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 9
The day flew by with no signs of Nailah. Everyone was hurriedly packing and preparing for their journey back home. Figuring that the beautiful General was resting after her fall earlier that morning or carrying out some military duty, Galahad assumed a seat next to the fire, sulking.
"What's the trouble lad?" Bors asked, sitting across from his young friend.
Galahad shrugged his shoulders, absently poking the fire with a stick. "Bored I guess!" He sighed.
"Ya know, I was just gonna go see if the others need some help preparing for tomorrow." He shot a thumb over his shoulder towards the main village. "Wanna come help?"
Galahad only nodded, waiting for the portly knight to rise before following his movements.
"So how is the lady Nailah anyways?" Bors tried to make small talk, even though he honestly wanted to know. He liked the General, woman or not. She was smart, beautiful and deadly, just how he liked his women!
"I don't know, I haven't spoken to her since this morning." Galahad shrugged.
"Hmm, you haven't checked up on her yet?"
"No, I thought she might be resting or busy with her soldiers."
"Ah, boy, go, see to the lass. I can manage to help these buggars out myself." Bors smiled, patting the knight on the back.
"Bors, why is it that you and Guinevere are the only two that are encouraging a relationship between Nailah and myself?"
Bors thought about that fact for a moment, "I guess it's because we both know that determined, doe-eyed look you have for each other." He grinned. "Like I said before, you remind me of myself when I first started courting Vanora!"
Galahad nodded, "And after all of these miserable years on this hell of an island, you deserve to find peace and happiness, like me!"
"Thanks Bors!" Galahads smile returned, "Well, I'll be off then!"
Bors gave him a stern look, "And boy, heed Arthur's words, ye be careful!"
Waving a hand over his shoulder, Galahad replied, "I will Bors!" And headed towards Nailah's tent.
"Nailah, are you there?" He called as he reached the entrance. No answer. 'She must be resting.' He thought.
"Sir Galahad?" Mukamutara called as she saw his retreating form.
He turned at the sound of his name, "Ah, good afternoon Mukamutara!" He smiled.
"Are you looking for General Nailah?" She asked, stepping up to him.
"Yes milady, I wanted to check up on her. Is she resting?"
"Oh no sir! She is too stubborn for rest! If you beg my pardon!" She blushed, "She went for a walk not long ago milord, I believe she said something about sparring."
"She must be well then!" He smiled. "Thank you Mukamutara!"
She curtsied and called after him, "She went that way milord!" She pointed a finger to the left of the meadow.
Quickly he changed course, giving the woman a nod of thanks. He weaved his way through the trees and brush until he heard the sound of swords clashing together and the exasperated sighs coming from Nailah, then a half hearted male laugh that he quickly realized as Tristan's.
"That's odd!" He thought.
"Again!" He heard Nailah reply. Tristan laughed in response.
"As you wish milady!"
He could see them now, through the bushes. Nailah was wearing her battle armor, all except her helmet. Her hair whipped around her face as she blocked and counterattacked Tristan's advances. Her beautiful face was set like stone in concentration.
But her concentration was broken as she saw movement out of the corner of her eye. This distraction was enough for Tristan to gain the upper hand and bring to her knees.
"Well done Tristan!" She replied with a bit of a frown. "You are a fine opponent indeed!"
"Thank you milady!" He replied, helping her to her feet.
Nailah focused her attention in the direction of her distraction. "But I would have defeated you if it where not for a certain young knights distractions!" She eyed Galahads form resting against a tree, watching them contently.
"Good afternoon Galahad!" Tristan replied, sheathing his sword. This woman was amazing, she brought the good out in everybody, including Tristan!
"And to you both. But now why do I receive the blame for this loss my dear General?" He grinned.
"Your unsheathe movements through the wood distracted me! Causing Sir Tristan to gain control over the match!" She replied bluntly, crossing her arms across her chest, trying to erase all traces of humor from her face, but to no avail, she broke into a smile at the sight of him.
"Well, I'll leave you too alone!" Tristan mumbled as he headed out of the clearing.
"I see you're doing well this afternoon." He smiled, "I'm glad to see it!" He noticed the swelling in her lip had slightly gone down.
"Yes, I almost feel like myself again, thanks to you!" She smiled brightly.
"Come, take a rest. You look exhausted!" He replied, taking her by the hand. They sat beneath a large oak tree.
"So, you've found a new sparring partner, I see?" Galahad asked a little dejectedly.
"Well, seeing that my last partner was a better dancer then a fighter, I thought Sir Tristan would be a better opponent!" She grinned wickedly.
He looked at her, mouth agape, and then broke into a smile as Nailah began to laugh, "Is that so now, you think me a better dancer then a fighter?"
"Well, actually, yes!" She laughed, "I did best you twice yesterday, did I not?"
"Well, yes, you did, but…" He began but was stopped as Nailah brought her face closer to his and placed a hand on his cheek.
"But I think you a better kisser then a dancer!" She closed the small gap between them, locking her eyes on his. Gently tangling his fingers in her hair, he softly enveloped her lips with his. As the kiss deepened, she felt the sharp sting in her lip and lightly moaned. Mistaking this as pleasure, he forced the kiss, making her pull away.
