Disclaimer: I am poor and own nothing. And because I'm poor, this is my only source of entertainment, so please do not sue.
Authors Note: Enjoy you guys! Oh and this chapter is dedicated to Tracy137 for her wonderful update to Heart & Soul, which will leave me grinning like a loon for the next month and for being such a great and wonderful friend for writing a certain character into said story.
LANCELOTTRISTANBABY – Yes, yes he will. It just may take him a bit. Thanks for reviewing and glad you enjoyed the chapter.
Vintersorg – New faces are very nice. Glad you liked the love in the last chapter. Thanks for reviewing.
June Birdie – Glad you enjoyed it. Sorry again about Arthur. Thanks for reviewing.
Lunawolf – My goodness all the shrieking going on! And someone burst a pillow and sent feathers all over…my goodness I didn't know this story was that good. I am glad that you're enjoying it though. I hate when people don't pay attention and then ask repeat questions! They do that in class too and it upsets me I can only imagine how you must feel being the one asked the questions. Glad you enjoyed both chapters. Cow is my word of choice as of late, so it's going in the story. Thanks for reviewing.
TriGemini – Glad you enjoyed it. She's pretty sure she's not going back, and will be even more so in a couple of chapters. Thanks for reviewing.
Tracy137 – WARNING: Tissues may be needed for parts of this chapter. And no feather pillows! I wouldn't dream of stopping writing this as I think you might hurt me. In your defense you're no more deranged than I am…. although I don't know if that's actually defending you. My mom thought it was so cool when I told her this morning we were going to write a story together. I talk about your stuff so much and everything. It's nice to know he can put some things together though. Gives me help for the rest of the male species. Tell Trev he better not even dare committing you! Who would understand my ranting then? LOL, that poor pillow. And your poor husband and dog. I can't believe you squeezed it that hard. Yeah, Dag and Hayley were pretty cute though…thank Quinn for asking for that one…and look, no Jols or Lucan interruptions! Score for them. Those were pretty good lines for Jas. And go easy on those poor pillows! Oh, and warn me if you do what I just did when you update H&S as I usually have a Lucy in my lap for that and she'll bite me if I squeeze her that hard! I really didn't know that chapter would cause that much trouble, but I'm glad cause quite frankly, my sides hurt from laughing so hard at all of it! Glad you enjoyed it although I have no idea how I will ever top it now.
Sorceress Misha – GET OUT OF MY HEAD! Well there are so many things she can specialize in. Growing plants, talking to animals more, pleasing Tristan…the list goes on and on ;o). Glad you're still enjoying it. Thanks for reviewing.
REK – I'm glad you liked that part. I was picturing it in my head and it's probably what I would have done. Well, if she doesn't listen to Jas, I'm sure Tristan can convince her…;o) LOL, glad I wasn't the only one not upset by getting rid of her. Actually, quite a few people weren't. Thanks for reviewing.
Lilstrummrgrl527 – Glad I helped to start your day off right. Nope, the little cow didn't realize it until the end…a little irony for her. Knew you'd love Dag and Hayley. I just had to get them together (with Jols out of the way) before the mob ensued…and the sad thing is, I probably would have led it. Yeah, let's see how slow they actually take it…. I'm not known with my patience with love in my stories, and quite frankly, I'm surprised it took them this long. Usually by chapter 4 (if that) they are all over each other and it doesn't matter what kind of story I'm writing. Ah yes, every girl should want a knight (or two). Goddess knows I do. Excuse me for a moment while I go to my happy place where I have them…. okay back now. I'm glad you enjoy my stories so much. It makes me really happy. Thanks for reviewing and no need to apologize for rambling…I do it often.
Cardeia – Yes that last chapter was very much filler, but fun filler. It didn't even bother me to write it like most filler does, so I'm relatively pleased with it. Even if the characters didn't need to breathe, I sure did after writing the three chapters before it. They were very intense and took a lot out of me. Jasmine is based off a friend of mine and I've been told, is also a lot like me. So hopefully not too many people think of her as a bitch though. She'll play a bigger role later. Nope not the end yet. There are still a few twists in my warped twisted mind. I would hate them all too much if they got their happily ever after that easily. Yeah she did take it rather well didn't she? I'm sure that's not the end of it though…don't ask me how I know ;o). Glad to know that I'm provoking some emotion. Makes me feel even happier with the chapter. Thanks for reviewing.
