Disclaimer: Same as always, unfortunately.

"Spoken"
thought

Chapter 7: Of Scars ...

"Kaleigh."

She jerked in surprise and squeaked as her foot slid off the rock and she landed in the shallow stream. She wiped the water from her eyes and blew her hair from her face, glaring at the water for being so cold before raising her eyes to the one who had surprised her. When she caught sight of the figure on the opposite bank, her heart skipped a beat.

"Tristan!" Kaleigh squealed in anger.

"If I was anyone else you'd be dead." the scout pointed out.

She scowled, "If you were anyone else you'd have made some bloody noise before and I'd still be dry." she saw a ghost of a smirk cross his features behind the curtain of hair that shadowed his face, "Do you think this is funny?"she asked holding up part of her now soaked dress. He chuckled as she glared, "You truly are malicious." she growled, "You could at least help me up."

He sighed and dismounted, wading through the water which almost reached the top of his boots to her side.

Kaleigh wound up her muscles, Just one more step. He took it and she lunged for his legs, knocking him off balance and down into the water. He scrambled to the bank and she sat there in the water smirking at seeing the usually stoic scout scrambling about. He stood glaring at her, water dripping from his beard and braids, the hair clingy to his defined cheekbones. His clothes hugged his body and Kaleigh felt her stomach do a flip. She pushed the feeling aside and laughed, "Now that is funny." she stood up and walked back onto the dry land on the opposite bank as Tristan. She bent over slightly and squeezed the water out of her hair. She watched Tristan who was wringing out his shirt, "Don't tell me you didn't bring another pair of clothes." she said in disbelief.

Tristan looked up at her, not caring at the moment that his emotions showed. He was angry, wet, cold, beginning to chafe and this girl seemed more capable of getting under his skin in three days then the knights he had known fifteen years. Of course he had brought another pair of clothes This wasn't the first time he had gone on a multi-day journey. The point was that she shouldn't have purposely done that. He had caused her to get wet on accident, she had been sneaky and vengeful. Well, maybe her falling in the water wasn't quite an accident, he conceded. Seeing her squatting there in her dress, completely zoned out, was to perfect an opportunity for even him to pass up. She should have known better then to let her guard down in unfamiliar country. If she had kept it up there would have been no way for him to sneak up on her.

Kaleigh grew nervous under Tristan's steady, slightly angry gaze, "Oh, don't be like that Tristan. It was only a bit of fun and you did have it coming." she furrowed her brow and chewed on her bottom lip when he walked to his horse and stood with his back to her, "Tristan," she tried again, "Look, I'm sorry. I didn't think you'd take this so seriously. I–" her thoughts trailed off as he pulled off his wet shirt.

She felt her mouth go temporarily dry, then begin to salivate like crazy as she stared at his back. His muscles rippled beneath his skin as he searched through a bag on his saddle. Her eyes followed the many scars that cris-crossed his flesh and then lingered on the very muscular arms that were no longer hidden by sleeves. He pulled something out of the bag and feeling her eyes on him, turned to face her. She felt a small, soft gasp escape her lips as she caught sight of the scars on his chest and abdomen. Her eyes also took in the solid chest and toned abs beneath the scars of the relatively hairless flesh. Her eyes came to his and though his face remained emotionless she saw a slight smirk in his eyes that clearly said, 'Like what you see.'.

He pulled the tunic on and she turned to Valdeer deciding that she as well needed to change, dry-off, hell, anything to get her mind off his body. She rummaged through her bag until she found a pair of pants. She pulled them out and glanced at Tristan who had once again turned his back on her as he prepared to change his own pants. She quickly turned her back on him. She pulled off her boots and quickly pulled the pants on under the soaking dress. She risked a glance at Tristan and saw that he had different pants on but was keeping his back to her. She pulled the wet dress over her head, her skin tingling at the cold air that caressed her torso everywhere except where a thin strip of cloth bound her breasts. She tossed the dress over Valdeer's rump and turned so that she could look in her bag for the thin tunic she had brought just in case. As she pulled the white fabric out she glanced across the bank and was slightly surprised to see Tristan standing there watching her, no shame in his eyes. Now was her turn to smirk. Neither turned as Kaleigh pulled the tunic on. She was impressed that Tristan's eyes didn't wander but stayed locked on hers. She laced the top up and then leaned down to pull on her boots. She became trapped inside her confused thoughts. Why hasn't Tristan questioned my being here. One would think he'd at least look a little surprised to see me standing here in the middle of Woad country, obviously following them on their missions. I know I would be. Then again, it really isn't any of his business and he isn't much of a talker. He's probably just waiting until we get back to the camp, she thought, where dear brother will probably bite my head off or, well, bite my head off. Either way it should be a great time.

