Chapter 23
Phillip carried me most of the way to his room next door, due to my difficulty staying upright. I looked down at my dress, it was practically ruined, and smelt bad also.
"Phillip, I'm sorry." I began to apologize knowing what a mess I was physically and emotionally.
"Its okay Taryn, I just can't understand for the life of me, why you would be drinking at all, you usually never do." Phillip commented.
"It was stupid, I know, but can we please not talk about it, I just want to go to bed." I said starting to feel extremely drowsy. I started to make my way toward the only bed in the little room.
"Wait Taryn, you are not climbing in that bed covered in vomit." Phillip said grabbing my arm.
"Alright." I replied and started pulling the dress over my head, only when the dress was half way off, I felt dizzy lost my balance, and fell into a heap in the middle of the floor, blinded by the dress hanging half over my head.
"Phillip help." I called laughing at myself loudly.
"Taryn, just hold still before you hurt yourself." He said pulling the dress the rest of the way over my head. He was not laughing at all.
I was only wearing my thin undershirt and drawers, and his room was very cold, I sat there shivering looking at the disturbed expression on Phillips face. "Get in bed Taryn; I will take care of the dress." He commanded looking at my dirty dress.
I tried to stand, but my legs felt like rubber. Phillip saw me struggling to my feet, and reached down to help me up. I made it to the bed, but only because of his help. Phillip pulled back the covers and helped tuck me in. "Try to get some sleep." He said bending to kiss my forehead, "I am sorry to say, but you will feel much worse tomorrow."
I did not hear his last statement, for I was already snoring loudly.
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Event taking place in the tavern after Taryn left.
He could stand it no longer. She had been gone long enough. She should have came back by now. These thoughts kept running through his head, until finally he decided to do something about it.
He made his way down to the main floor to find her. His eyes quickly scanned the interior of the dimly lit room, but there was no sign of her, nor was Galahad or Lancelot. 'Strange, he thought to himself, where could she have gone.' He decided to check Lancelot and Galahad's room, maybe she had decided to stay in there with them.
He went back up stairs and started pounding on the door. "Go away" He heard Galahad call and then the sounds of laughter, female laughter.
"Galahad, it's me, you open this door or I will break it down." Gawain called back, his worry increasing by the second.
A shirtless Galahad opened the door, not happy at all to be being interrupted, even if it was from his best friend.
"Where is Taryn?" Gawain demanded of him, pushing the door open at the same time. The giggling red head was most assuredly not Taryn. "And where is Lancelot?"
"Lancelot found other accommodations, and Taryn is with Phillip." Galahad said his blood shot eyes proof of what he had spent much of his evening doing.
"Why is she with Phillip?" He wanted to know.
"She was quite drunk, and Lancelot put him in charge of watching her, now please Gawain, go away." Galahad pleaded with him.
"I will kill you both if anything happens to her." He vowed to Galahad.
"Gawain blame yourself, you're the one she is obviously mad at." Galahad said slamming the door in his face.
Gawain walked to his room, and began to open the door, but then changed his mind, and turned and went down the steps and out the door.
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Taryn was deep in sleep, and Phillip was working on scrubbing the stains out of her dress when a loud knock sounded on the door. It woke her, but only for a second, before she was back asleep.
Phillip went to the door, for some reason he did not even ask who was there, somehow he knew. He opened the door to find a very upset Gawain.
"Is Taryn here?" He asked, because Phillip was blocking the view of the room with his body.
"Yes, but she does not want to see you." Phillip replied. Gawain did not respond, but instead pushed past Phillip into the room. He took in her sleeping form and then her dress lying on the ground next to the chair Phillip had been sitting in.
"Why is Taryn's dress off?" He questioned.
"Gawain, I don't have to tell you anything, would you leave please, as you can see she is asleep, and I would hate for you to wake her." Phillip boldly said.
"Listen Roman, you will answer all my questions, or I will wake her up now, and carry her kicking and screaming if I have to back to her room." Gawain threatened with a look that said he was not kidding.
"Okay, calm down, you Sarmatians are so intense." Phillip said. "Galahad and Lancelot let her get so drunk she could hardly stand, I found her right before she covered her dress and the tavern floor in vomit. I was going to carry her up to her room, but she insisted I bring her here, and her reason was she did not want to be near you. I carried her here, and she was passed out within five minutes. Are you happy now?" Phillip said glaring at Gawain, for he knew he had done something to hurt her.
Gawain did not say anything in response, instead he walked over to the bed where she lay sleeping. He reached down and smoothed the hair that was falling into her sleeping face. He bent down, and placed a soft kiss on her brow, she did not even stir.
