Out of Darkness Comes the Light - Chapter 29
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...
I saw recently another story that had the name Ceridwen. I honestly did not get the name from that story. I was rummaging through a site with names, saw it and liked it. I mean no infringement.
KnightMaiden - Here you go! I hope you like it!
op - I'm so glad you think so.
Lady11Occult - Okay? I'm sorry to have held out on you! (grin!)
Cardeia - Sorry that you lost your marbles over this. I swear, I really didn't mean to make it such a thinker. And it's real simple really. And no, she didn't hear him say "Amo." So to her, he hasn't. I think that even though he has admitted such to himself, he hasn't gotten to the point where he can tell her. And he may not even do so. He a warrior on the battlefield. But his private life, up until her, had been to himself. Though he finds himself being drawn out, there is always that nagging doubt...
A/N: So here I am, watching my favorite TV show, Sg-1. And it just so happens that the team is in Britain. Researching a King Arthur legend. Oh, life is good today. Since they can to the AU thing with the Quantum Mirror and pass through different universes, I wonder...
It seems I have to do a little clear up... And here's one last chapter of fluff.
0o0o0o
It was harder to wake up than Tristan had hoped. Both his body and his mind knew he was in no danger. He was quite comfortable where he was.
He had spent a good amount of time after Teagan had fallen asleep just lying there. His thoughts going everywhere.
Teagan had told him that she loved him. And she had done it in a way that he had not expected.
Right in the middle of a damned archery field. With hundreds of people watching.
Tristan lips curled into a smile.
Nothing she did was expected. Teagan did things on a daily basis that completely surprised him. There was so much about her that he didn't know, but was enjoying finding out.
Yesterday he hadn't thought once about bolting like he usually did. He hated confined places. And this city was confining.
But, it had been pleasant walking around with her. It had been nice to just be with her.
It hadn't been because Arthur had told him to watch her.
It had been more than that.
He was beginning to understand what Bors had always been talking about. It was companionship that Bors most adored from Vanora. It wasn't the lovemaking or the fighting or the children.
Bors loved all those things with Van. He knew that she could do much better than him, but always stood by him so matter how bawdy or drunk he could get.
She had accepted him.
That's how Tristan felt with this woman who lay at his side.
A feeling of contentment washed over him. She had accepted him.
Opening his eyes fully, he noticed that it was still dark, but that the first rays of the sun were starting to show.
As he was trying to disentangle himself from her limbs, Teagan woke.
"How early is it?" Her voice sleepy.
Tristan sat up, rubbing his hand absently through the mat of hair on his chest. Turning his neck to get out the stiffness.
"Not quite dawn."
Teagan got up quickly, pulling on her clothes.
She picked up her boots, holding them loosely in her hand. "Come on then."
Tristan pulled on a tunic. "Where?" His voice was muffled as he spoke before the shirt was completely over his head.
"I want to show you something. But we have to go quickly."
Nodding, he followed her out. But not before having to turn back.
He had forgotten his own boots.
0o0o0o
Tristan had no idea where she was leading him. It wasn't to the Blue Fish, they were headed the opposite way. Nor was it to the stables. That too, was in another direction.
She was as quiet as she was quick, picking her way through some back alleyways of the city.
With the ease she was showing, Tristan knew that she had spent a good amount of time doing just this.
It didn't take long before they entered what looked to Tristan like an open field.
The were standing on what was a small hill, with a smaller valley down below them. It was a small wonder this all fit inside the towering city walls.
Tristan looked about himself, there was no evidence of the city at all.
There were cows standing about, some eating grass, some drinking from what looked like a pond further down the small hill they were standing on.
Teagan led him to a small cluster of apple trees.
His body tightened as he watched her reach up, pulling a few of the fruits off their branches.
He shook his head hard, trying to get that image out of his head. He shouldn't be thinking things like that.
Teagan must have seen him. She moved quickly to him, placing her hand on his cheek.
"Are you alright?"
Not at the moment he wasn't. Her hand was so warm, so soft as it lay on his face.
Tristan groaned. "I'm fine."
Teagan gave him a lopsided smile, pulling him down on the ground. Handing him an apple, she pointed ahead.
"Look."
He did and it took his breath away.
The sun was now rising. It's light casting red and orange streaks through the clouds. The heat dissipating the light smell of the night's dew.
Several birds flew over the water, crying their morning greeting.
Movement on the tree near him caught his eye.
