When her bath was finished, Emogen felt thousands of times better. Lady Fulucina had been wonderful. She cleaned every bump and bruise tenderly and for a time, she felt like a child being cared for by her loving mother. She sighed. She had not seen her mother in many years. She wasn't even sure if her mother was alive or not. She shook her head. Now was not the time for depressing memories! She had just escaped Hell and had a cute suitor waiting for her-she hoped. She tugged anxiously at the Roman styled dress Lady Fulucina had given to her. It was beautiful. But she felt awkward in it. The Roman noble had assured her it made her look divine, but she wasn't too sure. After all, she wasn't some blushing flower. But the reluctant wife of Marius Honourius said that the emerald green of the dress brought out the pure green in her own eyes and she silently went along with it. She wasn't up for an argument. She just wanted food, some nice company, and a good night's rest.
She wandered through the large group of people, and smiled when she found the Knights surrounding a fire. All but one was there. She was about to go up to them, when Guinevere grabbed her arm and pulled her sharply into the coverage of the trees. Emogen glared at her and silently asked why she did that.
Guinevere shifted awkwardly in her blue Roman styled dress and said, "You are to friendly with our enemy, cousin. Lancelot had helped you-I understand that. I feel a certain obligation to Arthur for helping me, but I am not flirting so with him. It is time you've outgrown your crush on him-don't you think?"
"Guinevere! When will you get it! They are free now! They do not have to be our enemy? They have never BEEN our enemy! Rome has! Why can't you keep that straight! I don't like war and I don't like fighting! If I can make new friends and allies, I shall! Uncle Merlin agrees with me! Hell! He's the one who taught me that the Knights are great men and deserve our utmost respect! He taught you too! I'm not a Lady of War like you cousin. I'm a Lady of Peace! Let me do what I do best! Please!" She pleaded with her mother's niece and sighed in relief when the brown-hared woman released her.
She made her way up to them and smiled. They looked up at her and her three Healers smiled in welcome. The Roman leader nodded in greetings. The large bald man and the youngest still looked at her warily, but welcomed her nonetheless.
"Here lass, you look like you need a bit of meat on you." Said the large man as he passed her a plate filled with meat and raw vegetables.
She smiled slightly at him and said, "Thank you, I agree. It's not like Marius gave us food down in that place."
All the Knights winced at that and the youngest one's, whom she did not know, eyes glittered in respect. She smiled. She'd win him over soon enough.
As she ate, she asked, "So, I know Arthur Castus, Commander of the Legendary Sarmatian Knights, the half Briton-half Roman who chose Rome and the Compassionate One. I know Lancelot, his Second-n-Command, the Twin Sword Master, and the Handsome Charmer. I know Dagonet, the Healer and the Gentle One and I know Gawain, the Twin Axe Master and the Sensitive One. Lastly, there is Tristran, the Scout and the Silent One. Who are the others?"
Lancelot chuckled and asked instead, "Is that how your people know us as?"
She smiled impishly and said, "Well, that's how the WOMEN know you as. The men have very different names for you."
Lancelot and the other Knights raised their eyebrows and she began to laugh again.
After a few minutes she gasped out, "Oh! You don't think that we are BLIND do you! We may have had to fight you because you had been made to fight with our enemy, Rome, but all young Woad girls have had at least ONE crush on you Knights growing up!"
She collapsed into giggles again as the Knights all preened. She smiled. It was nice to see their egos go up. They looked like they could use a morale booster.
The youngest with the shaggy beard asked, "What are the other Titles the other Knights are known for?"
She swallowed her giggles and replied, "Well, there was also Percival the Pure One and Beveidere the Sweet One. Then there is Bors the Fatherly and Lucky One and lastly, there is Galahad the Cute One and the Master Archer."
Once again the eyebrows rose and then some fell. She understood. The two Knights she named first weren't alive anymore. They had died not two moons past. It was sad really. To survive so far into your service and fall ill thanks to a harsh summer and not enough food…it wasn't a very good way to die. Fate was not very kind to those two fallen Knights. She smiled softly and watched as they in turn watched her eat again.
When she was finished, she asked, "So, are you going to tell me who is who or am I going to have to guess?"
The Knights glanced at one another in amazement. She is a Woad-an enemy! They weren't supposed to be so friendly to her! But, she was not like any Woad they had seen before. Granted, the only Woads they ever saw was during battle and during battle it is better to think that the people you are killing are murderers and barbarians and not human being with hearts. It makes having to kill them easier. But, their service to Rome was over. They didn't have to be enemies anymore…
Bors spoke up, "I am Bors, girl. The lad is Galahad. The missing one is Tristran."
Emogen had quietly observed the Knights after her question about their names. She knew their problem. Guinevere had crewed her out about the same thing not moments ago.
She smiled at them and said off-handedly, "I'm not like the normal Woads. I'm not like Guinevere either. My cousin, she is a Lady of War, our Warrior Princess, as you will. Me, I hate war and I hate fighting. Don't get me wrong, I understand the need for it, but I hate it."