"Phillip, you are relieved of your duties, you may have my room, next door, and I will stay and take care of her." Gawain said holding out a key to Phillip.
"No, I will stay here, I promised Taryn, I would not take her to you, and I will keep that promise. She was not happy with you Gawain when she was awake, but if you insist, we can wake her up, and let her decide." Phillip said not giving into him this time.
"How do I know you will not hurt her?" Gawain said eyebrows raised.
"You are not the only one who loves her Gawain, I would die before harming her, or letting any harm come to her. She is safe with me, I promise you that."
Gawain looked back over to the sleeping form of Taryn, nodded, and left the room.
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My head felt as if it were going to explode, I was positive it was being used by the knights as target practice. I moaned loudly as the morning sunlight hit my eyes. I tried to roll back over and go to sleep, but the urge to go kept me from it. I stood up, and as soon as my feet hit the cold floor, I knew I would not make it to the building out doors. I looked around the room and saw a bucket in the corner; I ran to it and relieved myself. I now remember why I don't drink.
I noticed then, I was only in my under clothes, and my dress was nowhere to be found. I remember Phillip taking me from the tavern, but everything after that was a blur. Oh how I hoped I had not done anything even more stupid than getting drunk in the first place.
I did not have to wonder long, for Phillip returned to the room, my dress in hand. "Phillip, where have you been, and why do you have my dress." I asked rather impolitely.
"Good afternoon Taryn. I have been busy working, for I did not have the luxury of sleeping in. As for your dress, I had it washed, so you would have clean clothes to put on when you woke. How is your head?" He said tossing my clean dress to me.
"What time is it?" I asked wondering how long I had slept.
"It is well past lunch time, and if you don't appear soon, you are going to have three knights beating down your door." He replied."
"I slept that late?" I said, my head still feeling pretty foggy. "Phillip what happened last night after you brought me here?" I could not stand not knowing, so I just blurted it out.
"Well after nearly breaking your neck just trying to get your dress off, you passed out in the bed, and slept until now. I slept in the chair right there." He said pointing to a rather uncomfortable looking chair.
"Phillip, I did not mean to imply that I thought you would take advantage of me. For all I know, I could have been throwing myself at you." I said with a sad laugh. "I am sorry you slept in the chair, we would have both fit in the bed, I would not have minded."
"No Taryn, but a certain visitor you had would have minded." Phillip replied.
"Visitor, what do you mean?" I said not having a clue what he was talking about.
"Gawain came up here after you were asleep looking for you." He said.
"He did, that is surprising" I said thinking about our argument.
"Why would that be surprising, you know he cares about you? He wanted to take you back to your room, but I refused to let him move you, and then he decided he would stay here with you, but I knew you would not want that either, so he left, not very happily, I might add." He said shaking his head in remembrance.
"Phillip, thank you, you are the best of friends, I am just sorry you had to go through all of that for me." I said imagining Phillip standing up to Gawain, who could be very frightening when angry.
"Why don't we go get you something to eat next door, so they can all see you are safe and unharmed?" Phillip suggested.
"Okay, but I don't want to talk to Gawain, please don't leave me with him." I said slightly ashamed of my coward like behavior.
"Taryn, I don't know what happened between you two but you can't ignore him forever." Phillip reminded me.
"I can try." I said with a smile.
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The knights were nowhere to be found when we went to eat. Bonnie said they were looking for goods to buy from the local villagers to take back to the fort. I was disappointed, for I did want to see some of the village with them, and maybe find a few items for myself. Phillip informed me the shipment had come in as scheduled, and we would be leaving for home in the morning.
I let him know of my disappointment, and how stupid I was to have ruined it by drinking too much. "Tristan will be upset when he finds out." I said thinking out loud.
"Tristan does not have to find out, but if he does don't expect him to be to judgmental Taryn, I have seen him plenty drunk on numerous occasions." Phillip informed me.
"I have an idea Taryn, why don't we go saddle our horses, and we can take a ride through the village." He suggested.
"That sounds like a great idea Phillip, lead the way." I said finishing the last of my food.
We rode through the little village, it was not so different from the fort, maybe a little larger, but the venders sold the same type goods just more variety. I kept my eyes open for my three friends but there was no sign of them.
The sun was starting to sink over the horizon, when we rode up to the shore line. It was quite a site in the setting sun, with the waves crashing on the shore. I appreciated it more this time, than the last time I had been here. I dismounted from Black, so I could walk along the sandy shore. I took off my shoes, so I could feel its warmth run between my toes.
"Taryn what are you doing?" Phillip questioned.
"Oh Phillip, you must come walk with me, it is so wonderful." I said just basking in the feel.
