Delaney rested her forehead against Lancelot's; gasping for air. The rain had stopped and the wetness upon her skin was do to exertion. "Oh my," she breathed against him.

Lancelot chuckled, "Once again the monosyllabic answers amaze me. I do remember you repeatedly using that phrase earlier. Along with 'oh my God'". I never knew you were a Christian."

Delaney felt her face warm as she smiled at him, "Just as long as you realize I wasn't calling you a god, Lancelot, it's all good." She braced herself to gently move off of him and gasped. Her body hurt in places she wasn't used to. Lancelot immediately helped lift her onto the ground, pulling her against his chest. "Wasn't it something similar to this that got me sore in the first place?"

Lancelot smiled down at her, gently brushing her lips with his feeling her moan as she fought to deepen the kiss. He pulled back and grinned down at her, "As much as I would love another go around, we need to get back to the Fort before it gets dark."

"I know." She muttered, her eyes closed enjoying the feeling of being held. She felt a breeze against her bare butt and shivered, "I need to get dressed."

"Unfortunately yes." Lancelot muttered, running his fingers through her tangled hair. His hand caressed down her arm and squeezed her hand as she pulled away to gather her clothes. He stood watching; arms crossed against his chest. He couldn't help the wolfish smile that seemed permanently affixed to his face. She turned and looked at him; naked from the waist down.

"Do you mind turning your back or something while I get dressed?" She felt her face warm.

Lancelot chuckled as he pushed away from the tree and sauntered towards her. "After what we just did and now you are being modest?"

"That's different." Delaney mumbled as she turned her back to him.

Lancelot had come up behind her and nuzzled her neck, "You need never be embarrassed of your nakedness around me, Delaney. Never." He grabbed her still wet jeans from her hands and held them out for her to step into, "Here, I'll even help you get dressed."

Delaney waited a moment and with a defeated shrug stepped into the jeans. They were stiff and damp and she felt like she was peeling herself into them instead of the other way around. Lancelot was laughing as she shimmied into them. She turned and looked at him trying for exasperation and yet, she couldn't help but smile. "I can't wait to watch you get your leather trousers on, Lancelot."

He shook his head as he gently slid his pants on. "Mine have been made somewhat water resistant; they're only damp."

Delaney rolled her eyes as she finished pulling on her wet socks and boots. Lancelot was soon next to her with his horse, "Ready?"

"As I'll ever be."

"I'll let you mount first, then I'll be right behind you." He wagged his eyebrows suggestively.

Delaney sighed, "Should I be worried?"

"Very much so. It means I have free access to your delectable body."

"Maybe I should walk then."

"I've never made love on a horse." He commented as he helped her on.

Delaney looked down at him, "And as far as I'm concerned, it's going to stay that way."

Lancelot swung up behind her, "Still sore are we?"

"What do you think?" She asked with a raised eyebrow as they started a gentle trot towards what she assumed was the fort.

"I could kiss it and make it feel better." He answered innocently. Smiling when he saw the red flush to her face.

The image that provoked in Delaney's mind sent her hormones swirling in anticipation. She knew how talented his hands were and how agile his tongue was when giving kisses but oral sex? Oh Lordy! She mentally fanned herself.

Delaney had dozed off; the gentle sway of the horse effectively rocking her to sleep. She felt the gentle motion suddenly stop and Lancelot's arm about her tighten. She came to with a jolt. She turned about to say something to Lancelot and found him staring ahead at a horse that had been tied to a tree. Delaney recognized the horse, "My God, that's Tristan's!" She gasped. "Where's Achilles?"

Lancelot was already to the horse and untying it. "I don't know. There aren't any tracks to suggest he got away." Delaney looked around; listening. Hoping that Tristan was just hiding in the bushes. She knew better, if he had been scouting his horse would have been hidden not in plain sight.

Delaney came upon Lancelot. She gently rubbed his back, not saying a word. Noting the clenched fists balanced atop Tristan's saddle. "We must go after him."

"Ride my horse to the fort, he knows the way. I'll take Tristan's and search them out."

