Out of Darkness Comes the Light - Chapter 17
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...
WARNING: Mild sexual situations. If you are bothered by it in any way, do NOT read this.
KnightMaiden - Thank You! I had hoped it wasn't to over the top. And yes, they will. But, me being me, I won't make it to easy. But, I think everyone will like the way I do it.
op - Here's the next chapter. I'm glad you like it.
June Birdie - They are working on it. And it's someone else. I make a bit of a hint here and in the next chapters. I'm leaving it up to you all to see if you can figure it out.
lady11occult - Thank you! And I'm sorry I can't tell. If it wasn't our hero, then who else?
Cardeia - "Pain is good. It lets us know we are alive." A drill instructor I had told me that once. I believe it is true.
I don't know if Teagan is one who likes it rough or not. (But what woman doesn't every now and then?) I think it may be that she just needs him. (She's about to admit it to Arthur. Here.)
As I watch the movie, I have a clear picture of each man in my head. How each one is. You pegged Lancelot as I would have. I read all these storied where Tristan is the quiet, calm, collected one. Always in control of the situation. I see that also, don't get me wrong. But, in my head I see him as having denied himself to feel for others, lest he lose them. I see him denying himself the company of others, lest they be taken away like his family or his fellow knights.
As I said, I redid most of that chapter. I thought it would work better from his view.
A/N: Just to know, this is the same night as previous chapter. Oh, and both of them finally admit that they need each other. Just not to each other.
In the back of her mind, Teagan felt the bed dip, but didn't wake. She vaguely felt her shift being pushed up her legs, but she didn't wake. She was more aware of the kisses being placed on her neck, slowly traveling down her chest. She gave a small moan as hands continued their path up her legs. 'This is a dream.' Teagan thought. She moaned again as lips and teeth found her pulse point, gently nipping. Only Tristan knew of this spot. 'This is no dream.' Her eyes flew open. Only to meet brown eyes, dark with passion.
He fiercely claimed her lips as he settled himself between her legs. Not fighting it, she gave into the passion that this man was invoking within her.
"Why?" She breathed when the kiss was finally broken. She had never questioned Tristan before, but he had been so angry earlier. She had honestly thought that they were no more. The way he had pulled away from her. He had vented his anger on her earlier. When he had done, he retreated to the other bed. Leaving her alone. Before had been anger, frustration, now, it was something completely different.
"I will not loose you again." He said as he looked into her blue eyes. Eyes that regarded everything. Eyes that held such passion with everything she did. Eyes that held his very soul.
The thunder crashed as he bent and made claim to her lips again, just as fierce as before. He heard her moan again as his hands continued their assault on her body. Tristan let out a groan of his own as her hands ran along his back and further, tracing the scars that she knew were there.
Thunder crashed again as the door to their chamber opened. Teagan did not hear it, but Tristan did. Looking up, he saw Lancelot looking at them. He gave him a feral look and bent to continue his loving. 'If he wants to watch, then let him.' He took his time, his anger having been spent earlier, he now took the time to enjoy himself, enjoy her. He was gentle, attentive to her every need.
In his mind, he was making it up to her for being so rough.
0o0o0o
Lancelot had just wanted to check on Teagan, to make sure she was still there. To make sure that Tristan had not run her off. So it was a surprise to find the barricade across the door. As he opened the door, he didn't expect to see what he did. The pair were in the obvious throes of lovemaking. Their passion was obvious. He couldn't help but watch. He had never seen Teagan this way. When Tristan looked at him, he saw a possessiveness in his friend he had never seen before. The look he gave was savage.
The rain pelted him as he stood there watching. He couldn't tear himself away until he saw Teagan's white leg snake out from under the covers and wound itself around Tristan's back. Closing the door, he smiled a sad smile. He wondered if he would ever have a woman give herself so completely to him as Teagan had to Tristan. Someone to give him the passion she gave him.