Quinn – Glad you enjoyed it. But like I said, I can always add some more later. Oh good, some people do ask for those explicit scenes, and I just am not that comfortable writing them. Tingles huh? Go me. I know I was wishing I was her cause yeah… And I'm glad you're happy for the other two as well. It's a bit slower than Hayley, but Hayley is also the most stable of the Priestesses, so she's more sure of what she wants. And when its Dag (complete with adorable little Lucan) who could be unsure of that? Feel free to babble, I do it often. That vixen thing just throws me still and makes me laugh. I am glad you are enjoying this story though and will miss your reviews while you're away. Thanks for letting me know though I do appreciate that. And thanks for your faith in me with Arthur. Thanks as always for the review and you're very welcome for the love scene there. I tried to get this one up before Tuesday, but sadly it was not in the cards. Hope you enjoy it when you get back though! (Or now.)
The Green Queen – Glad to have made your homecoming enjoyable! And I'm glad you enjoyed the chapters so much. Thanks for reviewing.
Snape's Opera Rose – The sugar intake wasn't that obvious…okay so it really, and I mean REALLY was, but I don't mind at all. I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter so much! Thanks for reviewing.
Megan – Glad the cow's death could make you so happy. Smoochies huh? I'm sure that can be arranged eventually….;o) Thanks for reviewing.
Evenstar-mor2004 – I'm sure I can find someone for Jas. Glad your happy for Dag and Hayley, and as for the other, I'll never tell but Bors might. Thanks for reviewing.
Zelinia – Yeah it was a rather romantic chapter wasn't it? Glad you still like her. We'll see more of her later. And I'm sure Arthur will be happy again. Thanks for reviewing.
Kungfuchick – Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for reviewing.
The Priestesses of Avalon
Chapter Fourteen: Comfort
After a long night, and morning, spent in one another's arms, Hayley awoke with a smile, looking over to see Dagonet still sleeping next to her, a soft smile on his lips and his arms protectively around her. She sighed happily and adjusted in his arms so that she was facing him, resting on her elbow, her fingers tangled in her hair as her head rested in her hand. It had been a very good long night and morning.
He stirred slightly, but only pulled her closer, still deep in sleep. Giggling softly she reached her finger up and traced it down the bridge of his nose slowly and softly, causing him to stir again. Next she leaned over, kissing his lips gently. His arms tightened around her, pulling her flush against his body as her hands came to rest on his shoulders before coming up behind his neck as he deepened the kiss, flipping her onto her back.
The kiss intensified to the point that she thought she would lose herself again, and then suddenly stopped as his lips began to trail down along her jaw and then her neck and over her collarbone. "I love you," he murmured against her skin.
She closed her eyes and moaned a bit, her hands rubbing over his back, shoulders and head, as his lips came back up the other side, stopping and hovering over her ear. "I love you too," she groaned back.
"Marry me," he whispered causing her very mind to pause and her hands and body to go completely rigid. He looked up at her, alarm in his eyes and confusion on his face. Had he said the wrong thing? "Hayley are you ill?" he asked after a moment, rising up in the bed to look at her closely. Damnit! He knew he had moved to fast, but he could not deny his heart any longer.
"What did you say?" she asked after a moment, a small feeling of dread that she had heard wrong growing in her stomach, trying to over power the nervous butterflies that were already running amuck there.
"I asked if you would marry me," he said looking away and down at the blanket that barely covered them, his voice quiet. "But it was too soon, I am sorry," he added quickly.
She rose up in the bed as well, for the first time in her life not ashamed of her naked body to be exposed in front of a man, and brought her hand up to his cheek, forcing him to look at her. "That's what I was hoping you said," she smiled at him, her eyes tinkling, the dread and butterflies magically disappearing as they gazed at one another. "Yes Dagonet, I would be honored to be your wife," she smiled sweetly up at him.
Within a moment his lips had claimed her own, and in another her legs were straddling his pelvis, and she could feel him begin to react beneath her as they smothered one another with kisses. Just as he was about to lay her back on the bed, claiming her once again, a knock sounded at the door.
