Okay, I finally have a TOTALLY NEW CHAPTER! WOO HOO! There will be an epilogue after this. I'm sorry this took so long…It was my birthday on Monday, so there were lots of unplanned events then, finals week is coming up, and I've been working on my idea for my next King Arthur Story. As much as I love my characters, they will die a slow painful death if I don't stop soon. Therefore, I'm going to make a completely new story. I'm so excited! Yey! Thanks to all that reviewed! I love you!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Tomb Raider X- Thank you!

Camreyn- A new chapter! Yes! Habren always has a plan…well, perhaps not always…

HGandRHrforever- Thanks! You are so nice to review my stories! I'm sorry I kept you waiting so long…

Amage had been pacing for the last several days. Every so often, Babai had managed to lure her to bed, or force her to eat. She was a wreck, and the rest of the tribe was concerned. This was the woman who had looked after all of them at one point or another. They left food outside of Amage and Babai's tent, making sure that they wouldn't have to go far for nourishment. The tribe didn't know the reasoning behind her behavior, but if anyone could figure it out, it was Babai.

Amage had just finished what was probably the millionth round of the tent, when Babai stepped in front of her. She glanced at him, annoyed, but walked around him, ready to make another circuit. Babai, however, was tired of talking to her, and receiving no response. He didn't appreciate being ignored; especially by her. Never again would he allow her to turn her back on him. He grabbed her arm, spinning her around to face him. Her eyes flared as she glared at him. He glared right back.

"Let me go!" she hissed.

"No." he said, shaking his head. "You haven't spoken to me in days. You won't tell me what's wrong. How can I help you if I don't know what's going on?" he asked.

Amage wasn't used to having someone worried about her. She was accustomed to doing the worrying. She forced herself to study Babai, trying to figure out what he was feeling. She could see the anger, that much was plain. One had to look closer to notice his concern, his hurt. Those were two things she hadn't seen in his eyes for quite some time. She knew that she couldn't go on as she had. It was wearing away her years far too soon. She sighed, leaning forward into Babai. He held her to him, a bit shocked at her actions. Amage understood. She had finally opened her eyes.

"Something's wrong." She said, finally.

"What is it?"

"I don't know."

"Perhaps it's nothing…" he said, trying to comfort her.

"It isn't nothing. I know something is wrong…I just don't know what. Habren…" she trailed off. She had no idea why she had this feeling, but she knew she wasn't imagining it. It was real.

"Lancelot will take care of her." He soothed, stroking her hair.

"He can't. No one can." She finished defeated.

She had gone slack in his arms, and he pulled her over to their bed. She had finally exhausted herself. She had made him uneasy. Amage didn't jest about such things. If she felt it, it must be true.

Habren looked down from the hill at the village. Her village. She looked to Papay and gave him a reassuring smile. Nothing would go wrong. She wouldn't let it.

They were met by the scouts, who eyed the bandits suspiciously. Well, they were with their own people, they couldn't be all bad…Afsati gave them a wink as he passed, and they shrugged. Some people simply had an odd sense of humor.

Habren dismounted, turning to Papay, wondering if he was ready for this. She gave her a weak smile, and nodded. He was as ready as he would ever be.

Habren pushed back the flap of her parents' tent. The scene before her eyes was one she hoped never to forget. Her mother was asleep, wrapped in her father's arms. He was stroking her hair, murmuring in her ear. Habren hadn't seen her parents like this for a long time.

She cleared her throat. Babai looked up, clearly relieved to see her. He gently nudged Amage awake, and the woman quickly turned to look at her daughter. Words could not describe the relief that flowed through her body at the sight of her daughter. She leapt from the bed, and hugged Habren to her, never wanting to let go. Sometimes, however, we must do the things that we do not want to do. She released her daughter, and noticed for the first time, her companion.

He was a handsome man, about the age of her son. He studied her carefully, curiously. She returned the gesture.

"Mother, this is Papay. Perhaps we should sit down." She suggested. Amage nodded, but kept her eyes fixed on this "Papay."

Once they were settled, Amage asked, "What happened?"