"So, you cannot fight?" asked Gawain with an odd look in his eyes.
Galahad added in confusion, "But I thought all Woads knew how to fight?"
Emogen rolled her eyes, picked up Galahad's bow and an arrow, and quickly knocked it back. She let it fly. They all heard a thunking sound and a second later; a squirrel fell from the tree. She walked over to it and placed it at Bors' feet.
She tossed the bow back to the youngest Knight and said, "So can I, I just don't like too."
They looked at her again and she saw awe in their eyes. She was very different! She smiled. She knew she was different from other women they knew, and she liked that. It would keep them on their toes around her-in a good way of course.
She continued her explanation as if she never stopped, "I'm a Lady of Peace. Where Guin's the leader when we fight, I'm the leader of the troops, as it were, when we have found a truce. I imagine, there was a lot more fights in the past two moons while I was other wise detained in Marius' lovely abode?"
Arthur nodded and said, "Yes, we realized this when the Woads left us alone and started to fight amongst themselves for a time. We thought it was strange. We had never seen that before in all our fifteen years stationed here."
Emogen nodded and stated, "I'm the Peace Keeper. I belong to no tribe anymore even though I am of high blood. As you know, there are ten tribes in this area. All of them are Woads. All of them have different beliefs and thoughts about Rome, Roman's, the Knights, and other such things. I was born into Merlin's tribe. But, as I grew up, I was singled out because I did not enjoy fighting nor did I wish to fight against the Knights. Merlin saw my struggles and during my twentieth year, he announced that I was no longer a member of any tribe. Instead, I was to become the Lady of Peace. It is my job to travel within the ten tribes here in the area and be a third party to help bring treaties about. I had been on my way to another tribal meeting when Marius'…ah…Roman help captured me and placed me in that Hell Hole."
The Knights once again stopped and stared at her. They had never realized how much it took for the Woads to present a unified front when they battled. They always thought that the Woads fell under Merlin's command because he was their leader. They knew of the tribes-true, but they had been led to believe that Merlin was the King!
Lancelot said, "We had no idea. We had been led to believe that all the Woads fought under Merlin. So, you are very important to the Woa…your people?"
She smiled and nodded. It seemed they understood her position now. She was not their enemy. She could see it in their eyes.
Arthur stretched and said, "It is late, and we will be moving soon. We need to sleep. Lady Emogen, it was a pleasure to sit and talk with you. Hopefully we will have a chance to do this again. I… I have questions for you concerning a female by the name Igraine."
She smiled at him. She knew who this woman was. How could she not? Igraine had been the Lady of Peace before she took up the mantle five years ago after ten years of chaos. Lancelot stood and led her away.
When they were away from the other Knights, he said as he looked into her eyes, "You look beautiful, Maiden. How are you feeling?"
She felt a tiny blush and was thankful for the dark night and replied, "I am feeling fine. My hips hurt a bit, but that's expected because they have only just been put back, but other than that I am fine. And thank you for the compliment."
Lancelot smiled sheepishly and Emogen covered a smile. She thought it was cute that the 'Charmer' of the Knights was shy around her-a simple lady.
She waved to the wagon where Lady Fulucina was awaiting her outside and said with a laugh, "I'd best go. The Lady is quite the mother, you know?"
Lancelot bowed his head and turned. She watched as he found a tree and sat down under it. She vanished inside the wagon and watched as Lady Fulucina picked up the young boy she now knew to be Lucan and handed him to Dagonet. He nodded goodnight to her and then it was just she, the Lady, and Guinevere. She bade them both goodnight and closed her eyes. But she didn't fall asleep. She wasn't too tired despite the fact she could do with the sleep. Her current ailing right now was her hips. Inactivity would definitely help right now. By the sound of her deep breaths, Lady Fulucina was already fast asleep. That was quick. The poor lady, she must be exhausted! Thought Emogen to herself as she feigned sleep for Guinevere. She watched as her cousin walked to Lancelot. Her lips thinned and she pulled out from her dress, a necklace. It was made from simple rocks cut into different shapes. But, they had a specific purpose. It made a wonderful weapon because it looked so innocent. She pulled off a square cut blue rock and took aim.
She heard Guinevere continue, "And when you return home you will take a wife and have sons."
Before he could answer she threw it with deadly accuracy. It hit Guinevere right on the butt. She jumped with a shocked screech. She placed a hand on her bruised back end and spun around when she saw the blue stone in between her feet. The Lady of War glared at her. But she didn't care. Guinevere had always had a bit of a grudge against Lancelot because years ago he had killed Guinevere's fancy when they were but young women and he, new to the island. She had vowed to one day make him feel as she did then by making him feel like less of a man. This was a part of that vow. She would do all she could to make sure that Guinevere didn't mess this up! They didn't need to make enemies of the Knights when they were so vulnerable! Guinevere sighed, sagged her shoulders, and walked away. Lancelot looked at her and then at the blue stone. He picked it up and looked directly into her emerald eyes. She bowed her head and closed her eyes. This time, sleep came to her easily.
