Adventures In Camelot
Chapter 1: We're Not In Briarwood Anymore
By: Pink-Green-White-4ever
Last Revised: August 1, 2007
Summary: Two teams who should have never met are thrust back into a time and place where magic prevails, evil is looming, and the King of Myth rules.
Rating: T for now.
Ships: You'll see!
Disclaimer: Don't own em, wish I did!
Dedication: To Angela, sorry this is such a late birthday present! And to Megs, thanks for backing me up!
--
"King Arthur?" Chip chirped in shock. "THE King Arthur? The guy who was given Excalibur by the Lady in the Lake, who is friends with Merlin, who created the Knights of the Round Table? THAT King Arthur?"
"Yes lad, one in the same."
"And that makes you one of the Knights of his court, right?" Chip asked.
The Knight nodded. "I am Sir Gawain; now, your names."
"We're the Power Rangers," Bridge told him, the other Rangers, Clare and Ally staring at him like he was losing his mind.
"Power….Rangers?" Gawain asked. "I do not understand."
Sky stepped forward, shaking his head at Bridge's forgetting they were several hundred years in the past, long before Power Rangers on Earth had come to be. "You could say we're Knights, from a distant land. We've been stranded here, and we must speak with King Arthur and Merlin."
Gawain eyed the group. "You wear funny clothing, and speak differently. Why should I trust you?"
"We're from across the ocean," Syd's soft voice came, causing Gawain to step back, gasping. "We're just trying to find a way home."
"It cannot be! Milady! You are alive!"
Syd looked panicked. "I think you've confused me with someone else, my name is Sydney."
Gawain dismounted and strode toward her, causing the Pink Ranger to hide behind Xander, who was the closest to her. "Listen mate, Sydney hasn't done anything," Xander started, stepping forward only to have Gawain point his sword at his neck.
Nick moved in then, so that he was right next to Gawain and Xander. "You don't want to do that," Nick's voice came out in a low tone, warning shimmering across it like the power that stood ready for Nick's slightest command.
"Why not? You are unarmed, and I am one of the Knights of Camelot, sworn to uphold our laws."
"Just because you're a knight, doesn't mean you can treat my friends the way you are," Nick told him, before lowering his voice to a deadly whisper, one his friends and cousin had only heard when they'd battled the Master and his forces. "Besides, if you think Merlin's powers are great, you'll be surprised by what we can do. Not all of us are just Knights; six of us control great magic."
Gawain turned his head slightly. "I do not believe you. No one has magic as great as Merlin."
Nick grinned and touched a fingertip to Gawain's sword, which glowed red before bursting into flames. "AHH!" the Knight yelled, dropping the sword, which sat on the ground, still flaming.
Maddy stepped forward and pointed her hand at the sword. A second later, water poured over the piece of metal, cooling it off, before she picked it up and handed it back to its owner. "Our magic is used in defense of our land, but we follow one simple rule when it comes to civilians."
"What would that be?" one of the other Knights called out.
"And it harm none," Vida all but growled.
"Besides, Xander's powers are the last you'd want to mess with," Chip grinned. The five Knights stared at him, willing him to continue. "He's got the power of Earth; he could open the ground up and let it swallow you whole."
"Look, we need to speak to Merlin," Jack started again, gaining everyone's attention back to the task at hand. "He's our only hope of getting home."
"We will take you to see the King, he will decide if you are to see Merlin," Gawain told them, moving to get back on his horse.
--
"Milady, our spies have reported newcomers to Arthur's court this day."
"Oh?"
"Yes Milady. Rumor around Camelot is that they are Knights from a distant land, and several of them are born of Magic. They have not even arrived at Castle Camelot yet, but the talk is spreading across the countryside as we speak."
The red-haired woman in the emerald green dress narrowed a look at her general. "How many are there?"
"Twelve, Milady." 'I wonder if they are who caused the disturbance this morning?' she thought to herself. "Milady?"
"I believe it is time I made an appearance in Camelot, Reginald."
"Of course, Milady," he spoke, bowing to her before rushing from the room to ready their minions.
--
"Holy cow," Z muttered as the team walked into the castle courtyard near sundown and was met by an army.
"Stay close, girls," Jack ordered. The six girls rolled their eyes at him, and Z even reached forward to punch him in the shoulder, but they managed to stay close to their teammates – Ally held Jack's hand tightly, while Nick reached out to take Maddy's. Clare and Chip stood just behind the two couples, arms linked. Z rolled her eyes and grabbed Bridge's hand so she didn't lose him. That left Syd walking next to Xander, and Vida next to Sky.
