OH MY GOSH! I swear that some of your reviews have simply brought tears to my eyes! You are all so sweet, and I'm so thrilled that I can write something that you can enjoy reading! Believe me, I have read so many of the KA fics that some of you have written before, and I'm just honored that you like my fic too!

Enjoy!

Chapter 19

Calm Before the Storm

"Do you really think is all going to work?"

Lamorak looked anxiously up at Kay from his seat in the lower benches in the stables. The knights had developed a plan the night before to save Elaine from the fate of slavery she now faced; they only now waited for the arrival of Marcus Octavius to set the wheels in motion.

Kay didn't take his eyes of the large chunk of wood that he furiously widdled down to nothing, "It has to."

"Yeah, but what if it doesn't."

Kay stopped his attack on the wood, staring seriously down at the young knight before him. "It has to."

Lamorak sighed, looking doubtfully back to the stable arena. He had made it quite well known the night before that he distrusted the outcome of the scheme. It was too risky, especially where it concerned Elaine. Lamorak kicked at a small pebble in the dirt, glaring at it as it skipped across the large arena. Tristan was being too careless with Elaine's life; his plan put her life, and Arthur's command, in grave jeopardy. Didn't he know that?

"Tristan's a fool."

Kay snorted, "A fool that developed a way to save Elaine, single handily."

"There must be an easier way, a safer way."

"Well you sure as hell weren't thinking of anything last night."

The young knight pierced his lips, slamming his sharp dagger into the wood of the bench beside him. His eyes wandered over to Galahad, how was once again training with his large white horse, galloping circles around the arena.

"He...just doesn't care about her, that's all. Arthur had a problem, and as his scout, Tristan came up with a plan. It is his charge to always find a path for Arthur."

"Doesn't care for her," Kay said to himself, shaking his head with a smirk on his face.

"I would take her away from the Wall. Just until Rome's interests in her dies down."

A large guffaw erupted from Kay's chest, making Lamorak turn quickly and glare up at the tall, lean man.

"Yes, I think you would like to take her away, hmm. Somewhere private and secluded where you can woo her into becoming your woman. You're becoming a fool, boy. Besides, when have you ever known Rome to simply loose interest in anything that directly benefited themselves alone."

"I am no boy."

"Well, you've made it quite obvious that you adore Elaine. You wish to become her knight in shining armor?"

Lamorak scowled at Kay, his countenance suddenly becoming noble and serious, which unnerved Kay a little. Never before had he seen the young man so steadfast and honorable about anything other than his desired freedom. It was dangerous, especially since it was all because of Elaine. She seemed to have become a problem when it came to a few of the knight's hearts, Kay decided.

"Elaine is a lady, and I am a Knight. Whatever she bids of me, I will do without question. She has given life and hope back into the men's eyes, as well as mine. And because of that, she deserves my complete devotion and honor."

"Yes she brings hope to us, but are you willing to risk your life and freedom just so she will not go to Rome?"

"I would die for her, yes."

Kay stepped back. Lamorak was completely serious, and thus passed the secret test he'd just been given. Kay secretly adored Elaine just as much as the other men, but he was firstly devoted to the knights. It was a problem in his mind, to see his brothers risk their lives for her, but he was sure he'd do it in a heartbeat. Better that he was the one dying for her than his brothers. He couldn't bare seeing one of them fall, nor could he even think of seeing Elaine share the fate he had been condemned to for so long. Kay decided that instant, that if anything were to go wrong in their scheme, he'd be the one to die.

"Calm yourself, Lamorak. Tristan knows what he's doing, you should not doubt him so."

Lamorak sighed, turning back to watch Galahad once again. "I only care for what happens to Elaine. Tristan is too dangerous for her to be around."

The older knight stared down at the tiny piece of wood he'd been widdling. Tristan was indeed a dangerous man, and although he was sure Elaine could take care of herself, the scout was still very dangerous for anyone to be around.

"Oh dear god, Arthur. Please tell me you do not wear this?"

Arthur looked up from the large desk where he studied the scroll from Rome for the hundredth time that day. Elaine was by his wardrobe, holding a long red toga, with frilly gold lace on the edges. Arthur chuckled at her hilarious expression of disgust.

"Never, I promise you."

"Thank goodness."

Elaine giggled as she replaced the toga in the wardrobe gently, closing its small wooden door afterwards. She sighed with content as she wondered over towards her brother's desk, plopping herself down in a large cushioned chair across from him. She hadn't decided to spend the entire day there in his chambers, it was just that he had secluded himself there to review his papers over again.

"Oh, Arthur, you are a bore!"

His bright green eyes looked over the top of the single paper he held in his hand.

"Elaine, I'm reading."

"I know. You are a bore!"

