Oh my God...I am soooo sorry this took so long to get out. I thought I would have it to you last Sunday, but I didn't manage my time well and had no time for writing. That was totally my fault. But then, I got mono and I was lying around the whole week feeling miserable...Again I'm sooo sorry, I'm sure I could have tried harder...but I didn't. I'm really, really sorry. I just hope you didn't forget about me!!

Ok...I won't keep you from the story any longer...on with it!! (Review Responses will be at the bottom of this chapter...)

Chapter Three-A Routine Broken

"STAY DOWN!!", the boy hissed to the small girl, "they will see you."

The small girl could only nod in fright. Fires raged all around her, and even from a distance she could feel the heat of it, and she heard the sickening screams of her friends, her people, as they burned alive in their homes. She and her brother were lucky they were not in one of the homes. It was Ironic, actually, why they were not in the house; they had snuck out to go to the river and play swords. It was a ritual they had. The boy knew the girl would one day need to know the sword, but they didn't have mother's approval. So, they practiced in secret, much to the girl's delight. She was good at keeping secrets.

Once again, the girl's curiosity got the better of her, and as her brother attempted to find a place for them to run, she peered over the small rock they hid behind. That decision of an innocent little girl would haunt her for the rest of time. Huts burned causing an eerie red glow to light the sky and the street. The street-that was the worst of it. The carnage of mangled and burned bodies, tall brutish men slicing down the villagers that dared to fight back. Their blood spilling over the streets in which she used to play, staining the ground, and changing one girl's life forever. A scream forced its way up into her throat, and no matter what she did she could not stop it from escaping. That's what caught their attention.

"We've got one tryin' to escape behin' that rock. Let's see if we can 'ave a lit'l fun wit 'er aye?" One of the brutes said, his eyes glazed with the hunger for blood shed.

The boy pushed the girl towards the cover of the trees and whispered, "Run Maili. As fast as you can. Run to the next town and seek refuge. Do not look back and do not wait for me."

The girl nodded, a lone tear spilling from her eyes. She knew it was the last time she'd see her brother, but she ran anyways. She kept true to his last command-she ran as fast and hard as she could. And she didn't look back.

Maili shot up from the cot, sweat pouring down her face. It had been a long time since she'd been visited by that nightmare. She shook her head, ridding it of those thoughts. She'd refused to dwell on them since she'd awoken in the woad village three days after the fires. She hardened her heart then, steeled it against everyone, not wanting to feel the kind of pain she'd felt for her brother ever again. It was easier to just not let any one in, rather than worrying of them.

Maili walked softly over to the small window and looked out to the horizon. The sun had barely even risen, but already the small village was humming with the daily activities. She turned and slowly flexed her limbs, sore from sleep, and then pulled on a tunic and leggings, and strapped her various weapons to her body. She looked around the hut, making sure she hadn't forgotten anything and then stepped into the morning air.

She saw the smoldering remains of a fire to the side of the wall and she gave a sickening smile. It was the lovely guard Gallius' burning remains, and for some sick reason, it made her morning brighter to know he was dead-and that she had been the cause of his death. She turned, her smile had faded, but the remnants still lay softly upon her features. It was a rare sight and as she neared Ganis he was slightly taken a back.

"You just smiled." Ganis said in an idiotic voice, "What put you in such a good mood."

"Ah Ganis." Maili said, her voice holding but a tint of mischief to it, "Didn't you know killing Romans always makes me smile?"

"You?" Ganis said incredulously, but then a smile broke across his features, "I 'spose I shoulda known."

Maili allowed an uncharacteristic grin to grace her features, before she brushed past him, intending to scout through the woods. However, she stopped cold in her tracks as she saw Horace hanging upon the chains. Normally, she wouldn't contemplate helping anyone, as she didn't expect to receive it, she didn't give it, but Horace's situation was different. Without him, there was no way the elders would produce enough surplus of grain to feed themselves and others. Then the Romans would once again abuse their power, using it to shamelessly steal from those who already had so little. That is what made her want to help them. Damned Romans...They always seemed to force her into uncomfortable situations.

