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 8
The next morning, the encampment was unusually quiet. Most of the inhabitants where still sleeping off the ale from the festivities the night before.
Galahad awoke to the sun twinkling through the fabric of his tent. Rolling over onto his back, a smile played across his lips as he thought of Nailah. Lying under the covers, he replayed last night's events. The smile widening.
But soon, it faded as he wondered, did she mean what she had said, about waiting for a better time, or was that the wine talking?
As he lay there, the sounds of the little village became louder and louder as the patrons awoke. There was the sound of hooves pounding the earth and he heard shouting. Quickly he tossed back the sheets and pulled on his boots, grabbing his sword as he exited his tent.
He was greeted by Arthur and Tristan, who had awoken to the noise.
"What has happened?" He asked, the others faces mimicked his.
"I do not know!" Came Arthur's reply, "Come, let us find out!"
The three headed towards the main tent. They stopped a few passers by to question what was happening, but all they knew was that a scouting party had been sent out before dawn, and they where now back.
Arthur spotted Badru as they got closer to the main tent, "Badru!" He called, 'What is all the commotion about?"
"Ah, Arthur! Good morning!" Badru replied wearily.
"What seems to be the problem on this beautiful morning?" Arthur questioned again.
"Tis nothing really, General Nailah lead a small scouting party this morning. They met a group of Woads who where out hunting, you know how stealthy those Woads can be. Well, it seems that some of the horses got spooked. The General and two more got thrown from their horses!"
"Are they alright?" Arthur asked, concern washing over all three. Tristan practically had to hold onto Galahad to keep him in place.
He wanted to be with her if she was hurt, to comfort her and take care of her.
"Yes, a few scrapes and bruises, they will be fine!" Badru continued.
"Where is Nailah?" Galahad found his thoughts rushing out of his mouth before he could stop them. "I wish to see her!"
Badru gave him a stern look, and then replied, "The General is in her tent, tending to her wounds."
Galahad wiggled out of Tristan's grasp, "Thank you." He replied as he headed around the main tent to Nailah's. Stopping at the entrance, he heard Nailah's voice, she was speaking in her native tongue to another woman. Galahad cleared his throat to gain their attention.
"Who is it?" The woman called.
"Galahad, milady!" He replied.
"Tis fine Mukamutara, you can go now. I can take care of the rest!" Came Nailah's voice.
The woman exited the tent, "Dear Knight, do come in. I'm afraid I'm an awful fright this morning, I apologize!" Nailah replied.
Galahad entered the tent, her back was facing him, she wore a white, backless dress, and for the first time, he noticed her battle scars and some bruising from the fall this morning.
"How are you feeling?" He asked.
She slightly turned to face him, but he could see the cut to her lip, "I am fine, just a few bumps and bruises!"
"Come, let me see." He replied sitting next to her and gently cupping her chin in his hand as he turned her face to him. He winced at the severity of the swollen lip. She had some minor scratches across her face and a black eye. Her arms and hands where marked as well, but like she had said, nothing serious.
She gave him a small grin, then winced at the pain it caused her. "It turns out, my battle horse is easily spooked by the Woads!"
Galahad dipped a cloth in some water, taking her right arm, he gently began to wipe the blood and dirt away. "Yes, the Woads have a way of striking fear into the bravest of souls! It's just a good thing they did not attack!"
She nodded, watching him as he cleaned her cuts. She mused at how gentle he was, making sure not to cause her anymore discomfort. "Thank you!" She replied as Galahad wrapped a bandage around the more severe cut.
He gave her a small smile, "Please, turn." He twirled an index finger in the air. He continued to tend to her.
"You know, I do have a healer to take care of these." She replied, "You do not have to trouble yourself with this!"
"It is no trouble at all. I was concerned when Badru said you where hurt. I wanted to see if you where alright." He flushed with embarrassment.
"As you can see, I am alive and breathing!" She smirked over her shoulder. "But I am much better now that you are here!"
This made his face glow a brighter shade of red. "I am glad that you where not seriously hurt!"
