A/N: Sorry in advance in for the short chapters. Work, and home, have been crazy busy.
Bella stared at the growing pile of kindling. Romans could work fast when they set their mind to it. At least it seemed that way. Vanora was crying silently where she cared for her children and Pooh Bear. Pooh kept barking, growling, and whining. Bella was tied to one of the caravans, her hands bound behind her. She knew there would be no escape for her. She wasn't a warrior; didn't have any tricks up her sleeves. Instead she stood proudly and waited for them to tie her to the large wooden post in the middle of the kindling.
Germanius seemed pleased with himself. He stood near her and smirked. "You realize you won't live once you've completed this act?" she said conversationally.
"I see one of two things happening. Either Arthur will get himself killed fighting the demon Saxons, or he will arrive, and perhaps be angry, but he will have to accept my decision as the will of the Church."
Bella grinned sardonically. "You truly believe it's going to work that way, don't you? You are a fool."
"I'm not the one about to be burned at the stake now, am I?" he said viciously.
She didn't speak again. There was no point. Bella prayed that she would pass out quickly. Jols and Ganis were tied currently, and looked towards her with shame and helplessness. She gave them a small smile as if to say that she didn't blame them for what was happening.
One of the Roman soldiers approached Germanius and whispered in his ear. "Excellent. Well, it appears the time is at hand for all to see what happens to those who shun the one true God." He said turning to face her. Two soldiers had approached and detached her from the wagon she'd been tied to. She didn't fight them, and they practically carried her to the post where she'd spend her last few minutes alive. They tied her again with her arms above her head. As soon as the soldiers with torches began to move towards her Bella began reciting The Lord's Prayer.
"Our Father, who art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name…."
"Light it!" the Bishop commanded. Hesitantly the soldiers moved closer. A snap of thunder sounded and rain started to fall.
"Thy Kingdom Come, Thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven." Bella turned her face up into the rain, and the drops mingled with her tears. "Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us…"
"Burn her! Burn her!" Germanius was furious now, and moved forward grabbing the torch out of one of the stunned soldiers' hands. Within moments he'd dropped the torch into the kindling and the wood began to burn.
"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever….
Mistress Celeste stood in the middle of a white circle. Bella didn't know what the woman had used, looked like salt maybe? Tommy stood to her right, and Bella stood to her left. She began chanting strange words, and occasionally Bella heard the word Merlin, or Arthur. Bella happened to look at one of the annoyed men and was startled to see his mouth drop open in utter shock. He was starting to look fuzzy.
Then the strangest thing happened. His face elongated, and she heard Tommy shout. There was a large noise, and they were flung backwards onto their asses on the grass. Tommy had rushed to her quickly. "What the hell was that?" Bella groaned as she rubbed her backside.
"What happened to the fucking park?" Tommy said staring around.
"Something went wrong." Mistress Celeste giggled nervously. "I think maybe, um, I think we went to Merlin's time instead of him coming to ours."
"That's preposterous!" Tommy snapped. "You're freaking Bella out, so why don't you shut the fuck up!"
"Halt!" Several men in armor had come running towards them. Bella stayed where she was, but both Tommy and Celeste had run. One of the men had approached her and the next thing she knew she'd been in the torture chamber…
"Amen." she finished. The rain was almost a torrential downpour now, but the kindling was still catching. All it meant was that it would take longer for her to burn. It didn't look like Germanius had a problem waiting either. Most of the soldiers had backed up. The rain had most of them considering that what they were doing might be wrong. At least that's what Bella thought. She stared down at the kindling and knew the flames would reach her feet soon.
Galahad cleared the top of the hill and saw the stopped caravan at the bottom. The Romans had constructed a post for burning and he could see Arabella tied to it. The wood was burning, although not as much as they would have been if the rain hadn't begun. It was the first time he could remember ever being glad for the rain. His brothers in arms were only feet from him, but the way the flames were starting to lick higher, he wasn't tempting fate. Bella did not deserve this death.
With a loud war cry, and a kick to his horses flanks he rushed towards the post. The arrow flew past him as he approached and he realized Tristan was cutting her bindings. The second arrow snapped the rope and her arms swung down.