"Clare, you've got a lot of fire power, right?" Ally asked, cautiously looking around as Gawain led the group of twelve into the castle.
The sorceress smiled. "I do, but I've heard all about Merlin. The Great Sorcerer probably knew we were here the moment we landed. I'm sure he's got lots of questions, but he should be able to help us get home."
"How?" Z piped up.
"I'm not sure, yet."
Ally looked back over her shoulder, uncomfortable at Clare's answer. "First, you must dress properly before going before the King. Come, I will have the queen's ladies see to you all," Gawain spoke.
The twelve looked tense but nodded.
--
"Your majesty, these are the visitors I told you about," Gawain explained as he bowed before Arthur, who sat on a gilded throne.
The man on the throne watched with curiosity as the group of twelve walked toward him. They stopped a good six feet from the bottom step of the dais and bowed to him as one. His eyes swept over them, in awe of their diversity, but his true attention was drawn to the slight girl at that back of the group. "Identify yourself."
Taking a deep breath, Jack stepped forward. "King Arthur, my name is Jack Landors."
Arthur stared at him in wonder. He was surprised to see the dark skinned man in black trousers, black boots, and a red tunic act as their leader. Arthur nodded to him to continue. Jack was relieved to see the stories about how fair Arthur was to everyone were true. "This is Ally Samuels," he introduced Ally, who stepped up and curtsied.
The King smiled at her, noting she was indeed beautiful. She wore a floor length dress in red velvet that belled out around her. The sleeves were tight to the elbow before they belled out and stopped at her wrists. The front of the dresses was almost like a corset, where is laced up with black silk cords. Her feet were adorned with red slippers and her shoulder length hair swung about freely, framing her face. "Welcome to Camelot, Lady Samuels."
The pair stepped back as Nick and Madison stepped forward, bowing and curtsying to him. "My name is Nick Russell, and this is Madison Rocca." Nick wore black trousers and boots like Jack, but his tunic wasn't red, it was white with red accents. Maddy wore a slim, aqua blue dress, one much like the color of her Ranger uniform. It had long, tapering sleeves and fanned out from the waist into a train that was a foot or two behind her as she walked. The front of the dress laced up with white satin ties. There was also a belt that came together at her stomach in a v then hung to her feet in the front. The collar of the dress was done in a gold stitching, as was the design on the belt. Near the bottom of her dress, a simple white linen shift could be seen, sectioning up the bottom of the dress between the blue. She wore aqua colored slippers and her hair hung straight down her back, her bangs framing her face.
Arthur nodded and the pair stepped back, while Chip and Clare stepped forward. "Your majesty, my name is Chip Thorn, and this is the Sorceress, Clare," Chip announced. The former Yellow Ranger wore a yellow tunic and brown trousers and boots. Clare was wearing a floor length, purple velvet gown that hugged her curves lightly, making her shape more pronounced. The dress had little decoration, with a simple pale yellow linen shift underneath that peaked out the sleeves and at the neck and bottom of the skirt. The sleeves were tight to her elbows, and then belled out from there, the front coming to her wrist while the back hung nearly as low as her dress. She wore purple slippers with a yellow design embroidered on them.
"Welcome," Arthur spoke as Xander and Vida moved forward then.
"Your highness, I am Xander Bly, and this is Vida Rocca," Xander informed him. The former Green Ranger was dressed in a hunter green tunic and brown trousers and boots. Vida's dress was an off the shoulder velvet number with a scoop neck line and long tapering sleeves that came to mid waist. It was in a hunter green and had a pink flower design embroidered from the hem to her knees. The shift she wore beneath was black and set off the colors of her dress even more. Her short hair was styled as it always was; the only adornment she wore was a beautiful pink crystal necklace that rested at the swell of her breasts. Her feet were adorned with hunter green slippers that were also embroidered in pink.
"Sisters?" Arthur asked Vida, who grinned.
"Twins," she responded. Arthur nodded and the pair stepped back.
Bridge and Z stepped up next. "Your majesty, I am Bridge Carson, and this is Elizabeth Delgado," Bridge announced, looking comfortable in his forest green tunic, brown trousers and black boots. Z looked momentarily annoyed with his use of her first name, but that vanished as she and Bridge followed the others and bowed to the King. Arthur smiled at her, and noted how pretty she looked. She wore a dress that was almost an exact replica of Vida's, only Z's was in a pale yellow with forest green accents and it wasn't off the shoulder. Her sleeves came to mid bicep and then belled out to almost mid thigh. She wore a forest green belt that made a v in the front and hung down to the ground. Her dress also had a long train, like Madison's. Her shoulder length hair was pulled back with green satin ribbon and her feet were dressed in pale yellow slippers with green designs.