Lines of ants were moving around the bark of the tree, going about their morning business. The light from the sun making them look bigger than they were. Making them look ghostly, like shadows.
Tristan watched the ants for long moments. A wasp landed near one of the lines. The ants, sensing an enemy close, attacked the wasp, completely covering the larger body with their smaller ones.
Hearing the crunch of an apple, Tristan looked over to Teagan. She wasn't paying any attention to him, her gaze focused below.
By the pond, there were two large mares grazing, their foals playing around them and venturing into the water. Both squealing when their legs got wet, their mothers nickering at them.
Tristan looked at this woman next to him. At his side.
She sat cross legged, leaning back on one arm, eating an apple with the other.
Her face was serene as she watched the young horses. The slight breeze blowing her red curls about her face. The light from the sun causing her hair to look like it was on fire.
Tristan reached out to her, pulling a stray curl that had gotten stuck on her nose, putting it behind her ear. He let his finger linger on her neck, tracing the path of the tattoo.
Teagan turned her face to him, giving him a smile before turning back to the horses.
"Thank you." It just came out, he couldn't stop it.
Teagan turned back to him. "For what?"
Tristan raised his hand, giving it a sweep around. "This."
She smiled. "You're welcome. I figured that you'd be feeling a bit confined after yesterday. I thought that this would give you a recharge."
Tristan ducked his head, hiding a grin. She guessed him well.
"We should go." He stood up, giving Teagan a hand up.
He watched as she gave a sigh. "I forget. We need to meet Arthur and the others for breakfast."
0o0o0o
Tristan and Teagan had been the last to join the group at the Blue Fish for breakfast.
Both ignored the sniggers as they took their places at the table.
Again, Teagan was hungry and Tristan watched with amusement as she ate her breakfast and part of his with gusto.
It hadn't taken Teagan long to order her supplies that she would need for the tavern at the fort. Her friend Ceri had been a great help. Between the two of them, they made short work of the task.
All that was needed was to load up the wagons that Gawain had arranged for the trip back to the fort.
They would do that tomorrow, getting all ready to leave the following day.
And now, Arthur had again said that everyone had the rest of the day to themselves. They had two more days in Isca to complete their business.
So this time, it was a larger group that had taken to the streets of Isca. Arthur and Guinevere had decided to join them
Teagan had talked Ceri into coming out with them. She loved her friends and wanted Ceri to love them too.
The dark haired woman had been invaluable in showing the group through the crowded streets. The city was in full swing of it's summer festival. The streets were crowded and what wasn't covered in a booth or people, was decorated in bright colors.
Festivities would end this night with the bonfire feast set to begin at dusk. Even now, preparations were bing made for the annual event.
Pigs were roasting in their pits, chickens and turkeys were being plucked getting ready for their own fires. The smell of roasting meats filled the air.
Again there were children running about, several stopping by the jovial group, handing the women daisy flowers. Which the women took the time to put in each other's hair.
Moods were light as they walked and laughed. The knights found themselves walking ahead, the ladies having stopped to look at some pottery.
Arthur heard a hushed whisper, followed by a giggle. The women were up to something.
"And just what are you ladies up to back there?" Arthur called over his shoulder.
Giggles erupted behind them, causing Lancelot to look at the women, his eyebrow arched.
Guinevere and Cassandra pointed at Teagan.
Teagan gave him a pointed look. She smiled sweetly at him.
"See, usually it is us," she gestured to all the women gathered. "It is usually us who are in front of you."
"Meaning?" Arthur asked. He hated to even know.
"Just enjoying the view is all." Yup, she could be as lewd as his men.
Murmurs went through the women, each agreeing with what Teagan had said. Each thinking their man had fine...attributes.
All but Tristan stopped, turning around.
More than one face was flushed red. It was usually the men that made the off-color comments. For it to come out of the mouth of a lady...
Tristan took a few more steps before he turned around. He flicked her an amused glance. It looked to Teagan like he was doing everything he could to control his face. He really wanted to laugh, she could tell.
Lancelot snorted, poking Tristan in the arm.
"Tris, you had better control that woman of yours."
He could only hang his head, his shoulders shaking. "I only seem to be making it worse."
0o0o0o
"I think I will be alright."
"But Arthur said..."
Teagan put her finger to Tristan's lips, silencing him.
"I'm a big girl. And I'll be with three other women." She tipped him on the nose. "I'll be fine."
Tristan looked like he still wanted to argue with her, but she stopped him.
