A/N: Thanks so much for your reviews/favs/alerts. You know, I thought this would be easy to update since I'm just editing what I've already written. Only, I'm making more corrections and adding and deleting more than I had intended. Oh well, I think it's all for the better.

~TH~

Tristan frowned as he forced himself to focus even harder at practicing his swing. Every move he made felt wrong. It wasn't noticeable to most people, but if he had been in a real battle his enemies could pick up on his misstep and use that to run him through. But then again maybe he was overthinking that.

He set his sword down and closed his eyes, listening to his body. His breathing was labored, but there was no reason why it wouldn't be. He had been practicing with his sword for at least two hours. His heart pounded in his chest, partly due to his exercise and the other part was because he was nervous.

The realization of that emotion caused him to open his eyes and stiffen. Nervous? He did not get nervous. Looking behind him, he stared at the hawk. She didn't return his gaze as she preened her feathers. Hawk by day and woman by night. There was now no doubt in his mind that she had no control. Now the question that bothered him was why was she around him? Why not be with her family? Why stay close to him?

It was very likely that she would answer those questions for him if he asked, but he hated asking personal questions. She had only once given any indication that she was upset, and that was on the first night when she had cried herself to sleep. That was almost five days ago. The only logical conclusion that he could come up with was that everyone she knew was gone. Meaning when she saw him she decided to risk it, hoping he would protect her.

She stopped preening and cocked her head as she looked at him.

"Are you hungry?" he asked.

She shook her head, making him nod. With that, he went back to practicing. He felt her eyes staring at him and it unnerved him. He was trying to do and be his best, but her gaze was making him feel like a fool. He forced his mind to ignore her.

"You appear to be struggling, my friend," Dagonet's friendly and yet teasing voice said.

Tristan grounded his teeth at the interruption. He had finally gotten into his quiet zone and now he was thinking again. "Dagonet," he said in his most polite tone.

"You do realize she's not watching you," Dagonet said as he walked over to where the hawk was perched.

She cocked her head as she watched the large man approach her.

"I do not understand," Tristan said, feigning ignorance. Dagonet knew him better than any of the other knights. Of course the man could see that he was struggling.

Dagonet ignored Tristan's statement as he stood next to the hawk. "I am told that you carry a grudge against Lancelot," he spoke to the bird. She stiffened. He pulled out what appeared to be a strip of fish. "A bribe," he said.

She reached out for it, but he quickly pulled back.

"Only if you promise to be a good hawk. We're friends, correct?" he teased, before reaching out his hand.

Her natural instinct caused her to nod her head, but she quickly tried to mask that move by bobbing her body.

Dagonet frowned slightly.

"Have you come to fatten my hawk?" Tristan asked.

Myrina fluffed her feathers at the comment, but he ignored her mood. The corner of his eyes sparkled with amusement.

"I have come to discuss Myrina," Dagonet said as he pulled out another strip of fish and dangled it near the hawk. She took the piece from him and shifted her body uneasily.

"There is nothing to discuss," Tristan said as he picked up his flask and drank from it.

"There is much to discuss," Dagonet replied. "Who is she? How do you know her? Why are you allowing her to stay with you? And where does she go by day?"

Tristan could see Myrina shift uneasily. It appeared that she was getting ready to fly away.

"How long have you known her?" Dagonet persisted.

"A year," Tristan replied.

This answer surprised Dagonet and even Myrina. "A year? Come now, Tristan. How has it that you have never talked about her? Do I not tell you everything?"

Tristan looked at the hawk before sitting down next to his comrade. "I have told you. She is the young woman I saved from those bandits last year."

"She's the one?" Dagonet asked. Then he shook his head and let out a loud laugh. "Did you not tell me that you would never see her again?"

"We happened to cross each other's paths when I was returning," Tristan continued. "I promised to give her a safe place to stay for the time being."

"You trust her?"

Tristan nodded.

"Do you like her?"

That question caused Myrina to look at Tristan. He let out a sigh as he stood up and picked up his bow. "She's in need of my help."

