Standard Disclaimer: KA and the legends are soooo not mine. The craziness of the characters is the only thing I own. Bad Language, Violence and Possible Sexual Scenes Warning. Don't like it, don't read.

Yay another chapter. Woo me! Sorry that the other was so short, I just needed to bring some people in, but I probably already mentioned that didn't I? Oh well.

Welcome Home

"Thank you, Ria. I didn' have any place to dry these clothes." Jerica smiled taking some of the cloths off the rope I set up for her as I was shuffling lazily through some paperwork for the forge. "With all this rain, I didn't think I could get these done."

"No problem, sis. Glad I had something to do." I nodded and took off my reading glasses before grabbing my cloak to keep out the rain. "Come on, I'm sleepy, I'll walk you home before I get to my room." Normally I wouldn't be so enthusiastic to help with something as domestic as laundry (I have very little knack for it, in fact when I tried to do it the old fashioned way, I nearly tore Finn's shirts to threads) but anything to escape the tediousness in the smithy.

Two days ago the knights were called to settle some (non-Merlin) Woad disturbances in a village some distance away. And in the span of those two days, Sloane has tested the bounds of my patience and personal space in a way that should not tested. He seemed to feel that since the knights, particularly Tristan, were not around then he had free reign to try and— well you know…be creepy and perverse.

I'm already going insane since five weeks ago when we had come from the seaport. Firstly, upon our return, it has not stopped raining. Secondly, Senator Nympholia refused to continue to his Britain estate because of the rain, meaning we are stuck with the damned Romans (I was this close to strangling the man). Thirdly, Charity had immediately attached herself to the young Lady Isolde and they are the bestest of friends. Fourthly, when Isolde is not in the company of Charity (which is rare in itself), she constantly interrupts my very few moments of peace with Tristan; and they are truly very few. And fifthly, Sloane… bastard has either been treating me and the other women (particularly me) like dirt or would make lewd comments, gestures and advances when no knight is around.

With the knights off fighting, it is taking all my will power and sanity not to run the asshole through with a red-hot blunt sword fifty gazillion times. The reason I do nothing? My apprenticeship with Argon as a blacksmith is on the line. And while I normally wouldn't give a flying fuck in a rat's ass about what Argon truly thinks, the Romans do as well as any potential customer I may come into contact with. By having my apprenticeship completed, I gain a sort of credibility that can only be obtained through Argon's approval.

While a normal apprenticeship would go for about two years, mine has been about the full expanse that Charity and I have been in the Ancient World; 4-5 years give or take because of my probationary year in the beginning. All for the fact that I lack a penis and own breasts and a uterus instead. Sexist son of a hamster! So in order to be named a "real" blacksmith, I have to get my forge-master to legally sign my documents. That is so ROMAN!!! I mean, David and Trent are official and I'm better'n them for chrissakes!

Therefore in order to get my documents legalized and everything, I've got to suck it up with Sloane around and play a good girl. This also means playing a betrothed woman.

Yep, for all sake of appearance Tristan and I are engaged because I have no legal guardian (i.e. available man) to speak for me.

Vanora, Kaida, Marion and Jerica were having a field day when Arthur reluctantly announced it to the fort. I don't remember much about that day, I think I might have passed out or something, all I can remember feeling was numb… even when my "betrothed" kissed me in front of everyone. I was told much later that Arthur had to say that to the Senator and Sloane or else there would have been problems. Like there weren't already.

Charity even had the audacity to spread the rumor that the only reason that Tristan was "marrying" me was because he knocked me up and Arthur forced Tristan to. Otherwise, Tristan would have taken me into the forest, killed both the baby and me and left us for dead since he was so damned cold-hearted and evil. It took a rather embarrassing trip to the healers accompanied by Arthur, Senator Nympholia and Lady Isolde to quell the pregnancy rumor.

It had also taken 3 large and intimidating knights (Dagonet, Tristan and Darren), a threat from Merlin (via Loca the wonder-kitty), four shots of primitive valium (administered by Kaida and the healers), and two sleeping pills (Jeri had gotten them from Charity) to not do some serious damage to the Bitch Queen. I had every intention of making Charity my newest sword cushion for everything she said.

