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 4
Galahad trudged off in the opposite direction, muttering to himself. He wandered round the little tent village aimlessly. He peeked into the main tent, where they would be eating. It was decorated elaborately, fit for a king! Then he wandered into the woods on the far side of the meadow, making sure to stay away from the sulking Lancelot.
At least the rain had come to a stop for now. The sky was still filled with clouds. Off to his left he saw movement through the trees. He crept closer, his hand instinctively went to the hilt of his sword, and he could now hear what sounded like one end of a sword fight. A woman's sigh as the sword landed on a tree, the soft steps in the grass, the blade singing through the air.
He gazed into the clearing upon a woman sparring with a tree stump. He watched her back for awhile, taking in each movement, the soft quick steps, and the arc she made with her sword, the way her body moved, so delicately to deliver such a deadly blow. He thought it almost like a dance. Then suddenly, his food cracked a twig, the snap almost deafening in the silence.
The woman turned quickly in his direction, sword at the ready. "Whose there?" She demanded.
"I'm sorry to startle you General, I was just admiring your technique!" He replied, only then noticing she wore only a small white tunic, cinched at the waist by a gold sash. The cloth, now soaked from rain and sweat, clung to her body and her hair stuck to her face as it whipped around in the breeze. She was beautiful, how he wished he had Lancelot's loose tongue to tell her so.
"Sir Galahad, tis a pleasure!" She smiled that smile at him that made the sun seem to shine a bit brighter, her eyes sparkled like jewels. "How can I help you?"
I was wondering the same, milady!" He gestured towards the tree stump.
"Well, I was hoping for a partner. I like it better when they fight back!" She grinned evilly. But Galahad didn't know why, but whenever he was in her presence, his face felt like it was on fire!
He smirked at her, "Wasn't besting me once today enough?"
She laughed, "Practice, practice, practice!" Then stood in a defensive stance, sword over her head, pointing in his direction. She wiggled her eyebrows at him, coaxing him on, "Sir, do not make me charge you!"
He pulled out his sword and came at her. Easily she deflected the blow. They sparred until they locked swords above their heads, "Do you yield?" She grinned.
Galahad shook his head, he was surprised at the strength in her small frame.
"Good!" She kicked her left leg out and swiped his feet out from under him. He landed with a thud and a groan. "Do you yield?" She stood with her feet at either of his hips, sword at his throat.
With one quick movement, he knocked the sword away, kicked up his legs to wrap around her right thigh, which pulled her to the ground and in seconds he was on top of her, pinning her arms at he sides with his knees.
"Never underestimate your opponent, especially when they are down!" He replied, "Now milady, do you yield?"
"Never underestimate your opponent, eh?" She mocked, taking Galahad by surprise, she brought her legs up, knocking him in the back with such force, he tumbled head over heals off of her. Within seconds, she had her sword at his throat again, and he was disarmed.
"You have done it again! You've bested me twice this day!"
"Like you, I have had years of practice and good training!" She sheathed her sword and stuck out a hand to help Galahad to his feet.
"Thank you milady!" He was not accustomed to being helped, let alone by a woman. He was the one who always helped them. He flushed a little embarrassed.
"No sir, I thank you! I haven't had a sparring match like that in quite sometime!"
"Well, you are very welcome!" and he gave her a little bow, which made her giggle. He noticed the childish innocence in her face, which was usually masked with a serious expression, except for when she looked at him, it softened a little.
Milady, if you don't mind me asking, how old where you when you learned to fight?"
She stopped to think for a moment, squinting her eyes, "I believe I was eleven, when I should have been out chasing boys, my mother use to say!" She laughed, "I was more interested in watching my father spar with his men, following every move, and I remember thinking it like a dance!"
"And that was how long ago?" He smiled sheepishly.
"Good knight, if you where wondering my age, I am twenty-two. An old maid, I guess by standards!" She rolled her eyes.
"Trust me, madam, you are far from an old maid!" His face turned crimson as he watched hers do the same.
"Thank you kind sir!" She replied with a curtsy.
At that moment they heard a horn sound. Galahad, startled tore his eyes from her.
"Ah, it is almost time to eat!" She replied, gathering her things, Galahad began to help.
"You must tell me milady, how have you come to be here in this position?" Getting brave, he wanted to know everything about her.
She looked at him quizzically with one eyebrow cocked, "I practice every night before sunset!" They both laughed, she eyed him, seeing the longing for truth, the curiosity in his face, along with a hint of something she could not describe. "My position, ah well, I have earned it, like you. My father, Akil, was the general of the Pharaoh's army many moons ago. I watched him as I grew, training his men. Mimicking their movements, like I have said. Totally against my mothers wishes, of course!" They began to walk back to camp.
"My father, having no sons, embraced my thirst for battle and taught me. When he thought me ready, I was entered in a competition. You see, where I come from, it is not uncommon for women to compete. The Pharaoh's use it as a form of entertainment. I prevailed over all of my opponents. Impressed by this, the Pharaoh had me train more of these women for his entertainment. Becoming quite fond of me and my warriors, he bestowed the rank of captain upon me, my soldiers and I began as royal guards." Galahad walked beside her in stunned silence.
"Upon my current rank being handed to me, my father decided, that in order to repay the Pharaoh for his generosity, he gave my hand in marriage to the Pharaoh's first born son. With the loyalty and fearlessness I showed, made him think me fit for a queen!"
Galahads heart sank at these words. Nailah laughed, "Imagine, a woman of my state a queen! Have you ever seen a queen who could defend herself and her country with almost any weapon forged? One who would sooner roll around in the dirt with enemies then sit on a throne decked out in jewels and pretty dresses?" She shook her head.
"So, this would be the life that you would choose, over the glamorous life of a queen?" He asked, perplexed.
"If I had a choice, I would fight until my last breath was taken! I relish in this freedom, sir Galahad and I will enjoy it while I still can!"
"But what does the prince have to say about your fighting, does he not disapprove?"
"The prince? He has not much to say milord!" He gave her a puzzled look, "The queen has yet to conceive a child, and therefore, I am still free!"
"What! You have been promised in marriage to a man that does not exist?" Now Galahad started to think that the Egyptians where a completely mad race.
"Yes! But I do not dwell on such things. I will be long past child birthing before a prince is old enough to wed! And besides, only the Gods know if there will be a prince, maybe it will be a princess, which I hope is the case!" She smiled, stopping at her tent, "Well, good sir, I bid you farewell for now. We shall talk more later!"
"I truly hope so milady!" He kissed her hand, drawing in the scent of dirt and grass from their sparring, mixed with the sweet smell of sweat, roses and honey. He smiled at her as she entered her tent. She had intrigued him so. She was ever bit the leader in front of her army, but away from that task, she was quite different, still determined, but more carefree, more open. He wondered that they where very similar. Taken at such a young age and thrown into battle, not taking the time to dwell on childish games. He felt as if he could be completely open to her as well and be himself.