A/N: YES! Finally, one of my favourite chapters! Hopefully it will be one of yours, too! I can surely say that the story gets even better from here! Read onwards...you'll see what I mean! .wink.

Kalanie: hahaha That was the funniest reaction ever! Let's see if Lancelot can redeem himself, hmm? And thank you for joining the C2! I don't think I can invite people myself, but hey. And for sure, Tristan deserves a little lovin', eh? Or...maybe he just needs a really big hug? haha He's such a grouch, I love him! But thanks for your rambling, and I hope you like this next chapter as much as I do!

Kates: Oh yeah. This neck totally snapped like that! I love those types of lines! So witty and cute!

Yeah, I'm an only child, so I'll never experience these types of sibling interaction. Boo-urns. Lucas reminds me of Aiden, which makes me simultaneously happy and sad at the same time! And I based Lourdes' costumes on things I've seen, so you can definitely find them...somewhere? haha Don't worry about Lancey, you'll hear from him a lot, starting from this next chapter! .wink.

Yeah, I'm liking Bale's character better than Jackman's in that movie. I love period films! Doesn't hurt that the two leading men are gorgeous! hahaha OMG Batman vs. Superman...I'd like to see that! Anyway, dudette, here's the next installment! Enjoy!

delusional anvil.: I love how her character is really showing and truly developing. And yes, there's so much more storyline, it's not even funny. I'll definitely have more than 55 chapters now. Eep. Well, I'll work diligently on them, so maybe I can finish this story off by mid-September. .crosses fingers. I don't want to rush, but I know school is starting, so yeah.

Aww, I miss Galahad, too. But...just bear with me for...a little longer. I have this crazy idea in my head, and... Okay, I'll shut up now, for I know I will reveal things that may ruin the story! But really, you haven't seen the last of Galahad! .pushes Galahad towards you. Isn't that right, sweetums? Galahad: ...Yes?

Tristan and Akira! I don't think there could be a couple more suited for one another! They'll have such cute little warrior children! haha

I hope you'll like this chapter...er...umm... .laughs nervously. Please don't kill me. .cough.

ANYWHOO... here's another chapter for you, my lovely! And I can't wait till you update your story! And thank you for joining the C2!

Mi Ana I Numen: Oh yeah, there's a lot of plot in this story! hehe Well, this is turning out to be also a Tristan/OC and it is a Lancelot/OC...just with Galahad, though. haha But thanks for your review!

Raging Raven: haha Everyone seems to love how she slapped Theodore silly. I like it. It's alright, though, I'm glad you're all caught up! Here's another chappy for you!

anonymous: Hey, nice to hear from you! Thank you so much for your compliment. I work hard to make this one of the best KA fics...ever? hahaha But people like you (and the awesome comments that you leave) really encourages me to keep writing, so thank you for that! Here's the next installment for you! .hugs.

t t t

CHAPTER 38

A/N: From now on, this story shall be rated M-MA.

As Lourdes made her way through the crowd once more, she spotted a familiar face, sitting contentedly near the middle of the room, tapping his feet lightly to the beat of the music. Breaking out into a smile at his sight, she zigzagged her way through the heavy traffic of people, hastily making her way to his side. Without warning, she gave Merlin a long, tight embrace, exhibiting just how she had utterly missed the old Woad.

"Where have you been, Merlin?" she laughed excitedly, her earlier confrontation with Lord Theodore now all forgotten. She embraced him once more as she cooed, "I have not seen you in days!"

Merlin laughed mirthfully, returning her embrace and patting her on the back as she took a seat beside him. "I have been sojourning throughout your wonderful Kenji, my little princess." He pinched her nose, grinning. "I must say, I am growing quite attached to this place."