He obeyed and was soon stripping of his boats and walking next to me. The only sound was of the waves crashing, and the gulls, trying to get some last minute hunting in before the sun was gone.
"It is so peaceful here; you could easily forget all your troubles and worries." I said looking out over the sea.
"Taryn what kind of troubles and worries could you have so early in life?" Phillip said turning me to face him.
I just looked up at him without answering, for he knew what was bothering me.
"Ah yes, I almost forgot about Sir Gawain, our noble knight." He said somewhat sarcastically.
"Phillip I don't know why I let what he says, or does, or even thinks bother me so." I said pondering the question myself.
"Because you love him." He said quietly.
I turned to look at him slightly shocked by the revelation. "Phillip, I care about him a great deal, but I believe love is too strong of word." I said denying any feelings of love I could possible have.
"It hurts me to say it Taryn, but you do, and he loves you, you will both see it one day." He said sadly.
"Phillip my friend, you are wrong all he sees me as is a silly immature girl, and I prove over and over that is exactly what I am. It is getting dark and cold, we should head back." I said putting my shoes back in place.
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I saw the knights but only briefly when I returned. I did not have much to say to any of them for I was still embarrassed for the way I had behaved. Bonnie informed me that she had another room open up, so I could stay by myself. I was very happy with the offer, and accepted with thankfulness. I did not sleep much, but instead replayed the previous night over and over in my head. I was still angry with Gawain for his little vow to Tristan, but I was also not very happy with Tristan, and planned to have a talk with him as soon as I arrived back at the fort.
I also kept thinking of what Phillip had said to me on the beach. Did I love Gawain? I found him attractive, I enjoyed being with him, talking with him, kissing him, but it was not love. I had no doubt in my mind that he did not love me, for if he loved me he would be with me now trying to straighten this mess out, and not in the tavern beneath me probably with some barmaid on his lap. The thought alone made the hair on my arms bristle, much like Ursula's does when she senses trouble or fear. Why should I care what he was doing right at this moment? Why I do not know, but the frightening thing is, it was all I cared about.
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I was already awake and dressed the next morning when Lancelot knocked on the door letting me know it was time to be on our way. I followed him to the stables where the horses were boarding. I brushed the sand out of Blacks coat from the night before, and quickly saddled him. By the time I lead him to the foggy streets the wagons were already there ready for the long trek home.
Gawain was there already also, he did not look like he had gotten much sleep the night prior, which led me to believe my assumptions on how he spent the night were probably right. When he saw me he started toward me, but I could not bare a confrontation yet. I turned Black in the opposite direction, and road over to where Phillip was standing.
"Taryn, you look much better this morning." Phillip commented cheerfully.
"Thank you Phillip, I feel better, and am very ready to get back to the fort." I replied thinking how I couldn't wait for this trip to be over with.
My trip home was much different than the one coming. Instead of riding at the front of the caravan with the knights company, I insisted on riding in the back with Phillip and the dreadfully boring Romans. I could hear Galahad laughing all the way from the back of the line, but I still refused to join them, out of sheer stubbornness.
We stopped at night fall to make camp. The wagons were to full with supplies for me to make a bed in there, so I was forced to choose a spot outside to sleep in. The men started setting up make shift tents for it did appear that it was going to rain as usual. I busied myself making up some sort of dinner out of our new supplies, I was glad for the two loaves of fresh bread I had purchased the night before.
I had done a fine job at ignoring Gawain most of the day. After supper he must have decided he should talk to me.
"Taryn is everything alright?" He said softly taking my elbow and steering me away from the rest of the camp.
"Gawain, I can assure you I am fine." I said shortly.
"You don't seem fine, you seem angry to me." He said his eyebrows raised.
"Well I am not angry." I said pulling my arm out of the grasp of his hand. "I am just tired and ready for bed."
"Why don't you come and share my tent Taryn? There aren't enough for you to have one to yourself." He offered motioning at the four little tents that were hanging under low standing trees.
I thought about his offer for a moment, at first I was tempted to take him up on it, but pride got the better of me. "I would hate for you to do anything my father might disapprove of Gawain, so I had already decided I will stay with Phillip, and spare you the trouble." I said turning my back on him, I did not want to see the look in his face, nor did I want him to see the tears in my eyes.
I nearly ran to where Phillip was sitting by the fire. "Phillip, you must let me share your tent." I begged.
"Of coarse Taryn, did you think I would make you sleep in the rain?" He said looking up at the sky as the first drops were starting to fall.
