"Well! What are we waiting for? Let's eat!" exclaimed Alma with a large smile as she easily jumped off of Gawain's large Sarmatian warhorse, Azon.

Enys pulled off the large blanket that covered, Sarnes, Galahad's warhorse, and said, "That tree looks like the perfect spot!"

When the blanket was placed on the ground, Cordelia and Emogen plunked themselves down near the tree and said, "We claim these spots!"

The other women laughed, including Vanora and Fulucina, and claimed other places on the blanket. They ended up being seated in a circle with the two large picnic baskets in the center. The Knights rolled their eyes at their lovers and began to unhook their horses from their bridles and saddles so they could wander around the glen. Their horses were to well trained to wander away, so the Knights did not worry about them. When the Knights seated themselves behind their ladies, they found the ladies giggling like young adolences and Cordelia was red faced.

Bors chuckled and asked boisterously, "Well now! What caused such a pretty reaction from 'ye girl?"

Cordelia smiled slightly at the large Knight that she knew as, The Father or the Lucky One, and said, "Oh nothing much, Vanora was just teasing me about something."

Arthur asked interested, "What was she teasing you about?"

Cordelia's blue eyes met his hazel ones and she blushed again. She didn't answer-she was to embarrassed.

Ula, on the other hand, was not, "Ah, Vanora was just teasing Cordy here about her feelings for you, dear Arthur!"

"ULA!" screamed Cordelia as she jumped to her feet and roared, "You're dead when I get my hands on you!"

Ula jumped out of Tristran's lap and ran away laughing. Cordelia was right behind her screaming bloody murder. Arthur blinked at the Healer's answer and turned towards the others. His cheeks had a tint of red, but otherwise he remained unaffected.

Emogen smiled at him and said, "Well, it looks like you'll be marrying Cordelia in a few months, just in time for the Imbolc festival too. I mean, you are a candidate for King, Cordy WILL be Queen, and you both like one another-not to bad of a future, eh Arthur?"

Arthur smiled and tipped his head as he ate a carrot stick.

Fulucina smiled and said softly, as if she was still unsure of her place in the group, "This is a beautiful glen. How long have you known about its existence?"

Since the question was aimed at the Picts, Enys replied, "Oh, we've known about it our entire lives, but we've never been able to come here since it was south of the wall. I'm surprised that the Knights never used it before."

Galahad said, "Ah, by the time we ever got close to this place, we were already close to the Wall. We never had to stop, nor did we have any inclinations TO stop when the Wall was only another thirty minutes away."

Lancelot nodded and said, "Yes, I think that since this place was so close to the Wall, we never paid much attention to it. The Wall, to us, was home and safety. To be out of the Wall's security, to us, was danger and fighting. We just never stayed out long enough to see it. Now that I think about it, I remember seeing this place while we rode by, but we never stopped, as the wall was so close."

Emogen leaned into his chest, and sighed happily.

Alma laughed slightly and said, "I think Gen needed this more than any of us, look! She's nearly asleep!"

Emogen's emerald eyes snapped open and she said shortly, but teasingly, "Well, why don't you shut-up and let me sleep!"

Alma grinned comically and saluted her Princess. When Emogen's eyes closed, Lancelot placed his arms around her and shifted her into a more comfortable position. Even if Alma was teasing, she was right. Emogen had, had little sleep since her captivity in Marius' House of God. He wasn't even completely sure she had healed from the experience. Then there were all the meetings she had to go to, and all the stress that had gathered on her shoulders. Plus, when they were alone and sleeping, she was constantly murmuring in her sleep and moving back and forth. Even her sleep was dictated by the events that happened in the meetings. This would definitely do her a world of good, he was sure. He glanced up from his staring when Ula and Cordelia stumbled through the trees again. Both had sticks popping out of their hair and dirt smudges on their cheeks, but their eyes were sparkling with happiness and their faces were flushed with life. Both looked very beautiful just then. Arthur and Tristran, he noticed, gulped at the sight of them.

Lancelot grinned and lowered his head into his love's neck. It seemed like true love had finally found all the Knights of Hadrian's Wall, and he, for the first time since he arrived on Briton, felt at peace.

The group of fourteen friends laughed and ate happily, but remained somewhat subdued because Emogen needed the relaxed, healing sleep. They didn't mind. They knew she needed it. Once they had, had their fill, leaving enough for Emogen of course, the Knights got to their feet and immediately started to pair off- all but Lancelot. He was also relaxed and in a light sleep.

