**Don't own anything you recognize, but I do own my original characters**
The story begins six months after the movie ends. Happy reading! Hope you like it!
Gawain turned the metal ring over and over in his hands; it had the crude markings of the Antes' chieftain.
"You bring that to the elders,"
Bors thrust his pudgy finger at the ring in Gawains' hand and forced him to look up
", and they will find Dagonet's family. There should be a boy Lancelot's age and a girl a few summers younger than Galahad. My mother's sister died while birthing the girl, though there was rumor right before the romans came that Lau had impregnated one of the widows."
A guffaw flew out of his mouth as he elbowed Lancelot in the ribs
"Anyway, the two younglings are my only concern; my ma was on her way out when they took me everyone else is dead."
Gawain nodded and clasped Bors arm before he slid onto the back of his horse, tying the ring onto a leather cord around his neck.
"You really think they won't come here for them?" Galahad looked at Bors warily.
"It is their only chance."
Arthur stepped into the stables and answered Galahads question solemnly. He face was lined with worry as he watched the men, some just recently healed from extraordinary wounds, climb onto their horses and fiddle with straps. He pulled the tiny leather pouches out and shook them a little. He wished there were more coin to give them for their journey.
"This is all I may offer you." One by one they took the proffered coins, knowing to deny their leader this would cause much more pain than the pride they may loose in taking his handout.
When Arthur got to Tristan he pulled a scroll out of his pack and handed it to him.
"This is the most recent map of the cities, you may find it useful."
Tristan inclined his head slowly, feeling the tug of the large scar that now marred his back. He didn't need the map, fifteen years or fifty he would know the ways back to his home.
A flash of white blond hair made Lancelot clear his throat.
"Do you mind waiting another few moments? I have something to attend to."
Galahad huffed but Gawain put a restraining hold on his arm.
"Fine, but we should leave before mid day. Make it quick."
Smiling widely Lancelot jumped down from his horse and strode towards the kitchens.
"Well, I'll just speak then, otherwise we may not be able to leave until a fortnight from now."
The echo of Bors laughter stayed with him as he rounded the corner and peaked through an old wooden door with the smell of baking bread behind it.
"I am not your lover Lancelot and I would appreciate it if you stopped trying to convince the fort of that at every turn."
Lainey jabbed a finger into the dark knight's chest and without so much as a pause for breath she continued.
"I pulled a Saxon sword out of your shoulder, a hands breadth lower and you would be dead. I didn't nurse you back to health for three moons just to watch you ride off for gods know how long." Her voice got quiet at the end; as if she remembered who she was she looked down at her feet and made to curtsey.
"What is this?! Don't stop now; I've never heard you give such a speech. It was wonderful, to know you'll miss me and care for me."
He reached a hand to stroke the curvy blond's cheek and winked; she batted him away with a light smile.
"You men, I think I shall miss you. Thank you for coming to say goodbye to me, you didn't have to."
Her cheeks blushed a bit as she watched his incredulous stare.
"As you said, you nursed me back to health for almost four moons I owe you much more than a goodbye, although, you won't let me tup you. I fear we will be gone for more than half the year, I suspect we will be back just in time to reap harvest and prepare for winter. I will miss you, Lainey, here."
He pulled a small wooden horse from his pocket.
"I made this for one of Bors brood but I think you may appreciate it a bit more."
Not giving her time to say thank you he pulled her close for a long hug. Rocking a bit with her warmth he reluctantly pulled away and kissed the top of her head.
Without another word he turned away and trotted back to the stables as fast as he could, the wind carried a whisper of her farewell words.
"Be safe…"
He wondered to himself why he had lied and said he had made the figure for one of Bors children.
Sighing at Tristan and Galahads impatient looks he threw himself onto the back of the mare and the six of them began to ride in silence.
Once they reached the edge of the wood, Bors and Arthur drew back and offered a loud "RUSSSS" as a farewell for their brothers.
Lainey wiped a hand over her brow and pushed her hair out of her face. Pulling the door to her room closed she leaned heavily on the stone wall. Sighing heavily her thoughts drifted towards Lancelot, exactly what she'd been working so hard not to think about.
No need to worry, there's nothing you can do but pray now.
Pushing herself off the wall Lainey walked over to the small hearth shaking her head at Emily and Annalice's unmade beds. Blankets and dresses were scattered on the floor, a few ribbons and a bone comb on their small side table. Lainey didn't mind sharing the small room with the two other girls, their hey stuffed beds were comfortable enough. Emily and Annalice were seamstresses for the Roman's, now the Queen and King, and Lainey was a Kitchen maid, sometimes assisted the healers if it was needed.
She slipped her hand into her pocket and pulled the small but intricately detailed wooden horse out. Stroking the little figurine she allowed her self to fantasize a little about what it could be like.
His hands pushed back her hair and framed her face. He smiled that crooked smile and whispered her name. She reached up and tangled her hand in the hair on the back of his neck pulling his lips closer. After a long moment he closed the gap and…
"Lainey, where were you?!" Emily burst through the door with Annalice at her heel, both of the raven haired girls pulled their patchwork shawls off and threw them to the floor unceremoniously.
"We went to the tavern after we finished the Lady Guinevere's new dresses." Annalice curtsied dramatically and plopped down on the floor next to Lainey.
"Don't speak that way about the new queen, she may be Woad but she's certainly better than the Romans." Lainey chastised and tried to slip the horse into her pocket quietly but Emily snatched it up quickly and raised her eyebrows.
"You're right about that, and her dresses are much more interesting. What is this? Did you steal this from one of Vanora's children?" Emily knew exactly where she had gotten it from, though; she had seen the man carving it the past few days.
"I….the knights left today." Lainey stated simply, trying in vain to change the subject.
"Yes…and someone gave you a token…" Annalice's chestnut eye's sparkled as she drew the last word out. The two girls looked at her expectantly, their thin frames leaning closer and closer.
Finally Lainey sighed.
"Ok…Lancelot gave it to me…but he said he had made it for one of Vanora's children so it's not that big of a deal…" She snatched it away from Emily and pushed it back into the pocket of her apron and stood feeling embarrassed.
Emily touched her arm and looked at her knowingly. "Just be careful, he's gone back to his homeland…maybe to claim a wife. Don't be expecting anything if he comes back."
Lainey looked at Emily angry and embarrassed.
"I know...I'm going to sleep. Goodnight."
Stalking over to her little corner of the room she dipped her little rag into the cool water bowl and wiped her face and arms before pulling her hair into a smooth bun that she secured with a ribbon. She took off her overdress and pulled off her boots , settling into bed she heard Emily and Annalice do the same and blow the beeswax candles out, just the slight glow of the hearth lighting the room.
Lainey leaned over and pulled the horse out of her apron. Stroking it she smiled a little, she could dream about whatever she wanted to, realistic or not. She knew where she stood in comparison to all the other women at the fort, and who knew what beauties awaited him in his homeland. How could a short blond kitchen maid whose body was built to bear children compete with these ethereal beauties? Someday a man would come along who loved her as she was and wouldn't prefer her any other way.
Tonight, though, she would dream of one that gives her tokens meant for children.