Ailis-70–My faithful beta who suffered torment to help me with this chapter... Mucho thanks.

Gryphon55–So nice to see you enjoying it still. Hope this chapter keeps your Attention.

Pirate-I couldn't have her escape. Just wouldn't be right. It is a small Turning point, however, more things are going on besides romance.

Tristanlover–Yes the chapter was sad, but had to be done. Hope you like the Update.

Knightmaiden–I know he does. Wait and see, in the meantime, hope you like the

Update.

A/N same disclaimers apply. I have no money, make no money, own nothing except Delaney and the crazy idea.

Lancelot watched her sleep. It wasn't restful, but thanks to the concoction that Dagonet had made her drink, the pain wouldn't wake her. He gently brushed the hair away from her eyes, savoring the silkiness of it against his calloused finger tips. He sighed wistfully.

"We must be going, Lancelot." Tristan stated as he walked over to the bed. Looking down at the sleeping woman. He shook his head, "Such a brave one." He muttered.

Lancelot looked up at his friend. "Brave and foolish."

"Would you have done any different?" Tristan asked raising an eyebrow.

"No."

"Exactly." Tristan continued to stare at her back. Blood was still seeping into the bandages.

"She forgives you, Tristan."

"I know, but do I forgive myself?" With that he walked out, pausing in the doorway, "It's time, Lancelot." With that the scout left.

Lancelot stared a moment more, then reached into his overtunic. He pulled out the mouse that his sister had given him all those years ago and laid it gently next to Delaney's outstretched palm. He shook his head, here he was leaving gifts for a woman, usually they left trophies for him to find. He smirked at that, ran his hand delicately across her brow and kissed the crown of her head. Then he turned to go and found himself almost running over Guinevere.

"She'll be okay, Lancelot."

"I can hope."

Guinevere queried an eyebrow at him. "Did I just hear you say hope? I remember a knight not so long ago that said he didn't believe in such a thing."

"Things change."

"Yes, they do. Sometimes for the better." She sat down in the chair that he had vacated, "I'll look after her. I promise."

"If she turns for the worse have your father heal her. He helped me, maybe he can work his magic on her."

"It isn't Magic." Guinevere said disdainfully. "It's knowledge of herbs and nature."

"Whatever it is, let him help. I fear she could die."

"She could, but she won't." Guinevere smiled at the knight.

He paused a moment looked from one face to the other, then left quickly.

0o0o0o

Delaney awoke. She slowly opened her eyes. There was something upon the pillow, close to her hand. She picked it up and smiled, it was a small carved mouse. It was quite worn around the edges. She knew it was from Lancelot. He had made mention to her, when he thought she was already asleep that his sister had given it to him when he left to come here. He had told her all about his sister, lulled her to sleep with his voice telling of playing hide and seek with the little girl. She caressed it with her hand and smiled.

"I see you're awake."

Delaney quickly looked up following the direction where the voice had come. A man, with longish brown hair and mustache sprinkled with gray sat in the corner. A long carved walking stick braced against the wall in front of him.

"Who are you?"

He smiled kindly, leaning forward so that she didn't have to strain her neck.

"I am Merlin, perhaps Guinevere made mention of me."

"You're her father?"

"As I am yours."

"Pardon?"

"I'm sorry, I'm getting ahead of myself. Do you mind if I check your wounds?"

"If you must."

"I believe I can help." He walked over and gently lifted the bandages that Dagonet had placed on them after cleansing them with scalding hot water. Lancelot had held her hands through it all, soothing her when it hurt so much she almost couldn't draw breath. Merlin placed the linens in with the other ones. "This will sting, but it will kill the infection. I will need new bandages for you."

"Are you using sulphur?"

"Yes, sulphur powder."

"I thought that may be what would have to be used."

"I see you have adjusted well."

"Adjusted to what?"

"This time and place." He again sat down, "We will wait for Guinevere to come with a cup of tea and fresh bandages." He leaned forward studying her, "So much like your mother you are. Such beautiful eyes."

"My mother had green eyes."

"Not your biological mother from your time, Delaney, but the woman who bore your soul, the first time you started on the wheel of life."

"Excuse me?"

"You and Guinevere are sisters, half sisters, but sisters all the same."

"Riight."

"Will you listen to the tale with an open mind? Is it so hard to comprehend that you belong here? You who one moment were in 2005 and the next here in 425?"

"Good point. I'll listen, but don't ask me to believe it."

