Gazing outside, Iraina frowned slightly in surprise when she saw an old woman and a young boy far down the road. The older woman was obviously having a hard time keeping the pace, and was leaning heavily on the small boy. Making a quick decision, Iraina jumped out of the moving wagon, and landed on the ground, her legs protesting, but holding up to the treatment. Moving swiftly, Iraina made her way over to the two. As she arrived, the little boy looked up at her with what was easily described as fear. His eyes grew round as he took in the smeared blue paint on her skin, and the small raindrop tattoo on her left cheek. Smiling, Iraina looked down at the little boy, trying to put the little boy at ease.

"Do not be frightened, I can help you." She came closer and held her hands out in peace. "My name is Iraina. And if you want, I will help you." The little boy eyed her warily for a moment.

"How?"

Iraina knelt down and helped the woman stand. Looking between the two, she said, "I was riding in a wagon, but you two can take my place. There are furs, and you can stay warm." The woman started to protest, but Iraina shushed her. "Do not worry about me. I wanted to get out and stretch my legs anyway. It's no trouble at all." The grateful smile from the woman told Iraina all that she needed to know.

"What's going on here?" a voice asked. Iraina turned and looked up. Lancelot was looking down at the three from atop his horse. Iraina peered behind them and saw that the end of the caravan was disappearing behind a bend in the road. Opening her mouth, Iraina started to speak.

"I am helping these two, she-" A small but angry voice interrupted her.

"My grandmother is very tired, and everyone is going too fast. This lady came and told us we could have a ride in the wagon. We didn't mean to fall behind, really!" He glared up at the knight. Lancelot just raised an eyebrow at the boy. Immediately, the boy lowered his head, his voice suddenly becoming meek. "Please sir, don't hurt Grandmother. I will take the punishment for both of us." The little boy raised his head and stood proudly, trying to show that he was not afraid.

Understanding flashed in Lancelot's eyes. He gave a quick glance in Iraina's direction then turned back to the village boy.

"What is your name, boy?"

The small boy swallowed nervously, and stared at the man in front of him. "Loren, my lord." he said quietly. Lancelot smiled and leaned down from on top of his horse.

"Well, Loren, would you like to rid on a horse with a Sarmation knight while we go tell the caravan to wait for your grandmother?" Lancelot asked with a grin.

Loren's eyes lit up and he nodded enthusiastically at the offer. Lancelot lowered himself to the ground and walked over the trio, leading his horse behind him. When he got the them, he lifted the boy easily into the saddle, and then mounted behind him. The knight looked down at Iraina and the old woman.

"Keep moving. I will tell the caravan to stop. Then I will come back and bring you to the wagon. We won't be long." With those words, he kicked the stallion into a smooth canter. Soon they disappeared out of sight around the bend.

Iraina held out her arm and allowed the woman to lean heavily upon it. Together they moved forward, slowly making their way to where the wagon waited for them.

"Thank you." Iraina looked down at the woman as she spoke. "Most would have just continued on, not worrying about those not strong enough to keep up. My name is Katherine, and Loren is my daughter's son, and I am all that he has left. He never knew his father, and his mother passed away two winters ago. I do not have the strength to make this journey on foot, and you allowing us to ride in your wagon is a blessing unlooked for." Iraina nodded, silently accepting the thanks from the older woman.

In actuality, Iraina had been one of those people who would have just watched from afar, not caring if it didn't affect her in anyway. But her time in Marius' dungeons had given her time to think, and to appreciate life much more than she ever had before.

The sound of a horse's hooves brought Iraina out of her thoughts. They both looked up to see Lancelot riding towards them. He rode right up to them and dismounted.

"Where is Loren?" Katherine asked, a note of worry creeping into her voice.

Lancelot smiled and came towards the pair.

"Do not worry, I left him in the wagon safe and warm with the Lady Guinevere, and another small boy, Lucan. All that is left is you."

Lancelot leaned down and picked up the frail woman. "I feel like a child again." Katherine laughed. Lancelot chuckled with her, and started walking down the road. Iraina listened to the two talk, smiling at their remarks. Something nudged her from behind, forcing her neck forward. Looking behind her, Iraina saw Lancelot's beautiful black stallion looking at her pointedly as if to say, Are you just going to leave me here?

