Standard Disclaimer still applies and will always apply; King Arthur and all that is related to the legends and movie are so not mine. It'd be great though. Ah well, stuff you don't recognize, like the ideas and such, yeah that's mine. Anyways onto "Blood Heritage"

I can't believe how ungrateful I sounded last chapter; I forgot to say thanks to my wonderful reviewers. But I will take a brief moment to say thanks to all my reviewers they keep me happy and I think more when I get stuff from you.

A/N: some notes -actions during speech- "speech" 'thoughts'

(A/N: First POV… I haven't done this in a while!)

I groaned into Gawain's shoulder. Gawd damn sentry duty sucks out loud! After two days of travel and guard duty, I AM EXHAUSTED! Why oh bloody fuckin' why did I jump in to save Gawain and Lancelot's asses. Albeit they are very nice, tight, sexy… no bad girl very, very bad! Bad girl not good thoughts must refrain from any and all such thoughts related to shagging any of these sexy knights... Damn I did it again!

As I was mentally berating myself for the impurest of thoughts, I barely noticed that Gawain was enjoying the play of expressions on my face… that is until he laughed.

"What's so funny?" I glared at him. His laughter subsides into chuckles before he answers.

"You are, dear angel." Okay I'll admit it, my glare turned to a scowl, I hate pet names! And I sure as hell ain't no angel, angels are pure, innocent, perfect and no fun! I don't count as one... so I smacked him over the head. Then I shivered from the cold, have I mentioned I hate sentry duty?

"Roxie, come here," Gawain pulled me into his chest… I felt myself blush… OH GAAD WHY?

"What're you doin', man? Tryin ta cop a feel? What'd I say 'bout personal space?" I say trying to push away the good-humored knight; I thank my stars that the only light is from the moon so he can't see the blush in my cheeks. He chuckled again before he releases me.

Sentry duty really sucks; I've reiterated this in my head over and over. I scoot a little ways from Gawain to stare in the distance, men are distractions. Even if they are sexy distractions, they are distractions and rather unnecessary distractions. ACH! Too many distractions. Sentry duty sucks.

We were back on the road to the wall again and I was lightly dozing on my mare. My head lay on her neck as I leaned forward hugging the blessed animal. Truth, I hate horseback riding with the unbridled fiery passion of a thousand red angry suns, and it smells. Truth, but I love my Starblaze enough to outweigh that hate. Truth, if those knights don't shut the fuck up in the next nanosecond, I gonna remove what makes them men just to see how high they can sing.

"Shut up!" I mumbled... damn I'm so tired my threats come out like moans. I heard one of them ride closer to me, Galahad. Ugh… I need Starbucks.

"Roxie, are you unwell?" He leaned down to my level; I could feel his warm breath on my cheek.

In normal circumstances I would demand that he'd get a fuckin' breath mint, but since I've met them I've been please to find that they all chew on mint leaves, so yay no funky breath amongst these guys or rotten teeth... other men on the other hand... yeah getting back to this reality.

"Whaddyathink!" I groaned into Starblaze's neck, she nickered and shook her head. Damn horse can't be a little sympathetic! I leaned back and glared at Galahad. "I've had the fuckin' sentry duty for the past two gawd damned days, and no sleep since then. How the fuck do you think I fuckin' feel?"

"Fresh like roses and beautiful as gems," Lancelot supplied behind me.

"Yeeaahh... no. Roses? Much much too common m'dear, and gems? Geez, you know that in third world countries people get their limbs cut off if they don't fill a quota of such and such gems! Gems are evil, Lancelot." Ugh, he didn't get it. I wrinkled my nose and rode back to the wagon where I slept alongside Guinevere and Lucan.

"Hi Guin." I smiled at the Woad in the front of the cart. The Woad smiled at me but went back to the story she was telling Lucan. Hoofbeats coming towards me sounded, and I groaned as I looked up to see Lancelot riding up. "What do you want?"

He handed me a branch of red berries. "For you." My brow rose as I regarded him thoughtfully. "It's not from me; the children asked that I give these to you. –I stare pointedly at him- I'm serious."

"Uh-huh." I replied continuing to see if I can see through him. He merely grins and continues to offer me the branch of red berries.

"Ugh… bite me Lancelot. The whole you an' me thing, yeah. Ain't gonna happen." I growled rolling my eyes.

