Disclaimer: Alas, I own nothing, save Evangeline and Corin, and the plot. More characters will enter the story, and I own them, unless noted otherwise.

Summary: Evan and Corin, two best friends, set of for an adventure for riches and glory. But what else will they find along the way? This story is mostly about Evangeline, but Corin becomes more of a main character later on. (Rated T for some things that will come later.)

Chapter Four

The sun had just barely peeked over the horizon when Evan heard Gwen's voice trying to awake her.

"Get up, dear. You have your tournament today."

Evan just mumbled a curse and sat up, yawning. "Alright, alright. I'm awake."

"I'll go and make you breakfast," Gwen cooed, then exited the tent.

Yawning again, Evan groggily pulled on her clothes and plaited her platinum hair down her back. She didn't bother to put all of her weapons on; she wouldn't need anything but her swords, anyway.

By the time Evan exited the tent, Corin was already eating, but Evan saw a slight green tinge to his face. Only he and Gwen were around the fire; everyone else was still sleeping. She sat next to Corin and gave him a reassuring smile. "You'll do wonderfully, Cor. Probably better than I… you are so much better than me…"

He just gave her a weak smile and returned to his food, which he just really picked at.

Evan frowned to herself, then received a plate of food gratefully from Gwen. She finished quickly, for she had always been a fast eater. "Alright, I'd better get ready," she said finally, handing her empty plate to her sister.

Returning to her tent, she grabbed her swords then looked around for the light armor that was essential to wear for minimal injury. She couldn't find it. With a sick feeling, she tore the tent apart, throwing blankets and clothes outside the tent in an effort to uncover them. They were nowhere to be found.

Evan sprinted to Fury's (her mount) saddlebags and dumped everything out of them. Not one piece of armor was inside. She fell to her knees and fought back angry tears.

"Evan, are you alright?"

She could recognize that serene, haunting voice anywhere. "I'm fine, Tristan," she snapped, slowly returning things to the right bags.

He kneeled in front of her, asking her the same question with his eyes.

"My armor is missing… I'm going to have to fight without it… and I'm terrified."

"There is the option of not competing."

"Not for me there isn't. I will compete, with or without the armor. It'll just be a bit more scary and dangerous, that's all," Evan concluded, rising to her feet.

Tristan stood up as well, then stepped closer to the woman. "I don't want you to get hurt…," he said softly.

Evan got those chills again as she felt his breath on her skin. "I won't… I promise," she whispered, inching closer to him.

They looked into each other's eyes for what seemed like forever. Evan was the first to tear eyes away from his. "I'd better go…" She caressed his face ever so slightly with a finger, then left him.

:-:

Everyone was completely outraged by Evan's decision to fight without armor, especially Lancelot. "Evan, you have no idea how dangerous this is! You have never competed in a tournament before, and you don't know what to expect!"

Galahad had chimed in. "Men are known to fight dirty in the fighting ring… You do need the armor to protect against things like that…"

Gwen was nearly beside herself with tears, and everyone else was acting depressed, like they were convinced that she was going to die.

Evan could finally take it no more. "It is my decision! You all obviously do not trust my skill enough to be content in my choice, but I do. We shall not talk of it anymore. I have made up my mind: I am fighting without armor." With that, she stormed off and talked to no one the rest of the morning.

:-:

The trees and any animal hiding in the dense foliage surrounding the river were her only company as she thought about what she had to do later that day. Evan felt sick. Nervous sick. Why was she so nervous? Oh, yes, she thought grimly, I am about to compete in the biggest tournament in my career as a swordfighter. If I fail here, I might as well become a 'lady' like Gwen. She shuddered at the thought, then mentally kicked herself for her disbelief in her own abilities. No, I will win the entire tournament. I will be the best swordfighter in the kingdom. It's what I've wanted since I was five; I am not about to give up just because I won't have a little extra padding in the ring. Besides, it would have slowed me down… With a long sigh, she returned to the others.

:-:

It must have been about eleven by the time they made it to the tournament. Evan and Corin found it simply overwhelming: there were men everywhere, and it was so loud and there were so many things going on at the same time.

Thankfully, Lancelot knew exactly where to go to 'check-in' at a very large table in the center of all the commotion. He took Evan and Corin to the correct place. After that was taken care of, both Evan and Corin were given the name of their opponent and the time of their match. Corin's first match wasn't until one o'clock, and he was fighting someone named Lord Barr. Evan's match was in about fifteen minutes, and she was fighting a man called Gregory Watts. When Evan relayed this information to the rest of the group, Gawain's face grew pale.

"Gregory Watts?" he repeated, barely able to form the words.

Evan glanced at the others, and they were just as confused as she. "What is it, Gawain?"

"Gregory Watts is one of the best swordfighters in the world. He beat me soundly in a tournament final, and that was the best I have ever fought. He uses double swords better than anyone I have ever seen, but thankfully you are only allowed to use one in this tournament. Evan, maybe you should reconsider your decision…"

"NO! FOR THE LAST TIME, NO!" she yelled. "I will fight this Gregory Watts, and I shall win. There is nothing to worry about." Evan hoped she sounded more confident than she felt…

A/N: Ooooh, we ended on a cliffhanger this time! -le gasp- Anyways, you know what to do. Psst: Review!