Out of Darkness Comes the Light - Chapter 10
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...
Cardeia - You sooo get what I am trying to say. He IS addicted. And his addiction is Teagan. He fell in love with her because she accepted him for what he was. And to fall in love is a monumental thing for him. And to have it snatched out of his hands? Well, he's not a happy camper. I understand Teagan for not wanting to get hurt. (All of us do it) She's spent all those years holding onto her heart. And you are right, this is so not Tristan's fault. Like Lancelot said, he is only reacting to her. And she'll see it. Soon, I think. (I have that chapter done and waiting for the right time to put it in.) And what did she expect? She let him go, so of course he'll find another. But, it won't be what you think. Just watch.
Sorceress Misha - Don't feel sorry for either one, but if you do, Tristan. As Teagan is being a royal HB!
June Birdie - good to dee you back! Here you go. Glad you like it.
blueskiezrusty - Sorry it's so frustrating. I promise it will get better.
It was still dark and raining when Teagan entered the stables, making her way to her horse, Aodh's stall. She tried to make as little noise as possible, but the horse whinnied and snorted in welcome.
"Shush, you fool. You'll wake everybody up." She whispered harshly.
Aodh only snorted at her, pushing his nose into her shirt pockets. Obliging the fool beast, Teagan took out a few pieces of sugar, his favorite treat.
"Where are you going?" A feminine voice said from behind her.
Teagan whipped around, startled and guilty at being caught. She looked upon the beautiful face of Guinevere.
"Riding, milady." Teagan said as she dropped a curtsey.
"It's a little early to do any riding. Plus, it's raining." She said in a soft voice, returning the curtsey.
"I need to get out." Teagan's eyes fell to the ground, her hands fidgeting with hem of her shirt.
"Where will you go?" Guinevere asked.
Teagan mumbled something, but Guinevere couldn't understand, she had spoken so softly.
"Why do you run?"
Teagan's shoulders fell. "I can't watch."
"Watch what?"
Teagan didn't answer, she only continued to put the horse's bridle on. After that was done, she nudged Aodh out of the stall, pulling herself onto his back. She didn't look at the Queen as she gathered the reins.
"Go see my father, he will welcome you."
Again, Teagan did not answer, she guided Aodh toward the exit of the stables, her face grim.
Guinevere pulled on Aodh's reins, stopping the horse. "It's not too late." She said, pleading in her voice. She hated to see her husband's friends, his family, in so much pain. Arthur had mentioned that having Teagan back at the fort was not a good idea. Guinevere disagreed.
Teagan pulled back on the reins, hard, causing the horse to backstep. "Yes, it is." Her voice bitter.
She could only watch as Teagan pulled her horse about, kicking him hard in the sides. She could only watch as bits of dirt and stone were kicked out from under his hooves as he raced out of the stables.
Running to the entrance, Guinevere watched at the retreating figures of Teagan and Aodh grew small, finally disappearing into the woods.
Sighing, she made her way back to her rooms to tell Arthur what had happened.
0o0o0o
"You did what!" Arthur fairly yelled.
Guinevere looked at her husband calmly. "My father will watch out for her. She will be safe." She slid her arms around his middle, holding him tight.
Arthur brought Guinevere closer to him, pressing his lips into the top of her head. "We knew this would happen."
"She will be back. She needs some time." Guinevere said softly, trying to console her husband.
"But, she's gone now. Do you have any idea what this will do to him?"
"If it goes ill, we can only pick up the pieces." Arthur let out a sigh as his words came back to him.
0o0o0o
Cassandra pounded on Lancelot's door. 'Come on. Answer.' She pleaded silently. She really needed to talk to him. She couldn't find her friend. She hoped Teagan had chosen to spend the night with him.
Upon waking up, Cassandra had noticed that Teagan was not in her bed. It even looked as though her bed hadn't even been slept in. Her breeches and riding tunic and cloak were gone. And on the floor was the simple pale yellow dress she had put on to work in the tavern.
Picking the dress up, Cass noticed that it was soaking wet. Teagan must have gotten stuck in the downpour last night.
Worried for her friend, Cassandra went to the tavern first, hoping that she would still be there, cleaning up. The place was closed up, the lanterns blown out.
Deciding to check the stables, Cass looked to the East. The sun was starting to rise. Streaks of vibrant red shot through the sky. The clouds of last evening thinning. The smell of dew and rain still hung in the air.
Cassandra could even smell the earthworms that come out of hiding when the rain came. She gave a shiver, she hated those things.
Entering the stables, she looked at all the horses stabled there, not sure which one she was looking for. She tried to remember what Teagan's looked like, but her mind was drawing a blank. It was some kind of white, but many of the horses were different shades of white.
Frustrated, she then made her way to Lancelot's room. He would know where she was.
She pounded again on the door, harder this time. She didn't care if he was hung over from too much drink. This was important.
0o0o0o
Lancelot woke up with a start. His head pounding in time to the pounding on his door.
Grumbling mightily, he pulled on a pair of black leather riding trousers, his feet still bare. He was still tying the laces in front as he opened the door.
The tornado that was Cassandra pushed past him to stand in the center of his room, giving him a worried look.