Habren didn't ask how she knew. It would be a rather stupid question. Amage always knew. "Well…the short version is that I was captured by bandits, and Papay saved me."

Amage nodded to Papay. He nodded back to her.

"And, we were wondering if you could marry us…" she said, feeling a bit less sure now.

Amage stared at her daughter. Habren had never been a difficult child. She had never shocked Amage before. Well, it seemed that everything was changing now…her son had returned, her son was married, her husband returned to her, her son and daughter left her, and now they were back. And Habren wished to be married. It was a lot for Amage to digest in such a short period of time. Habren gave her that time.

Babai came to greet his daughter, and the man responsible for her return. Papay seemed like a nice enough fellow, though he wondered what tribe he was from. He hadn't said.

Amage had composed herself. "I will marry you tonight." She announced. If her daughter wanted this, she could have it. They didn't have enough men around for her, anyway.

Habren and Papay let out an audible sigh of relief.

"Don't worry, mother. We won't leave. We can stay here. Papay would be a great help to our scouts." She assured her.

"Would he, now?" Asked Amage, her suspicions renewed. She studied him closer than she had before. She knew his scent. His clothes were in decent condition, and he didn't seem to have a village. Oh, my. Her daughter wanted to marry a bandit! But, then again, he had saved her. He couldn't be completely horrible. She didn't sense any negative motives in him, and she wasn't easily fooled.

"Good." Said Babai, breaking the silence. "We could use you."

"Where is Lancelot?" asked Amage.

"He's here, but I wanted to talk to you first." Responded Habren.

"Well, send him in. I'm sure you two have to…prepare for the wedding." She said, dismissing them. She was straining herself. She needed to have a chance to breathe.

The two left her tent, smiling. That had gone well…

Afsati, Angi, and Magovey were setting up their tents. It was a bit odd to be back in a village setting again, with people all around them. They had forgotten all of the noises, the smells, the sights. They had to admit that the sights weren't too bad. A gaggle of giggling women stood a short distance away, watching every move. Habren had told them of their…shortage, as it were…so they had been prepared for this. Magovey decided that this was enough of a civilization for him! Angi was quite ready to agree with him. Afsati, however, rolled his eyes. How they could think that giggling was attractive was beyond him. He searched the area for something, anything, to study instead. He found something, alright.

It was a woman, which wasn't so remarkable. There were lots of women here. What was different about this one was that she was alone. She wasn't sniggering like a ninny, she was staring off into the distance, unsmiling. He had rarely seen such sadness upon human features. He wondered how she could exist, if she felt as much pain as her face showed. He wanted to speak to her, to comfort her, but he didn't know how. He couldn't bring himself to interrupt her reverie. He finished putting up his tent, listening to Magovey and Angi exchanging rather lewd comments. Perhaps he would see her tonight.

Papay was relieved. That much was obvious. Habren grinned at him.

"See, that wasn't so bad!" she laughed.

Papay shook his head at her. "You have no idea…"

"They love you already. And besides, I'm sure you'll earn your keep. Bandits won't dare come here!" she teased.

"People will wonder." He reminded her.

"Let them." She said, with finality. "The others won't mind?" she asked.

He smiled. "I'm sure they'll be able to amuse themselves. They won't run out of women any time soon…"

They shared a grin. It was very true.

"So, your mother is going to marry us tonight." Said Papay, still not quite believing that all of this was real. This was not a dream. This was very much reality.

"Yes, which means I will be able to boss you around for the rest of your life."

"Really? I thought that was my privilege." He smirked.

"Men. They think they know everything. Well, let me tell you something. When it comes to power, women have it all. We just pretend that it's the reverse. It makes the men feel needed and special. It's all a ploy." She informed him.

"You're probably right. We all know Lancelot has no control over his life…"

"Lancelot is no exception. Every so often, he manages to think for himself, though he would never get anywhere without Sera. Women marry because it is expected of them, men marry for necessity." She countered.

Papay was getting tired of debating this topic. He kissed her lightly, and smiled at her reaction. Yes, he could tolerate her nagging for the rest of his days.

Lancelot had decided not to worry about anything anymore. Everything was far too complicated for his comprehension. He used to have control of his life, now however, it was a different story. He expressed this idea to Sera.

