Chapter 5: The Twists and Turns of Fate

Author's Note: I still do not own King Arthur. I tried to own Tristan but apparently by United States law it is illegal.

Author's Note 2: Sorry that I took so long to update but I hit a nasty bout of writer's block and I had four papers and a major project due for Ancient Civ. I did it on Roman women and used the scenes with Marius' wife in my AV presentation.

Reviewers: Thank you so much for reading and for your feedback. I'm going to address some of your concerns. Yes the Bishop gave her, her freedom because I couldn't think of a way for him to be killed that wouldn't get Galya or Tristan killed as well. Yes, they got together. Gawain and Galahad will be having words with Tristan in this chapter. A fight might even ensue. As for the rest of it, read and find out.

Galya woke the next morning to Tristan watching her sleep. He had been up for about an hour but didn't want to wake her until he had too. Today they would be going to their homeland to start their lives together. They should have seemed happy about this but the thought of leaving Arthur here by himself left them feeling uneasy and they all had a guilty feeling. Galya swung her legs over the edge of the bed and stood up. Tristan could see her wince slightly. It was to be excepted after their night together. He heard Galya groan and then she turned back to him, "How far away are Gawain and Galahad's rooms?" She asked concerned.

"They're right across the hall. Why?" He asked unconcerned.

"I just hope you're ready for overprotective brother mode." She said searching through her things for a new dress to wear.

She could hear Tristan chuckle and she smiled. Tristan got out of bed and went over to her and held her close to him, "I can handle your brothers. I know whatever they say is just in protection of you. But last night was between you and me not between your brothers and us. What they have to say is of no consequence." Tristan said.

Galya leaned into him not wanting him to let her go. She wanted to melt into him. Then she remembered that some of her things were still in her room, "Tristan, I have to go pack my things. I'll see you in the stables."

He nodded in response and let her go. She walked over to the door and peeked out into the hallway, "Sounded like you had a fun night." A voice said from her left.

"So what if I did, Lancelot. I'm a grown woman. I can make my own decisions. I can lie with Tristan if I choose too." She said with all the confidence she could muster.

"Afraid of what Gawain and Galahad will think, are you?" He asked.

She shook her head and moved past him into her room and slammed the door in his face as he tried to continue to talk to her. He shook his head and headed towards the stables as he heard her very angrily packing her gear.

Galya was almost packed when there was a knock at the door, "Who is it?" She yelled.

"It's Vanora. I have a very cute little girl with me who has been asking for you sense she woke up this morning." She said.

Galya smiled and ran to the door throwing it open, "Niamh. I've been thinking about you. Come on in, both of you." She said ushering them into her room.

She looked up and saw Galahad and Gawain walk by. She nodded to them knowing that it was going to be a long day once she was alone and they could talk. She closed the door and turned to Vanora, "How are you?"

"It's going to be a long day," She said looking up at Galya, "I have to get the children packed and Bors is being of no help. And you, you were heard all over the fort last night." She laughed.

Galya blushed and went about helping Niamh pack her things. She was going home with Galya to be raised by her and Tristan. She smiled as Niamh danced around the room helping Galya gather her things. Then Vanora handed her a bag, "These are some things for Niamh. My girls are too big for them. I have to get back to my own children but I will see you shortly." Vanora said walking out the door.

Soon they were packed and headed towards the stables. When they arrived outside Galya could hear what sounded like a fight going on inside. Then Jols and Vanora walked out, "Get in there and stop them. The second Tristan walked in Galahad tried to jump him and now all three of them are fighting." Vanora said.

Galya told Niamh to stay with Vanora as she ran into the stable and saw three men fighting, "Stop this. Stop right this instant," she yelled, "Galahad, get off him."

He stopped to look up at her and Tristan took advantage and pinned him to the ground, "I didn't force your sister to do anything. Yes, I took her to my bed last night but she consented." Tristan said in a low voice that made even Galya shiver.

He then got up off of Galahad and walked over to Galya, "Talk to your brothers." He said walking away from her and going to tack his horse.

Galya glared at her brothers, "You seriously thought he forced me? I made the decision all on my own. I gave my virginity to the man who is going to be my husband. This was my decision. I made it of my own free will and you're going to have to accept that," she yelled not caring who heard her, "And that is the end of it."

She walked out to get Niamh and then went over to her horse muttering about how stupid her brothers could be sometimes. Galahad and Gawain just stood there shocked. They knew they had acted stupidly and they would have to apologize but right now wasn't the time. Galya seethed. She just couldn't believe them. Niamh could see that she was angry and ran over to hug her. Galya couldn't be mad when Niamh smiled up at her and then she looked over at Tristan who nodded to her and went back to work.