"If you wish, you shall stay here forever and live like a king!" Lourdes proclaimed, index finger help up proudly in the air, chin inclined to complete the effect. The two began to laugh simultaneously at Lourdes' antics, highly enjoying the atmosphere around them. Lourdes shook her head with a smirk, then began with the utmost sincerity, "Dear Merlin, if you need of anything, anything at all, please, do not hesitate to ask. My family and I will always be indebted to you and the kindness of your peoples. You are forever deserving of our gratitude." She embraced him once more, feeling the tears forming in her eyes as she whispered shakily, "I would not be here if it were not for you."

Merlin only shook his head lightly, patting her head lovingly as he replied, "'Twas not only me and the Woads that have brought you here." He examined at her with twinkling eyes, much pride evident in his dark orbs. "Your strength and courage have also contributed to this journey. You would not believe how much I've seen you grow throughout these years, how proud I am of you and what you have accomplished in your life."

Lourdes placed her hand to her mouth daintily at this. "Dear Merlin, must I always cry when I am in your presence?" she choked out, but managed to laugh in her emotional state as she rested her head contentedly on his shoulder.

"Do not cry here!" Merlin gasped mockingly, pinching her cheek lightly as he smirked. "You will give others the impression that you are not enjoying this delightful celebration of yours!" He pointed in the distance through the gathering crowd. "Look, there are Shinodian dancers preparing to perform. Let us go over there for a better look, shall we?"

Nodding in acquiesce, Lourdes followed the Woad through the crowd, finally catching a glimpse of an empty circle that they had made. Eight female Shinodian dancers stood in the middle, catching everyone's undivided attention as they prepared for their performance. They were clad in long, thin white skirts that flowed to their ankles, topped with a tight, sleeveless shirt that exposed their midriff. A belt of jewels hung loosely from their waist, jingling as they moved to and fro. In their hands, they held a long, fine piece of red silk, the ends wrapped around their palms as they moved into formation. As the music began to play in the background, they began their dance, waving the length of the silk in the air, forming into a circle. They moved their hips from side to side in a slow motion, tapping their feet in a rhythmic manner.

Lourdes surveyed her surroundings as the women continued their performance, and her passing glance landing on the knights. Their interests were certainly piqued at this blatant exhibition of sexuality, all looking at one another incredulously, eyebrows raised and smirks and gawks plastered permanently upon their countenances. Surely adding to their pleasure, the performers made their way upon the crowd, choosing some of the men to dance with. It was then that Lourdes noticed one of the dancers making her way slowly towards Lancelot, who stood with a cad-like expression on his face, arms crossed, eyeing the woman conspicuously from top to bottom. The knights around him poked and nudged him teasingly, even pushing him slightly towards the seductive woman. Lourdes rolled her eyes in distaste at this, but found that she could not take her gaze off of what was transpiring before her. She continued to watch, eyes seething with contempt as the woman wrapped the piece of silk in her hands around Lancelot's neck, pulling him closely as she danced upon him. Finding that her mouth was agape at this exhibition, she finally managed to clamp her mouth shut after a few moments, lips pulling automatically into a snarl. The woman -- who frankly seemed to be enjoying herself -- had turned around, still holding the silk fabric upon Lancelot's neck as she slowly and torturingly rubbed her bottom upon the knight. Lourdes heard the knights whistling and shouting with encouragement at this, making Lancelot chuckle with mirth as he rested his hands upon the woman's midriff.

There was only so much that Lourdes could take.

Surprising even herself, she excused herself from Merlin and swirled around abruptly to try and leave the scene. She found that she did not get far, though, for at that point, she heard Lucas call out her name, claiming the attention of many of the guests.

"The princess should dance!" Lourdes heard someone in the crowd suggest excitedly. Eyes growing wide, she heard a chorus of "aye's" and "oui's" and others murmuring and even clapping in wholehearted agreement. She completely blanched. As she turned around, she saw a myriad of encouraging expressions and nods, some of the performers even beckoning graciously for her to join them.