"Gladly," He said riding up beside me, snaking his arm around my waist and then pulling me into his saddle. Okay, firstly damn he's fucking fast, secondly damn he's fucking good and thirdly… well thirdly didn't come because he started to nibble and graze his teeth on my neck. "You taste wonderfully," he smirked against my skin with a lingering lick.

"Getoffame!" I tried to roar as I pushed him away. Successfully I managed to unhorse the man and I gave a cheer above him as he sat dejectedly in the muck, the rest of the knights laughed with me. Clicking my tongue for Starblaze, I swung myself back onto my mount's back and ride over to the wagon with Dagonet. I've really gotta talk to him about Connor's wallet.

We passed by the horrible wreckage of another village. My stomach turned and my blood was boiling. Damn those Saxon Bastards. Cerdic and Cynric will pay for this, if it is the last thing on this earth I do, I will take them down.

"Saxons." Arthur stated the obvious, but I was too in my own world to realize it. In my mind I was planning the deaths of the Saxon leaders. It would be sweet and bloody and… I noticed Tristan send out his hawk, I gotta ask him about that bird later. The other knights dispersed and I was left with the wagon and Lancelot. Lancelot and his cheeky grin.

"'Tis a beautiful country is it not?" Guinevere stated suddenly. Both Lancelot and I looked back at her. I don't think I've ever heard her address him. Oh no, what if it's starting already? Mayday! Mayday!

"If you say so." Lancelot replied.

"And where do you come from that compares? The Black Sea? This is heaven for me." Guinevere continued. I gotta think of something quick, but the two of them were completely ignoring my presence. Again this is soooo not good.

Lancelot momentarily frowned, "I do not believe in heaven. I have been living in this hell." His cheeky, smart ass albeit very sexy grin returned, "But if you represent what heaven is, then take me there."

"I knew it!" I exclaimed getting both their attentions. Score one for me! "A woman tries to have a decent conversation wit you and whaddya do? Hit on her! Geez, Lancey have you no shame?"

Lancelot merely smirked at me as rain and snow began to fall from the sky. Closing his eyes, he let the rain and snow fall onto his hands. "Rain and snow at once… A bad omen."

"Pft. Says you." I retorted to his retreating back. Again with the mock hurt, what a dork.

We stopped again that night and honestly my ass and back have never been so sore… well except that one night with Connor… Ahem. Anyway, after helping everybody set up camp again, I thought this to be the best time to take my ancestor up on that spar match. I found Tristan alone by his own fire some distance away from everybody else affectionately stroking his hawk. Quietly I strode over to the scout, and bent down to face him at eye level.

"Hi," I smiled, his eyes bore deeply into my own; any normal person would be unnerved by my ancestor, I'm not… I mean damn I'm related to him I can't be scared of him. It's funny how fate is, this man… this god awfully gorgeous, handsome, sexy man in front of me is the father of my family. The fates are so cruel.

"Is there something you needed?" He asked me before turning back to his hawk. The bird regards me for a moment and I do the same before tentatively reaching my hand out to stroke the animal. "Careful, she does not trust easily." I pull back and stare at Tristan.

"Then I guess I shouldn't eh? But she's beautiful… how'd she get to you?" I tucked my arms under my stomach as I sit next to him staring enjoying the staring contest with his hawk. He didn't answer… touchy subject maybe?

The bird cocked her head and I followed the action, earning a slight chuckle from Tristan. Then we had a staring contest… well I started to stare at the bird and it stared back at me, for some reason I was avoiding conversation with Tristan, I mean I came over to talk to him and get to know him or convince him to get married so I could be born, but I was compelled to stare at that damn bird!

"Tristan? You don't trust me much do ya?" I asked after losing to the damned bird… I'm gonna roast that fowl and have some Mongolian Barbeque! As if she read my thoughts, Tristan's bird took flight. Damn.

"No." he replied shortly.

"Good." I smirked as I noticed the surprise that briefly flashed past his eyes.

"What?"

"Oh… no reason. Just curious s'all." I replied, the moments of silence seemed to stretch and I soon found myself uncomfortable under his scrutiny. "Okay, well good night; don't let the bed bugs bite." I say hurriedly trying to get up, but a strong hand clasps my wrist and I am pulled back down to my former seat with Tristan's gaze full on me.

"Tell me."

"Tell you what?"

"Why is it good I do not trust you?" I'm about to reply 'no reason' but his grip on my wrist made me stop. Normally I can get out of the hold simply and he knows it… I stared into those dark inky depths… funny, my da' had dark eyes like them. Now I know we're related. I exhaled annoyed.