"And you're sure she's not using you? She doesn't disappear during the day to join her husband? Or is a Woad spy?" Dagonet reached out his hand closer to her, holding more fish. Tristan saw her intentions, but before he could shout out a warning she lashed out. Dagonet's reflexes were quick, for a large man, as he pulled his hand back and stood up. Her beak snapped at the air where his hand was.

"I thought we had an understanding," he said sternly to the bird. "You wouldn't want me to be an enemy."

She looked agitated.

"She's no spy and she has no husband," Tristan said, trying to bring Dagonet's focus back on him.

Dagonet looked at the scout then back at the hawk. "You are loyal to the lady aren't you?" he asked the hawk. "I do not wish to offend. I'm just trying to ascertain what is going on." He paused and looked at Tristan, who focused on the target in front of him. "Do you have feelings for her?"

Tristan lowered his bow and turned to look at his friend. "I don't see what that has to do with anything," he snapped.

Dagonet raised his hands in the air as if he were surrendering. "And I don't wish for us to fight. I will be going for now." He pulled out one last piece of fish and offered it to the hawk. She eyed him before taking it, making him smile. "Friends," he said before he walked away.

Tristan gave the hawk a quick glance. She looked perplexed as she watched Dagonet leave.

"He is a good man," Tristan said, causing her to look at him. "But you need to learn to act more like a hawk."

She let out a small cry. He wasn't sure if she was agreeing or frustrated with his comment. Either way, he had wasted enough time.

~TH~

Tristan reached his hand out and Myrina landed on it with far more grace than she had ever done. He would have been impressed had he noticed. But he didn't. His mind was busy with thoughts that made him extremely uncomfortable.

Dagonet's visit a week prior had forced him to change his plans. He clearly didn't think that Myrina's physical absence during the day would be noticed. Maybe it wouldn't have had he been a knight like Lancelot. But he wasn't. And he knew from the beginning that if he pretended that she was related to him no one would believe him. And plus, what if they…

Tristan pushed those thoughts away. She hadn't given him any indication that she liked him in anyway. Yes, she stayed with him but they hadn't done anything. Besides, he was good at reading people. He knew when a woman was attracted to a man and she didn't look at him that way. And there were men that were far more attractive than he was that were fighting for her attention.

Lancelot, Galahad, and three Roman soldiers did their best to sit or be around her during the night. He had watched as they made her laugh. But it was Lancelot who worried the scout more. He was good at charming any woman, slowly breaking down their defenses till they couldn't resist him. It seemed to be working on her.

He felt Myrina tugging at him and absent mindedly let her go. She gave him a puzzled look before she flew off toward his room.

But why did he care? If she was happy with someone else, why not let her be? Because they may hurt her when she changes to a hawk. And because she belonged to him.

Tristan dismounted pushing that thought away as well. Belonged was a strong word. He didn't own her like he owned his dog and horse. And yet, he had this feeling as if he did.

He knew what he had to do.

The stablehands stared at him in surprise as he handed his horse's reigns to them. But he didn't bother to look at them. He had to do this now or he would never do it. He wasn't a man of very many words. But now the words were entering his mind. It had been two weeks and he knew just as much about her as he did since the day he met her. It was time for answers.

Tristan reached his room and pushed the door open and took in a deep breath.

"Tristan?!" Myrina shrieked as she placed the dress over her body.

He quickly turned and closed the door, keeping his back to her. He knew he was blushing and he wasn't even sure why. He had seen her naked before. Maybe it was because she was surprised and embarrassed.

"Forgive me," he mumbled. "I hadn't realized you weren't ready."

She grunted at that, but didn't say a word. He stared at the door and waited for her to say something.

"I'm decent," she finally said, allowing him to turn.

She looked up at him curiously and for the first time he allowed himself to gaze upon her. She wore a soft green dress that was a little too big for her. She had done her best to adjust it, but he could tell that it didn't fit her well. A tailor was needed, but she wasn't human during the day. And he knew of no tailor who did business during night. Her neck was bare, making him wish he had a necklace to give her.

Finally, his eyes reached her face. He expected her to look angry. After all, he wasn't being discreet about his gaze. Instead, she looked at him curiously. His heart dropped slightly. There was still the sadness in her eyes. Something that he had noticed and secretly hoped would have been gone by now.

