(A/N: Sorry this is late, again. I had a family emergency that kept me from the house a few days, and I've been busy with the holidays, having family over and stuff…Anyways…please enjoy this chapter and even if you don't, please review. Thanks. And Happy New Year!

Thanks to all my reviewers…I'll respond to your reviews next time because I really don't have time now and I just want to post this. Thanks again- your reviews make my day!

-Modesty)

Chapter 10: Arthur's Words

Adima slowly awakened. What surprised her most was that she was lying in the snow. Her head throbbed, but what pained her most, was her accompanying guilt of Tristan's fall.

As she stood, her head swirled. Visions of flying arrows and swirling trees dawned on her restless mind. Her brow furrowed. If she had been lying on the cold ground all night long, why on earth did she feel neither wet nor cold?

She heard voices ahead of her. Arthur and Gawain stood beside a wagon. They both appeared vividly upset. Adima's heart pounded in her chest, as she thought of only the worst.

"Arthur," she addressed as she neared him.

The man scowled at her. "What have you done?!" he screeched, walking forward.

"It was only an accident," Adima said nauseously. "I didn't mean to cause trouble."

"Well you did," Arthur snarled.

Gawain spoke next. "Tristan's dead," he said regretfully.

Adima nearly fell to the ground in shock. Her eyes widened more with every short breath she took, and her head throbbed more so with pain. "No," she whispered under her breath.

"It's true," Arthur unsheathed his sword. "And the fault belongs to you." Adima shook her head. Arthur stepped closer to her. Adima backed away. "Now you must die."

"No!" Adima yelled, taking a step back. "I didn't mean-"

"Well it doesn't matter," Arthur protested. "Accidents happen. None the less, you will die for your betrayal.

"No!"

"Yes," Arthur demanded with a sinister grin.

Behind him, Adima could see Guinevere standing, shaking her head, but doing nothing. "Guinevere?" Adima asked, wondering why her sister wasn't coming to her aid.

"I told you," was Guinevere's reply. She folded her arms across her chest and frowned. "I can't save you now."

"No!" Adima yelled repeatedly. "Guinevere! Help me!" Arthur took another step forward and Adima took several back. She felt herself falling backward onto the snow. She had tripped, but over what, she could not see.

"Arthur, please."

Arthur shook his head. "Close your eyes Adima." She did so. "You will never wake."

"NO!"

"Adima, Adima!" shouted a woman's voice.

Adima kicked in her sleeping roll, thrashing around violently. Her body slowly stilled as Talso's gentle, but cold hands came to her forehead.

"Adima," Talso spoke again. "You must calm yourself."

Adima's eyes opened wide. It startled her to see Talso standing over her. She looked around her like a mad woman. "What's going on?"

"You had a bad dream," Talso confirmed, stroking the girl's dark brown hair. She lifted her hand.

"You where thrashing about like a snake with its head off," Talso smiled, but a look of worry remained on her face. "You screamed 'no'. I don't know why."

Adima breathed slowly, trying to calm herself. She lifted her head. She was lying on the ground, but in a sleeping roll.

"What a vivid dream you must have had," said Talso; "to be like that. Are you alright now?"

"Yes," Adima thought.

Talso stepped back, giving Adima room to breathe. Adima sat up. "Where's Tristan?"

"Who? The man who was shot?" Adima nodded. "He has been taken to that wagon over there," Talso pointed to the wagon Guinevere and Adima normally slept in.

Adima suddenly felt stupid. The intensity of her dream must have made her forget. She and her sister gave up their sleeping quarters in the wagon so Tristan could rest and be taken care of. The knights had told the Woads to stay out of their way, and Adima was forced to stand back and watch the knights all gather around the wagon, asking Arthur what they could do to help.

Adima suddenly stood up. Only Arthur stood at the mouth of the wagon. She remembered her dream. Arthur would never kill me! She thought. Besides, Guinevere wouldn't let him.

"I'll just wait here then," Talso said, sitting back on the log she'd propped up as a chair.

Adima walked over to Arthur, who had noticed her presence. "How is he?"

"Fortunately, Tristan knows well enough to carry and wear his armor at nearly all times," Arthur began." The arrow may have pierced through his armor and breached part of his skin, but he'll be alright."

Adima let out a sigh of relief. That's all she needed to hear. Arthur spoke again, frowning. He looked into the wagon. "It will leave a scar," he said. "But that won't be anything new or unusual for Tristan," he smiled slightly, remembering all he and Tristan had been through, along with the other knights.

"May I speak with him?" Adima asked hopefully. Arthur eyed her a moment.

"Let's stand aside a moment," he said walking a little distance away from the wagon. Adima followed. He isn't going to kill me, is he? Adima thought.

"Guinevere told me she had instructed you to stay put in the wagon," he admonished. "And you didn't."

"I only wanted to talk to Tristan," Adima lowered her head with the weight of her guilt sinking her further into the depths of the icy cold snow. "I didn't mean any harm."

"You should have known not to stray," Arthur's voice was stern. "We are in the middle of a war," he said. "There are Saxons hunting us down," Adima wanted to protest, but she couldn't think of anything to say. "You should have known that there were scouts out there. You put us all in danger."

"I'm sorry," Adima said. "What would you have me do now, Arthur? Great Arthur whom I've heard so much about; I wish I could take back what I've done."

"But you can't. You've already put Tristan's life in danger twice. He won't always be there to save you. You are young, Adima, and with youth comes naivety. You are naïve, and I can't let you risk the lives of my men again."

Adima was shocked to hear this. "What are you saying? Are you suggesting I leave?"

"Your home is in the forest," Arthur said, now looking emotionless. "You have no reason to stay here."