"Lancelot, this is not up for debate. You said you would worry about me, and even though we are close to the fort how do you know they aren't already laying in wait?"

"I don't wish to put you in harms way."

Delaney hugged him from behind, "I appreciate that. But honestly, you have the best chance of a diversion when it comes to me. After all the Scots are lead by who was once my mother."

He regarded her a moment, "You plan on trading yourself for Tristan, don't you?"

"Not exactly. I plan on having them THINK that."

"Why are you doing this?"

"So you are taking me?"

"Something tells me if I don't you will find a way to follow me or get yourself caught trying."

She smiled, "I'm doing this because Tristan is the closest thing I've ever had to a brother. I can talk to him and know he isn't after a tumble or anything else."

"I wouldn't be so sure." Lancelot muttered.

Delaney raised an eyebrow as she regarded him, "Do you know something I don't?"

"Yes, your affect on men."

"What? Just because I do funny things to you doesn't mean that I have that affect on everyone."

"I was just saying, I know Tristan regards you fondly. Just don't think that he probably hasn't thought of tupping you." He commented as he lifted her onto the horse.

Once he sat astride his own horse Delaney turned and stared at him, "Care to expound on how Tristan has fantasized about me?"

"He would never act on it, Delaney. He knows our feelings. Hell he knew my feelings for you before I did. He won't try anything because it would go against his code."

Delaney nodded her head and turned her attention forward trotting alongside Lancelot. He grabbed one of the reigns and pulled the horse closer, leaned down and grabbed her lips with his. He parted, looked into her eyes and whispered, "Forgive me." Delaney's eyebrows rose in question and with a grimace he smacked the flank of his horse as hard as he could, sending it off into a run. He knew it would go straight for the fort. He gently glided Tristan's horse in a slow circle and back tracked; looking for where they had taken Tristan.

Delaney couldn't get the horse to slow down. Unlike Achilles, it didn't listen to the subtle pressure of the thighs or a tug on it's mane. "Bastard!" she called into the air. Knowing he was far enough away by now to not hear her. Damn it! She thought to herself. There would be no way she could track and find out where either of them were now. With a sigh of defeat she hunched her shoulders and let the horse lead the way; presumably back to the fort.

She rode up to the Fort, one of the guards had already opened the smaller door within the larger doors for her. Ganis smiled brightly at her, "They will be thrilled you are back, M'Lady." He practically gushed as he took the horses reigns. He paused realizing whose horse it was, "What happened?"

" Long story. Just see to him please." Delaney brushed by him, walking to the tavern. It was evening, surely the knights would be there.

No one was there, save Vanora. She looked up at the bedraggled new comer and gasped. "Delaney? Lass, sit down let me get you some stew."

Delaney found herself hustled onto a bench, a tankard of wine set in front of her and then left alone all within seconds. Moments went by and she had a steaming bread bowl of stew sitting in front of her. "Where is everyone?"

"Looking for you, Lass. Lancelot and Tristan got a head start on them all. Where are they anyway?"

Delaney swallowed a mouthful of food and was about to reply when Guinevere strode in. She paused as she settled eyes on Delaney. "I'm glad you're safe." She remarked with affection. Then taking a deep breath and straightening both her shoulders and her head stood regally, "Arthur requests your presence immediately."

"Why me?" Delaney asked, placing the bite of food back into the bowl.

"That is for Arthur to say." She quickly grabbed Delaney's arm and walked with her, "You shouldn't have run off, Delaney."

"I didn't exactly run off, I just needed time to think."

"Merlin came yesterday, and told Arthur of the Scots. Arthur was not pleased to find out you had run into them."

"How does he know about that?"

"We didn't know for sure. But that is why you rode off wasn't it? To try and prevent the possibility of a battle? Maybe talk to your "mother"?"

"Maybe." Delaney answered gruffly.

Guinevere looked sternly at her, "You don't understand, Delaney. If you had been captured, Arthur would have no choice but to send all of his knights after you. You could have been the cause of a war."

Delaney stared at her dumbfounded. "I didn't think of that," she stated softly.