"Father, Uncle Bors said to ask if you were descent before I entered," Lucan's voice came muffled from the other side, causing Dag to groan and Hayley to giggle and burry her head in his shoulder. "May I come in? I can't find mother anywhere and need your help to search!"
"She is here. Give us a moment," Dagonet called back, sighing and burying his own face in her hair. "Why do they always do this to us?" he asked, sounding more than a little exasperated.
"Well we have been unseen for nearly half a day," Hayley pulled back and stroked his cheek. "And he misses his father."
"And mother," Dagonet smiled at her as she dislodged herself from him, reaching for her sleeping gown.
"We will finish this later," she promised, kissing his lips gently as she pulled it over her head before moving to a looking glass, fussing with her hair.
"I will hold you to that," he grinned at her, pulling on his breeches, and after a short search, his shirt, which turned up hanging mysteriously on the back of the bureau, before he opened the door to reveal a very excited looking Lucan, who launched himself into the room and across to wrap his arms around Hayley's legs, causing the Priestess to laugh loudly and hug him back.
"Does this mean you two finally got off your bloody asses?" Lucan asked excitedly earning a shocked look from Hayley and an angry one from Dagonet.
"Get over here boy," Dagonet said, sounding firmer than Lucan had ever heard him. Even firmer than when he told Lucan not to fear him when they first met, and when he told him to stay put in the sick room when they went out to face the bad people.
Fear crossed Lucan's heart and for a moment as he wondered rather or not his slip of words would make them stop loving him. He shuffled over to stand before Dagonet, tears stinging his eyes as he focused on his feet. "Yes sir?" he asked in a small voice.
"Where did you hear those words son?" Dag asked, his voice softening a bit as he noticed the boys visibly fear. Poor lad had been through so much; he would have to remember his tone. He knelt down in front of him and rested a large hand gently on Lucan's shoulder.
"That's what Uncle Bors said," he whispered softly, fear still in his heart as he refused to look his father in the eye.
Dagonet sighed. He had figured as much. He looked at the boy closely, unsure what to do next. Fortunately Hayley came over then, sitting in the chair near the door and pulled Lucan into her lap, hugging him close.
"Listen Lucan, we are not angry with you as you did not know, but those words are grown up words, and although you may hear your uncles and sad to say, my fellow Priestesses use them, you should not, do you understand?" she asked gently, pushing some hair from his forehead.
He looked thoughtful for a long moment before he shook his head no. "Why does it matter? If they are just words and Gilly says them too."
"It's not right for little ones," Dagonet said. "And if Gilly's mamma heard him he'd have a sore rear that's for sure."
"We will give you this one time, but next time they slip you will have to be punished," Hayley said.
"But how do I know which words are grown up words?" Lucan said after another moment.
"If you're uncles use them you shouldn't," Dagonet said, sitting down on the floor next to the chair, wrapping an arm around Hayley's waist and resting his other arm on his knee looking at Lucan closely.
Hayley rolled her eyes at him and turned her attention back to Lucan. "If you're not sure, come and whisper it into mine or your father's ear, and we will tell you and you will not be punished for it then, how is that?"
Lucan considered it before nodding and hugging her close. "Yes mother, but I have another question."
"Yes baby?" she tucked him close, her chin resting on the top of his head.
"Does this mean you and father are together now?" he asked innocently, his eyes on Dagonet who grinned and winked at him.
"Aye boy, just what we wished to speak to you about," Dag got up and took Lucan from Hayley, swinging him in the air and causing him to laugh loudly. "What do you think of me and Hay…Mother, getting married?"
To say that the look that appeared on Lucan's face was an excited one would be an understatement. His eyes grew wide as saucers and Hayley was sure his jaw would crack with how broad his smile grew. "Father do you mean it truly?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper, as if he were afraid that if he spoke to loudly, it would break the spell.
"Aye Lucan we do, that is, if you are fine with it," Hayley rose then and came to stop near both of them, resting a hand on each of their backs.
"Mother I couldn't be happier!" he squealed in delight, leaning over and hugging Hayley tightly. Suddenly he shot up. "I must tell Gilly!"
