Tristan's Peace - Chapter 12
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters that you may recognize from King Arthur. Nor do I own any that you may recognize from the Dark Hunter Series by Sherrilyn Kenyon. I am merely playing with them for a time. So please don't sue me, I have no money. Nada, zippo, zilch.
KnightMaiden - So, I give you ideas huh? Good. Glad to have beenof someuse. Now let's hope she keeps Day with Tristan. No, these twoareNOT going to be seperated again. This I promise.
Melosine - Here are a few things that I hope will fill in some blanks. You mentioned things that Ialready have plans for. But,if it seems that I'm forgetting, remind me. I work with old people and old-timer's is catchy.
Cardeia - I know I said I wasn't going to post. But, this was just sitting on my computer. Looking all pretty like. And I've had a stressful day at work. Needed to get my pressure down.
I have an idea on the torc. One you gave me so long ago. You'll like it, but won't see it for a while yet. It's in this new story that I'm doing. A little piece called 'The Taming of Lancleot.' Maybe you've heard of it?
Books - I am a bood fiend. Think I've spent more on books than on groceries. But not as much as on coffee. I gave Teagan my downfall. And my daughter has gotten my love for books also. We read so much.
The bites. I've often wondered that also. See, in the books, DH bites are supposed to be deadly. You some of them bite and all is well. Something about how we see vampire bites. All sensual like. And one of them (Zarek), snacks. His book "Dance with the Devil" is who Tristan is based loosly on. So that would be a great one to read. Though, there is an order. For inside stuff that I don't go into here. The DH site would tell you more. But as a warning, they are very smut filled. Very. But, a quick weekend read. Ash, he's the very first DH. So he's more the prototype. He has his flaws. They've gotten better since him. But, none are as powerful as him I've tried to get that somehow Teagan is related to him. Hense why he's brought her over and Artie can't touch her. And since in his human time, Acheron was castrated (Long story) no DH can procreate. But, as with biting there have been exceptions. (NO! T & T will not become parents again in this life) And Ash brought her over right before Artie made Tristan. She did it to spite Ash. For whatever reason. And no, I don't plan on doing a thing with her. She's to complicated and I don't like her.
Hope that helps you along. Maybe to understand more. And I so want to see that torc now. What's the name of that store? And do they have a website?
Now, on with the story.
2005
Teagan stirred, trying to move. It didn't take her long to remember that she wasn't alone in the bed. As she tried to move again, arms tightened around her, pulling her closer. Panic started setting in. She never shared her bed. Not with anyone. Especially ones that had arms as strong as these.
Struggling more, a low rumble came from behind her. "Sshh, it's alright." The faint scent of leather and horses wafted to her nose.
Tristan. She smiled, she snuggled closer to him, her back pressing into his front.
"Go back to sleep. The sun has not set yet." He said as he adjusted his hips into hers, his face becoming buried into her mass of hair.
Teagan nodded into the dark, her eyes closing again. Sleep not that far behind. The sound of an early evening thunderstorm rumbling in the distance, her mind nagging at something that Acheron had said.
468 AD
The tavern was crowded, almost filled to the rafters with people as Teagan made her way to the large bar. The air was thick and stale, the humidity of the evening's rain stuck into the large rooms. The rain had done nothing to quell the heat, only making it worse.
The heat and humidity of theevening only making her stomach roll more than it had during this entire day.
Maybe it was a good thing that Tristan wasn't in the fort this night. She doubted that she would be able to take the hotness of his body. She felt like stripping down to nothing right now. She smiled thinking that she didn't want to attract the unwanted attention of Lancelot this evening. He had already been glued to her side, much to Cass' chagrin. All she really wanted was some peace and quiet.
After stumbling over someone's feet, Teagan finally made it to the bar, her hand coming in contact with something sticky. Her stomach immediately revolting. It was a good thing nothing was in it.
"Van, I need some hot tea." She said between gags as shook her hand, trying to get the offending substance off.
Dagonet noticed that Teagan looked a little pale. "Teagan? Are you all right?" He pulled out a rag, handing it to her.
Teagan nodded. "I'll be fine."
" 'Av you told him yet?" Bors' face broke out into a huge smile and Teagan noticed that he was missing a tooth. 'Must've happened on this last run out.' She mused.
"No Bors, I have not" She heaved a sigh. Wonderful. Bors knew. He'd never keep a secret. "And don't you dare." She glared a bit at the big man.
Dagonet laughed. "You know, as sharp as Tristan is, he sure does miss things." He took the rag from Teagan, gently guiding her to an empty stool next to him.
" 'Specially when it's right under his nose." Bors roared.
"Van, I really need that tea." An exasperated Teagan said, he head finding contact on her arm.
0o0o0o
Teagan couldn't avoid it. Guinevere was away with her family until Arthur came back from this trip. It was up to her to meet and greet the incoming visitors. Especially the high ranking ones such as Commander Victor Imperioli. He was a month early for his visit.
Arthur had taken the knights and a few others to look at a new area of Britain. An place he had hoped would be centrally located. On in which he could command and rule better. Being located as such, he could send out his troops quicker than he could currently.
