Out of Darkness Comes the Light - Chapter 4
Disclaimer: I don't own anything or anyone you may recognize. I don't even own the title. If you think I have ripped you off, sorry. This came purely from my own imagination, such as it is. I don't even claim that my story is any good...
A/N: I just heard that one of my favorite radio personalities died of lung cancer Sunday May 22, 2005. If any of you live in the Baltimore area you know Lopez of 98 Rock. Not only was he a funny, funny man, he was the ultimate liberal. I've listened to him every morning since moving here from Cali in 1998. So if any of you know who he is, give him a shout out while he watches us all. You Rock Lopez!
BTW: It seems our little Teagan has missed a few things while she had been away.
Marianna: You see, everyone is confused about their return. Even the knights themselves. Old stories have Merlin as a sorcerer. I'm sort of playing on that.
Cardeia: Ah, yes, she needs to heal. And so does someone else. But there is just one more secret to get out. And there will be a showdown. Just not the one everyone is thinking. Life just may be a bit bumpy for them. It would be too boring if it weren't!
Jols ran into the fortress hall, breathless. "Arthur!" He called. Coming to rest his arms on the great round table.
He had gotten word from the sentries that there were riders headed to the fort. Running to the lookout to see for himself, he broke into a smile when he spied the riders. Though they were too far away to be certain, he thought he recognized the tall shape of Dagonet. But there were five horses when only four had left, nearly a fortnight past.
He was about to shout again when Arthur emerged from his rooms, fixing his tunic front and Guinevere behind him looking equally rumpled.
"What is it Jols?" Arthur asked, just a bit grumpily. He wasn't to happy about being interrupted.
The squire chuckled. At least one of the great knights was happy with his woman.
Vanora had been giving Bors hell since Dagonet had left. He'd even taken to spending a night or two in the stables. Jols had tried to talk to the man to find out what had happened, but the great boor of a man had only laughed. And Vanora wasn't talking.
The entire fort knew what Tristan's problem was. Just about everyone had felt sorry for him, but he only sulked more. He was such an angry man. Jols had begun to think that it had almost been peaceful without him around.
Even Galahad was having difficulties. Sage had wanted him to start taking over more of the care of baby Briac, but the young knight balked. Not having been very receptive to being a father in the first place, he wasn't quite ready for it now. Though Jols had to give him some credit. He spent a good bit of time with the child now, doing things that other fathers had done with their sons. Sage wanted for Briac and herself to move into Galahad's rooms, so he could start spending nights with the child. Though he was growing closer to sage, Galahad wasn't ready for them to move in.
And Gawain just made things worse for his brother. For that's what they were, brothers, they were that close. He flirted with Sage endlessly, knowing Galahad wouldn't like it at all. Even going so far as to say that Sage could move in with him.
Looking at his commander, his King, he smiled. Yes, life was good for this man right now.
"There are riders, sir." He said, still out of breath.
Arthur looked up from where he was tying his breeches together. "Is it them?"
"I'm pretty sure. There are five horses. If it is them, they have brought someone back."
Guinevere let out a small gasp. Maybe they found the woman. She had only met the Lady Teagan a few times. But the poor woman had been so distraught and withdrawn. She doubted that Teagan remembered much of that last month she was there.
Arthur looked up to the sky, giving a prayer of thanks. At least his men were safe. And maybe they had Teagan with them. He prayed that they did.
"Thank you, Jols. We'll be right up to the wall." He reached his hand back to Guinevere feeling her soft hand in his. He squeezed it lightly. "Come my love, let us go see if it is, indeed, our knights returned home." His eyes twinkled with hope.
She smiled sweetly at him. It was good to see him happy. He had been so very sad at the loss of his men, especially Lancelot. He had almost lost himself, his grief was so great. That was why she had beseeched her father to help him. She had no idea he would bring back the others. They were back for a reason, he had said. Each one for a different reason. Her father had said that the souls of these men did not rest. And that their time on this world was not over. Not yet.
She would never tell another soul this. What her father had done. She would never tell Arthur. He would think it interfering.
"Yes, Arthur, lets go see."
0o0o0o
Arthur, Guinevere and Jols stood on the battlements watching until the riders approaching came into view better.
Above, as Tristan's hawk screeched, they knew that it was, indeed, the knights returning.
After taking a quick headcount, Arthur let out a breath. All his men that had left were there. And it looked as though their errant woman was with them. Plus one other. Six total.
The group became larger as it approached. Tristan taking the lead, Lancelot, the two women, then Dagonet and Gawain taking up the rear.
Lancelot let up a wave as he spotted Arthur high up on the wall.
Arthur returned the gesture, smiling as he led Guinevere down into the courtyard.
0o0o0o
Arthur's presence in the courtyard brought a crowd to watch the return of the knights. Though few of the fort's inhabitants were told what this mission was, most present hoped that it had gone well. All worried when they left. And all hoped that they all returned safe.
