A/N Real life happens, or so I have been told. So sorry for the long absence. I promise to be more regular in my updates!

Thanks for all of the reviews, they mean lots to me and my muse.

Disclaimer- I own nothing but Delaney. I make no profit.

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Guinevere and Delaney shared a conspiratorial smile as she took her seat. Delaney noticed a slight pink mark behind Guinevere's ear and her smile widened. Arthur stood, made his usual comments about how it was glorious to be home; then turned quite serious and somber. "I'm afraid that I have bad news. The Saxons are on the move again. However, it's only minor skirmishes along the coast; not the large Army that we so recently defeated. This threat appears to be from the North and is lead by a woman. I do not know when they will be here, but they will be here."

Delaney racked her brain, the north...She sucked in a deep breath the Scots! She braced her elbow upon the table and absently tapped her fingers against her temple. The Scots invaded from Ireland at around the same time that the Saxons were pillaging along the Southern shores.

Lancelot watched Delaney. He noticed how she had listened to Arthur then suddenly a spark lit her eyes. He leaned over and whispered, "Does tapping the head help drum up thoughts?" Delaney gasped in startlement, gave him a frosty smile then slipped back to her thoughts.

Delaney suddenly felt the urge to go speak with Merlin. They were lead by a woman. That simple phrase made her stomach churn. In history there was never anything referring to the Scots being lead by a woman.

"Delaney, are you alright?" Lancelot grasped her arm almost painfully. Worry laced his voice.

Delaney blinked rapidly; clearing her thoughts. "Just thinking."

"Don't strain yourself, you actually turned white as a sheet."

Delaney pushed all of the glib thoughts aside and smiled. She sipped her wine as she grasped Lancelot's hand in hers.

Lancelot felt her touch against his hand. A small glint came back into her eyes as she smiled at him. He smiled instinctively back; she had one of those smiles. When she smiled you couldn't help but return it. However, he still felt a certain unease about her. They would definitely talk later.

Arthur hadn't missed the suddenly serious expression upon Delaney's features when he mentioned the new invaders. Guinevere had told him of what Merlin had told her. Delaney was her half sister. He shook his head at the improbability. It wasn't impossible, but it was mind boggling. Guinevere was older, yet Delaney was three years her senior now. A soul that had been reborn over time. Guinevere had said her sister's name had been Ambrosia. Nectar of the gods. Now here was Delaney , which Guinevere informed him meant enemy's child. Did fate mean for her to be here or did Merlin meddle enough with time that fate would right itself? He took a long drink of wine. He wasn't going to dwell on it. Her knowledge would help him. He lived in the here and now, and here and now his people had a threat coming once again.

The dinner was a somber occasion. The memories of Badon Hill not far from anyone's mind. Delaney ate quietly, racking her brain for the historical information of the Scots that she knew was there. She had finished the chicken leg and fruit and thoughtfully strummed her fingers against her wine goblet. Her other hand traced the carvings in the table's surface.

Lancelot watched her over his wine goblet. She was obviously troubled. Her eyebrows were knit together and he had come to recognize when her fingers were idly moving that meant she was deep in thought. Everyone else were talking amongst themselves. Everyone save Tristan he noticed. Tristan too was watching Delaney. Lancelot put down his wine goblet with a sigh. The scout hadn't said much of anything this trip. Not that he talked all that much in the first place, but this time he was especially quiet. Lancelot cleared those thoughts from his head. He was here, with Delaney, something he had dreamt of every night for the past several. He laid his hand upon hers and startled eyes met his. He smiled, "What happened to your wrist?" He asked affectionately rubbing his thumb against the angry scar.

Delaney smiled self consciously, "From when I was tied to the post."

He winced, that wasn't the subject he wanted to bring up. "What did Guinevere show you today?"

Delaney blushed as she mumbled, "The bathes." She quickly took a sip of wine.

Lancelot leaned over, "Ahh and did you like the Roman bathes?"

"I much prefer the tub in my room." She mumbled again, unable to hide her smirk, or the fact she was blushing further.

"I bet you do." Lancelot said, not looking at her as he took a drink of wine.

Delaney chuckled in spite of herself and Lancelot met her gaze and his grin widened. She sighed rotating her shoulders, trying to loosen the tightness in her back. "She also showed me the archery range. If I'm to be any help in coming days I need to practice shooting a bow. However, my back won't permit me at the moment."

"You know how to shoot a bow?" His eyebrows shot up, querying. This woman amazed him.

"Yeah, not that I'm all that good at it. But, I could hold my own." Delaney was still trying to remember what she had forgotten about the Scots. She itched to have her books in front of her.

"Why do you know how to shoot a bow?"

"That is what paid for my college tuition. I went to the University on an Archery Scholarship."

"University?"

"Advanced schooling. I ended up being a professor there." She commented matter of factly.

