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#20 Home
"It's not nearly as nice as the room you gave me, but it's home." Gawain said as he pushed a heavy wooden door open and let Kirra enter the room before him.
Kirra stepped warily over the threshold not knowing what to expect. Finn was waiting, curled on the closest bed. He lifted his head and grinned at her, his tail wagging a couple of times before he went back to sleep.
The room was small and cold. The only furniture in it was the two narrow beds that sat against the southern wall; a small wooden chest was at the foot of each and a table that sat on the northern side of the eastern window. A clay bowl rested there – presumably for washing.
But there was a window – wooden shutters separated it from the outside, and a fireplace. It could be warm and open. Someone had brought Kirra's things in and they sat in an untidy heap on the floor next to the bed Finn slept on. A rather deadly axe sat propped against the far wooden chest and an equally menacing sword rested on its rough surface.
"Two beds?" Kirra asked.
Gawain shrugged, "When there were more of us, Gareth and I shared a room. Now we each have our own."
"I hope you don't mind sharing again," She replied with a glance over her shoulder.
Gawain crossed the room in three strides and caught Kirra up in a tight embrace, "I do, but I guess it will have its advantages."
Kirra wrapped her arms around his neck and giggled. She kissed him chastely, than lay limp in his arms, "But not right now. I feel like I am going to pass out."
Gawain laid her on his empty bed and sat beside her, "I thought excuses like that were saved for when we had been married for years."
Kirra smiled unapologetically, "At least I didn't fake a headache."
"I am not so sure if pleading exhaustion is so different," Gawain replied with a raised eyebrow.
Kirra thought – which was getting increasingly more difficult. She was so weary she was slurring her words. She curled on her side and yawned, "Well, how about, I just saved the life of a child and so deserve sleep."
Gawain chuckled low in his throat and brushed a kiss across her temple, "Since you put it that way. I'll leave you alone." He got to his feet, "I am going to go and find the others. I will be back before supper to get you."
Kirra had closed her eyes and nodded drowsily. She was asleep before Gawain had left the room.
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All too soon, Kirra was being gently shaken awake. She opened her eyes and lay still for a moment as the memories of where she was came flooding back. Gawain was watching her closely.
"I could spend the rest of my life watching you wake," He murmured.
"You will," She said as she stretched her stiff muscles, she must not have moved much during her nap. "Did you find your friends?"
"Yes," Gawain said. "They're waiting for us at the tavern."
Kirra smiled, reached for her husband and wrapped her arms around his neck, "Do you think they can wait for a few more minutes?" she asked in a heated whisper.
Gawain lowered his head and kissed her, "I don't think they have much choice," he murmured against the soft skin of her neck. Kirra shivered in response and tightened her hold on him, pulling him closer.
It was more then a few minutes later when they finally emerged, clothes and hair more or less arranged. Kirra's faint flush and slightly swollen lips the only sign of the reason they were late, but that could be overlooked easily enough.
Kirra slipped her hand into Gawain's. Trepidation was setting in and she could feel her heart picking up. Questions she was afraid to voice whirled through her head.
What if Gareth had been wrong and she didn't fit in? What if the men didn't like her? What if, on retrospect, they were intimidated or scared by what she'd done and wouldn't come to her, making her presence completely obsolete?
More importantly, would she be able to recognize Tristan? How would he feel about this whole crazy thing? She glanced up at Gawain; he had shortened his stride to match her smaller one and was strolling unconcernedly at her pace. He didn't appear worried, but what if Tristan didn't approve? She remembered what Gawain had said about him the morning after they were married. Would he make life hard on Gawain? Was he really all that Gawain had alluded to?
Gawain looked down at Kirra's pale face and paused, raising his hand to tuck a loose tendril behind her ear, "They won't eat you, Kirra. You've met almost everyone. Bors has been spreading quite a story and Gareth and Galahad are interested to learn if he was stretching the truth."
"I'm more worried about Tristan." She admitted in a small voice.
Gawain squeezed her hand gently and smiled, "I wouldn't worry too much. I haven't been able to find him."
Kirra wasn't sure if she was happy about that or disappointed.
They reached the tavern without further conversation. It wasn't all that far from the barracks. The raucous noise and unceasing activity of the place made Kirra feel as young and naïve as she was. It was intimidating, but she took comfort from the fact that she was with Gawain and he seemed big enough and confident enough to take on anything or anyone.
He led her to the back to a long table where Gareth and Galahad were eating. Kirra seemed to relax a little at the sight of the two youngest knights.
"Hello boys," she said dropping Gawain's hand and giving them each a kiss on the cheek.
Galahad caught her attention and she paused for a moment in front of him and peered into his eyes. She could feel anger vibrating through his body and now could see it barely veiled behind his eyes. Her breath caught as she touched his hand and she whispered a few unintelligible words under her breath.
