I ran, my lungs filling with air from the woods, but through the glory of freedom, warm tears ran down my temples and cheeks. Some people find blood pretty; I do not and that is why I fled. I witnessed the cry of children and burning of homes, the sky turn red upon the occasion as the Saxon's entered the town; too lowly to be a city or have any importance that made even made myself sneer upon it, shame on me of course. I could have fought but I think everyone knew there were not fifty of us against a thousand. I was merely living on my own, my father taken by the Romans to serve... how dearly I miss him so. I knew he died in battle for I saw him fall... protecting me.

As the heavens grew dark, my tears stopped and as the moon awakened. I collapsed to the ground in one mess, landing under the sheath of a sepia tree in which had shed its foliage and worked as a mattress on its surroundings. I soon drifted into sleep, my russet hair scattered about my head like a halo and skin, tan and glowing amongst the darkness.

"So what are you going to do when we are allowed home, Galahad?" said one of the more long haired knights, chestnut in color with some braids tangled here and there. It was none other than Gawain.

"Well... I would first find me a woman," he stated with his eyes smiling for him as he spoke. Galahad was more of the younger knights, handsome all the same with curled dark brown, almost black hair and shining copper eyes. A little bit smaller than most of his confidents, he bore the age of merely 20... More girls would commend him if he weren't so frightened by love and commitment.

It was only the two of them, watching the forest by Hadrian's Wall instead of at the tavern with the company of the bar-trollops and a few pints of ale in which they probably missed right now as they rode on their stallions for guarding reasons. As they came near to a bare, lifeless tree with leaves scattered on the ground, they could not see the figure lying beneath it.

I awoke to the somber heavens, not knowing what had stirred me in my sleep. I did not move, knowing better if someone was heading towards me. Pressing my ear against the earth, it sounded lightly of a horse or two at walk. My head lifted inches and I tried to make out the figures in the shadows, but my eyes did not prevail and I could only listen now for my chance to escape was diminished. Voices were what I heard and although they did not sound mean or uncaring, I did not trust them for there was a sudden pause among them and it took me three seconds to find out why they had stopped. The leaves moaned under my frame as my body relaxed which caused me to move into a comfortable position. I cursed under my breathe, but then held my tongue, my eyes wide and cheeks red of embarrassment. Feeling a hand clasp my shoulder, my instant reaction was to scream and begin to stand and run but my legs week, I could not handle the weight. The person roughly pulled me up to face them and it was too somber to see their face, just the outline of a build slightly bigger than mine with thick curled tresses.

"Let go of me!" I cried my once dried face sodden again with tears.

"Ah... a women," the voice sounded, belonging to a man. He laughed and so did his companion who joined in. "You shall come with us."

With that, I felt my legs numbly lift from the ground and around the base of a horse... if I were stronger, I would have ripped from his grasp but I concludingly could not.

"What is your name?" he exhaled in my ear warmly. I parted my lips to speak but then closed them; my last defense was my voice.

"Ignoring me, are you?" he started and I could feel him smile from behind me. The other horseman came up beside us, sitting slightly taller then him.

"Well, Galahad, at least you're used to it, eh?"

I couldn't help but laugh slightly, and to my surprise, I gave in.

"I am Larissa by the way... I take it your Galahad behind me and you are..."

"Gawain."

"Well, I hope that you both know I wouldn't have given up so easily when you captured me... my legs are no use right now from running a great distance," I said coyly, flipping my hair from my shoulder and onto my back . Dauntingly, it was not tangled but waved slightly. At this I did not expect laughter but I guess from my statement, they were not used to hearing this from females.

"So... why are the two of you out in the woods when the taverns await you?" I asked leaning forward into the saddle and back of boredom in a rocking motion.

"Well, to tell you so bluntly, m'lady, we are on patrol with the other knights are having a drink or two," Galahad answered but put one arm around my waist to stop my moving. I did not mind for my thoughts were on his converse.

"You mean you are knights of King Arthur?"

I could tell by the small grunts that they did not like to be referred as 'of King Arthur'. The rest of the ride was in silence except for the occasion hoots from owls or running of deer. The forest soon ended and we came to a large clearing where up ahead was a long stone wall. The moon shone among us and worked as light so we could all meet each other's faces. As I turned my head slightly, I could tell they were charmed for I was not the prettiest of all at night but when you could actually see my face... most would say I was quite beautiful.

"So, Lady Larissa, why were you in the forest anyways, alone at that?" Gawain intervened, looking ahead and then over to meet my eyes.

"Well... first of all, you should not inform me as Lady Larissa. It sounds too... ominous and second of all, that story can be saved for another time. What I must ask of the both of you is, where are you taking me?"

I lowered my eyes, ridden with sleep for now I was awake. Leaning back onto Galahad's chest, I hoped he would not mind. I have never been on the back of a horse for a long extent.

"Hadrian's Wall. Have you not heard of it?" Gawain answered, forcing back a small chuckle.

"What do you take me for; of course I have heard of it!"

A smile etched upon my lips we were soon all found laughing. My laugh faded first and I couldn't help but intervene

"I thank you for finding me in the wood. I mean, where I came from, every one in the town was a women, seriously. The men were all taken to serve."

"A village full of women? What is it called?" Gawain said with his brows furrowed.

"It has no name... It was unknown, but now it has been burned by the wretched Saxons."

I stopped myself from rambling on for we had arrived at the gate of the wall. I began to sit up, off of Galahad's chest. Resting my hands on my thighs, I watched as they opened the barrier on seeing the knights.

"Where am I to stay? Surely you are not taking me under your guard."

"Well, it is your choice if you whish to stay or not. As it turns out, me and Gawain like you too much to have you leave and plus, the night is young and you just got us out of convoying."

I blushed slightly at this comment and smiled to myself. I could tell by the silence that they knew I would want to stay. Its peculiar how so many things can happen in one day.

Authors Notes: Just to let you know, this is pre movie (yes I said movie) Some of it might be, a little bit, inaccurate but nonethless, I hope you enjoy. This is my first chapter for my first fanfiction story so please, don't complain too much about the length. I hope you make comments on anything you would like to improve or what you found good. Thanks!