A/N: Yaye, I updated 4 days in a row! Don't you just love it? Thanks for all the reviews, I really like how you all respond very quickly! It makes me write even more! .smiles. If you haven't reviewed yet, I would love to hear from you!

Anyway, short chapter since I am doing some university exchange preparation, finishing off work and got into a car accident. But no worries, Chapter 36 will be up quite soon! Enjoy!

DeathDealer210912: Here's the answer to your question! Enjoy!

Kates: I couldn't resist but give her some family! The poor girl has been through so much already! (And believe me, she has even more to go through – especially since she is now a princess of Shino, officially.)

I'm glad you like the added cast members! I couldn't resist that either! I'll try my best to incorporate them all into the plot, especially the new knights! (And your Sir Bedivere!)

.winces at your reaction to Lancelot. I fear for this knight's safety. Even though I feel the same way you do, though! haha, Lourdes running off with Gawain or Bedivere! That would be quite the twist! Well, hope you enjoy this next chapter! Let's see if the boys behave.

Kalanie: Thank you! I work extremely hard on each chapter, which is why it takes me sooo long to update. (Usually it takes me a day to write one to two chapters).

The cute, whiny side of Lourdes comes out! Like, come on, there's only so much a girl can take! haha As for my earlier comment about you keeping your stick…well…my meaning will be revealed soon! Enjoy this chapter!

Withered Lover: hahaha I just loved your reaction! Too cute! I love how I render people speechless with my story! lol!

delusional anvil.: Oh yeah. As cool as it is to be a princess, it takes a lot of work. Too many responsibilities for me, man. I'd whine even more than Lourdes! lmao!

Yeah, I felt as though it would be cool for Lourdes to have a character like Akira by her side. She really needs some female companionship. I mean, look at what men are doing to her! hahaha Geebus!

.winces. Yeahhh, about Galahad…um…yeahhh. .zips lips. I really can't say anything other than that, because I might ruin the story for you and for everyone else!

Theodore is the biggest buttplug on the planet.

I actually saw this dress in Chinatown! It was sooo sick, but bloody expensive!

Here's the next chappy, and I can't wait for your story! I love timetravel pieces! And Galahad's sooo cute in it! haha But I know what you mean, preparing for school can be a drag. Hope you get through it, though! Love yah!

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CHAPTER 35

A/N: In answer to delusional anvil.'s query above, as for Lucas, Lourdes' big brother, I am modeling him after Michael Copon (Blue Ranger, Felix from "One Tree Hill"). He's half Filipino, half American, and if you place his picture beside Tia Carrera's, they have some similar features. So they can definitely pass for brother and sister! .smiles. And as for King Lothair, I am modeling him after Ken Watanabe (Katsumoto from "The Last Samurai"). I love that dude. He rocks my socks, hardcore. Anyway, now that you've got Lucas and Lothair pictured in your minds, onwards with the story!

For fun, I'm also going to make a "character/cast list" for my OCs, meaning, take their pictures and make them into a collage. This way, you will all know how I am picturing the characters! I will post the link to the image file in my reviews, since I cannot put links on here, so look out for it! .smiles. (And if I can't put links on the review section either, just let me know if you would like to see the image file and I can send it to you as a private message!)

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As Lourdes shakily stepped away from her brother and wiped her fallen tears with the back of her hand, she turned her loving gaze toward Arthur and his knights. As they bowed respectfully to her, she furrowed her brows as she took in their sight. Fear immediately coursed through her, and she asked in alarm, "What of Sir Galahad?"

At this point, Lancelot finally pried his eyes away from her form, eyes falling to the ground as he and the rest of the knights stood up straight once more. The glint of hope that had appeared when he first saw her again had now vanished, and in its place returned the harsh feelings that he had harboured for so many weeks now. He greatly desired to leave the room, yet used all his will to keep his feet firm on the stone floor.

"Fear not for his safety, milady," Arthur replied with a curt bow, understanding the worry evident in her eyes, "he...he did not join us on this journey."