"What did you teach?" He asked conversationally.

"History of the middle ages." Delaney mumbled with a snicker. Then she realized the irony was lost on Lancelot. "This time period is referred to as the middle ages."

"You should feel right at home then, since you know all about this time." He was impressed. A schooled woman, a woman who could use a bow and beautiful all in one.

"Ha! Far from it. I may know about it, but knowing it and experiencing it are two completely different things!"

Their dishes were cleared away. The knights started filtering out. Arthur turned to Delaney, "Delaney, would you stay a moment so that I may have a word?"

Delaney turned to Lancelot, "I'll be at the tavern in a moment. Save a spot for me?" Lancelot paused as if about to protest. With a shrug he nodded, grabbed his wine goblet and left the room. Guinevere gave a quick peck to Arthur's cheek, a squeeze to Delaney's arm and left too.

"What do you know about this army from the North?" Arthur inquired.

Delaney sighed, "What I can remember is the Scots invaded from the North at around the same time the Saxons were raiding the Southern shores."

"Are any of my people killed?" Concern so evident in his voice it was palatable.

"Arthur, I can't tell you that," she held her hand up when she saw him begin to speak, "One, it really wasn't documented that well. Just that they invaded, and two, even if I did know I wouldn't divulge that information. Time has been meddled with enough just by my being here. I don't wish to meddle with it further." She sat forward in her chair, watching the man in front of her as he mulled over everything she said.

"Guinevere told me how you and she are sisters." He said after a heavy sigh.

"Bizarre isn't it?" She took a sip of the last of her wine.

"I'm glad though." He replied with a warm smile.

"Why?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.

"She needs someone that doesn't know her past. Someone who won't be prejudiced." Arthur lamented.

"The knights and Vanora seem very excepting of her." Delaney answered.

"They are. But then she fought along side us at Bandon Hill. But some of the towns people only see the Woad. They treat her as is befitting my wife, but that is all." He said with a sad shake of his head.

Delaney didn't have any comment for that. Instead she stood, "If we're done I'd like to go see what trouble Lancelot has gotten up to."

Arthur grinned, "If you're worried about any of the wenches don't be. He only has eyes for you."

"I'm more concerned about how much alcohol he's imbibed, not the women he's harassing at the moment." She said with a half smile.

Delaney was on her way toward the tavern when she looked up at the wall and saw the stalwart scout standing watch. With a smirk she quickly went up another set of stairs and then walked to that side of the wall, hoping to sneak up on Tristan.

"I hope you aren't trying to sneak up on me." He mumbled, looking out into the night.

"Can't blame a girl for trying." She quipped, leaning against the stones of the wall. The view still made her stop and gasp.

"Yes, I can." He glanced at her, then back into the darkness.

Delaney looked out into the black onyx night. She wasn't going to press him. She knew how much he liked his silence. A shiver ran through her, she crossed her arms, hugging them to her and still staring out at the night, picking out the constellations.

"Shouldn't you be at the Tavern?" He asked gruffly.

"I wanted to look at the stars." He merely nodded at her response. She subconsciously rubbed her chafed wrist.

"Dag should have some salve for that."

"Yes." She replied non commitally. They stood in silence for a few more moments. She stood up straight and watched the silent knight. "You need to forgive yourself Tristan. I have forgiven you, now it's your turn." With that she left him; brooding and watching the stars.

Delaney came up behind Lancelot who was in the process of playing a dice game with Gawain and Galahad. She had put her finger to her lips in an effort for the other two not to alert him. She then placed her hands over his eyes and said, "Guess who!" Knowing her accent would give her away. Lancelot laughed as he reached to remove her hands and turn to look up at her.

Delaney gasped, not expecting the sensation of feeling his hair brush against the bare flesh of the tops of her breasts. Lancelot noticed and moved his head again, "I'd know that voice anywhere." He answered, moving to the side so she could sit with him. He leaned over and whispered, "Is everything okay?"

"Yes, all is fine." She whispered back, flicking her tongue against his ear. Pay backs are hell, she thought.

Lancelot felt the very tip of her tongue and gulped. He looked slyly at her and winked. Two could play at this game. Galahad's loud whoop brought his attention back to the game.

"Ha! I won again, Lancelot. You said best out of three. Pay up!"

Lancelot groaned, reached into his Over tunic and pulled out three gold coins. He then got up, held out his hand to Delaney, and said, "I'm done. I'm going to go sulk with this lovely lady."

"Why don't I teach you fine men a game from my time? Maybe you won't have to go off and sulk." She winked at Lancelot.

Lancelot smiled, flashing his dimples making her blush. "My lady is going to drink with us mere men?"

"No, the mere men are going to drink with the Lady." She held out her hand for the dice which Galahad gave to her. "Okay, first off, we need a fresh set of full mugs."

