A/N: Chapter 1: revised.

The sensation of the wind whiping through my hair, was one which I could never get enough, I let the freedom rush through me, as I bent closer to Flecha's neck, Flecha was a pinto stallion, he had received that name because when he was young and even today he would be one of the first to charge into a battle. I quickly took a glance at the knights who were riding next to me. I could tell that they too were enjoying the ride, it was truly a rare moment to be able to relish, most of the time were either being chased and bothered by the Romans back at the camp or we were trying to stay alive during a fight. But a moment like this where we could just relax and be free was one we all treasured. I looked to my right and saw Galahad, with a look of freedom on his face. The knowledge that the bishop of Rome was coming today to give us our discharge papers, only made the thrill of freedom all the more glorious. I looked once again up ahead and I could see our commander Artorious, also known as Arthur bringing his great stallion Feonaro (Which means Spirit of Fire) to a stop, before a hill. He was soon followed by everyone else; I came up beside Galahad, just in time to hear Gawain say, "Ah, as promised the bishops carriage".

Ever since I was a kid, when had taken the place of my brother at the outpost, Gawain had always been the knight who I got along with most, he understood me, and although all of the other knights treated me with respect as one of their own, none of them treated me quite as Gawain did.

I looked across to the group, and saw from the expression on Bors' face that he was confused, Bors was always the kind for brute strength instead of intelligence, a trait which made him sometimes be misunderstood. People would often fear him as they did Dagonet, but the truth was that both men were kind and warmhearted under the mask of brutality. I was just about to clear his mind when someone else beat me to it.

"Freedom Bors" I heard a soft male voice say, a voice which I knew all to well, I looked to my right and once again saw Galahad. I looked back down to the group of Romans. To be honest I did not like them from the moment I saw them in Sarmatia when I disguised my self as a boy to take my brothers place. I had the advantage that I was so young at the time that you could not tell the difference. I was sure at the time they would find out that I was a girl before we arrived at our post in Britain, but I also knew that once we were in Britain that I would be safe. Lucky for me my disguise worked, and sure when the other knights first found out I was a girl they were shocked and slightly repelled; but they soon got over it and allowed me back into the circle.

I kept my eyes on the Romans when all of a sudden I felt uneasy about something, I knew that something was not right "I don't like this, it is too quiet"

"There is nothing to worry about little one it is just a beautiful day. Everything is nice and calm" Bors had barely got the last word out when one of the Roman officers was thrown off of his horse by an arrow, and the feeling I had proved right, out of the forest came a army of Woads.

"Woads!" I heard Tristan shout which served merely to confirm everyone's suspicions-, and fears. If the bishop were to die; we could never be free.

This idea made me tense up I felt Flecha dance under me, Arthur must have noticed it for he looked at me "Merenwen, stay here and wait for our return"

"Arthur, don't go through this again! You know that I am one of you and I will fight alongside the others" having said this I gave a sharp kick to Flecha and he bolted, all too eager. I could have sworn that out of the corner of my eye I saw Arthur smile as he gave Feonaro free reigns and let him gallop.

