Author: Triane
Disclaimer: Not. Mine. Except Iona. Everything else belongs to someone else. Even more so now, that we're into movie territory - I've done what I could to gloss over using the actual dialogue, but if you recognize dialogue or action, its because it's. Not. Mine.
Summary: The first tentative steps towards being a family
In the gathering twilight, Iona was joined by Dagonet who stretched and twisted in the saddle, loosening up the tight muscles in his back from sitting hunched in the wagon.
"Lucan?" He smiled slightly, grabbing her hand to press a kiss to her fingers.
"Sleeping. Lady Fulicina will send for us if he wakes." Iona smirked briefly, then schooled her face into a blank expression.
"Ah yes, the Lady Fulicina. She seems quite eager to be of assistance to you." Dagonet's eyebrows lowered at her tone as he looked at her, and then smoothed as he saw the teasing gleam in her eye. His voice was nonchalant.
"Yes. Almost makes me wish that I had a proper Roman wife who was well trained, instead of the heathen warrior woman I'm stuck with." Iona's teeth gleamed as she grinned.
"Your life would be so much easier, I am sure." Dagonet chuckled, and then leaned toward her to kiss her quickly.
"Easier, maybe. But also much more boring." They smiled at each other, and then waited as Arthur and the rest of the knights joined them. Arthur briefly gave orders for setting up camp, and then again they were off, moving swiftly and efficiently to settle their caravan of charges for the night.
Ardin and Agravain were unsaddled and brushed, and then led away to their rest by Jols. Claiming the small bit of ground under the wagon, Iona laid out their bedrolls together, as usual, to form a double-sized pallet while Dagonet built a smile fire nearby. Theirs was just for warmth, as Jols was building a bigger one to cook over now that the horses were cared for.
Lucan ate hungrily. A hastily cobbled-together stew and some bread, but the boy wolfed it down like he hadn't eaten properly in weeks - which is likely, Iona thought darkly. When he was finished he sat back with a sigh, rewarding Iona with a small smile.
"Feeling better?" He nodded, and then snuggled ever-so-slightly into her side. She brushed the curls out of his eyes and they watched the fire together until Dagonet returned from roaming the camp. He sat down on the other side of Lucan, accepting his own bowl of stew and hunk of bread from Iona's hand. His voice was soft.
"We're spread out among the villagers, around the perimeter. Watches will go around the circle, you and I first. Marius and his family, and his guards, are just opposite us, closer to the middle." Iona nodded. She had seen the fat Roman imperiously ordering the set up of his own little camp, Alecto looking on with his usual inscrutable expression. Thanks to the fire the guards had built, she could see Marius now, deep in animated conversation with his thugs. She sighed, and felt Lucan snuggle closer.
"Is Arthur expected trouble?" Dagonet chuckled wryly.
"Arthur always expects trouble. Especially after he threatened Marius. I don't think Marius will let that pass." Iona nodded, and then gently began to extract herself from Lucan. The boy immediately became alert again, a small cry of protest tugging at Iona's heart. She smiled gently at his worried eyes.
"I am just going to stand watch, Lucan. Dagonet will be here with you until I come back, and then when he returns, we three will be together." Lucan huffed his displeasure, and Iona smiled, brushing his hair out of his eyes.
"I will be watching. Even if you cannot see me, I will still be close to you." Lucan finally nodded, giving Iona another small smile. She smiled in return and buffed her knuckles gently against his cheek. Giving Dagonet a swift kiss, she grabbed her sword, stood silently, and was gone.