Out of Darkness Comes the Light - Chapter 8
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 apologize for it being so angsty. I type what comes to my head and for me, this worked. But I promise that it does work out for them in the end. You are looking at two very stubborn people here. Both set in their ways.
Sorceress Misha - The angst may let up. For a while. I still have stuff up my sleeve. This chapter is actually quite calm. Boring even.
Winged Seraph - Yes Ma'am. Our hero is nothing if not determined.
blueskiezrusty - This chappie is quite tame, boring. You'll have more chapter coming up to be mad at them both.
Cardeia - We all have buried pain. Especially these two. We all have walls that we put up to protect ourselves. But there is always that one person who can tear down those walls, to help the pain lessen.
And you've hit it! Though it's hard to see her and not have her, it's to much for him to just have her gone. But I hope you can see that he's starting to break. And we are going to see the beginnings of it very soon. They both need each other, but are to stubborn to do anything about it right now.
And yes, Arthur is being pulled. And so are the other knights. I personally thing he has a valid point, her leaving. But the others, Especially Lancelot and Gawain, are thinking with their hearts. They are acting like big brothers, trying to protect her, sheild her.
Now, all that said, here's a small, calm chapter. No angst to be found. And so you know, I don't like this chapter one bit. But, I wanted to use it to set up another.
0o0o0o
It had been nearly two weeks since Teagan had come back to the fort and one week since she had last seen Tristan. She wasn't deliberately avoiding him, but she wasn't actively seeking him out either.
Dagonet had said that she wasn't allowed, no discouraged, to leave the fort. He had said that she should refrain from riding, training or any heavy lifting for at least a month. Teagan gritted her teeth, she had never been one to just lay around, not do anything.
So, not able to do anything productive, She had taken to sitting in Arthur's library. He had moved it from the great hall to another large room, off to the side of the kitchens. This room also had a fireplace and often late at night, Teagan had found herself next to it, cozied in a large chair, reading.
On this day however, she had had enough of reading and decided that her body needed exercise. She had been itching to practice her bow.
And she was tired of hiding herself away. Tired of feeling sorry for herself.
And tonight, she would be helping Vanora in the tavern. Teagan shuddered inside. It would be her first night back amongst the men. She missed the place, missed the drunken banter of the knights. But, she was also dreading what may happen.
Gathering her bow and it's quiver of arrows, she was about to leave when she noticed a sword. Propped up against the wall. Almost concealed by the straw.
Carefully pulling it out, her breath caught. Recognizing it, she nearly dropped it, almost like it was scalding hot. She never expected to see it again.
Teagan cursed herself for being so silly. Running her hands along it smooth hilt, she carefully put it back where she found it. No doubt it's owner would wonder why it had been moved. And Tristan would know it had.
Making her way to the back of the fort, she was greeted with a multitude of voices as she entered the practice field.
It was absolutely crowded. Teagan had never seen so many people in here before. There were several large groups. It looked as though both men and woman were training.
Some were practicing swords with Gawain and Galahad. And at the moment, Sage was giving Galahad a run for his money. And knowing both men, there probably was a bet going on who would win. Or who would lose.
Teagan smiled. Sage was currently holding off Galahad with her wooden sword. When ever it looked like he would have the upper hand with her, Gawain would either strike at Galahad or push him to make him loose his balance. All were laughing.
Teagan was happy for them. It seemed as though Gawain's plan to put Galahad and Sage together was working. She just hoped Gawain didn't push his brother to hard, to have it backfire.
Looking around, she noticed that Dagonet and Bors were with a bunch of children. For Bors it was a natural thing as he was always surrounded by his pride when he was in residence at the fort. At this moment, there were about eight or ten little children with their tiny wooden swords pointed at his huge chest.
Suddenly, Bors gave his great battle cry, heaving himself up. Catching one of the boys around the waist, be took the boy's sword arm in his own great hand. He had the boy laughing as he chased the group of children around, using the boy's arm as an appendage of his own.
Underneath his rude and crude behavior, Bors really was wonderful with children. It seemed only natural that he had so many. And one more on the way. Though it hurt, she was happy for them both.
Dagonet looked on as though he was enjoying the scene. Standing there with his own wooden sword held to his side. He had one of his hands draped over the shoulder of Lucan, the small boy he had saved from Marius' estate. From what she had heard, Dagonet and the boy had grown close. Dag even keeping the boy in his rooms.
