Disclaimer: I don't own King Arthur or any of its characters. The King Arthur movie is the property of Touchstone Pictures. So there is no copyright infringement intended, nor do I intend to tick anyone off – so please don't sue me, I'm poor enough already! But I do own the story itself and the characters of Storm and non-King Arthurian types…. :O)

This is my sixth King Arthur fanfic. It is based on the 2004 movie and my own (twisted) imagination! I do not intend to rip off any other writer (I just can't wade through so many pages of stories to check, I'd lose the will to live!) so if this premise has been done before I'm sorry, I just hope mine is different enough for it not to be too boring. But if I digress from the movie and stuff a little, don't shoot me as I'm old and the brain (what little I have) is not what it used to be. Plus I might also change things to fit the story a little better –sorry. But that is what artistic license is all about! LOL

I watched the film again recently; I have lost count now of how many times now….and thought it time to do an Arthur story – but wanted it to be a little different.

So here it is, it's set after the original movie – and with some unexpected changes to my usual format. It's going to be reasonably dramatic and possibly romantic …and in places it will be humorous (I hope!)….. It is nothing but fluff, so if you don't like this sort of stuff please don't read it! If you've read any of my other stuff and liked it, hopefully you'll like this too.

WARNING: BAD LANGUAGE AND VIOLENCE, SO READ AT YOUR OWN PERIL.

All reviews, and constructive criticism, gratefully received – but no flaming please; and I will try to update regularly.

'—' signifies thoughts.

"—" signifies speech.

Anyway…on with the show!

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ABANDONED PRINCESS

Chapter One – Welcome Back

Storm rode into Letocetum and couldn't believe how big it was. The fort was massive compared to the one at the wall. She settled her horse at the stables and then went into search of her old friends; it had been 6½ years since she had seen them and was keen to see how they'd changed.

It hadn't been too much of a surprise to find out that Arthur was king now and that he and the others had left the wall and travelled to the Mid Lands. After all, as a king he would've needed to be central in the country to ensure he could get quickly to wherever he and his army would be needed.

The Woads were a good bunch of people; as good as she remembered when she left. She sighed; she had missed Tristan, and Lancelot for that matter, they were her best friends – but Tristan had been her favourite. She thanked God every day that she had been able to save them both in that final battle with the Saxons at Badon Hill.

But if ever she could have chosen a brother, it would have been Tristan; she would never have admitted it to him, for he would never have let her forget it in his quiet teasing way, but she truly adored him. Still, she'd felt uneasy the last few months, and so had decided to come back as soon as she could.

She quickened her pace, keen to see how he and the others fared and wondering if they'd be with Arthur – after all finding the bloody king in this heaving town would be easier than trying to find the knights.

She noticed a redheaded woman trying to protect a little dark haired girl, both of whom looked as if they were about to be killed by two vagabond romans – she assumed they were roman soldiers, probably deserters. How was this allowed in the fabled city of King Arthur, that wondrous place the Woads had told her about?

She was about to intervene, and play the conquering hero as Lancelot loved to call her with that trademark smirk of his, when suddenly her heart almost stopped in her chest as she realised that the woman was none other than Vanora. She flew down the slope "Oi! You roman bastards!" she yelled "Leave them alone!"

Van turned as she recognised the voice "Storm? Oh the Goddess be praised!" before the men had time to react, Storm's sword had stabbed one through the heart and the other's head rolled across the floor.

"Van, what in the name of God is going on here? Whose she? Where's her mother and father?" Storm gestured to the little girl, more than a little confused at what was going on.

Van hugged Storm tightly "Oh it is so good to see you girl!" The smaller woman was almost close to tears and it bothered the younger woman immensely. She looked older, sadder, somehow – like a great weight had been pushing her down. What the devil had happened whilst she'd been away?

"Vanora, tell me why you are alone with a strange child I know is not yours?" the small girl looked up at her; with her brilliant green eyes, a mop of dark curly hair and a solemn stare Storm immediately knew her father "in fact a child that looks remarkably like our roman commander, now turned king?"

she glanced round "where's the others? I know that Tristan and Lancelot would not have left you alone, even if your Bors and the others had!" she chuckled suddenly remembering how protective the two knights had become of both of them after the final saxon battle.

They'd seemed scared they'd lose them, it had irritated Storm no end as she'd saved their lives – a fact which she had frequently reminded them of as they followed her about the fort; Tristan, bless him, at least attempting to track her surreptitiously, whereas Lancelot just followed her and didn't care that she knew.

"Come back to mine darlin' – I have so much to tell you; and none of it bloody good. Dark days Stormy, dark days have been here…….but now you're back, mayhap, aye mayhap it'll change now…." She looked at the girl before her; no, woman now; for in the 6+ years she'd been gone Storm had filled out.