"Alright, we will all go and tell Gilly," Hayley laughed. "As soon as I run and put on a proper gown. I would like to tell Van as well and I'm sure your father would love to talk to uncle Bors."
Dag grinned and leaned over, kissing her forehead. "You read my mind," he said, bouncing Gilly. "Now let's run and get Mother's dress for her and then we can go tell Gilly," he said to Lucan already heading towards the door.
"I can't wait to tell him I have a family again father," Lucan gushed as they shut the door behind them, leaving a smiling Hayley, with tears in her eyes and a heart full of love.
xoxoxoxoxoxox
Arthur wandered aimlessly about the fort, unsure what to do with himself. He had went in search of Lancelot, but quickly left when he heard the sounds of lovemaking coming from behind his door. With fresh thoughts of his nights with Guinevere, he sighed and walked into the meeting hall to see a small, blonde haired woman, her back to him and her hands moving slowly over the polished wood of the round table, standing alone.
He watched her move for a long moment, a white cat curled up on the table next to her, sleeping on it's side with it's two front paws stretched out before it, using one as a pillow. She turned around after a moment, looking in his general direction and his breath caught in his throat. She was beautiful. Even her whitened out eyes gave her a rare and almost exotic beauty that he had never seen before. Almost immediately guilt ripped through him. Guinevere was not even dead a full day and already he was looking at another. Turning to go her voice stopped him.
"Who is there?" she called out, her unseeing eyes trained directly on him now.
"I am sorry to have disturbed you lady," he said after a moment, a vague recollection that she had been sent from Avalon coming to his mind. "I will leave you in peace now." He turned to go, but her voice stopped him.
"You do not have to," she called. "Actually I would enjoy the company," she moved forward and held out her hand towards him. "I am Jasmine."
He turned and eyed her hand for a moment before crossing the distance between them and taking it in his own, feeling how soft her skin was against his own worn and calloused fingers. "Arthur Castus."
As soon as he touched her, an image appeared in her minds eye of a man with striking dark good looks and piercing green eyes, and Jasmine was in love; or at least in lust. She brought her other hand up to take his, smiling up at him. "Ah yes, the future king. Shall I bow?"
He chuckled softly, seeing the mirth plain on her face. "Nay, with a lady as beautiful as your self, I should be the one bowing."
Her grin broadened at that and she moved closer, taking his arm. "I was just admiring your lovely table. There is great power in it," she said, giving him the opportunity to lead, which he did, taking her over towards the table.
"You think so?" he asked, admiring the wood himself. It was his greatest idea, and the one he had been most proud of. Pelagius would have been proud as well.
"I know so," she stated. "I can see it, the power that surrounds it. It is good and pure…I can see why they wish for you to be king," she smiled up at him, her face softening even more.
"Such high praise, I only hope that I can live up to it," he said slightly taken aback.
"I know you will," she replied, patting his arm and moving to sit down. He was there in an instant, pulling out her chair and helping her settle as he took a seat next to her. "Are you excited about the ceremony tomorrow?"
"To be honest lady, I have not thought much on it," he answered honestly, sighing and running a hand over his face and through his hair. "I have had other thoughts to attend to."
"Aye, I know," she answered softly. "I am sorry she could not be saved."
For some reason those words angered Arthur, as they did from everyone who spoke them. "She was not saved from my foolishness lady, that does not mean she could not have been," he almost barked before rising to head from the room. Once again her words stopped him.
"I apologize," she called after him. "I above all others know how uncomforting that statement is and yet I use it. And I am truly sorry for that."
"What do you mean lady?" he asked curiously, stopping to hear what she had to say.
She took a deep breath before looking towards him. It was not a story she liked to tell, nor a memory she liked to relive, but she felt it would help him to know. And as a Priestess, it was her calling to help those in need.
"I was married, for a moment it seems. He came with Master Woo and the others to train us and he was handsome and strong and very brave with long black hair and the most intense brown eyes…" her voice trailed off for a moment and a sad smile appeared on her face.
"His name?" Arthur asked, turning to face her, intrigued further.
"Eric. His name was Eric," she sighed and looked down towards her hands, blinking back the tears she felt prick her eyes as she reached out a hand to stroke the cat, still sleeping on the table. "One morning, two moons after we had wed, we had a terrible argument, over what I cannot even remember now, but I left to gather herbs that morning with Mariska and Hayley cursing his very breath.