0o0o0o
The sun was just coming up when Tristan woke. Trying to move, he realized that he couldn't as there was another body in the bed.
Teagan.
She was tucked under his arm, her cheek laying against his heart. He lightly pushed back a lock of her hair as she had done to him the day before. As he did, he noticed the bruises that were beginning to show on her neck. He saw blood and vaguely wondered how it had gotten there.
Last night's events came to him in waves.
Overwhelming guilt washed over him as he realized he had put them there.
Tristanquickly bundled Teagan into a thick blanket of furs and brought her to Dagonet. As he lay her down in an empty bed, he was grateful that Dag didn't lecture him on his treatment of Teagan.
But Dagonet was concerned for his friends, both of them. He was convinced that this was the best course of action. Both of them had needed to face their fears. Their fear of each other.
The fact that they were both still living was a bonus.
Glancing up at Tristan, he noticed the blood seeping through the white of his linen tunic. "Let me look at it, Tristan."
The dark knight shook his head. "No. I'll heal. See to her."
"She is fine. Let her sleep. I want to check your side anyway."
Nodding numbly, Tristan sat in a chair that was beside Teagan. Pulling off his shirt, he winced at the pain he actually felt. Not so much from his side, which did pull at the stitches, but his back.
Dagonet whistled. "A little painful is it?"
Tristan could only glare sideways at his friend. "Is it that bad?"
Dag chuckled. "No. Not really. You just won't be able to sleep on your back for a while. How do you feel?" Not quite the question to ask the solitary knight, but one he needed to know. In case Teagan asked when she woke.
"Confused." Tristan answered honestly. "Dag? Do you believe in soul mates? One perfect love for each person?"
Dagonet nodded. He certainly did. He was surprised that Tristan did. "You've found yours. Haven't you?"
Tristan could only nod. His eyes on the sleeping woman.
0o0o0o
As Dagonet was washing Teagan's face, she woke up slowly.
"Dag?"
"Yes, love."
She looked around, trying to catch her bearings. "How did I get here?"
"Tristan brought you."
Teagan nodded, trying to stretch as much as she could. She yawned. Her body was sore and her eyes still heavy.
"Dag...I should tell you something. Tristan didn't..." Her voice drifted off. Her mind wouldn't let her finish.
Dagonet came over and pulled the fur closer to her chin, smiling when Teagan burrowed into it further.
0o0o0o
"Will she be alright?" Arthur's voice was concerned. Tristan had come and told him the entire thing. Then asking permission to leave the fort. To get away from Teagan. Tristan knew that if he continued this course of action, he would end up killing someone. And he was convinced that Teagan would not want him after last night.
Arthur agreed to send Tristan on a dispatch run. It would take him away from the fort for a few days. Time to give the scout time to think. He had left immediately.
Arthur was waiting to see Teagan himself before he gave the scout permission to leave permanently. In the back of his mind, he was concerned that Tristan would vent his anger on other women, like he had Arianna.
Arthur's mind simmered. Tristan was still saying that he hurt Arianna. And now, it looked like he took it out on Teagan.
Arthur looked down to where Teagan lay. She lay there sleeping peacefully.
He gave Dagonet an almost helpless look. "It had to come to this?"
Dag lay a hand on his friend's shoulder. "She knew what would happen. It's not that bad."
Arthur looked stricken. "But it's so brutal."
"Arthur, some things necessary. Tristan needs someone who understands that. Someone who accepts unconditionally. Teagan is that someone for him."
"But. Still."
Dagonet let out a chuckle. "Besides, he didn't come out of this unscathed."
Arthur whipped around, surprise on his face. "Are you saying she fought him?"
The bigger man shook his head. "Not exactly."
Laughter and devilry were evident in his eyes. Arthur caught his meaning. "So our little Teagan gave Tristan a taste of his own medicine." Arthur felt better.
Maybe this was not for nothing.