Her figure was curvy instead of skinny, she was muscular and there was a harsher edge to her than before. Her jet black curly hair now framed glittering green eyes that lacked the warmth they used to hold in their depths at all times; now it seemed they only softened when looking at someone she cared for…..like Van herself.

Van wondered what she'd suffered in the time they'd been apart to make her so bitter; but things were about to get worse for the lass – oh yes, much, much worse.

The little girl clamped herself to Storm's leg "like you lady. Carry Bell, yes?" Green eyes begged her.

Storm sighed, she could see this little one was going to wrap her round her little finger "alright little one, c'mere." And she hoisted the child into her arms "so, whose your daddy?" Though she already had guessed.

"King is my daddy….but daddy too busy to love me…." She sighed sadly.

Storm glowered at Van "what the hell does that mean!"

Van shuddered; Goddess, Arthur was about to come in for a rude awakening when this was spelt out and the young woman went looking for him. She only hoped Storm kept her head on her shoulders when she was finished. She'd always had a quick temper, that was what the others had loved about her so much; especially Tri….. Tears swam in her eyes, and she breathed deeply.

But now Storm seemed angrier and edgier she thought; Arthur too was different, harder and more detached – when they met, especially over Bell and what he'd done, this was going to be a clash of the titans….him being king was not going to save him from her tongue….maybe not even her sword.

"Wait until we get to mine, then I'll tell you all…"

0-0-0-0-0

When they got to Van and Bors' place the children swarmed around her thrilled to see their friend back. She swore she 'didn't like children' – but all knew it to be a lie as children gravitated to her like a bee to honey; she loved them, and Bors and Van's lot especially could always get round her.

Van had mused to Bors, before Storm had left the first time, that had Dag lived she would have been perfect for the gentle giant. Bors would nod sadly and not reply - he still missed the large knight painfully.

None of the men were there but Storm got straight to the point anyway, as had always been her way "Right, now – what in the name of Hades is happening here? She says Arthur's her dad and is 'too busy' to love her? Where's her mother, I'm assuming that's Guinevere – I know she and I didn't get on, but she's not that much of a bitch to just abandon her daughter like this.

What of Tris and Lance? Those two would definitely not have let Arthur get away with this shit, even if you lot did!" She angrily exclaimed.

"They're dead." said a blank voice behind her.

She spun to see a sad looking Gawain "What!" They're what!" she shook her head "I don't believe you! I'd have known! I would have….Tristan especially…I would!" Tears immediately stung her eyes as she realised in a way she had, that uneasy feeling….

Gawain walked forward and enveloped her in a hug, she thumped his chest even as Van dissolved into tears; the children standing shocked at the angry and sad adults around them once more, it had been a few months since they'd seen them this sad "I don't…..I can't……dead? Both dead?"

"Aye." Gawain muttered "As Bors says 'it's a bloody mess'. We prayed you'd come back, we did. Galahad especially – you know how he hates for us all to fall out."

She nodded "What the hell happened Gawain?" she hugged him tightly "its muchly good to see you though old friend. Not much of a greeting you got from me though."

He chuckled sadly "Nay lass, but then I would have expected no different with the way I broke the news – but what else could I say? I'd heard of a stranger come to the city and when they described you and how you were dressed; and the fact you were asking after Arthur Castus and his knights – and not King Arthur…" He pointed to the leather outfit so like Lancelot's and her swords so like Tristan's – the two knights way of accepting her and thanking her for saving them "I knew it could only be you."

"So…what's happened here while I been gone?" She sat on the bench next to him, just before a human ball barrelled into her and knocked her flying.

"Stormy, Stormy! I couldn't believe it when Gawain said he thought you were back!" Galahad stood up and hauled her to feet, picking her up and swinging her round in a tight embrace "Goddess we've missed you!" he looked to his brother "Does she know, did you tell her?"

"Aye." Calm eyes regarded him.

"You sound and look like Tris." Storm murmured to Gawain, freeing herself from Galahad to reach and stroke the blond knight's cheek.

"Then that is the best compliment I've had in a long time. Maybe I can call you sister then as he did, eh?" pale green eyes regarded her, both sets full.

"Aye, if you wish Gawain; I would welcome it. But what's changed you? He's all hyper, more than he ever used to be, and Van is….." she sighed "so sad. Is Bors alright?" It would be too much if that great old lug had perished too. If that was the case she would fall on her sword now and have done with it; as it was she felt she'd already died and was in hell.

