Chapter4

Arthur, Gawain, Galahad, Bors and Dagonet arrived just in time at the stables to be welcomed by a gush of rude Sarmatian curses. The five knights approached curiously to find out what was going on there.

When Arthur saw the horse in the corner he already suspected who had brought it to the fortress' stables and why. The other knights seemed also to understand. As soon as they got closer Bors teased: "Hey, Lancelot. I don't know if this is the right way to welcome a new horse. Or were you just looking for a name?"

"Perhaps he thinks the horse could be sensitive and he doesn't want to hurt its feelings. And for this reason he cursed in his native tongue because he thinks that a British horse won't understand it", Gawain suggested.

"Haha, very funny" Lancelot felt his anger rising.

"And to your remark", he pointed at Bors, "tell this horse about it! Or do you think it's the right way to introduce yourself by biting someone?"

Now nearly seething with rage because of his mishap, the pain in his right hand where the black stallion had bitten him and the amused expressions on his fellow knights' faces when they guessed what had happened, Lancelot warned: "And if someone of you dare to laugh I'm going to kill you!"

"No one is going to laugh at you. Honestly", Gawain assured, but a barely supressed grin gave the lie to him.

"Oh no, this is going to become to stupid!" With this words Lancelot left the stables.

The day passed and only when Lancelot was sure that nobody would be in the stables any longer he decided to try his luck again with his horse. But this time he approached the stallion carefully to avoid another incident.

"Let's try it again. I'll forget that you bit me and you'll never do anything like this again, allright?" The black stallion neighed and shook his head but this time he allowed Lancelot to pat his nostril.

"We'll talk about this later again! And now we have to find a name for you."

"You don't need to rack your brain about this" Lancelot startled and turned around to see Tristan strolling along the stables.

"His name is Melyo. I know, it's not the best name for a horse but I didn't call him so" with these words he reached Lancelot and leant on the wall.

"You proved once more why you're our scout", Lancelot remarked with a sigh, "I'm not a Woad and so there's no reason to creep up on me like that."

"Excuse me, I forgot that you're so jumpy", Tristan answered.

Lancelot decided this was the right time to change the topic.

"You didn't tell where you found him. It's unbelievable! He looks exactly like Toros!"

"Maybe they've got the same forefathers."

This answer was so unexpected that Lancelot was speechless for the moment. He just glanced at Tristan, not really knowing if he should believe the scout.

"He's borne here in Britain but he's just as Sarmatian as me or you."

"I think you should explain that!"

"Someone of my tribe lives near the Wall. We were at the same outpost in the beginning of my duty. When his 15 years were over he decided to stay here in Britain. Don't ask me why, I don't know. But he kept his horses. And those of other Sarmatian knights who were killed. Melyo is a descendant of these horses and his former master had to do me a favour. That's all"

Lancelot knew that this was indeed all what Tristan would give away about this strange event. With a sigh he turned his attention to the black horse in front of him. Just in this moment the stallion sneezed and a wet drizzle reached Lancelot.

"And tomorrow I'll have to take a bath", was his only remark.

The next morning began with a little surprise. The bitter cold of the last few days diminished a little bit. The ice, which had covered the ground for nearly four weeks melted and the knights had finally the opportunity to lead their horses out of the stables.

Lancelot's experience with Melyo told him that it would be better to try a gentle way. He took hold of Melyo's reins and led the stallion to the yard.

Although the ice and snow disappeared it was still cold outside and nearly all horses gave the impression that they didn't feel like leaving their warm stables and so Lancelot expected some difficulties with his horse. But to his amazement the black stallion followed him without hesitation. He felt very relieved when he arrived at the yard. All knights except Arthur were present at the stables and Lancelot was fed up with his different disgraces of the last few days.

On a trial basis Lancelot led Melyo around the yard. Even now the mount didn't cause any trouble.

With a proud expression Lancelot turned to Bors who was paying attention to his own horse.

"He finally understood who's the master!"

Just in this moment the stallion started moving and stepped forward. This movement came as a surprise to Lancelot and so he had not time to get his left foot to safety when Melyo hit it with his right hoof. Lancelot gritted his teeth.

"It would be great if you could take your foot away! NOW!", he whispered to the black stallion, carefully avoiding to draw Bors' attention to this awkward situation.

Melyo turned his head and looked at Lancelot before he lifted his hoof. In this moment Lancelot had the impression that the stallion was jeering at him.

Bors raised his head and looked at Lancelot and his horse.

"You've got any problems?"

"NO, I've no problems! What makes you think that?"

"You're standing there rooted to the spot. I thought you taught him who's the master."

"Yes, and I'll show it to you!"

Swiftly he mounted, relieved that he didn't have to stand any longer.

He kicked the horse in his flanks but Melyo didn't move.

"Yes, I see who's the master here! I'm afraid you'll have to repeat this lesson."

With a grim expression on his face Lancelot dismounted and could barely withhold a wince when he put his weight on his left food. He pulled himself together and led Melyo by his reins. Immediately the horse started moving and followed Lancelot who walked across the yard. He managed to hide the limp and didn't let it show.

Satisfied he mounted the black stallion and tried to get Melyo moving but nothing happened. The horse stood there as still as a monument.

"Hm, I suspect he don't feel like carrying you. This horse suit well to you, it's just as stubborn as you"

If looks could kill Bors would have dropped dead in this moment.

Lancelot dismounted again and considered what he should do now. Galahad and Gawain arrived with their horses and Lancelot wasn't intent on making a fool of himself again. He could imagine their remarks when they would find out what had happened.

The solution for his problems came very unexpected in the form of Arthur, closely followed by Tristan and Dagonet.

The experience told the knights that Arthur would have some news, which could be very interesting.

"Knights, we finally got a new order. Some of the thieves we had caught on our last mission had talked. It seems that we caught only a part of these gang. The camp we found and attacked was only a kind of outpost. The main camp is somewhere south of the Wall. Our mission is to find this camp and to catch all remaining criminals. We'll leave tomorrow at first light."

Tbc

feawenof4077: Okay, here was the explanation about the horse :-). I hope it's believable. And thank you for the tip:-).

Daydream1: Thank you very much for your great review. I'm glad that you liked the sparring match. It was just a spontaneous idea.

Oh, I would hug him, too:-).

I'm happy that I found a new beta! I'm not able to post a story without correction;-)

Oh yes, the trouble already began but there will be more trouble evil grin. But not to much.