Dag just nodded his head. In his opinion, this whole thing had turned out better than he had hoped. Teagan wasn't in any danger. No serious injuries. She looked worse than it actually was. As much as Tristan wanted to say he had, he hadn't hurt her.
"Listen Arthur, Tristan needs a partner who knows that unpleasant things must be done. He needs someone who doesn't argue about things that cannot be changed."
Arthur gave a bitter laugh. "It's sad that it had to be Teagan."
Neither had noticed that Teagan had sat up on her cot, listening to the two men talk about her.
"If it wasn't me, then it would be someone else." She said from behind the two men, causing them to jump.
Arthur whipped around. "I'm sorry."
"Why?" She shrugged her shoulders. "I'll live. It wasn't as bad as you think."
Dag came over to her and sat on the cot, causing it to dip with his weight. Teagan was grateful for his support. She had a feeling that she was in for another fight. This time, with Arthur.
Sure enough, Arthur was angry. His face bristled with it. "But, he had no right to hurt you like that."
Teagan tried to stand and found her legs would not hold her. She wanted to tell him what she had found out.
Dagonet put out his hand to support her.
Arthur used it as more proof. "See, you cannot even stand."
"Arthur." Dagonet warned. "This isn't your fight."
Teagan nodded in agreement. "He's right Arthur."
"No. Teagan. This is my fight. I am commander of this fort. You are under my protection. And one of MY knights did this to you."
"Arthur, it was my choice." Her voice sounded resigned.
Arthur shook his head. "No. It was Tristan's. He stepped over that line." Maybe he should let Tristan leave. But if he did, then nothing would be solved.
Teagan attempted to stand. And with Dag's help, she could, though her legs were a little shaky. She came to Arthur and put her arms around his waist. He tightened his arms around her, pulling her close.
"I just don't like seeing you like this." He whispered into her hair.
Teagan pulled away and smiled at him. "I'll live Arthur. I knew full well what was going to happen. And he did not beat me."
"But...?"
"No buts." She put her hands on her hips, earning a chuckle from the still seated Dagonet. "Do you still need him at this fort?"
Arthur nodded. "Yes. We need his skills."
"Okay then." Her eyes softened. "Will you do something for me?'
"Of course."
"Before you pass more judgement on him, wait and see how this plays out. I need him as much as you do. I gave him something he needed last night. The next move is up to him."
Both men could only stare at the woman in front of them.
Dagonet with hope.
Arthur with doubt. And maybe some hope.
Teagan took a blanket off the cot, pulling it tight around her. As she inhaled the scent that was Tristan, her mind went to the events of the past evening.
He face softened as she looked at the two men in front of her. They obviously cared for her very much, to be so worried over her wellfare.
Her stomach grumbled, interrupting her thoughts. "I'm starving. If you gentlemen will please excuse me, I'm going to take a bath and go find something to eat." There was confidence in her step as she strode out of the infirmary.
0o0o0o
The tall figure slipped further back into the shadows as he watched Teagan leave the small building that was the infirmary.
The man tried to get a closer look, but couldn't because that would give him away. He needed to make sure that this was actually the woman he had been sent after. It had been so many years since he had seen her last. And he had already been mistaken once.
The woman he had thought was Teagan didn't have the tattoo he was told to look for.
He hadn't minded though. That whore had been more than willing to bed him. The man smiled to himself. The whore, Arianna was her name, was such a willing thing. For a price. In fact, every woman was willing for a high enough price. He had enjoyed her thoroughly.
He hoped Teagan was worth the price on her head. He would love to sample her, had he not been warned not to harm her.
Now, this whore of a woman was so afraid of him now to speak. So far, she had told no one that she had been with him.
In fact, it was some fool of a knight that had taken the blame for her rough treatment.
The man smiled again, this time more sinister. So far things were working quite well at this fort.
A/N: Hope you all like this one. It's starting to calm down a bit. And before anyone asks - I'm NOT telling you who it is in the shadows. But I will hint: It's NOT Victor. LOL!