gwenn0: Thanks so much! I'm glad you like my plot...this story is actually almost over, but Skye's tale and developing relationship with the knights will continue in my other story, Where There Is Gold.

KnightMaiden: That is true...tween you and me,I was thinking bouthow things might turn out later onand I started seeing Tristan, Lancelot and Galahad asliking Skye, and Arthur and Dragonet liking Arian and Gawain and Bors liking Vanora who I was actually thinking about bringing in to play a bigger role...but I dunno, though, cause in the movie it's pretty much grounded that she's Bors' love. :)

Chapter Five

It was growing darker. I could feel it. The knights' bantering dwindled and gradually died altogether, replaced by a cold silence that creeped me out.

"What is wrong?"

"We are being followed." Galahad's voice.

I refused to tense up. "By whom?"

"Woads."

"Oh."

"Have you had much contact with these vile creatures, m'lady?" Gawain asked.

"Some. They came to our village on occasion, but only when I was very young. Their visits ceased as I grew older."

"I wonder why…"

"They have been trying to convince my people to fight with them for some time." This I knew. "But I did not know that my father had actually refused them. Politics are generally something not discussed with women."

"Where is your mother?"

"She is dead," I said, without emotion. "She died of disease when I was two months old."

"But…"

"Yes, I have a brother. A half brother. My father married again."

"I see."

"Can you not hear them?"

I listened. "Yes."

It was the last word I managed to get in before there was a rustle in the underbrush beside our horses. I heard one of the knights grunt before he fell to the ground. The horse beside Niwliog started and bumped her and Niwliog snapped at him. There were sounds of a struggled behind me and I realized that one of the knights had been jumped by a woad. But I had no time to consider—with a scream of outrage, woads poured out of the woods around us.

I kicked Niwliog. Reaching for my bow, I strung it hastily and found an arrow. I turned, directing it toward the nearest noise—which happened to sound like a warrior running toward me. I released the arrow and I heard the distinct thud of it hitting my target before the body crashed at my feet. I turned my head, listening again, and something whooshed past my ear.

I ducked my head and grabbed for the front of the saddle as Niwliog began to buck. I realized a woad must have jumped on behind me and I grabbed frantically for my knives. Placing the smallest one in my teeth, blade outward, I drew the others as I swung around.

There was the neat "shweet" as the knife in my mouth cut flesh, and a Niwliog bolted forward as the woad fell backwards off her rump. Apparently, he'd been too close and my blade had slashed his face—or his throat—as I whirled upon him.

The clatter of battle behind me met my ears and pressing my heel into Niwliog's flank, I directed the mare into a run back toward the melee. Perhaps I was crazy. Perhaps I was irritated by Gawain's shout for me to run. At any rate, I shot arrow after arrow at the nearest noise until something hit me from behind. I toppled forward, and hit the ground hard, knocking the wind from my lungs.

Somebody hovered over me and I hit at them with all the strength I could muster. But a hand seized my wrist and forced it back down by my side. A heavily accented voice chided me.

"Stop. First, you don't belong here. In battle. Two, you've almost killed as many knights as you have woads."

I was acutely embarrassed for a moment, then with a flash, I realized I didn't know the voice. With all my might, I rolled over, kicking my assailant off me. I whipped out my knife and threw it.

It must have missed my attacker for after a moment, I was pushed up against my horse.

"Pity you can't see my lady," my opponent said through clenched teeth. "I am Tristan."

I stopped struggling. "Really?"

"Really," he said sarcastically.

"Will you let me go now, then?"

He released me and I knew for sure then he wasn't some woad in pretense.

"Wait here."

What was I to say? I stood by Niwliog and waited. Already the clamor was dying down and from the rapid patter of bare feet, I sensed the woads were retreating.

"How many of you did I hit?" I demanded as they rode up.

Gawain laughed. "Not me. Just nicked me is all."

I glared at him.

"Your arrow went way past me," Galahad offered. "But it nearly took Tristan's braid with it!"

I began laughing. "So that is why he's so mad with me."

The others joined in the laughter and I found myself contemplating. I didn't know how I could tell. Heaven's sakes—I couldn't even SEE them! But somehow I knew I had found friends. Friends—in these rough, battle hardened men. But it was true. It was God's truth.

Hmmm…I know this is a short chapter. Sorry. :) The next chapter, btw, is actually going to be the last. (Shocking I know—I'm actually going to finish one of these things! Lol. :) But, Skye's story is going to be continued in my other work, Where There is Gold. So please check it out. :) Anyway, thanks to anyone who's been reading this and please review!

TP