Galahad watched Kirra warily as her eyes darkened in impotent rage, then cooled to their customary silver. She smiled gently at him and when she did, he felt some of his helpless frustration and anger fade. He gaped at her in amazement and she squeezed the hand she held then turned back to Gawain. He was returning from the long bar with two plates. He sat beside her and put a plate of something that resembled a pot pie in front of her. A girl came by leaving a couple of cups and a clay pitcher of something.
Kirra picked up her spoon, "So, what's for dinner?" .
"Steak and kidney pie tonight," Galahad said.
Kirra eyed her deceivingly innocent dinner of golden pastry and gravy covered lumps and shuddered, "Ew."
"It's actually quite good."
Kirra pinned him with a hard look, "Do you know what the kidney does?"
Galahad grinned and took a big bite, "No."
She raised her eyebrow and grinned wolfishly, "Well then, just keep eating."
He merely swallowed and took another huge bite. Kirra turned to Gawain, "At least now I know you aren't the only one who thinks he has to inhale his food." He didn't comment – his mouth was full.
"You know, Kirra. When you smile like that it almost makes me lose my appetite." Galahad said around a mouthful.
"Watching you shovel it in makes me lose mine – as if eating kidneys wasn't bad enough."
"So, you're not going to eat tonight?" Gareth asked. He had finished his dinner and was eyeing hers hopefully.
Kirra sighed, "I am. I am just praying I get more steak then kidney."
She took a small bite. It wasn't that bad, in fact, if she hadn't been told what it was, she wouldn't have thought it anything more then a beef pot pie. She took a bigger bite.
"I think that was a kidney," Galahad said with a grin.
Kirra narrowed her eyes and forced herself to keep chewing and not throw up. Gawain and Gareth laughed at her determined expression and Gawain slid his drink in front of her. She swallowed then half emptied the cup – which caused her eyes to water and her tongue to shrivel. She gasped and started coughing.
"Damn," she croaked when she had control of herself. "Are you trying to kill me? What is that?"
Gawain frowned and peered into his cup, "Ale."
Gareth and Galahad were beside themselves. Tears were practically running down their cheeks, they were laughing so hard.
Kirra stared at Gawain, who was chuckling now too. "I have never drank – not even a floofy girl drink, in my life. There is no way I can drink that and not get thoroughly smashed." Even now she could feel a slight, something, that wasn't normal for her.
The knights laughed even harder.
"That might be interesting," Gareth pointed out.
Kirra slid her plate to Gareth and stood up, appetite gone. She didn't mind the teasing, but her tongue was still protesting the recent abuse, "I think I see Vanora. I'm going to check on the baby."
"Don't go, Kirra," Gareth pleaded. "We haven't laughed this much since --" he looked at Galahad conspiratorially.
Galahad picked up the story, "-- since Gawain," – his eyes flicked to Gawain.
Gawain's eyes narrowed in warning, "You had better think long and hard about what is to come out of your mouth." He said in a low, dangerous voice.
Kirra paused, intrigued. If Gawain hadn't said anything she would have just waved it off and gone on her way over to Vanora, but now she had to know, "Since he what?"
The two youngest knights were howling laughter now, so much that they almost couldn't speak. Gawain was tense, wondering what exploit they were going to confess to Kirra and how he was going to fix it.
"– got caught with his pants down -- " Gareth snorted.
Gawain suddenly got to his feet, but too late.
Galahad finished, "– with the miller's wife."
"Or was it the baker's?" Gareth asked, shaking in laughter.
Gawain put his fists on the table and leaned across it towards his brother and Galahad, "You two are dead." He hissed angrily.
Kirra shook her head, "That is just wrong," she said, unsure if she should be horrified or not.
She turned to Gawain. His jaw was hard and he was staring daggers at his fellow knights. His face was also a brilliant shade of red. But before he could respond, Vanora had smacked both Gareth and Galahad in the back of the head. Hard. Their laughter stopped abruptly.
"Sorry 'bout these two," she said with a disapproving frown. "They never learned manners."
Kirra laughed at the sheepish expressions that painted the younger knights' faces. She turned to Gawain eyebrows upraised for an explanation.
"I was fifteen, Kirra," he said stiffly.
She giggled and squeezed his arm reassuringly, "Ah well, so long ago. I'll just be sure to keep you away from anyone who has anything to do with the making of buns."
He sat back down, still glowering at his brother.
"How's Nine?" Kirra asked Vanora.
The woman looked exhausted. Dark circles painted her under lids. Kirra remembered that Gawain had said something about her being pregnant and near due. She certainly didn't look pregnant now, so the baby must have come and between it and Nine's accident the woman wasn't getting enough sleep.
Her smooth brow creased in concern, "Still sleepin'. Is that normal? It's been a long while now."
Kirra smiled, "No, it's perfectly fine. Her body had to go through some rapid changes to heal like it did. It makes anyone tired. Gawain slept for almost two whole days."
"You did that to him, too?" Vanora asked in amazement.
Kirra nodded, pleased with herself. But before she could get another word out, Bors came in followed by Dagonet and Lancelot. He exuberantly slung his arm around her shoulders.
