarnish his sister's memory so…" his voice trailed off and he took a deep breath, trying to control the grief that had begun to wash over him.
"You should have it back," he said after a moment reaching out and closing her hands around the weapon, the room almost humming with the energy that was passing between them. Their eyes locked and she leaned forward, kissing him deeply. After a moment they broke apart, their breathing deep but controlled.
"It is yours," she murmured, leaning forward enough so that her lips brushed his as she spoke, looking deeply into his eyes. "He would wish it so." She kissed him once more, gently this time before rising slowly, the dagger now in his hands and her fingers trailing up his arm and over his cheek slowly, enjoying the now familiar feel of the electricity about them. "Now we must be back to the tavern before the others come searching for us."
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Mira was still close to Tristan when the door leading from the main area of the tavern suddenly opened, Bors lumbering in. Dagonet quickly grabbed her and hid her behind his large frame, between his hung over companion and the back door.
"Wot the bloody 'ell is this?" he asked, looking suspiciously between Tristan, Dagonet and Vanora, who was looking back at him clearly irritated. "Wot are ya all doin' in 'ere?" he crossed his arms over his chest and continued to gaze at them.
"Movin' barrels wot's it to ya?" Vanora almost growled back. "Someone 'ad to 'elp me as you're little more'n a dead rat right now!"
Bors ignored her "You're up to somefing…."
Van looked around the small room, seeming even smaller now with them all in it, "Oh Yes, Bors" she spat his name, causing the man to flinch "we are plotting to overthrow the bloody Roman empire with just us, a few barrels of ale and a rapidly depleting bowl of apples" she slapped Tristan's hand as he filched three.
"Some men march on their stomachs Van, I march on apples."
"Aye, and broken fingers if you steal any more!" but she grinned.
He flashed a smile, as Bors cleared his throat "I woz only wonderin' as there's definitely somefing up…even Lance is noticin' it…."
"Well, not 'ere there ain't – so unless you're goin' to 'elp, sod off! You're just getting' in the way!" Van flapped a dishcloth at him. He turned to leave muttering, and felt an apple bounce off the back of his head. "Oh smart, Van, very smart!" she raised a mug and he held up his hands. "Alright, alright, I'm going."
Van saw Tristan pocketing the offending apple "Waste not, want not….you threw it away." He shrugged.
"I threw it, granted." She nodded "Nothing says I threw it away."
"Same difference….either way it's mine now." He raised an eyebrow "you're welcome to try and take it back…."
"No, keep it if it means that much to ya!" Van grinned.
Once Bors was gone, Mira stepped out with a smile as Tristan handed her one of the apples. Dagonet and Van shared a look and a smirk – Tristan never shared his apples, well not since Gareth anyway.
"Right – it's his turn tonight…" Van smiled mischievously at the way Bors had left.
"We had planned on Gawain…" Mira put in "But if you want we can torment Bors instead…"
"Nay lass, Evani told me what you planned for Gawain and that'll still be possible…..as for my Bors, I know what we can do with him and he won't like it – not one bit…." She grinned evilly.
"Would you have done aught to me?" Dagonet asked curiously, a bit of fear in his eyes as he remembered Galahad's little mishap the night before.
Van and Mira exchanged a look "Nay Dagonet; there are three knights here who would have been very safe from our mischief….Lancelot, Tristan and yourself. All others are fair prey."
"Even Arthur?"
"Aye, even Arthur….though I think Evani would be more keen to inflict further suffering on him than I, as I feel she has already tormented the poor man enough."
"Why not me? I can understand Lancelot and Tristan, they were your brother's closest friends after all," 'as well the men you both love' he added to himself "But not I."
"It is obvious you are a good, kind and gentle man; and Van clearly adores you, so we would not punish you."
He blushed a little and changed the subject, after seeing the amused look in Tristan's eye "Why Gawain…."
"Gawain is only a little prank….it is just he so fussy with his hair….." Mira mused, the mischievous glint appearing in her eyes however was nowhere near as bright as the one that usually came to Evani's.
At that the large knight burst out laughing, followed by Tristan who chortled quietly "Aye lass, I have to admit he is that….I won't ask though…if I know I may laugh overmuch each time I see him and cause too many questions."
Mira squeezed his arm with a smile and went back to helping Van clean the pots; as the two knights left, Tristan turned to Dagonet "When she touched you…did you feel anything?"
The large knight looked confused. "Feel anything? Why would I feel anything?" Then a knowing look came over his face at the discomfit on the scout's. "Ah….I see….like Gareth? Did you?"
Tristan nodded "So did Lancelot and Evani from what I saw…."