They had been gone for nearly two months. Had left a week after Teagan had told Tristan she was pregnant. Teagan had thought he was going to have a heart attack, he was so surprised by her news. He had become so angry, avoiding her at every turn. Had spent the rest of the week before leaving in Lancelot's old room. He didn't speak to her much. And she didn't speak to him. She could be a stubborn as he.
She was nearly four months along now. And she missed Tristan terribly. Hopefully, these months away would let the thought of children sink into that fat head of his. That maybe he would at least accept it. She still had no idea why he reacted the way he had. It was like he didn't want a child at all.
Teagan shook her head. She didn't need to be thinking about that right now.
Galen would be with Victor. She had already heard it from Cir. The old stable man had filled her in on the newly arrived visitors. It had been so long since she had seen him and her heart was happy at the thought of setting eyes on him once again.
Teagan couldn't wait for the others to meet him.
She met up with the squire before she entered the table room. He didn't look any happier to hear about them arriving earlier than expected. "I hear we have visitors, Jols."
He fairly rolled his eyes. "Yes. We do. And the commander is asking about you."
"Oh, joy." She muttered to herself.
0o0o0o
Teagan curtseyed to the Roman Commander. Which was getting harder to do in her current condition.
"Commander Imperioli. It is good to see you again. What brings you to this fort?" She put on her best diplomatic face. She shrugged inwardly. Once the move was completed, Arthur wanted her to take on the more diplomatic of the duties. This was great practice, Jols had said.
Right. Her stomach wanted to revolt her and now.
Victor Imperioli took his time eying Teagan up. Taking in every shape of her body. From the way she was holding herself up to the hard glint her eyes carried. "I have business with Arthur Castus. But, I was told that he is not here." It was too bad she was pregnant.
But, that could be remedied.
Teagan looked at Victor Imperioli with contempt. It had been 14 years since she had seen this man. She shuddered inside at the thought of what he nearly did to her. And what he was probably still doing to his men. Just the way he was looking at her made her skin crawl.
"You are right. He and his knights are away. They will not return for another week or two." She told him as calmly as she could.
Imperioli couldn't contain his happiness at this news. "Ah. That is too bad. We are in no hurry. We will wait."
"How nice to hear." Teagan's voice was clipped. Her rising anger and disgust nearly coming to the surface. She turned to Jols, who was standing so close to her, she nearly bumped into him. She couldn't help but chuckle at the man. He was such a dear. Arthur had made sure that Jols would be her companion as he needed to take the rest of the Knights away with him.
Teagan rested her hand upon his arm, earning a toothy smile from the squire. "Please, Jols. Go find him and his men some rooms."
"Yes, milady." Ignoring Imperioli, Jols moved to carry out his task.
Teagan sat in the first available chair. Gawain's or Galahad's she thought absently. Looking up at the man, she could see his smugness. There was something more than just some business with Arthur. She could feel it in her very bones.
"What do you really want? Commander." She asked him, taking a drink of water. Hoping that he couldn't see her hands shaking.
No such luck. Victor saw the trembling in her hands. He smiled, knowing that his very presence was causing her discomfort. He moved closer to her, a pleasant smile on his pale, gaunt features.
"As I've said. I have business with Arthur." He leaned close her, his hands brushing hers that she had resting on the round table. "But, seeing you here is such a boon. I have missed you so."
Teagan snatched her hand back, wishing she could stand quickly. Wondering what was taking Jols so long to come back. She took a huge breath in, her mind steeling itself to the man next to her.
"Horsecrap. I know you sent Justus to find me. I know he told you that I was wed to another. I'm just surprised that it took you so long to come for me yourself."
Victor straightened, watching her intently. Trying to gauge her mood. Right now she was showing nothing. No emotion at all. Even her eyes were expressionless. She had grown up. Before, he could read her like a book. Now, she was becoming the diplomat that was rumored she was.
"I understand that you are wed to one of Arthur's knights?"
"Yes, I am."
Imperioli looked at her expectantly, trying to read her. "Well?"
She just stared at him, face impassive. "Well? Well, what?"
"Which one is it?"
"That would be none of your concern. Commander." Teagan looked coldly at him, dropping the impassive look. She didn't know how Tristan kept it up for so long. "I'm surprised that you didn't beat the name out of Justus." She added the last with as much sarcasm as she could.
Victor Imperioli looked smug. He always looked smug to Teagan.
"He couldn't remember the name. I will just ask someone else." He didn't tell her that he already knew the name of her knight. He didn't tell her that he knew the fate that had befallen Justus in her hands and the knights. Justus had done well, sending word where she was and her current activities. He had done what he was told to do. Except for bring her back to Rome. His beloved Justusnever made it back to Rome. But, he would get her. She needed to pay for the harm she had done to Justus. She would become his. And there was no way anyone would stand in his way. There was no doubt about that.
Jols took that moment to enter the table room, the great hall. "Lady, Commander. The rooms are ready."
Teagan got up from the chair she was sitting in. Only Jols had noticed that it was Tristan's chair.
Her eyes blazed at Imperioli. "If you will excuse me, Commander, I need to rest."
A/N: So, now we finally meet Victor. And with Victor, comes Galen.