Tristan had turned from pulling on his boots to see Kaleigh standing with her back to him. She now had on a pair of brown pants that hugged her body tightly. Sh was topless except for a thin band of white fabric to bind her breasts. His eyes roved her back surprised to see one large and several small scars marring the otherwise creamy flesh. She had turned and he had immediately brought his eyes to her face. He might be 'malicious' as she had called him but he still had some courtesy left in his body. She turned and caught his gaze, smirking. She hadn't broken his gaze as she pulled on the tunic and as she looked down to lace up the front he let his eyes move down as well. It was white and she had laced up the leather strings in front very tightly enhancing her bust, whether by choice or not he didn't know. The fabric accentuated her curves much as the pants did. It actually reminded him of a wenches dress top, but, even though it was low in the front, no one could ever mistake her for a wench. She held herself to confidently. She bent down to pull on her boots and he admired the view.

Kaleigh straightened to see Tristan had turned back to his horse and was tidying his saddle bags. He didn't seem to notice when she shoved her balled up dress in her saddle bag and then led Valdeer across the creek to stand next to him, "So, shall we join the others?"

Tristan nodded and put the reins over Thagimasad's head, preparing to mount. He glanced over at Kaleigh to see her struggling to get onto her horse. After failing for about the fifth time she turned to him sheepishly, "Um, these pants aren't quite as free as the dress and since they're leather and still fairly cold and stiff and I have no stirrups to help me, I could use some assistance." He came to stand next to her and as she jumped, placed his hand under her butt and pushed. Kaleigh looked down at him as she settled onto Valdeer's back, "Thank you."

Tristan mounted and turned, leading her toward the knights and their destinies.

Author's Note: I know this is really short, but it's really more of a two parter. If I hadn't broken it up like this I wasn't quite sure how long it would be until I updated again, because the next chapters looking to be pretty long. Thanks for all the patience and reviews.

Winged Seraph: I know. I left you and many others hanging, sorry about that by the way. I'm glad you enjoyed Merlin's riddles. What E.A. Poe poem is your name from? I remember winged seraphs being mentioned in Annabelle Lee and I was wondering if that was it, because that's one of my favorites. Actually, I like pretty much all of Poe's work and Emily Dickinson. Anyways, back on topic. I hope you like the update, the next part should be much longer and not long in the coming.

katemary77: Thanks for the compliment, and I really hope that you enjoy this update.

Calliann: It probably wasn't the best place to stop today either, but I figured this way you'd have something to supplement you until I get the next big chunk typed. I hope you like it.

Zelina: Sorry if you got confused, I really should have done a summary or something of the previous chapter because of the long wait, but, now I know better. Hope this was a little clearer!

LANCELOTTRISTANBABY: I know this chapter is short too, but don't worry the next will be MUCH longer. Enjoy!

Chelsss: hehe, I'm glad you liked the suspense and I hope you enjoy this chapter just as much!

Just a fan: WOW, thanks for the compliments! That makes me feel so warm and fuzzy inside. I'm glad you found that chapter so funny, hopefully this one made you laugh as well.

Mistaken Love: I'm glad you liked it and I hope you enjoy the latest installment.

Evenstar-mor2004: Yes, I do live hehe. And yes, she did get caught with her hand in the cookie jar, though she won't get in trouble until the next chapter. Let's just say, Lancelot is very protective.

Ada99: I'm glad you enjoy my story so much. I hope this chapter meets with your approval as well. Enjoy!

Babaksmiles: Here's the next chapter! Merlin is a very mysterious fellow isn't he. But you won't find out what he means until a whole bunch more stuff happens.