Hello good reviewers, nice long chapter for you with a twist at the end, bear with me we are drawing near to the finish line. Thanks a bundle you guys make writing worthwhile.

"Tristan?"

Someone was warily tapping on his door again. Tristan snapped from his sleep, now in a very bad mood. If that was Arthur he would carve a cross on his hand!

"Tristan can you hear me?"

"No, go away" Tristan called back. Damn it; he had forgotten to lock the door again. Arthur swung in open "Come in." Tristan muttered irritatedly. Arthur looked at him with concern

" Tristan let me see your hand," Tristan held it out oblivious to the fact that blood had started coming through the bandage

"Tristan I'm am sorry this had to happen, will you come down?." Tristan nodded and followed Arthur out the door.

00oo00

He limped into the now crowed tavern.

"Tristan!" cried Gawain; of all the knights Gawain was the only one Tristan would speak to.

"Thank Gods your alive!"

" Unfortunately" Tristan muttered. Vanora came out to looking very relived to see him standing. She passed him some food with a small smile. She went back, taking her child off Bors. Tristan frowned when he saw him; he intended to have a few words with Bors.

" Tristan, don't," Gawain said mildly with half a mind to forcefully stop Tristan, but in the other corner Galahad had caught is attention; he was up against the wall, a very insane looking roman at his throat

"Hey there, leave him alone!" With a pleading look at Tristan he went to aid Galahad.

Tristan moved in front of Bors "Hello Bors" he said carefully. Vanora came out again and handed her husband both mug of ale

Tristan's eyes followed Vanora back a slight smile playing on his lips. " I know you Tristan." Bors hissed in a slightly slurred voice. Tristan turned around, looking vaguely amused.

"Talking to her, you stay away or I'll send you away." He held his knife to Tristan's throat before flicking it back into his sheath, leaving a small nick on Tristan's neck.

Tristan sighed as Bors lumber back to his table. He had had many death threats recently and he wasn't going to notice one from a drunk, senseless savage. Sick of the constant noise he limped back again, not going to his room, but to the stables .His hawk landed on his hand as soon as he entered.

" Where you been? I could have used the company." He settled himself resting against the wall of his horse's stall and fell asleep.

"Hey Tristan wake up."

Tristan opened his eyes to find Galahad standing over him. He suspected it was early morning; Galahad passed him a fully tacked horse.

"You awake?"

"I am now.," he grumbled in response.

Galahad scuttled away fearfully.

He took it from Galahad, gently brushing its forelock out. "Knights mount up."

Tristan swung up and followed his commander out of the stable.

As the fort passed from sight they slowed and Tristan rode up beside Arthur.

"Where we going?"

" Just to protect some villagers who are under threat."

"I see, and I ride ahead to check to the road don't I?"

"No Tristan, for God's sake no, stay right here where I can see you, if you need to stop just say so. I'll send someone else up front."

"Send Bors," Tristan suggested helpfully.

" Mmmmm." Arthur was clearly elsewhere.

"Arthur. Arthur! Woads!" He finally shouted.

"What?"

" Send Bors," he repeated

" Tristan……"

Tristan trotted ahead, still leading the group, but remained within Arthur's sight. There was a flash of blue in front of him; he paused for a moment and whispered back

"Stop," This was unheeded.

"Arthur!" Tristan hissed. The blue speck stopped; an arrow flew and Tristan raised a shout

" Arthur! Woads; move!"

By now Arthur was fully aware: he wheeled around and led his knights back, ducking an arrow Tristan followed, slightly slower. Tristan tried not to let the pain in his head overcome him as they bolted though the scrub.

They halted a few leagues away and Tristan trotted up last, looking weary.

"Tristan I'm a sorry, many times in recent I have made these mistakes" Arthur said quietly to his scout.

"Nay that I will forgive you. You think I want to die?"

"Well sometimes I wonder….."

Tristan surveyed the other knights with a look that was daring them to laugh.

"Come then, shall we continue." Gawain said brightly, breaking the silence. Bors bolted off indifferently. Tristan rode at a slower pace next to Arthur.

00oo0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0oSeveral years later00ooo0o0o0o0o0o0o

Many years later, a battle worn Arthur emerged from a dark cell, carrying a half dead girl.

" Water, get me some water!" he cried, laying her down on the ground and Tristan could recognise her.

"She is a Woad." he informed Arthur sharply, throwing his sword into it's sheath. As he did this he caught a glance of the underside of his wrist: a faint white cross was still etched there and he glowered at the Woad lying on the ground and Arthur bending over her. Her blue eyes met him pleadingly and he stared back at he with cold indifference.

"Traitor." he hissed, the sound just reached Arthur's ears and he looked up to see Tristan looking scathingly down on him.

" I see this punishment….." He flipped his wrist up "….was reserved for me."

As Arthur looked down again on to the pitiful Woad girl, he could see why Tristan had spared her life so long ago.

"There're coming with us."