Chapter 2:

Lancelot made his way towards the carriage once more.

"You better sit back at where you were seated or Guinevere, Arthur and Fulcinia will have my head" he remarked. I smiled as he

began to act like the Lancelot I knew and loved. I meekly nodded as Fulcinia looking at Lancelot disapprovingly at having pulled me in

the rain with him while Lancelot meekly dropped his head.

"Forgive me milady, I wasn't aware. I have made sure she returned to gain her rest" he explained. I turned to see the twinkle of humor

within Fulcinia's eyes as she grasped my arm within her own as she pulled me within the warmth of the carriage as she merely nodded at

Lancelot.

"Sir Lancelot fear not. I am merely wanted you to be aware of Shirin's condition" she explained lightly. I smiled at seeing her loosening

up a bit around the knights. Lancelot gave a nod as he turned his horse to ride by Arthur's side but turned to seek me out again while I

longingly gazed at him as well. He nodded at me with a smile then rode towards the other knights.

My heart swelling with happiness and love I turned to see Guinevere and Fulcinia sitting there with matching smirking expressions with

arms crossed.

"What goes here? What has happened to the calm girl we know?" asked Guinevere teasingly. I blushed but with a giggle I settled my

head in Fulcinia's lap as she fondly brushed down my hair as I gazed at Guinevere.

"Oh Guin I never truly understood the meaning of the statement absence makes the heart grow fonder till now. I love him Guin, I love

him so much that its truly difficult to express and explain" I remarked. Guinevere gazed out the window with a dreamy expression on her

face then faced me once more.

"I understand what it is you feel" she remarked. I saw that she must of fallen for Arthur and Fulcinia and I shared a look and smiled

fondly. I rose and moved over towards her as she looked at me fearfully.

"Shirin believe me when I say that I feel deeply for you brother" she started but I stopped her. I took her face within my own hands as

I gazed within her eyes and saw that she truly felt that way.

"I believe you Guin just make me this promise that you will not hurt him or lead him astray" I pleaded. She nodded and I kissed her

forehead in a sisterly manner then I saw Arthur ride up next to the carriage for we had stopped.

"We shall spend the night among the tree's. Are you both alright?" he questioned as he glanced briefly at Guinevere but I nodded.

"Tis alright with me" I remarked. He nodded shortly as he turned his horse to go speak amongst the other knights then we began to

get ready to settle for the night.

Later on that night...

Fulcinia remarked that Guinevere and I bath to wash away the grim and dirt that covered us from the days we had spent in that hell. I

went first as Fulcinia help me remove my clothing and handed my clothes to Guinevere to burn for they were useless now then handed me

a cloth to cover my body for modesty sake. I closed my eyes in pleasure as I felt the warm water began to make me clean once more

and I heard Fulcinia's gasp of shock as she spotted the scars on my back from countless battles that I had been among with my fellow

knights. She traced one that I had gotten from that devil saxon along side my belly and I closed my eyes briefly at the hatred that raged

within me at the mere thought of that man. I had vowed that I would find him and kill him upon what he had put me through.

Not entirely lost in thought I sensed that I was being watched and I glanced briefly to my left to see Lancelot standing there trying not

to be caught yet his eyes met mine and I recognized the guilt, pain, love and lust within them as he watched me. I knew that I should of

been offended at being watched yet my body tingled with pleasure at his warm gaze. He looked away to not make it seem that he was

watching but his eyes seeked me out once more then he completely turned away and moved towards the knights. I watched dejectedly at

his quick depature, no doubt disgusted with the way my body looked but what I didn't know was that he had begun to desire me as he

stood there watching. Fulcinia yanked gently on my hair which fell in waves of curls around me like a dark blanket. "Girl where are your

thoughts? You are done, tis Guinevere's turn but here is a gown that should fit you the best that it is able" she explained as she handed me

a beautiful red gown with gold lacing along the open sleeves and bottoms of the dress. With a thankful smile I took it and dressed within it

nearly purring at the warm feeling which it offered me. I snatched a black cloak that lay by my undergarments and slipped those on as

well as I held the cloak within my hands then I made to go find Lancelot as he sat against a tall, strong tree. Hearing my approach he

glanced up then upon seeing me he nodded me over to sit beside him, I walked over shivering slightly which he noticed and took the

cloak that I held within my hands and wrapped it around us both as I snuggled by his side.

"What was it like? Your home?" I asked softly as I took his strong hand within my own but Lancelot made to interlock our hands

instead.

"We sacrificed goats, drank their blood, dance naked round fires" he joked lowly causing me to chuckle slightly as I looked up into his

eyes as he chuckled as well. He smiled down at me, taking pleasure at hearing my laughter.

"Tis wonderful to hear you laugh once more" he murmured fondly. I nuzzled his face with the side of my cheek as he sighed in content

then he pulled back slightly as he became serious suddenly and brushed a lock of hair out of my face.

"What I do remember...Home...Oceans of grass from horizon to horizon, further then you can ride. The sky bigger then you can

imagine" he explained wistfully. He gazed straight into my eyes. "No boundaries" he finished. I searched his eyes, at his longing. I looked

away before I completely lost myself within his dark orbs. "This is what some would call freedom. This is what they fight for" I explained

gesturing around me, indicating the Woads that my brother and my fellow knights have been fighting for years.

"Their people, their land. The right to choose one's destiny. Were alot alike you and I Lancelot" I murmured. He sighed and stroked

my cheek, seeing the pleading in his eyes that he did not wish to discuss this matter further so the matter was put aside.

"And when you return home, will you take a wife? Have sons?" I asked casually. He snorted then looked me straight into my eyes.

"I've killed to many sons. What right do I have to my own?" he wondered. I gazed at him sympatically then I brushed a lock of curl out

of his face as I pressed the palm of my hand against his cheek.

"No family, no religion. Do you believe in anything at all?" I wondered lightly. Apparently it was the wrong question to ask for his eyes

darkened in guilt and sadness as he rose making me frown at his sudden change in manner. He turned away from me as he ran a hand

through his hair clearly frustrated then turned to face me.

"I would of left your friend and boy there to die" he remarked brokeningly. My face paled a bit at his confession but deep inside I

knew that Lancelot was a loving, warm man. I moved forth with my hands outstretched but he merely backed away and turned to go by

the other knights as I watched sadly at his rejection once more.

("Oh my darling Lancelot, do not dispair for you will find your true destiny") I merely thought as I turned with my shoulders slumped in

frustration and went by Guinevere's side. When I rested my head against the bark of the tree I listened to Guinevere's plan of having

Arthur hear Merlin out. I turned to her with a tortured look upon my face.

"Guin I'm not sure that my brother would go along with this, he hates Merlin for he believe that he is the cause of losing his mother" I

murmured.

Noting my saddened demenour she became defense. "What has he said to you?" she asked. Knowing that she spoke of Lancelot I held

up my hand to fend of the arguement that was due to come.

"Guin tis not his fault. He's merely frustrated" I explained. Her eyes softened as she realized that I was quite capable of taking care of

myself. I rose from my perch and glanced at Guinevere.

"I want no part in this Guin. Please do not make him distrust you completely" I remarked. She merely nodded as she reached out to

embrace me and I squeezed her to me then I turned to go get some sleep but what I didn't know that tomorrow would chang all of our

lives completely.