As Arthur and Tristan squared off in a friendly sword fight, Gawain and Galahad had picked a sturdy fat tree and were having their Knife Throwing Contest again. Bors and Dagonet were off to the side playfully wrestling.

Fulucina and Vanora were watching their lovers with smiles full of love, and they were talking softly about their children. Fulucina was also helping Vanora think of names for all her children. Vanora was determined to name them all and get Bors to remember them all! Enys, Alma, and Ula were giggling as the names came into being. They couldn't understand how Vanora had gone so long without naming her brood. By child number five, they knew that they themselves would have been lost when it came to calling a specific child to them. The list comprised of fourteen names for Bors and Vanora's eleven children: Gilly (the Elder), Brent (a Steep Climb), the twins Caoimhe and Dierdre (the Beauty and Young Girl), Ennis (from the Island), Devin (a Poet), Drostan (The Noisy One)-perfect for number seven since he can't be quiet to save his life-, Marada (the first Sarmatian named child which means Goddess of Fire), Lada (Goddess of Childbirth), Maeotis (Sea of Azov), Tsar (The King), Devistsa (the Girl), Sokir (a Sunray), and Donso (the Looking River). It was hard to think up so many names on the spot that Vanora would like, and truthfully, the list of names was longer in the beginning. Thankfully the women had narrowed it down to fourteen names and Ula wrote them down. She knew the older man would need the cheat sheet in the future.

Lancelot woke up when Ula said, "Well, now all we need to do is see what Bors thinks of the names."

Lancelot raised an eyebrow and said, "Bors, thinks? And thinks about names-as in more than one name?"

He turned to Vanora and said teasingly, "Have you finally thought of enough names to give to your lot, my love?"

Vanora chuckled quietly and playfully slapped the First Knight. They had always been close friends-ever since Lancelot arrived actually. She was very happy for her long-time friend for finally finding happiness. If she was honest with herself, she would admit to being a bit fearful for Lancelot because he had slowly been dying these past few years what with all the battles and such. She was eternally grateful to Emogen for bringing her old friend back. Lancelot just grinned at her and asked to hear the names himself.

When Vanora finished reading off the list, Lancelot grinned and said, "Well! Number seven is aptly named! So are the twins! Just one question, how are you going to blackmail Bors into remembering them all? He can hardly remember the NUMBER of children he has without one of us reminding him all the time."

Emogen spoke up startling the others because they thought she had been still asleep, "That's an easy one…he'll get no sex until he remembers all eleven-right Van?"

Vanora's laugh was loud and full of spirit as she exclaimed, "Right you are Lass! Right you are!"

Lancelot's eyes widened comically as he cried out, "No! He'd die for sure! You women are so mean! To withhold THAT from us, men! Shame on you!"

Fulucina surprised them all by giggling at the same time she said, "But it's the only thing that's guaranteed to work!"

Lancelot stared at her in awe before he chuckled and said cheerfully, "Dang, Dag's going to have a time with you-that's for sure! Welcome to the group Lady Fulucina!"

Emogen giggled slightly as she slowly ate her share of the fruits, vegetables, and bread that the group left for her. She closed her eyes happily. She felt free. It was a different felling for her since she had always had some sort of problem weighing her down. But, she honestly felt free of her Duties as the Lady of Peace for the first time since she took up the responsibilities five years ago.

Enys and Alma stood and Enys exclaimed, "We're going for a swim! Who's with us?"

Ula, Cordelia, and Emogen stood up and cried out, "We are!"

The ladies burst into giggles again as they ran to the calm blue lake. The Knights stopped what they were doing and just watched as the five Pict women threw off their dresses and jumped into the lake with nothing but their white under shifts on. Lancelot's eyes ran appreciatively over Emogen's body as it curved through the air before disappearing under the water. Arthur, he saw, licked his lips unconsciously as he followed Cordelia's body as well. Gawain was grinning like the large comical fool he was, Dagonet's face was slightly red, Tristran's face was neutral but he could see the lustful twinkle in the Scout's eyes, and Galahad…well Galahad's face was so red, Lancelot was actually worried that the youngest Knight would actually faint because of all the blood rushing into his face. Thankfully, Galahad only swayed like a drunkard for a minute. He did not faint. Vanora and Fulucina just smiled as the men returned to the blanket. The group was amazed. The Pict women were playing in the water like children. For fifteen years they had fought and hated these people because they were evil worshippers of the Devil and the Dark Gods-at least that is what they had been told by the Romans. They had been told of their evil, their hate, their demon body decorations, and their blood thirst. It was an awe-inspiring turn of events to see this side of the evil Picts they grew up around. These women were beautiful, warm, friendly, and nice-nothing at all like the evil dark stories from Rome. They shook their heads at their own stupidity. They had fallen for the Roman propaganda, and now they were seeing the truth for itself. Rome was the evil here in Briton-not the Picts.

