Thank you Black Knight63 for your awesome review. Because of you I have updated again, even though I wanted to wait and think more about what I actually wanted to write. Sorry if anyone doesn't like it, but I'm doing the best I can since it is after midnight I am doing homework for a morning class tomorrow while writing this! I know, why am I wasting my time with homework? Anyway, I hope its ok, tell me what you think, just don't be too mean. I'll sick my horsetail eating miniature donkey on you!

Time May Change

Somewhere between consciousness and unconsciousness I realized that I couldn't breathe. I was gasping for breath; air just didn't want to seem to come. My eyes flew open as I sat up, unaware of my surroundings, and made a tremendous attempt to hold myself up on my side so I could breathe. My arms quickly gave out though and I found myself lying face down on the bed heaving as the air would not come.

Unseen by my eyes, someone quickly stood from a lone chair at the other side of the room and stepped to the bed. Arms were swiftly under me helping me to sit up and breathe. They reached behind them and grabbed a cup, helping me hold the cup in place as I was allowed after so long to take slow careful sips of water. Ah, water, how I missed you. I nearly dropped the cup as I sagged against the person's arms exhausted after two or three sips. I felt myself being carefully lowered back onto the pillow.

My eyes slowly began to focus and I saw blurrily that the man helping me was Tristan. My head sank into the pillow as I continued gasp for air. I must be hyperventilating or something. It reminds me of what I guess it would be like to have an asthma attack, I've never seen one so I wouldn't know. I remember one time my freshman year I was really sick one night; I was up all night gasping for air like this, but it was because my throat was so swollen and my chest so sore that I was having a difficult time breathing. I thought my roommate was going to wake up with a corpse in the morning, though I don't think she would have cared if I died. This, this was different. I don't know what's going on, why, or what's going to happen to me, and I am actually scared.

Air seemed to be coming scarcer and scarcer. My chest and surprisingly stomach hurt. It was then I realized that I hadn't eaten in four days. "Please…please…haven't..…" I spoke with great labor. Somehow he got the message though. I'm not sure how, but he did. I must have looked something awful. Through my dimmed eyesight I vaguely saw Tristan cross to a table where I assume he had been sitting and returned with an apple in hand. Seeing that I was in no condition to do anything with it he cut off a thin slice and held it out to me.

Weakly I reached for it but my hand fell back on the bed and I continued to gasp as my body began to shudder, my head starting to swim. I felt him reach and place it in my hand. Slowly I began to crunch on it; it was a really good apple. Another piece found its way into my hand and I began to chew hungrily once more between labored breaths, feeling some strength return. A third piece was thrust into my hand but as I finished I began to choke a bit and started coughing badly. I leaned forward in attempt to ease myself and found myself leaning against Tristan's arm. He eased me down once more and I found myself focusing in on his eyes. He handed me another piece of apple.

"One more, come on." He sat the rest of the apple on the table with the cup. My eyes involuntarily stared at the cup for a second or two before he had my attention again. He leaned forward placing a hand on my forehead feeling for any excessive heat. "You're burning up."

My body was still shaking, I think not from the fever but from exhaustion, but I was starting to get a little more air and I wasn't feeling quite so lightheaded. I went to feel my forehead but I was so tired I couldn't. I let out a moan. Never had I felt so weak before. I tried taking a few deep breaths before making another attempt at talking. The room tilted once or twice as I lay there. "Please more…more water."

Tristan turned and reached for the wooden cup. "Sit up."

I made a great attempt to sit up, regardless of the fact that I felt like there was a hundred pound weight on my chest, but I stopped midway, paused for a second and then slowly collapsed sideways into Tristan and almost off the bed. A slight moan escaped again as I felt him once more help me to sit. Leaning heavily against him he helped me to finish what water was left. As I drained it of its contents my breathing finally began to even out a bit, not quite normal yet. It felt like an eternity since I woke struggling for air, though in reality it was probably only fifteen, maybe twenty minutes. The fit robbed me of any strength I had left. My eyes slid shut against my protests and I felt myself slump against his arm. I was fast losing the battle to stay awake and I knew it. The words "thank you…" escaped from my lips as I slipped back into the oblivion.