"Well, if everybody trusted me, then what's the likelihood I won't try ta murder ya in your sleep. –he stares pointedly- Kidding. But that's not the point. My point is that earning trust is worth more than being handed it. There are very few people in this world I trust and have earned that trust whole-heartedly. We're kindred spirits you and I, y'know. I don't trust easy and you don't either." Skillfully, I twisted from him to stand, "When're we gonna spar? I'm more'n well enough." He grinned for a moment and picked up his scabbard.

"Gareth! Gareth! The pretty lady is gonna fight the hawk man!" Sarah ran towards the group of children that came with us. Tristan and I are standing in a circle created by a few wagons and onlookers curious about the outcome. Jols is about to hand me my naginata when the children join the circle, smiling I crouch down to Gareth and Sarah, apparently the ring leaders.

"Hullo, what're you doin' here?"

"We came ta watch the pretty lady fight the hawk man," a little redhead said in the back. I looked over at Guinevere, then back at the children.

"Umm that's not true, I'm the one sparring with Tristan… not Guinevere," I replied. The children start laughing, okay I'm confused.

"Roxie, I believe they mean you are their 'pretty lady' not the Lady Guinevere," Arthur chuckled towering over me. Pretty Lady? I'm not so sure I'm comfortable with being called that, and why would Arthur suggest something like that? Before I say anything, I hear Tristan draw his sword and I straighten up.

"Choose your weapon."

Jols offers my naginata, but I shake my head and approach the brood of children again. "Sarah, that's a very pretty ribbon, may I borrow it for a little while?" She nods enthusiastically and pulls the dirty three foot ribbon from her hair then hands it to me.

"Yeh must be daft girl, a ribbon against a blade?" Bors stated as Tristan and I circle each other.

"Really Bors, don'tcha know that almost anything can be a weapon, from a pin to a mere tea cup?" I retorted, "Lancelot, you're gambling man, wanna bet I can disarm our darlin' scout in five or less moves?"

"Woman, you speak daftly, Tristan is a skilled killer, it would be impossible to disarm him. You do it and I will be your humble slave," Lancelot joked salaciously, "When you do not, you shall be mine… and I prefer my slaves dressed appropriately." I noticed how dangerous his eyes seemed. Yet, it was something very familiar, like I felt that way at some point. But now was not the time to play psychoanalyst.

"Hey, I want in on this bet. I will put ten gold on Tristan." Galahad stated confidently. Gawain bet on me as did Guin. A few villagers bet on the scout while he and I shared a look. Dagonet and Bors made a little bet between themselves and Bors chortled loudly, what he said I have no clue.

I watched him hold out his sword gracefully to the side ready, but the pink ribbon hung limply between my fingers. I closed my eyes briefly and took in a breath as a cool breeze billowed at my cloak and ribbon. I could hear some of the knights tease me for taking in that breath, but I'm not fazed. We continued to circle one another gauging each other's strengths, looking for an opening.

I kissed the air at Tristan taunting him and could hear Guinevere giggle at my antics, this is it. I gripped the ribbon tightly anticipating his attack; Tristan quickly lunged straight at me, but at the last moment feinted to my right. Nice trick, I managed to twist left while snapping the ribbon to curl tightly around his right wrist.

"One!" Guinevere counted cheerfully the children cheered as well. Not yet Guin, that's only one move and I got four more. Grinning, I winked at the surprised scout before twist his arm behind him while kicking the back of his knees forcing him to the snowy ground. Poor guy grunts and I could see the angry amusement in his eyes.

"Two!" The little brood's voices called out gleefully.

Tristan quickly grasped his sword in his left and hit my jaw with the hilt forcing me to loosen my grip and stumble back. Alright this is getting fun! Rubbing my jaw I sweep up the dropped ribbon, if this thing gets any dirtier I'm gonna have to buy Sarah a new one. Changing my fighting stance I hold the ribbon tightly between my hands in a Jiu Jitsu fighting position.

Tristan got up again, his sword in front of him ready and looking deadly… not to mention so incredibly sexy… no, no, bad thought, bad thought. Stop it with the Sex thoughts and get back to the fight!

He must have noticed I was a little distracted because he used it as an opening, bringing his blade into an arch to slice at me. I narrowly miss it by dropping to the ground before doing a kick up into Tristan's gut forcing him back and away.