A flash of disappointment appeared in Lourdes' brown orbs as she nodded in silent understanding, her head lowering just a little. So many questions ran through her mind, but she decided against asking them. The knights eyed each other at her reaction, most feeling sympathetic for her. Though, she did her best to mask the emotion on her face, forcing a content smile as she fought to keep her composure. She could not let Galahad and his absence bring down her spirits -- not when she had just been reunited with her brother and the rest of her beloved knights. "Good sirs, I cannot even describe to you how happy I am to see you once more!" She laughed in delight, her eyes landing on every knight's -- save for Lancelot's, who kept his head slightly turned away.

Arthur was the first to walk towards her, smiling widely as he wrapped her in his arms in tightly. "Our paths have crossed yet again, Lady Lourdes, and I am glad of it."

"'Tis good to see yeh again, Number 12." Bors guffawed, his voice echoing throughout the hall as he enveloped her in a great bear hug. "I was sad to see you leave in the first place."

"I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss you." Gawain took her hand and kissed it tenderly before they embraced.

Before Lourdes could respond to the three, she was immediately lifted off the ground. Looking down, she realized that she was trapped in the clutches of Dagonet as the gentle giant held her tightly in front of him. "Our female knight, here to fight alongside us once more!"

Lourdes, the knights, and even those around them shared a hearty laugh at this as she made her way to Tristan's side. She poked his stomach lightly, making the quiet knight grunt. "Happy to see me again, Scout?" She opened her arms widely towards him, wriggling her fingers at him in expectancy. "C'mon, hugging is not that hard. It honestly takes less effort than swinging a sword or shooting an arrow, you know."

Those around them tried to suppress their chuckles as Tristan heaved out a heavy sigh. He finally returned her embrace, patting her back awkwardly as he said gruffly, "Doesn't mean I missed you."

Lourdes pinched the knight's cheeks at his grim 'sense of humour', grinning at him impishly. "I've missed you too, Tristan."

Finally, Lourdes turned to Lancelot, who stood stiffly and still would not meet her gaze. When she made a motion to walk towards him, he swiftly turned on his heel, stalking out of the hall without warning. The others looked after him in wonder, and the knights, in disappointment. Lourdes swallowed the lump that had formed in the back of her throat, feeling her heart constrict once more. With a look back at those around her, she ran after him, following him into the snow-covered courtyard, just atop the steps that led to the main building of the castle.

Their breaths were visible in the open space, light snowflakes gently landing atop them as they both stood still. Lancelot had stopped by the edge of the stairs, eyes gazing out into the distance, muscles tense. Lourdes caught her breath, gritting irritably as she took off her uncomfortable shoes and chucked them onto the ground beside her. Taking the cold sensation underneath her feet, she walked to Lancelot's side, fighting back the tears that were forming behind her eyes.

"Will you not speak to me, Lancelot?" She whispered almost breathlessly, gulping as she walked a few more steps in order to face him.

Although keeping silent, Lancelot finally looked up at her. He swallowed at the sight of the elegant woman that stood before him, finally seeing the woman that had affected him so, whose memory had tortured him for so long. He felt so hurt, so bitter, and yet the sight of her instantly conflicted his emotions, evoking a sense of tenderness and longing that he thought had all dissipated. The change in her was remarkable -- not only with her appearance, but with the nature and aura that emanated from her as well. She stood, straight and secure; a regal poise. She was breathtakingly beautiful. And yet, Lancelot's hurt pride had taken over him once more, and he replied callously,

"What is there for me to say?"

Stung by his words, she immediately lost all the self-control that she had left in her being. Shoving him forcefully, Lourdes spat, "Stop acting so childishly! You embarrass me and yourself in front of the knights and my family!" she screamed, pushing his chest once more, "Tell me what you are feeling! I am here now, in front of you. Say what you need to say, Lancelot!"

"I am over it." He replied after a few moments through gritted teeth, turning away from her. "Do not worry and go about your life."

She squinted her eyes in pure anger, mouth slightly agape at his unbelievable reaction. "You know what you are, Lancelot?" She asked in a conversational tone, then finished with, "You are a coward. A coward hidden beneath armour, good looks and a witty tongue. You hide behind this façade of yours because you are afraid."

