The Meeting
Author: Samantha Worthington
Summary: This is a King Arthur fanfic. Galahad/OC. Galahad and the rest of the knights are on their way home to Sarmatia, after years of service to Rome. On their journey, they meet a group of Egyptian soldiers. Galahad falls in love with the General of this army. This is a three part fic. Thanks to I Fancy Hugh Dancy for the inspiration for this story! P.S, this is the first fic that I have let anyone read, so please take it easy on me!:0)
Rating: E for now. It will change eventually! Feedback is greatly appreciated!
Character list:
Galahad
Arthur
Tristan
Lancelot
Guinevere
Bors
Akil - meaning intelligent in Egyptian
Vanora
Katherine
Badru - meaning born under the full moon
Nailah - meaning successful
Mukamutara - meaning daughter of Mutara
Chapter 3
It was late the next morning before Lancelot reappeared. He shot them all a satisfied smile, "Good morning lads!" He replied patting Galahad on the shoulder. Galahad looked at Tristan who just shrugged.
"I guess his pride wasn't hurt too much!" Bors chuckled.
"He probably found a barmaid to mend it for him!" Guinevere replied.
"Two!" Lancelot replied as he strode past her, grinning. The others scoffed loudly.
Tristan sent Saira on ahead before following the path that lead fro the village. The others saddled up their horses and followed the scout.
It was mid-afternoon before they met up with Tristan, who was galloping towards them. Slowing his horse to a stop in front of the group.
"Tristan, what is it?" Arthur did not like the graver then usual look on his scouts face.
"There's a battle not far from here, Saxons!"
"Knights, how do you feel about riding this land of a few more Saxons?" Arthur asked. He was met with the sound of swords being unsheathed.
"Right then, Rrruuussshhh!" He cried stabbing the air in front of him with his sword.
"But Arthur, wait..." Tristan tried to finish his report, but the others quickly rode past him, ready for one more fight.
They rode into the midst of the battle, a large group of Saxons and...monsters?
The knights looked around at the scene, the Saxons where in the midst of battle with half human, half animal warriors.
"What kind of wizardry is this?" Arthur asked, baffled.
"I tried to warn you!" Tristan replied, stopping beside Arthur.
The monsters had the body of a human, but the heads of animals, some bulls, others birds, a lion, a dog, a cow, snake and others they had never seen before.
"What are my eyes seeing?" Galahad asked in a whisper. No one answered, but Tristan.
"Well, these beasts seem to be killing some Saxons, why don't we join them?" He ducked an arrow.
"Rrruuussshh!" Bors cried as they charged into battle. They fought until the Saxons became out numbered and retreated.
The monsters, mistaking the knight as stubborn Saxons turned their attention. Several began to advance on them, speaking in a strange tongue.
"Men, prepare yourselves!" Arthur called as a monster with the head of a monkey swung it's sword at him. Arthur ducked backwards avoiding the curved blade, "We are not the enemy!"
Clashing swords, he quickly looked about for his men. Galahad battled a hawk headed being, Lancelot, a lion, Bors and Guinevere bulls. Tristan had positioned himself in a tree, snipering with his bow. Arthur finally got the upper hand, bringing the monkey to its knees. Lancelot and Galahad had been brought down to their knees as well, swords and spears at their necks.
"Call off your warriors!" Arthur ordered, "NOW!"
The being spoke and the others dropped their weapons, "Artorious Castus?" The being muttered.
"How do you know my name, where do you come from?"
The creature lifted its hands to its head, removing the helmet. "Your not beasts at all! Your men!" Arthur was taken aback.
"Some are men, Artorious! We have heard many stories of you and your knights! Forgive us for testing you. We where ordered not to kill, only to test!"
"Who are you then?" Arthur asked, the man looking very familiar, caramel skin, dark hair and eyes.
"I am Badru, of Egypt!"
"You where in the village last night, where you not?"
"Yes." Then he spoke in his language to the rest, who then removed their helmets.
In awe, Lancelot looked up at Galahads captor and he began to laugh, "Bested by a girl Galahad!"
"Speak for yourself!" Galahad pointed to another raven haired beauty at Lancelot's side.
Galahads gaze turned to his right, looking up at the girl, she seemed very familiar as well.
"Are you the leader of this group?" Arthur asked Badru.
"No, I am not. General Nailah!" Badru called.
Galahads mouth gaped as the woman at his side joined Arthur and Badru. She bowed slightly.