"Three!" Gawain joined in with the little ones, it was so cute I almost grinned. I snapped the ribbon again, this time on his left so that I could spin into his chest allowing me high kick his sword from his right. His sword flew into the air and stuck in the snow, Tristan looked at me incredulously and I grinned before placing a light kiss on the tip of his nose.

"Four!" My cheer squad called out. I may have disarmed him, but I have yet to win. Time to end this, Tristan tries to bear hug me and almost succeeds! Ow, ow, ow, ow, my ribs. Think quick girl! I wrap one leg around his and force him to trip and release my arms, we fall to the ground and I'm straddling his stomach as I hold the ribbon tightly against his neck.

"Five. Yield?" I ask the man underneath me softly. The scout nodded slightly, shit, I'm in trouble… wait was that a smile? I actually got a smile from the dark and silent scout! Woo hoo brownie points, cookies for everyone. I helped Tristan up before I started laughing at Galahad's disgruntled mutterings.

"Tristan, you just lost me 20 gold! You're supposed to be the best!" the young knight lamented.

"What did you expect from a member of my family?" Tristan stated his face as impassive as though he hadn't just lost. I felt so proud… I leaned into the arm around my shoulders and giggled as I watched him dole out the gold pieces to Gawain and Guinevere.

"The pretty lady won! The pretty lady won!" The little brood chanted as they surrounded me, and pulled me down into their hugs and child kisses. I couldn't help but laugh as they bestowed the same treatment to Guinevere and Gawain.

(A/N: Third person POV again…)

The crowd dispersed leaving the knights and the crowd of children crawling over Roxie, Guinevere and Gawain. It was the first time that any of the knights ever heard her really laugh, it was not light and musical nor rough and hearty; it was one that begged to feel pure joy and happiness. Soon Gawain and Guinevere managed to get away from the gaggle of children who returned their attentions to the assassin.

It wasn't until Lancelot scooped Roxie in his arms and started walking off did they see how she gasped for breath.

"Whaddya doin' Lancelot?"

"I am but your humble slave Roxie. I am yours to command," he grinned impishly as he bowed low after placing her on her feet.

"Ooohhh!" the children cooed at the two. Rolling her eyes, she lifted his chin to look in his eyes.

"You are a slave to no one; I release you from our bet." Her voice was soft and her eyes were sad as though she knew something deeper to the words she spoke. Walking off, the children ran to follow her and argued over who would walk with her.

Sometime later, Roxie was sitting in a tree overlooking the camp; she wanted to avoid everyone after the little spar session with Tristan. And taking coverage in the foliage seemed like the best idea to get away from prying eyes and flapping lips. Roxie sighed to herself; Guinevere had asked her to come with her in the forest later that night for some reason. However, right now the Woad was having her wounds attended to by Fuliciana but Roxie was in no mood to talk with the Roman so she escaped to the height of the trees.

Tristan watched the young assassin lazily settle in the trees, for a moment he was bitterly reminded of the Woads and their ways of hiding in the forests. He couldn't be sore at her for "kicking his butt" as she would say, he was actually proud she was of his line. The little spitfire as Bors took a liking to call her, was more than he could ever want in a woman, if only she were not related to him.

Roxie stared into the distance through the leaves the moon looked lovely as did the stars, it was cold, but she did not wish to join Fuliciana and Guinevere in the wagon or anybody near the fires, so she resigned herself to the safety of the trees. Arthur would be sending Lancelot, Gawain and herself on sentry duty again soon, 'I hate sentry duty.' She thought bitterly until something interesting caught her eye. Lancelot stood beneath the tree she sat in, transfixed on something. Deciding to investigate, Roxie lowered herself to one of the lower branches to see that Guinevere was getting cleaned by Fuliciana and through the thin canvas material, every curve and movement of the Woad could be seen with the help of the flickering candlelight. Roxie looked back down at Lancelot.

"You perv." Roxie accused hanging from the lowest branch by her knees. Lancelot looked at her startled.

"What?"

"You are a pervert. Don'tcha know it's impolite to watch a woman bathe without her permission… it is also against the law in certain places." Roxie reiterated slipping down from the branch fluidly. Lancelot watched her movements in awe; she was graceful and beautiful and had something in her that was much like the darkness he knew that was hidden in him. She was his kindred spirit.

"I was…"

"Sure you were," Roxie cut him off with a wave of her hand, silence reined for a few minutes, Roxie began humming and doing a little side to side rock.

"What do you sing?"

"I'm not singin'."

"What do you call it then if not singing?"