Maili groaned inwardly and then turned swiftly and walked to the elders' land. As she approached, she saw Fidella handing out orders, painfully fulfilling her husband's duties. Maili took a deep breath and prepared herself for the on coming conversation. Few had ever succeeded in engaging her in anything but light talk. She said what she meant; straight to the point, no beating around the bush. It didn't exactly make for the nicest person to hold a conversation with. She exhaled slowly, and the approached Fidella.

"Do you need any help?" Maili asked plainly. Fidella looked slightly taken a back at first, but smiled and nodded at the offer.

"Just do what you can where you can." Fidella said kindly. Maili nodded curtly in response and the grabbed the extra sack, Horace's sack, and got to work.

As she reaped in the grain, Maili cursed under her breath. This was the second day she'd done something to help what was not her charge. It was beginning to unnerve her. She continued her curses to herself for most of the day, and as the sun reached high noon, she felt eyes upon her. She thrust her sacks of grain at Fidella and then turned, and without explanation, she plunged into the woods.

Maili looked around her cautiously as she tread through the woods. She had a very good feeling of who the eyes belonged to, but she did not know where he was. She just sighed, frustrated, and sat down upon the earth. The stubborn old man would materialize when he was good and ready. He seemed to be the only one that could make her wait, and work upon some one else's time and wishes.

"Hello daughter." Merlin said stepping from the shadows. He'd always called her that. Maili wasn't really sure why.

"Hello Merlin." Maili responded in and even tone.

A silence settled upon them. Maili fidgeted under Merlin's gaze and Merlin showed no inclination of speaking anytime soon. Just as Maili thought he was content to let silence reign, he spoke.

"Guinivere has fallen into the hands of the Romans. I expected your return." Merlin said, his voice hinting that he knew more than he let on.

Maili just sighed. "I would have. But I still deemed her in my charge, and I knew someone who could be of service in keeping her alive. I intend to stay true to the duties you have assigned me. Guinivere was one of them." Maili replied in an even tone.

"Yes, the help of a Roman to save Guinivere from the Romans." Merlin said in an amused tone.

Maili would have laughed, as it sounded completely ridiculous when said out loud. However, she deemed it inappropriate and foolish to laugh at the truth. Instead she just nodded her head at his words. Merlin however did not continue. Maili, growing frustrated, finally said, "I do not believe you traveled here to tell me what I already know."

The corners of Merlin's lips rose at her slight disrespect of him. He'd always found it amusing. This untamed girl, who refused to answer to anyone. It would, in the end, be her downfall. "Four cycles of the moon shall pass, and my daughter will not be able to escape that prison. But then, the unexpected will come to your aid. They will save her, and you must follow. We will need their allegiance. When the time comes, you will know of what I speak." Merlin said as he slipped back into the shadows. To Maili, it seemed as if he'd evaporated before her eyes, and she shook her head after a moment. He always did that, left her with some sort of a riddle.

Maili wondered back to the village, mulling over what Merlin had just told her. Strangers will come to our aid and free her? Maili thought incredulously. Maybe the man had finally fallen of the edge. It was simply absurd. She just shook the thoughts from her head, deciding that the words would gain meaning when they were meant to. His words always did.

Weeks and months came and went, and Maili and Fulcinia slowly fell into a routine. Maili would attract the attention of the guards, who would in turn seek Marius' help in catching the "mysterious" women that seemed to be haunting them. And then, Fulcinia would slip out easily, and work as fast as she could in leaving Guinivere food. Lucky for Fulcinia, the priests never noticed the food she brought; they probably wouldn't have noticed if she was a wild boar, unless of course she was a wild boar with "pagan" written across her snout. Then, the day Merlin's words would gain meaning was thrust upon them.

