A/N: I do not own King Arthur. However, I cannot seem to get rid of these bloody knights. I know what your thinking, why would you want to? Well lets just say electrical outlets and Galahad don't mix. : D Enjoy!

Ari's gut was clenched as she inched closer and closer to the large prison that would become her home. She didn't know why she had agreed to this. It was true; she missed her cousin dearly. But giving up her life of freedom and solitary to live in some fort surrounded by stone walls and Romans, that was just crazy. Like the blood that flowed through her very veins, she was a free spirit; preferring death over confinement in a cage. Sure she was being dramatic. The fort was fairly large and room was plentiful. But going from being encompassed by forest to living amidst stone and poorly paid villagers was difficult.

She had no more time to dwell on the matter though because her large ebony stallion Bael had brought her to the colossal oak gate that deemed the worthy from the sinners. She inwardly cursed him. Being a Friesian horse his strides were large and graceful, and he seemed to walk faster knowing she was trying to procrastinate reaching the Wall.

Hadrian's Wall; separating the tamed people of the South from the barbarians of the North. Also one of the last standing Roman forts in Briton. It was run by the infamous Arthur Castus, the bearer of two bloods. His name whispered like the God he worshiped, he led the notorious Sarmatian Knights from the east. Their number was great at one point, but many years had passed and only ten remained. They were no less deadly though, and Ari felt chills run down her spine at finally being able to meet the people that meant much more to her than they would ever know.

Peering up from her hood she saw a very pompous looking Roman staring down at her with a suspicious glare. Not eager to be the one initiating conversation, she simply brought Bael to halt and waited patiently. "State your name and purpose!" the man ordered gruffly. Well at least I know the Romans have impeccable manners, she thought wryly to herself. Lowering her hood she squinted up at him and mustered the dirtiest glare she could with the sun in her eyes.

"I don't believe my name is truly any of your business. But if you must know, I'm here to visit family," she said, her voice as cold as the winter months that cursed this place. The man seemed taken aback by this and gave her a loathing expression.

"You will answer my question if you know what is good for you," he spat and by this time a few of his friends had gathered beside him. She sighed to herself, wondering again why she was going through all this. But the image of her fiery cousin flashed in her mind and her determination did not falter. Oh how Vanora was going to get it once she got inside these walls.

"Look darling, I am in no mood to entertain a stuck-up soldier trying to play God. So if you would please, either open the damn gate or fetch my cousin Vanora who can vouch for me," she replied in an impatient tone. The guards seemed to gain interest by this and began to converse in hushed voices. She saw one scurry away and the rest turned to face her. Figuring they were sending for Vanora, she occupied herself by examining her surroundings.

Farmers worked the fields on either sides of her, no doubt collecting harvest for the winter months that would approach quickly. None strayed to near the forest she noticed, and even the women were equipped with some sort of weapon, whether it be a dagger or pitchfork. She smiled at two children who were sparring with wooden swords.

"Hail! I am the great Lancelot! None shall defeat me with my two swords!" one exclaimed, waving his two sticks around in a useless attempt to poke his friend.

"Aye but I am Tristan, the best of all the knights!" the other yelled. He was much more graceful with his movements, but finding it hard to deflect his friend's double blows. She was drawn from her entertainment by the sound of a shrill voice that made her grin from ear to ear.

"Well if it isn't my savage cousin, making her appearance from her solitary excavation in the wilderness!" Ari looked up to the wall where the stupid guards had been joined by an intriguing woman. Even from her place on the ground she could clearly see Vanora's bright head of red hair and sly smile.

"Ah! My rescuer! Come to bring me back to civilization have you?" she chuckled. The woman laughed before ordering the guards to do something. One yelled to someone down below and before Ari knew it the sound of horses being whipped echoed and the gate began to creak open. Nudging Bael into a trot she rode through with an air of dignity, giving the guards a stoic look as she passed. The gates began to slowly shut as soon as she made it through, and Ari looked over to see her fervid cousin bounding down the stairs. Dismounting with ease she opened her arms just as the woman collided with her and they shared a much needed embrace.

After an eternity of bear hugs and muffled crying in each other's hair the two pulled back to get a good look at each other. Ari nodded in satisfaction. As she had thought, age and childbirth had only made her dear cousin more beautiful. She had fiery red hair the cascaded in curls down to her shoulders, and her hips had grown enough, giving her lustrous curves. The smile that lit her face was contagious, and soon Ari was blushing under her cousin's scrutinizing gaze.

"My god you look just like your mother!" Vanora exclaimed, squeezing Ari's forearms. This was indeed true, and something she had been hearing for as long as she could remember. She had taken after her mother even as a child, but now, at the age of 20 she was the spitting image.