Through sleep-filled eyes, Lancelot looked at Cass. She did not look happy to see him.
The tiny blonde woman stood in the middle of his room. Her blue eyes filled with worry. Her face was flushed and it looked like she may have been running. Her hands made tiny fists as they sat perched on her hips.
Lancelot glanced out of the window that was above his door. Through the shutters, he could see that the sun was just rising.
He groaned, it was to early for distraught women.
Lancelot ran a hand roughly over his face, trying to wake up. Looking back at Cass, he had a moment of dread. Something wasn't right. This young woman was usually calm, collected in her wits.
He saw fear in her face.
"What's wrong?" He knew he didn't do anything. He had been with Arthur all night until a few hours ago. It had to be one of the others. Or Teagan.
His gut clenched. "Teagan?"
Cassandra only nodded, turning herself completely around, looking for something.
"Where is she?" Cass couldn't hide the worry in her voice. She had heard from Sage what had happened in the tavern last evening, while Teagan was working. Tristan had been there. Tristan had been there with another woman. And Teagan had seen them.
Lancelot shrugged. "Not here. I haven't seen her since the field." He said as he pulled a linen tunic over his head.
Cassandra swallowed hard, blushing a bit. He was definitely handsome. His muscles moving as he raised his arms to put his shirt on. And the deep blue of the fabric complimented his dark hair and beard nicely.
She blushed harder when she realized that Lancelot had caught her looking at him.
Keeping silent, his face and eyes bristled with amusement.
Clearing her throat, Cassandra got her mind off the man in front of her. She needed to find her friend.
"Teagan didn't come back last night."
Lancelot sunk to his bed, his hands falling between his legs. "What happened last night?" He looked up to Cass, dreading the answer.
Cassandra looked at this knight who was a friend to Teagan. This knight who loved her like a brother. Sometimes it broke her heart to see him so worried for her. Especially when some things in Teagan's life were mending.
"Tristan was there last night. Arianna was there. Teagan saw them both." She said simply. She need not elaborate, it was no secret that Tristan was seeking comfort in the arms of another. They all had just hoped that Teagan would not notice for some time yet. All had hoped that both hearts would move on before she found out.
Lancelot let his head fall into his hands. His anger starting to rise. It was time to pick up the pieces. And he knew where to start first.
0o0o0o
Lancelot pushed his way into Tristan's rooms without knocking, letting the solid wood door hit the wall beside it. He brought himself to stand beside the scout's bed. It was all he could do to not grab the man by the throat and beat him senseless.
But that wouldn't help the matter. This really wasn't Tristan's doing. He was only reacting.
Instead, he stood there, his anger simmering. Thank the gods that woman was not here. He would have to kill her if he laid eyes on her.
Tristan opened his eyes then calmly sat up in the bed.
"What do you want?"
Lancelot looked at his friend, hurting as he did. He didn't fault Tristan for sleeping with Arianna. Looking for solace in another's arms was something they all did, though not so common for this quiet man in front of him. Tristan had taken that leap of faith, only to have it crumble around him.
Lancelot had to think how often Tristan had listened to him rant and rave about some woman or another. How often Tristan's mere presence had calmed him through so much of what they had seen and been through. How often Tristan had to talk him out of a rage that Arthur and his demands had put on him.
Now, that Tristan was hurting, Lancelot didn't know what to do. He wanted to comfort his friend. But, how do you comfort someone who is so naturally reclusive?
"Teagan's gone." Was all he could say.
Lancelot watched as Tristan's eyes darkened. His face become harder.
0o0o0o
Galahad walked into the great hall, noticing that most of the other knights were already there. Along with most of their women.
He didn't notice anything odd about the gathering as this was becoming custom now. For most to gather for meals. He had to smile, this family of Arthur's was growing by the day.
"Anybody see Teagan yet? I want my knife back." He said as he settled himself in his chair beside Sage.
She smacked him lightly on the hand as he grabbed for a hunk of her bread, dunking it in some broth.
Galahad looked up as his question was met with silence.
Bors coughed, the action causing the youngest of his brood to cry. Vanora stood up, taking the child in her arms to comfort her.
Arthur was fidgeting in his seat. Guinevere sat beside him, also looking uncomfortable. Her hand held tightly in his.
Tristan was sitting slouched in his chair, looking more sullen than usual. His eyes fixed on Lancelot. Who was sitting in his own seat, quiet, not looking at anybody.
Dagonet just sat in his own chair, watching Tristan warily.
"What is going on? Someone die?" He tried to lighten the mood.
"Teagan's gone." It was Gawain who spoke first.
Galahad glanced around Sage to his friend. "What do you mean gone?"
"Gone. As in ran away." Lancelot's voice was hard.
"Oh." Was all Galahad could say.
A/N: Sorry it's not very long. And again, not sure I like it. But I think it goes with the last chapter. We knew this was coming, her leaving. I just wanted to get the various reactions of the men to the news. If I don't have to work tomorrow, I'll work on the next chapter, Tristan's reaction. But, it'll be another short one. Not sure if I'll put in Teagan's yet. Maybe if someone will talk me into it. I'm just not sure it's needed.