As Bridge and Z moved back into place with the others, Arthur's eyes widened upon seeing the final couple. When Sky saw what had Arthur's attention, the Red Ranger stepped a bit closer to Sydney than he was before. "And you are?" the King called in command.
"Schuyler Tate," the young man in black trousers and boots and a deep blue tunic answered.
The King all but dismissed Sky after that, his attention focused solely on Syd. "And you, fair maiden?"
Sydney swallowed hard and curtsied to him. "Sydney Drew."
"You look like my…daughter…" Arthur murmured. Many of the nobles, knights and staff present thought the same thing, as shocking as it was. Indeed, Sydney looked like the lost Princess Aislinn. The Pink Ranger wore a dress similar to Clare's, only Sydney's was a shimmering rose-pink silk with a scoop neck that came halfway down her breasts and showed off the pale pink linen shift underneath. The sleeves came to mid bicep in the rose colored fabric and then fell in long waves to her knees in the light pink. Gold embroidery decorated the top part of her sleeves, the neck, and hem of her dress. Her beautiful blonde tresses were held back from her face with two pearl combs and her feet were adorned with light pink slippers.
Syd tried to smile but her teammates and the Mystic Rangers caught the unmistakable grip she had on Sky's hand as she stepped closer to him. "I'm flattered, your majesty," she murmured in kind.
Swallowing hard, Arthur turned his attention to the group as a whole. "Gawain said you wished to speak with Merlin."
"Yes sir," Nick responded.
"I am afraid Merlin has left Camelot. I am not sure when he will be returning, and his destination must remain a secret."
The Rangers looked crest fallen. "Great, how the heck are we supposed to get home now?" Xander grumbled.
"Please, stay here, as my guests," Arthur spoke up. "If Merlin has not returned in a few days time, I will send word to him that he is needed."
Sky, Jack, and Nick shared a look before nodding. "We appreciate it, your majesty," Nick told him.
"Good. Now, let us go to the dinning hall, where a feast has been prepared, and you may tell me about your world across an ocean, as Gawain has told me."
--
When Arthur said feast, the Rangers soon found, he meant feast. There was one table at the end of the main hall, where three chairs sat – one large and ornate, one small and less decorated, and the last was a basic chair, as was the theme for all the others in the room. A long line of tables ran down the sides of the great hall, and all groaned under the weight of the food the castle servants were placing there. A group of musicians, jugglers, and the court jester stood in the expanse between the tables, already entertaining those gathered.
"Wow," Syd gasped as they walked in. The group watched as Arthur advanced on a couple standing near the head table.
"That must be Guinevere and Lancelot," Chip commented as the others nodded.
"Didn't you girls meet the Queen while you were dressing?" Jack asked.
The six young ladies shook their heads. "Nope. We only met a couple of her ladies, they said she was out riding and hadn't come back in yet," Ally told him.
"My guests, allow me to introduce my Queen, Guinevere, and my most trusted knight, Lancelot," King Arthur introduced as the trio neared the Rangers.
The group of twelve bowed to the queen and Arthur's head Knight. "Welcome to Camelot," Guinevere spoke, smiling. "I hope that my ladies were of assistance in getting you settled?" she asked.
"Yes, your highness," Nick assured her. He watched Guinevere sweep her gaze over the group, and like Arthur before her, saw her eyes widen when they landed on the dazzling, blonde haired Pink Ranger.
"Aislinn?" she gasped softly, almost racing forward toward Sydney until Arthur grabbed her arm. "Arthur?"
"Guinevere, Lancelot, allow me to introduce the Lady Sydney," Arthur spoke slowly. "And yes, we have already discussed the fact that she looks like our dearly departed Aislinn."
All eyes were on Syd as the Pink Ranger clutched Sky's arm tightly, slightly terrified again that they were mistaking her for some dead princess. "My apologies, Lady. As my King has said, you look incredibly like our dear Aislinn."
"If you don't mind my asking, you majesties, but what happened to Princess Aislinn?" Vida spoke up.
Guinevere turned to bury her face against Arthur's arm as the King tried to comfort her. "The Princess was killed after being taken captive just after her sixteenth birthday," Lancelot told them. "You look almost like her twin, Lady Sydney."
Syd nodded in acknowledgement, but the Rangers knew it would be hard to get her to let go of Sky's arm anytime soon. "Come, the food is ready, and I want to think of happier times," Arthur all but ordered, allowing Lancelot to help him get Guinevere to the front table where she could sit down. A servant helped situate the Ranger couples in between some of Arthur's Knights. Syd and Sky sat at the table nearest Guinevere's side of the front table, while Jack and Ally were at the front of the opposite table near Lancelot. The others were spread out along the tables with the Knights.
