She had sent Gawain on his way to let her get some peace, although he protested most enthusiastically; moaning and whining and distracting her with those kisses of his. But finally he had left and now she allowed herself the luxury of resting on her bed and watching the world go by. As she let her eyes wander across the hustle and bustle of the fort they came to rest upon the knights as they practiced their skills. Each maiming a straw doll in some way with their weapon of choice or firing arrows at some distant target. Anise could pick out each Knight even at such a distance and took to watching them. Lancelot and Galahad were sparring; twirling around each other only to have their swords clash and send sparks flying from the metal blades. Lancelot had the advantage of two blades, even though they weren't as long as Galahad's and the added experience but Galahad's passion was putting up a fight that neither was willing to admit defeat to. She smiled inwardly as Lancelot grabbed Galahad in a headlock and resorted in wrestling the younger man to the ground, the rest of the knights laughing and cheering.

Sinking back into her bed Anise lay there and let the past few days' events wash over her. What was she to do? She had a connection with the people that killed her mother, her only remaining family and they treated her like a leader. How should she treat them? Like the ruthless murderers she believed them to be, or like the kind and curious people she knew them to be? Growing tired of all this thinking she rolled off the bed and set off in search of something to do.

Wandering around the village, Jade caught sight of Anise. The two had grown fond of each other and upon feeling a small hand grip her own, Anise looked down to see the contented child who smiled up at her with sparkling blue eyes. As the streets were so crowded and Jade so small, Anise lifted the girl up and placed her on her hip without breaking step. The girl took comfort in her slender arms and clutched onto her dress for added support and security.

"Where are we going?" whispered Jade as she looked around from her new position.

"To the practice field." Replied Anise gently and rested her dark head against the small girl's auburn one as Jade laid her head on her shoulder.

Before long they were nearing the training area and Jade looked on in awe at the men who swung their weapons with such precision and power. She sucked her thumb silently as Anise paused on the wall surrounding the field before setting them both down on a nearby bench to watch the men.

Tristan noticed Gawain's distraction and narrowly missed slicing him in the bicep with the end of his sword. He stopped the sparring and followed Gawain's gaze to the source of the distraction; Anise. Smirking he watched his friend and moved next to him stealthily.

Anise sat with Jade on her lap; the small girl turned to face her so that she could talk to Anise more easily, or play with her hair, whichever took her feeling. Anise laughed at the girl's stories and toyed with the girl's long auburn hair; eventually braiding it for the small girl after much prompting.

"She's good with children." Stated Tristan smoothly.

Gawain nodded his agreement before meeting Tristan's face with a confused expression.

"How did you-?"

Tristan smirked, causing Gawain to stop and return his eyes to the young woman and child.

Tristan stood calmly cleaning his blade with a rag he had tucked in the top of his breeches and waited patiently for Gawain to say something, which he did just as Tristan knew he would do.

"Did she mention anything to you whilst you were away?" asked Gawain quietly as he moved towards Tristan so as not to attract the attention of his fellow Knights.

"Perhaps." Tristan replied gruffly as he raised his sword and watched it gleam in the sunlight.

Gawain huffed irritably at Tristan's vague answer and glared at the indifferent Knight.

"Well? What did she say?"

"She cares for you, I know that much." Came the terse reply as the ominous Knight continued to scrutinize his blade. He looked up briefly at his friend; his braids falling across his face and covering his distinct tattoos. "And you?"

"Aye." Gawain sighed and frowned before looking over his shoulder.

Jade's laughter was filtering across the field as she played with Anise and it echoed in the small space.

Tristan looked solemnly at his friend, his expression serious.

"Tristan…" began Gawain before trailing off. He sighed angrily at himself and continued. "She's constantly within my thoughts. She haunts me relentlessly and I can't control myself around her. What is she doing to me?" he growled in frustration.

"It sounds like you're in love my friend." Tristan replied firmly; returning his sword to its sheath with an unyielding snap.

Jade twirled her newfound braids around her petite fingers and hugged Anise tightly around the waist; smiling into her dress. Anise smiled down at the girl caringly and whispered something in her ear before the girl nodded eagerly and held up her arms so that she could be lifted.

The Knights had finished their practice for the day and stood talking and lounging on the benches that bordered the field. Anise stepped carefully over the wall and made her way towards the Knights; pressing her head next to Jade's ear.

"Remember what you are to do?" she whispered gently.

Jade smiled brightly to show she understood and let Anise set her on the ground. Without a word the small child ran towards Tristan who sat quietly on a bench and hugged him snugly around the waist. He looked shocked for a second before gently placing his arms around her and pulling her into his lap. Jade smiled softly at his dark eyes and reached into his unruly hair to play with his own braids whilst he gave Anise a questioningly glance. She shrugged it off as she joined the other stunned Knights beside Tristan. Bors' mouth had dropped open and he gaped openly at the tenderness of Tristan as he let the girl toy with his hair and trace the tattoos across his cheeks.