Teagan watched as Dagonet's large frame nearly bent in half as he spoke something in Lucan's ear. Laughing, the boy ran off yelling after Bors, his wooden sword held high.
At one time Teagan would have felt sorry for the gentle giant. He was often seen standing to the side, watching. One day, she had even asked him why he did stand to the side. If he was unhappy or lonely.
Dagonet had laughed then. A deep laugh, reminding Teagan of thunder.
"No. I am not unhappy. And I am not lonely. I have Bors. And his children. And now I have Lucan."
"But aren't you lonely without a wife?" Teagan had asked.
The big man shook his head, still smiling at her. "No. I will find her when the time is right."
No, right now, Dagonet looked as though he were right where he wanted to be. He looked contented.
Lost in her thoughts, Teagan shrieked when she was grabbed around the waist from behind. The big arms lifting her up and twirling her in circles, making her dizzy.
"Ahhh...Little girls should not be out by themselves with so many wolves around." A deep voiced whispered in her ear, sending shivers down her back.
Teagan laughed, swatting at the arms that held her tight.
"Ah, but this little girl is not afraid of this puppy."
Lancelot let her loose then, standing with his head down, pouting at her for all he was worth. He knew it wouldn't work on Teagan, but he had to try. He missed seeing her laugh like this.
"HUH! Is that what I am to you? A puppy?" He tried to look like his feelings had been hurt, but was failing miserably. His eyes couldn't help twinkling.
Teagan's face sobered, just a tiny bit. She gently placed her hands on his cheek, feeling his beard under her hand.
"You are a pup. But an awful cute one."
Growling, he made to nip her hand. When she pulled it away, laughing, he pulled her into a tight embrace.
"But this puppy is lost. Will you take him home?"
Teagan was still laughing when she pulled away from Lancelot. "Not this night, letch." She began looking around the field again. "What's with the crowd?" She asked him, changing the subject.
"Since we have no more soldiers, Arthur had decided that we need to train people to defend their homes, this fort."
Teagan nodded, it made sense. She hefted her bow. "Mind if I squeeze in and practice?"
Lancelot had a better idea. "Why don't you show them how to shoot?"
"Me?"
"Yes. You're better at bow than most of us here. And you have more patience."
Teagan shook her head. "I'm not sure. Why can't Tristan do it?"
Lancelot didn't miss the slight flinch. "Because that man isn't playing nice right now." He watched her face as a look of guilt flashed in her eyes. "Besides, Arthur has him on watch."
Teagan smirked. That could explain why she hadn't seen him for so long.
"Is it Arthur's doing? Always keeping him on watch?"
Lancelot shook his head. "No, love. He volunteered."
"Oh." She said in a very small voice.
0o0o0o
"If it goes ill, we can only pick up the pieces."
Arthur's words would ring true to all of the knights. Sighing heavily, he recalled his earlier meeting with his comrades.
"So, what's the plan?" It was Gawain who had spoken up first.
"Keep them busy."
"Both of them?" Bors and Galahad said at the same time.
Arthur nodded. "I'm pretty sure Tristan will go on just about any mission he could."
"Well, Teagan ain't going on any mission. Not till those ribs heal." There was a hint of anger in Dagonet's voice. He hadn't been to happy to find out that Teagan had slept in the stables. He gave a quick shake to his head. He had never been overly concerned for her safety before. He knew she could hold her own, take care of herself. Right now, though, he couldn't understand why he felt he needed to take care of her.
Arthur brought him from his thoughts. "I know, Dag. I know."
Gawain nodded, agreeing with Dagonet. She should stay put, let her body heal. But he also knew something else. "You know she's going to run as soon as she get's cleared." He could see it in her eyes, in her actions.
"I know, Gawain. I know." Arthur knew he sounded weary, frustrated. But it couldn't be helped. He had watched her since her return. She was looking for an escape, any escape.
Lancelot had been quiet, his own thoughts, jumbled. He wasn't sure what his place in all this was. And he, like Dagonet, had this urge to protect Teagan.
"Right now, I don't think she should be alone. At least until Dag says she healed completely."