Iraina laughed quietly. "Silly horse." she said, and took the animal's reins, leading him down the road. Her breath came out in puffs of steam, and as she walked, she realized how cold it really was. Soon they caught up to the stopped caravan. Arthur was waiting by the side of the wagon, and again, Iraina was stuck by just how different this man was compared to other romans she had met. Arthur pulled the deerskin flap back and Lancelot gently placed Katherine in the wagon. After she was safely inside, Arthur mounted his white stallion and cantered back to the front of the caravan. Lancelot turned back to Iraina and took the reins of his horse as she handed them to him.

After he had taken his horse, Iraina bowed her head to him. "Thank you." she said to him. Looking at her shoulder, Iraina realized that she was still wearing his cloak. "Do you want your cloak back?" she asked, making ready to take it off. Lancelot shook his head. Nay, you need it more than I do." Iraina shrugged, bowed her head again, then turned to walk behind the caravan, wrapping the cloak more tightly around her shoulders to stave off the chill. Moving faster than she should have been so soon after her imprisonment, Iraina hurried to the front of the wagon. Guinevere was sitting on the edge of the wagon, wrapped in furs.

"That was a kind thing you did back there." she commented casually. "Actually, I think it's one of the kindest things I've ever seen you do. Are you sure you weren't poisoned as well?" Iraina rolled her eyes at Guinevere's teasing. But it was true. Iraina had never been a kind hearted person. She had been brought up to not care for anything that did not have anything to do with her. She loved her father, but his ways were harsh. It was about time she learned to be gentle.

"I don't rightly know what happened to me while I was in there. All I know that I was given time to think about what I have done. I see now that I was a cold hearted woman, and now I want to change that. The time I spent in there has changed me. For better or for worse, we will see."

Iraina fell silent then, her mind weighed down by everything that had happened to her. Guinevere opened her mouth to speak, but stopped as Arthur rode up beside the carriage. She watched him for a moment before speaking.

"My father told me great tales of you." she said, smiling slightly.

Arthur rode on without looking at her. "Really. And what did you hear?"

Guinevere grinned, glad to have his attention. "Fairy tales. The kind you hear about people so brave so selfless they cannot be real. Arthur and his knights. A leader both Britain and Roman. And yet, you chose your allegiance to Rome. To those who take what does not belong to them. The same Rome that took your men from their homeland.

Arthur turned his horse angrily towards the woad woman. "Listen lady, do not pretend to know anything about me or my men."

Guinevere smirked, she was getting on his nerves. Leaning her head back against the wood, she glanced at him. "How many Britons have you killed?"

Again, Arthur swiveled in his saddle to look at her. "As many as tried to kill me. It's a natural state of any man to want to live."

"Animals live. It's a natural state of any man to want to live free. In their own country." She paused and stared wistfully out across the land, then turned her eyes back to Arthur. "I belong to this land. Where do you belong Arthur?"

Arthur was silent for a moment, then reined in his horse next to the wagon. Looking down at her hand, he asked, "How's your hand?"

Guinevere smiled. "I'll live. I promise you." she watched him for a moment. "Is there nothing about my land that appeals to your heart? Your own father married a Briton. Even he must have found something to his liking." Arthur just stared at her, then spurred his horse on, leaving the wagon behind.

Iraina watched the interaction between the two with a knowing smile. Guinevere obviously had her sights on Arthur, and it looked as though Arthur wouldn't be able to resit her charm. It was a smart move on Guinevere's behalf though, making him think about who he really wanted to pledge his allegiance too. All they needed now is something to push him over the edge. Though what that was, Iraina couldn't tell.

She sighed, and then shivered in the cold. They had been traveling for hours already. They had not stopped for lunch. Instead, rations of stale bread had been passed around. Wrapped up in her thoughts, Iraina didn't notice as she fell farther and farther behind. A deep rut in the road escaped her notice. She slipped in the icy groove, and lost her balance, landing painfully on her hands and knees. She groaned, and tried to get back up. Pain flared through her legs and up her side. Iraina growled in frustration. Not only was she cold and now wet, but now her legs wouldn't work, she was tired and hungry, and her hand which had only recently been reset, was complaining loudly about had having to catch her when she fell.

A shadow fell across her face, and she looked up to find Lancelot staring down at her, with another knight behind him. He was a large man, on top of a large horse.

"Are you alright?" Lancelot asked, concern lacing his voice. A flash of annoyance crossed Iraina's face.