I grabbed his hand and we ran to his tent before the down pouring erupted. I looked over my shoulder once before closing the tent flap. Gawain was still standing where I had left him soaked already from the rain. Our eyes met for a moment, I wanted to go to him, but instead I ducked inside the tent to dryness, and safety.
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The next day I could stand my Roman companions no longer, so I made my way to the front of the caravan. "So Taryn, decided to leave your new lover long enough to remember your old friends." Lancelot said with a grin.
"What are you talking about Lancelot?" I said really not knowing what he meant.
"Well, you said on the way you planned on getting drunk and hooking up with a man. I did not believe you until you proved me wrong, by getting drunker than even I have been and then you have spent the last few nights in a man's room, so I assumed you fulfilled your second statement as well." He said with a smirk.
He was right I had said that, and I had indeed spent two nights with Phillip, but nothing had happened, but I guess they did not know that.
"So Taryn did you do it?" Galahad said with a grin. Then it dawned on me these men were fishing for info. They were worse than the barmaids at Haman's tavern.
"It is none of your business what I did or didn't do." I said glaring at them both, I looked over to where Gawain was riding, he was trying to pretend like he wasn't listening, but I know he was.
"Tristan is not going to like it when he hears you have been sleeping with a Roman." Lancelot said that sly grin appearing on his handsome mouth.
"It is none of his business what I do, or who I do it with!" I shouted this time purposefully looking over to Gawain who continued to stare in the opposite direction.
"She is very defensive Lancelot, I believe she did it, what do you think Gawain?" Galahad called to his sulking friend.
"Did what?" Gawain replied.
"Galahad would you please stay out of my personal business, I knew there was a reason I was avoiding you three." I said wheeling my horse around back to the end of the line. It looked like the rest of the trip would be spent in the company of Romans, for I could not tolerate my fellow countrymen at this point in time.
AN: I have been struggling writing this chapter, I am still not sure if I like it, but I decided to post it anyway. I hope it is evident to you all who Taryn will end up being with, but sorry, its not all roses when it comes to love we all have to go through a few trials. The next chapter should be more exciting, I will either get it written on Sat or Sunday, or You will have to wait a week I am going to visit relatives, sorry. Please read and review, tell me what you thought about the section where I change point of views, I am not sure I liked how it flowed, but I did not know what else to do, maybe I should just cut those sections out let me know what you think.
Katemarry77 Thanks for the review, I went back and read chapter 21 and see what you mean about the dialogue, I will try to watch for that on the next few.
KnightMaiden: I am doing my best, lol
Tru Luv Waits: Thanks for the review, no Taryn did not, but stupid girl couldn't even remember what happened next morning, plus Phillip is too much of a gentleman. Don't you love how I talk about my characters like they are real people, I am nuts.
Camryen: I was trying to make it as realistic, and unromantic (being drunk), as I see it. Thanks so much for the review.
Evenstar-mor2004: definitely one father daughter talk on the way!
Jedipirateelfydude: Your screen name makes me smile every time I read it by the way. I will try to make you happy sometime soon, but not sure when!
Babaksmiles: Sorry if my chapter wasn't as interesting as your imagination, I am sure it could have been more exciting. Thanks for reading my story.
Lancelottristanbaby: Thanks for reading and reviewing, sorry but updates will come slower now, I am getting busier as the school year comes to a close.
Irishfire: Thanks for the review. I wont be able to update on my vacation but I will be able to read, so I will be watching for a new chapter of Stowaway, don't let me down, people complain about not knowing what will happen in my story which to me it seem like it is getting more and more predicable, but yours blows me away with every chapter, I have no idea what is going to happen and can't wait for more!
Brandy Ledeu: Good observation, I meant for Taryn to have spent several hours in the tavern, but when I read it, it did appear she was drunk within like 15 minutes, and I did not mean it that way, I may go back and fix it when I have time. Thanks for the review.
Lucilla: Thanks for the review, I was hoping the readers could see how Taryn would be mad at Gawain, but she was being slightly childish at the same time.
Zelinia: Thanks for the review. It is no fun taking care of drunk people, but good for you for being a friend and doing it. You can have a perfectly fun time without drinking, so I hope you keep up with you vow not to get drunk, it is very wise.
Tracy 137: Question do you think it is realistic, Tristan's asking Gawain to leave Taryn alone? I could see my father doing something like that but he is not your typical dad. I don't know sometimes I wonder if I should have wrote it into the story.
Blueskiezrusty: Sorry to frustrate you so, men are stupid, lol. It will turn out in the end I promise!
Samli: Thanks for your insight. I am afraid I got carried away trying to be overly descriptive, and described my town, right out of its time period, I am changed the wording in chapter 22, and will change it in 21 when I have time. Thanks for the review.