There was much laughter as the various dishes were devoured. There was deer, goose, chicken, pork, plates of various cheeses and breads, a delicious tasting cabbage soup that had tons of vegetables in it, and for desert, pies and cakes. While everyone ate desert, a group of dancers got up and began to perform to the music the minstrels were playing. "That looks fun," Syd grinned as she and Sky listened to the music.
"It is a very simple dance, perhaps you would like to join them?" Guinevere asked, smiling.
"Sky doesn't dance," Syd told her, grinning when the Red Ranger glared at her. "I've tried countless times to get him to dance, it doesn't work."
"Perhaps he just has not been taught the right dance. Sir Sky, would you care to join me?" Guinevere asked, holding out her hand.
All eyes were on the dark haired Red Ranger, who glared at Syd before nodding to the queen. "You'll have to forgive me, your highness, I have two left feet, which is why I don't dance," Sky explained as the queen led him out onto the floor.
"Allow me then," she smiled. She carefully reached out and took his hands, placing one on his hip and taking the other in hers. "Now, just follow what the other dancers do. This is a dance of repetition; the same sequence of steps is used continuously."
It took a good five minutes, but finally, Sky and Guinevere were able to keep up with other dancers. Just as Sky was starting to enjoy the dance, there was a tap on his shoulder. "May I?" Lancelot asked. Sky nodded when he saw the sparkle in Guinevere's eyes as she set her sights on Lancelot.
Turning, Sky saw Sydney watching them, her face glowing, and was suddenly struck by a wicked idea. Moving to her seat, he bowed deeply. "May I have this dance, Milady?" he asked, looking up at her through his eyelashes as he held his hand out to her.
Shyly, Syd placed her hand in his, nodding. Sky helped her from her seat and escorted her onto the dance floor; murmurs sounding from their teammates and new friends as the pair suddenly found themselves dancing alone with Guinevere and Lancelot, and actually keeping time with them.
The dance was over all too soon, and Syd and Sky found themselves face to face, breathing heavily. "You okay?" Sky asked.
"It's really hot in here," she whispered.
"It's the wine; you're not use to such primitive drinks. Want to take a walk and get some fresh air?" Syd nodded and Sky turned to Lancelot. "Sir Lancelot, Lady Sydney's in need of fresh air, how do I get outside?"
Lancelot nodded and smiled. "Go out the main doors and to your right there is a winding staircase. Take that up to the second floor door and then go out. You will find yourselves able to walk onto the inner wall. That would be safest for you, considering the time of night."
"Thank you," Syd murmured as Sky took her by the elbow and led her out of the room.
"Is everything all right?" Arthur asked as Lancelot and Guinevere returned to the table.
"She was in need of some fresh air," Lancelot told him, watching him nod.
--
"You think Syd's okay?" Bridge asked as the Rangers gathered around Jack and Ally's table. For the most part, dinner was over, and the servants were clearing the tables. Lancelot, Gawain, and about four of the other knights still remained in the room, though they were now playing a game of cards and giving Lancelot their report of the sweep of the area just outside of Camelot where the Rangers had been found.
"It's probably the wine," Z spoke up, rubbing her hand down her worried' boyfriend's back. "You know Syd likes wine, but she can't handle much alcohol."
"And this stuff is ancient, even by our time's standards," Nick muttered, nodding his head to the cup in front of Jack that sat untouched.
"So, room assignments?" Vida asked, trying to stifle a yawn.
"I think that's up to Arthur, and where exactly he plans on putting us," Jack commented. "We could always ask Lancelot."
"I'll do it," Maddy murmured, moving away from the table and toward Arthur's knights.
"Yes, Milady?" Lancelot asked as the knights stood.
"Sir Lancelot, we were just wondering where we're supposed to sleep?"
He grinned and nodded. "King Arthur has set aside a block of rooms for you. I shall show you to them when you are ready."
"I think most of us are ready now," Maddy said apologetically.
"Very well. Follow me."
"Let's go guys!" Maddy called out to the others, who jumped up and followed her and Lancelot.
--
The pair of Rangers was quiet as they made their way up to the second floor and then out onto the inner wall. "Feeling better?" Sky softly asked as they stopped and looked up at the moon that shone brightly above them. Without the glare of city lights, they could see all the stars in the sky.
Sydney drew in a deep breath of the cool night air and exhaled slowly. "Yeah. You can see so many of the constellations here, so unlike home," she whispered back.
"You'd have to go to the beach or the mountains to see this many; too many lights in the city."