"Whoa!" Immediately, Lourdes shook her head profusely, raising her arms wildly in the air. "No! No, I cannot!" She sputtered quickly, laughing nervously as the crowd became even louder with encouragement. By this point, she had caught mostly everyone's attention -- including Lancelot's. From out of nowhere, a piece of silk was given to her by a bowing servant, but her immediate reaction was to quickly tie the fabric into a lovely bow on her waist as she continued to protest. "Look, I cannot dance if my life depended upon it. Non, je ne peux pas le faire, tout le monde! (No, I can not do that, everyone!)"

"Lourdes!" Lucas called out animatedly, his arms stretched outwards in the air. "Do not be shy, dear sister! Exhibit your skills!"

You must be bloody mad, Lucas!, she shrieked to herself before clearing her throat. "Wait! Skill?" She waved a desperate arm in the air. "I...I can throw daggers! Yes, that's it! Daggers!"

An eerie silence instantly enveloped the room -- save for Tristan's faint, lone clapping -- as the guests exchanged glances with each other before turning their puzzled gazes back to her. Lourdes shifted her eyes.

"Well...I can!"

King Lothair raised his hand as he cleared his throat, succeeding to gain everyone's attention. "It seems as though my daughter is not that comfortable dancing by her lonesome." He raised his arm outwards to the crowd with a smile. "How about we all join in the dance, then?"

At the crowd's resounding roar of agreement, the music began to play once more, with many of the guests now joining the Shinodian dancers in pure amusement. Lourdes breathed out a sigh of relief through her bottom lip, closing her eyes tightly. Well, that was certainly close!, she commented lightly to herself. Though, before she could make her escape, she felt a light hand on her shoulder, holding her back. Groaning inwardly, she spun around with dread. Her chest immediately constricted as she beheld Lancelot.

"Dance with me." He stated quietly as he took her hand tenderly. Though, before he was able to kiss it, she pulled it away, eyeing him with contempt.

"I have already stated that I could not dance, sir," she replied through gritted teeth, turning her back on him, "But now? I certainly will not dance with you."

Not deeming her answer satisfactory enough, Lancelot immediately grabbed her wrist and pulled her to him with crushing strength, the length of their bodies colliding roughly. Lourdes gasped as Lancelot held her even more closely, resting his hand on the small of her back as he brought his face downwards, merely inches away from hers.

"It only takes practice, milady." he said through clenched teeth, trying his best to control his rising emotions. With a breath, his tense muscles loosened a little as he proclaimed, "I will teach you."

Lourdes could not believe that he was acting in such a manner in front of so many people. Shocked and appalled by his gall and seemingly absent shame, she hissed, "Unhand me this instant!" Lourdes tried to pull away from him, but he held her firmly in place.

"Or you'll do what?"

In answer, Lourdes slapped the side of Lancelot's cheek before pushing away from him with all her strength. She did not care who saw what she had done, nor heed any of the looks that they were now receiving. All she cared about was getting away from this...man. Finally managing to break free, she lifted the bottom of her dress as she promptly disappeared into the crowd. Cursing out loud at her reaction and his now stinging, beet red cheek, Lancelot resumed to follow Lourdes, trying to push his way as politely as possible through the crowd.

In her escape, Lourdes searched desperately for a place to go to. Seeing a balcony on the right side of the main hall, Lourdes briskly walked towards it, feigning a smile and cordially bowing to those that greeted her along the way. Thankful that nobody was present within the proximity of the area, she gave out a loud exhale, placing her hands on the railings and using her arms to support her. Oh, how she seethed with such jealousy, anger and...passion? Passion! She was so angered at the fact that Lancelot's touch and his closeness only brought about such tender feelings within her, completely erasing what had transpired between them two weeks earlier, making things seem as though they were alright. She cursed herself that he continued to affect her in this manner, even after everything that he had done. So overcome with emotion, she buried her face in her hands, not even noticing the rushed footsteps that came behind her.

"I am sorry."

Lourdes' head instantly snapped up at the sound of Lancelot's voice. She snarled, "Go away."