"My sister-"

"She can leave when she wants; she's healed now."

Adima stood in silence for a moment. Her eyes swelled with tears. Well, at least he's not going to kill me. "

"I shall ask again," Arthur began.

"No; I'll leave," Adima promised. "I wish not to put Tristan or any of the others in danger. Please, let me bid him farewell."

Arthur nodded, and as Adima walked toward the wagon, he said, "I'm sorry I must ask this of you, Adima. I'm sure you will understand."

Adima ignored him. He probably was right, she thought. But still, she hated to go.

"Tristan?" she called into the wagon.

"Yes?"

"It's Adima; may I come in?"

"Yes, come in," he said.

Adima carefully crawled into the wagon, opening and shutting the curtain of rags made to keep Tristan's privacy. She looked at Tristan, lying, covered in sheets on the floor.

His face was flushed of color, but it was slowly returning. "I'm so sorry," Adima said, honestly.

"Don't fret," Tristan said. "It'll only be another scar. Do you fair well?"

Adima nodded. She was so happy her dream was only a dream, and not real.

"Why where you in the woods, anyway?" Tristan asked.

"I was looking for you, actually," she said, sitting down next to him. "I was going to thank you for saving me," she smiled, at the thought of how ironic her actions where. She wanted to thank him for saving her, and instead, she nearly got him killed. "Well, thank you," she said.

Tristan smiled at the slight humor in her voice. He was pleased to see she was well and safe. "I really am sorry," Adima apologized again.

"Do not dwell on it," Tristan told her. "If I were afraid of Saxon bows, I wouldn't have attacked them. If I were afraid of getting injured or killed, I wouldn't be here," Adima looked down at his chest, where a bandage was on his chest. "I was afraid of losing you," he finally said.

This drew Adima's attention back to his eyes. What did he just say? Her insides tingled. "Well, I'm right here," Adima took Tristan's hand.

"I can see that," Tristan said. "I didn't get shot in the eye."

Adima smiled. Was that a joke?

"Tristan," Adima's smile faded. "I'm afraid I keep putting you in danger."

"We live in dangerous times, in a dangerous world," said Tristan.
Tristan frowned, remembering his youthful days of innocence and ignorance. The world had changed a lot since then; he had changed. "These are dark times," he said at last, after a long moment of silence.

Adima's face grew cold and she sank in her seat. Tristan was right. "Merlin says," she straightened her posture. "That even in the darkest places, the darkest times, some light can be found."

"But how long will it take to find?" Tristan asked somewhat frustrated.

"I found it," Adima turned her head to look straight at Tristan. "My light saved my life, brought me back from the dead."

Tristan's eyes wandered to Adima's face. "I am this light you speak of?" Tristan asked not knowing what else to say.

"Tristan," Adima's voice was firm but kind. "You saved my life. I will never forget that."

"I owe you my life."

"You owe me nothing," he shook his head modestly.

Adima's gaze fell to the tattooed markings on Tristan's cheeks. She wondered what their significance was. She put her hands on his cheeks and rubbed her thumb on his cheekbone, admiringly. A million thoughts clouded her mind. She looked right in his eyes and her insides melted.

She gracefully leaned forward and her lips lightly touched his. Their mouths moved together in a passionate kiss. Adima quickly pulled away form him, a little stunned. What was she doing? "I-I'm sorry, I wasn't-"

Tristan smiled fondly, and leaned in towards her, gripping her shoulder lightly. Adima stopped him with her hand on his chest. She could feel his heart beating rapidly. She took his hand and they interlaced their fingers together.

Reassured of her motives, Adima allowed him to gently pull her forward and their lips locked graciously once more. She moved his hand to her heart and he likewise could feel her racing heartbeat. She smiled happily and wrapped her hands around his neck pulling him closer.

Adima closed her eyes and breathed softly through her nose, her head swarming with thoughts. Tristan's lips curved into a warm smile as Adima ran her hands through his loose dark hair.

She slowly backed away, taking in a deep breath of fresh air. She smiled faintly, and looked Tristan in the eye affectionately. Her heart was racing, pounding furiously against her chest, but yet, she allowed her body to relax.

Her smile only grew brighter when she looked deeply into his loving eyes. They saw into her soul and she felt a light wave of happiness course through her trembling body.

"You're trembling," Tristan whispered in her ear breathlessly.

"I know," she grinned, tracing her fingers down the sides of his face. She bit her lip in excitement and peered into his mysterious dark eyes. "But I'll be fine."

"Good," Tristan smiled, resting his cheek on her forehead.

Adima took his hand and kissed his fingers tenderly, shutting her eyes and disappearing into the moment. Tristan kissed her forehead and held her close to his body.

"Tristan," Adima whispered a hint of fret in her voice. "What will happen when you reach the wall, and your fort?"

"I don't know what will happen," he replied solemnly. "And, we." Adima looked confused. "When we reach the wall and fort."

Adima frowned. "Tristan, that's what I came here to talk to you about. I came to say goodbye."

"Goodbye? Where are you going?"

"Arthur says it's best I leave; I only cause misfortunes here."

"That's not true."

"You know it is," Adima sighed, drawing her eyes away from Tristan's. She couldn't look at him now; it would cause her too much pain.

"I know nothing of what you speak," Adima knew he was lying. "Is it Arthur's place to decide if you should stay or go?"

"You've never questioned him before," Adima pointed out. "Don't let these feelings cloud your judgment. "I must go Tristan. I'm leaving tonight."

"Is there anything I can do to stop you?"

"No," Adima frowned, wishing the circumstances were better. "I'm sorry, Tristan." The man stared at her in awe. One minute he had everything; the next, it seemed, he was about to lose it all.

(A/N: gasps whatever will happen next???)