"When we returned, we learned that a band of Bandits had attacked the temple…they could not get in of course, but the few men there and the sisters that had stayed behind, including Esmeralda, took up blades to defend the fortress. One of them stabbed him in the back, running him completely through with the blade, piercing his heart in the process. There was nothing to be done. He could not be saved."
She paused for a moment, allowing Arthur to soak up the information she had just relayed to him. Slowly she rose from her seat and came over to him, placing her hands on the sides of his face and looking up towards him, a tear resting on each cheek. "I know better than most the pain you feel right now," she added softly.
It was then, looking down into her sweet angelic face, knowing the pain she had went through and knowing that she understood what he was going through himself, that he broke. Falling to his knees he let out a sob, burying his head in her chest as she held him firmly against her, murmuring nothings to him and rocking slowly back in forth, as he held her just as close.
xoxoxoxoxoxox
The clearing was far off, away from the fort, but it was easy for Mariska to find as she made her way slowly through the woods, following Saoirse, who was flying high above the trees, and the faint smell of sandalwood. She was lucky that Tristan had talked the bird into helping her, as Vigdis was useless in the bright afternoon sun and Saoirse was incredibly distrustful of Woads, since she had spent all those years watching them try and kill her master and friend.
She emerged to find Merlin, just as she expected to, gazing sadly into the fire. Guinevere's bow at his side as well as a dagger she recognized as one of her mothers. The other she kept tucked into the sheath between her breasts, a gift from her father. She walked further into the clearing and while he did not acknowledge her, she knew he was aware of her presence. She went and sat down on the log next to his, cupping her hands together before her as she watched him closely. He looked so tired and so, she was sad to say it, old.
They sat in silence for a long moment, Merlin looking into the flames and Mariska looking at him. When he spoke his voice sounded just as he looked, old and tired.
"I tried to save her, I did," he stated, his shoulders sagging in defeat.
"Guinevere could not be saved," Mariska began, hoping to comfort him only to be cut off.
"No, your mother. I tried to save her," he looked up at her now. "I tried to save both my daughters, but I tried hardest with her. I had a vision of what was to come and I hurried as fast as I could to her side. When I arrived, there was already so much blood and both she and you were in great distress. Your father, begged me to do anything to save her. Offered up his life in return for her own. I knew then how much he loved her and I fought harder Mariska I did."
Tears pricked Mariska's eyes as she listened to the tale of her birth. She had never heard it all before. Her father refused to relive that night and so she only asked but once. Merlin watched her closely before continuing.
"In the end, you were born, but you had no breath," he had to bite back the sob at the memory of holding his stillborn granddaughter in his hands. "She called your father to her side, and made him swear to protect you and to love you for the both of them. He agreed, albeit reluctantly, for he knew what it meant, and then she did the offering. She gave her soul in exchange for your own. A life, for a life."
Tears fell silently from Mariska's eyes now, for she remembered this part of the tale. Her father had been so proud telling it to her, so that she would know just how much her mother had loved her. For she had died so that Mariska could live.
"Then she took my hand, and she forgave me child. Despite the fact that I did not deserve it at the time, she forgave me, before she left us. Just as I forgave Guinevere, though it truth, I should have begged for her forgiveness. After your grandmother died, I put everything into attaining freedom when I should have put it towards being a better father. Teaching her the will of Destiny better, and the anger of the Fates. I failed her as I failed your mother." he looked sadly back into the fire. "And now I am alone, all because of my own selfish pride," he sighed.
Mariska looked at him closely, the final layer of ice that encased her heart melting as she locked her hands together and began to speak. "When father told me how you treated mother for loving him, I hated you. I could not understand how it was that you did not love my father as I did. And then when he died, I blamed you for not coming for me, and comforting me. For letting it be Sonia, who was then no more than a stranger to me."
She looked up at him, a sadness to her eyes. "I needed my grandfather and he was not there." He was about to speak but she held up her hand, silencing him as she continued. "When you came right before we left, I was angry with you, and blamed you. I did not see then as I do now, that it was for the best.