"That girl adores you Anise." Remarked Dagonet with a smile.

"And I her." She replied thoughtfully.

"She never shuts up about you at home." Laughed Bors and patted Anise on the back. "At least it keeps her out of trouble!"

The Knights continued with their conversations and laughed with Anise. Lancelot caught Galahad glaring darkly in her direction and gave him a stern look upon catching his eye. After a few minutes in which the Knights decided to clean up before retiring to the tavern, Gawain grabbed Anise's slender hand and led her in the opposite direction. Rounding the corner of the wall he stopped and let go of her.

"What is this in aid of?" she asked amusedly.

"I think I'm in love with you." He exclaimed; his voice tense and hushed.

Anise stared solemnly at the blonde man that stood before her. His face was twisted with anxiety and frustration, as well as a smidgen of lust and she couldn't help but run her hand along his coarse beard. He trembled under her touch and grasped her arms gently within his strong grip; consequently stopping her actions.

"Well?"

She moved herself slowly into him and brought her lips temptingly close to his; her breath tickling his skin.

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't." she murmured against his mouth and pushed her lips to his tenderly. She kissed him hungrily and laughed into his mouth as he picked her up and swung her into his arms.

"To my chamber with you." He growled huskily in her ear and nipped at her neck as she shuddered under his touch.

The celebrations had started within the Woad village as dusk encroached upon the forest. Music and laughter trickled into the surrounding woodland and grew as the celebrations continued. A large fire was lit in the circle of logs that had been visited that morning by Tristan and Anise, and the maidens of the village danced around it; their bodies outlined with a fiery aura and the light illuminating their strange markings. There was much rejoicing and the ale flew thick and fast. Children marvelled at the brightness of the fire and maidens blushed from the heat of it, the men's faces were flushed from the ale and their eyes sparkled at the young women who danced so effortlessly. It was within this merriment that the first arrow flew; striking a young maiden in the chest. Screams erupted from around her as she fell to the ground and the men instantly unsheathed their swords or cocked their bows. Eiger grabbed his eldest daughter as she ran towards him and pointed towards his horse.

"Take my horse and send for the Knights." He whispered to her.

She nodded numbly; her eyes wide in horror and ran off into the darkness. People were still screaming as another arrow flew past Eiger and hit Baudoin through the shoulder.

"Prepare for battle!" screamed Eiger into the fiery clearing.

Riding hard across the plain, Day's hair streamed out behind her and the wind whipped harshly across her face. It had been her cousin they had killed, her cousin that lay dead before the fire where they had danced. She pushed the thought out of her head and urged the horse to go faster; closing the distance between her and the fort.

"Anise! Anise!" screamed the girl as she neared the gates. "Anise!"

Upon hearing her name being screamed Anise pulled herself out of Gawain's loving embrace as they lay together in his chamber. She recognized the fear in the voice; it brought back memories of her own mother's screams as she ran to save her. She quickly shrugged on her dress that lay discarded on the floor and ran from the room; Gawain right behind her as he yanked on his breeches.

"Anise!" screamed the voice again.

She bounded up the stairs to the battlements and peered over the edge to see who was calling her name. She recognised it to be Eiger's daughter that they had been briefly introduced to on their arrival at the village.

"Anise, the village is being attacked! You must come quickly!" Day shouted up at the two figures that stood on the battlements. "Please, hurry!"

Anise nodded fiercely and shouted for the centurions nearest to her to go and get the Knights' horses. Gawain ran to go and get his armour and weapons, leaving Anise to dash into the tavern and talk to the Knights.

"The village," she panted. "It's being attacked."

Arthur stared at her in shock and rose from his seat.

"By who?"

Anise shook her head and replied breathlessly:

"We know not. But I suspect the Saxons."

The Knights rose accordingly and rushed off to prepare themselves for battle. Anise followed them out of the tavern and shouted for the guards to open the gates as she mounted Vega and rode out to meet a terrified Day.

"What happened?"

Day looked at her blankly; in obvious shock and could do no more than shake her head.

"We were holding the celebration for my father's new leadership when out of nowhere came an arrow and killed my cousin. They got Baudoin as well."

"I'm sorry for your loss." Murmured Anise and she lay a comforting hand on the girl's shoulder.

"Are the Knights coming?" Day asked suddenly.

Anise nodded and turned to see them mounting their horses in the courtyard.

"Have you any experience of fighting?" Day stammered out; the shock still affecting her.

"No, but I can try. Failing that I have my powers."

The Knights rode up beside the two women and caught the last of their conversation.

"You don't know how to control your powers yet." Stated Tristan sternly.

"They are only the last resort." She called over her shoulder as she urged her horse into a gallop.

A/N: So they finally get it together and then have to go off and kick some enemy ass, typical. What's gonna when they get there though? I might have to start reducing the number of my postings as I really have to start focusing on my coursework cos I only have 2 weeks left before I go back to school cries Dammit lol. Thanks x