"Do I look alright?" she asked, suddenly concerned. "I'm not part hawk am I?" She looked down at her chest then touched her neck quickly.

"No," he quickly said.

"Well… why were you looking at me like that?"

He opened his mouth to answer then closed it as he frowned. He hadn't noticed it before but, looking at her now, it appeared as if her veins had a green glow to them. He couldn't stop himself as he touched her neck. She didn't recoil instead she placed one hand on his.

"Does it hurt?" he asked her as he pulled away.

"No." She shook her head. "Well… not exactly."

The two were silent and he could sense the tension rising. It was a tension that both were clearly unused to. Her breathing deepened as did his.

"Tristan?!" Gawain shouted as he pounded on the door, successfully breaking their tension.

Tristan opened the door a little, only to have it be pushed even further by his dog.

"Brought back your brute," Gawain said. "Lady Myrina," he smiled and nodded to Myrina who smiled back.

"Thank you, Gawain," she said as she bent to pet the dog. "I have missed him."

"Lancelot has been asking about your whereabouts. He's at the tavern," Gawain said before turning and walking away.

"It appears that we should go," Tristan said.

"Very well," Myrina said with a smile before letting out a sigh.

Myrina heart pounded in her chest as she and Tristan walked down to the tavern. She had to use everything that she had to make sure that she didn't show her nerves. Why? What were these feelings? They bothered her. She had never felt that type of tension before. It excited and worried her. She didn't want to go to the tavern anymore. She wanted to go back to the room and think about what had just happened.

The tavern was far more rowdy than usual, but she didn't notice it as she sat down at her normal table.

"Usual, dear?" Vanora asked, bringing her out of her thoughts.

"Yes, please," she replied. It was then that she noticed that Tristan hadn't joined her. Instead, he had placed himself near Gawain and Dagonet.

"He's so scary. Does he not frighten you?" Two, Vanora and Bors' second child and old daughter, asked.

Myrina looked at the eleven year old girl and cocked her head. "He's not scary," she said.

Two snorted at that. "Mum says that when you're in love you don't see flaws in the person."

Myrina let out an uncomfortable laugh. "I'm not in love," she replied.

Two frowned. "But mum said…"

"Two!" Vanora's strict voice interrupted her daughter. "Git your brothers. Time for bed, little lass."

"But mum, I'm almost twelve," Two whined.

"And you ain't thirteen yet," Vanora snapped back. "I'm still your mum."

"Listen to your mother and git your ass to bed," Bors snarled, causing the little girl to jump to her feet and run off.

Vanora smiled at her lover who held up his mug.

"Child was keeping you from your duties. Don't know why you have so many," he chided.

"My lover can't keep his hands off of me," she responded.

"Aye, that I can't," Lancelot piped in, causing Bors to growl. Lancelot quickly got up walked over to Myrina when he spotted her. "My sweet, Lady Myrina," he said, giving her a deep bow. "You look like the sweet goddess Selene. If only you would grace me with your presence by day. I'm sure that Aphrodite herself could not compare to your beauty in the daylight."

"And shatter your illusions of my beauty? Then who will entertain me after I eat?" she teased.

"I'm beginning to believe that my charms do not work with you. Then I must change my tactics. Do you, perchance, have a father, mother, elder brother or sister that I can plead my case to? Ah! A sister. Perhaps she would be far easier to woe?" He smiled and leaned closer to her.

Myrina slammed her cup down on the table, spilling the remaining contents onto Lancelot. He looked at her surprised as she stood up. She didn't say a word as she walked away.

She didn't look to see if anyone was following her as she walked through the empty streets. She was far more angry than she should have been. She knew that Lancelot was teasing her, but the last comment, bringing in her family, pushed her over the edge. She looked up at the wall that surrounded the town and made her way up it.

A cool breeze greeted her, almost instantly calming her down. She wrapped her arms around herself but continued to walk. She gave a brief nod to the soldiers who stared at her in surprise before focusing their attention back to the land outside of the wall.

She placed her hands on the stone in front of her and looked out onto Badon's Hill. A shiver ran down her spine as she heard the echoes of a battle. Her mind played tricks on her. There was no battle, and to her knowledge, never had been in that area. A little green light hovered on the ground. Then another and another appeared. She frowned as she leaned in closer.