"Galahad, you are a good man!" She smiled as she turned to face him again. "A very good man!" She cupped his cheek in her hand.
He placed his own hand over hers, holding it there, reveling in her touch. He pulled her hand around to his mouth, gently kissing each knuckle, sending a shiver down her spine. "Thank you milady!" He smiled, still holding her hand.
"What did I say last night about this folly?" She arched an eyebrow at him.
"I know it is a hard habit to break. I will try harder next time!" He grinned. How he wanted to take her in his arms at that moment, he surprised even himself at having the will power to hold himself back.
"General Nailah, may I have a word?" Badru's voice boomed from outside the tent.
"Of course Badru, one moment please!" Nailah replied, "Thank you again for coming to see me Galahad. I shall speak with you again this afternoon." She smiled.
"Until then!" He kissed her hand and took his leave. As he exited the tent. Badru stood tall and proud, eyeing him again. Galahad wanted to comment on this, but thought better of it.
"Badru, what can I do for you this day?" Nailah asked as half a smile played across her face.
Badru's reaction to her wounds was not much off Galahads, "Milady," He began to voice his concern.
"I am fine Badru, I am fine. Sir Galahad fixed me up quite well!"
"Sir Galahad." His voice was displeased as he continued. "Milady, have you forgotten your place? You are to be our next queen, you cannot be seen running around with the likes of those knights!"
Nailah stood, fists clenched at her sides, "I have not forgotten my place, Badru, have you?" She replied bitterly. "I am sworn to an unborn king, my allegiance is to our Pharaoh, no matter what the outcome! Until the day the queen gives birth, I will do as I please with no more quarrel from you, am I understood?"
"Yes, milady!" He bowed slightly, still not happy with her response. "As you know, I am sworn to protect you, too keep you away from deaths door until the day a new king is born!"
"Leave Artorious and his men be. Consider them as brothers, now go!" She waved a hand towards the door.
"Milady!" He gave another bow, curtly turned on his heels and left.
'Men! Why do they always think that they know best?' She wondered to herself as she pulled her hair back from her face, tying it with a ribbon.
"Arthur, what's going on?" Lancelot asked as they returned to their camp.
"Nothing serious!" He reassured the others, then recapped the morning's events.
"So no one was hurt badly, then?" Lancelot questioned.
"Nailah took a pretty good fall!" Galahad replied as he took a seat under a tree.
"And how is she?" Arthur asked, concerned for both the General and his youngest knight. He had never seen Galahad act this way towards a woman before and knowing the particulars of her past and future, he worried that the lad was getting in over his head.
"A black eye and swollen lip are the worst of her wounds, a few scrapes and bruises on her arms and back. But she should be fine within a few days." He replied.
"I see, you've become her knight in shining armor, then?" Lancelot raised an eyebrow.
Galahad rolled his eyes and shook his head, "What is it to you?" He spat.
Lancelot held up his hands in defense.
"Lancelot is worried my friend, as are us all!" Arthur replied.
"Worried? As to what?"
"It seems you have taken a great liking to this woman!" Arthur stated.
"Aye, I have, what of it?"
"You do know she is promised to royalty, do you not?" Lancelot questioned.
"I do. But do you know that the royalty you speak of has yet to be born, or even conceived?" He shot back.
"My friend, it does not matter, she still has a duty to her king." Arthur replied.
"So, that does not mean we cannot be together, if that is what she wishes!" He added quickly.
"I,… We do not want to see you hurt, tis all!" Arthur stated, "Just be mindful of your actions. I have seen Badru eyeing you these past few days." He finished.
Galahad nodded, a frown replaced his wide smile now. 'Why is it that everyone can't keep their noses out of this?' He wondered to himself. Pushing away from the tree, he turned and walked into the wood.
"Aaagghhh! Brother, I could use your guidance now, more then ever! I know you weren't too familiar with the ways of the heart, but your advice would be of great use to me now!" He spoke to the air.
He rested his head in his hands, propping them upon his knees. He stayed like this for hours, mulling over his thoughts.