Disclaimer:

Claire: Okay where is she now? Looks around the disclaimer void

Gawain: I believe she is hiding in a tree because she's afraid of what her fans will do to her if she tells them that after this post she has nothing typed for the next chapter. -He shakes his head from his spot by Claire- Well, nothing that fallows the next few years, only things from the movie and after.

Galahad: -steps out from behind a bush- Which is kind of stupid of her considering how popular this story is compared to all her other stories.

BL: Hey, don't dis me! -shouts from her tree- I couldn't help it if LIFE got in the way of my writing!

Claire: Just do the stupid Disclaimer already! So your poor readers (how ever many there are left after your many months of no posts) can read the chapter!

BL: -shouts- You just don't like the chapter because Gawain got to see you in your birthday suit!

-Claire growls and moves toward BL's voice, but Gawain and Galahad stop her by grabbing her arms-

Gawain: Claire, what have I told you to do when you want to kill the author?

-Claire stopped moving and glared at him before starting to sing in an annoyed voice-

Claire: I feel pretty / oh, so pretty / oh, so pretty and witty and...

Gawain: Gay…

BL: -still in her tree- I do not own King Arthur or any of their knights (though I sometimes wish I did). Nor do I own the song Claire is currently singing, but I do own Claire, Keela and any other original character.

Chapter 5: Embarrassments

It took me the better part of the day to get Keela to talk to me, and not lay on her bunk, staring blankly at the ceiling. When she did speak she asked what time it was. In turn I replied it was almost dinner. After that she got up and dashed out of the room. I tried to fallow her, but one thing Keela knew how to do, it was to hide.

After twenty minutes I gave up. Growling, I went to find the others. They were in the mess hall eating dinner. When I walked up towards them, one of the older knights pinched my ass as I walked by and whistled. I froze on the spot and slowly turned to face the bastard, who dared to piss me off any more then I already was. I fixed him with a cold look and clenched my fist.

"Why don't you sit here, Love? I can guarantee you'll have a pleasurable time," the older boy said with what he thought was a charming smirk. I clenched my jaw.

"Gold coin says she punches him in the face," Galahad whispered to Gawain, who shook his head.

"I'll take that bet, but I don't think he'll get off that easy," Gawain whispered back.

"Two coins says she knees him in the balls," Bors remarked chuckling a bit, the others winced at the thought. I would have found these bets amusing if I hadn't been in an already foul mood.

I drew back my fist and slugged him in the nose. The guy howled in pain as he cradled his nose, which was most likely broken, trying to stem the blood flow.

"Here, let me help you fix that!" I growled with a feral smile, as I pinched his nose between my forefinger and middle finger, pulling him to his feet. He screamed in pain. Once he was on his feet I released his nose. "Here let me take your mind off the pain in your nose," I remarked pleasantly, then slammed my knee up between his legs, his breath came out in a high pitched squeak as he slumped to the stone floor. I bent over him, smirking in satisfaction.

"Was that the pleasurable time you were talking about?" I asked sweetly, when he didn't answer. I patted his chest like one would a good dog and straightened. "Have a nice day," I said in mock cheerfulness as I walked to where the others were sitting.

Bors was laughing as softly as he could. Galahad was holding out his hand to Gawain, who grudgingly handed him a gold coin. I sat across from Gawain feeling somewhat happier. It's amazing what a little punching can do to help release pent up anger.

"Told ya she would. Claire's a woman who knows where to hurt a man the worst," Bors stated with amusement. He found everything I did somewhat amusing, because I'd kicked the ass, of anyone who touched me without my consent… regardless of the punishment afterwards.

"Don't give her any idea's, Bors," Gawain stated wincing a bit at the thought. "I hope to have children someday," he remarked under his breath. I smirked softly at this.

"A kick to your family jewels might loosen some family traits that you lack," I snorted as I grabbed some stew and a hunk of bread. Gawain arched a brow at me.

"Such as?" he asked.

"Brains for one," I chuckled. He was making this too easy. "And I hope that if you do have children they take after their mother," I added trying not to laugh.

"Why is that?" he asked in annoyance.

