Disclaimer: As chapter one; so please, for the love of God, do not make me keep writing it out people!

Daralis is and Old English name meaning 'Beloved'.

WARNING: BAD LANGUAGE, VIOLENCE AND SOME SEXUAL REFERENCES (though not too graphic) SO READ AT YOUR OWN PERIL.

All reviews, and constructive criticism, gratefully received – but no flaming please; and I will try to update regularly.

'Thoughts'

"Speech"

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Bethan & Lucan

Chapter Eleven – Lost

Ysabeau's time had come; Gawain was on his way back from a mission to move some Roman settlers nearer to Letocetum as they were having problems with some Celts. It was only a small band but they were proving difficult to completely wipe out.

Sandrina was on this mission as she had been during Bethan's confinement; she was not happy about it.

Whereas Bethan had been sunny and happy leading up to her own delivery; this time something had been troubling her about her friend, as well as Merlin; she knew bad news was on the horizon, she only hoped it was not Thane.

He was a bonny boy and Tristan adored his grandson; Bethan had succeeded in her promise too. Making him a grandfather before he was 40; there were still three years to go on that score and she hoped to present more grandchildren yet.

Sandrina had rushed back with Tristan and been confronted with her daughter calling the two young men with her every name under the sun; and a few from Hades as well. Sandrina finally learnt how much her daughter could swear; and had a few choice words of her own to say to the knights who had taught her later that evening!

Galahad had passed out long before this, joining a groggy and concussed Lucan on a bale of hay. It had been Gawain who had held her hand as she had finally pushed her son into the world.

He had been the first to hold the babe "Hello little man" one dark blue eye and one deep green one observed him calmly……..and Gawain's heart was lost to the little boy he held in his arms; he would be a friend to this one too.

He then had handed him to his grandfather "Meet your first grandchild Tristan!" Bethan was grateful there was no issue made of him being a boy; grateful that all were only happy that the babe lived.

Tristan took the little bundle from his friend in silence. The colour of the child's eyes stunned him "he has one green and one blue eye!" he smiled.

"It is a good omen; he is of the elements – the blue eye signifies water and the green the earth; but his strengths will lie with the animals like his grandfather…..horses, hawks, any and all will love him. He will be a protector, a warrior that will seek to help and not merely kill. It is a change for us all" Merlin smiled looking down at the baby, a look of pride on his face.

"What will you call him?" Asked Tristan; looking down at his grandson with so much love in his eyes that Bethan felt a tear run down her cheek.

"Thane; we will call him Thane…." murmured Bethan. "It is old Briton for Attendant Warrior - fitting if you think of Merlin's words. But his everyday name will be Tris, short for Tristan; for what better day name for the grandson of the greatest scout and warrior in the world?" Her voice full of pride and love, she touched her father's arm "he will have much to live up to…."

Tristan said nothing, stood and left; Bethan looked bewildered at her mother "Have I offended him?"

"Nay, Bethan….nay….just the opposite…" She smiled and left to go find him.

"I will never understand men!" Bethan sighed.

"You have honoured him more than you will ever understand, my Little Scout…" murmured Gawain.

"Then why leave?"

"He hates us to see his emotions…"

"I say again, I will never understand men…." But this time she smiled.

Lucan had finally recovered enough to hold his son, and was completely enamoured of the baby boy. He cooed and cuddled him, telling him of all they would do together; Bethan looked on, and loved him even more.

She felt Gawain squeeze her hand "It has all come right..." he whispered into her ear. She squeezed back and smiled.

Outside San had caught up to Tristan. "She thinks she has offended you, you left so abruptly…" she said softly.

"I…just never thought to hear her say my name for him; it is such an honour. For no matter what we say and think – she is not my blood."

"She is Tristan; she is in every way that counts. She always has been. Why do you think she kills as she does; scouts as she does; acts as she does? She wants to be like you, to be you! You are the most important person to her - even more than me.

She loves you so much and only wants to make you proud. She looks up to you as what she has to attain in her life; in her eyes, you can do naught wrong. The only other knight who comes anywhere close to you is Gawain. Can you not see how she thinks of you as her father?"

He nodded silently; reaching out and hauling her roughly into his arms he held her tightly, murmuring against her hair "I only thank whatever Gods sent you both to me…"

"And I the same; for I would not be without you for worlds…" her throat thick as she heard the love and raw emotion in his voice.

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

That had all been 6 months ago and Tris was now a lovely little lad. He was still only a babe, but gaining well. His odd coloured eyes seemed to take in all around him; he was a good baby; and had been sleeping through the night since he was 6 weeks old, only waking for the odd feed.

Ysabeau sought out Bethan "My water's have broken!" she cried happily.

Bethan swung round from rubbing down Charity, a huge grin on her face - only for it to fall in horror…..

There was blood, lots of it, and all coming from Ysabeau.

MERLIN! MERLIN!!" She knew immediately this was far and beyond anything she could deal with. Her father's training in keeping rigid control of her emotions took over - she could not panic now, not when her friend, her sister needed her…

"SOMEONE…ANYONE!" she called, Lucan came running.

"Oh Lucan! Thank God! Fetch Merlin; where is Vanora!"

"I will!" he looked in horror, but quickly schooled his face – something he had picked up from his wife "but Van and Bors took the brats for a picnic…"

Gilly too came running "What the…….? Oh ye Gods!"