"Lourdes, please." He pleaded dejectedly, walking closer to her. "I want no more ill emotion to pass between us." He halted, only a foot away from her, as he continued, "I do not want to hurt you anymore. I never wanted to hurt you."

Lourdes could only scoff, twisting her head towards him heatedly. "How could you even say that after what you did to me a fortnight ago? After you embarrassed me in front of the knights and my own father and brother, simultaneously hurting me with your tight grip and sharp tongue, then ensuing to throw my medallion, as if it were a piece of dirt, to my feet!" Her voice had continually risen in anger, making Lancelot swallow the lump that formed in his throat. "That was the only thing of value to me, Lancelot, and I gave it to you - to you - even after what had transpired between us." She turned away from him, hoping to hide from him the anguish that was now clearly evident in her face. She squeaked quietly, "How can you say that you did not mean to do what you did? That you did not consciously know what you were doing to me?"

Lancelot's chest constricted at this, feeling his guilt rise even more. A part of him wanted to scream out to the heavens his thousand apologies, but he could only look at her with furrowed brows, an apologetic frown lining his countenance. "Lourdes, you must understand that I was greatly overcome by emotion, by my feelings for you..."

"Your feelings for me? Your feelings for me!" she reiterated in incredulity, pushing at his chest. She turned her fiery gaze upon him, squinting her eyes in disbelief as she spat, "Pray tell, good knight, what feelings? For your actions certainly contradict how you feel."

Lancelot felt his rising frustration. "Why do you think I kept that medallion with me, Lourdes? Hmm?" he unexpectedly questioned her, expectancy lining his eyes. "Do you really think that I was content in your absence? That I did not long to be with you?"

Lourdes squinted her eyes, still unconvinced, "And you tell me this when you were nearly bedding that dancer in front of everyone? In front of my family? In front of me?" She gritted her teeth, pushing him once more. "Fine, do you want to know the truth? If you were attempting to make me jealous, Lancelot, it worked wondrously. Are you content with yourself now?"

"She came to me." Lancelot pointed out succinctly, running his fingers through his hair. "It was not my intention to make you jealous, not at all." Throughout all of this, Lancelot's lips actually pulled into a smirk as he pointed out, "And if you were jealous, you only feel like so because you love me."

"You flatter yourself, as usual." Rolling her eyes, she crossed her arms belligerently. "Do not pretend to know how I feel."

Lancelot nodded at this statement, opening his arms widely as he offered, "Then kiss me if you do not love me."

"What?" Lourdes simply shrieked, thinking Lancelot's rationale unbelievable.

He moved a few paces closer to her and repeated in a softer tone, "Kiss me if you do not love me, Lourdes."

What sort of trickery is this? Lourdes said to herself, looking at Lancelot's brown orbs alternately as he gazed down patiently upon her. A smug smile was then plastered on his face when she made no move to kiss him, and he began, "Well, since I am receiving no kiss, then that must mean..."

Immediately, Lourdes closed the space between them. Wrapping her arm around Lancelot's neck, she kissed him with the utmost passion as she pulled him closer to her. Her brisk action even taking Lancelot by surprise, it took a moment for him to regain his composure as her burning lips were now one with his. As Lancelot began to kiss her fervently in return, she gave out a quiet whimper, igniting even more passionate emotions within the knight. Lourdes felt Lancelot's hands graze down her back, as if feeling her every inch, memorizing every curve of her body. His left hand then rested on the small of her back as the right made its way to her thigh. She would not let him get the upper hand, not now. As he dug his long fingers into her thigh, she suddenly pushed on his chest, pinning him to the side wall of the balcony. Their forms now rested in the shadows, out of sight from passers by.

