The Woman

Disclaimer-I don’t own the Knights! All I own, is the plot, the Roman Lord and other characters you don’t recognize.


Introduction

“You lookin’ for someone, Roman?” Asked the voice mockingly. The caravan of young knights looked about, seeking a body to the voice. The small cliff valley that they were traveling through stood only ten feet high, but at least forty feet wide, the wild forests of the far north of Briton banking on either side, creating a dark and cold atmosphere. A young woman appeared on the cliffs to the right of the caravan, her golden blonde curls gleaming in the dusky light. She was dressed in leather and fur, her slender figure in the man’s clothing blatantly a woman’s. Strangely, a battleaxe and sword were strapped to her back, a quiver on one shoulder and the bow in her left hand.
The Roman commander gaped at her, his eyes wide. “I asked you a question, Artorius Castus.” She called from her vantage point, smiling teasingly, tilting her head to one side.
Arthur gathered his wits and shook himself mentally, she was just a girl.
“Lady, we are seeking a Roman family, the Lord Geran Matusus and his wife. Do you know where they reside?”
“ I might.” She casually dropped off the edge of the small cliff, landing on her feet next to Gawain, who looked nervously at her. She smiled, patting his horse gently as she walked past him and weaved her way through the rest of the knights towards Arthur. She moved with a catlike grace, seeming to move like a shadow. None of the horses stirred as she past, indeed many of them showed none of the nervousness their knight masters showed, leaning into her and whickering. She stood before him, a small grin on her face.
“Would you take us there?” Arthur asked, trying to stop his horse, which leant towards her, whickering softly and nudging her. She lowered her head to the horses, kissing the stallions nose and laughing.
“I can. But I need you to do something for me.”
“What could I do to be of service, my Lady?” Looking up from the horse, she frowned.
“Stop calling me Lady for a start. I need you to have me as one of your knights.”
Arthur looked startled, and the other knights murmured among themselves, shocked. She studied Arthur, ignoring the others. He shook his head, a strange expression on his face.
“Why?” He asked finally, leaning back in his saddle. The young woman suddenly looked nervous.
“May I speak to you privately, please?” She asked quietly, never breaking eye contact with the Roman Knight leader. Arthur dismounted and withdrew, following her up a short climb into the cliff. She waited for him, the first flakes of winter snow swirling around her. Arthur pulled himself over the cliff, the first thing he saw was her sturdy fur lined boots. Reaching down, she pulled him up, dusting off his Armor with a frown. Arthur smiled, catching her small calloused hands in his own. She stood a head and a half smaller than the twenty-year-old commander, she couldn’t have been older than eighteen.
“Who are you?” He asked, looking down at her bowed head, admiring the way the snowflakes made her hair look as though she was a winter angel. She looked up at him, her pretty face in a saddened frown. Arthur looked at her then. Really looked at her. She was pale, her clean white skin a little hollow over her high cheekbones and button nose, as though she hadn’t been eating properly. There were bags under her eyes, which were a deep, dark brown. Her full mouth seemed filled with rose, her hair, a rich blonde hung in curls around her face. Long black lashes surrounded her large eyes, the brown however, couldn’t hide a slightly weary look, as though something in her past had exhausted her both physically and emotionally. Tattoos like that of Tristan stood out on her cheekbones, however, they were slightly different, Arthur struggled to remember where he had seen some like them .“W…who are you?” He asked again, feeling his stomach clench, the beautiful young woman was only centimeters from him.
Pulling away from him, she faced the forest. “You had a knight called Hartlen, a blonde like me, from the very far north of Sarmatia.” She said quietly, hugging herself with a sigh. Arthur had a sinking feeling in his stomach. He remembered where he had seen the tattoos. “Yes.”
“He is dead. Killed almost two years ago. By Woads I understand. He was my brother. I have to serve the rest of his time here, the other boys in our tribe are too young. The oldest is only seven. If I don’t, they’ll take the seven year old. I want to do this. Both for the boy’s sake and for the memory of my brother.”
Arthur stood silent, watching the snow fall, seeing it gather on her clothes, realizing that she had traveled away from her tribe and homeland of Sarmatia to fulfill her duty. She had crossed the wall, unfearing of the Woads and waited for them. Scouted the area, most probably. He would not turn her away.
“My knights usually have a name. Do you have one?” Next moment, Arthur was being hugged fiercely, and he in turn wrapped his arms around the slender figure and hugged back, smiling. “My name is Finneve. My friends and family call me Finn.” She mumbled into his cloak, tears of gratitude filling those sad eyes.