Arthur looked at Cordelia and felt a warmth flow through him. She was beautiful-inside and out. He would marry this woman in two months time. He would also be King, but that wasn't as important as becoming Cordelia's husband.

Lancelot grinned at his lover as she ran up to their group. The shift barely concealed anything, but she wasn't shy or bashful. He liked that! Most women he attracted were bashful and shy and wouldn't even dare to leave the water without a cloak to cover her body-that just proved it even more to him. He and Emogen were perfect for one another. She collapsed in front of him and yanked his cloak off his shoulders and wrapped herself in it. He chuckled but remained silent-for once!

Galahad and Gawain wordlessly handed their ladies their cloaks and grinned when the Picts pulled THEM instead. Both Alma and Enys gave the brother's kisses so hot, that Galahad was sure that their white shifts were dry now!

Tristran just raised an eyebrow as Ula walked up to him in her transparent shift. Normally he'd be glaring at the men for even thinking about looking at HIS woman, but he knew that they were already to busy staring at their OWN lovers.

When they were all seated again, Bors asked, "Whot were you ladies talkin' about? I thought I 'eard me name."

The women and Lancelot burst out laughing and Lancelot begged, "Oh please, PLEASE may I tell him! PLEASE!"

Vanora giggled and said, "Sure Lance, just make sure he understands the ultimatum! I know how you LOVE to confuse me poor Bors."

Lancelot winked at her and said in a fake wounded tone, "My Lady, your wound me so! This is an important matter to us men, this is NOT something to joke about!"

Unfortunately for Bors, the joke went right over his head and he asked worriedly, "What is it Lance? What's wrong?"

Lancelot chuckled and said in a teasing voice and a large smile, "Oh, nothing much…you just have to remember all your children's names as fast as you can or Van here will hold back sex!"

Bors' face grew pale and everyone, including Fulucina and Dagonet burst out into loud joyous laughter. Bors' face looked so ridiculous that they could not do anything but laugh.

He turned to his lover and asked anxiously, "He's jokin' luv, right? I mean, you won't really hold sex back until I rem'mber will ya?"

Vanora playfully slapped his cheek and said seriously, "If you don't remember all eleven names, no sex for you. I'll not birth you another bastard until the eleven we have are named proper and you remember who is who!"

Bors gulped and asked slowly like he was walking to his doom, "And the names are?"

Vanora beamed at him and said, "There is Gilly, of course! Followed by Brent, the twins Caoimhe and Dierdre, Ennis, Devin, Drostan, Marada, Lada, Maeotis, Tsar, Devitsa, Sokir, and Donso for number eleven. What do you think?"

Bors' eye were wide and he turned to Arthur and asked quickly, "Can I have some parchment and quill? I need to write this down now while I can remember most of 'um!"

Ula burst into more laughter and said, "Easy Bors, we have a list right here…don't lose it, okay? It's the only one your are getting'!"

Alma reiterated, "Remember, no names, no sex."

Gawain burst out laughing and said, "He's going to be mighty friendly with his hand for a long time!"

Enys blushed slightly at that but asked, "Why?"

Galahad replied while laughing loudly, "Because Bors' here can't do anything important-like without sweating like a pig! Look, he's already starting!"

Emogen looked with the others and felt sympathetic for the older Knight. Poor Bors she thought gently he's sweating so badly that the ink will smudge. He won't be able to read that list shortly.

Arthur said gently but in a commanding voice, "Okay, okay, it's time to go back. The daylight is nearly gone and Bors, you need to put that list away somewhere where you won't smudge it. Let's go."

They all grumbled, but followed their soon-to-be King's orders and packed up. Once on horseback again, Cordelia sighed and said happily, "We'll have to come back here ever once in a while for some relaxation, you know?"

Everyone agreed that coming back was an excellent idea and all were anxiously waiting for that next time, even though they had yet to leave!

"Ride!" ordered Cordelia.

When they arrived back at the Wall, Jols, Ganis, and Liam were waiting for them in the stables. The Knights handed their horses over to their squires, new and old, and headed to bed. Arthur and Cordelia didn't need to order them to do that. They were already tired and tomorrow was yet ANOTHER long day full of talking and headaches for most, if not, all of them.