Neither broke the kiss, and it only deepened as every moment passed by, both unyielding, both fighting to gain the upper hand. Lourdes pressed her body closer to Lancelot's as his tongue begged for entrance in her mouth. Teasing him slightly, she finally relented, their tongues now dancing through the searing kiss, heightening the passion that was now building inside the both of them. Unconsciously, Lourdes bucked her hips upwards, pressing herself even closer to Lancelot's. This elicited a low groan from the knight, his fingers pulling at her long, raven hair, then making their way down her chest. His right hand had began to lower itself underneath her dress collar as his left automatically tried to untie the silk wrapping around her waist. Finally finding her sense, Lourdes gripped the front of his tunic, as if in support, and abruptly pulled away. The two took a few moments in order to regain their orientation and to gasp for breath.

Slightly annoyed by her sudden halt, Lancelot cupped her bottom in a tight grip, still inflamed with passion. When he leaned in closer to kiss her once more, Lourdes immediately turned her head away, whispering breathlessly, "There, Lancelot. Did that kiss convince you that I do not love you?"

Taken aback by her question, Lancelot traced the side of her face with his lips as he asked huskily, "Did that kiss convince yourself?"

Even as she shuddered from his touch, she managed to pull away from his embrace. "Only a man like you would pull such deceit on another."

Her words did not sting him any longer. Giving out a low groan, Lancelot pulled her back to him, resting his forehead on hers. "Why will you not admit that you wanted to kiss me? That you want to be here with me?" He nipped at the side of her neck, breathing in her flowery scent. "Lourdes, I admit that I was a coward. I admit it with my entire heart." He cupped her face in his hands, eyes transfixed to hers. "I love you, and only you, and I will deny it no longer. Not to you, not to myself, not to anyone." He claimed her lips in his briefly, tasting her sweetness once more, before continuing, "And if you feel any love for me, say it, for I will gladly accept with all of my being. My feelings for you will remain unchanged. It will not falter..." he stated, even though his voice did, "...even though I know you harbour feelings for Galahad, and..."

"Listen to me, Lancelot." Lourdes interjected firmly, taking his face in her hands as their eyes met once more. "I cannot erase my past with Galahad. I cannot erase what has transpired between us, the pain that we have both undergone." She wrapped her arms around his waist, sighing deeply as she rested her head upon his chest. "But I do love you, Lancelot. I am in love with you."

Unable to control his emotions and actions any longer, Lancelot breathed out as he hastily pulled her into another kiss. They both smiled through their kiss, finally feeling happiness coursing through their veins. They embraced each other tightly, feeling as though they never wanted to let go, as Lancelot breathed out,

"Then that is enough for me."

t t t

A/N: Awwlllright. That only took...37 chapters? God. Talk about stretching the tension.

P.S. I really love this song, and it fits this part of the story so perfectly. But, seeing as though Lourdes and Lancelot wouldn't break into song midway through their romantic scene (because, truly, that would be cheesy, weird and just plain scary), I just left it 'till after. .grins. Below is one of the most beautiful songs ever composed! It's "All I Ask Of You" from Phantom of the Opera.

(Raoul/Lancelot)

No more talk of darkness,

Forget these wide-eyed fears.

I'm here, nothing can harm you -

my words will warm and calm you.

Let me be your freedom,

let daylight dry your tears.

I'm here, with you, beside you,

to guard you and to guide you...

(Christine/Lourdes)

Say you love me every waking moment,

turn my head with talk of summertime...

Say you need me with you,

now and always.

Promise me that all you say is true -

That's all I ask of you.

(Raoul/Lancelot)

Let me be your shelter,

Let me be your light

You're safe: No one will find you

Your fears are far behind you.

(Christine/Lourdes)

All I want is freedom,

A world with no more night,

and you, always beside me,

to hold me and to hide me.

(Raoul/Lancelot)

Then say you'll share with me one love,

one lifetime...

let me lead you from your solitude

Say you need me with you here, beside you

Anywhere you go, let me go too -

...That's all I ask of you.

(Christine/Lourdes)

Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime...

say the word and I will follow you.

(Both)

Share each day with me, each night, each morning.

(Christine/Lourdes)

Say you love me...

(Raoul/Lancelot)

You know I do...

(Both)
Love me - that's all I ask of you.