"Artorious Castus, it is a pleasure. I am General Nailah!" She held out a hand. At that moment, both Lancelot and Galahad recognized the woman, the beauty from the tavern. Her face dusted with dirt and specks of blood.
"You can't be serious!" Arthur exclaimed, bewildered, "A woman in charge of this army?"
"And why not? I just bested one of your famous Sarmatian knights. I am the Pharaoh's best soldier!" She replied, keeping her chin held high.
Galahad exchanged surprised and confused looks. Tristan had climbed down from his sniper spot, holding in the laughter, he grinned at the pair and shook his head.
"Well, that's twice in less then a day Lancelot's pride has taken a beating!" Bors exclaimed. "I don't think I'm gonna like the outcome much!"
"Milady, I truly am sorry for my ignorance, it is a shock to me tis all!" Arthur apologized.
"No need sir, I am accustomed to the reaction by now!" Nailah exclaimed. "But do forgive me for this little display, I have heard so much about your knights and when I saw you at the tavern, I just had to test my soldiers against you!"
"I see, so what abut the Saxon's, where they part of your plan?" He asked.
"Yes, they where prisoners. I gave them their freedom for their co-operation!"
"I don't believe it! I just don't believe it!" Lancelot replied, "Beaten by a girl! Me of all people!"
The other smirked, "I must admit, they are pretty good for women!" Bors replied, "Milady, you could move up the ranks rather quickly if you joined them!" He nudged Guinevere.
"Why thank you Bors!" She smiled keenly.
"But milady, you must tell me how a woman such as yourself ended up in this position?" Arthur asked.
"Come, our campsite is not far from here, join us for a meal and we can talk more then!" Nailah replied.
"Knights?" They all nodded their agreement. Mounting their horses, the men followed Nailah's pack of once again masked soldiers, lead by Nailah and Badru.
"What king would let a woman run his army?" Lancelot wondered.
"I think she rather deserves it!" Galahad replied. Bors and Tristan nodded in agreement. "If she can defeat any of us, she should be worthy of the position. After all, we are the fierce Sarmatian knights!" He added with a laugh.
The camp was about an hours ride away. They rode through the trees, hen they stopped, they where overlooking a large meadow filled with wagons and tents, with one large tent in the center.
"Your men can set up camp and rest over there if you like!" Nailah pointed to the southern end of the encampment. "Badru and I must get things ready for the feast! Please, feel free to wander, our home is yours!"
"Thank you madam!" Arthur replied as he and his men dismounted their horses.
"I will send for you when we are ready!" With that, she and Badru rode towards their respective tents.
Nailah's tent was next to the main tent. She pushed back the door flap and stepped inside. Stripping off her armor, she sat back on her makeshift bed. Despite her position, she was in awe that her soldiers had defeated some of the Sarmatians. But her mind kept wandering to the green-eyed, curly-haired knight she had defeated. There was something about him that stirred something in her, but she didn't quite know what it was.
Finally, she put her day dreaming on hold, the feast! She quickly pulled her cloak over her tunic and headed towards the cooks tent.
"Pretty fancy arrangements for an army camp, don't you think?" Tristan observed from his spot under a large tree.
"That's what happens when you leave a woman in charge, everything gets complicated!" Lancelot received a deadly look from Guinevere.
"I don't know why you're making such a fuss over this for? You said she's a worthy fighter and she deserves the rank!" Guinevere questioned, "Why can't women be leaders like men?"
"Women get too emotional and attached, they loose focus!" Lancelot shot back, "Plus, how old is she, twelve?" He received a look from them all, "A female of that age should be worried about marriage and having babies, not trying to save the world!" He finished his rant.
"This woman has really gotten to you, hasn't she?" Tristan replied, placing hand on his chest pocket, containing his throwing knives, just in case he needed to defend himself, as Lancelot shot him a deadly look.
"Don' be daft Tristan!" He replied and walked away. They looked after him and when he was out of sight, laughed profoundly.
"I think that lass really hit a nerve with him! Galahad my friend, you'd best be careful in the art of love and war! Tis never a good outcome!" Bors warned.
"It's not my fault she didn't fall for his games or that her soldiers bested him! No, I won't take blame for his hurt pride!" He replied, kicking a tree stump absently.
"Oh, don't bother Lancelot, he'll find another pretty face to amuse himself with, he'll be fine!" Guinevere replied, "Right Arthur?" She grinned. She remembered how Lancelot had tried for her heart when they first met, but it belonged to Arthur from the moment she heard his voice in the Bishops dungeon. He had gotten over it when he realized that they made each other happy. And how he had longed for Vanora. He would do it again for sure!