Hello to all readers !

First and foremost, I don't own any of the characters you recognise... Alas...

Moreover, English is not my mother tongue, so please be indulgent ! And you are of course welcome to tell me about any mistakes in my story.

And finally, this story was written as a part of a school project, so reviews are more than welcome, I will need them to write a report. So please, please review ! Now, enjoy my story !

- 1 / Arthur And Guinevere -

The Wall. The Great Wall of Hadrian, built in 122 A.D. by a Roman emperor in order to contain the barbarian invasions from the North. Now that Rome had given up its influence in Britain, the Woads had progressively taken back what was theirs, and controlled the country North of the Wall, destroying any remains of the unwanted foreign influence.

Viviana stood on the stone ramparts of Camboglanna, her hands resting on the railing, taking in the landscape that was stretching out before her eyes. A vast green plain, its grass moist with dew, bordered by a forest still partially hidden by the morning fog, giving the woods an air of mystery.

A light wind was blowing, flapping her dress, and carrying the salty smell of the Irish sea. The stone was cold under her fingers, sticky even because of the frost, but not nearly as much so as her soul. Viviana thought about the irony of her life.

Only a few days ago, she was a successful student in biochemistry, in a prestigious school of engineering, quite happy with her professional life, her personal life, however, being an entirely different matter. She had given up long ago looking for love, her natural shyness always preventing her from showing her interest to anyone or standing out in any way. So many times she had hidden her feelings in fear of becoming the laughing stock for everyone again... She had forged herself a stone mask, therefore appearing as cold and almost arrogant to everyone who didn't bother to look further, and they were many. She kept a cool demeanour day by day, and yet her heart was screaming for comfort and affection. She appeared as confident, while inside she was bordering panic.

And then all of a sudden she had found herself in those woods, had been discovered by a patrol of knights and brought to Camboglanna before the king of Britain in these Dark Times, Artorius Castius, also known as Arthur.

It seemed she was free to start a new life, as she had sometimes secretly wished, feeling trapped in the mental prison she had locked herself into…

'My Lady… My Lady, our King wishes to see you.' A man called to her. 'My name is Jols', he announced, bowing. For how long had she been standing there ? Turning away from the horizon, Viviana gathered her skirts and followed him down the stairs.

Viviana had met the new ruler of Britain the previous day, when she had recovered a little from the shock of being torn away from her time.

He was obviously on the defensive, having heard of a strangely dressed girl found in the woods. He probably was expecting a Saxon, left behind after Badon Hill, Viviana had thought. She had heard one of the knights recall the great battle that took place before the Wall.

Arthur, a tall and strong man with curly brown hair and green eyes, had wasted no time in polite remarks :

'I heard you were found wandering in the West Grove. State your name, Lady, and your business in this land', he demanded.

'My name is Viviana Stiles' she stated. 'Where am I ?'

'You are in the fortress of Camboglanna, in Britain. The wall you saw when Tristan and Lancelot brought you here is the Great Wall of Hadrian.' As she remained silent, he added : 'You must forgive my questioning my Lady, but these are no safe times. The Saxons have been defeated, but some still roam the land.'

'…The Saxons ?!'

'Yes. Rome is leaving this island, and I am afraid this is only the first of the invasions we will have to face. My Lady… Are you allright ?'

The Saxons. Britain. Not her time or place, then. Her family not yet born, her brilliant future gone, everything she always knew inexistent… Fear gripped her throat.

'Who are you ?' she had whispered, pale, her eyes wide. 'My name is Arthur. I am the king of this land'.

With this news, her mind shut down, as if in order to prevent any more traumas. Her vision turned to black and she fainted.

When Viviana had opened her eyes, she was lying in a canopy bed, a wet cloth on her forehead. Someone had stripped her of her jeans and T-Shirt, which were nowhere to be seen, and dressed her into a long white nightgown. The room was small, with stone walls, a fireplace and a little window. Laying the cloth away, she thought bitterly about her situation. She was completely alone in the Britain of the Dark Ages, with no money and no profession, condemned to live on the King's charity, alone for the rest of her life. Her future had been stolen from her in a glance, along with her beloved ones.

Her family ! Tears welled up in her eyes when she thought about their sorrow and their worry upon her disappearing. Her parents that she loved so much, and her little sister… She was only five, her little angel, her beautiful Jessie. She would never see her grow up, go to school, fall in love for the first time or get married… They would probably think she had been kidnapped and murdered… She sat up and took her head in her hands. This was a nightmare, a horrible mistake. Maybe if she pinched herself hard enough she would wake up ? She slammed her right fist into the wooden bedhead, almost screaming out with the pain. The room was still there, she had been proven that she was not dreaming.

Clutching her wounded hand in the other, she curled up, trembling, until a knock on the door brought her out of her semi-conscious state. The door opened, and a young woman slipped into the room. Viviana thought she had never seen someone so beautiful : long dark hair, finely chiselled features, tall slender figure… The woman smiled and sat on the corner of the bed.

'Greetings. My name is Guinevere. I am Arthur's wife. Are you feeling better ?' Viviana shook her head, still holding her hand. She didn't feel very comfortable with the Queen's presence, not knowing how to address her properly. 'What happened to you ?' asked Guinevere. She looked genuinely concerned. 'Your Majesty, I…'

'Guinevere, please. The title makes me sound much more serious and austere than I am.' She smiled again, a warm and comforting smile, and Viviana understood why Arthur loved her so much. She told her the truth, not expecting to be believed. She was surprised to see the young woman nod her head in understanding when she was finished. 'I must admit I have never heard of such an occurrence before, but we Woads believe in magic. Maybe my father will be able to help you return to your time. His name is Merlin.' When she saw Viviana's eyes widen in surprise, she asked : 'Have you heard of him ?'

'Yes…' Viviana nodded. 'He is legend in my time… All of you are.'

'Legend ?' It was Guinevere's turn to be surprised. 'Is it a tale of bravery, or one of failure ?'

'I fear to tell you. I do not want to change the future.' Guinevere sighed. 'Your words are wise, and even if my heart longs to know what is expected of me, this matter is better left unsaid. Now…' she smirked. 'Let's take a look at your hand, shall we ?'