"At the temple I met Ganieda and she told me who she was, and how she hated you, and I thought perhaps that I found someone of my blood who knew the pain that I felt at what I thought was your hands at the time. But my heart told me to be leery of her and I rightly was. When I met Duncan she tried to steal him from me, and later when I married him, she helped to develop a fear in my heart that I would have to make the choice my mother did. Then I birthed Celeste and all was well and she left the temple. So I began to forgive you, thinking that perhaps my life would be as I always wished it. Not filled with heartache and despair, but happy and peaceful.
"When Ganieda returned, bearing the Black Death with her, she stole my family and I blamed you again."
"Why child?" He knew he most likely did not wish to know the answer, but had to know.
"For not knowing what she was. For not killing her in her cradle," Mariska answered honestly. "I withdrew into myself, once I realized I could not have saved him. Once I failed at trying to save him, angering the Fates and Destiny in the process. That was when I went looking for a way to die. It was my sisters that found me, half dead in the snow, and the sword to my belly that caused it still clutched in the dead Saxon's hands. They took me back and Sonia traveled to the Land of the Dead herself to bring me home, while Jasmine pleaded with the Fates to let me live."
She paused again, her head throbbing at the memory. Not one she relived often. She did not like what her actions had done to those at the temple. She did not know it would affect them all so keenly, especially Jasmine, who had only lost her own husband just over one year prior.
"After that my old hatred returned. I blamed you for it all for that was easier to do than to be angry with the Gods or with myself," there were tears in her voice, but they would not fall from her eyes as she continued on. "And then I come here, and I help these men and know you, really know you for the first time in my life…" her voice trailed off as she looked up at him. Suddenly she flew at him, wrapping her arms about his neck. "You are not alone grandfather," she whispered, her voice thick with tears that were now falling from her eyes, wetting his shoulder through the cloak he wore. "Not so long as I draw breath will you ever be alone again." A slight relief washed over Merlin's heart then as he hugged her back, just as tightly.
There in the clearing, as Angharad and Guinevere watched on from the fields of Elysia, grandfather and granddaughter were finally united.
xoxoxoxoxoxox
It was late that afternoon and Tristan was relaxing in the bathhouse, the steam rising up around him and the warm water easing his tired muscles. Although he had not particularly appreciated Jasmine's words, he had not had a decent bath since before the battle the day before, and it did sound like a good idea. A noise at the door caused him to open an eye to see Mariska padding across the floor in her bare feet, wearing a white under dress and carrying a small bundle in her hands.
"So here is where you've gotten to," she smirked down at him, stopping near the edge of the water. "And here I thought it would be a good place to hide."
"You're easy enough to track," he smirked at her, sinking further into the water, relaxing a bit more. "Your meeting?"
She sighed, setting the parcel down at the edge and walking over to the stairs leading up the side to the bath. "Better than expected. I have finally forgiven him and it does my heart some good," she said after a moment.
"Good," Tristan said, opening his eyes to look at her just as she slipped off the dress, revealing her curvy, athletic body to him. His breath caught in his throat as he looked at her, watching as she descended slowly into the water, more and more of her pale, yet slightly scared skin, disappearing beneath the liquid. As he watched her only one thought came to mind; she was beautiful.
"Tristan are you alright?" she asked, confusion on her face and a slight hint of merriment in her eyes as she came to sit opposite him on one of the benches.
He shook his head a bit and nodded, bringing his arms down from the sides of the bath, leaning forward and kissing her lips lightly. "You're beautiful," he said against them before leaning back and getting comfortable again.
She blushed a bit not used to his somewhat forward ways, before regaining her composure. "And you are an odd man," she smiled at him, wetting her hair and earning a smirk from the scout. "So has anyone seen Esmeralda or Lancelot today?" she reached over into the parcel and took out a small bottle of what looked like potion, that she uncorked and began rubbing into her hair.
"Jols heard them in Lancelot's rooms. They should be sleeping off their exhaustion for some time," Tristan answered, watching as she worked meticulously at cleaning her hair, struggling a bit with the parts at the back. Reaching over he took hold of her wrist and moved her before him, his fingers coming up into her hair, massaging her scalp gently, and eliciting a moan of pleasure from her lips.