Arthur smiled, lowering the paper onto the table, before he leaned back in his chair. He moaned as he stretched his long arms above his head, much like a tired young boy would, causing Elaine to burst into a fit of giggles.

"If I am such a bore, than why are you spending your precious time in here with me?"

Elaine shot up, "Why am I here?"

Arthur laughed, "Oh, because you love your big brother, that's why."

"Oh, yes. I forgot."

The two laughed, greatly enjoying the happy, calm moment that they were able to share together. Yet, the gravity of their situation soon bared down on both of their minds, causing a dreaded silence to ensue between them. Elaine turned to watch the burning embers in Arthur's fireplace glow a deep red. Arthur, in turn, watched his little sister. Her long brown hair was pulled back away from her face, and he could see the lovely outlines and curves of her youthful beauty. At only twenty-one years, she had already developed into a greater beauty than he'd ever seen before.

"I know of your loyalty to Rome," Elaine said, still staring deep into the fires. "I know that you serve the Empire like our father did before you, and I know that you always obey the church and the Pope. You are a good man, a good follower of God. Your devotion to his word, and to your dream of an equal republic of Rome, is as true as the skies are blue."

Arthur simply watched Elaine as she spoke, not daring to interrupt. He knew she was upset, and that it was difficult for her to say the words she spoke to him now.

"That is why," Elaine turned to face her brother directly in the eye, "I know, as well, that I ask to much of you now. To defy Rome, to defy the Pope, is too much for me to demand of you. How can I make you go against those you've pledged your life to? Can I make you go against God?"

"Not allowing you to become a slave isn't an act of defiance towards God."

"But doesn't the Pope represent the word of God? Arthur, you risk too much, you and the men."

"Elaine, do not speak of this now."

Arthur turned back down to his papers, choosing to end the conversation before it could continue further.

"Fine, than just answer me this. Would you have done the same things if I were not the Healer?"

"What are you talking about, Elaine?"

"Would you have risk your life, would the men have risked their own for what they are about to do, if the Healer was not your sister? If I was just some Celt? If I was a man?"

Arthur could do nothing but look hard into Elaine's deep, brown irises. Her questions weighed down heavily upon his mind.

"Yes," Arthur said truthfully, surprising even himself with his answer. "Every man deserves an life of freedom. Even if you were not the Healer, I think I would have helped whoever was. And so would the knights, for they could not inflict what was done to them on anyone else. Ever."

Elaine smiled, "You are a good man, Arthur. Father would be so proud."

The young commanders heart swelled at his sister's words. "And he would be proud of you, as well."

Elaine sighed as she rested back down against her chair, "That all still doesn't lift the weight that has been placed on my heart. Oh, Arthur, if we were to fail...the men would be punished... and you.."

"We will not fail."

"But if we should, if they were to find that you and the men have defied the word of Rome..."

"We will not fail."

The young woman stared deep into her brother's brilliant green eyes, "Such confidence."

Elaine sighed, raising from her seat and walking slowly behind the desk, kneeling at Arthur's side. Elaine looked up into his face, her own consumed with worry. Arthur smiled down at her, reaching to take hold of a loose strand of her hair, and tugging at it softly in a playful manner.

"Do not worry so much, love."

Elaine snorted, "Can't help it."

She stood, but not before planting a sweet kiss upon Arthur's brow. "Where are you off to?"

Elaine turned as she opened the door of his chamber room, "Oh, I promised to meet Vanora today at the Tavern. I thought it would take my mind of things if I helped her care for her little ones."

"Since when are you and Vanora best friends?"

Elaine put her finger on her chin, looking up at the ceiling as if she where deep in thought, "Since, um...the second we met."

Arthur chuckled, "That fast? Oh, no. You two, together, can do some serious damage, I'm afraid."

"Oh, and we plan to."

"Well, enjoy your time with the...um...children."

"You speak as if they were difficult?"

Arthur shook his head, making a face, "You have to find that out by yourself."

Elaine looked at him fearful causing him to laugh harder than ever.

"You brute!"

"You Woad!"

Tristan sighed as he pushed his long curved sword into its matching scabbard. Hooking it upon his armored back, he turned away from his large table that resided on the far wall of his chamber room. He double checked his weapons, placing his slender hand upon each item as he did, assuring himself that he had just about all he needed. Tristan knew that he wouldn't be gone out that long, but he never, ever went outside the fortress walls not completely prepared. Making his way swiftly over towards his door, Tristan blew out the only lit candle as he exited the chamber. Although there were many candles and lanterns placed about his room, he usually only used one or two when he was inside. It was better in the darkness. He'd always found the darkness as an exceptionally useful ally, so he chose to spend as much time as he could masked deep within it. It all just seemed more peaceful in the darkness, at least to him.