"I can help with that!" Gawain let out a shrill whistle and the blonde woman whom Lancelot had spoken to the other night sauntered over.

"Can I get you something?" She purred.

"Mugs of ale all around." Gawain commented, flipping her a coin. She winked and sashayed away.

Delaney shook her head as she eyed the mugs around her. "Are any of these empty?"

Galahad took the one in front of him, dumped the last swallow upon the ground and handed it to her, "Here."

Delaney took it, wrinkling her nose. "I guess this will have to do." She eyed Gawain, "Can I have your wrist band?"

He took it off and gave it to her, staring at her. She flattened it out as best she could. She turned the cup over on top of it and found that the wrist band was sturdy enough for her to balance the pottery cup atop it. She placed the dice into the cup, handing the third back to Galahad. "I only need two."

Just then the barmaid was back with their drinks. Lancelot took them off the tray for her and placed a full mug of ale in front of everyone. He folded his arms atop the table and eyed Delaney, "Okay, now what's this game?"

She smiled, "The object of the game is to have a two and a one, or doubles. However... if you don't you have to drink. If you don't have a two and a one or doubles you say you do and pass it on. If the person who's turn it is after you, claims you are lying, and they look at the dice and find you are, you drink twice. If you weren't lying, then they drink twice. The only person who sees the dice is you when you lift the cup like this," she demonstrated tilting the cup where only she could see the dice lying atop Gawain's wrist guard. "And of course the person who questions you. But, they don't have to look if they believe you."

"Sounds simple enough." Galahad commented.

"Yes, but Delaney hasn't been drinking." Gawain pointed out.

"Then of course, ladies first." Lancelot stated gallantly.

Delaney giggled as she shook the cup of dice. She lifted it up and couldn't help the sigh that escaped her lips. "Guess I get to drink." She handed the cup over to a grinning Gawain and gulped down a mouthful of ale. She managed to only cough once. A chorus of laughs sounded about her.

Gawain looked in at the dice and smiled triumphantly. "Ha I have a two and a 1." Galahad grabbed the cup and said, "I don't believe you!"

He tilted the cup up and said, "See, it's a one and a two!" Then he realized his error. Without prompting he took two great swallows of ale.

Lancelot took it from Galahad and shook it. He then smiled coyly at Delaney."Double six." He announced.

Delaney took the cup and stared at him, lips pursed. She narrowed her eyes at him, "I don't believe you."

"Go ahead, look." He motioned towards her hand which held the cup.

She did and immediately saw the two sixes. She took two large swallows of ale. "Fine." She shook the cup, looked and sighed. Then said, "I have double twos."

Gawain grabbed the cup and chortled, "Ah Delaney, you had best work on your lying! I say it isn't!"

"Fine take a look!"

He did and shook his head, "Ahh you're good, Delaney, but now I know better!" He took his two swallows and shook the cup.

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Delaney erupted in a fit of giggles, not even able to attempt to lie. "Oh dag nab it! I'm drinking before I even try to lie and end up drinking more!" She took a swig out of her cup, knocking the two empty ones over that were next to her elbow. This brought out more giggles. The three men couldn't help but laugh with her.

Lancelot watched her, eyes dancing in merriment, "My lady, you are most drunk."

"Nope, I'm not. I'm overly tipsy!"

"Tipsy?"

"Yes, I can still walk a straight line, so am not drunk."

"You think so?" Gawain asked, a smug smirk upon his face.

"I know so."

"Prove it!" Galahad challenged.

Delaney rose a bit wobbly from the table, lifted her skirts, and with a suggestive slow sashay walked on her tip toes in a straight line. She then looked coyly over her shoulder, "See."

Lancelot felt things tighten inside as he watched the dress pull up to her knees, showing shapely calves as her hips swayed and she walked the few feet in a very straight line. She then turned around and walked back to the table, in the same slow sashay. His mouth was suddenly dry. He took a drink of ale in order to make it so he could swallow. Delaney sat back down giggling.

"Told you!" She chided, taking a swig of ale from her own cup.

"And, you did it quite well!" Lancelot informed her with a wink. "My lady, I have but one question, how does this game of yours end?"

"Why, the first person who can't stand!"

"Do you know how long this could go on?" Gawain lamented.

"Oh trust me, I'm sure you all could drink me under the table." Delaney said with a smile.

"I'm sure Lancelot wouldn't like that." Galahad said with a wink.

"I think I had better get the Lady back to her chambers before she ends up under the table." Lancelot stated in a matter of fact tone as he stood.

Just then it started to rain. Delaney looked up enjoying the watery caress. It was a warm rain. Galahad and Gawain both got up, "I think it's a draw, I don't feel like getting wet."

"I second that." Gawain added as he quickly rose from the bench.

Delaney chuckled, "You two aren't sweet enough to melt. Come on, enjoy it. It's beautiful!"

