Disclaimer: I own nothing of King Arthur but I do own the characters unaffiliated with the movie plot and legend.

Author note: Another chapter up! Sorry it's taken so long. Review please.

Chapter 2: Eye contact

"You're doing what?" I demanded.

Tristan pulled the satchel I was holding from my hands and walked to his horse. The Spaniards had arrived only two days ago with no success in finding the person they were looking for. Tristan and I both knew it was me but we kept absolutely silent about the whole story but covering it up. And what a cover it was.

It started with me being introduced to Adam, who I had a great fear of but kept myself calm by keeping as far away from him as possible, and being beside Tristan while it was happening. It was most unfortunate because while Arthur introduced Tristan and then myself Adam inquired if we were married. Lancelot and Galahad chuckled and were about to turn down his assumption when Tristan and I both said, "Yes."

It was to our horror – I assure you.

So now we were playing the role of husband and wife in public and wanting to murder one another while in private. When Tristan and I told Adam we were married Arthur looked mortified and downed his whole cup of wine only to pinch Lancelot's and down that as well.

"Moving you into my room," he stated calmly.

I followed him into his room, hands on my hips and closed his bedroom door. "I am not living here with you!"

"Yes," he said, turning to me after throwing my clothes on his bed. "You are. I'm sick of having to cover my tracks like this."

"It's both our faults we fell into this!" I screeched, only to have his hand cover my mouth. He pinned me against the door, glaring at me menacingly. I yanked his hand away. "I'm not sleeping with you."

"I don't want to sleep with you either," he hissed. "I'll sleep on the floor, you sleep in the bed."

I immediately felt guilty. I looked down to the floor and shook my head. "You don't need to sleep on the floor," I said softly, feeling myself blush.

"You think you can survive a night on the floor?" he asked sceptically.

I put my hands on my hips, furious that he thought me so weak. "Yes, I can! Just because I'm not a man with a hundred battle scars like you does not mean I'm all-" I waved my hands around trying to find the right word. Tristan seemed to be amused at this.

"All what?" he asked smugly. "A lot of people get tongue tied around me…you're not the first."

He'd pulled the last of my strings with that. I laughed in his face and stepped forward. "You think I'm tongue tied because of you?" I asked him. He stepped back but stoped, realising I was getting the better of him. "What an ego," I scolded as he pressed me back to the wall. "If I wasn't so nice I'd slap you right now."

"Why don't you?" he asked, looking down at me blankly. "I'd like to see you do something rough to get me in the-"

That did it. I slapped him. Not hard but enough to cut him off from what he was going to say. Instead of slapping me back or being angry, he laughed. I stood in shock and regret as he laughed openly for the first time. I yanked the door open and stomped down the halls, past Lancelot and Gawain who looked highly amused at my fury.

Tristan leaned against the door frame and smirked at the Knights. "I can handle her," he said to himself.

Lancelot raised his eyebrows. "You think? Have you-" He wiggled his eyebrows at the scout.

"Nay," he replied. "She's gone as far to say that she'd rather sleep on the floor."

"Really?" Gawain mused. He perked up after a second and asked, "Are you that bad?"

Tristan clenched his jaw and raised his fist to the blond man who raised his hands indicating he wanted peace.

Things did not get easier that night. I went to bed early because I did not want him to watch me undress but he was already there. Sitting on the window bench casually, his face once again, clear of all emotion. I closed the door softly and walked to the edge of the room where Tristan had put my trunk. I pulled out a dress, which I hoped did not show too much of my body, and put it on.

Tristan did not move his head as I undressed but I knew he was watching me. Which is why I turned my back to him. He didn't make any motion throughout the whole night while I folded my clothes, got into bed and fell asleep – alone. As I lay in bed, I found myself wondering about why he didn't come. Was it me? Did I truly hurt him when I slapped him?

Hours later, I woke up abruptly when thunder began. Rain was splashing against the closed shutters. I sat up and to my annoyance saw Tristan sleeping against the window, in the same spot he was in when I walked in.

Without consulting my mind, I rose out of bed and went directly to him, not stopping to think about the consequences. I put my hand cover his and woke him. "Hi," I said softly, just after a lightning bolt. I pulled him up, noticing that he was now wide awake and led him to the bed. As if in a daze, Tristan lay down beside me and I laid my head on his shoulder.

Tristan was completely surprised at my boldness but did not object, which I was eternally grateful for. He closed his eyes and beside me fell asleep, listening to the storm.

I woke the next morning with my leg draped over Tristan's waist; my arm slung over his torso and my hand coming to rest on his shoulder, my head on his shoulder and his arms wrapped tightly around me.

"I knew you liked me," he muttered, his voice thick with sleep.

I laughed but did not move from my position, finding it oddly comfortable. "I don't like being clamped in a little space while I sleep," I said softly. "I half imagined you to throw me off the bed – my sister did that once." I immediately regretted speaking of her, because I knew I had never spoken of my family in front of the Knights.

"I didn't know you had a sister," he said softly, turning his face to me and moving my hair to the side.

"She ran away," I said softly, looking up at him. "She was supposed to marry someone she didn't want to. So she ran away with her lover. I have not seen her in over ten years."