Arthur agreed. "Just don't make it to obvious." He knew what they all knew, Teagan was going to run, they just didn't know when.
0o0o0o
Arthur's words came back to him again as he watched the scene below. He still thought that it wasn't a good idea to have Teagan here, at the fort. But, until her ribs fully healed, Dagonet wouldn't let her go. Nor would any of the other knights. At times he commended his men for coming to her aid. But he also thought that they were acting with their hearts, not their heads.
Was Teagan worth all the trouble he was sure she was going to bring? He wasn't sure.
No, he would have to wait and see about what to do on that issue.
Glancing over to Lancelot, he wondered if his second-in-command knew what he was getting into. Arthur watched as Lancelot had spent most of his spare time with the woman, saying that she shouldn't be left alone.
He knew that Lancelot had feelings of friendship for Teagan. And he prayed that it didn't go any further. But, his dearest friend deserved to be happy. Not pining after a woman he could never have.
Arthur watched as Lancelot grabbed Teagan's hand, leading her to the targets. He watched as Lancelot's eyes never left Teagan as she adjusted the strap to her quiver.
0o0o0o
It was nearly dusk when the majority of the fort's people had left the field. Those left were mostly knights.
Tegan and Cassandra were sitting on the bench furthest away from the sword field, nearer the targets. Both women were casually talking about the days happenings when Cass suddenly grew silent.
Teagan's eyes followed Cassandra's gaze. She smiled at what she saw. There was Lancelot, practicing with his two short swords with Arthur. Both men had taken off their tunics and were dancing around each other. It looked as though two giants were fighting, evenly matched as they were.
Lancelot was quicker, more cunning in his fighting, where Arthur was all muscle.
"He's pretty to look at isn't he?" He certainly was. Bare chested and sweaty. Both woman watched as their muscles flexed with their movements.
Cass blushed. "Aye. And he knows it too." She continued to watch the dark knight. "What do you think about him?"
Teagan laughed. She shrugged her shoulders with indifference. "Lancelot? He's fungus."
"What?" Cassandra couldn't believe she just said that.
Teagan nodded. Her face serious, but her eyes twinkling. "He's like mold. He festers and grows until you can't get rid of him. No matter what you try."
Cassandra looked in disbelief at Teagan. "I thought he was your friend."
Teagan's eyes filled with warmth. "He is. He's my brother. But, he's a letch. And he knows it." She watched the two men practice, each straining the muscles in their arms and backs.
The tiny blonde woman looked again at Lancelot. He had been nothing but kind to her. Nothing like the letch Teagan claimed him to be. She also knew that Teagan was partial when it came to her knights. Lancelot was special to her, like the brother she claimed him to be.
But Cassandra had to be honest, she hadn't had the courage to step into the tavern yet. If not on the field of battle, the bar was the second most comfortable to Lancelot. From what Cass had heard, he was never without female company.
As the woman sat, Guinevere entered the field, running to Arthur. He stopped his fighting to embrace her, burying his hands in her hair, which she had let loose.
Neither Teagan nor Cassandra missed the look of pure lust that crossed Lancelot's face. Getting up, they made their way over to the men.
Lancelot watched as Guinevere held Arthur. His body hurt as a savage feeling of jealousy rammed through him. Shaking his head to clear it, he forced his feet to turn away from the obviously happy couple.
In turning, he was surprised to see Teagan and Cass make their way to them. Letting himself smile, he quickly pulled on his tunic, walking to the women.
"Now why do you want to cover yourself? We were enjoying the view." Teagan teased him.
"I could always remove it again." He laughed a good laugh, taking Teagan on one arm and Cassandra on another. "But I think I like this better."
A/N: I went to see RoTS Monday and was highly disappointed. Oh, the movie was alright. (I grew up with the originals. Chewbacca and Yoda rock!) But I had to wait until nearly the very last scene just to see Joel Edgerton. The LAST scene. PHOOEY I say! Now I'll just have to wait until Fantastic Four comes out. It looks good. And Mr. Ioan Gruffudd looks mighty good in tights!
Oh! I have to ask another question. Since it's obvious that Teagan and Tristan will finally get their heads on straight (Not anytime soon mind you!) I was wondering if I should bring Galen into the picture yet. I was leaning more toward after they made up, but I wanted your opinions.