A/N: Sorry this is so late. My beta reader (aka, Mom) took forever to read this. It may be about a week or so for the next chapter to come out cuz I haven't written it yet, and I'm really busy this week. Please remember to review, you know I love reviews! By the way, I know the title for the next POTC movie! It's POTC Two: Dead Man's Chest! Tehehe…and guess who's in it (besides Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom)? Stellan Skarsgard (Cerdic) Isn't that cool?

Chapter Thirteen: The Drink

"Gawain," Talso turned to the knight, her fair locks falling past her shoulders. They stood, leaning against a table full of knights in the pub.

Lance and Galahad sat down at a table, gambling with some other villagers. Tristan and Adima stood alone together in a corner, Briac watched them from afar. The Woad remained aloof, not trusting the knights, his eyes never leaving Adima.

Gawain lifted the cup of ale to his lips and drank. "I think," Talso continued with hesitation. "I will return with Adima and Guinevere tonight." Gawain rested his cup of ale on the table with a frown. "I have told you as much as I can about the battle strategies of the Saxons. I am of no more use here," she looked down.

Gawain sighed. He had been the friendliest to Talso since she'd arrived and he'd made sure she stayed close to him at all times, for fear of what any others might do to her for revenge- especially Bors who often sent her fleeting and angry glances. She was a Woad, but also a Saxon in the knight's eyes.

Gawain only wanted to protect her, and in Talso, he had found a friend. That is why she was telling him this; she was telling him goodbye. "You could stay here," Gawain suggested, knowing her answer would be no.

Talso grinned, happy that he at least wanted her to stay. "I've been from home far too long," she answered.

"Well," Gawain looked at his feet, then up at Talso again. "I- it was just a suggestion.

Talso thanked him with a smile. "It means a lot to me- that you want me to stay. Thank you."

"So who is this man?" was Tristan's first question.

"It's nice to see you too," Adima grinned. Tristan fell silent. Adima glanced back at Briac, her smile quickly fading; she avoided Tristan's eye. "He's just a…a friend."

"A friend? Is that why he looks at you like that?" Tristan glared at Briac.

"Tristan, you must understand-"

"Understand what?" Tristan spat. "Is he just a friend- or is he more?"

"I don't want him to be," Adima tried to explain it, but she could hardly speak. A lump grew in her throat. What else could she say?

"Who is he?" Tristan repeated his question, fearing he already knew the answer. When Adima turned from him, he asked in a much softer voice, "Do you love him?"

Adima gasped, her eyes now brimming with tears. "No," she said, shaking her head. "No," she rested her head on Tristan's chest, not thinking of Briac.

Tristan wrapped his arms around her, and immediately Adima was brought back to her senses. She leaped back. "I-I can't," she stuttered.

Not this again, thought Tristan. "Why?" he asked.

"I'm going to marry him," Adima finally uttered.

Tristan's eyes opened wide in astonishment. It took a few seconds before he could speak. "Why did you not tell me before?"

"I-I don't know," Adima felt the tears starting to fall. "I almost let myself forget." She turned, noticing Briac heading towards them. "It was a sudden thing…before we left to find Guinevere…I didn't think much of it. I tried not to…Briac," she said as he came up beside her.

"Come," he said. "Come with me now. I do not like this place."

"Briac," Adima spoke in a language Tristan could not understand. "Please, he- I…we must wait for Guinevere."

"She should have been back by now," Briac spat. "If she wishes never to return, then so be it; but you will come back with me."

"Adima," Tristan began. "What's he saying?"

"Wait," Adima began to feel overwhelmed. "I cannot leave," she said coldly, facing Briac. "I will not leave without my sister."

Briac scowled. "Yes, you must," he said. "I will stay here no longer."

"Then go," Adima couldn't stop herself from saying it so rudely. "Briac, I cannot follow you." Briac simply stared at her, wide eyed.

Briac glared at Tristan with vicious eyes. In an instant, he had pulled out his dagger. "Briac!" Adima shouted.

"You would follow him?" Briac snarled, still staring at Tristan, who then pulled out his dagger.

All the knights looked up. Tristan stood in front of Adima. "Briac, drop it!" Adima hissed. Briac said nothing, his nostrils flared with anger, but he did not strike. He glanced around him, noticing all the other knights had weapons drawn, prepared to fight and kill him.

Briac turned to Adima. Was that pain she saw in his eyes? The Woad breathed heavily. "I leave now," he said, lowering his dagger, and stepping backward. "Follow me."

Adima stepped forward, her eyes stinging with tears. She shook her head. "No." Briac couldn't believe it. She had betrayed him- left him for a knight.

All eyes in the tavern where upon Briac as he left in silence. Tristan sheathed his dagger, and Adima instantly fell into him, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I'm so sorry," she apologized through her tears. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be," said Tristan. "Are you alright?" Adima nodded. "Would you like to sit?"

"No, no; I'll stand," Adima said.

"Adima, what happened?" asked Talso, coming up beside her.

"He left," Adima said, in both awe and shock. "Briac's gone." The guilt hit her like a knife in the chest. Briac was gone; but it surprised her that he left so willingly. Perhaps he will be back, Adima thought, hoping she was wrong.

She never wanted to see the man's face again, but who knew what the future held in store.

"Guinevere," Gawain said, noticing her walking towards her sister. Adima turned around, to face Guinevere.

"Adima," Guinevere hugged her sister with a smile. "What are you doing here?"

"I came back for you," Adima answered. She then dropped her eyes to the floor.

"What's wrong?" asked Guinevere softly.

Adima glanced up at her, her eyes glossy with tears. "I can't," Adima breathed. "I don't want to go back."

"What happened?" Guinevere asked, growing worried.

Adima sniffed. "Briac and I were engaged," she announced to her sister for the first time. Guinevere's eyes widened with astonishment. "And I left him, for Tristan," she looked back at Tristan who was standing only a foot behind her.

"Adima…"Guinevere began. "Why did you not tell me this before?" Adima shook her head, her mouth gaping slightly, but she was too choked by tears to speak. Guinevere hugged her close again. "Stay here with me then," she said with a smile. "Stay with the man you love," she glanced up at Tristan, then back at Adima. "I must go now; the night is late." With that, Guinevere simply walked away.

Adima turned back to Tristan. "How about that drink?" she asked, forcing a little smile. It was over, she thought. Hard, but it was done; she was with Tristan now, and Briac could not tear them apart.

A/N: It won't be that easy will it? Please tell me what you think. Oh, and also, I'm still contemplating how to end this story, and if I should make a sequel or not, so please tell me your views on that. And tell me what you all think should happen to our beloved characters. I just can't seem to make up my mind, though I do have some ideas...Thanks so much!

- Modesty