Syd grinned. "Or take a ride in your old Delta Runner," she teased.
Sky chuckled. "The SWAT Megazord." The grin on the Pink Ranger's face faltered even as she closed her eyes. Sky almost seemed to sense the melancholy mood she shifted into. "Syd, what's wrong?"
"I wanna go home," she told him. "We've barely been here a day and I miss home so badly. It's going to be so hard sleeping without Peanuts tonight, or not listening to Z snoring in the bed across from me."
"I'm sure you and Z can share a room tonight," Sky told her, sliding his arm across her shoulders. "As for Peanuts, there isn't much I can do about that, sorry."
She heaved a sigh and leaned her head against his shoulder. "How long do you think it'll be before we get home?"
"Who knows?" Sky frowned when she pulled away from him and moved to stand next to the wall, leaning her palms on the hard stone, her head bowed. There was a knot in his stomach as he saw her shoulders shake before she sucked in a breath and let it back out, bringing her gaze up to the moon.
For once, Sky let his own wants take center stage as he moved to stand behind her, his hands sliding up and down her arms before moving down her sides and finally cradling her hips. He gently pulled her back to him, smiling as her hands moved from the stone to rest on top of his and her back leaned against his chest. Carefully, as he was unsure of how she'd react, Sky leaned down and let his lips kiss the shell of her ear then her cheek before finally moving down to caress the softly scented skin of her neck and shoulder.
Sydney shuddered in response and let out the tiniest of moans as his lips lit a fire inside of her, one she'd always tried to ignore when she was around him. She'd had a crush on him for years, but had always tapped it down because they were just friends and she wasn't sure if he felt anything beyond friendship and maybe a brotherly love for her. His actions now spoke of something much deeper than she'd ever have thought he'd feel. "Cold?" he asked softly, his warm breath tickling her ear and neck.
"N-n-no…" she stuttered, her hands tightening their grip on his.
Sky smiled and leaned down again, this time his mouth open as he latched onto the side of her neck. When he sucked lightly Syd gasped in response. "You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that, or how many times I've imagined what you might do if I did," he whispered.
The Pink Ranger let out a sound that was half giggle half sob. "Sky," she cried softly, arching her neck toward him. "Don't stop, please," she begged.
"I wasn't planning on it," he grinned. His hands moved from her hips to her stomach, his fingers splaying there as he felt the warmth of her skin through her dress. "Have I told you how stunningly beautiful you are in this very tight dress?"
"Oh?" she asked.
"Uh huh," he responded. He was just about to turn her around and capture her mouth when someone cleared their throat.
The two jumped, startled, and swung around to face the doorway, where Lancelot clearly stood. "It is late, you should rest," he told them. "If you follow me, I will take you to your rooms." The two swallowed hard and nodded before following him, Sky taking Syd's hand and tucking it into the crook of his elbow as he led her inside.
--
Sydney sighed, her back against the wall as she sat on her makeshift window seat in her room. Lancelot had taken her down the hall from her friends and told her Arthur and Guinevere had wanted her to sleep in Princess Aislinn's old room. The Pink Ranger was appreciative of the lovely room, and the clothes at her disposal, but she wanted nothing more than to be with her friends. Sky was sharing a room with Xander and Chip, while Vida and Clare were in another, just across the hall. Past them, were Bridge and Z, Ally and Jack, and Nick and Maddy. In fact, the poor blonde was a little wigged out by the resemblance, between her and Aislinn, and everyone's inability to get past it.
Her thoughts soon drifted to Sky and their time on the inner wall. She couldn't help but smile as the warmth settled in the pit of her stomach and in her heart. Sky had all but spelled it out for her outside; he wanted her as much as she'd wanted him. In fact, she quite literally wanted him now. It wasn't in a sexual way, not like when they'd been outside; she just desperately wanted something or someone to hold onto. Her mind made up, she quickly left her seat and found a robe. It wouldn't do to go walking around in the rather revealing nightgown she had on, especially since it looked like something straight out of one of the Star Wars movies Sky and Bridge had forced her to watch when they'd first become a team.
Carefully peeking her head out into the hallway, she made sure no guards were walking around before she darted out and headed down to the boys' room. When she got to the door, she didn't even knock she just carefully opened it and slipped inside. It took her a moment to let her eyes adjust to the dark before she began to look around. There were two bodies on the bed, and a third on the floor, covered in a pile of furs and blankets. Realizing the figure on the floor was probably Sky, Syd carefully crept over to him. She couldn't help but smile as she saw him sleeping peacefully. She loathed to wake him, but she knew she wouldn't go to sleep anytime soon unless he came and shared her room with her.