New Beginnings

A loud snore had her sat bolt upright in her bedroll, dagger out. Bors, the culprit, shifted in his sleep, rolling onto his back, throwing the noise into a crescendo. Groaning, the man next to him, Percival, kicked out, walloping Bors. Smiling at the antics of the young men, Finn jumped to feel a wet nose at her neck. The wolf settled itself down next to her, tucking it’s head under her chin as she lay back down, whispering to the wolf, “Where have you been? I thought you’d abandoned me.” A lick was the friendly reply. Throwing her arm over the wolf, Finn hugged him to her, reveling in the familiar smell of the woods and undergrowth. Sneaking a look over to whoever was meant to be on guard, she was with a snort it was Alen, who was leaning against the post, snoring quietly. Shaking her head, she whispered to the wolf, “Let me know if any danger draws near.” Dropping a swift kiss to the friendly snout, Finn laid her head back onto the pack that served as a pillow, closing her eyes and falling almost immediately into a deep slumber.

“WOLF!” Yelled Galahad, pointing in shock at the animal curled up so peacefully with Finn on her bedroll. It opened it’s eyes, seemed to look Galahad up and down and snorted, laying it’s head back onto Finn’s stomach and closing it’s eyes. Finn however, grinned and gently pushed him off her, pulling herself up and out of the roll. “Galahad, he won’t hurt anyone. And no-one will hurt him.” She added, looking around at the knights sternly. Most of them shrugged and went back to packing up their things, unconcerned. Lancelot however, came over. He squatted down next to the animal, looking at her.
“If I touch him, will he bite?” He asked. Finn looked up from rolling her mat away, a small frown on her features. “I’m not sure. I’ve never known him to be around others. He’s been with me for five years. We’re fairly solitary. Well, were.” She replied, going back to loading everything onto her bay stallion, Raider. Lancelot hesitantly held out a hand, meeting the wolfs gaze. The regal stare lessened slightly, the wolf seeming to realize that it would make things easier for his human friend if she could trust him not to bite anyone. The wolf nudged Lancelot’s hand with his nose, letting the relieved young knight stroke him much in the same way Finn did. Lancelot studied the young woman. She was the same age as him, he knew, eighteen, almost nineteen. She seemed older in mind though, always quiet and not talking much. She talked to Tristan when he came back from scouting; the pair often sitting around the fire well after it had burnt out. She was beautiful, though she never flaunted the fact, seeming to simply fit in easily with the others. Dagonet and Bors had in particular taken a shining to her, and when a few of the other knights had criticized her for doing what she did, they were the first to stick up for her. Lancelot smiled. He would see whether he could charm her or not, and he thought with a smug smile, he most probably could. It was just then that Arthur called for the caravan to start moving, and for Finn to accompany him at the front. She had told him that the house of the Lord they were looking for was a two-day ride up the trail, in the mountains.
“Go on. Off you go, tell us if there’s anyone ahead.” She called to the wolf, and off the animal went, running into the woods. She mounted Raider and rode to the front, drawing level with Arthur. She looked to her commander, waiting for his word. The young commander smiled at her, nodding his head. Tristan drew his horse along side the pair, pointing at the dark clouds overhead. “We want to get there before it rains.”
“I agree, it looks like a storm.” Finn agreed. Arthur ran a hand swiftly over his handsome features, making a swift decision.
“You two ride ahead, find the Lord and tell him we’re coming, tell him we will need shelter and food. We’ll follow your tracks and meet you there.”
“You can’t miss the house anyway, Arthur. It’s straight up this trail, a massive building. At least twenty servants.” Finn added, a dark look on her face. Swinging her horse around, she nodded to Tristan. The pair kicked off into a gallop, vanishing around the corner of the trail.