A hand grabbed her and pulled her back towards safety.

"Do you wish to end your life," Dagonet snapped in anger, making her look at him.

'Let me go!" she snarled, pulling away from him. "No! But what does it matter to you? You don't care for me."

He searched her eyes and whatever he was looking for he clearly found. "I care for Tristan, and he cares for you. Otherwise he would never have allowed you to stay with him. What do you think would have happened to you had I not been here to grab you?"

Myrina's first thought was of her turning into a hawk. Although she was still weak, she was confident in her abilities to save her life. "I would have pulled myself back," she replied. She looked down at her hands and realized that her entire body was shaking.

"Lancelot finally got the best of ya, eh?" he asked, forcing a chuckle. He leaned against the wall and looked out into the hill. Myrina hesitated before she joined him.

"I wasn't fair to him," she finally said. "He didn't know. But… He just reminded me. I'm a horrible person," she said. Placing her back against the wall she slid down and covered her eyes with her hands.

"What?" Dagonet turned and looked at her in surprised. He hadn't expected that last comment. He knelt and gently patted her back.

"Tristan's been so nice to me," she continued. "I haven't forgotten, but I've been so busy. Or maybe it's just that I didn't let myself think about them. I ran away, Dagonet. I ran away when I should have fought. But they had already killed my brother. And… I just couldn't. I wasn't strong enough. So I ran away. They probably got my sister, because I couldn't protect her. I have no one left. All my family are dead. And what's worse. It's been two weeks and I haven't even cried for them." Her voice cracked and her chest heaved as her body shook.

He forced her to look at him. "You are not a horrible person," he said firmly. "And I think I understand now."

"I let my family die, Dagonet. I let them die and I ran away. I didn't even try to save them." She couldn't hold her emotions in and began to sob as Dagonet wrapped his arms around her. For the first time in two weeks she allowed her emotions to take over. She allowed herself to grieve for her lost family.

Time seemed to stand still as Myrina sobbed. Dagonet didn't say a word, but held her until she finally pushed him away.

"I'm sorry," she stammered as she slowly got her emotions back under control. "I didn't mean to say that."

"Yes you did," the knight said with a soft smile.

Myrina wiped her cheeks with her hands then cleared her throat. She felt relieved as she looked up at him. Dagonet stood up and extended his hand down to her. She wrapped her fingers around his and he gently pulled her up.

"Thank you very much," she whispered as she dusted her dress off. "I'm sorry to have burdened you."

"It is no burden," he said. "I'm actually relieved you told me. But… I suspect you haven't said a word to Tristan, have you?"

She shook her head. "I was going to tell him. I think he knows. But," she paused and frowned.

"He won't think ill of you," he said.

"What?" she asked a little startled by his voice.

"Tristan. I think he would appreciate it if you told him. He may have guessed, but, he prefers when people tell him things. I know he's not good at conversations, but he's also a great listener. You should tell him."

"I…"

The sound of a creature screeching interrupted her. She screamed in surprise as a dark winged creature flew at her face. Covering her face with her hands, she took a step back. Dagonet grabbed her arm and pulled her over to him as he swung at the flying creature.

An arrow whizzed past them, barely missing the creature as it ascended. It gave another painful shriek before it disappeared into the night sky.

"Are you alright?" Dagonet asked as he pulled her back. A single long scratch crossed her cheek. "I have some salve, let me…"

She shook her head. "I would rather go to sleep."

"Are you sure?" he asked.

She started walking off the wall and nodded, not bothering to look back at him. She was vaguely aware of his presence as her exhausted body automatically moved her to Tristan's room. There was a light throbbing from the scratch that the night creature gave her. She had already rationalized that the night creature was a bat and had somehow gotten confused.

"Thank you," she mumbled when she opened Tristan's door and stepped inside.

"Myrina?" Dagonet said, making her turn to look at him. "My friends call me Dags.

That brought a smile to her face. "And mine call me Rina," she said.

"Goodnight, Rina."

"Goodnight, Dags."