"Look do you really want to spend the afternoon with a bunch of women shopping."
"No."
Teagan reached up on her tiptoes, kissing him softly on the lips. "Okay then."
0o0o0o
Justus was just outside the back door of the Blue Fish when the dark haired barmaid stepped outside.
Quickly, he grabbed her arm, his fingers digging into her soft flesh. He smiled at her wince of pain.
"Tell me what you know of Teagan." He fairly snarled at her, spit leaving his lips as he spoke.
The woman was shaken, afraid. "I don't know a thing. They only got here yesterday."
Justus pulled the woman very close to him. Invading her personal space so much that she tried to take a step back.
"I want you to find out every little thing you can about her. I want you to tell me when I can get her alone. Away from that knight." He placed a Roman coin into the bodice of her dress. His finger tracing the swell of her breasts.
The dark haired woman, pulled herself out of Justus' grasp.
"No. I will not spy on my friend for money."
"Do this, and I will insure that you are kept alive."
Her eyes grew bigger, thinking about what could be done to her. As calmly as she could, Ceridwen pulled the coin out, dropping it at Justus' feet.
"No. I will not be bought. I will not give my friend to you." She quickly backpedaled away from him.
Justus stood where he was, his confidence showing. "You will or you will die."
Ceri turned and fled.
He leaned against the tavern wall, fuming. He had followed Teagan for days, hoping that he would find her alone. She never was.
And the one time that cursed knight wasn't with her, three other women were.
Justus' mind was turning. He would have to come up with something else to get her away from all those people.
0o0o0o
It was a warm night, almost humid, as Arthur led Guinevere to the festival fire.
With heat from the fire, the summer weather and all the bodies, Arthur was glad that he wore a light silk tunic.
It was to be their last night of merriment before they left the city of Isca. And by judging the looks of his men, Arthur was thinking they were taking advantage of it well.
Most of them were already drunk.
Gawain with a cup in hand, leading Teagan's friend, Ceridwen around the fire in a drunken dance. The blonde night tripping on his own feet, causing both him and Ceri to fall in a heap on the ground. Both laughing merrily.
"Seems your men are having a good time, Arthur." Guinevere said from his side.
He nodded. "Seems this bunch can find a good time in everything they do."
Lancelot came bounding into view, also with a cup in his hand.
"Arthur, Guin, have you seen the lovely Cassandra?" He turned around in a drunken circle, stumbling as he did.
Guinevere couldn't help but giggle. "I think, Lancelot, that you've had to much to drink."
Lancelot tipped up his cup, taking another drink. "Never, dear lady."
Arthur laughed out loud as he watched Lancelot stumble away. He felt pity for the petite Cassandra once Lancelot got hold of her.
Taking Guinevere's hand in his he led her around the fire, watching the enjoyment he saw in her face. She was very content right now.
This trip had done her good. She had spent time with her friends, thinking only about relaxing, having a good time.
It had done them all good.
Soon, Arthur and Guinevere came upon the one to whom this trip had done the most good.
Tristan and Teagan sat near the fire on a log. No, it wasn't a log, it was larger, more like a huge tree that lay where it fell.
They were sitting opposite each other. Teagan with her knees drawn up, her chin resting on her knees.
Arthur smiled. Her feet were bare. And she was in a dress.
Tristan was sitting facing her with both legs on either side of the tree trunk. Though his head looked to be hanging down, Arthur could see that he had one hand on Teagan's calf, under her dress.
Arthur watched as Teagan lifted her head, her hand coming to take Tristan's longest braid in her fingers.
Guinevere's brought herself closer to her husband, hugging his arm close her.
"They don't talk much, do they?"
Arthur smiled, dropping a kiss onto her head.
"They don't need to."
0o0o0o
Teagan twirled the leather cord between her finger, feeling the soft ridges of the warn leather.
"I will not leave her here. Not when he's threatened to kill her." Tears started to fall down her cheeks. She would never have any peace from them. She would always be looking over her shoulders.
Tristan brought his body closer to hers, resting his forehead on her knees. "No. She will come back with us."
A/N: I know this is kinda short and so quick after the other, but I just wanted to get it out there. The next few are going to be tough ones.
Cardeia - I know it may not have been in her character, but think about it, it was. For her to say that in a situation that he didn't expect...Shock value. She knows he's not one for intimate things, and she told him in a setting that he was most comfortable in. One his own turf so to speak. And for him to give in to her, he was letting her know that he didn't need to be better than the rest anymore.