"Sydney?" Xander's sleepy voice called, causing the Pink Ranger to snap her attention to the bed.
"Yes Xander?"
"What are you doing, Pretty Lady?" he asked, sitting up.
"I was trying not to wake you up," she grinned. "I actually came to see if Sky wanted to share my room with me."
"Really?" Chip's sleepy voice asked, as he too sat up.
Syd rolled her eyes. "Well, don't let us stop you," Xander teased.
Just as she was about to turn back to Sky, the room was suddenly lit up. She tossed a look at the two boys on the bed and noticed that Chip had used a touch of magic to light the candle on the bedside table. Shaking her head, she turned her attention back to Sky and just about drooled. From what she could see of Sky under the blankets, he was shirtless. Carefully, she reached out and gave his arm a nudge. "Sky, wake up," she whispered. When he didn't even budge, she gave him a harder nudge.
Sky's eyes suddenly opened to slits and he groaned. "Syd?"
"Yeah."
"What the heck..?"
"I need you." There was snickering coming from the bed behind them, even as Sky's eyes widened and Syd threw a hand over her mouth. Her comment had come out sounding a lot more sexual than she'd intended. "I'm scared."
"Of what?" he asked, pushing up into a position where he was leaning on his elbows. He stared at her intently and saw the stark fear in her eyes. "What happened?"
"Nothing happened, and no one's bothered me, it's just…I'm scared to be alone in that room. Will you come sleep in there with me? I'll feel better if you do, and besides, my bed is a lot more comfortable then the floor."
Sky looked like he was about to decline but Syd had prepared for that. She gave him a look that had his face softening – big, wide, innocent eyes and a slight pout. Sky's better judgment went straight out the window. "Alright already, stop giving me that look. You know I can't say no to you," he sighed.
Syd tried not to smirk and moved back as he tossed the covers off, revealing that he was dressed only in his boxers. She swallowed hard while Sky took a moment to smirk at her before he glared at the other occupants of the room. "Not a word to anyone else, am I understood?"
"Sure mate," Xander grinned. "By the way, Syd…."
"Yeah?"
"Lovely nightgown," the former Green Ranger grinned. Syd giggled and blushed while Sky, who'd been putting his pants on, glared. The pair left and Xander and Chip settled back down for the night.
"Do you think Clare would ever wear something like that for me?" Chip yawned.
Xander tried not to laugh. "Not on your life." 'I wonder if Vida would ever wear something like that?' he thought to himself.
"Vida would wear something a lot more revealing for you, trust me," Chip murmured before he fell asleep. Xander blinked and stared at the ceiling, wondering for the millionth time how Chip managed to surprise him into speechlessness.
--
Syd was sleeping soundly, snuggled against his chest, one arm tucked between them and the other wrapped around his waist. His arms were banded around her, holding her tightly, his eyes gazing down at her angelic face, which was bathed in moonlight from the window. Their legs were twined together, and the whole pose smacked of something much deeper than either of them would have imagined. As soon as they'd climbed into bed, she'd curled against him and was out like a light while he was busy trying to get rid of the erotic and wholly inappropriate images swimming in his head of Sydney laying underneath him, her hips cradling him as he made love to her, slowly, all night long. He made up his mind then and there that when they got home, things were going to be different for them, that they were going to be together, no matter what. For a long time now, he knew, he'd known he didn't want to face a time when his friends and teammates, especially Syd, weren't in his life. He'd already lost so much, he wasn't about to lose them too.
"Why are you still awake?" Syd's soft voice drifted his ears, as she shifted and opened her eyes.
"Can't sleep."
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
Sky smiled, bringing a hand up to smooth her hair away from her face. "It's not your fault."
"Yes it is. If I hadn't been a big baby and woken you up, you'd still be asleep."
The Red Ranger gave her a look before he leaned down and kissed her forehead. "It's not that I can't really sleep, it's that every time I close my eyes, I get some interesting images."
Syd blushed. "Do I want to ask of what?"
"More like who, and from the way you're blushing, I think you know who that person is," he chuckled. "Don't worry about it, I don't mind the images. Besides, it's nice to be in this big bed with you pressed against me; way better than the floor."
The Pink Ranger bit her lip and remained quiet. When Sky tipped her chin up, she smiled at him. "Thank you."
"For what?" he asked as they cuddled closer, as if that were even possible with clothes on, and started to drift off.
"For making sure I feel safe, and loved," she whispered as she fell back asleep.
"Always," Sky murmured.
--
Maddy sighed softly, snuggling further into her pillows. When the pillow suddenly rumbled, she felt confusion was over her. Her pillow had never made noise before. Slowly, she came fully awake and realized she wasn't at home, nor was she lying on her pillow.
