Arthur stood up and said, "Well, if you'll both excuse me, I am tired and want to sleep. Perhaps, we can meet tomorrow and do something relaxing? All this work and stress is no doubt not good for any of us."
Lancelot stared at his friend like he was the three-headed dog, Cerberus, of the underworld. Arthur saw the look, smiled, and chuckled softly.
Emogen looked between the two of them and rolled her eyes.
She said dryly, "I'm guessing Arthur is not usually so free-spirited."
Lancelot turned to her and said passionately, "No! I normally to drag him kicking and screaming to do something relaxing that do not include fighting or screaming at one another!"
Emogen looked at the former Roman commander and raised an eyebrow at him.
Arthur had the decency to look a bit sheepish, but he shrugged and said in his own defense, "We were constantly in battle with the Woads before! I was always stressed out and fighting and yelling at Lance was a good release."
Emogen nodded her head in agreement as she said, "Well now, let's get back on topic. What are we going to do tomorrow?"
Lancelot tilted his head and Emogen had to smiled to herself. He was a truly gorgeous man. It amazed her how different he was with her and Arthur, his best friend. When he's with the others, he's rowdy and cocky, but with them he was kind and gentle.
"How about we all go to the lake and have a picnic? We can throw some balls, eat, relax, and laugh together, and we can have some friendly contests of skill?"
Emogen beamed at him and kissed him once again passionately. Arthur smiled proudly at him and had to chuckle again, this time at his friend's dazed expression. Emogen was a good choice for Lancelot. She truly had brought his best friend back.
"Ah, I take it my idea was a good one?" he asked with a silly grin as both his lover and his friend laughed at him.
"Yes, Lancelot, it is a great idea! I'll tell the girls!" cheered Emogen as she jumped to her feet, picked up her skirts, and ran out of the meeting chamber.
Arthur looked at his friend and sat back down. Lancelot looked at him in confusion.
"Arthur, I thought you were going to bed. What's wrong?"
Arthur sighed and confessed, "I'm at a crossroads my friend. I don't know what to do."
Lancelot grew even more confused as he said, "But Arthur, you are sure to become King! Are you having second thoughts?"
Arthur shook his head negatively and said, "That is not my problem Lancelot. I'm confused about my feelings for Guinevere and now about Cordelia! I've known Guinevere for about one week and Cordelia for a few days. But, my heartbeat grows fast, my palms sweaty, and I stumble over my words with Cordelia, and yet I can stare Guinevere down in a contest of wills easily. What does this mean? I mean, by my body's own confession, I seem to like or love Cordelia, but if I can feel so comfortable with Guinevere, does that mean I love her more? I'm so confused!"
Lancelot sighed and said as he stood up and placed a hand on his friends shoulder, "Arthur, this is something I cannot help you with, my friend. This is a conflict you must resolve yourself. But, know this, whenever you need someone to listen or yell at," both of them smirked at this, "then I will be that person for you. All right?"
Arthur stood as well, turned to Lancelot, wrapped his arms around his best friend in a hug, and said as they parted, "Thank you, my friend, I will definitely come to you."
Lancelot pushed him away and said teasingly, "Now, my would-be-king, off to bed with you! You look awful!"
Arthur laughed loudly and exited the room.
When he was alone, he tilted his head to the side and said, "You can come out now Tristran. Why did you not leave with the others?"
Lancelot stared at a certain spot on the wall and watched as the scout revealed himself.
"We stayed to help fight, why are we still here?"
Lancelot rolled his eyes and said, "Tristran, we can leave whenever we want too. I don't want to leave Arthur and Emogen…I love them both too much to live without them in Sarmatia. Plus, the others have found other reasons to stay. Tell me Tristran, why are you still here? Does it have to do with a certain Woad Healer named Ula?"
Tristran glared at his once second-n-command and turned on his heel. Before he left, Lancelot said, "Tristran, think of it this way…what will you do once you are back in Sarmatia? Your mother will no doubt force you to marry immediately, you most likely won't like her, she won't like you, and you'll be stuck doing normal everyday boring chores for the tribe for the rest of your days. Or, you can stay here, marry a fiery woman named Ula, help build a new Kingdom, and most importantly, your sons will be free whereas in Sarmatia, they will be forced into Roman slavery like we were. So, which life will you enjoy more?"
Tristran's strong shoulders sagged, and he left the room as quietly as he entered it.
When he was alone, Lancelot shook his head in awe; since when was HE so introverted and thoughtful about life and the future? He needed to find Emogen and fast!