"Then you have your answer Tris; for I did not feel so much as a twitch." Dag smiled and slapped him on the back. Tristan couldn't have stopped the small smile on his lips even if he'd wanted to - he had his answer, and so had Lancelot if he only but knew it.
0-0-0-0-0-0-0
Later that evening the girls worked their same magic as the night before. Pretty soon the men were as drunk as skunks……
Evani snuck off and made sure Gawain's room was ready for him. When she got back Van tipped the wink to Mira. She brought honey out to sweeten the mead for Bors. "fanksh lassss…." He slurred as she 'tripped' and split it in Gawain's hair.
Her mumbled apologies were shrugged off purely because he was so drunk, Dagonet (now he was in their group he was no longer plied with drink, he certainly felt his head thanking them for it) and Tristan watched in amusement with a growing realisation that the nightmare was only beginning for Gawain if his brother was anything to go by…
"You know, I would not wish to cross them," muttered Dagonet with a smile.
"Nay…they take ruthlessness to new levels do they not?" Tristan grinned in return.
"You're enjoying this!"
"Aye and why not? It is not me they are tormenting like demons from Hades." The scout shrugged "'sides they do no lasting damage…."
Dagonet looked at the mess that Gawain's hair was already in and had an inkling of what was to come "He mayn't agree come morning…" he smiled.
Tristan grinned "Mayhap it's time he had a haircut…."
0-0-0-0-0-0
Out in the kitchens the part of the plan concerning Bors was ready to be carried out.
"Van are you sure about this? I mean, it seems incredibly cruel even by our standards and if he ever found out he'd gut us…if it were me, I'd gut me!" Mira worried and was backed up by an emphatic nod of her sister.
"Listen, it's not even real anyway, it's just pretend…but it'll shut up his constant bragging about how he's such a ladies man, will it not?"
"Aye, there's not doubt of that!" Evani laughed, she turned to her sister "Right well, I'll get Gawain back to his room and then when everyone's gone we'll get Bors to 'bed'!" she grinned "Two in one night, a record even by our standards sister!"
Mira smiled pensively; she could see the uncertainty in Evani's eyes……what they were doing to Gawain was one thing, but with Bors it was something else entirely.
Still if it helped give a little extra insurance to their friend that her lover would not stray, well……they were willing…
0-0-0-0-0
A few minutes later Evani had a staggering Gawain leaning against her, she giggled as he kept calling her a 'pretty lady'; he was being so sweet that she felt almost bad for what they were doing, but it was nothing that could not be undone on the morrow.
At the door to his room, she kicked it open and made her way to his bed. She had already ensured she had a clear path to it so there was no need for light. She stripped of his tunic and shirt and made sure the honey in his hair got over his chest and back 'accidentally', and then helped him into bed. She smiled…now they only had to wait until morning.
However, things at the tavern were starting to unravel. Lancelot, although very drunk once more, was paying more attention this night; he was aware that this Mira serving him once again smelt of roses and lavender, and once more there was no spark.
Just as Evani arrived back at the tavern so he came into the kitchens to confront her, Tristan hot on his heels along with Dagonet. As the other knights got up to see what the commotion was, Lancelot was suddenly confronted with two Mira's staring horror-struck at him…………until he passed out.
"You sort it…" Mira bolted into the alley just as an unsteady Arthur and the other shouldered their way past Tristan and Dag.
"Why can't I bloody see!" demanded a riled Arthur; he was becoming increasingly unsure as to how and why he was getting so drunk each night….all he knew was that Mira served their table and when she did the next day he had the emperor of all hangovers.
The scout glanced over his shoulder and shrugged letting his commander passed to get to his best friend.
"Whaa 'appened?" Arthur raised bleary eyes to Evani, and once again she felt a pang. These were good men, and she wondered if all this was fair. A sudden breeze through the door pushed her forward towards Lancelot.
"I…..he came in and passed out…I did not think he would wish to be seen in such a state, so decided to ask Dagonet and Tristan to guard the door for a few moments until he righted." She smiled.
Arthur patted her arm, as Mira looked on in wonder at her sister's smooth lie – she herself had never inherited that knack, but Evi and Gar had. "Kind lady….do not fret so…it is not the first and doubtful twill be the last time we will see my faithful friend so…"
Evani felt another pang of guilt "I will take him to his room and hope he will fare better on the morrow." She made a decision, the others would have to like it "You should not get so drunk Arthur. I worry for your men and you – let me give you less on the next evening?"
"Aye, Lady – mayhap you are right…..please if you would be so kind as to help lessen our intake…" he smiled "if nothing else, my head would thank you."
"A jest….." she smiled.
"Aye, even us boring men can still jest with pretty ladies." He smiled.