"Because you would make a very ugly woman, and your sons would need to be forced to take a bath more then once a month," I replied, breaking into laughter. I heard him growl, but didn't wait for more, I snatched two more hunks of bread and ran for it. The other's laughter fallowed me as I sprinted out of the mess hall, with Gawain hot at my heels...

It was always fun to aggravate Gawain.

-Keela's POV-

I was laying in the hayloft thinking. The horses beneath me shifted and snorted before settling down to sleep. No one else was in the stables thankfully. I didn't want to talk to anyone at the moment, but I wouldn't be so fortunate.

"Are you hiding from Claire?" someone asked from behind me making me jump and roll off the bale I was on to the wood boarding below. I landed with a thump and a groan. I heard them chuckle. I pushed myself up to see who had startled me. I growled a bit when I saw who it was.

Lancelot.

I'm not talking to you, I glared at him before getting to my feet then turned to leave.

"Keela," Lancelot sighed, placing a hand on my shoulder to stop me. I whipped around to face him.

You knew, I paused taking a frustrated breath. You knew, didn't you?

"Knew what?" he asked frowning a bit.

Don't play dumb, Lancelot… it doesn't suit you, I signed angrily.

"Keela," he sighed. I smacked him across the shoulder and head. "Ow, what was that for?" he grumbled rubbing his head.

For before, AND for being an ass, I retorted, then crossed me arms.

"An ass? I didn't do anything!" he snapped. I moved to hit him again to shut him up, but as soon as I moved he took a step back and put his hands up in surrender. I lowered my hand and gave him a look.

Don't make me hurt you, I stated, glaring at him. Lancelot wisely did as he was told. I moved to sit but just as I stepped, the plank I was standing on snapped. I barely had a chance to scream, let alone try and stop my fall, before I was caught. My eyes flew open, I had closed them to brace for my landing, panting hard. My heart racing a mile a minute, as I looked up to see who had caught me…

"Nice of you to drop by," a deep but soft voice remarked. My eyes widened and I tensed as I recognized their voice. I was in Tristan's arms. Just my luck the person I was trying to avoid and I fall right into his arms. Fabulous.

"By the Gods, Keela! Are you alright?" Lancelot called down from above me. His face creased with concern.

How the hell do you think I am? I just fell about a ten feet? And right into Tristan arms! I yelled mentally. Then groaned a little before rubbing my head and giving him the thumbs up.

"She's fine," Tristan called back curtly. I heard Lancelot scramble about above me as he tried to make his way down from the loft. Tristan looked down at me and brushed my hair from my eyes. "You of all people should know that those planks aren't sturdy anymore," he whispered and slowly lowered my feet to the ground. I nodded dumbly and he pulled a few pieces of hay from my hair.

Thanks... Tristan... for catching me, I signed nervously, my hands trembled a bit because I was never certain of what Tristan would do.

All the others, such as Lancelot and Gawain, were easy to predict. Lancelot would flirt and fight fiercely. While Gawain was joker and fought calmly at the beginning, then with more intensity the angrier he grew. The others were just as easy to predict.

The only indication he understood me, was a small nod of his head, while he continued to pull more hay from my hair. I began to blush as he ran his fingers through my hair to rid it of the last pieces of hay. To be honest it felt nice having him do this, his hands were gentle despite his cool behavior to everyone else, but his horse.

"Well don't you look just cozy," Lancelot remarked with amusement as he appeared from the shadows of stables. I jumped about a foot in the air. I had forgotten Lancelot was in the stables.

Thanks again, Tristan, I signed as I blushed furiously then I turned to face the curly haired knight. He smirked at me and I glared back before moving swiftly to leave the stables. I ran to the barracks and almost ran headfirst into Galahad.

"Whoa! Claire, where are you going in such a hurry?" he asked. I racked my brain for something to explain my behavior.

I have to go pack for tomorrow. Malcolm wishes to take us out into the wood to test our skill, I signed quickly as I remembered that important piece of information. Galahad seemed to except this explanation.

"Claire was looking for you earlier," he smiled. "But I suppose you already know that," he remarked knowing that there was little that Claire did that escaped my notice. I nodded.

"Keela, you are an odd girl," he remarked smiling as he draped his arm around my shoulder.