As he made his way down the long corridors of the living quarters, Tristan's thought of what all he had to do in order to set the plan in motion. He told the others the night before that he'd have to acquire a few things before they could do anything, and that was exactly what he was now preparing to do. The knights didn't seemed upset by the fact that they might have to spend their week's leave helping to save Elaine, but Tristan had made it so they hadn't have to do anything, really, until the time came. He'd managed to get all of the more important tasks delegated to himself, without causing anyone else to really notice. He smirked, imagining what the others would have said if they had noticed. Why was the scout so devoted to helping Elaine? Tristan gritted his teeth, as he exited the living quarters and made it out onto the streets. He was only doing all that he was because he didn't trust the others to get it done right, that was all. No other reason other than that.

When he entered the stables, he caught her scent before he actually saw her. Roses and evergreens. Tristan stopped in his pursuit, allowing himself to absorb her scent, before he silently turned the corner. There she was, near the back of the stalls, stroking the long nose of her white steed and speaking soothingly to calm the horse. She wore the same red work dress from the night before, but she'd draped a thick red hooded cloak about her shoulders. Her long curls were place in a very loose bun, many long strands falling down in her face. Tristan stood there, watching her silently, as he'd grown accustomed to.

"Elen silma lummen, Luka."

Tristan smirked. He liked when she spoke in the Celtic tongue. The words slipped off her lips so smoothly. Suddenly remembering his initial purpose for being there, Tristan continued towards his horse's stall. Elaine's steed sensed Tristan's presence, but did not stir.

"Your horse responds well to you."

Elaine jumped as she heard Tristan behind her. She looked up into his dark eyes, that she had become so accustomed to doing, before she smiled.

"Well, I have had Luka since he was but a pony, and I was but a little girl. I suppose we grew up with each other."

Elaine grimaced at her last remark. 'Grew up with a horse?', she thought to herself. She quickly turned back to Luka, praying to God that Tristan had not noticed. He had.

Tristan guided his gray horse out of the stall, before picking up a brush and firmly combing him down.

"Atheas was my father's war horse. I suppose we grew up with each other as well."

A smile crept over Elaine's face, before she turned to watch Tristan. She wasn't prepare, though, for the emotions that would flood into her when she saw him. As he gently groomed his horse, Tristan's eyes filled with completely peace. His messy braids fell into his face, covering his mysterious tatoos that graced the tops of his high cheekbones. Elaine couldn't help but glimpse at his figure. His broad, muscular shoulders, angled downward towards a lean, but powerful chest and abdomen. Her cheeks flushed as she realized how immodest her thoughts were.

"A great name, for a great horse."

"Atheas was the name of my father's brother. He fell in battle."

"Oh, I am sorry."

Tristan huffed, "Don't be, I didn't know him."

Elaine couldn't help but laugh at Tristan's remark, even if it was slightly morbid. She made her way slowly over towards him.

"Tristan, I want to thank you, for all that you are doing. I know that you don't have to."

"Yes, I do. Arthur commanded me to."

Elaine was slightly disappointed by his response, so she decided to end that particular conversation piece before it started.

"Oh, I forgot," Elaine suddenly reached down to her side, returning with Tristan's dagger in her palm, "This is yours."

Tristan looked down at the dagger, than slowly looked deep into her eyes. Elaine's heart thumped uncontrollably in her chest, as his eyes bore deeply into her soul. His gaze intimidated her, but excited her as well.

"Keep it."

"But I thought it was only mine to borrow?"

"Keep it, Elaine. I've got enough to deal with, besides worry whether you wander the fortress armed or not." Tristan mounted his horse, looking down at the woman before him.

Elaine slowly wrapped her fingers around the dagger, a smile gracefully making its way across her face.

"You worry about me then?"

Tristan rolled his eyes, "Much more than I would like."

As he began to guide his horse out of the stalls, Elaine ran up to catch him.

"Tristan! Where are you going?"

Tristan turned in his saddle to face her, "I have to do some hunting tonight for your little scheme."

Elaine sighed as his horse trotted quickly out of the stables. She leaned against the large door frame of the stables, watching him leave. She knew than, deep in her heart, that she care deeply for the scout. It was a strange feeling, one she hadn't felt before in her life, but one that grew stronger each time she was with him.

Just before she turned to leave, Elaine caught a glimpse of something in the sky. It was the hawk from before. Elaine stopped dead in her tracks as she watched the bird swooped down, and land gracefully upon Tristan's outstretched arm. He stroked it's soft feathers, and spoke soft words to him.

"Oh, God. Tristan?"

I know I teased you with this chapter! SORRY!

OKAY! I know I left it at another cliffhanger and that you still don't know about the plan to save Elaine, but it's in the next chapter I swear!