Germanius was screaming for his soldiers to shoot the woman, and the soldiers were preparing to do just that. Galahad heard the thunder of hooves behind him. It appeared as if Bella was going to walk through the fire to get out, and indeed her feet were touching burning wood. Galahad jumped the extinguishing pile reaching out and grabbing a hold of the woman. He pulled her in front of him and held her there as Arthur reached the Romans. All of the knights had their weapons drawn and stood between Galahad and Germanius and his men. Bella sat in his arms safe, but trembling with fear and shock.
"Galahad?" Arthur bellowed.
"She is essentially unharmed." he spit out.
"You've made a grave error in decision making Germanius." Arthur's voice was hoarse with his anger.
"You would defy the Church? The girl is a witch! She has bewitched you!"
Arthur backhanded the Bishop and he landed on his ass. "She follows the same God as we do! A good woman; a woman I swore to defend…" Arthur had pulled his sword.
"You would dare strike down a man of God?" Germanius spit out.
Arthur's eyes were frozen. "I see no man of God." He swung once, and the man dropped dead at his feet.
Vanora had moved forward, as well as Dagonet. "Arthur, we must get her back. Look at her pallor. She is going into shock."
"I will help you!" Lady Fulcinia, the widow of the Roman Marius spoke. Now that Germanius was dead she was free.
Not everyone could move to the Keep as quickly, but once assured they were on their way back, they rode quickly. Dagonet had tried to take her from Galahad and had practically received a snarl from said man for his efforts. Galahad carried her into the chambers she'd used previously and sat her down gently. Then he stood and went to the chair in the corner of the room. Dagonet looked Bella over very carefully. The girl was coughing occasionally. Some of her flesh was reddened, and her hair singed. The only part of her that had received burns, besides the reddened areas, was her feet. She would need salve for them, and would have to keep off of them for several days.
She was coughing and he rubbed her back. Bella looked at Dagonet with huge brown eyes. "It's from the smoke. The cough I mean. I breathed in the smoke and that makes people sick."
"You are a very brave woman Arabella." Dagonet spoke softly, and with such pride in his eyes Bella felt her eyes tearing up.
"I have failed you." Arthur spoke from the doorway. "I swore to protect you."
The tears began falling in earnest then. "No, you saved me. Galahad saved me, and you avenged me, and Dagonet took care of me. Vanora sent for help."
Dagonet stood. "I am going to find you something to eat." Arthur stared at her for one more long moment and then he too left.
Galahad moved to her swiftly and sat on the edge of the bed. "I feared for you." he whispered fiercely. He studied her face looking for every injury she'd sustained. "It seems that since you've come to my time all that has happened has been injury to you." He wouldn't meet her eyes.
"That's not true." she told him drawing her knees up to her chest. "I met all of you. A father in Dagonet, Brothers in Arthur and Bors, friends in Gawain and Lancelot, I've never felt more secure than knowing Tristan is there with his bow and hawk like eyesight." she smiled slightly. "And you. The first kiss I've ever had that moved me. None of those things are anything to sneer at."
"I felt it too." he told her, then he stood quickly and started speaking. Pacing and speaking, and not looking at her. "You are a good woman Bella. Too good for a man such as myself. No matter how the kiss felt, it cannot happen again. You are not a tavern wench to touch and move on."
"Oh Galahad, you give yourself so little credit." she sighed sadly. His eyes darted to meet hers for an instant, and again he looked away. Bella decided now was not the time to discuss this. Emotions were running high, she was tired and sore, and he'd fought a war that very day. "I hope you'll still be my friend Galahad. I'm very tired. I think perhaps I should go to sleep."
"Yes, of course." he spoke abruptly and headed for the door. "Sleep well Bella."