Maili had almost forgotten his words, and she certainly hadn't been keeping track of the cycles of the moon. However, she felt compelled to be in the forest that day. She wondered through with her bow and arrow at hand and then climbed up a tree near the edge of the forest. She just sat there; not really knowing why she was there in the first place. Just as her mind began to register how ridiculous sitting in a tree doing nothing was, she heard the faint pounding of horse hoofs. She sat as still as possible and shifted her gaze to the dirt path. The beats slowly grew louder, and then seven horsemen came galloping into her view. She nearly fell out of the tree as Merlin's words shoved themselves to the front of her mind.

"The Strangers." She whispered to herself, thinking it might sound saner out loud. It didn't. Maili climbed down the tree and raced back to the village, so eager to return that she missed the stare of the scout. She arrived well after the horsemen, but she pushed her way through the gathering crowd trying to see who exactly had come to their aid. She nearly gasped at who she saw.

Seven knights, one Roman and the rest from a foreign land, as their armor and weapons were different from the usual Roman attire. Then something registered in her mind; it was Arthur and his Sarmatian knights. And Merlin said they'd need their allegiance. Maili scoffed at that. The day they took help from Romans and others not of their land was the day she ceased to be a lady of battle. She kept a cold glare upon them as Arthur conversed with Marius. She didn't pay attention to what they were saying, as it was of no importance to her; instead she kept wondering how they were to help Guinivere. Maili was pulled from her thoughts as Arthur, followed closely by Ganis, pushed through the crowd of serfs. Arthur stopped in front of the withering form of Horace.

"What crime did this man commit?" Arthur spat out angrily. Silence reigned over the serfs.

Ganis was the one to speak up, "He only asked for more grain. My ass has been dragging up the land all winter and I haven't got nothing to eat. You're from Rome, is it true that Marius is a god and it is a sin to defy him?"

Arthur eyes blazed with anger at his words, "Marius is no god and you—you were free from your first breath. With that said, he heaved Excalibur over his head and broke the chains. "Someone help this man." Fidella and many of the other elders instantly came forward and began tending to his wounds. Maili was slightly impressed that he didn't defend the Roman pig, but she still kept an icy gaze upon the knights.

"You, you want to help?" He said, motioning to Ganis, who nodded. "Then prepare everyone to leave. Those who cannot travel alone, travel with us." Ganis nodded once more and set to work with his orders. At that, all the knights and Arthur disappeared behind the wall to eat and prepare things for the journey the next day.

Morning came sooner than Maili had expected. She'd spent the night watching the forest for signs of Merlin, but he never came. She was starting to believe he had been wrong, but as always, his words soon proved to hold truth. After the scout, Tristan, had returned and talked with Arthur, Arthur approached the small hut.

"What is in there?" he questioned the guards who had moved into his way.

"You cannot pass." They said in reply. Arthur stared at them coolly.

"Dagonet." He said, not removing his eyes from the gaurds. The giant of a man approached the hut with his battle axe, and the guards instantly cowered from his way. Maili smirked at that. With three mighty swings he had the stone wall down, but when he tried to push the door open, he found it was locked.

"Key." Arthur said to the guards.

"It's locked. From the inside." one of them answered with a smile. Arthur nodded to Dagonet, and the man kicked the door in. She saw many venture down into the hut, but the ones she knew as Bors and Tristan stayed behind to guard the entrance. Maili joined them, daring the Romans to try and pass. Bors looked at her incredulously. Maili just turned a cold gaze to him. Upon her gaze, Bors nodded curtly and Tristan eyed her from under his bangs with his own cold stare. When they heard footsteps echoing off the walls, they backed away from the entrance. Maili nearly sighed in relief as Dagonet carried up Luncan, and Arthur brought out Guinivere. After Arthur had laid her down upon the ground, Maili stepped to her side to help tend to her as best as they could.

"Maili?" she croaked, her voice barley above a whisper from lack of water and use. Maili just nodded curtly and looked to Arthur asking him a silent question.

Arthur nodded and turned to the serfs, "Bring me water." Water was then given to Maili and Dagonet. Guinivere sputtered at first, but eventually allowed it to go down her throat.

"She's a woad." Tristan pointed out, and the others looked to her realization in their eyes.