They rode in silence for about an hour, until the horses could no longer run, and then they slowed to an easy walk, letting their exhausted animals ease their muscles.
“How long have you been with Arthur, Tristan?” Finn asked suddenly, turning in her saddle to look at the handsome scout. The young man thought for a second. “Seven years.” He replied. “Why?”
“I was curious.” She replied all too fast. Tristan smiled. “I’m twenty years old, Finn, if that’s what you were wondering.” He said, still smiling. “Is that what you were wondering?”
“Maybe. I’m only eighteen. But then, I wasn’t taken with the rest of you.” Tristan studied her for a moment, drinking in her figure and looks. Then he asked the question.
“Why are you doing this? Why have you chosen servitude?” Her back stiffened, and he immediately regretted asking.
“I have my reasons. We should hurry, it’s going to start raining.” With that, she urged her horse to a trot and moved ahead, leaving a very confused Tristan in her wake.

The Roman household was indeed grand, but it had signs of a cruel master. The servants working the fields were dressed in rags, and visible through tears in the fabric were bruises and cuts, most probably from tongued whips. The women in particular showed signs of abuse, bruising visible on their legs and faces. Finn rode up to the gates, Tristan slightly behind her, and she called out to the guards in a clear, stern tone.
“Open the Gates! I come for Arthur Castus, Roman Knight and Commander, who would speak with your master on his arrival!”
“That was a mouthful.” Tristan muttered behind her. He saw her shoulders twitch in a laugh, though she didn’t turn around. The gates opened, revealing a squat bald man with a hatchet face and a cruel smile. His beady eyes over a hooked nose gave Finn an uneasy feeling, which didn’t lighten when he looked at her and leered, clearly looking her up and down. “I am Lord Geran Matusus, what is it that you seek me for?” Tristan nudged his horse forwards, coming to rest beside Finn, scowling at the man and his suggestive looks. Finn cleared her throat and gave Tristan a pointed look before answering the man.
“I come before Arthur Castus, he is traveling here under an order from the Bishop at Hadrian’s Wall, he will be arriving here in a matter of hours with twenty others, they will require food and shelter, should you be so kind as to provide them.” She managed tactfully, finding it difficult to restrain herself from throttling the man who was so obviously looking at her chest. The fat lord looked one last time at her midriff before looking at her face, considering what he had just been told.
“Of course, of course, come in! We shall be honored to provide for such esteemed characters! And you, you my pretty one, will have a room right next to mine!” He crowed, motioning the pair of scowling knights into the courtyard beyond the massive gates. Tristan cleared his throat and said very clearly, “How delightful! Thank you for giving us such an esteemed room, My Lord.” Lord Geran turned, a frown on his face, pudgy hands on his non-existent hips. “I’m afraid you misunderstood me. The Lady would have the room next to mine.” He weaseled, smiling falsely and honing an air of surprise. Finn caught on immediately as to what Tristan was up to.
“But then you would be splitting us up, my Lord, my husband and I are not long wed!” She exclaimed, managing quite well an air of sweetness, when all she wanted to do was smack the Roman over Hadrian’s Wall. The Lord’s face fell.
“Oh…oh, you are wed! How…how lovely.” He ground out, disappointment clear on his fat features. Finn felt sick, wishing with all her heart that Arthur was there to tell the Lord what was to be done and then to say they could leave. He called a serving girl out of the shadows in the courtyard and whispered to her, the girl blanching at the last thing he said. Although it was mostly hidden, Finn saw the fat Lord give the terrified girl’s rear a squeeze before turning back to them. Smiling widely, he said, “My home is free for you to roam! Serf, here,” He indicated the girl, “Will show you to your room. I apologize, but the room next to mine is occupied, I had forgotten we had received another guest. One of my servants will alert you when Arthur arrives. Now if you would excuse me, I have things to attend to.” With a last sly look at the serving girl, he waddled off into the verandah, vanishing through a door and yelling for something or other. The serving girl cast a look of hate and terror at his back before seeming to remember the guests before her. “If you would please follow me, dismount and the stable boys will take care of your mounts. Feran! Vishan!” Two boys came running from where she had appeared, young and eager, even though one of them was limping on a heavily bruised knee. She turned to the boys, telling them to take the knight’s gear and weaponry to a room, and then to sort the horses. “Follow me please.” The girl said quietly, lowering her wide blue eyes to the mosaic floor and turning from them. Tristan and Finn shared a glance. This was not right at all. Following the girl through an empty corridor, Finn was the first to speak. “What is your name?” She asked the girl, looking at the sadly bruised back visible through the ripped and dirty toga she used as clothing. “Serf.” The girl replied sadly, hurrying on.
“Right, that’s the name you use around Geran, What’s your real name?”
The girl turned, looking her in the eye, a triumphant glint in her eye. A smile covered her features. “My name is Vientua.”


