Note: Thanks for the reviews! I have never had so many on the first chapter, it gives me hope. Ok, so I have been messing with the way that I am actually going to tell the story. To write the entire story like the prologue proves to be diffucult to continue on writing and I fear it might be a bit confusing in some points. So let me know how you like this format for the actual tale. Thanks.

"I can see why Father liked him so; he is a very noble man. If I had been born a boy, I would have chosen to be like him…"

Written about Arthur by Alexandrea in her journal

I sit in the carriage. To my luck there were two carriages waiting when we docked; one for me and one for the Bishop. I would have died if I had to share a carriage for three days with the Bishop. I watch the green scenery slip past me through the small window in my carriage. Britain is a rather beautiful country, perhaps I can grow to like it here.

My mind wanders to other matters, such as what Father is doing at this precise moment. I hope he's well. I wonder about my future husband. Would he be a man worth marrying like Father? If I had things my way I would not marry at all but we women do not really have a choice on that matter.

After a few days of riding in silence, we finally reach a fort and a wall. Hadrian's Wall, the place where one life will end and another begin. We stop at the fort and are met by the resident knight-commander.

"Artorious, the image of your father," the Bishop greets the man.

The man bows and says, "I trust you had a safe journey Bishop Germanius."

"Quite safe."

"How may I be of service?" I look at the Bishop through a crack in the curtain. He smiles at the man and walks out of my view. I turn my gaze and see the man he speaks to. As I inspect his face, I realize that this is Father's Arthur. I take a closer look at him. He is not very handsome, but there is something about him that draws one's eye to him.

"I will be in need your services as escort to this train to the home of Marius Honorius."

"What might it be that we are escorting, if I'm at liberty to ask."

The Bishop pauses, as if to debating wither or not he can trust him. He decides to trust him, for the door opens and a hand reaches in to help me out of the carriage. Clumsily, I fall out of the carriage. "This lady is on her way to the home of her betrothed, Alecto Honorius, the Pope's favorite godson." I curtsy and bow my head as mother taught me to do whenever in public, it is a good way to be mistaken as shy when one did not wish to be confronted.

"Milady," the man says and bows. I steal a look at him. He is tall and serious. I can see Father in him, the set chin, determined look. He defiantly spent time with Father when he was here.

After a few more minutes of talking, Arthur leads us into the fort. I follow behind him and the Bishop, trying to hide in the shadows and blend in with my surroundings. I listen to their discussion, but I pretend not to have the slightest clue to what they are talking about. Apparently, the Bishop will not be accompanying me to Marius Honorius' and instead he will be returning to Rome. He tells Arthur he has great faith in him and knows that he shall take care of me well.

My heart soars at the news. I would finally be free of my enemy's grasp to do as I please. Not that I could actually do anything, but the thought of not seeing the Bishop for a long time does brighten things up. We come to a room where there is a round table and ten-odd-some knights sitting around it. The Bishop shock is apparent and I smile for I find that I thoroughly enjoy any discomfort the Bishop suffers.

As we enter, all the knights stand up. The Bishop seems pleased with that, but I have a feeling they were not rising for his benefit. All eyes turn to me as I enter the room. I bow my head and curtsy. They bow in return. Until now, I had been completely forgotten by the Bishop. He turns to me and pulls me forward. A servant pulls a chair back for me and I sit down. The knights' gaze still hasn't let me. I feel a bit embarrassed, for I do not like having people look at me. At home, I could go for days unnoticed and it was glorious for when one is not noticed one can to numerous things that would have otherwise been prohibited.

The Bishop notices the knights' attention and tries his best to take it away, for he is not about to be overshadowed by the traitorous daughter of a witch. "Arthur's knights, it is an honor to meet you," he starts. Arthur clears his throat which signals his knights to pay attention to the Bishop. The Bishop is pleased and continues, "The Pope hears a great many things about you and prays for your souls each holyday." The knights give him a curt nod, but it is easy to tell they are not impressed at the mention of the Pope. Most of them are probably not Christian and saw the Pope as the man that enslaved them.

The Bishop drones on. Mainly about how glorious the Church is. His audience is lost at the name of Christ and soon he is just talking to himself, for the knights seem to have just tuned him out. After a while, he realizes that he's audience is lost and ends his sermon. He turns to Arthur and says, "I have many things I must discuss with you. Is there some place where we can speak in private?"

"Yes, Bishop, my quarters will serve well."

"Good, and about the lady…"

"Fear not Bishop, my men shall keep a close eye on her and make sure no harm comes to her while we have our discussion."

The Bishop looks at the knights, "Are you sure they are trustworthy?"

"Bishop, I would trust these men with my life."

"No offence, but a pretty woman can bring out the worst in men. Beauty in women is a sin and should be punished for it corrupts men."

"Have no fear for her virtue. My men would never take advantage of a lady."

The Bishop takes one last look at the knights before he follows Arthur out of the room. I find myself in a room with ten knights staring at me. I look at them and say, "Hello." I receive silence as an answer. "I'm Alexandrea," I continue. Silence.

Finally, one of the knights reply, "Hello, milady, I'm Sir Gawain."

"Hello."

"I'm Sir Galahad."

"I'm Bors and this hears Dagonet." All the knights give their names and I nod at them. I run their names through my mind: Gawain, Galahad, Bors, Dagonet, Lancelot, Tristan, Liam, Kently, Kay, and Connor.

"It is an honor to meet you," I say nicely, like the court ladies in Rome. I wonder how long my lady act can last. Mother always said I would never make a lady and I could only pretend to be one for so long before my charade is found out. I keep reminding myself that I must behave or else the Bishop might decide to continue on the journey with me and I do not want that to happen.

There is very little talk after we introduce ourselves, and we sit in an uncomfortable silence. The knights are on one half of the circle and I sit alone directly across from them. They whisper and murmur among themselves, but none of them address me. Finally, after what seems like hours, the Bishop and Arthur return and the final arrangements are made. Arthur would take his knights and escort me to my new home while the Roman soldiers supplied so far would return with the Bishop to Rome.

That night, the Bishop receives Arthur's quarters and I am directed to another, smaller room. As I prepare for sleep I wonder which knight usually occupies this room. I climb into the bed and sigh. I have no idea what lies ahead of me, and I pray that the Fates will be kind in their fate for me.