Lancelot looked at the blue stone and saw the tiny hole drilled through it. It looked to be the same size as the leatherneck piece that was wrapped around his neck right now. He pulled out the last thing he received from his family before he left and rubbed the mouse carving gently. Habren, his tiny five-year-old sister, was twenty now. He was twenty-eight. He pulled the knot out and easily slid the blue stone onto the leatherneck piece. He retied it and pulled it back on. He sighed. He's never had a protector before. He smirked, and NEVER one from another woman!
After a few hours, when he had watch, he saw Guinevere walk through the forest like a ghost. He was about to follow her when Arthur appeared and followed her trail. He raised an eyebrow. Something was up. Plus, he had seen the looks the two cast between them. He smirked again. Maybe he wasn't the only one changing and falling in love with a Briton after all. He frowned when minutes later Arthur came storming back. Arthur glanced at him and then to the wagon. He understood. Arthur wanted to talk to Emogen.
He quickly and quietly roused her and pulled her to Arthur's tree where the other's had gathered. Tristran was also there with his hawk, Siolae.
"Emogen, why would Merlin offer peace between our two groups now? Just when we are to leave and the Saxon's are arriving?" demanded Arthur.
Emogen blinked and said, "I'm afraid I do not know Merlin's reasons Arthur. But I can guess. His people are great warriors, but leaders to lead them to victory are few and far between. Many tribes of Woad, males included, believe you can accomplish anything. You have never lost a battle no matter if you are outnumbered. With Roman legions leaving, I'm guessing he hopes you will stay. You have seen the courtesy of Rome here in Marius' estate where you found me, Arthur. I think he hopes that you will see that your Rome doesn't exist and that you will stay here and help build something new. Merlin is tired, you see. He does not wish to fight anymore than you do. But, he does want his freedom back."
She smiled and added, "He once told me, when I was a young woman that you had the making of a great King. You just lacked the will to take your thrown."
She curtsied and left the group leaving them to stare at her and at Arthur.
Arthur sighed and walked off leaving the Knights to stare at one another in confusion. But, sleep called to them all and they quickly fell asleep.
The next morning, Emogen awoke to hear Lady Fulucina begging Marius to let the boy go and watched her get tossed to the ground. She watched as Alecto rushed to his mother's side. She crawled out of the wagon and again pulled off a stone from her necklace. This time it was red and spherical. She took aim and threw. It hit Marius in the eye the exact same time an arrow lodged itself in his stomach. She spun around and watched Guinevere march up with a bow and arrow in her hand. Arthur and Lancelot joined her with Excalibur in hand and twin swords crossed over shoulders. She nodded and turned back around to watch what happened next.
She grinned as she heard Lancelot say a bit sarcastically, "I see your hands are feeling better."
Arthur was an effective negotiator she decided later when they were on the road again. He had quickly gotten the Roman mercenaries to join their side and swear loyalty to him. She frowned. Tristran had arrived then with horrible news. The Saxons were close-too close. They had to leave. They also had armor piercings. Then he and Alecto had talked. It seemed Arthur finally understood what Rome was like now- poor thing. He had to hear about his second father's murder to realize it though. Now, they were walking on the frozen lake that blocked their path to freedom. Arthur and Knights stopped. She sighed. The ice was threatening them too much.
She fell silent as the Saxon's battle drums reached their ears.
Arthur swung his horse around and asked warily, "Knights?"
Bors replied, "These Saxons are so close behind, me arse is hurtin'."
Tristran replied, "I never liked looking over my shoulder anyways."
"It would be nice to put and end to this racket." Put in Gawain soundly as Galahad added sternly, "And finally get a good look at the bastards!"
Dagonet supported them by saying, "Here, now."
Arthur looked to his friend and Emogen watched Lancelot's eyes get large. He sighed and nodded his head as he stared at the ice. They had no choice. The people had to be protected. They would stay and fight.
Emogen pulled away from Lady Fulucina when Arthur ordered Ganis to lead the people south by following the coast.
She winced when he protested, "But you are seven again two-hundred!"
Guinevere cut in as she handed her a bow and pulled her up to the group of men, "Nine, you could use our bows."
Arthur rolled his eyes but said nothing as they positioned themselves- Guinevere between Arthur and Lancelot and her between Lancelot and Dagonet.
She heard Alecto saying he could fight, but Arthur cut him off saying he had to bare witness to all that happened here. His job was to get to Rome. Jols, she noted, had left them all an assortment of battle gear that would most definitely help. She particularly took note of the large red Roman body shield just behind Lancelot.
As the Saxon's arrived, Lancelot said, "You looked frightened, there are a lot of lonely men out there."
Guinevere looked at him from the corner of her eye and retorted, "Don't worry, I won't let them rape you."
Emogen smiled crookedly as he smirked. They would get along well, if only Guin would let her grudge go.
She turned her attention back to the battle when she heard the Saxon leader shout, "ARCHERS!"