Not any odder then you, Galahad. At least I hide it better, I replied smirking a bit. He rolled his eyes at this, causing me to ruffle his hair playfully. Ha slapped my hand away.

"I hate it when you do that," he muttered. I made a kissy face at him then before he could retaliate I ducked out from under his arm and headed in the opposite way to go pack.

XXX

I was saddling Zenith when Claire stomped into the stables, her hair soaking wet. I looked at her questioningly and got a glare in return.

"Claire! Claire, I'm sorry!" Gawain shouted as he ran in and skidded to a halt beside the furious female knight. "Lancelot said the baths were empty." He tried to explain as he looked at her pleadingly.

"Yeah sure, Gawain. You just wanted a peek!" Claire snapped, glaring at him. "I hope you enjoyed it cause that's all you're going to see!" she growled.

"It's not like I haven't seen it before," Gawain blurted out before thinking. Claire froze and I winced. Now that was a piece of information that did not need to be told.

"You what?" she shouted her brown eyes flashing in anger. Gawain's eyes widened as he realized what he had said. He was in for it now and he knew it but he tried to explain anyway.

"Claire, I-" Smack!

I winced as I saw her slap him across the face, with enough force it snapped his head to the left. She then stomped away, her head held high and her eyes flashing. He looked after her in shock then looked at me. A vivid red mark was starting on his cheek.

You're lucky she didn't punch you, I signed, chuckling silently. Claire wasn't one for doing the womanly thing like slapping. Punching usually worked. Or stabbed you, I added giving him a look that said 'idiot'.

"It's not like I meant to walk in on her. It just…" he struggled to find the right word, "happened," he finished looking dejected. I shook my head in amusement as I finished tightening Zenith's cinch and just as I reached to tie my bedroll to my saddle I looked up, realizing something and turned to sign.

Lancelot told you the bathe was empty? I asked with a slight frown. Gawain nodded quickly in annoyance then stopped. A look of pure anger passed over his face.

Gawain, I signed looking at him in worry. Don't do anything stupid.

"I'm not doing something stupid," he retorted as he stomped out of the stables. "I'm doing something right," he added in a growl over his shoulder.

Panic filled me as I watched him leave. Would he hurt Lancelot? I asked myself. Then quickly dismissed the thought. Gawain wouldn't do something like that…would he?

Suddenly I heard a shout

I guess that would be a 'yes.'

I ran outside just in time to see Lancelot get slugged. I ran over, and grabbed Gawain by the arm just as he moved to haul Lancelot up onto his feet to punch him again. With one precise move I pulled him back before he could do anymore damage, and had to shift my hold onto both of his arms because he decided to lunge at Lancelot, who was sporting a spilt lip, when he realized I had a hold of him. I hauled him back again and spun him around so I stood in front of him.

"Keela, get out of the way!" Gawain shouted trying to push me to the side, but I held my ground and pushed him back with a well-placed shove, all the while I was shaking my head.

You're acting like an idiot, I signed, glaring at him.

"No, I'm not! He deserves it!" he retorted. I grabbed him by the collar and pulled him back towards the stables to where the water trough was and pushed him in. He landed with a sploosh and surfaced sputtering.

Cool off! I signed, my face clearly making it an order, not a request before staking back to where Lancelot was.

"Thanks, Keela," Lancelot said with a smile. I cuffed him upside the head. "Ow…" he moved to rub his head, "What was THAT for?" he demanded as he rubbed his head.

Why do you provoke him? I asked, glaring at him.

"Because he's so easy to provoke," he replied ducking away as I moved to cuff him again. I rolled my eyes and smacked him again.

Maybe that will knock some sense into you, I signed. He glared at me as I walked back to our room, leaving him behind. As I walked into our room, I saw Claire sitting on her bed looking furious. The room was empty except for her.

"Asshole," she growled as I climbed up onto her bed and sat cross-legged. "He didn't even knock," she continued.

Claire, Gawain didn't mean to walk in on you, I signed, after lightly putting a hand on her arm. Lancelot told him it was empty, I added. Claire froze.