I was instantly awake, eyes open as I heard a door creak open. I turned my head slightly to see a tall man sitting in a chair beside me. I opened my mouth but nothing came out but another series of coughs. The man who seemed almost statue like helped me sit up and lean to the side so I could try to ease my fit. As they ended I fell flat on my stomach, still half way out of the bed with my chest once again heaving. Fortunately my ribs didn't hurt near as bad this time. I vaguely remembered the night before, if it even was night…was this morning?

A second or so later I felt myself being shifted back under the covers and on to my back. I opened my eyes again to see two men by the bed. I didn't have to ask who the other man was; it was like someone planted the name in my mind.

"Arthur…" I closed my eyes again, still trying to catch my breath. Through the narrow slit under my eyelashes I saw him nod to the tall one who in turn stood and left, the door once again creaking behind him.

"So, you are awake." Arthur sat down in the now vacant chair.

"Where am I?" I struggled to sit up and, with no thanks to Arthur, managed to after a few attempts. Tristan must have told him not to touch me.

"Hadrian's Wall. Tristan brought you in sometime last night. The sun is beginning to set again; you have been out, according to Tristan, for over a day, with the exception of your ordeal last night, if you can recall. Tristan said you were pretty bad off." He handed me a wooden cup filled with what I hoped was more water.

"He said he found you half starved, injured, sick and he can only assume lost. Can you remember what happened lady?"

"Oh no, first off, it's Krista, no lady stuff. Secondly, gah, my head hurts so much I can't even think straight. I remember walking in the woods because I was too cold to sleep. I was stuck at my…I can't say school... stuck in the woods with my horse who…threw me…" such an unbelievable lie…come to think of it, I hardly ever fall off! I think horses have fallen beneath me more than I've fallen off…that would have to work, shut up and keep making crap up… "He fell on me, knocking me out. I awoke all alone, and terribly dazed. I easily got myself lost." Fortunately Arthur was buying it.

"I didn't have any supplies, just a bit of water. I tried walking but I got hopelessly lost in the snow. On the third night, fourth morning really, I think I was seeing things. I thought I was being attacked…by a wolf I think…I don't know. I climbed up a tree to get away and must have slipped. I remember the feeling of falling for what seemed an eternity. Next thing I remember was waking up at the base of the tree with…um, Tristan, staring at me." I bowed my head as I finished, I hate talking that much, especially to people I don't trust, if you don't classify that as everyone. I guess I should have been thankful, if it weren't for Tristan I probably would have died, not that I would really complain there. I sank back down on the bed and closed my eyes. I soon felt the back of Arthur's hand on my forehead. Darn it, what do I have to do to get these people to leave me alone, stupid men!

"Your fever broke early this morning but we can't be too careful. You should stay in bed a few more days and rest…"

"I want out now." No way in heck I was staying in bed.I don't even listen to doctor's orders to stay in bed. If arthur had seen me dragging myself around after the incedent with the tree, he would know better than to suggest staying in bed. i never stay in bed, especially if a doctor tells me too,of course, I stay away from doctors at all costs normally, why would now be any different.

"You are still recovering; I think it wise to stay abed for at least another day. Then we can find you your own room and Tristan can have his room back."

"No, I am not being bed ridden, it just isn't happening." I sat up defiantly as I spoke. It took everything I had to not appear as weak or ill as I felt at the moment.

"As you wish, I will send someone up to help you dress into something suitable. In the meantime, there is bowl of stew on the table as I can only assume you are hungry."

I eyed the bowl hungrily as he stood and left. I heard no footsteps going down the hallway and I knew he was still standing outside the door. I looked across the room where the bowl was. So that's his plan. He was waiting to see if I could make it to the table. Then when he hears me crash to the ground he would come in saying I can't even stand up and order me to bed. No dice, I am making it to that bowl, I want my food!