"Shut up!" she hissed at him, "Do not scare her…"

"It is bad…." He replied quietly.

"Aye, but so was my mother and she lived…" she looked around and a thought occurred "Lucan….can you go and fetch Gawain; Faith will guide you…" she indicated the Hawk "Gilly fetch Merlin…"

"Ready to help another friend?" The hawk flapped slowly out the stable door. "Wait for him and show him how to find them! Be free my friend, be happy…"

Her heart in her mouth, she helped Ysabeau back to the room she shared with Gawain. She knew this much blood loss was not right this early; her mother's delivery of Milo railed in her mind.

"I want Gawain!" whimpered Ysabeau, picking up on the subdued panic around her.

"Lucan has gone to fetch him – he will be here soon…" Stories of her mother crying out for her father rang in her mind; only this time there was no Gawain to shield her from the horrors, no Gawain to protect his Little Scout from all that was to come….

"I will help you….all will be well…" She said, much more brightly and cheerfully than she felt.

Within minutes Merlin was there - and the battle to save Ysabeau began…….

0-0-0-0-0-0

Lucan found the knights quickly with the aid of Faith. They were indeed already on their way back, "it is Ysabeau…."

Gawain quickly took in the concerned face of his young friend and the initial smile faded. He looked to Arthur "go, go!" urged his leader; he flew off with Lucan in hot pursuit.

A wind blew in San's face – she knitted her brow "We need to hurry!"

Arthur looked, he and Tristan shared a glance and all started hurrying up their little caravan towards home.

As they rode Gawain looked at that young man beside him "is it bad?"

Lucan pretended not to hear.

"Is it bad Tell me Lucan; I wish to know so it is not a shock…she will need me….." Gawain ground out.

"Aye…there is much blood….so much blood Gawain…" The knight nodded and spurred his horse forward.

0-0-0-0-0-0

Back at the fort Merlin, Bethan and a recently returned Van were all struggling to save Ysabeau and her baby….

Gilly had gone and fetched his mother as soon as he had brought Merlin…..she was horrified with what she saw.

"It is taking too long!" Bethan cast anguished eyes to Van. The older woman's heart went out to the girl, she knew how much Ysabeau meant to her and Gawain. Bethan would do all she could to spare her friends any heartache - she could see the breeze playing around her, and the way Bethan kept twisting her head away from it; as if trying to ignore what it was telling her. Guido lay on the floor by the door, whining as if in sympathy with his mistress' distress.

Finally Bethan helped Ysabeau as she pushed her baby into the world. "It is a girl; you have a beautiful daughter Ysabeau!" She beamed at her friend.

Alisia who had been hovering at the door the whole time, now stepped forward "what will you name her my sister?"

Ysabeau looked sadly on her daughter as she was swaddled and handed to her "I will call her Daralis it means 'beloved' and she will be - promise me you will love her like your own?" she gripped Bethan's hand.

"NAY! You will live and you will love her - I will not be needed!" There was defiance in Bethan's voice.

"Promise me!" Ysabeau pleaded. Bethan could only nod dumbly…..her friend sighed and lay back.

Bethan gripped Merlin's arm "DO something…..I cannot lose her….he cannot lose her - please! I do not beg easy, my blood….but please!"

"You hear the wind as I do child. I will do what I can….but….you know how this is to end." He gripped her arm, his heart heavy and his voice sad "Ease her suffering…. comfort her while we work…."

Bethan spun on him "I will do more….!" She went to tear some cloth from Ysabeau's gown but the woman's own bloody hand stopped her.

"I can feel my life ebbing Little Scout….there is naught to be done. Do not leave him entirely alone….I want you to look after Daralis, Bethan…" she looked to her sister, who nodded.

"I will help where I can Ysabeau; but it will be sadly done without you." her twin replied.

"NAY! I will not let you die….you cannot! You are as much sister to me as any blood of my own; Ysabeau you must fight to live! You are so afraid of death, why accept it now!"

"I….I am frightened of what is to come…..but I feel in my heart it is inevitable. I am fearful of what will happen….but…..if you hold my hand Bethan…if you show me you are not afraid…then I too, will show strength and courage as I go into that long sleep…." Small tears slipped from her eyes.

Bethan bit back her own tears that threatened her "You are a strong person Ysabeau! Stronger than I will ever be! You are not like me….you are kind….and….." her voice hitched and she swallowed hard "you are …..loving and….strong….and I will be a lesser person for want of your friendship…."

"Tell Gawain…..tell him how much I loved him…."

Bethan stiffened as Guido howled "You must wait for him, Ysabeau…please….at least let him bid you farewell!"

"Thank you Bethan…." She whispered "I see now…."

Her friend's hand dropped limply from hers "What? What do you see? Do not leave HIM!"

Alisia wept quietly over her sister's still form; Bethan stood and screamed her frustration, anger and despair; all the animals stamped, howled and mourned with her. Outside the breeze finally dropped and rain began to fall.

At that moment Gawain came running into the room, already dreading what he would find from what was going on outside……..

He saw Ysabeau, saw Bethan's stricken face…..the blood…..and fell to his knees weeping.

Bethan flew to his side. "I am sorry Gawain…if I could change places with her…if I could bring her back….." He hugged her tightly to him; his arms round her waist and his head buried in her stomach - all she heard was "Ysabeau….Ysabeau…"

An idea began to form in her mind……..