Emogen was full of happiness and optimism. The talks seemed to be heading in the right direction now, Lancelot and the other Knights all live, and all her friends seem to be falling in love! What more could she ask for? Well, she thought to herself as she stopped in front of her friends, who had gathered around a fire and telling jokes and having fun, Lancelot could ask me to marry him, but lets not get ahead of yourself girl!
"Emogen! How goes the talks?" asked Enys from Galahad's side. She was wrapped up in his cloak with him and leaning her head on his shoulder.
She blinked and found all of them staring at her waiting patiently for her answer.
"Oh, it has been slow, but I think we've had a break through and in four days the talks will resume for our final meetings."
Alma said from Gawain's lap, "That's good news! Does that mean that in a few days we'll have our new king?"
Emogen nodded and said, "Yes, and the Knights, whichever of you decide to stay and no matter who will become king, will receive some kind of power because without their help we would have lost the war."
Bors cried out, "Governorship here I come!"
The group laughed and Ula asked unconcerned, "Where is my shadow anyways?"
Enys, Alma, and Emogen shared a knowing look as she replied, "The last I knew, he was still in the Round Table Room with Lancelot and Arthur. I didn't see him leave when the meeting finished. Why? Do you miss your shadow?"
Ula grew red at her teasing and shouted, "No! I just wanted to know where he is so I can check on his blasted wounds! He's constantly picking on them and I worry he'll break the stitches and hurt himself more!"
Before she could answer, the group heard a man's voice from behind her, "Calm down woman! I'm right here. And my stitches are fine…see?"
To the group's shock, Tristran lifted his tunic top and showed the Healer his perfectly fine stitches. The girls gulped at the sight of his upper torso, and the guys just felt shocked. Tristran had never been so upfront about a woman before! What the hell was going on in his head?
Ula burned bright red at the sight, but stood up and said as she dragged him away, "Come on! I still need to clean it one more time before I can let you go from my care."
Tristran winked at her from over his shoulder and said dryly and with an eye roll, "Sure."
Emogen smiled at the sight of her two friends. They really did go well together. She hoped Tristran decided to stay here in Briton. Ula would be devastated if he left.
Dagonet calmed down and invited, "Please, sister, sit down. You look tired."
Emogen blinked at the title, but remembered that he had adopted her after she healed him, that long week ago, on the ice.
She smiled at the gentle man and sat down between Gawain and her new brother.
"Actually, I came here to tell you that Arthur has suggested that we all get together and have a picnic tomorrow to unwind and relax."
The girls squealed in delight, but the Knights just blinked stupidly at her.
She rolled her eyes and said, "Yes, it was ARTHUR'S idea. Lancelot reacted the same way you did. You know, Arthur can change, right."
Dagonet said quickly from his place beside Fulucina, "It's not that, it's just been a long time since we've actually had a fun day to ourselves. We've always been to busy in these past few years."
Vanora exclaimed strongly with Fulucina nodding beside her, "This'll be wonderful! Maybe we'll even get around to naming the bastards, eh Bors?"
Bors laughed nervously and rubbed the back of his head while the Knights all laughed at him.
"Eh, sure Van, whatever you say."
The red-hared woman, his lover, beamed at him, and snuggled deeper into his chest. He sighed in relief and held her close to his heart. This was heaven.
Emogen looked at the others around the camp fire and felt a bit lonely. She wanted Lancelot to hold her too. Then she looked around once more. Ack! I just got comfortable! Now I have to get up and look for Cordy and Guin! Ah, the things I do to keep peace…
She stood up and said, "Sorry guys, but I need to find Cordy and Guin. Do you have ANY idea where they are?"
Gawain looked up at her and said, "Why are you looking for them Emogen?"
She looked at her lion-like friend and said, "Because, despite everything, Guin is a good person and Cordy is too. Arthur likes them both and they are my cousins. I must go and invite them."
Gawain nodded and Alma said, "I saw Guinevere run by a few hours ago to the Circle of Rocks and Cordy a few minutes ago went in the same direction. I think you'd best take a shield with you though…Guinevere looked mad!"
Emogen rolled her eyes and said crossly, "Joy."
As she left the group, Lancelot appeared like magic in front of her.
"Lancelot!" she exclaimed happily and jumped into his arms. He laughed and caught her with equal cheer.
"What was that for?" he asked when he put her down.
She looked up into his dark chocolate brown eyes and said as she nuzzled her face into his neck, "No reason, I just missed you. Will you come with me…I think I need to stop a fight between Guin and Cordy."
