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Chapter 2: The Pain of Loss

Tristan didn't visit the tavern that evening. He knew very well, that Abigail would make it her business to be in the tavern serving each of the knights with smiles and innocent promises. It was simply her personality that led her to unknowingly become quite a temptress. Abigail was actually a very innocent girl, being no more than eighteen summers in age, but she allowed herself to seem experienced for her own entertainment. Tristan once again found himself shaking his head at her antics as he slipped out of his quarters toward the stables.

Dagonet knew Tristan was still unpleased with how things had ended with his former lover. Tristan was not the type of man to take many women, like Lancelot or Gawain might; however, when Tristan did take a woman he was fiercely protective of her. Tristan was not a possessive man but he did value his few friends and lovers greatly. Tristan had let Abigail go freely when she became betrothed to the Roman. He had not spoken to or confided in anyone after it was over, but Dagonet knew that Tristan let Abigail go because he wanted her to be happy and he would not stop her from finding it, even if it was without him. Dagonet had come to the tavern just after leaving Tristan's room, and had been standing at the bar beside Vanora ever since.

"Do you think she came back for him," Vanora asked letting her romantic heart show. "It would be so lovely if she had come back just for him," the vibrant redhead said as she filled Dagonet's mug.

"She came back for herself. She's too smart to come back to face disgrace on a whim. She knows the scout better than any of us. She has something planned for him, and she knows just how to get it out of him," Dagonet said darkly as he glanced over to where the woman in question stood with her deft fingers wrapped in Galahad's mused curls while her other hand carried a pitcher of ale.

"Oh don't talk like that. She's a beautiful girl, and she has never done anything to warrant such remarks," Vanora scolded lightly as she called over one of the other serving wenches for a new pitcher.

"I never knew you to be blind Vanora. Anyone with two eyes could see that Abigail is up to something," Dagonet pointed out quietly as Abigail was pulled right into Galahad's lap with a laugh.

"I never said she wasn't up to something. I just think that her motives are not as sinister as you make them out to be. I've known the girl since she was just a slip of a thing, and trust me, if she is overly friendly it is just her nature. There is not an unkind bone in her body," Vanora replied knowingly. "Oh, I almost forgot to ask… Did you complete the task I asked of you?"

"Yes, Tristan is aware of her presence," Dagonet said as he rolled his kind eyes.

"Wonderful, I bet he will be seeking her out before the night is over. Tristan loves her, you'll see," Vanora beamed as she rounded the bar with a tray on her hip and a bump in her belly.

"I wouldn't be so sure Vanora," Dagonet sighed regretfully. "I don't think that Tristan is willing to suffer disappointment again so soon."

"It has been nearly a year. What makes him so fragile? He is the most detached man I have ever met, given I love him like my own brother, but he needs someone like Abigail to keep him in touch with the rest of the world," Vanora paused before heading toward an empty table.

"Vanora, why are you even so interested in Tristan and Abigail," Dagonet asked knowing that Vanora would have to have a good reason to act so hastily.

Vanora stopped and sat at the small table that she was about to clean off. Dagonet took that as his cue to join her. He sat across from the normally very reserved woman. "Abby confided in me a long time ago," Vanora said with a sigh as she rubbed her protruding stomach. "She was barely fourteen summers when she came to me asking about love. She came to me because she thought that I must be in love with Bors in order to have four children with him without any kind of promise from him," Vanora laughed at the girl's logic.

Vanora did love Bors fiercely, but her number of children had nothing to do with it. She loved the boisterous knight for more reasons than she could possibly count, and their children were just a symbol of that endless love. "Anyway, she asked me how I knew I was in love, so I told her when I knew it and how. Then, I asked her why she wished to know. She told me that she believed that she was in love with this mysterious knight that came and went from the fort like a ghost. She said that she had never met him, but she had heard people talk of him. She said that she always watched him pass her father's house then sit in the fields while his horse ran free, just gazing at the sky. She said he looked so lonely, and that every time she saw him she knew more and more that she would have no other man."

"Why did she wish to know about love then if she had already made up her mind," Dagonet asked amusedly.

"She just wanted someone to talk to. She obviously couldn't speak to that boar of a father she has," Vanora said dismissively.

"But why go through so much trouble. If she is so determined, then why not leave it to her?"

"She came to me before she was to leave with the legion. She told me that she needed a favor. She needed two silver coins before she left with Demetrius. She needed to visit the woman that she stays with now," Vanora trailed off leaving it to Dagonet to find the answer for himself.

"She was with child," he said knowingly.

"She cried to me for hours that night telling me over and over that she didn't want to do it, but if she kept the child then she would be cast out when Demetrius found out. She would have nothing, and she refused to burden Tristan because he never wanted children. She gave up two things a girl should never have to give away just to be disgraced and cast out months later by a man who wouldn't know love if it bit him in the ass," Vanora spoke sadly. "Tristan may be upset about how things ended, but Abigail bares a far heavier burden. If she still loves him then I will do everything in my power to reunite them. Does that answer your question, Dag?"

