"Oh pardon me." A young voice squealed.

We both jumped, Arthur was quick to push me behind him. Pulling his sword out, but stopping at seeing my brother. The knight sighed heavily, a tone of annoyance was heard. "You must not startle men like that young Alecto."

My brother looked at everything, but at us. " Forgive me Arthur. I was in search for my sister."

Popping my head out from behind the knight, I frowned. "What is it?"

"Mother is looking for you. Come." He held out his hand for me. Rolling my eyes I nodded. He was younger than me, but still ordered me around.

Arthur grabbed ahold of my arm. "Yes?"

"We are not finished." He must have seen my confusion, since he raised the bow. "One time is not enough."

"Our mother is asking for you."

"Then we begin again tomorrow. Deal?" His eyes stared into mine intensely.

Grinning like an idiot, I nodded. "Deal. Goodnight sir Arthur." I could hear the chuckles as I walked away, followed by 'No sir.'

The moment I walked into mother's tent, I was engulfed into a hug. "Dear child, where we're you?!" Mother gasped. "Your freezing!" She quickly grabbed a robe wrapping me up.

"Just went on a walk and to check on Sunatras." I gave my mom a small smile, I really missed the feeling it gave me when she looked after me. Glancing past my her, I spotted the Woad, she looked a lot better. "How are you feeling?"

She smiled slightly. "Better my lady. Arthur helped replace my fingers." She showed me her bruised fingers. But hey she can at least move them now.

"That's good to hear." Glancing back at Alecto, I raised my brows. "Why are you still here?"

"Just waiting."

Now I was confused. "For what?"

Walking towards the tents entrance, he smirked. "Waiting to see when you tell mother who you were with."

That caused mother to perk up. "Who?" I was silently giving him warnings to keep quiet. "Alecto who?"

"Sir Arthur." He grinned. "And may I add, they stood very close together."

"You are so dead Alecto!" I yelled running after him, but before I could follow him out, mother stopped me.

"Close?" She asked.

I could see the amusement dancing in her eyes. "He was simply teaching me to shoot with the bow and arrow mother."

"That is all?" She asked.

"Yes." I tighten the robe around me.

Mother chuckled. "If you say so."

Rolling my eyes I moved towards the pile of blankets. Dropping I laid awake. It had been days since I have been allowed to sleep. The bastards of priests- if you can call them that- rarely allowed me to and when they did, my sleep was infested with nightmares. Tonight was no different, nor were my dreams. They were always the same. Locked up in the cell. In the red room. The whips, fire, belts, them. I hadn't realized I was crying, until I was shook awake.

Warm brown eyes locked with my frighten ones. Trying to control my breathing, I glanced around. Mother, Lancelot and the woad stood behind Arthur. The latter sat on my bed, his hands on my arm and eyes on me.

"You alright?" He asked.

Slowly shaking my head, I nodded. "Yes. What are you two doing here?"

"I tried to wake you, but with no success. You were crying and yelling." Mother whispered, sadness clear in her tone. "I was going to get Alecto, but I spotted Arthur and Lancelot, so I asked for their help."

Feeling the dizziness coming I fell to myside, only to have Arthur hold me up. "Easy now, are you your okay?"

As I was about to say yes, I flinched at the look mother gave. "No. My head hurts and I'm pretty I am going to be sick."

Arthur stood with a frown and simply stared at me. "Lancelot, go finish the patrol." He quickly removed his swords and boots, followed by his armor. He all, but pushed me to the side as he climbed into bed with me. I couldn't do anything, but gawk at him as he slid in and pulled me towards his chest.

"What are you doing?!"

"Well I know from experience, the best way to combat nightmares is talking or having someone near." He smiled, slipping his arm underneath my waist. "And I have a feeling you wouldn't want to talk."

"But this I inappropriate!" I tried to pull back, but his arm tighten around my waist.

"Arthur, if she is not okay with this, leave her be." Lancelot snapped.

"Mother."

My mother simply smiled. "I have to look after Guenivere and Alecto is still asleep. Arthur is right. Lancelot you are free to take a spot anywhere you'd like."

The Black Knight, simply tossed Arthur a murderous look. "No thank you, I must continue with the patrol. She seems to be in good hands."

I frowned as he stormed out of the tent. I couldn't understand why he was anger. Because of Arthur? I mean I didn't want the man in my bed, but the heat and presence was welcoming. I slowly and hesitantly lowered my head on Arthur's chest. Mother blew the candles out as she disappeared. It was then that I noticed the Woad had taken off earlier. I couldn't believe mother was okay with leaving me, here in my bed with a man.

Arthur chuckled. "Relax my lady, I won't hurt you."

Taking in a bed breath, I nodded. "Forgive me, I have never had a man in my bed. Well not voluntary anyhow." Feeling him stiff beside me, I glanced up at him. "Arthur?"

"What happened?" He asked, his voice no higher than a whisper.

"I don't want to talk about it right now." Hiding my face in his chest I cursed at the tears that slip.

The man simply hugged me closer. "Its alright, get some sleep. I won't leave you."

I took his word as a promise and allowed my eyes to shut. In no time I was gone, remembering nothing, but warmth and safeness. I felt just that all night and for the first time in months I slept without a single nightmare.