She felt Lancelot gulp when her lips brushed against his neck and smiled. She was happy that she could affect him this way with only small, nearly meaningless, caresses.
"Sure, let's go. I doubt Arthur will be happy about them fighting."
Emogen groaned and said, "For as long as I've known them, they've fought over everything!"
Lancelot looked at her in confusion so she elaborated, "You see, both Cordelia and Guinevere are Ladies of War. Guinevere is in command of the Archers and Cordelia is in command of the foot soldiers. A few years ago, Merlin's second, Draco, was killed by one of the Knights. He needed to name a new second and most of the Woads thought he'd pick his own daughter, Guinevere, but he didn't. Instead, he chose Cordelia. Guinevere was enraged and since then the two have clashed on every little thing imaginable."
"So, Guinevere is Merlin's daughter! She's like the Princess then?"
Emogen stopped and turned to her lover. She could see the confusion on his face and understood. Rome never revealed the reason why Briton was full of female warriors to its conscripts. Rome just ordered the Knights to kill them. She pulled her Knight, to a fallen log and sat them both down thigh to thigh.
She turned towards him and said, "Lancelot, Merlin is only in charge because his wife, my aunt, the Queen of the Woads, is dead. Our people are a matriarchy. My mother, Etain, Guinevere's mother, Aidia, and Cordelia's mother, Kornelia, are the true leaders of our people. When our father's married into the family, they gained power and influence, but our mother's still ruled our people. But then, Aidia died bringing Guinevere into this world, my mother disappeared after a raid by the Scots to the north, and Kornelia was killed in battle against the Knights of Sarmatia before you, and our fathers, Merlin, Merkin, and Duncan, my father, took command until we were old enough to take up our mother's place. Unfortunately, Merlin, Merkin, and Duncan aren't too eager to let their power and influence go. These past three years have seen us in a power struggle with our own fathers. I'm actually glad that Merlin suggested Arthur as King. It will erase the power struggle between our father's and place them in a situation where they have little to no power at all. Perhaps then, we'll finally stop fighting amongst ourselves and have true peace. That is actually why I've been traveling between the tribes. Guinevere controls one group, I control another, Cordelia controls one, and Merkin, Merlin, Duncan, Druidius, and Briac control the others."
Lancelot stared at her in awe. This was a part of Woad life he and the others have no clue of. Now, in truth they hadn't known a lot before their alliance, but they had known something. This piece of information totally destroyed all his beliefs about the Woads…the Picts.
"Well, say something." She said with a smile.
"Ah, well, perhaps, when Arthur becomes King and marries one of them the fighting will calm down? And…"
He froze and started to turn red.
Emogen was curious now. She had never seen him blush so hard.
"And what?" she asked softly as she placed a gentle hand upon his cheek. Unconsciously her fingers began to caress the skin under his bottom lip and the skin just under his ear. Lancelot closed his eyes and sighed in pleasure. This was one of the happiest times he could remember. He didn't want to leave this place, the forest under the stars, to break up a fight between a childish Guinevere and an unfazed Cordelia. He just wanted to stay here with the one he loved forever.
"And, perhaps, when we wed…peace will come to us at last." He whispered with closed eyes because he didn't want to see the disgust in her eyes.
Emogen froze. Did he really say what I think he said! She thought in surprise. She felt him pulling away from her and unconsciously held his head tighter in her hands so he couldn't escape.
She made him stare into her eyes and asked in a soft whisper, "Do you mean that?"
"Do I mean what?" he asked confused.
She rolled her eyes at his typical male response and asked, "Did you mean what you said about marriage?"
His face reddened, but he nodded shyly.
She lunged at him and said loudly and happily, "Yes! That'd be wonderful! I'd be honored to marry such a fine man!"
His face bloomed into a large grin as he fell off the log because of their combined weight. When they landed with her on top of him, he held her close and kissed her with all the passion he could muster from his soul. She returned the kiss with just as much fervor. After a few minutes, both of them pulled apart gasping for breath.
"You know, you'll have to ask me officially when all this government stuff is finished. You'll need the permission of the new king to marry."
Lancelot nodded and then asked cautiously, "Ah, how feverish can a fight between Guinevere and Cordelia get?"
Emogen blinked at the sudden change of topic but answered quickly, "They could honestly kill one another I think if the fight gets to out of hand, why do you aaskk…OH NO!"
Emogen jumped to her feet, hiked up her dress, and ran as fast as she could with Lancelot right behind her.
When they arrived, Emogen shouted out in sadness, despair, and horror, "GUINEVERE…NNNOOO!"