I'm going back to school soon, so updating chapters might be a little slow. But I promise to be good

Enjoy!

Chapter 23

Call of Duty

Arthur sighed, dropping the scroll that he held to his side. Stroking his aching head, he tried to imagine what his life would have been like had he not been Roman. He chuckled sarcastically to himself, for it was too hard to think of another life, free from the constraints of Rome. A life he could live carefree, worshipping God and doing his good will peaceably. But it was useless.

Arthur heard the men's laughter in the Great Hall even before he reached to open the door. Nine pairs of eyes looked up at his arrival. He nodded as usual, before making his way along the side of the Round Table towards his delegated seat. A bright grin met him when he came upon his place, and Arthur couldn't help but smile boyishly back at Elaine. It had been a sort of silent agreement among all the men that Elaine should be allowed to sit with them in the Great Hall, as they met for each council. Arthur had established the Table for the purpose of gaining each trusted man's advice, to act as a forum where everyone had a voice. He'd wanted his most trusted friends to be there with him, and who else would have just as much of his respect and trust than Elaine. She deserved to be there.

"Well, Arthur?"

Arthur was brought back into the room, away from his thoughts, by Dagonet's voice. He smiled at the man, who was still holding the bandages Elaine had given him to practice with. Dagonet had gone to her, expressing his great interest in the world of healing, and she'd naturally taken him under her wing. Arthur was surprised to see the giant of a man that anxious to begin, but Elaine had told him that he'd better learn to properly wrap bandages first before he tackled anything more challenging.

"Men, we have been ordered to inspect the Western edge of the Wall. It has been reported that several villages have been attacked by the Woads and burnt to the ground. Our orders are to secure the area and help rebuild certain villages if we can."

Bors groaned, "Oh I hate manual labor." Gawain snorted.

"We leave tomorrow, at dawn."

Elaine sighed, shoving her blood red cloak into her sack, before turning towards the door. She blew out the candles that were arranged all around her chamber, before going out the door and into the darkness of the hall. There was still so much to be done; she had to wash and brush down Luka, add some extra medicines and supplies to her pack, than she had to see Jols about new straps for her saddle that had come loose. Elaine exhaled as she exited the long hallway, blowing strands of her loose hair straight up into the air. She made her way towards the Tavern, where she knew she'd find Vanora busy at work.

Surely enough, Vanora was working away, serving a large, and rowdy, crowd of Roman guards who must have had the night off. Elaine groaned, looking down at her tight long tunic, and even tighter riding pants. She really didn't need the stares and catcalls she knew she would receive if she strode up to Vanora, and pass the group of half-drunken men. Drawing herself up close to the dark corners of the Tavern, Elaine slowly crept by the men, trying as hard as she could to not draw any unnecessary and unwanted attention. She was peering so hard at the men as she went by that she didn't see the figure in front of her until she bumped right into it's strong frame. Elaine grunted, looking up into Tristan's dark eyes. She stepped back, unsure of what she should do. Tristan's hand was holding her arm firmly, his eyes traveling up and down her form. Elaine suddenly grew nervous under his gaze, but at the same time, something deep within her awoke.

"Where are you going, little one?"

"Little one?" Elaine's eyebrow rose, "Choose your words wisely, scout. For they may be your last"
Tristan smirked, letting his grasp on her arm loosen a little, but he still held her. Elaine smiled up at the knight, into his expressionless face. She realized she had been doing that a lot as of late.

"Well, you just aren't one to be lurking in the shadows."

"Oh, I suppose the shadows are reserved for you alone."

Tristan contemplated this, looking up into the air slightly, as he chewed a piece of an apple. Than he looking back down into Elaine's amused eyes, surprising himself as he played along in her little game.

"Yeah, they are."

Elaine giggled, turning back at the crowd. "I was only trying to slip through to Vanora unnoticed."

Tristan huffed, slipping a sliver of apple slowly into his mouth. "Yeah. You can never go through a room unnoticed."

Elaine froze, her heart erupting in a racing pace, as the words that dripped from the scout's lip rang in her ears. Her eyes darted back up into his, and she stared into the dark, mysterious brown orbs, losing herself forever. 'Oh, God help me,' she thought as she was consumed once again by Tristan's presence.

Tristan stared back down at her for a moment, before slipping the rest of his apple into her hand. She raised her palm up, as her eyes dropped hesitantly to the small gift he had just given her.

"You haven't eaten tonight."