She was average height, not towering over people like her father had. Chestnut brown hair that was usually tied back in a tight bun fell in waves down to her shoulders. She had a bronze skin color from spending years in the wilderness and her body was different than those of most women. She had voluptuous curves in all the right places but had somehow managed to stay slender. Her shoulders were defined and her arms were toned with some muscle from wielding a bow and swords. Her eyes were almond shaped and cerulean, with a gold ring in the middle. They were like the sea after a storm, but only such when she was content. Infuriate her and they would become the storm themselves.

All in all she was content with her looks, and was not exactly modest when it came to nudity. Nay, she was not a slut, but she saw the body merely for what it was, and did not see why men got so enthralled by catching sight of a woman in the bath.

"Aye and it seems I'm not the only one. Dear god, Vanora. I think you are the only woman I have ever met that can look even better after child birth!" she said. Now it was Vanora's turn to blush.

"Well I must say, I do pull off 8 children quite well," she gushed. This made Ari's jaw drop.

"8 children! My, my, we've been busy haven't we?" Ari teased. Vanora smacked her arm playfully.

"Come let's get you settled in. The men are supposed to return today and I want you to feel comfortable before you meet my Bors." Ari nodded her consent and Vanora led the way to a very admirable stable. There were at least 15 stalls on one side, each spacious with a window to the outside. On the other was a set of wooden bleachers, situated to face the arena in the middle. Bael gave a snort of excitement as they entered, and Ari smirked as she rubbed his nose. Well at least someone was going to like his new surroundings. A man came out from the back of the stables, whistling a familiar tune as he carried a large bale of hay. He smiled at his visitors and set his load down.

"Hello Vanora. Who's your friend?" he asked in a pleasant tone.

"Ah Jols, this is my cousin Ari. Ari, this is the knight's squire, Jols. He's amazing with horses and I can promise you your beast will be quite happy here." Vanora stated. Ari shook his offered hand and smiled warmly.

"Beast? I don't see any Romans. Besides I hardly think this wonderful woman would trouble herself by owning such a pompous breed of animal," he said. This made Ari chuckle. She was going to like this man, she could tell. He led her to a spacious stall in the back after being swatted on the arm by Vanora and opened the door. She unloaded her saddlebags and dropped them carelessly on the floor. After she untacked Bael's bridle and freed him from the weight of his fine leather saddle, she turned to find Jols waiting patiently with a brush. Taking it and giving him a nod of thanks, she brushed her horse down thoroughly and settled him in. Grabbing her saddlebags she strode outside where Vanora was waiting, her hands on her hips in an annoyed way.

"Did you give that horse a bath of rose petals or something?" she teased. Ari smirked and they started off, linking arms. Vanora led her through the crowded streets to a very modest inn. She pointed here and there to various places like the smithy's and herb shops, and Ari made sure to mark the places in the map in her head. They reached what looked like the largest building in to fort and Ari stayed right on Vanora's tail.As they walked through the halls Vanora showed her where Arthur's room was and then they reached the knight's hallway.

"On the right side it is Percival, Gawain, Gareth, Dagonet and what used to be my Bors. He hardly stays there though, loves me too much. Anyways, and on the left it's Galahad, Lamorak, Kay, Lancelot and Tristan in the corner. There used to be so many that they filled up two hallways but well, it's been a long time. Can you remember that?"

"Er...I'll try," Ari said. In actuality, she doubted she would, but saw no reason as to why she would need to. At the end of the hallway they made a left into another one, and Vanora stopped at a door. She opened it and walked in, waiting patiently for Ari. It was a cozy little room, bigger than anything she had ever stayed in before. A decent bed was snuggled in a corner, and the room came equipped with a desk, fireplace, and dresser. There was also a manikin in the corner to put armor on. A little window with a ledge to sit on overlooked the fort and gave her a perfect view of the training grounds below. To her, it was perfect.

Turning to Vanora, she gave her a warm embrace. "It is good to see you again cousin," she whispered. Vanora gladly returned it and chuckled.

"You say that now," she teased. She pulled back to look intently at Ari's face. "You look so much like her dear." Ari didn't need to ask who 'her' was and instead forced a smile. Sensing they were entering a touchy area Vanora backed off. "Well, I'll just leave you to settle in and rest up before the knights return. Meet me at the Tavern later tonight and I will introduce you." Ari knew it was as commanding as it sounded and nodded her head. With that Vanora left Ari to herself.

Galahad put that down!

Sorry...anyhoo hope you enjoyed. Please Review?