Guinevere softened her gaze and smiled, "I know, this is all very hard for you. Lancelot and his emotions, and our strange ways. Plus finding out it's your mother who is leading the army. I can't imagine how mixed up I would feel."

"You probably never feel confused, Guinevere." Delaney muttered, as they made their way to what Delaney assumed would be the round table room.

"Oh, Laney. When I first met Lancelot and Arthur... I was more confused than you could imagine. Did you know that Lancelot saved me that day on Bandon hill? That scar he bears above his heart is from saving my life. I had to decide if I loved him because I was in love with him or if I loved him because he was willing to sacrifice himself for me. I love Arthur, and found Lancelot to be my silent guardian; kind of like Tristan and yourself. But it took time for me to get over that. Arthur called it a hero complex. And Arthur," she shook her head, a small smile upon her thin lips, "He never forgave himself for not being there for me. If Lancelot would have died; Arthur would have blamed himself. His best knight doing his job."

"I didn't know." Was all Delaney could say.

"I know you didn't. But, Arthur is even more protective of Lancelot now. Just be warned. He cares deeply for him and what he says to you is only because he was scared for his well being." With that Guinevere ushered Delaney into the hall and then took her leave.

Delaney took a deep breath and the went into the room. She found herself facing Arthur, "What do you have to say for yourself?" He bellowed, bracing himself upon the table.

"Nothing." Delaney replied, her chin up.

"Nothing?" Arthur stood, taking a deep breath. "Nothing." He shook his head, "You leave the protection of the fort and almost get captured by the enemy yet you have nothing to say."

"I did not get captured by the enemy however, isn't that what counts?"

"It is because of you that two of my knights went gallivanting off to bring you back. With the rest following. What will you do if they get captured?"

"I did not think of that." Delaney answered quietly. "And don't blame me for your knights riding off. It was their choice."

"Yes, their choice to feel obligated to protect you against yourself even." He studied her, seeing the slight hunching of her shoulders. He was scaring her. Good. He thought to himself and winced. Softly he spoke, "So I ask you again, what have you to say for yourself?"

"I'm sorry?" Her voice rose as did her eyebrows.

"That's a start." Arthur then looked at her, "I'm glad you are alright. Luckily for you the possibility exists for you to remedy your fault. Merlin has come to us saying that the Lady Morgan wishes and audience with you and him."

"Pardon?"

"Morgan wants to meet you. Merlin is going as an observer."

"If it means there won't be blood shed, I'll go. It's the least I could do." She answered standing with her arms folded.

"I hoped you would see it that way, Merlin will escort you."

"When do I leave?"

"First light."

Delaney nodded, curtsied and then turned and left hurriedly.

Merlin crept out of the shadows regarding Arthur. "This could be a sham Arthur."

Arthur turned to the older man, "I know. But what more can I do? We'll know soon enough if it is."

Just then a knock sounded upon the door and Ganis ushered in the dishelved knights. Gawain plunked down into his chair sighing, "We couldn't find her anywhere. There are some horse tracks leading to the fort and a set leading away. Then further beyond that were some left by a horse tied to a tree."

"Delaney rode in on Lancelot's horse." Arthur stated quietly watching the men.

"She's here?" Galahad asked.

"Yes, safe and sound. She didn't say anything about Lancelot or Tristan however."

"What happened to Tristan and Lancelot?" bors stood.

Arthur raised his hand, "I didn't let her explain and I didn't ask." He didn't meet his men's eyes. "We have a meeting with Morgan of the Scots tomorrow. Maybe Lancelot and Tristan are lost in the forest."

Bors snorted at this. Gawain regarded Arthur, "You don't believe that."

Arthur shrugged. "We leave at first light. Merlin and Delaney will meet with Morgan and we shall await them."

Dagonet watched Arthur silently. The rest of the knights filtered out and Dagonet continued to stare at his commander. "You cannot blame her for this."

"I shouldn't Dagonet, I know. But part of me–"

"Lancelot is not your responsibility."

Arthur regarded him with sad eyes, "He saved my wife."

"Then save his love." Dagonet stated quietly then he to left, leaving Arthur staring into the dimness.