And with that, Tristan drifted back into the shadows, disappearing from her sight as he made his way out the door and to the stables, where she presumed he be going. Elaine sighed, bringing the fruit up to her lips. Her teeth slowly broke the skin, delving deep into the sweetness that lay inside. It's nectarous juices flowed down her throat, making her eyes close slightly, as she savored it's goodness. Elaine swore that the apple she ate that night, was the best tasting thing she'd ever come across her entire life.

"Come now, Lamorak. If you don't tell Arthur, then I will."

Lamorak's head shot up from behind the stall door that housed his black steed, and he glared at Gawain who sat arranging several piles of arrows on the ground before him.

Arthur let out a chortle, as he neared Lamorak's stall, wiping his hands with a red rag. Lancelot smirked at the youngest knight, sharing a quick amused glance with Kay.

"Tell me what?"

"Nothing, Arthur," Lamorak said, trying to sound as assuring as he could manage. "Gawain is just drunk."

"No I am not. Arthur, Lamorak's in love."

"What?" Arthur chuckled, leaning his shoulder against the wooden beam.

"What's all this?" Bors said, his attention quickly grabbed by Gawain's mention of Lamorak's affections. "Our little boy has fallen with the sickness, eh? Poor boy, ya betta see Elaine about that one."

Galahad snorted, dropping his sheathed sword upon the ground. Gawain beamed back at the angered Lamorak, whose face was transforming in a million shades of red. Tristan looked up from where he sat in the raised benches, as he restrung his bow.

"Don't know how much that will help," Dagonet joined in.

"It will only worsen the disease, I'm afraid," Lancelot said, winking at Arthur who still stood before the other men, completely lost.

"I'm sure we can do fine without all nine knights, right," Lamorak said glaring around at each knight, "I mean, we really only need three or four. Might as well kill off a few."

Arthur shook his head, "No, Lamorak. Tell me what's going on here."

Lamorak's lips pressed down hard together, as his head dropped to the ground.

"Lamorak is in love with Elaine, Arthur. Isn't obvious?" Lancelot said, slapping his commander's shoulder as he went by.

"Elaine? My Elaine?"

"Who else?"

Tristan stared down upon the young knight, watching as he clenched and unclenched his fists, as his eyes darted back and forth at Arthur. The scout huffed, shaking his head before turning his attention back to hi bow once again. Poor Lamorak was just a fool. Yet, Tristan couldn't help but wonder what Elaine thought of him. He prayed to the Gods that she was him as he did. Just a fool.

"You're joking," Arthur said, looking at the young knight before him. Lamorak looked right back into the Roman's face, his expression unwavering. "You're not joking."

Lamorak sighed, running his fingers through his brown straight hair, "Arthur, I only have the best of intentions when it comes to Elaine. I would rather die than to see her hurt. But…but you never have to worry about that, because I…I would never let anything happen. She is….is a beautiful woman….I mean..girl…um lady, and I admire her ……."

Arthur smiled, clapping his hand down on Lamorak's shoulder. "Calm down, Lamorak. I know you would never bring Elaine any pain. You're a good man. If you truly have feelings for Elaine, than you have my blessings to court her. "

All the men froze in their spots. Tristan nearly dropped his bow.

Lamorak beamed up at his commander.

"Oh, he'll court her alright," Lancelot said, throwing a rag across the stable arena in anger. Arthur was supposed to say what he had said to Lamorak, to him and him alone.

"You should have heard him before," Galahad spoke up, recovering from the intial shock. His voice took on a high falsetto tone, "Oh, Elaine is the most beautiful creature ever to walk the earth. I worship the very ground she walks on, I grovel at her feet. I'd trade anything, my life even, just to feel her in my arms just once, even if it were only for a moment…."

Gawain through a pebble at Galahad's chest, but he was already too late for a warning.

"I had know idea you felt so strongly, Galahad."

A crimson blush graces the cheeks of the young knight, when a smirking Elaine entered the arena. She laughed hard, quickly joined by the other knights.

"It wasn't……I."

Elaine waved him off, "I don't think I want to know."

Arthur chuckled and watched Elaine walk towards her steed's new stall. However, his smile quickly slipped away from his face when he say that she carried a couple of packs. He also soon noticed her riding clothes. 'Oh, no,' he thought as he strode swiftly into her stall. The knights each looked around at each other, confused by the lady's actions.

Elaine was loading the small brown sacks onto Luka's saddle when her brother entered her stall. She smiled at him quickly, before busying herself with brushing Luka's white mane.

"What's all this," Arthur said, pointing his finger around at Elaine's supplies.

"What's all what?"

"All this," he held up one of her bags, showing her exactly what he meant. Elaine frowned grabbing the bag out of Arthur's firm grasp, before turning back to her work.