"She should have told him. Tristan may be many things, but uncaring he is not. He would have taken her in and kept her safe, but I shall not judge her decisions. However, I still think that if she wishes to have the scout back, then she will need no help in doing so," the large knight said as he rose from the bench and offering Vanora a hand to rise. Vanora smiled and took the proffered hand. "Shall we join your lover? He looks lonely without you adorning his lap," he said with a gentle smile.

The pair moved carefully to the knights' table as Vanora went to join Bors, and Dagonet went to join his friends. "Let me go, you fool," they heard Abigail laugh as they approached. "I need to work… No I shall not warm your bed this evening," she said with mirth in her eyes as Galahad whispered in her ear. The others ignored the youngest knight as he desperately tried to proposition that spirited Abigail. They knew very well that Abigail was Tristan's even if he no longer laid claim on her. It would be disrespectful to go for another's lover. Even Lancelot, who was known to joke about bedding Vanora, would never actually follow through on the act.

Bors called over to Vanora as she approached and immediately pulled her into his lap while patting Dagonet on the back for bringing his lover to him. Abigail extracted herself from Galahad and promised to bring more drinks as she slipped off. "It is good the have the lass back," Bors said cheerfully as he raised his glass. Everyone agreed loudly as they each took up their own mugs.

Abigail sighed heavily as she stepped behind the bar to retrieve a pitcher of ale for the knights. Strands of dark hair slipped into her face showing that she had been working for quite a while. The young Briton had taken the job readily in order to pay for her stay at the fort, but she had hoped that her hard work would be rewarded with a glimpse of the scout from time to time. As she slowly rose with another filled pitcher, she took a long look around the tavern. She knew it was futile because she would have known immediately if he had entered, but she did it anyway.

She had seen him enter the fort earlier that day. She had been sitting in the rafters of the stable deciding whose mount would make the best companion on a long ride, when he had entered. Abigail had remained out of sight for fear of his scorn, but as she watched him she remembered exactly why she had returned. Abigail was about to make her presence known to the scout when he finished abruptly and stalked off. Abigail had slipped from the rafters into Tristan's mount's stall. The large grey still remembered her as he rubbed his velvety muzzle against her shoulder. Abigail had spent several minutes spoiling the stallion before she noticed a small knife lying in the hay.

"This is no good," she said concernedly as she picked up the small weapon. "Your master is getting careless," she said as she inspected the blade. She smiled slightly as she realized that it would give her an excuse to speak to him when she returned it.

Abigail returned to the table carrying the new pitcher and a renewed smile. The knights welcomed her gift readily as she filled each of the mugs before turning to Vanora. "Tis getting rather late. I was wondering if I might be allowed…" she was cut off.

"Go girl. You may return to you bed. I will see you tomorrow," Vanora dismissed the younger woman kindly. Abigail nodded gratefully before she retreated to retrieve her cloak as she left the tavern. Galahad excused himself only minutes later, much to the other knights' irritation.

"He courts trouble," Gawain said resignedly. The others nodded their agreement, but made to move to stop the foolish young knight.

"Abigail wait, I shall walk you home," Galahad called as he followed the young woman. Abigail did not protest but she did not encourage him either as she walked silently. "We were just saying, how glad we are that you have returned to the fort. You always bring good times with you," Galahad said breathlessly as he fell into step with her. Abigail just shrugged her shoulders uncaringly as she continued. "Are you unwell," he asked concernedly.

"I am perfectly well, sir knight. I am simply tired and wish to return to my home presently. I am still recovering from my journey here," Abigail said apologetically. Galahad nodded understandingly before, without warning, he swept her into his arms. "Galahad…"

"You are tired, so I shall carry you home. We will get there faster, if you are so concerned," he said lightly. Abigail just shook her head, but did not ask to be put down. She truly was tired, and did not wish to argue with the young knight.

Tristan sat atop the wall watching Galahad carry Abigail home. The scout let out a growl as he rubbed the chest feathers of his hawk. "It seems she has forgotten me rather quickly, does it not," he asked the bird darkly. The large hawk twisted its head to look at the scout oddly, then took off to circle the pair below the wall. Upon its return, the bird just sat comfortably on his wrist. "You still like her don't you," Tristan asked as he watched the way the bird's eyes followed the two young people move through the fort. The bird just looked at him, and Tristan knew the bird was still just as protective of the small woman as he was. "Is she really worth the trouble," he asked himself more than the bird as he gazed up at the stars remembering the love he once had for her.

XxX

Thank you to my wonderful reviewer. I am glad that you enjoyed this so far. This chapter was a little darker, but I promise the story will get more lighthearted.

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