Evening had arrived, and the two knights sat at the fully laden table of the Roman Lord , who sat with them, feeling full. Arthur and the others had just been sighted by the Romans guards, and they would soon be here. Finn jumped suddenly, making Tristan who was sat opposite her, stare. Under the table, Geran had placed a hand on her knee, and was now making small circles with his thumb. Finn felt ill. “So! Husband!” She said loudly, throwing a glare at the Lord, who quickly removed his hand, giving her an angry look. “What are your plans for the next few hours?” She asked sweetly, giving him urgent looks with her eyes. “Well...” He whispered, an odd look that she had never seen before on his face.
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The door to their room closed quickly, and Tristan turned to face Finn, who stood looking at the narrow cot. “Do you want me to sleep on the floor?” She asked, not looking at him. He walked over to her, seeing the nervous jerk of her arm as he gently stroked her skin. “Tristan?” She asked, looking up at the older man. Quickly, urgently, his lips descended on hers, seeking the wildness he had seen in her eyes. With a pleased growl, she wrapped her arms around his neck, her tongue teasingly begging for entrance to his mouth. Steadily pushing her back, Tristan smiled against her mouth as they collided with the wall, bodies straining against each other, seeking dominance. Hands reaching down, Tristan moved his hands over her rear, picking her up and pressing her to the wall, feeling her heat as she wrapped her lags around him, grinding hard and fast. Gasping, Finn arched, breaking the kiss and whimpering slightly as Tristan began to tug demandingly at the shirt she wore. The skirt she wore was divested of quickly, her creamy, long legs exposed to the warm air. The shirt, peeled almost reverently from her body, tossed quickly to the floor, and the knights mouth consumed one of her nipples, making Finn ache with desire. “Tristan..” She gasped, hands gripping his shoulders, pulling at his shirt. Wolfishly grinning under his dark hair, the tattoos on his tanned cheeks giving him a feral look, Tristan practically tore his shirt and breeches off, lowering Finn to the small cot as he did so.
Their mouths crashed onto one another, bodies sliding easily against each other, Finn could feel Tristan hot, hard and ready against her. Smiling, she let him slide between her legs, watching the quiet knight. Penetration was swift, powerful, and heady. Gasping, Finn and Tristan found a rhythm, strong and fast. Moans escaped swollen lips and the sound of flesh colliding almost filled their minds. Her walls quivering, Finn came with a cry, tightening her legs around the knights hips, pulling him closer and over the edge with her. Lying together, his larger frame warming her, the pair got their breath back, Tristan rolling off her and promptly falling to the floor. Finn burst out laughing, rolling to look at him, eying his muscled frame and feeling herself tighten with want. Tristan grinned, looking up at her.
“Does this mean…?” She asked quietly, once they had washed and smoothed themselves. Tristan wrapped his arms around her. “Did we not just confirm that?” He asked, his head lolling to her neck, tasting the smooth skin. Finn moaned quietly, before gently tugging on his braids. “Come on. Arthur will be looking for us..”

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I got a Review!!!

Thank you Me! my first ever reviewer Glad you liked it, but i'll only write more if i get at least 2 more reviews!
and thank you to Allie, my second ever reviewer! glad you enjoyed it!


UPDATE-Regret to inform that i will not be continuting this story-as i have very little time at work at the moment, so all i am writing is Falcons Begginning. Sorry Folks