All watched as the knights and the two women came into the courtyard gates. The men looked sullen, unhappy. Teagan looked like she was in pain. The woman behind Teagan looked worried.
Guinevere was the first to notice Teagan's appearance. She couldn't help but gasp at the sight of her. "Arthur, she looks so pale."
He agreed. "She must've had a hard time of it then." The young woman looked like she had been severely abused. Her hair was dirty and matted. It was hard to tell that it had once been a vibrant, red, curly 'mess' as she called it. Her face was what caught his eyes the most though. It was gaunt, thin. Her eyes held such dark circles that it looked like she had black eyes. They looked haunted. She sat hunched on the horse, clutching her ribs. Arthur assumed that they were broken by the way she was holding them. His heart went out to her, that's what she looked like, broken.
Arthur watched as Tristan filed past on his horse, inclining his head to his commander before entering the stables. Not a word spoken. His face as unreadable as always.
Lancelot being next, dismounted, handing his horse to Cir, the head stableman.
"Arthur." He said by way of greeting. "It's not good." He muttered, turning to await the others.
Gawain had ridden in next with Teagan and the blonde beside him. His face, like the others, was grim, his eyes catching Arthur's before going back to Teagan. Sliding off his horse, he moved to Teagan's helping the blonde off first.
"Her name is Cassandra." Lancelot said to Arthur.
After Cassandra was on the ground, Gawain reached up to Teagan, carefully holding her in her underarms. When her feet touched the ground, he stepped away, giving her a chance to get her bearings.
Everyone present watched as Teagan stumbled a bit, catching Gawain by the arm. No one missed her hiss of pain.
Dagonet was last, dismounting to also stand beside Arthur and Guinevere. All he could do was look defeated.
Arthur clapped him on the back. "Good to have you all back, Dag." He gestured to Teagan. "Will she be alright?" He watched as she grasped Gawain's hand, holding it tight.
"I don't know. As far as I can tell, she's been beaten. Her ribs have been broken, but they have been wrapped." He said as he shrugged his shoulders. "The other fares better."
Guinevere looked at the two women, wondering what had happened to them. She didn't know Teagan very well, but the knights seemed to love her. Even Arthur.
Arthur came forward stopping in front of Teagan and Gawain. He smiled as he noticed Cassandra slide behind the two, almost afraid.
"Teagan, it's so good to have you back." He resisted the urge to embrace her. He knew she was in pain and didn't want to further injure her.
"Thank you, Arthur." She stood a little straighter. "But, right now, I'd like nothing more than a bath." She gave a slight bow to him, grasping Cassandra's hand, leading the way to the baths.
"Of course. When you are done, your room will have been made ready."
Everyone present watched as she left the courtyard.
Even Tristan watched from the entrance of the stables.
Arthur clapped Lancelot on the back. "Come, friend. Tell me what happened."
0o0o0o
After Teagan and Cassandra had soaked in the baths for a long while, Cass went to the infirmary first to have Dagonet look at her wounds.
Cass had minor bruising and several cuts on her back that looked like whip marks, but the young woman wouldn't say.
She flinched as Dagonet put salve on the cuts to sooth the pain. Though she felt the pain, not even a whimper came out of her mouth.
Looking at her, Dag saw that she was quite pretty. She was very tiny, with blonde hair, plaited in several places. She had blue eyes that bordered on grey. But the thing he noticed about her was that she was quiet. Not much passed her lips.
"I noticed your plaits. Are you from Sarmatia?" He wanted to know more about her.
"No." Was all she said, but smiled as she did so. He had been so kind to her, but she wasn't ready to share her heritage.
Dagonet frowned. "You aren't going to tell me. Are you?"
Again she smiled. "No."
Dagonet opened his mouth to ask another question but was interrupted by Teagan entering the infirmary.
Cassandra scooted off the small cot where she had been sitting, moving close to Teagan. "Are you better?"
Teagan smiled. An honest smile. "I'll be fine, Cass."
Cassandra hugged the other woman. "That's good. Will you do something for me?"
"Absolutely." Teagan said, drawing back.
A worried expression came over Cass's features. "Please don't tell them. I'm not ready." She jerked her thumb to Dagonet. "He's asking where I'm from."
Teagan eyes met Dag's who was looking at her intently. "Only when you are ready." She understood why she didn't tell people who she was.
Cassandra looked grateful. "Thank you!" She whispered and flew out of the room.
No doubt to their room, Teagan guessed. She understood why Cass didn't say much. But, in her heart, she knew that Arthur, his men and their women would love Cass. Cassandra had been such a help to her while she was held captive. There to give her water, clean out her wounds and help stop the bleeding. She would never tell that Cass had paid a price to help keep her alive.
Shaking her head of those thoughts, she moved slowly to Dagonet, sinking onto the cot that Cassandra had only moments before vacated. Lifting her tunic, she waited for Dagonet to rebound her ribs.