"You can tell she's new," Gawain commented, "She thinks rain is great."

"Give her time." Lancelot quipped as he offered Delaney his arm.

She shook her head and began dancing circles in the water puddles which were forming, holding her dress up in her hands. "I'm singing in the rain. Just singing in the rain! What a wonderful feeling I'm" she kicked water at Lancelot, "Happy again!"

Lancelot couldn't help but laugh at her. She was dancing around like a child, doing some sort of a jig. She didn't have a bad voice either, he noted. She carried a tune quite well. She splashed water on him and he quickly grabbed her about the waist, "I'd think you'd had enough of water this evening."

"Never enough of water!" She exclaimed. She stood on her tip toes, gave him a quick peck and scampered away. Delaney felt happy and free and yes, quite inebriated.

Lancelot chased after her, grabbing her this time by the elbow and holding fast, "Shush woman! You'll wake everyone!" He was laughing, causing a stitch in his side. He had never felt so young and alive; chasing this woman down the streets of the fort.

Delaney erupted in giggles. "Oops, can't have that!" She smothered the next set of giggles behind her hand. Lancelot grabbed her and held her against him kissing her soundly. Between the alcohol and all the laughter, Delaney felt another emotion, unhindered because of the alcohol imbibed; course through her. Taking Lancelot off guard she shoved him roughly against the stone wall behind him. Trying to drink herself in through his mouth.

Lancelot felt the desire in him answer her urgent call. He lifted her up; placing both of his hands underneath her buttocks and feeling her legs wrap around him as she drank even more deeply. He couldn't help the moan that escaped his throat in a growl. He pulled away, "Oh gods, Delaney! Not here. I won't take you in the middle of a street!"

A cough sounded close by and both turned to see Tristan lurking in the shadows. Delaney blushed crimson and Lancelot smirked as he ran his hand through his hair. Delaney looked up at him, "Is this why "not here'?"

"Honestly I didn't even see him. I was a bit distracted."

Delaney couldn't help but grin. She was the reason he was distracted. She turned to make a comment to Tristan and found he was now almost past them. She strode up to him, and kicked water onto his trews. He turned, looked at her and smirked, still walking as he brushed at his now damp pants leg. Delaney got an impish smirk upon her face and before Lancelot could reach out and stop her she had took off running after Tristan. She then leaped and landed upon the Scouts back. Lancelot stared wide eyed. No one touched the scout.

Tristan felt the weight upon his back and stopped. His first instinct was to reach behind him and pull the person over and onto the ground. The drunken giggling in his ear stopped him. Instead he pulled the legs further around his body until he was cradling a giggling Delaney in his arms. "Gefaemne, you are drunk."

"Gef–Gef– What did you just call me?"

"It's Sarmatian for woman." Lancelot stated quietly as he caught up to them.

"Well yes, I am a wee bit inebriated."

"You need to be more careful."

"Of what?" She asked indignantly.

"Of me." He said with a smirk as he splashed water onto her. Delaney, who was crouching on the ground anyway, took a handful of water from the puddle and threw it at him. It caught him full in the face. She then scampered away. Tristan and Lancelot both took off after her.

Delaney ran in a zig zag motion, every once in awhile looking behind her shoulder to see where the men were. Lancelot was behind her and she couldn't see Tristan. She turned and practically ran the scout over. He grabbed her arms, forcing her to stop. She gasped for air and giggled, wiping the hair from her eyes.

Lancelot loped up behind them. "You need to be more careful."

"You, are going to wake the whole fort!" Tristan gasped for air; smiling at her.

"Oh well, it was fun while it lasted!" The rain had become lighter and she tilted her head up, feeling the water upon her face.

"Your back Delaney." Lancelot stated.

"It hurts what of it?"

"It's bleeding through the dress." Tristan said in a quiet concerned tone.

Delaney sighed, "Look guys, don't start fawning over me like I'm inept. I probably tore open the scabs when I tackled Tristan."

"Or climbed up Lancelot," Tristan dead panned.

Delaney turned red, "Or there is that."

"Or both." Lancelot added.

"Either way, it will be fine. However, my dress is clinging to me now so I would like to get out of this water. Where were you headed, Tristan?"

"To the Tavern."

"Well then we'll join you." Delaney said brightly as she grabbed his arm along with Lancelot's. They both exchanged puzzled looks above her head. Delaney looked from one to the other, "What?"

"Well uh-"

"You didn't want to have a drink with, Tristan?" Delaney asked innocently, nuzzling against Lancelot's arm.

"It's not that."

"Then what is it? Obviously it's something because you are looking at me like I am doing the most amazing thing and I haven't figured out yet as to what that was. Maybe I am more drunk than I think I am but still that's not the point!"

"I think it's because you have touched me more than any woman ever." Tristan answered softly. He motioned them toward a table that was partially covered by the awning of the bar.