Ah Knights!

A/N: Just a heads up this chapter isn't as lighthearted as the others but don't worry this isn't going to turn in to some angst fic, also Macy's conversation with Arthur came from my LotR's fic which explains the formality in Macy's speech.

Chapter 10: Reality Gone Wrong

Macy made her rounds opening almost every window there was down stairs; noting Jason's progress as she went, at the ever-increasing number of knights in pajamas. It was an interesting thing; she imagined the actors who portrayed these rugged men had probably dressed like that at some point in their lives. But on the knights themselves it just seemed odd, almost wrong even, as if they belonged in their leather and armor.

Retrieving a box of matches from the kitchen she set about lighting some candles to placate the smell that had seemed to still linger in the air. As she lit the last one a flash caught her off guard and she turned to see Tina, apparently finished in the shower. She was dressed rather similarly to the knights, hair still damp, brandishing the camera.

"What are you doing?" Macy questioned blowing out the match in her hand.

"Documenting." Tina stated with a proud smile earning herself an eye roll. "What? We need proof that we're not crazy, and now I have it. Though I would have had a lot more if Jason would have let me in the bathroom." She mumbled to herself, Macy's mouth dropped.

"What!?"

"I mean…" She laughed it off.

"I said no calendar."

"I'm just taking some pictures, that's all." Macy gave a sigh. "Look, I'm going to take my shower. Can you get some blankets together for the knights so we can set up beds for them later?" Tina gave a half salute.

"Aye Capitan." She set down the camera and began her search for blankets as Macy made her way upstairs.

0o0o0

Climbing into the shower Macy let the warm water wash over her. She closed her eyes attempting to let the events of the night wash away too, but it was a failed attempt. She knew they weren't going away, at least not until they figured out how they had gotten there in the first place. And despite what she told herself they would still be there when she got out. But it was still all too real they were too real. Tina didn't seem to see it that way, to her they were more of a novelty, but then again maybe it was because unlike Tina Macy knew how the movie ended.

0o0o0

Tina walked from closet to closet on the ground floor but with no luck on the blanket hunt. "If I was a bunch of blankets," She began to herself. "Where would I be?" She gave a sigh. "In the closet, unless you're a creepy non closet dwelling blanket!" She stopped suddenly as a memory flashed through her mind. "Man…" Macy whispered to her as she helped her up. "It's a good thing I didn't wash those blankets earlier like my mom asked me to." Rolling her eyes Tina made her way to the basement door.

"Tina, can I…"

"Not now Jay, I'm on a mission." And with that she disappeared down the basement stairs leaving Jason standing there like a disturbed drowned rat holding the last of the knights' clothes. With a sigh he made his way to the living room and spotted Tristan by the love bird's cage, he was apparently trying to decide whether or not to let the little creature out on not.

"I wouldn't," Jason directed at him, and Tristan turned to look at him. "Little guy might look harmless but he's got a wicked streak to him." Tristan gave the colorful ball of feathers a questioning look and the bird attempted an innocent whistle; Tristan thought better of letting him out. Jason chuckled to himself as he went to the washroom hoping there was still some hot water left.

0o0o0

By the time Macy had changed and run a brush through her hair and came down stairs she found that Tina and Jason, now clean himself, had set up a knight camp in the living room. She flashed them a grateful smile as she entered the room.

"Okay," She addressed the group of knights who were settled in their own makeshift beds. "It's late, I think we're all still in a bit of shock here," There were a series of nods from the knight as well as Jason and Tina. "So why don't we all get a good night sleep and see if we can figure this thing out in the morning."

"I think that would be wise." Arthur spoke. "Perhaps we'll think better once we've had time to sleep on it."

"Well, you boys make yourselves comfortable, we'll be upstairs." Tina stated grabbing Macy by the arm and steering her towards the stairs. "So," She continued once they were half way up the steps. "Where are we sleeping, cause if I don't find a bed I just might pass out here."

"Jason you can take Shawn's room and Tina I guess you can bunk down in the guest room." They came to a stop at the top of the stairs muttering their 'goodnights' as they parted ways.

0o0o0

Macy was cold and as she looked around she knew why, she was surrounded by ice and snow. It was in the air and under her feet, but that was not all, she was not alone. The lake on which she stood was a picture of chaos, men were running and screaming and dying, arrows flew and the ice under her feet began to crack and shift. A voice reached her ears, a voice she knew. "Help us!" It was Arthur's she turned to see him and Bors kneeling next to a large man and as Bors screamed at him her heat felt heavy. "Dagonet! Stay with me! Stay with me!"

The scene around her blurred and the air was thick and hot with smoke. A screech sounded from over head and she looked up to see the hawk soaring overhead. The battle raged around her as if she were not there, men fell dying, the ground was a river of blood, but Macy stood watching; she had watched it all before. Ahead of her she made out two fighters, and as one fell at the hands of the other she realized it was Tristan. That same heavy feeling in her chest rose as she looked away.

But her eyes were drawn to another battle, closer now there was no mistaking who it was. Lancelot rode in to save Guinevere but could not save himself; he too died on that field. And Macy's eyes stung with tears as she watched it play out. She had watched it so many times and never once felt this much emotion. 'What's wrong with me?' Was all she could think as the grief washed through her. Again the sound of the hawk from over head and as her head snapped up towards the sound Macy found herself upright in bed.

The battlefield was gone but she brought her hand up to her check to find it still wet with tears and that heavy feeling still griped her heart.

0o0o0

Macy made her way down stairs in the dark she needed some air. As she passed by the living room she looked in at the sleeping forms and smiled at the light snoring. She knew what the dream meant; she had never felt that sense of grief while watching because they had never been real before. But they were all too real now; and she knew what was going to happen when she did send them back to where they came from.

She went quietly out side on the deck to find that she was not the only one to need the fresh air. Arthur was there looking very lost in his own thoughts as he made no indication that he heard her. "Couldn't sleep?" She asked wrapping her arms around herself as he turned to her. As she stood in the moonlight he could understand Lancelot's attraction to her, though now her eyes were troubled.

"I have a lot on my mind… it's been quite a day." He added quickly though Macy knew what he was really talking about. "And you?"

"The same…" There was a moment of pause as she took a few steps closing the gap between them. "You haven't told them yet have you?" At his questioning glance she continued. "About the family, in the north."

"How did you?" He paused and shook his head. "Of course, your history I presume?"

"Something like that… Is that why you stand out here alone in the dark when you should be asleep?"

"They trust me." He stated after a moment of silence. "They trust me, to do what is right for them. To give them freedom, but instead I must offer death…"

"You do what you have to because it is for them." He turned slowly to her. "Everything you do is for them, not for your own glory or ambition. That is what makes them trust you and what makes them follow, and they will follow to whatever end. It is what makes you different… what makes you great."

There was a moment of silence between them as the breeze hissed its way though the trees then Macy turned. Understanding that she couldn't change what was to happen. The knights were not her pets; they were not there for their amusement. They had to be sent back to there own time and to whatever end; because they trusted her Tina and Jason to get them there. She stopped at the open door and looked over her shoulder before going back inside.

"Goodnight Arthur."