"You will never stop worrying, Lancelot. If you try, you'll worry about worrying, and that is hardly constructive." She pointed out.

It was true. It always seemed to be that whenever you tried to forget something, it was ingrained in your memory forever.

"Well, in that case, I will have to find something else with which to distract myself…" he said, seductive grin in place.

Sera laughed. He was still Lancelot. Marriage had certainly not changed his manner. "I think I can help you out, noble knight." She said, pulling him to her.

"I'm sure you could." He whispered in her ear. He kissed her, leading her to their bed. They still had an hour or two before the wedding…

Tristan was so excited to be back in Lancelot's village. So excited. It meant that he was no longer in his village. He no longer had to step lightly, glancing nervously around corners. Lancelot's mother didn't jabber on for hours on end. He was slightly surprised to find that he rather missed Api's constant chatter. It would pass…

Radha was throwing up, and couldn't be happier about it. Gawain was rubbing her back, soothing. Radha took a swig of water, and spit it out, cleansing her mouth. While throwing up in and of itself was not pleasant, she was very pleased with its cause. She was pregnant. Habren had confirmed it herself (she hadn't bothered to seek Amage's advice…) She was going to be a mother. Finally. Radha smiled at Gawain, and he smiled back.

"Feel better?" he asked.

"Much." She grinned.

"Good." He said, and kissed her. She was pregnant, really pregnant this time. He couldn't wait for the little one. Then, he could definitely prove that Lancelot was a pathological liar… all his children looking like him…hah!

Amage sat down. She had just married her last child to a bandit. She hoped she would soon recover from the shock. Babai smiled at her, and she decided that she probably could. She felt like she could do anything when he smiled like that.

Afsati snuck glances at the forlorn looking woman all throughout the ceremony. She sat with her eyes downcast, looking even sadder (if that was indeed possible) whenever she looked up and saw the happy couple. Afsati knew that face. It was the face of defeat. No one deserved to wear that mask, no one. After the ceremony, Afsati came to a decision. It was now or never.

He crossed to the other side of the fire, and sat himself right down next to her. So much for subtle. She nearly jumped, her head snapping up to stare at him. What was he doing here? Shouldn't he be drooling over the giggling females that had been sitting next to him?

Afsati rubbed his hands together, searching for some topic of conversation. He had never felt so awkward around a woman.

"So…I'm new around here…is there anything I should know about this fine establishment?" he asked.

She raised an eyebrow. "Well, that's obvious. We don't get many like you around here." She informed him.

"Really? And by 'many like me' you of course mean devilishly charming and handsome."

She shook her head. "No. I meant enigmatic. You aren't supposed to sit here." She said, matter of factly.

Afsati smiled, tilting his head to the side a bit. "Oh, and where should I be sitting. Perhaps being enigmatic is a good thing."

She pointed to the other side of the fire, to the throng of giggling women. "That is where you should be sitting. No man in his right mind would wish to sit next to me. They are what you want." She said, as if this was all extremely obvious.

Afsati leaned closer, conspiratorially. "I'll tell you a secret. They terrify me. You, at least, can actually speak. This is a skill that seems to elude them."

Her head snapped back in shock. He wasn't supposed to enjoy the sound of a woman's voice. Men only cared about a woman's appearance, nothing more. This one was definitely deranged.

"Why are you sad?" he asked, changing tactics.

He kept on surprising her; she couldn't quite find her footing. "I'm not sad. I'm normal." She said.

"Define normal." Challenged Afsati.

She snorted. "Well, it certainly isn't you…"

Afsati placed a hand over his heart. "You wound me, my lady."

"Oh, I couldn't possibly break through that thick skin, now could I?" she smirked.

"I suppose not." He said, nodding.

Finally, Afsati simply had to laugh. And he did. The woman took one look at his red face, and offered a small smile. It was progress.

"I'm Afsati. What is your name?" he asked.

"Argimpasa."

I hope you will accept my pathetic excuses for not updating in quite some time. Please review; it is a BRAND SPANKING NEW CHAPTER after all…