"It's called hummin' and rockin'."

"Then what do you hum?"

"You wanna know?"

"Did I not ask?"

Roxie stuck out her tongue and Lancelot moved into capture it. "EW! Don't do that!"

"I do nothing, my lady." Roxie pushed him away. He put a hand over his heart, "How cruelly you treat me, Roxie. I thought we were friends."

"Not friends with benefits, so quit."

"But I like the benefits," He came up behind her.

"Oh look, show's over." Roxie grinned then went back to humming. "You really liikke her, you think she's gorrrge-ous, you wanna huuuugg her, you wanna daaaatee her…" (A/N: I don't remember the words to the song, if anybody does, email me and I'll put it up. It's from Miss Congeniality) She started to sing as she walked away before quietly doubling back to hide from Arthur in her tree. In the distance Tristan chuckled at her antics before stopping and returning his gaze to the sky.

Lancelot sat under the tree for sentry duty, Roxie had him questioning himself. True he did have some feelings for the futuristic assassin, but with the appearance of Guinevere came a new want. He was fingering the trinket he received from his younger sister when he left Sarmatia. It was so strange that he would soon fulfill his promise to return to Sarmatia when many of his fellow knights could not. A crunch in the snow drew his attention to see Guinevere dress and standing near him.

"What was it like, your home?" Guinevere asked the dark knight. From above in the foliage, Roxie watched the two people talk. And she was not pleased, but try as she might, the words they spoke escaped her ears. Soon, Guinevere seemed to walk away defeated; Roxie almost felt bad, but then remembered the stories of King Arthur. What were her options? Let the legend take its course where Arthur's fall happens when those two get together? Or nip it in the bud? And how would she even do that? No way was she going to get involved with Lancelot, firstly it would be for the wrong reasons and regardless of how much of a dork he was, nobody deserves to be strung along like that. He's got a lot of issues, just like Roxie did and to add insult to injury would be cruel. She may be a hired assassin, but that did not mean she was heartless always. Roxie pondered this as Arthur was calling for her down below, 'Oh right, SENTRY DUTY…'

"Roxie..." Guinevere whispered in the dark. Roxie mumbled in her sleep something about a pink furry goldfish stealing her money then turned over. Guinevere gently shook her friend and whispered her name again. "Roxie, get up it is time."

"No Mum, the last cookie was for the rabid chicken bear..." Guinevere stared at her friend curiously before shaking her again, more roughly. Roxie tried to slap Guinevere's hand away, but the Woad shook the assassin again.

"What?" Roxie growled at the Woad.

"It is time to go, come." Guinevere passed Roxie a cloak, Roxie looked puzzled for a moment then nodded and followed the Woad silently out the wagon into the dark forest.

"You know my name? My real name?"

"Yes child and I know why my daughter thought you should seek me," the old man replied calmly.

"Then what is it?" She asked. He told her and said she must keep it safe because there were forces that would use her name against her in her time and this one. Until her task was done, she could not reveal it to anyone.

"Okay… fine. I won't forget."

"You have more questions; I can answer a small few."

"Alright, why'm I here and what'm I s'posed to do?"

"You have the dreams child; they will aid you and guide your course. That is all I can tell you without tempting the Fates' wrath…" Merlin said calmly.

"Okay… I guess I can live with that. Next question, I've been finding things that I can explain why I have them. Like yesterday, I found a pack of Starbursts©. I know for a fact that I didn't have that in my pockets when I cam here. Honestly I've been craving that yummy fruity goodness, but it wasn't there before. The only things I do remember having were my iPod and Connor's wallet, why is there a pack of Starbursts?"

"I cannot explain in full detail, but it is the Fates' will that there are ties to your time… it will be light soon. There will be many concerned for you." The old Woad embrace Guinevere and kissed her hair, then turned to Roxie with his arms outstretched, Roxie stared at him warily then looked at Guinevere who simply nodded. Roxie tentatively took a step into the old man's embrace as he spoke some words she didn't understand in her ear before kissing her cheeks, his rough beard scratching her skin.

"You have been given a gift child, but it came at a high price. Why you were chosen, I know not, but seek me out should you need my counsel." With that he faded into the trees.

Well? This one was a little bit more difficult to write. Why? I really don't know. Thanks to my reviewers and most importantly to TRACY 137, for all your help. I feel much more confident now… well just a little bit. Anyways, I thrive on reviews, so the more reviews I get the more likely I'm going to get my story out faster.