"You be the judge of what is to be believed and what isn't." He settled himself. "Guinevere, was a year old, when you were born. Her mother, Nienive had passed away in child birth. I met a woman, who reminded me of Nienive, her name Morgana. She was the only mother Guinevere ever knew. She had a brilliant mind, always thirsting for knowledge. I admit, it stroked my ego to know this beautiful young lady much rather spend time with me than with the young men her own age. I wasn't yet leader of the Woads, I was their healer and much more and yet nothing. Anyway, we had you. Once you were weaned, Morgana left. A letter was left stating that she had no other choice that she worried she would be your death. I have the sight and never did I foresee any harm coming to you. But, Morgana was more powerful than I in that particular area. So, I bundled you up and took you to a Viking encampment that I knew about at the far north. They were farmers, having settled here after trade expeditions began between the Norse and the Picts and even some Woads. They are very similar to us, even if they are different. They took you in and as generations came and went, you were reincarnated over and over. Until your soul found itself in the states with a wonderful family. Your parents loved you dearly." He smiled at her, "Yes, I kept an eye on you through the times. Then I saw you, driving down that road way and you swerved to miss me. I knew it was time to bring you back."

Delaney regarded him, he seemed sound of mind. Grant it, it was the best explanation for her ending up back here as any. But all of this about reincarnation and Guinevere being her sister she was still having a problem grasping. She was still contemplating what questions to ask when her door came open. Guinevere came bustling in with a handful of what looked to be clean rags and a pot of water and Ellen came timidly behind carrying a tray of fruits and a small loaf of bread.

"I have the bandages you asked for, father." Guinevere stated as she came over to the man. They then exchanged places. Merlin standing off to the side and sprinkling the sulphur powder along the many cuts in her back. Ellen had set the tray down on a table near the window and stood watching, her face ghostly pale.

"Ellen why don't you come sit here with Guinevere so we can all talk while Merlin puts on new bandages." Delaney suggested. Ellen almost scurried over to them, sitting on the floor.

"That's because you saved me isn't it? I should have let him hurt me." Sorrow and regret graced her voice.

Guinevere hugged the girl to her and Delaney reached for her hand, "Ellen, no man has a right to force himself on a woman. I'll heal. I'll be fine." She sucked in a quick breath, grasping for the headboard as she buried her face into the mattress. Guinevere rubbed Delaney's knuckles. "I heard you like flowers." Delaney mumbled into the mattress.

"Yes, I love to grow things. Dagonet was giving me suggestions on how to plant seeds for harvest in the fall."

"I have a favor to ask then. When you come in here with my bath, could you put some lavender or lilac petals in the water? Those are my favorite scents."

"Of course I will. I could leave a sprig upon your pillow as well."

"Oh you don't have to do that."

"But I would want to."

"Dagonet likes apple blossoms." Laney said conspirally.

Ellen blushed and smiled. "I didn't know that, thank you."

"No problem."

Guinevere sighed and looked at the two women, "I miss them."

"Yes, life is boring without them."

"I just worry."

Delaney looked up at her. She worried to. She wasn't about to let herself think about it. "Once I get healed, do you think we could go to the archery range? I'd like to work on that. I used to be fairly good in college, but that's been awhile."

"College?"

"School."

"Okay. Yes, I can help you with that."

"Good."

"We need to get some clothes made for you."

"I'm happy with pants. I don't see any reason why I need to always wear a dress."

"I can get you some leathers that we wear." Guinevere offered.

"That would be fine, as long as I don't have to run around in a confounded dress anymore than usual!"

"I believe Lancelot liked you in your dresses."

"I know he did, but the point is I prefer pants. Especially if Gawain is going to teach me to ride."

"You have a point. The way you speak of your success on horseback we don't need you falling off and showing your wears to everyone."

"So true, so very true."

Merlin came and stood next to the women, "I am done Delaney. I shall be back later to check upon you. I suggest we leave Delaney alone for now and let her rest."

"I'm not tired."

"You will be, have your tea. Sleep helps to make you strong."

Delaney awoke with a start, then after a moment remembered where she was. She felt hands upon her back and turned to look over her shoulder.

"Are you trying to make it worse for you, Ambrosia?" Merlin scolded gently as he put fresh bandages onto her back. They had been soaked in water from the sulphur springs.

Delaney laid her head back down, and closed her eyes. If she kept them open she would try to look at Merlin while they spoke and end up giving herself a headache. "Ambrosia?"

Merlin finished with the bandages and once again sat down in front of Delaney. "The name Morgan picked out for you."

When Delaney heard his voice directly in front of her she opened her eyes and stared at the man. The flames from the fireplace making intricate shadow patterns upon his bearded face. Delaney couldn't help but chuckle. Ambrosia, nectar of the gods. She smirked, Lancelot may think so... she mustn't think like that. He had showed concern, and worry. It did not mean that he wanted anything more from her than a tryst. "Why did Morgan think she would cause my end?"

"So you do believe." Merlin leaned forward and smiled at her.

"It's not that I believe exactly, it's just that I don't totally disbelieve either."

"Always the information gatherer. Sometimes, you need to just leap and not worry about the questions."

Delaney shook her head. It was useless to argue. Merlin wasn't the first to tell her this, heck she had been trying to tell herself that very thing. "How is my back?"

"It's going to take awhile to heal. You will have scars, obviously. But you should not have to worry about them cauterizing it. The infection seems to be gone, and I'm making sure of it with this set of bandages. I may have Gwen take you down to the springs in a few days to keep the infection away."