Tristan, with the arm that was under my neck and around my shoulders, stroked my arm slowly. I supposed it was his way of saying he was sorry for me.

"I can't believe we said what we did," I said softly, feeling a shiver go through my body as his fingers raked over my skin.

"We did what we did," he said, knowing he could not explain the rashness of our lie. "At least he won't think you are from the royal family."

"Why do you think he's looking for me?" I asked him.

"It's obvious," he stated. "Couldn't marry your sister, so he'll marry you."

"But…he thinks I'm not here. So he'll go away, right?" I asked worriedly.

Tristan lay still and after a moment said, "Right. And then we don't have to be married anymore."

"And you can have your room back," I said, kicking myself for showing the sadness in my voice. I looked down at my hand and climbed out of the bed. "I have people to heal," I said, going to the corner of the room to dress.

Tristan lay in bed for a while longer until I prepared to leave. "I'll…I'll see you," I said, resting my hand on the door. "Bye."

He waved lazily but did not get up.

I made my way to my hut and opened later than usual. "Good morning m'lady," said a heavy accented voice from behind me.

"Good morning Sir Adam," I greeted, inwardly screaming for him to go away. "I hope your stay has been comfortable."

Adam nodded, looking at me intently as if trying to catch me in a lie. "I have not seen your husband around this morning," he said, looking around conversationally.

"Oh," I said, putting on a fake smile. "He will be leaving for his mission within the hour."

"I imagine it is hard to be apart," he said.

"It is," I said softly, believing my own words. It was hard to be apart from him. I found myself realising that last night was the most comfortable I'd been in a long time in bed. "I pray every day that he comes back to me safely."

Adam nodded. "I am to leave to search further around Britain for the princess. It is a wonder as to how you both have the same name," he said. "It's funny; she would look very much like you if she were your age."

"How do you know she would be alive?" I asked, trying to keep my voice casual. "It has been…how long did you say?"

"11 years," he said, his eyes flashing in frustration at my ability to cover my tracks.

"So she could be dead," I said softly. "I am sorry if you don't find her."

Adam nodded and walked away. I breathed a sigh of relief and stepped into my hut as Tristan came out of the inn.

"How is it?" Arthur asked Tristan. "I hope you and she are not feeling-"

Tristan, looked at the battlements and readjusted his grip on his weapons. "We are doing fine. A few more days and this will be over."

Arthur nodded, noticing the scout's uncertainty and left it at that. Lancelot mounted his horse as Tristan walked down the stone steps of the inn to the square.

As if in slow motion, I walked out of the hut just as Tristan was to ride from the wall. I felt as if I would never be happy again if he did not come back. I waved slowly and gave him a goodbye smile and received a nod and wink in return. It was his silent way of telling me to be careful.

"I knew you two would one day be together," Vanora said, coming out of her hut with her brood. "I'm glad this…whatever it is, happened."

I did not pay much attention to her as I watched the people around me go about their business while I stood in my own thoughts about Tristan. I was ripped from them when cackling laughter reached my ears.

"You love him don't you?" she whispered, looking around to make sure no one was near.

"What?" I asked. "Love him?"

Vanora smiled. "Yes, darling. You love Tristan and you have for a long time haven't you?"

I nodded regretfully. "Since last night."

"Did you-"

"No." I cut her off before she could finish. "But I wouldn't object if we did."

"Either would I lass." She patted my shoulder kindly before making her way to the gardens.

"Good morning Daniel," I greeted a young boy with a leg wound who was accompanied by his mother. "How have you been?"

0-0-0

"He's been asking about her," Arthur said to Tristan as they rode toward one of the eastern villages.

Tristan nodded, still looking ahead. "We have a plan," he lied.

Arthur shrugged. "All you are doing is lying about being married. It's not like you're hiding her from him or anything."

"No," Tristan lied convincingly. "But-" he stoped, not wanted to get too open with Arthur.

"But what?" Arthur pressed.

"She's hard to resist," Tristan said, giving Arthur a look to explain what he meant. He looked ahead once more and said, "It's almost impossible but you would know, wouldn't you Arthur?"

Arthur gapped at the scout for a moment. "Yes," he relented. "I did think of courting her for a long while but I thought it best not to."

Tristan leaned his elbow on his knee and smirked at Arthur. "Had a few cold baths?"

Arthur nodded. "Many."

Tristan went through his mission soundlessly. He hardly spoke to the Knights, as was his usual, and all he could think of was what to do when he returned back to the wall. He hated the feeling that he had in his chest and was annoyed with himself whenever he thought about Bella; which was quite often.

The Knights returned to the wall, having fought no Woads, to find it as calm and flowing as usual. Bella was working tirelessly on her ill patients, most of whom were ill with flu and battled fever during the cold nights.

Tristan, after putting his horse in his stall, went directly to her hut. He opened the door and stepped into the shop area which was warm from the blazing fire in the corner and smelled of Lavender from the bunches that were handing from the ceiling. The door to the left, which was where she treated her patients, opened abruptly.

"Now please rest," I told the butcher. "You cannot sell meat if you have infected it with your flu."

