Disclaimer: I do not own King Arthur

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Part 2

Elanea didn't return for a week, and things got rather dramatic during her disappearance. Lancelot kept going out to look for her, Bors drank with Galahad, Tristan played darts, and Gawain and Dagonet watched the whole scene with a lack-luster expression.

Okay, so only Lancelot was overly dramatic, and maybe Arthur only worried because she was the youngest member of their troop. The only reason Elanea returned was because she got the reaction she wanted, or as close as it was going to get anyways. Only two of her peers had worried, to any stretch of the imagination.

When she finally came out of her hiding place in an old abandoned church, Arthur seemed to have given up on her. That's why she got such an odd greeting when she walked into the round table room during luncheon as though she had never been gone.

Bors, Galahad, Gawain, Tristan, and Dagonet each tossed out their own bored 'hello' or 'you're late'. Arthur starred in disbelief, and Lancelot jumped up to scold her for worrying him.

Said worrywart hadn't even ground out two words before Elanea placed two fingers against his lips and said, "You worry too much."

"Elanea, where have you been?" Arthur asked. She rolled her eyes and didn't bother to point out he wasn't her father, again.

"I was down at the old church, reading some wonderful old scrolls about murder trials." She said as she walked around the table to sit between Gawain and Galahad. "A very good way to spend my time, don't you think?"

"Murder trials…?" Arthur asked in disbelief.

"So you're not hurt or anything?" asked Lancelot hurriedly.

Elanea glared at the dark, charming knight. "Except for a paper cut on one of my fingers-"

"Let me see!"

Lancelot strode to her side and tried to look at said finger, but was pulled roughly back into his seat by Arthur. "It's a paper cut, you numbskull." Said Arthur in a friendly way.

Gawain gently took hold of her injured finger and kissed the small cut. "There," he said in a courting tone, "all better." Lancelot glared jealously at Gawain.

Elanea saw that glare and decided to use it to her advantage. "You know, there's this bruise on my chest from that sparing match over a week-"

"Get a room!" groaned Galahad, standing to move.

Gawain gave her an innocent look. "I think we got the wrong man."

Elanea giggled. "From the look on Lancelot's face, I'd think we did just fine."

Tristan leaned forward and gave her a questioning look. "And how's that bruise? Still need a kiss better?"

"No thank you!" she stood with a smile. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm-"

"Not going anywhere." Said Arthur tiredly.

Elanea's face fell. "Not what I had in mind."

"You weren't planning on going on another trip, were you?" asked Gawain, leaning back in his chair.

"No, not yet anyways. Why?"

"I want to go with you next time."

Elanea leaned down and put her lips to his ear. She whispered, "I'm not that stupid, Gawain." Then she started away from him.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Exactly what it sounds like."

"Are you suggesting that I'd do something…wrong to you?"

"Yep!"

Before Gawain, or Arthur, could protest further, she had gone from the room.

The room was quiet from a moment, but Tristan couldn't help but comment on the situation. "She's in love."

"What?" Arthur turned to his killing-crazed friend.

"She's in love."

"With who?" asked Lancelot, standing once again.

"Not you, that's for sure." Bors muttered. Lancelot shot Bors an evil look.

"Whoever it is, it's none of our business." Said Arthur.

Every knight's eyes were on him. "Aren't you curious?" asked Galahad.

Arthur shook his head. "Not even slightly."

"Why?" asked Lancelot. "What if it wasn't one of us and she's having a hot affair with a…a Saxon?"

"She's not stupid, Lancelot, or heartless. Do you think she'd fall for one of the blokes who killed her brother?" Lancelot shook his head. "Exactly. And it's her life. She doesn't have to want one of us."

Lancelot groaned in frustration. "Think of it this way, Lancelot. She seen more of us than any woman has a right to." Said Tristan carelessly, knowing it would make the dark man even more self-conscious.

But it didn't just affect Lancelot, and the silence that followed was proof of that.

"Good lord…" Galahad turned slightly red and covered his mouth with his hand. Bors just shrugged and continued eating. Dagonet didn't seem to be paying any attention and Arthur moaned and leaned back in his chair.

Lancelot sat down again and Gawain sighed. "So…now what?"

"Well, considering she's already scarred for life-"

"Anyone up for jousting practice?" Elanea appeared in the doorway, causing each knight to go a different shade of pink, except Tristan and Bors. Lancelot fidgeted with his sword belt and Galahad turned away. Elanea gave them a lost look. "What's wrong with you guys?"

"Just a small comment of mine has caused some embarrassment." Said Tristan offhandedly. Bors grunted in agreement.

"What could you have said to make them this off?"

"Just that you've seen more of us than any women has a right to."

The knights expected her to turn away and blush like crazy, but she was anything but shocked. "Yeah, so?" Tristan laughed and was soon joined by Gawain. She gave them a quizzical look. "I'll take that as a no." she turned on her toes and started out.

"Wait, I'll go with you!" said Gawain, still laughing as he stood to follow. She looked back and still none of the other knights would look her in the eye. Tristan also stood.

"So that's three for jousting?" asked Tristan.

"Seems so…" said Elanea slowly as Gawain put an arm around her waist. Of course, Lancelot's jealously flared and the hotheaded man stood.

"I'll go to!" he said forcefully, "Just too even things out."

Elanea shrugged and Gawain dragged her away from the room. This was going to be an interesting day.

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R&R!!!