"Nay, Bors is fine…." He was about to say more when two little children came running in – one a little blond headed girl all blue eyes and smiles, not more than 4 years old and with hair just like Gawain's; and a little boy around the same age looking the spit of Galahad.

"Yours?" she looked at the two men as two young women came in. One blond and one dark; blond went to Gawain and dark to Galahad, as Storm suspected.

Blond came over then "Hello I am Clara, Gawain's wife. This is our daughter Blossom. This here is Beccalyn, Galahad's wife" the dark haired girl smiled at Storm "and their son Blade."

"I'm Storm. Good to meet you both; anyone who can tie down these two scallies and give them bairns, all without them bolting, has my lifelong admiration." Storm grinned, though it never reached her eyes.

"I knew we'd like you, from all that our men told us – and Van here waxed lyrical about you; I knew, when we finally met, we'd get on." Clara spoke softly and there was a serenity about her Storm liked, and decided they'd be friends.

Beccalyn came over "same goes for me…" she was a bit more forthright with a no nonsense air about her, but even so Storm liked her. She realised the two men had picked women that complimented them to a T…

"So – what the hell has happened?" Storm tried to halt her temper as there were ladies present. Lancelot would often laugh that she never considered herself a lady and would act more like one of the knights. Her eyes suddenly swum at the thought of Lance, and immediately after, of her Tristan; but there would be time for grieving when this was sorted out…..

"This is Isabel – Bell for short." Gawain smiled and chucked the little girl's cheek as she climbed on Storm's lap "she likes you, she's usually shy with strangers. The only other she was like this with was Tris…" He stopped as Bell spoke up.

"Uncie Tris-Tris gone to live with the angels…" she sighed heavily "I miss Uncie Tris-Tris."

Storm impulsively hugged the little girl hard "So do I, little Bell, so do I. He was my big brother…." Her voice caught and a tear slid down her cheek. She swiped it away as she cleared her throat, and swallowed the tears muttering so the others could only just hear "later, later."

"She has no bow or blade to defend herself – can she even ride?" Storm was surprised. Under Sarmatian rules the child should be learning all three by now, certainly enough to defend herself.

Galahad shook his head "Tris was teaching her to ride and bow, but it was hard when he was away scouting so much, and we had our own to take care of and she had a nurse then …..then he…." His voice tailed away.

Gawain took up the story again "Bell is 5, and Arthur has nothing to do with her. It seems he feels he has reason to believe that Guinevere cheated on him with Lancelot and that she's his child. Arthur could not tackle either one as Lancelot died in battle and that night Guinevere died in childbirth."

Storm nodded; anger now choking her as well as grief, but she managed to push out "He believes that Lancelot would betray him so? I see…."

Gawain continued, albeit painfully, Lancelot's death had been a few years ago now and the pain had diminished. However Tristan's demise was still fresh and the loss of him still sharp; additionally he knew how the loss of both, but particularly the scout, would affect Storm "Tristan died in a battle six months ago…" he stopped and took a deep breath, his eyes suddenly bright and Clara patted his shoulder, even as Galahad drew Beccalyn to him and hugged her "his last words, which were to me, were 'when Storm returns, tell I said goodbye.' His voice caught at the last as he saw Storm bite her lip till it bled to ensure she did not cry.

She was deeply distraught at the loss of her two best friends and her brother. Just then Bors came in, strode over and hugged her tightly "Oh lass, lass, glad I am to see ya. I couldn't believe it when our Gilly came and fetched me and told me you was back."

He looked at her then, knowing she knew of the other's deaths "do you want to go see their graves?"

She flinched slightly "Nay Bors, not yet – for now I have to go see a prat that I used to call friend!"

"Don't lass, he's not like he used to be – we've left him to it for the most part." Bors sighed.

"Nay, I cannot – the Arthur I knew would not have abandoned his child so." she swallowed hard "and Lancelot and Tristan would not have let it get so bad!" she strode out before anyone could stop her.

Bors went to follow, but Gawain grabbed his arm "Leave her Bors – this madness has gone on long enough; it is time someone dealt with him. We are too close; he may listen to her more than he has us."

Bors nodded "Aye, but he has a temper now and so do she. It could end badly."

"You think we will allow him to hurt her? I'd cut him down myself first." Gawain spoke calmly and with a small smile.

Galahad grinned "She's right, you are like Tristan." Gawain ruffled his hair, but chuckled ruefully.

0-0-0-0-0-0

The first Arthur knew of her return was when Storm banged into his meeting room.

She saw he still had the round table and, as they advanced on her, she threatened his advisors and guard with her swords. Arthur stood up from where he was bent over some maps and papers, clearly confused at who this woman was; though she reminded him of Lancelot with the outfit, hair and insolent stare.