She smiled as she closed the door behind her. Tristan's dog looked up at her from the bed, making her chuckle. "I think everything will be better now," she told the dog as she pushed it over. "Much better."

~TH~

"I curse you!" a woman screamed.

Myrina found herself in the middle of a village. Her father stood before her. In front of him was a blonde woman. Despite her hands being tied three guards had their swords pointed at her.

Her father stood tall as he stared the woman down. "Your curses don't work here," he said.

She spat on the ground. "Kill me and my husband will come here to avenge my death. As we speak, my daughter and men are safely making their way to him. You will not be able to catch them. And if you do not release me then his army will come here and destroy all of your people!"

"His army will come whether I release you or not," Calatin replied.

The woman smiled evilly at him. It was then that her pretty face contorted into something hideous. "But I'll make sure that he spares your children," she said.

He shook his head. "So that they can become slaves? You will die, witch. You use powers that no mortal should use. You take life from those most deserving to achieve your own selfishness."

Myrina slowly made her way closer to the witch. She looked similar to the one that her brother was with. Mother and daughter. It was the only explanation.

"Then know this! You will die before your children. And each of your children will die a horrible death at the hands of my daughter. After they are no longer of any use to her." Without further warning, she lunged at Myrina, grabbing her hand. "You can't hide from my daughter for very long," she cackled.

Myrina let out a scream as she tried to pull away. She felt as if her magic was being drained into the woman's hand.

"Rina!" Tristan shouted as he shook her.

Her eyes snapped open and suddenly she sat up and wrapped her arms around his neck. She didn't notice him stiffen as she pressed herself closer to him. Finally, she pulled away from him. "I'm sorry," she said. "Did I scream?"

He nodded. "Nightmare?" he asked.

"Do you believe in curses?"

"I didn't," he said. "I didn't even believe in magic. But then I met you. Why? Are you cursed?"

She didn't want to answer that question. "I'm sorry I woke you," she finally said and laid back down.

"No," he said, pulled her up. "It's time you explained things to me. Is it that difficult for you too…" he stopped, shaking his head. "If you do not wish to stay in my room and prefer to be with another man then you may do so. I shall not stop you."

Myrina frowned. He turned away and prepared himself to lie down on the floor when he felt her hands on his face. She forced him to look at her.

"I'm sorry, Tristan," she said. "It's not that I don't want you to know. I trust you out of everyone. You know who I am and what I can do. Yet you've protected me. I didn't," she paused. "I didn't want to burden you further with my troubles."

"You preferred to tell others?"

She shook her head. "Anything I've said as merely from my emotions. I… My parents died when I was young."

Her acknowledgement of her past surprised him.

"My siblings, cousin and I were taken to our uncle who raised us. My cousin was older than us. The first day you and I met, well… he had died. It hurt because he knew my parents more than anyone. My older brother refused to speak about them. And then the second time we met," she paused for a moment as her breathing deepened. "My brother had asked for us. We met with him, but it was a trap. He killed our youngest brother, and the man I'm sure my sister was going to marry. I ran away. I don't even know if my brother chased after my sister or not. I don't even know if she's still alive."

"You don't have to stay here," he quickly said. "You can leave if you wish. You owe me nothing."

She grounded her teeth. Yes, right now, she knew she could leave. But come day? What then? She would be in trouble. There was no doubt in her mind anymore that she couldn't be far from Tristan.

She shook her head. "How can I go back, Tristan? I ran away."

"You're a woman," he said. Immediately, he winced at his words. He had met plenty of brave people, men and women. And just as many cowards of both. "I mean…" He stopped midsentence. There was no recuperating from that.

She laid down and turned her back to him. "Goodnight, Tristan," she said softly.

"Goodnight, Myrina," he replied. Mentally, he kicked himself. This was why he tried not to talk. He always said something that he didn't mean. She wasn't a coward. Staying within enemy walls proved that much. She was very brave. She was just too hard on herself. That's what he wanted to say. She was too hard on herself. Sometimes a retreat was better. Better to live to fight another day than to not live at all. At least now she could get revenge.

Tristan let out a sigh. Of course, now he had the right words to say. Tomorrow he would tell her. Tomorrow he would apologize to her. Tomorrow…