"Careful, someone may see," she purred, her hands coming to rest on his thighs as he continued at his task.
"I care not," he replied, his body beginning to react to the sounds escaping her throat. Deciding he must focus on something else if they were to continue to move at a slower pace, he quickly changed the topic. "Have you heard of Dag and Hayley?"
"Oh yes, I ran into her on my way here. They are very excited," Mariska said her eyes glittering as she turned her head to look at him. A small feeling of triumph washed over him as he grinned internally. Women. They would never pass up the chance to talk of a wedding.
Sadly for him, Mariska was not one of those women. "I am very happy for her," she said rinsing her hair before looking back at him. "Come I will wash yours now," she held up the bottle.
"It is not necessary," he said, holding up his hands.
"Come on," she pouted, batting her eyelashes at him.
"No."
"Come it will take out the blood and dirt better than water alone."
"No."
"Is it because someone may come in and see?"
"Yes."
"I thought you cared not."
"That is different."
"Oh would it be so different if I continued to moan as I was?" now she smirked at him in triumph, one eyebrow raised and her hands resting on her hips beneath the water.
Tristan merely glared at her, not saying anything. They continued to stare at one another before Mariska sighed in defeat. "Very well, for now," she said, coming to settled between his legs once more, her back against his chest. "I have not the energy to argue anyway."
He sifted a little, unused to a woman acting so towards him. Not since Miranda. But he had to say he was enjoying it. Taking in a deep whiff of her hair, knowing now why she smelled so heavily of dragon's blood, he settled back, forcing himself to relax again. "Why is that?" he asked curiously, never having seen her back down from an argument in the near three moons, could it really have been that long already, that he had known her.
"What do I have to fight for?" she asked softly. "Every time I fight I lose."
"How so?"
"I lost Duncan. My daughter. Now my Aunt and the only ability I had to still keep a part of them in my life. Perhaps I should just leave you now and save you their fate," she began only to have his arm come up about her chest, pulling her closer to him in a tight embrace.
"You could try," he murmured in her ear, kissing her shoulder. "I do not give up so easily."
She sighed and rested against him, her head coming to settle on his shoulder. "I just feel so useless. It was what I was truly good at…"
"I don't know, that dragon was rather impressive," he said, not about to let her loose herself just because the Fates told her she could not perform a spell. A rather dangerous spell that he was not thrilled with her performing anyway. He understood the temptation of going there to see those you loved, he truly did, but he had just found her and was not ready to loose her before either of them realized what exactly they could become to one another. If it was as Miranda had told him, they needed each other more than either of them could understand.
"Yes, Gawain told me you even had an expression at it," she smirked playfully up at him, splashing a bit of water into his face.
"Stop," he said idly, his eyes filled with merriment.
She splashed him again, giggling.
"Stop."
Splash.
"Do not force me to stop you…"
Larger splash.
He caught both of her hands, spinning her to face him, mirth in his eyes yet a stern look on his face, his shoulders shaking slightly with contained laughter.
Smirking at him, she moved her legs so that she was straddling his hips in the water, getting comfortable. "You should have let me wash your hair," she said after a moment, her grin broadening.
Without another word he crushed her to him, kissing her deeply. It deepened further until every inch of both their bodies were reacting to it, their blood boiling from the intensity of the embrace. They broke apart for some much needed air, both panting slightly. "You know Tristan," she began, her eyes filled with desire and longing. "We have known each other for near three moons now…I would say we have moved very slowly to get to this point…" her voice trailed off as she traced small circles along the back of his neck, her other hand playing with one of his braids, twirling it about her finger.
The same look was mirrored in his own eyes as he held her closer, running his hand down her spine slowly. "Dress quickly," he said, his voice husky with desire.
Within moments they were both dressed and he lifted her up, her giggling in response as she began kissing his neck and he carried her off towards his room.
Author's Note: Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I'm hoping it served two purposes. One, pointless fluff…that everyone should enjoy; and two, I'm hoping that some of the fluff cleared up some issues and maybe moved the plot along a bit. Inspiration for the bathhouse goes to Cardeia (again, really good bathhouse scenes, go read Cerys at Knight). Hope you enjoyed it all. Let me know what you think. No flames.