She turned to his clerks "Want to continue breathing?" she asked casually, reminding him then of Tristan with her casual threat "coz if you do, leave us now." She glanced at Arthur, arching an eyebrow "Unless you wish to have your dirty laundry washed in public?"

She could see he didn't recognise her, so reminded him of something she told him after the battle of Baden Hill "We make war that we may live in peace. Do you remember I told you Aristotle said that? When you worried so that Tristan and Lancelot would not survive, and blamed yourself for dragging them into the battle at Baden Hill - I told you there would always be a battlefield, that there was no such thing as perfect peace; and you told me I sounded too much like Lancelot and killed too much like Tristan."

Recognition flooded his face, "Leave us, she is a friend from long ago." He dismissed his advisors, ignoring the sarcastic snort of derision she gave at that comment – however he could see she was extremely angry.

"So Arthur – you are now a king? Well, well…..it is such a shame that a piece of gold has stolen your soul." He looked at her quizzically as she pointed to his crown, resting on a nearby stand. "I found a child today that was about to be killed by two drunken Romans; a woman was trying to protect her, but was quite obviously going to die as well. I killed the drunks and realised the woman was Vanora - she informed me the child was yours.

Imagine my surprise to find the little dot wandering the grounds on her own without dagger or bow to protect herself – and to be told by Galahad she can wield neither, and nor can she ride! She is 5 summers Arthur; she should be accomplished in at least the saddle and the dagger by now!

I understand though that you care naught for the child, and the reasons are beyond both ridicule and anger. Think what you like of your queen, I cared naught for her as you know and warned you of her; but do not think to test my patience by demeaning the name of my best friend….for that is what he was to me.

I know too Tristan, a brother to me in all ways, would have been angered by your conduct!" she slammed the hilt of her one of her swords on the table and swept all his maps and papers to the floor.

"See these names Arthur….they are knights; honourable men – and Lancelot in particular loved you as a brother, as well as a commander and friend. He would never have betrayed you like that, no matter what feelings he had for her!

You keep the table Arthur, king of the Britons" she spoke the last words with utter contempt "Yet you do not keep the sentiment that forged it….."

"I am a King" he finally spoke for the first time, both angry and sad - his eyes blazing "I have more responsibilities now than you will ever know… you have not been…."

"Nay" she interrupted "to me you are a man…only that. I will not recognise the bully you have become as a king. The Arthur I knew and loved was not the man before me. No one died and made you a God Arthur….you should remember that, especially as a Christian – and instead of those sycophantic clerks, you should have the knights round you. The ones who will tell you true and not merely what you wish to hear!"

Arthur was incensed that she had dared to question him, but was at the same time intrigued. He had to admit it had been a long time since anyone had dared to oppose him like this.

"Alright, you think it is so easy – you deal with her."

"What! I do not deal with children…" she snorted.

For a moment to him it was almost as if Tristan and Lancelot both stood before him, arguing with him as they always did. Tristan especially had not been best pleased at dealing with the….child, but had taken to her in the end.

Arthur shut his eyes against the memory of her reaction on hearing of the scout's death from Gawain. "nonononononono! Uncie Tris would not leave me so! Nononono!" she had run through the fort crying and looking for the scout, it had torn all who'd seen it; it was the last time he had witnessed any emotion from her, and she had kept herself apart from then on – though he had heard her sobs at night for many weeks after. Still, he had set his heart against her and refused to weaken; to go comfort her, even though he missed Tristan too. She was not his responsibility…..

It was then he had finally cut himself off from the others, sick of seeing their reproachful stares – especially Gawain, who he saw almost metamorphosis into Tristan; just maybe a little softer round the edges than the scout.

"Well, then it seems you are no better than you think I am." he stated with a derisory smirk.

Storm lost her temper "Fuck.you! I'll do it….I'll take care of her and show her that at least someone in this Godforsaken fortress gives a damn what happens to her! But I want to look out for her as I see fit! So no nurse and no interference from you or anyone, got it? You don't want the poor little wretch, fine – then she is mine from this moment!" she barked defiantly.

He merely nodded and she slammed out; the door shaking on its hinges, she slammed it so hard. He stood for a moment and then sighed before going back to his papers as he picked them up from the floor, thinking at least it was over. The child would be out of his hair, and cared for by someone willing to raise her to be able to look out for herself.

Two shadows seemed to stand by the door, and Arthur merely caught the darkness out of the corner of his eye as they suddenly disappeared just as the sun shifted behind a cloud.

He shook his head at the stupid notion that had entered his mind suddenly; but had yet to find out how wrong he was in his assumption that at least now he was free.