"He what?" she growled. I was about to sign it again when Claire leapt off the bed and dashed out the door. I heard a smack, then the sound of a fist connecting with flesh. Then I heard Claire stock off. After a moment, or two Lancelot came walking in, rubbing his face. I arched a brow in amusement.

You deserved it, I signed, chuckling silently.

"I did not," Lancelot retorted. "I didn't push him into the Bathe room," he stated trying to maintain his innocence.

Yeah but you told him it was empty, which is about the same, I signed.

"Is not," he said giving me an annoyed look, while he switched to sign language mid word.

Is too, I shot back.

Is not.

Is too.

Is not.

Is too.

Is not.

Is not.

Is too, he paused. Then a look of realization came over his face as he realized what I had done. I can't believe I fell for that. It's the oldest trick in the book, he signed, looking both annoyed and amused.

Yes, it is and neither can I, I signed, smirking. There was a long silence as I watched him gingerly begin to touch his jaw to determine the damage she did to his face.

Are you ready to leave this place? I asked referring to our soon to be announced departure for Britain.

"More then ready," he muttered. "I'm sick of this place and I can't wait for some action," he stated sounding bored. I chuckled.

Me too. I'm sick off all the perverts in this place. I can't wait for to be in open space with nothing around me, but the sky and grass… I trailed off, sighing slightly as I thought about it. Then shook myself out of my daydream. I have to go. Malcolm and Tristan are probably waiting for me, I signed.

"Keela, wait," Lancelot blurted as I turned to head back towards the stables. I paused and glanced back. My face clearly saying 'what?'

"Be careful," he said after a moment, clearly looking worried. I arched a brow. "Right… this is you," he smiled, blushing a bit. I chuckled silently before continuing to the stables.

A few minutes later I came across Bors and Dagonet, they were standing at the stable doors arms crossed over their chests.

What? I asked when they didn't say anything.

"What's with Claire? I asked her if she wanted to go riding with us and she damn near bit my head off," Bors stated looking non-too impressed at the moment. I shouldered past them to get to Zenith's stall before telling them what happened.

Lancelot told Gawain that the bathe was empty when Claire was in there, I signed. Dagonet's eyes widened while Bors began to laugh.

"So he burst in there?" Bors asked chuckling. I nodded while I moved to tie my bedroll to my saddle.

"I imagine she wasn't too happy about that," Dagonet remarked with a small smirk.

I knew both of them found this funny because we all knew Claire had an explosive temper.

No, she wasn't. She slapped him across the face, I stated looking annoyed.

"Who? Gawain or Lancelot?" Bors asked finding this highly amusing. I moved to Zenith's halter to adjust it.

Both, I replied. Bors chuckled.

"So where is she now?" he asked looking around trying to spot the rangy woman. I looked under Zenith's neck and rolled my eyes.

The archery ranges, I said without needing to think about it. Claire was always at the ranges practicing. It was her way of relaxing and she really needed to relax.

I glanced at the sky through the door from where I was. It was almost midday and I needed to get going. Malcolm and Tristan would not hesitate to leave me behind and I really needed the scouting practice.

Leave her be until I get back, I told them as I grabbed Zenith's lead and began to lead her out of the stables to the courtyard. Bors and Dagonet followed me out.

"When will ya be back?" Bors asked not liking the idea of pussyfooting around Claire for days.

By tomorrow afternoon by the latest, I replied. Then swung up into the saddle and took up my reins.

"Now ya be careful. Ye hear," Bors said as he stepped back to let me past.

Yes, Father, I signed in mock sarcasm as I smiled then waved bye to both knights and kicked Zenith into a trot. Both knights nodded back.

Just as I rounded a street corner I glanced over my shoulder. I saw Bors turn to Dagonet say something, which caused the tall knight to chuckle and shake his head before they both headed back to the tavern for a relaxing drink.

Author's note: I am SO sorry I haven't posted in a while and as Gawain said I have been slacking off and no I'm not giving up on this story. But life has gotten in the way via the form of work and I've now moved twice this year so a lot of my stuff is still scattered around in boxes. Plus, I didn't have the net for a little over a month, which didn't help matters. Any who, I honestly don't know when my next post will be, but I promise that I am writing and have not given up on this story.

Brandy Lebeau