"I'm sorry, I… I completely forgot!" He apologized, seeing her place a hand to her mouth.
"It seems milord, that you have an uncanny way of making me forget such things as well!" He could see the smile play across her lips behind her hand and the light danced in her eyes playfully.
He had to fight the urge to pull her into another embrace, for fear of causing her more pain. Instead, he kissed her forehead letting her head rest at the crook of his neck. They stayed like that for a few moments in silence.
He, they, both where amazed at the feelings that washed over them every time they where near one another. Their hearts leaped at just the thought of the other.
"So, tell me, why you chose Tristan as a partner, I mean, he's not exactly the most approachable out of our bunch!" He gently ran his fingers along her arm.
"Good knight, do I detect a hint of jealousy?" She glanced up at him in mock disbelief.
He felt his face turn a deep crimson, "Well, I… ah…" He was not only unfamiliar with the feelings of love, but with the feeling of jealousy and protectiveness that came along with it.
"Well, let me assure you, there is no need for the like." She settled her head back on his shoulder. "I noticed Tristan and Arthur sparring this morning. He does not use his strength to his advantage, he relies mostly on precision and speed, which would help myself and my female warriors prevail more so in battle. As our strength, though it is great, does not compare to that of a man's. So I asked him to teach me his ways."
"I see. You are always looking for a new way to improve, even though I think you are perfect the way you are!" He let that last part slip out and cursed himself for the embarrassment he felt. For that sounded like a line straight out of Lancelot's mouth.
"It amazes me, how you, how we can be so open with each other, after being acquainted for such a short time!"
He nodded his agreement, "Why do you think that is?"
"I don't know, maybe Hathor has a plan for us!" She replied, twirling her finger around a strand of his hair.
He gave her a questioning look, "Hathor?"
"Yes, she is the Goddess of joy, beauty and love. Maybe she thinks that we have had enough torture and death brought upon us, that it is time for us to experience some happiness!"
He contemplated this idea for awhile, then accepted it as the answer, a God, even if it was not his own, had finally granted him freedom and happiness! The two things he so desperately fought for for all these years.
During his thoughts, he must have fell into a light sleep, for when he opened his eyes, the sun was low in the sky. He felt the rhythmic rise and fall of Nailah's chest as she dozed peacefully in his arms. He gazed upon her for a few moments, memorizing every detail of her face, before finally deciding to wake her.
Brushing his fingers gently across her cheek, and tracing the outline of her marked lip with his thumb. She sucked in her lip at the tickling sensation, which made him chuckle. Wanting to bring that childish pout back to her face, he repeated tracing her lips, which made her eyes flutter open as she drew in her lip again. Watching him through sleepy eyes as he continued to find her actions humorous.
"Hmm, how late is it?" She sighed as she hugged closer to his chest.
"I'm not sure, but as much as I want to stay here like this, I fear we must get back!"
He laughed again as she pouted with eyes closed, "But I'm so comfortable, five more minutes, please?" And cuddled in closer, hugging him so tight he found it hard to breath, or was it just being in her presence that took his breath away?
Kissing her forehead, then her cheeks and leaving a peck on her nose, he tried to pry her arms from him.
"If you keep that up, I fear we won't make it back until dawn!" She looked up at him out of the corner of her eye, grinning widely.
"Come, we must go! Can you imagine if Badru where to find us? He'd run me through!"
"Oh, don't worry about Badru, I have taken care of him!" She replied.
"Oh really?"
"Yes, this morning, after you left. I informed him that I shall live my life as I choose, not how he or anyone else wishes!" She sat up and looked at him.
"I see." He replied, "And will that not anger him and the king?"
"Oh Galahad, I am loyal to my king and my soldiers, but we all know that I will never be queen of Egypt and I don't want to be quite frankly. I have a life to live, I will not rot away waiting for a marriage that will never come! Right now, I want to focus on you and me!" She kissed him with such passion, pain pushed away as she climbed onto his lap, fingers entangling his hair.
He let his hands roam down her arms, across her back, letting them rest on her hips. She trailed kisses across his bearded jaw and down his neck to his chest. Causing him to gasp at the sensations shooting through his body.
Bringing her face to his again, he captured her lips with his, gently. Running his knuckles softly along her jaw. A soft moan escaped her throat which made him smile against her mouth.
They where so caught up in each other, they did not hear the rustling in the bush as Bors stepped into the meadow. Catching sight of the young couple at such an intimate moment, he blushed, and then regained his composure. He cleared his throat, which they did not heed.
"Oh brother!" He whispered, clearing his throat even louder this time, finally catching their attention. Nailah quickly readjusted her tunic, her armor had long ago been discarded, face glowing red as she moved away from Galahad.
"Sorry to bother ye, but, ah people have been wonderin if ye too ran off together er somethin'!" He laughed.
"And who are the people wondering this?" Galahad asked, standing.
"Ah, don't get yer breeches in a knot lad, Arthur wants to hold a meeting with all of us, Nailah and Badru." Bors replied giving a little grunt and turned to leave.
"We'll be there in a moment Sir Bors. Just let me gather my things!" Nailah replied, grabbing up her things. "I completely forgot, Arthur spoke to me earlier about the meeting!"
Bors waved a hand behind his head, "I'll tell 'em yer on ye way!"