Unable to control his rage, he roughly took the sides of her arms, shaking her as he shouted, "And what am I afraid of, exactly? Hmm? Enlighten me!"

Lourdes was unphased by his actions, only inclining her chin upwards at him to meet his burning gaze. "I would think that you'd be intelligent enough to know." She shrugged, his grip tightening even more on her arms. It had begun to hurt her, but she swallowed the pain away and kept speaking. "You walked away from me when I was trying to explain myself to you that night when you saw me with Galahad. You hid away in your chambers, only looking out to me -- barely even keeping my gaze -- when I left for Shino. Why couldn't you face me then, Lancelot?" She gripped his tunic, her face distorting as her countenance exhibited the anguish that she felt. "Tell me. Why?"

Lancelot trembled at this, his eyes burning as he looked at Lourdes' alternately. He shoved her away, bringing the palms of his hands to his eyes as he paced away from her. "Damn this." he hissed, giving out a cry of frustration.

"No, damn you, Lancelot!" Lourdes yelled, pointing at him with clenched teeth. "Damn you and your bloody pride! Damn you for torturing me like so, for not even allowing me to explain how I truly felt, for not staying so that I could tell you that I did not lie with Galahad!"

Lancelot stiffened at this, disbelief forming in his eyes. Her statement managed to calm him only a little, and his chest continued to noticeably rise and fall, the knight almost unable to take this unwanted confrontation.

"And why are you so angry?" she continued her relentless attack, releasing everything that she had kept bottled up inside of her, uncaging every word that she had wanted to say to this man. "I should be in your position, evading you at all costs! You see me give a moment of affection to Galahad and convince yourself to never confront me again, when I am positive that you have bedded women after I had left, and even before that! Like that woman I saw leaving your chambers with you." She scoffed, tears now streaming down her cheeks. "What am I to think, Lancelot? What am I to feel?"

He turned to her defensively and replied in a low tone, "I did not bed that woman that you saw leave my chambers. I refused her." Lourdes was surprised that she actually believed him. She remained silent as he continued, his voice rising, "And even if I bedded women in the past, and even after you left, I never loved any of them! None of them!" She caught her breath at this, feeling relieved, yet guilty at the same time. He pointed an accusing finger at her. "Do not take me for a fool and let me believe that you feel nothing for Galahad."

Lourdes was rendered speechless at this point, finally tearing her eyes away from Lancelot's inflamed orbs. She reasoned with herself, trying to find a decent explanation for her actions. Instead, she questioned, "How am I supposed to believe that you loved none of those women?" she paused, unable to contain her words as she spat, "Men like you, Lancelot, can never be trusted. Your eyes wander relentlessly as sweet words roll from your tongue so easily. You see women as conquests, not for themselves. You cannot possibly feel the love that you speak of."

Lancelot tilted his head as if in acceptance of what she shakily stated. His reservoir of patience had been dried to its very drop as he stated, "Then I am not the fool standing in this courtyard." Untying the button of his tunic, he lifted the chain that hung from his heck, throwing it at her feet. "Take your medallion back. I have no need of it."

Lourdes choked on a sob as she grasped the medallion in her hands, wiping the snow off of it. Lancelot wanted so badly to take back what he just did, to hold Lourdes in his arms and apologize. He had treated her so callously, had let her words of frustration, anger and pain inflame his own rage. Though, in the end, he eventually turned from her and ran down the courtyard steps, leaving her alone, once more, in the cold.

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I think we have an emergency

I think we have an emergency

If you thought I'd leave, then you were wrong

Cause I won't stop holding on

So are you listening?

So are you watching me?

If you thought I'd leave, then you were wrong

Cause I won't stop holding on.

This is an emergency

So are you listening?

And I can't pretend that I don't see this

It's really not your fault

When no one cares to talk about it,

To talk about it

Cause I've seen love die

Way too many times

When it deserved to be alive

I've seen you cry

Way too many times

When you deserve to be alive, alive

So you give up every chance you get

Just to feel new again

I think we have an emergency

I think we have an emergency

And you do your best to show me love,

but you don't know what love is.

These scars, they will not fade away.

- "Emergency" by Paramore

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A/N: Ouch. Now I'm sad. What did you guys think?