"Here's the little miracle worker," He said loudly as he gave her a rather sloppy kiss on the cheek.
Kirra turned pink when other tavern patrons turned to see what the commotion was about. Oh sure, ignore a couple of howling knights, but listen to the big one when he makes a scene. She tried to duck under Bors' arm, but he was having none of it.
"Where you goin' to? We got to celebrate tonight. My little bastard is healed and because of you."
That turned even more heads. Kirra could hear them murmuring and she wasn't sure if she was up to being the center of attention quite yet.
"That's okay, really. I was just on my way out." Kirra said.
"Kirra can't hold her drink, Bors," Gareth called.
Bors looked down at her and narrowed his eyes, "Wha'? A Sarmatian that can't drink? That's like findin' one that can't ride."
Kirra looked over to Gawain with pleading eyes. Get me out of this. But once again it was Vanora who came to the rescue.
"And just what do you think you're doin' here? I thought you were watchin' the little one." She placed her hands on her hips and glared at Bors.
The men quieted and seemed to melt away from the angry woman. Bors released Kirra rather too quickly in his haste to explain and placate the mother of his children. Kirra lost her balance and would have gone tumbling if Lancelot hadn't been there to steady her. She scowled at his smirk.
"I knew you'd fall for me sooner or later," He commented in a smooth voice.
Kirra stared at him for a moment then pushed out of his arms, "That's the best you've got? Somehow, I expected," – she deliberately looked him up and down appraisingly – "more." She turned away with a toss of her head leaving Lancelot standing with his mouth hanging open.
His brief expression of astonishment was just too much and the knights laughed. Kirra was sure she even saw Dagonet crack a little smile.
"How is Nine?" She asked the big man, trying to ignore his intimidating size and appearance.
"She looks much better and she is sleeping comfortably." He said slowly in a deep voice that Kirra could feel in her bones.
Kirra looked around and saw Bors and Vanora still in the middle of their argument. Gawain was laughing – and drinking -- with Gareth and Galahad and Lancelot had wandered to a table and sat with a woman on his lap and was gambling. It was getting dark outside and Kirra had the feeling that the night would only go downhill from then on.
"Could you take me to where she is, so that I can check on her?" she asked the tall knight.
"Yes."
Kirra had him wait a moment while she told Gawain where she was going. He turned from Kirra and gave Dagonet a very pointed look, to which the large man gave a slight nod. Kirra pressed a kiss to his lips and was at Dagonet's side in an instant.
"What was that all about?" she asked on the way out.
"What?" Dagonet asked.
Kirra gestured flippantly, "Gawain's look, your nod."
She heard him chuckle, "He was telling me to keep on eye on you or he'd kill me."
"All that in one look," Kirra muttered. "Do you really think that's necessary?"
Dag looked at the small woman walking silently beside him and then out into the deepening twilight. He knew someone was there watching, "No."
"Why is that?" she asked casually.
Another deep chuckle, "You'll never go anywhere here unwatched."
"Hmm."
They stopped in front of a little house with a fence running around it. The sound of children yelling and dogs barking could be heard from the gate. Kirra looked up at Dag.
"This must be the place."
He nodded, smiling, and opened the gate.
Not surprising, the baby was awake when Kirra looked in on her and immediately toddled over to her requesting she be picked up. Kirra obliged and examined the little girl's face closely. Everything looked good, the swelling was gone and the child's color was normal. She tickled the toddler and got her laughing as she talked with Vanora's oldest daughter – who was a mere three years younger.
According to One, Nine had eaten a good dinner and was even trying to get at the newest babe. Kirra smiled at this and showed the girl how to bathe the toddler's stitches. She got to know the other children and played a brief, but rowdy, game of tag in the small yard. She left One with the promise of a tea in the morning and the others with a promise to return soon for more games. Both would be for Vanora – to help boost her energy and give her the opportunity to rest without interruption. It was quite dark out when Kirra and Dag left.
"You are good with children," Dagonet praised as they walked back to the barracks.
"Oh, not really. I'm so close to being one myself."
"How old are you?"
"Seventeen."
Dag shook his head.
Kirra sighed, "I know, to you it's not young. Where I was raised, it's very young and I feel a little girl. Especially being here where everything is so new and different. It worries me a little that I won't be able to adjust to it."
"You'll be fine," he said confidently.
"I know. I have to be.
They walked in companionable silence for a moment.
"Dagonet?"
"Yes."
"Where's Tristan?"
Dag paused, should he tell the girl Tristan had been trailing them the whole time, "He'll find you. Give him time."
Kirra peered out into the darkness for a moment, "Okay."
They arrived at the barracks and Dag showed her to Gawain's room.
"I don't think I'll ever be able to find this place on my own," she said with a laugh as she pushed the door open. Finn was waiting for dinner and dancing in his need to go out. Dag followed her as she attended the dog then left her safely ensconced in the room to wait for Gawain.