"Do I look alright to you?" she snapped. The other knight threw back his head and laughed. He leaned over and slapped Lancelot on the back.

"Just like my Vanora. I suspect that was the wrong thing to say Lancelot." he chuckled. Lancelot shrugged him off, rolling his eyes. "Oh be quiet Bors." Bors just laughed some more.

Iraina glared at the two, casually ignoring the fact that since she was the one who needed help, she should be a little nicer. Dismounting, Lancelot came over to where Iraina had fallen. He knelled next to her.

"I can help you, you know. But it won't work with you biting my head off all the time." Closing her eyes, Iraina sighed, and reeled in her temper and frustration.

"I am sorry." she apologized. Opening one eye she glanced at him. "Will you help me stand now?" she asked meekly.

Lancelot chuckled and nodded. Grabbing her at the elbow, he helped her stand. When she was standing, she was forced to lean heavily on his arm to keep from falling. "I feel so weak." she said softly. It feels unnatural." Lancelot led her over to his horse. "You have been walking all day when you should have been resting. Come, ride with me, and you may rest." With that, he grabbed her around her hips and lifted her as if she weighed nothing, into the saddle. He then mounted up behind her and slipped his arms around her waist. Leaning forward, he took the reins and spoke into her ear.

"Sleep. You need the rest. I will not let you fall."

Believing him, Iraina closed her eyes and fell into an exhausted sleep.

Well... that was the end of that chapter. I'm sorry if you think it's all a little slow, but the pace should pick up with in the next two chapters.

Now, finally, I have time to do the reviewer responses! Yay! Think of it as a late Christmas gift.

Since I didn't do reviewer responses in the last chapter, I am going to do both chapter's reviews here. Starting with chapter four.

Chapter four reviews.

Myri87: Thanks for the review! And for the advice! Hope you like the last two chapters!

Cheifhow: thanks! I liked the name two. Now if only i can get him to play fetch...lol Thanks for the reviews!

HGandHrforever: cool name... Thanks for the review! No cliffies in the last two chapters, but i think a few more will sneak their way into the next few chapters!

KnightoftheRoundTable: Thanks for the awesome review! I'm glad that you think I'm doing a good job at it. Yeah, now that I think about it, Jacques is the name of the crab thingy in Finding Nemo...hm... didn't realize that before...

BillieLiv: Thanks for the great review!

SlythsRule:Thanks!

G.emini S.hadow: Wow... thanks for the wonderful review. I totally agree with you on the whole messed up crazy schedule thing. I now have a job, and that has taken away even more time from my free time. But oh well. You are sooooo lucky to have ridden horses for 11 years. Where I live, there is no room for horses, and we cant afford one anyway. Oh well, I have to settle with grooming my friends horse whenever I go over to her barn. Anyway, I'm glad that you like my story, and don't think that it's boring! Thanks again for the review!

Katemarry77: thanks! I'm glad that you like it!

Ok, now for the chapter five reviews...

Pia Rose: Thanks for the advice. Actually, she is going to have a few conversations with the other knights.

Devonshirelass: I'm glad that you liked it! Gawain will be in it, but he won't be a major major person. I'm thinking about writing a Gawain fic soon, though, so stay tuned!

A.K. Anonymous: Thanks, glad that you're proud of me! Lol. Personally, I didn't like the directors cut. They took out the 'baby's arm holding an apple' scene, and the 'if it's not raining it's snowing, and if not snowing it's foggy! And that's the summer' scene. Then after that, they added a lot more blood and gore to it. It's still a great movie, but I prefer the theatrical version to the directors cut. But that's just me. I like how you described the interaction as human, that's kinda what I was aiming for, and for you to have picked up on it is awesome! Hope you had a happy whatever!

Canadian Coco Chick: Thanks!

Awreel: Thanks! I'm glad that you liked it!

Mollziki: Glad that you liked it! Keep reading!

Jemiul: Tis okay that you didn't review! I just like seeing what other people think about my fic!

Sparrow Savvy: I'm sorry! hands you box of tissues Not all endings are sad! Besides, this one is only getting started! I hope i didn't make you wait too long! Update soon! Wait.... that's your line...well, here's your update! I hope you liked it! And now that i have the movie, my inspiration is up again, and you should be getting another update within this week!

Well, that's all for now,

Next Chapter. Conversations with Guinevere and Galahad. (and maybe a little Gawain if you beg) :-P

Elvenstar5