"Aye, and flirt it would seem!" she laughed; and grabbed Lancelot's fist as it was about to connect with Arthur's jaw. Both felt the sudden jolt in their arms and grinned at each other - the dark knight's anger, at awakening to find his friend and commander flirting with this woman he felt such a connection to, swiftly fading.
It was back and once more he noticed, as she leaned over to help to his feet, she smelled of vanilla and honey.
"Lancelot, he meant no harm….do you think me so fickle?" she chided gently; their eyes locked, and it was as if no others were in the room.
"Nay…nay, I do not…it wassss just…" he leant close to her ear "it wasss gone before and I…worried. But now issss back….you know of wha' I speak."
She nodded "Then do not fret so…all is well." She nodded to the others and helped him out.
Arthur looked round surprised but smiling "I do believe he would have hit me! It musss be love."
0-0-0-0-0-0
A thought struck Lancelot as they reached his room "There were two of you…"
"You are drunk Lancelot…..you are seeing double." She smiled as she opened the door and helped him to the bed.
His hand caressed her cheek and he rubbed a thumb over her lips "I see only one now….I feel only one now…" his breathing deepened as they both felt that spark intensify, Evani felt something akin to a shove and suddenly found her lips locked to Lancelot's.
The kiss deepened and she felt it all the way to her toes. Her arms snaked around his neck and his around her waist pulling her down with him.
Unusually for Lancelot, he made no attempt to seduce her, to undress her. Merely lay kissing her and hugging her close to him; both were lost in the sensations in their bodies.
"I have never felt like this before….." Evani gasped eventually.
"Neither have I…wassss 'appening to us?" Lancelot's brown eyes stared deeply into her green ones.
"I care not…." She kissed him again, deliberately deepening it until……
"Mira?" Tristan's amused voice was at the still open door.
She sighed, Van had better be bloody grateful! "Aye…I am coming." She extricated herself from Lancelot. "I have not finished my shift Lancelot. But I will return - one day." She smiled sadly "But mayhap you will not want me then….." she had begun to worry about what he would do when he discovered her deception. It was alright for Mira hers knew of what they were doing, Lancelot didn't.
A hand grasped her arm and the familiar jolt hit her "I will always want you." earnest eyes regarded her. She kissed him once more and left; she only prayed he spoke true.
Outside the door Tris stood looking over the training area "The fun pales now?"
"Aye…it is getting out of hand, and I worry he will hate me." She wrapped her hands round his arm and laid her head on his shoulder. He felt like Gareth and for that she was grateful.
"We will finish it this night…I know what is planned for Bors, there is no worry about it. Mayhap though you should let Lancelot know as I do sooner rather than later….we ride for the Bishop in a few days…" They turned and made their way back to the tavern.
Evani reached up and kissed the scout's cheek "You're a good man Tris, and I do not miss my brother so badly when you are near….it is almost as if he is with us too."
"Thank you Evani….that is quite a compliment." He dipped his head, but his eyes shone.
0-0-0-0-0-0
The next morning shrieks from Gawain's room brought them all out as a white feathered thing ran out onto the training area hotly pursued by a guffawing Galahad.
Gawain was incandescent with rage……he was covered with honey and feathers, and that was because his bed was full of them!
"When I called you a chicken yesterday Gawain, I did not mean for you take me so seriously brother!" The younger knight crowed in delight.
Gawain hurled himself at Galahad, and it was not long before they were both covered in dirt, honey and feathers….
At that moment a raving Bors came running into the compound shrieking "ARGH…ARGH!" Hotly pursued by some of his brood yelling 'Daddy kissed a man! Daddy kissed a man!" and a hysterically laughing Van.
Evani walked up to Lancelot, who was standing incredulous to the mayhem around him, and wrapped her arms round his waist; they felt the now welcomed jolt, and he caught the aroma of vanilla and honey "Good morning Lancelot….what have I missed?"
Bors ran past "I did not kiss a bloody man! I did not – he…..it…..weren't real…it weren't…."
Galahad howled at Gawain "Why'd you do that! I'm as bad as you now!"
His brother knight stomped past muttering murderously "at least I haven't killed you…yet…."
Arthur came out holding his head "WHAT THE BLOODY HELL IS GOING ON?" he flinched "what wasn't real? Who are they? Oh God! Gawain, Galahad!
"Would someone please tell me why Bors is trying to eat the dirt, and Gawain and Galahad resemble dirty chickens!"
Lancelot grinned at her and hugged her back. "Oh not much…."
Elsewhere, out of sight of the others, Mira stood leaning back against Tristan who had his chin resting on her head, his arms round her waist and her holding his hands, that familiar energy coursing through them both at the contact, bringing a content smile to the young woman's face. "It worked then…."
She felt him nod "Aye, so it would seem….."