A/N - Well my lovely, oh so beloved readers, I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! A/Ns and thank yous at the end of the chapter! -grins- Now with no further ado . . .I present for your reading enjoyment. . . .

Chapter Ten : Apologies

Gawain stood watching in amazement as Maelgwyn talked Brenna away from the now terrified soldiers. He was vaguely aware of his comrades spread about the narrow street, frozen in their places, stunned into silence and immobility at the sound of Maelgwyn's voice, and the sight of Brenna collapsing in tears against him.

His own heart felt as though it would break in two at her cry of anguish and the sobs that followed. There was something in the sound of her cries that touched him to his very soul, leaving a dull ache in his chest, along with a nearly overwhelming desire to reek vengeance on whomever had caused her to react so. This 'him' that Maelgwyn so cryptically alluded to, the memories of whom caused her so much pain at a careless slur from the lips of a fool.

Gawain's knuckles went white around the bone handle of his dagger, as he tightened his grip on it.

'Mayhap I can do nothing against the past, but I can do something now!'

The weapon's deadly blade glinted in the flickering torchlight of the shadowed alley, as he growled and moved menacingly toward the Roman soldiers, his deep blue eyes bright with anger.

Galahad looked up, momentarily startled, as his friend brushed past him with murder in his eyes. He thought little of it though, distracted as he was by all that had just occurred, and instead turned his attention back to Brenna and Maelgwyn.

He stared forlornly at the spot where they had sunk to the cold cobblestones of the road, with her cradled in Gwyn's lap as he continued a steady stream of comforting words, all the while gently rubbing her back.

He wanted so badly to go to her and offer her his support as well, but he had no idea how she would react. He suddenly realized, with a renewed bout of sadness, that he no longer knew his own twin.

At one time it had been him that she'd laughed with, him that she'd shared her innermost secrets with, and him that she'd turned to for comfort.

Jealousy crept unbidden once again into his heart, but he shoved it to the side as Gawain's words echoed through his mind.

"Only rejoice in the fact that you are reunited, and enjoy renewing your relationship together. You have been separated these twelve years, you have much time to make up for. Do not let your reunion be tainted by suspicion or jealousy."

'We may have much time to make up for, but make it up we will!'

Heart lightened somewhat at his decision, he was about to step toward Brenna when his attention was quickly drawn in the direction Gawain had been headed.

His jaw dropped as he froze and watched as his best friend apparently lost his mind right before his disbelieving eyes. Galahad knew he should be doing something to stop him but instead he stood, rooted to his spot in awe, and simply watched.

Reaching the Roman in just a few long strides, Gawain dragged the drunken lout to his feet and violently slammed him against the rough stone and wood of the wall. He heard something crack but was not sure if it was the wall or the man's bones. Either way he could not care less, though he did hope for the latter.

Leaning in with all of his weight, he pressed the blade of his dagger to the man's throat just above his other hand, which held the soldier in place just a fraction too tightly. His glittering blue eyes showed a hint of cold satisfaction, when the finely sharpened edge left a thin red line in it's wake.

His heart pounded violently in his chest as he fought to keep his rage under control. Deep down he knew he was insane for what he was doing, he knew the penalty for harming a Roman, but at the moment he did not care. When he spoke his voice was harsh and barely recognizable even to himself.

"She is the sister of a knight, and as such you will treat her with respect! Furthermore, if either of you ever breathe a word of this to anyone, or say those words again. . .no one . . .no one . .will ever find your bodies!"

The Roman's terror filled eyes went even wider at the threat, and he looked questioningly at Arthur as he whined drunkenly.

"Are ye gonna let this Sa'matian dog treat ush like thish? Aye did nothin' wrong!"

There was no help to be had on that front however, for though Arthur and Lancelot had not been there for the beginning of the confrontation. They had arrived in time to hear more than enough of what had provoked Brenna's attack on his person.

Arthur tore his shocked gaze from his usually good natured knight, and stared the soldier down. His gem green eyes cold and heartless as they burned into the man's pleading face.

Not trusting himself to speak, for the anger in his heart, he shifted them to the sobbing woman at his left, then moved his gaze to glance up and down the deserted street. Once certain that they were in fact alone, he returned his eyes to the Roman's for just long enough that his point was made when he silently turned his back and moved toward the pair on the ground.

Gawain grinned smugly at the soldier, surprised, but nevertheless assured of his commander's support, and tightened his grip on the man's throat. His sapphire eyes glinted dangerously in the dim light of the torches, as he arched a blonde eyebrow and continued, voice dangerously low, words ground out through clenched teeth.

"Do I make myself clear?"

Unable to form words with Gawain's strong hand wrapped around his throat, slowly cutting off his air supply, the soldier merely nodded in defeat, wincing when the blade cut another thin slice from his flesh.

"Good."

Turning to Lancelot, Gawain loosened his grip on the Roman and lowered the dagger, gesturing toward the other soldier who still cowered on the ground.

"Lancelot, would you care to assist me in the removal of this trash from our presence?"

Glad for something to do rather than stand there staring helplessly at Brenna, the dark knight nodded. A slightly wicked smile lit his handsome features, as he moved forward, grabbed the Roman by the front of his tunic and dragged him to his feet.