"Would you quit wiggling," a sleepy voice grumbled.
Any panic she'd felt fled when she recognized the voice. "I can't help it, I panicked."
"Why? You know you're safe with me," he teased.
The former Blue Ranger shifted around until she was able to look up into her boyfriend's smiling face. "I didn't remember I was sleeping with you," she told him, blushing when he smirked at her. "You know what I mean."
"Did you sleep okay?" he asked softly.
Maddy nodded. "Yes, thank you."
"Time to get up and get dressed, huh?"
"That would probably be a smart idea," she grinned.
Nick leaned forward and kissed her softly. "Maddy?"
"Hmm?"
"Wear the red and blue velvet dress," he suggested, eliciting a giggle from her.
"Sure."
--
The majority of the two teams found themselves down in the great hall breaking fast several hours after everyone else in the castle was already up. Their chatter ceased when Syd, Sky, Vida and Xander walked in together. "Cat got your tongue suddenly?" Vida teased.
"What are you guys doing together?" Nick asked, causing the others to look at him like he'd lost his mind. It was as though the former Red Ranger had forgotten that the former Pink and Green Rangers had been friends for a long time, not to mention they'd been teammates together.
Vida gave him a look. "Chip told me Xander was still sleeping when he came and got Clare this morning. I figured I'd wake him up and drag him down with me when I came to eat," she told him slowly, in a tone that said she thought he was being unusually dense.
"And Syd and I just got up," Sky responded.
Jack grinned. "Was it just my imagination, or were you not with Xander and Chip this morning when Bridge and I came to wake you guys up?"
For what seemed like the first time in a long time, Sky blushed. "Uh, nope, I was with Syd." When he saw his teammates and friends smirk he added. "Minds out of the gutter. They put her in her own room," he tried to explain.
"I asked him to come sleep in my room before I freaked out in there by myself," Syd growled, her tone daring them to argue with her.
"What's for breakfast?" Xander finally yawned.
"Fruit and bread," Clare smiled. "Or you can have left over pig intestines"
The Rangers sitting at the table started laughing when Xander made a face.
"Eh….fruit and bread sounds wonderful."
--
"Hello," Lancelot called as the group entered the stables.
"Good morning," Jack greeted.
"King Arthur has ordered that you are to be allowed to do whatever you please today," Lancelot informed them, smiling as the group looked a little more lively than they had the night before.
"Cool," Chip quipped, grinning like a mad hatter.
"And what exactly are our options?" Nick wanted to know.
"You can go riding, or visit the village. The Knights and I are training for Camelot's annual tournament, so you may join us if you please. There's also a large garden on the other side of the castle, or you can stay around the castle."
"I definitely want to join you guys," Chip enthusiastically replied.
"Very well, Sir Chip," Lancelot smiled at him.
"That doesn't sound like a bad idea," Nick laughed. "Maybe I'll learn a thing or two to kick Daggeron's butt when we get home."
"Like you need help doing that as it is," Xander reminded him, making the Mystic Rangers chuckle as they remembered Nick besting Daggeron in the bound combat they'd been taught when they'd first become Rangers.
"Gawain said you were Knights," Lancelot started. "Would you care to show us how you train?"
"Sounds like a job tailor made for Sky," Z joked, poking her squad leader in the side.
"Sir Sky?"
The Red Ranger glared at his yellow teammate before nodding. He had wanted to spend some time Syd, not training a bunch of medieval warriors. "Sure."
"A horseback ride sounds like fun," the Yellow Ranger started again.
Bridge winced. He and horses didn't mix but from the emotions bouncing off Z, he could tell his girlfriend was thinking it would be something romantic. "I'll go with you," he told her, watching her smile. It seemed he was doing more and more things lately that were out of character for him to see her smile, and he found he actually liked trying all the new things he wouldn't have before.
"I'd like to walk in the village," Clare murmured.
"We'll join you," Ally told her, pointing to herself and Jack, who was nodding as he reached out for Ally's hand.
"Is there a body of water nearby?" Maddy suddenly asked.
"The sea is about an hour's ride from here, back down the road you came in on," Lancelot answered.
Xander was slightly confused when he uttered, "Mads?"
"Just a hunch; you and V want to join me?"
The pair of former Rangers nodded and all eyes fell to Sydney. "What?"
"What are you going to do?" Jack asked, slipping back into his role as leader as easily.
Syd shrugged. "Walk around, I guess."
"Would you care to join me, Lady Sydney?"
Syd's eyes widened when the Queen entered. "Your Highness."