Maili however couldn't resist commenting sarcastically, "Must be the scout. Nothing gets past him..." The knights heard her comment, and they looked on in amusement and awe, no one insulted Tristan's scouting abilities. Tristan, however, glared at her. Any confrontation they might have had was cut short, as Marius came rushing from the wall.

"What is the meaning of this? They are pagans!" Marius exclaimed, earning collective glares from the Knight's and Maili.

"So are we." The youngest, Galahad stated heatedly.

"They refuse to accept the task God has set before them! They must die as an example!" Marius said, fooling many in his words; however his underlying message was not lost on Arthur.

"You mean they refuse to be you serfs." Arthur said coldly. Maili was definitely beginning to warm up to this Roman...

"You're Catholic, and a Roman! You must understand!" He exclaimed, then turning his gaze to Fulcinia, who was helping with Guinivere, "And you! You kept them alive!" He reached his back and swung out to slap her before Arthur could think to stop him. Maili, however had been anticipating it, and she planned on using this as her opportunity for revenge. Her hand flew out and caught his before it ever made contact with Fulcinia. She twisted the arm around, most definitely popping the shoulder out of place. Many cringed at the sound. She then pushed him back and returned to tending to Guinivere as if nothing had happened; her heart however was pounding and her blood pumping with adrenaline. The knights stared at her in disbelief, Arthur however was not fazed. He punched Marius to the ground, drawing Excalibur and pointing it to his throat. The gaurds made a move to help, but Marius waved them off.

"When we return to the wall you will pay for this heresy." He spat out.

"Then maybe I should kill you know and seal my fate." Arthur hissed dangerously, his eyes blazing in malice. The moment, however, was broken as the crazed priest spoke up.

"I was to die with them! It was God's will..." the priest said, his sentence finished, but his voice trailing off, in the most eerie of ways.

Arthur looked at him, his gaze and his voice holding disgust ad hatred, "Then I will do his will. Wall them back up."

"Arthur..." Tristan began, his sentence, however, cut short.

"I said wall them back up." Arthur said, his voice daring anyone to defy him. Tristan nodded, and the villagers shoved the priests roughly in the cell and then began to replace the wall. The sounds of the Saxon drums pounded ominously in their ears as they continued their preparations. Tristan turned to Arthur, his eyes alone conveying that they had to go. Not only that they had to go, but now, and they had no time for all of the people.

Arthur, however, paid him no heed. "Get the wounded in the wagon. We leave now." Arthur said, talking to all the Knights, but keeping his gaze stonily on Tristan. The Knights looked from one to the other, utterly confused, as they usually were in matters of Tristan. Maili, however, had caught the silent conversation, and she glared at Tristan as he remounted his horse. Lancelot carried Guinivere to the wagon, and Dagonet saw to Luncan. Maili made no move to the wagon for a moment, her eyes locked in an icy glare with Tristan's. She knew their stories, and in a small part she knew them. They were not, however, what she had anticipated. They did not seem brave or handsome or valiant, or even like warriors, in that moment. She saw only hatred and indifference and a cold heart that could contend with her own. The last thought made her shudder.

Sincerely in Blood- I tried to contact your agent, but he kept rambling on about how you never received the shipment of wood...Don't see how it's my fault. Ahhh yes...where did Gallius come from?

Chiefhow, camlann, and dellis- Your ideas for a new title were greatly appreciated, however I've stumbled across a problem with getting Tristan to you. The postal men say it's inhumane to send someone in a box. He's a warrior...he's suffered much worse. Such as death...So, he is stuck here playing target practice with my care bears...I shall try to get him to you though!

Elvenstar5- Thanks so much! I agree with Maili as well. Stupid Romans...

Wow...this took way longer than expected to get to you. I started writing this chapter a week ago, but have been struggling with it, trying to make it flow better. Sorry if it was crap. But I hope the wait was worth it...I mean our famed Knights have finally entered the story, right?? Let me know what you thought cough, cough

And if you missed the hint above... RRREEEVVVIIIEEEWWW. Please.