nikkitagq – (cool name btw), yep, you're right. I couldn't have my damsel in distress fighting, without a handsome knight's arms to swoon in, could I? I'm hoping that it will not be entirely what you expect, but then again, who knows?

Scout Earane – Don't you just hate it when you're on tenterhooks waiting for an update? I'll try not to disappoint. Another thing - don't be negative about your fanfic! I had a look for it the other night, but I couldn't find it, so I assume you haven't uploaded it, or maybe I'm just blind! But seriously, get it on the site – if anything, some constructive criticism will do wonders for your writing. Honestly, I've only been writing for about three, four months, and I've upped a whole grade in my English Language paper, not to mention the fact that I'm even beginning to think that perhaps I can write!

MedievalWarriorPrincess – I know what you mean. I'm getting a Saxon hate complex, which really isn't good, seeing as I'm half Anglo-Saxon, which, I suppose, makes me a quarter Saxon! It's nice to have a race in a film that you can hate unconditionally (sorry any Saxon lovers out there, but that's where King Arthur differs from Troy or something, in which there really isn't a goodie and a baddie (is that how you spell that btw?) anyway, where was I?) Yeah, so thanks for your wonderful reviews, though whether you'll be able to read my reply once you've been arrested for Saxon murder, I don't know!

Ailis-70 – doesn't a bit of impending doom, death and the ultimate destruction of everything and everyone make some nice, light, after-dinner reading! Hope this chapter doesn't disappoint.

the ultimate jedi – here you go! A little bit more for you, but I really should be doing some work! Not wasting my time enjoying myself! Still, if you guys are liking it, it's not a waste of time eh?

Sorry to anyone else who's reviewed that I haven't commented on – it wasn't deliberate, but my computer's being an evil little…well, whatever evil computers are called, and it's randomly deleting e-mails.

Chapter Sixteen: Boys, We're Going Home

Two years later

The knights were grouped around a table in the tavern, drinking and laughing noisily. Tristran was sitting in one corner, not far enough away from the others to be obvious, but just enough to make his separation from them noticeable.

The knights had been drinking steadily for several hours, and most of them were looking slightly worse for wear. Tristran, infamous for his ability to hold his drink, was still nursing his first cup of wine, drinking from it only rarely, and spending most of his time sitting in silence.

Tristran was suddenly aware of Arthur entering the smoky room, and he followed him with his eyes as he went to the bar, got a cup of wine, and made his way towards the knights. As the other knights slowly became aware of him they fell silent one by one. Arthur rarely came to drink with them, and his presence at times when they were drunk usually meant trouble.

"More bad news, Arthur?" Lancelot asked, grinning slightly, an effect of perhaps slightly too much wine.

"I'm afraid so, my friend," Arthur said. The knights watched him warily, expectant and uneasy. Arthur raised his cup to his lips, and drank deeply. The knights, all watching him, were so tense with expectation, that Tristran idly thought that they may burst.

Arthur emptied his cup, and smacked it hard down on the table. "Boys!" he said, a grin on his usually grim face. "We're going home!"

The table immediately erupted. The knights cheered and yelled. Lancelot pulled Arthur down to drink with them, and Bors shouted for more wine. Tristran, however, did not join in their celebrations, but instead rose, unnoticed, and left the room quietly.

Once alone he made his way to the stables, where he stood, stroking the neck of his mare.

"We're going home love," he whispered to her, caressing her muzzle gently.

Why wasn't he back with the other knights, getting drunk, and celebrating? Something in him was drawing him away from company, making him seek solitude and peace. He had never used to be like this, but recently he had shied away from companionship, and sought isolation. He sighed, exasperated. What was he coming to?

Tristran heard a step behind him, and spun around, angry with the intruder, but his features softened slightly when he saw Dagonet there. Dagonet was one of the few men that Tristran really respected, though out of all of the knights, Tristran knew the least about him.

"What is it?" Dagonet said bluntly, never one to waste words.

"Nothing!" Tristran snapped shortly.

Dagonet remained where he was, his face placid.

"What?" Tristran asked curtly when Dagonet did not reply.

"I was wondering how long you were going to continue lying to yourself," Dagonet said calmly.

"About what?" Tristran asked, not liking the direction the conversation was taking.

"About the reason you keep on thinking about her," Dagonet replied evenly.

Tristran's head snapped up, and he stared at Dagonet angrily for a moment, before his expression turned to one of pain, and he looked down.

"You know?" he asked faintly.

"I've noticed."

"So does everybody know now," Tristran said bitingly. "That Tristran has been chasing around after a Woad?"

"They are your friends and comrades. They're meant to notice things like that."

Tristran fell silent, and looked away from Dagonet, ashamed at his words, but unable to say he didn't mean it.

"If things were different, perhaps…" Tristran began. "It's no use. She's a Woad, I'm a Sarmatian."

"That might not matter to her."

"That's the point!" Tristran said angrily. "If I asked, I think…I know she'd follow me. But I can't do that to her!"

"Why not?"

"Why can't I ruin her life?" Tristran asked bitterly. "Look at me, Dagonet. Really look. What could I possibly have to offer to a woman who leads a Clan, is well respected by her people, a woman who has Merlin as her patron! What can I offer against that?"

"Your heart."

"And what is that worth?" Tristran asked scornfully.

Dagonet shrugged. "I think, my friend. That you are afraid to go back."

"Maybe I am!" Tristran said, his body slumped forwards and his face hidden. "Maybe I don't want to go near temptation, for fear that I will not be strong enough to resist it."

"You may not meet her again," Dagonet offered up this small comfort.

Tristran raised his ravaged face to Dagonet. "I have to see her again," he admitted, finally defeated.

Dagonet reached out and laid one hand on Tristran's shoulder. "No matter how much, or little, we like things, they will still happen, don't fight it."

And he left Tristran brooding over his words.