Standard Disclaimer still applies and will always apply. Poetic license galore.

Hi all, this is my little interlude thing while I still work on the story line for "Blood Heritage" I'm really pleased on the feedback I'm getting for the story. Some parts of this interlude happen before the next few chapters, but you'll get the point. It's just about Arthur's thoughts for now. BUT I need some suggestions on the crazy stunts Guinevere and Roxie would pull so until I can think of something I'll just write an interlude.

Interlude – Arthur's thoughts
I watched her, the woman is a mystery to me... when I first met her, I found her to be... what's the word... cute. She was another "damsel in distress" as she would put it. In truth that was how I thought her at first, another unfortunate soul the Lord God put in my path to help. I would not deny her aid and I did not. But when I saw her fight off Woads so skillfully, my intrigue peaked, she was more than someone in need of aid. I found myself drawn to her, I found I could trust her and believe anything she said. If she said that eggs fell from the sky I would wait outside with a basket. If she said intelligence came from flowers, I would have her braid numerous posies in my hair. Simply put, I was under her spell without realization. I believe that all of my men were entranced by her in some way when she fell into our lives that day we were to be released. How strange it was, that the great Sarmatian Knights were under the thumb of a woman. But she, oh she, would treat us equally and love us equally; that much about her I am sure.

When she revealed her identity to me, I was shocked to say the least. Who would have thought that this gorgeous, kind, humorous, and charismatic woman was one of the top killers in the known world? I truly did not think so, and neither did any of the men when she told them. But I stray from the path which I thought to take. To put it simply my affections for this young woman have grown... they have grown into something I have never felt before in my life. Could it be love?

After the day we had released her from the torture chambers of Marius Honorius, I was ill with worry on her well being more so than I should have been. But I refused to let her see my anxiety, although I am sure she knew and tried not to let on her knowledge. That is how she is; concerned for others she distressed herself so much because she feared to have failed me. I could not and would not allow for it, but she still felt that way.

"Is something wrong?" I asked her one day, she smiled at me. Her smile… she makes you feel like the only one meant to see that beautiful smile.

"No… not really, just thinkin' y'know." I watched her finger a small raggedy doll with her delicate fingers. Those fingers were not those of a skilled warrior, nor those of an assassin; but of a beautiful young woman, kind and gentle. I asked her what she was thinking about. Her musical laughter rang out and she shook her raven hair, the red that graced those strands were faded. "I was just thinkin' 'bout my mother. Y'know, when I was real little I was scared of everything, so she made me a little sock monkey to keep me company when I slept… I had it with me the night they died and it was the only thing I remember keeping safe…" her eyes were sad. Seeing the heartbreaking look in her eyes made me want to take her in my arms, comfort her and spend the rest of my life worshipping her to show that she was loved.

Did I just think that? I realized when she told me about that… sock monkey… I did love her. She was like the sun, moon, and stars in my world; I felt like God had given her to me to make everything well once I was released from my service to my blessed Rome. I felt like she gave me more meaning to survive just for her.

I could not just take her to my bed, she is much too good for that, despite everything she has done; she is pure and innocent. I am pleased none of the other knights have taken her to their beds and that she has even turned down the offers of my best friend.

I watched her struggle to tell the children what love was and what being in love was. Her eyes glazed with a sadness I only wished to kiss and love away.

"Being in love… it's more of a feeling I guess. You feel like when you're with that person you could do anything and nothing at the same time, like you are invincible and vulnerable all at once. You feel like you're over the moon and under the ocean, your heart is full when that person is near and empty when they are gone. You feel like you can't eat, think, sleep, walk, talk if they are not with you. You're world is upside down and right side up, in your mind you're doing flips and anything is possible with just you and that one person you are in love with. Being in love is really just about how you feel, what being around that person makes you feel." She explained. If only she knew what she did to me, how the walls around my heart would crumble in her presence.

When the fight broke out, she tried to take the blame for the men, saying she was responsible. Her stunning hazel eyes defiant of my authority, she pierced into my soul with those eyes. My men tried coming to her rescue, but she waved them off and apologized. I gave the firm air of no nonsense, but inside I felt that I could not let anything happen to her, inside I would not punish this heavenly creature.

"Alright, until I find suitable punishment for all of your behavior, sentry duty for all of you. After Dagonet tends to your wounds, you three will relieve Galahad and Bors of duty until we reach the wall." The three look down, but her silent form wretched my heart. To distract myself, I looked at the other woman; pretty, yes, defiant, very, intelligent, quite… her, no.

"Hey, Arthur!" How I love the way my name rolls off her tongue, "C'mere and check this out!" That time she showed me a modification she made to the Saxon crossbow she and Tristan had taken after dispatching a scouting party. When she left, I feared for her and prayed to God Almighty that she was safe for I could not see a future without this angel.

She loads the weapon skillfully and aims it to a target marked nearly 50 yards away where Galahad stands. Pulling the trigger she explains how it would load four bolts and it was very impressive. Galahad waves a red cloth to signal a direct hit and she cheers. I smiled for her; she looks at me proudly and asks my opinion.

"Impressive, is it not heavy?"

"What's with you? You seem distracted." She brushed off my question, "Something's wrong, isn't there?" I shake me head and smile for her. "There's the Arthur I like to see, smile more you're more handsome that way." She tells me as she takes off jumping and cheering to Galahad. I am handsome to her, I love her. I will be jealous of the man that wins her heart; I fear it may be one of my fellow knights… Tristan and Bors are out of the question, one was related the other attached and old. Yet, the way the others seem to pine for her, I noticed I am the same way.

She smiled at me again… I felt myself melt in her radiance. I take time everyday I see her to take in her features, drinking in her vivacity with every fiber of my being, her curves, her eyes, her smile, her voice, her beauty, wit and fire… one day I will tell her, I will tell her how I have fallen in love with her. One day I will say, "Roxie, I am in love with you."

Roxie…

So what'd you think? Should I put another one in? I know Roxie seems a little Mary-Sue-ish and Arthur is a little OOC-ish (as soon as I figure out what that means) but I was trying to get into his head and capture his more romantic side. Please don't cyber-kill me. I'm almost done with chapter nine. And it'll be up soon. I promise!