The pair then hauled the whimpering soldiers off down the street. Upon reaching their destination, they shared a grin before dumping the men unceremoniously in the manure pile behind the stables.

When the original troublemaker sought to try his luck at protesting his treatment he, for the second time that evening, had one of a pair of swords against his throat.

"If you wish to see the light of day once more, I would suggest that you shut your mouth! Nothing would pleasure me greater, than to skewer your worthless Roman hide on my Sarmatian sword!"

With that, Lancelot turned his back on the men and he and Gawain left the stables and made their way back down the dimly lit streets.

Brenna huddled deeper into the familiar comfort of Gwyn's arms, pressing herself as close as she could to his warmth, as she desperately tried to bring her sobs under control. Her confused brain dimly registered the sounds of a commotion behind her, but she ignored it.

Instead she sought solace, as she had on so many countless occasions, in Gwyn's calm strength. She sucked in deep, shuddering breaths, as she concentrated on forcing air into her fear constricted lungs and prayed silently for assistance in regaining her shredded composure.

Gradually, under the soothing effects of his words, his scent, and his touch, Brenna's mind cleared and her breathing evened. The haze of pain and anger gone, but leaving her feeling tired and drained, as it always did.

She was suddenly eternally grateful for the darkness of the alley which camouflaged the hot blush that colored her creamy pale skin, as she realized what she had done.

'They are going to be so angry with me! And Arthur, he takes us in and this is how I repay him?'

Cursing her temper she buried her face in Gwyn's chest with a moan of embarrassment, completely mortified and unwilling to meet the gazes of those that she knew were standing around, wondering just what on earth had happened. Waiting for an explanation that she was not yet ready to give.

She raised her head at the feel of a warm hand on her shoulder, and found herself staring into Galahad's blue eyes. Instead of the questions she expected to see there however, she saw only concern and a fierce love. She offered him up a sheepish, watery smile and wiped her tear streaked face with an unsteady hand, then grasped his tentatively in her own.

She glanced back up at Gwyn and at his reassuring nod and smile, allowed Galahad to help her to her feet and into his embrace, where she wrapped her arms around his neck and fiercely returned his hug, her worries and reservations melting away to nothingness.

"I am sorry! I am so, so sorry!"

Galahad cupped her face in his calloused hands, and gently wiped away the tears that continued to silently fall, leaving pale streaks down her dusty cheeks. He stared lovingly into the pale depths of his 'baby' sister's eyes, he was a whole five minutes older, and smiled gently.

"You have nothing to be sorry for my dear sweet Brenna. All is well, we are merely happy that you were not harmed. I am the one who has acted like a complete fool. I've let my jealous temper take over, when I should have been praising the Gods that you are here. . and alive. Can you ever forgive your fool of a brother?"

Brenna sighed tremulously and a shaky laugh escaped her lips, as she nodded, then dropped her gaze and slid her arms from around his neck. She began to fiddle nervously with the ties on Galahad's cloak, as she posed the question she'd dreaded asking.

"I suppose you would like to know what that was all about?"

He shook his head, dark curls shining in the torchlight, as he brushed Brenna's own off her forehead and placed a soft kiss there.

"There will be time enough for that later, when you are ready. I must apologize for trying to force an answer from you earlier today. I had no idea that whatever had happened to you would affect you so."

He sighed and tipped her chin up so that she would meet his gaze once more.

"I truly am happy just to have you in my arms and in my life again. Everything else can wait."

Brenna breathed a sigh, as she searched his silver blue orbs and saw only truth there.

"Thank you."

That said, she let her head drop tiredly against his chest in relief. Happy that, for a little while longer at least, she could keep her secrets.

Galahad wrapped his arms securely around Brenna's body and rested his chin on her head. He breathed deeply of her scent and smiled as he closed his eyes and simply held her.

Reveling in the feeling of their two hearts beating together as one once again. Whatever problems lay ahead, he knew that together they would conquer them, and for now. . .if only for this one moment in time. . . the world was as it is should be.

Just he and Brenna. .

Together.

A/N - Well there you have it, what did you think? Was it okay? I'm really hoping that this chapter was as much fun to read as it was to write! I also hope that you don't think it was TOO out of character for Arthur to act the way he did, but it suited my purposes and that IS the point of artistic license right? Ah well, I'm rambling again aren't I? -blushes and grins sheepishly- I am sorry that it is so short, I had to cut it off here though, or else it would not flow right. The next one will be much longer, so don't worry. -grins- Hehehe, I'm getting into the fun chapters soon, starting a bit in the next. .Mwahaha! I'm very excited to get on with them! Sooo please review and let me know what you thought! I've already started chapter eleven, so the more encouragement I get. . . . .

I would also like to take a moment to thank ALL of my lovely reviewers once more! You are a great encouragement to me and for that I thank you eternally! Your choice of a chocolate covered knight for everyone! I hope you all received your reviewer replies, if not let me know okay!

And a VERY special thanks to DirrtyXtina87, TLH, LadyOfThieves, and Ms Genova for your continued support and encouragement. . It means the world to me! You are all wonderful. . And fantastic writers yourselves! I LOVE YOU ALL!