"I'm going with my ladies to a village not far from here. They have several sick children, and no village healer."
"I'd be honored," Syd smiled at her.
Lancelot quickly had a horse saddled for her. "What is wrong?" he asked.
"I can't get up," the Pink Ranger murmured, a blush staining her cheeks. Normally, she had no problem getting on a horse, but considering she was wearing several layers of clothing, and her dress went well past her feet, she knew she'd have a considerable time getting on her mount.
Before Lancelot could move, Sky was lifting her into the saddle, his strong hands gripping her tiny waist with ease. "Be careful," the Red Ranger warned, squeezing her hand before she gripped the reigns.
"I will be. Besides, I have my morpher on me," she told him, hoping to put his mind at ease. Just from the look on his face, Syd could tell he didn't like the idea of her going off on her own without one of them with her.
"What about your iron pellets?" Bridge asked.
"I don't think I'll need them," she responded. "Besides, I don't really have a place to put them when I'm wearing this dress."
Sky clenched his jaw as she went riding off with Guinevere and her ladies. "Don't worry," Z assured him. "She's safe; who in their right mind would attack the Queen?"
The Red Ranger gave his yellow teammate a look. "Funny, that doesn't reassure me in the least."
Z rolled her eyes as Jack grinned. "Let's get going."
--
As the group of four entered the tournament arena, they were greeted by the other knights and by the sight of Arthur himself training. "Your Highness," Lancelot greeted.
"Lancelot, what are they doing here?" Arthur asked as he and Bors stopped their sword fight. The three Rangers were slightly disappointed to see that he wasn't using Excalibur, but a banged up practice sword instead.
"They are going to demonstrate their training techniques for us, Sire."
"I see. I would certainly enjoy seeing your training methods. Perhaps it will help all of us."
Arthur's most trusted knight turned to the three young men. "What kind of training do you do?" he asked.
"Chip and I are trained in weapons combat – swords and staffs, and Chip has archery training," Nick started. "We're also trained in hand-to-hand."
Lancelot nodded. "And you, Sir Sky?"
"Sword fighting, hand-to-hand."
"Are you not also wizards?" Arthur spoke up.
"Chip and Nick are," Sky told him, testing the weight of the sword he'd picked up off the ground. "I have…abilities, if you will, to block attacks."
"I do not understand," Lancelot responded, confusion evident as he watched Sky hold the sword.
Sky nodded and handed Nick the sword. "When I say hit me, give it your best shot."
"You sure?" Nick protested.
"Trust me," Sky grinned, stepping back a few feet. All five of those gathered gasped when Sky waved his arm in front of him, blue color shimmering between him and them. "Now Nick!"
The former Red Ranger ran forward, slicing downward with the sword, which bounced off the field of blue energy crackling in front of Sky. "Holy crap!" Chip chirped.
"What magic is this?" Bors gasped.
"It's not," Sky explained, moving to stand with them once more. "I was born with the ability. It can't be learned, or taught. It has to do with genetics, or if you will, my bloodline."
Lancelot, Arthur and Bors looked stunned. "Do the others know?" Chip asked.
"Yes. All of the team, with the exception of Ally, has special abilities. Jack can walk through walls, Z can duplicate herself, Syd can turn her hands into any element she touches, and Bridge is psychic and can sense auras. There's a young boy back home, that during our first year together as a team, we saved. He's our sixth, with the ability to teleport."
Nick and Chip nodded, understanding what Sky meant when he said sixth. Originally, Udonna had been their sixth, and then they'd thought Clare would be, but as it turned out, Daggeron had finally become their sixth. "Amazing," Nick uttered.
"No wonder Z said not to worry about Syd," Chip laughed. "Any one gets within arm's reach and she can pulverize them."
Sky nodded. "While it's a good ability to have, it's left me with some agonizing moments over the years worrying about her. It means her opponent has to be close enough to hurt her before she can hurt them."
"Shall we continue with the preparations?" Bors ground out, wanting to get back to what he knew and understood; tangible weapons and hard fighting.
"Of course," Arthur agreed, as they dispersed.
--
"What do you mean, their majesties aren't in the castle?" she screeched.
"Her Majesty went to a village not far from here to fill in as healer, and His Majesty is down in the training arena with the rest of the knights, preparing for the tournament," Galahad told her, impatient to get down to the arena to train with his fellow knights. "You will just have to remain in the castle until they return, Milady."
The woman sneered at him. "Very well. I shall rest in my chambers, but I expect to be notified the moment they return."
"Of course." With that, Galahad turned and strode from the room, making a mental note to warn Arthur that the wretched Mora Ronan was in the castle.
--