We charged down the hill and over the plains as we watched Woad after Woad attempted to get close to the bishop's carriage and Roman soldier after Roman soldier was killed, I looked at the scene partly in horror, for I knew that the bishop must not die - but I also knew that I had to keep my mind on the battle, if I wanted to survive. I spared Gawain a glance and saw him driving his horse forward by using the help of his lean body - and for a moment I began to have other fantasies about such movements but in other situations… I soon caught myself, gulped and quickly looked away. That was another thing: keep the dirty thoughts locked behind bars, or at least for now. I heard rather then saw Arthur pull out Excalibur and give a battle cry, which was our cue to go into battle formation. I quickly took my place next to Gawain, and pulled out my bow as well an arrow from my quiver, thinking this is it. I saw Arthur and Dagonet cut down the first three Woads with swords, and then Gawain stabbing a Woad who thought that it would be safe to climb up the river bank. Boy was he wrong! The Woad right behind Gawain got ready to strike at his back; I aimed my arrow at his own back and shot him just above the tail bone. There was not much time to pay attention to what all of the other knights were doing. I saw a Woad climb up the Church minister's carriage, with an axe in his hand and ready to kill the holy man I took another arrow from my quiver and shot the Woad in the back. Once the he was dead curiosity got the better of me and I brought Flecha up to the carriage; I knew that Flecha had probably stood on the Woad's hands because I heard the sickening sound of bones cracking. I pulled back the curtains to get a look at the bishop, but before I could really look I felt a Woad grab me around my neck and drag me off Flecha's back I heard Flecha give a loud cry in protest and he began to prance around in place. I felt the bow that I was holding be thrown from my hand; I tried to grab either an arrow or a knife - anything to kill this bastard who held me down - but he held me in a head lock which prevented me from doing anything. I looked up in horror and saw that the Woad had a dagger in his hand, ready to stab me in the heart. All of a sudden, out of nowhere I felt the weight leave my arms and head. I looked up to see what was going on and saw that it was Gawain who had grabbed the man off me, and who now was wrestling with him, I saw another Woad come close, and I knew that Gawain had not seen him: I grabbed one of my daggers and threw it at the Woad, piercing his heart. Gawain looked at the Woad, and then to me, nodding his head in thanks. He then went back to fighting the Woad which had almost killed me, grabbing the Woad's leg and throwing him down to the ground, finally cutting him down with his axe. I have seen Gawain be aggressive before but never quiet like this - it was almost as if he was scared, but for what?

Soon the battle was over, I looked around praying that no one had been killed. To my joy I found that everyone was fine, maybe a few bruises but basically fine. I felt two strong hands grab my shoulders and turn me around: and I came face to face with Gawain who pulled me into a fierce hug. For a while I was stunned, though I cannot deny that I did enjoy the hug. After a short moment I returned the hug with the same force as it was given.

We walked together to where Bors was standing looking into the bishop's carriage. We looked in over his head and saw that the bishop was sitting there with an arrow through his head, I looked to Gawain and saw that he had an expression of frustration which I was feeling as well. He threw his axe into the ground and kneeled down I could tell that he was angry, I quietly put my hand on his shoulder in attempt to comfort him, we. We both got up and walked back to our horses. Flecha was grazing quietly: when he saw me he picked up his head and nudged me, as if saying, 'Glad that you are all right'

"Hey boy, I missed you too," I told him as I gently patted his neck. I moved to the side, grabbed his mane and got back on him, just in time to hear Bishop Germanus speak to Arthur in favor. He then looked over to us "And these are the great Sarmatian knights we have heard so much of in Rome." He scanned over each of us, until his eyes fell on me "A WOMAN!!! What business does a woman have here?" he cried with a look of disgust

"The same as every other knight here," I said, certainly not liking the way in which this bishop was talking to me. (By the way in which Flecha was stamping I could tell he did not either.)

"She is one of the Sarmatian Knights, and she is as brave and as strong as all of the others," Arthur told the bishop. "I thought the Woads control the North of Hadrian's wall," the bishop said, not paying any more attention to my presence among the knights.

"They do, but they occasionally venture south. Rome's anticipated withdrawal has only increased their daring," Arthur told him as they began to walk towards the carriage.

"Woads?" The Bishops secretary asked.

"British rebels who hate Rome," Gawain said, keeping his cool. I must admit that I envied him for being able to stay so calm.

"Men who want their country back!" Of course Galahad unlike his brother had still to do a lot of training in that area. At this the bishop picked up, at this, of course probably only to find out who he could brain wash, "Who leads them?" "His name is Merlin. A dark magician, some say," Lancelot retorted. He was one who never gave up a chance to make fun of Romans.

"Tristan, Merenwen, ride ahead and make sure the road is clear," Arthur told us, I turned Flecha around and gave him a nudge: I knew that we were both all too eager to get away from the bishop. It did not take long for Tristan to come up next to me, but soon after we split ways, each of us scouting the other direction.

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