She sighed and took Niamh to get her things on the horse. She knew she couldn't worry about how stupid her brothers were being right now and put Niamh up on the horse and then mounted it herself. She urged the horse out of the stable and rode up beside Tristan. She remained quiet because she knew Tristan was angry about what her brothers had said to him. She knew he would never show it on the outside but she knew. His manner was different when he was angry. She waited for some sign that he wanted to talk and when none came she rode away towards her Bors and Dagonet which at this point were the only two people she wasn't angry with. She didn't want to talk she just wanted to be near people who didn't think that she was a whore or that she had dishonored her family.

"You alright, Galya?" Dagonet asked.

Galya looked over at him and nodded. He raised an eyebrow but did not push the subject. He could see that she did not want to talk about what was bothering her and by the way she was avoiding everyone else he knew what it was already. He smiled at her and then she fell to the back of the group to be alone.

Later

Galya looked down and saw that Niamh had fallen asleep and she stopped to put her in the wagon with Vanora's children. Then her horse started to pull her back towards the Wall. She could hear the drums in the distance and then she saw the Knights gathering up. She rode over. She looked into the faces of all the men present and she knew what was happening, "I'm coming with you."

Gawain opened his mouth to protest her decision but she glared at him and he stopped. He knew that she would go anyway. She nodded to him as if to thank him for not asking her not to go. She would fight for them and she would fight for herself now that she was free. She felt a new sense of honor now that she could choose for herself. It had been something that had been long denied to her. She could fight for a cause of her choosing now and she had unfinished business with the Saxons. They had tried to kill her in the forest and now she was going to return the favor.

The Knights and Galya gathered their weapons and put on their armor. They prepared for the battle ahead and then mounted their horses and rode off to meet whatever fate awaited them.

The Battle

The Knights and Galya rode up beside Arthur as he looked down the hill at the Saxon Army. Galya had already assumed her form as 'The Shadow." It had always made her feel stronger but right now she was actually afraid. She looked over at Tristan and knew at that moment that she may never see him again. They could both die today or one or the other could die. She was more afraid of that thought than the thought that there was an entire Saxon Army below them.

She turned back to hear what ever words of wisdom that Arthur was giving. She couldn't help but to think that this could possibly be her last act but at least she would die free. The smile returned to her face when that thought crossed her mind. She would die with honor and her ancestors would welcome her into the afterlife. Her confidence returned and she drew her sword. She nodded to her brothers and smiled over her shoulder at Tristan. No matter what happened she was going to remember that she was a strong woman and that she was worth something.

She looked down the hill and saw Saxons coming through the gate. Then they all rode down the hill to meet them. Galya saw that the smoke hung in the air and made them like ghosts. They rode through the line of Saxons, confusing them. They made them fire on themselves and in all the chaos they were killing themselves. The thought made Galya smile but she wanted to kill them as well. She swung her sword and took one down and then another. Then they did the same thing again. Galya screamed out her battle cry and swung her sword again this time taking three with it. When all was said and done they kept one alive to tell the Army what they had done to them.

Then the battle really began. Galya was ready. She would be by Tristan's side the entire battle. But then she remembered that her brothers might need her too. She resolved to be where ever she was needed. Then the Woads set fires and divided the Army. They all rode into battle. Galya saw that she was separated from both her brothers and Tristan but she couldn't think about that for long because a Saxon advanced on her. She took her fighting stance and readied herself to face the Saxon. She swung her sword at him and hit him just above the shoulder. She swung again and got him on the leg. When he fell to his knees she killed him. She moved on and took on more of them. When she finally looked around her she saw that there were at least 12 of them dead in a circle around her. Then she looked over and saw that Gawain needed her help and she fought her way over to him. When he was shot she took the Saxon out behind him and ran over to him. He waved her off and she nodded and then saw Tristan.

He was looking to take on the Saxon leader, Cedric. She was worried and started over to him. She saw him fight his way over and then stand right in front of his intended target. Galya knew that Tristan was no match for the Saxon and she also knew that she had to get to him quickly. Together they could both kill him. She tried very hard to get over to him but she was stopped by a wall of Saxons blocking her. She stood her ground. She swung her sword taking on one at a time. She advanced a little and then was pushed back. She could see Tristan fall to the ground and then get back up and she pushed harder. She was pushed to the ground by one of the Saxons and she killed him as he descended on her. She looked over and saw Tristan on his knees and she yelled out. Then she saw something happen. The Saxon leader fell to the ground and behind him stood Arthur and Galahad. She pushed up and tried to fight more of the Saxons before getting cut across the back. She turned around to fight her attacker and was slashed across her chest.

Gawain saw that his sister was in danger and ran over to fight off the Saxons that were around her. She fought again for a few more moments but then everything went dark and she collapsed on the ground.