Only days had passed and now they stood to see Arthur and Guinevere wed. Bella stood with Vanora, Bors, and their children. She wore a deep blue dress, and cradled their youngest child in her arms. She had recovered from her close call with burning at the stake, and today was the first day she was on her feet again. All of the knights, Vanora, Guinevere, and the children had spent time with her while she recuperated. Even Galahad, although he'd only come when Gawain did, which seemed to amuse Gawain. Pooh Bear wouldn't leave her side, and before they'd finally left anytime a Roman had passed beneath the window to her room he'd growl. Now however the Romans were gone, and a new world was beginning. Bella would be part of that world.
The wedding feast was in full swing. Bella had never danced so much in her life and now she just needed quiet. She stood staring at the sky wondering if anyone from her previous life was staring just as she was.
"What are you doing up here alone Bella?" Lancelot asked as he joined her.
"Just looking at the stars." she told him with a smile. "What are you doing?"
"Escaping the clutches of a wench who thinks we're soul mates." he sighed.
Bella laughed. "Well, if you didn't make them fall in love with you, then you wouldn't have this problem."
"Alas, it's true. Women can't seem to resist my charms." he smiled back at her.
Bella smacked his arm lightly. "You're a naughty man Lancelot."
They stood in companionable silence for several moments. "Why is it I never made a pass at you Bella? You're a beautiful woman." he seemed stunned by the fact.
"Because you're like an older brother to me. You don't put the moves on family."
"Ahhhh, yes I suppose I do seem to feel brotherly towards you." he agreed and seemed pleased by the answer. "And why is it that you aren't dancing with young Galahad? He can't seem to keep his eyes off of you."
It was Bella's turn to sigh. "Galahad has explained to me that we can't be together. Not that I was even sure I'd want to be with him. But he killed it before anything ever begun."
"Intriguing." He said with a quirked eyebrow. "Such a moody boy. Gawain told him he should bed a wench and he threw his mug at Gawain."
Bella frowned. "Maybe Gawain shouldn't be giving out advice."
Lancelot laughed. "Do not worry yourself Bella. Galahad has never been as much a man for the ladies as myself. I promise you I will keep them all occupied so he can't accept any offers."
She laughed at his sly grin. "Naughty." Then she sobered. "No, Galahad has made it perfectly clear he will not pursue me." A stubborn set came to her jaw.
"And what do you propose to do?"
"Well, maybe he just needs his eyes opened up a bit." she grinned as plans began whirling in her head.
The knights were sitting in the tavern drinking yet again when Bella swept into the room with Pooh Bear at her heels. "Good evening everyone!" She smiled brightly.
"And what has brought such a pretty smile to your face Bella?" Lancelot asked.
"Well, the sun was shining today, Pooh Bear learned to sit," as soon as she said the word his bottom hit the stone and she threw him a treat with a laugh, "And someone left me a daisy."
"Who left you a daisy?" Galahad was frowning.
"I don't know." Her smile brightened. "But it was so sweet." She sighed.
"What was sweet?" Vanora asked coming out from behind the bar.
"Bella has a secret admirer." Lancelot explained.
Vanora grinned. "Well, that's hardly shocking seeing as what a lovely girl you are. The men are bound to start nipping at your heels now."
Galahad's frown grew and Lancelot took a large swig of his ale so as not to laugh. "You know Bella, I didn't even consider that. Perhaps Arthur should make a match for you. Pick you a husband."
"No thanks. I'll pick my own husband." She said with a wrinkled nose. Lancelot was playing his part perfectly. Her partner in crime.
Gawain must have sensed something going on because he was grinning. "Are you going to be looking for a mate then Bella? That shouldn't take long at all."
"I don't know it seems to be the thing here. Get married, have babies, that sort of thing. I'll just have to give the whole game of romance a shot." Bella walked back behind the bar and began helping Vanora serve.
Gawain looked at a scowling Galahad and winked at Lancelot. "Do you think I might have a shot with the lovely Bella?" he said to no one in particular. "She has quite a nice shape to her, and those lips are probably enough to drive a man to distraction."
"She'd only look at you if she was interested in talking to a Jackass!" Galahad snapped. He stood and strode from the room quickly.
"Well, if I didn't know better I'd say something was bugging that boy." Gawain said lightly. The table was silent for a moment before the other men burst into laughter.