"Right O," sighed Daniel. "Well, thanks for checking me over Bella."

I gave Tristan a small smile upon seeing him and motioned for him to come in further. "Bye," I said, opening the door for the man.

I turned to Tristan, who was leaning casually against the counter and smiled. "So? What happened?"

He shrugged. "Nothing much. No Woads, no fight, no scars."

"Well, I'm glad to hear of it," I told him sternly, going into the patient room to clean up. He followed me and leaned against the door frame, as was his habit, and watched me put my jars and bowls back in their spots. "They still haven't left," I said, reaching up to the top shelf to put away a group of bowls. "They insisted on staying to say goodbye to Arthur."

"Tragedy," he muttered sarcastically.

I rolled my eyes and walked past him and blew out all the candles around the room. He just watched me. Silently, he stood by the front door watching me prepare to leave. I found myself blushing violently as I prepared to leave and stoped by the door. "What's so fascinating?" I asked him.

Tristan opened the door for me. "You," he said.

I chuckled, thinking he was having a go at me but I realised he was serious when he did not back down from his statement. "What?" I closed the door sharply. "If that's a joke, its not funny."

"Do I look like I am joking?" he asked sternly.

"Well," I said, feeling my insides having a fiesta of excitement. "What did you realise I was so…fascinating?"

Tristan crossed his arms across his chest. "Two days ago."

I smiled. 'Oh yes!' "You can't resist me," I said, trying to imitate his voice but failing badly. "So what do I do now? Profess my undying love for you and break down into tears?" I asked sarcastically.

"Don't cry," he snapped. "I hate cryers."

"Well I can't help it if I do?" I said, my voice rising with my emotions. "I am allowed to cry if I want to! Just because you have the emotional range of your little finger doesn't mean we all have."

"Are you crying?" he asked irritably.

I wiped my eyes quickly and blinked. "No!" I lied.

"I don't have the emotional range of my little finger," he muttered.

I sighed. "Tristan, I'm emotionally tired. I want to go to bed now."

He smirked but kept his face emotionless. "Eager are we?"

I slapped his arm. "No. Besides…I don't think it would be right for you and I to…you know."

"No, I don't," he stated knowing this conversation was getting the better of me.

"Well…I'm not really right for you so it just wouldn't be right," I fumbled. "I can't have this conversation with you."

I yanked the door open and walked out of the shop. "Who said that?" he asked me, on the heels the whole time that I walked to the inn.

I slapped myself for having such a big mouth and continued walking without answering him. "Who said it?" he asked again, opening the door to his room and letting me in.

'Such a gentleman'

"No one," I said, going to the corner of the room to the water bowl and washing my hands.

Tristan stood by the door, looking around silently. 'Bloody hell! She'd cleaned.' He dragged his finger over his chest of drawers. It was dustless. 'Never been so clean in all it's life.'

I knew he was inspecting the room. I couldn't resist cleaning while I was in here alone. I thought, since he was a warrior then he wouldn't have the patience to clean so I did it.

"You didn't have to clean it," he said, coming closer to me.

I turned around; wanting to tell him it was no problem when frantic knocking came from the door. I jumped but Tristan did not seem surprised. He went to the door steadily and opened it. I came up behind him and calmed when I saw Arthur. He did not look calm at all though. "I think its time you tell me just how you came from being the second heir to the Spanish throne to the healer in a fort in a country hundreds of miles away from your home pretending to be a poor woman," he said, looking at Tristan accusingly after he finished.

"Who told you that?" I asked him, feeling terror rise up inside of me.

"Is it true?" he asked.

"Yes," I relented. "It's true. My parents are dead, my sister is in hiding, I'm in exile and Spain is without Royals. Anything else?"

"How did this happen?" Arthur asked. "I heard that the King and Queen had died due to fever and the two daughters were safe in Monaco."

I snorted. "Do you remember that day you found me? I was the only one of my family in Britain at the time. After the house was sieged, by the person we've been playing host to, my mother pushed me out the back door with my nanny and my nanny took me to the first ship that was sailing off. It just so happened to be going to Britain. We pretended to be normal folk who were looking for a new life. My nanny and I played the role of mother and daughter whilst waiting for new that the coast was clear to go back home. But none came."

"And your sister?"

"She ran away a week before the attack. Truth be told, if she hadn't run away nothing would have happened. But I can't really blame her. Who'd want to marry that little-"

"Right," Arthur cut in before I could finish. "And that's all?"

"What else do you expect? You'll have to take my word for it because I didn't carry my crown with me from Spain." Tristan look at Arthur and both men assessed one another for a moment.

"That's why he's here?" Arthur asked both of us. "To find you?"

"Exactly," I said.

"Did you know this?" he asked Tristan.

"Most of it," he replied.

Arthur chuckled. "Nice cover." He pointed at both of us. "Married. That'll be that day." He laughed and scratched his head as if wondering what he'd got himself into. "I'm surprised both of you are still alive."

Arthur pranced down the halls and stoped half way. Tristan and I both looked out of the room as he turned on the spot and said, "He's gone by the way. For now at least."