The small bed dipped with his heavy weight. "So, tell me about Cassandra." He said as he started to wind the long piece of linen around her middle.
"I can't Dag. It is her story to tell."
Teagan gazed at this large man who was so gentle. She brought her hand to caress his face as she had all those months before. Here was a man who had the patience of saints. He rarely ever raised his voice in anger, even when dealing with the actions of Bors.
She watched him smile as she caressed his cheek, her fingers gently tracing the scar she found there. "You are real." She said softly.
"Yes. I am." His voice was low, almost like thunder. He tied off the length of linen. "I'm finished.
Teagan let her arms fall with the tunic she wore. She looked at him intently. "Are you happy to be back? What was it like?"
Dagonet clasped her hands in his. "I'm happy. Well, as much as I can be." His look took on one of confusion. "I don't remember what it was like. Sleeping I guess."
She reveled in the warmness of his hands, the roughness of his skin. "What do you remember?"
He shrugged. "I remember falling in the ice. Then waking up in my own bed. Arthur says that we showed up at the gates." He shook his head. "I don't remember that." He looked at her with honest eyes. "I don't want to remember."
Leaning forward, Teagan gave him a kiss on the cheek. Standing, she gave a wince as a sharp pain hit her ribs.
"You really should rest." He said, getting up from the cot.
Teagan stood tall in front of Dagonet. "I will. Is there anything more you can do for my ribs?"
He raked a big hand over his head. "No." He wished he could give her something for the pain, but he really didn't know what. He wanted her to stay in bed, but knew she would never listen. She was too strong willed and restless to do that.
She suddenly threw her arms around his waist, hugging him tight. She smiled. Yes, he was back, as solid as before.
"I'm glad you're back, Dag. I've missed you."
She gave him a wave as she left the infirmary, intent on finding Lancelot. It wasn't to painful to see Dagonet. Maybe it would be the same with him.
0o0o0o
It wasn't hard finding Lancelot. All Teagan had to do was head to the tavern.
Walking in there was like walking into her past. A past that she realized that she loved very much.
The familiar sounds hit her ears, almost like music. There was laughter, cries of anger at losing a game of dice, the drunken singing. Teagan missed the singing the most. It never failed. Some drunken sop would end up singing. Mostly a lewd and raucous song. Or sometimes a sad ballad, of someone losing a loved one or missing home.
Teagan also missed the smells. Some were unsavory, while most were not. Right now, she could smell a stew. Slowly cooking over the large hearth she knew was in the back. The smell of fresh baked bread hung in the air. He stomach started to grumble, she was hungry and the smells made it worse.
And Teagan had to admit, even the smell of old ale and wine was a welcome one.
Smiling, Teagan looked around. The place was packed to the very walls full of people. She didn't see any Roman soldiers. Which probably explain why there wasn't any fighting.
No, she took that back. There would probably be some fighting. You couldn't have this many drunk men and not have at least one squabble.
Again looking around, she wasn't surprised at the different cultures of people Arthur had let live in his home. For this is what this fort became, his home. And Arthur had the kindest heart she had seen in such a long time. There were Britons, Roman and even a woad or two here at the tavern. She even spied some that looked Saxon. Her heart gave a leap. Maybe she should tell Cassandra. Maybe it would help her be more at home here.
Finally, she saw Lancelot. He was standing at the bar with his back to her. He was alone.
Again she squared her shoulders. She needed to squelch another ghost.
As she made her way to the bar, she said hello to the few people she recognized, carefully avoiding the knight's table. Looking over in it's direction, she saw that it was still there. Still holding several of it's occupants. Two of them, Gawain and Galahad, were already drunk.
Teagan knew that she would again sit with these men, but not this night. Tonight, she would tell her best friend, no her brother, that she loved him and that she had missed him. For the entire ride back to the fort, Teagan had taken the time to think about each one of these men she had befriended, to figure out what each meant to her. She had decided that Lancelot was more her brother than her friend.
Silently, she slipped her arms around Lancelot. She was welcomed when he circled his own arms around hers.
He slowly turned himself around on the stool so he sat facing her.
"Hello there, love. Was wondering how long you could stay away from this place." He smiled his smile, his eyes twinkling as he did.
Teagan couldn't help but respond to that smile, she returned it. Dropping her arms, her smile faltered. She looked at the ground, suddenly finding it interesting.
"I'm sorry, Lancelot." She muttered.
"For what." He reached out, his hand cupping the back of her head, drawing her close to him.
"For treating you so badly. It is just hard for me understand that you are back." She wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her head on his chest. "I just missed you so much." She inhaled deeply, taking in his deep, musky scent. He smelled of leather. Quietly, she let out a small sob. Yes, she had missed him so very much.
Lancelot's heart melted, he hugged her closer to him, resting his cheek on the top of her head, gently stroking her hair.
"I missed you also, Teagan. I missed you very much."
A/N: I have a question: How savage are the Saxon's? In your opinion?