"What does it look like."

Arthur's chest heaves up and down in annoyance, "It looks like you intend on going somewhere."

"Well then you'd be correct."

"Elaine, you cannot come with us."

Elaine froze, her back to Arthur. He couldn't be serious. He couldn't being ordering her around. She slowly turned to meet his gaze, knowing that very moment that he was utterly, completely earnest.

"What do you mean….."

"You are not coming with us."

"Dear God, Arthur! I cannot believe that you still don't trust my skill. I can take care of myself, I've don't in the past."

"You know that I trust you, and your skills, more than anything else."

"That's a lie. If you really thought that I could handle myself, you'd let me go."

"Please, Elaine. Just stay here. You'll be safe. Do it for my sake, just this once."

Elaine searched her brother's eyes in disbelief. Finally she sighed, yanking loose the bags from Lukas saddle.

"Thank you."

Elaine sighed, leaning her head against the wall of the stall door. She sat upon a low stool watching as Luka slept standing, as she knew horses tended to do. The men had all gone to the Tavern after they'd finished packing to the next day's journey. Arthur had left soon after, promising to come to her that night before she slept to speak with her some more. But she just couldn't bare him at the moment. So she was hiding out in the stables, amusing herself with bits of straw that she twisted in a braid. "You look bored."

She didn't have to look up to know that Lancelot was looming overhead, leaning his elbows along the frame of the closed half-door.

"As much as I could be."

Lancelot chuckled, still peering down onto the top of her head. "Well I have an easy way to remedy that."

"Spare me the details."

"What? I was only suggesting that you come out of hiding and join us in the Tavern. Get your beautiful mind out of the gutter, my lady."

Elaine smiled, despite herself.

"There, that's better. Now what's wrong."

"I…I can go. Why can't Arthur just except the fact that I'm grown woman, with a grown mind.."

"And a grown body.."

Elaine reached up a swatted at the laughing knight. "I'm trying to make a point."

"Trying, but failing."

"It's just that…he should see that I'm not some poor little helpless girl, Lancelot. You were right, I've killed before. Many times. I am capable."

Lancelot nodded, "He does see, Elaine. Arthur knows you're a woman know, and he can see that you are capable of taking care of yourself."

"Than why won't he let me go."

"Because, you are needed here. You have responsibilities here to the people, just as you have responsibilities to the men's welfare. This is really an unimportant mission, honestly. You'll be safer here, but more importantly, you won't be bored."

"Yeah."

The cool morning air nipped at Elaine's exposed shoulders as she ventured out into the still dark fortress. She walked briskly towards the stables, her white nightgown flowing behind her. Tightening the red cloak around her , Elaine entered the stables just as the men were leading their horses out. They smiled at her, none really able to speak because of the fatigue that consumed them so early in the morning. Elaine walked down the stalls, pausing when she came down to Tristan's. The scout was just turning to leave when he saw Elaine standing before him. For a moment, he thought he had been to tired, and that he somehow strayed back into one of his dreams.

"What are you doing here?"

Elaine smiled, "Good morning to you too."

Tristan frowned, "Go back to sleep."

"I didn't want you to leave without this," she said as she reached forward and placed a package in his hands. She didn't let go, folding his fingers around the package, and cradling his gloved hand in both of her small ones.

"What is it?"

"It's a couple of bandages and some aloe leaves. You'll need them."

"Thanks."

"Tristan?"

He turned back to her, looking down at his hand in hers, than looking back into her eyes, "What?"

Before he knew it, Elaine had thrown her arms around his neck, tucking her head into his shoulder. At first, Tristan held his arms out behind her, his body taut and straight. He wasn't used to this type of physical contact and it made him uncomfortable. But soon, the warmth and scent of Elaine's soft body filtered into his mind. He slowly wrapped his arms around her waist, relishing in the fact that their bodies melted together. Tristan dared to rub his palms up and down her back. She felt so perfect.

Elaine smiled against the fabric if Tristan's shirt, sniffing his musky scent into her nose as her lids slid closed. His hands rubbed her back, making Elaine's heart beat faster. Her fingers grazed his long messy hair, feeling its surprising softness. His strong chest felt so comfortable. She could stay like this forever.

Tristan slowly pulled back, but kept Elaine wrapped in his embrace. "What was that for?"

"I just…just be careful. I know that you will, I just…..I mean I know I shouldn't worry, because you're superior at what you do, I just couldn't help but think."

Tristan put a finger to her lips, "You talk to much sometimes."

Elaine smiled, "Just, come back safe okay?"

"I always do."