Well, since Ria is now going to be a married woman (not!) when Tristan's service is complete, Senator Nympholia has instructed his daughter to teach me to be a proper Roman Lady during their stay at the fort because it is oh-so-important on the plains of Sarmatia… really who came up with that shit? At least that is what Lady Isolde has told me, I can't help but think that the seventeen year old has some sort of ulterior motive. She's clever, I'll give her that, but there is something else about her. One thing is for sure I definitely have more people to watch: Charity, Isolde and above all Sloane.

The woman stared back at me furiously; her wavy charcoal dark brown hair was twisted painfully tight in a Roman fashion with curls framing her powdered and rouge cheeks, bright red painted lips curled in a sneer and her petite toned framed swathed in soft pink Roman clothes. If looks could kill, my reflection would have done me in eight times when Isolde had her hand-maidens fasten me into this bloody fucking gown. Damn, those handmaids are stronger than they look, and against a BLACKSMITH too.

"My lady, may I inquire as to why I am dressed and painted as so? And against my will, no less?" I looked up at my captor biting back the snarl.

"Did you not hear? Your knights are returning, and as the dutiful betrothed you are to welcome your promised in your finery as propriety dictates…"

"But Lady Isolde, the propriety of nobility is a stark difference than that of the common peoples." I gave a direct look at the handmaidens. "Such finery is beyond my reach and I oft do not wear Roman linens because of the cold and my occupation as a blacksmith would tear them to shreds."

"Well, you are under my instruction and will therefore do as I say." Came the biting reply masked under sweetness. Silently I hoped that Charity would come and distract Isolde because I'm about to commit triple homicide. Clenching my fists to carry out my plans, a knock on the heavy door was my saving grace.

"Ria, the knights just entered the courtyard. They've got caravans with them," Marion pushed her head through the door, took one look at me and immediately slammed it shut. I could just imagine her laughing on the other side.

"That's it; this crap is coming off now." I muttered in English while trying to pull off the gown only to be stopped and pushed out the door by Isolde's handmaids.

Damn they're strong, and the occasional pinch does not help at all!

Entering the courtyard, there was a bustle of activity: Arthur was giving instructions, Jols taking the horses into the stables, children running around, Vanora greeting Bors, Roman Calvary milling about, and the occasional chicken that freaked out Isolde.

"Lady Isolde, do you and your companion need an escort to the main dining hall?" One of the Roman officers addressed us and suddenly everything seemed to freeze.

"No Bruno, I'm going to the tavern with my betrothed." I replied and moved awkwardly towards a rather stunned group of knights. The Roman I had addressed stared after me realizing it was me.

"R-Ria?"

"Yeah."

"You look…"

"Please stop."

"Wow."

"Okay, that's enough."

"But…"

"I've been destroyed." I complained to the knights as they continued to stare and make me feel incredibly uncomfortable.

"Aye…" Tristan's husky voice melted against my skin as his rough hands gently turned me to face him, "You look too Roman, Ria."

I wrapped my arms around his neck, "Well, my brave knight, how do you intend to remedy that?" The smile on my lips teased him into a hot and passionate kiss that I had no complaints against… that was until someone rudely interrupted us.

"VICTORIA! A proper lady would never engage in such vulgar displays even with her betrothed!" Isolde scolded me from her father's side before daintily trudging over and grasping my forearm tightly in her delicately painted claws.

"Ow." I growled through clenched teeth as she tried to drag me away from Tristan, or it could have been my imposing knight that growled. Whichever, she immediately released me when she realized what a spectacle she made herself. "Lady Isolde, am I not allowed to greet my future husband upon his return? You said yourself 'as the dutiful betrothed I am to welcome my promised in my finery as propriety dictates…' you never said how. So if you would excuse me, I am greeting him my way." I dragged Tristan away to our room.

"Well that's one way of welcome," Gawain chuckled after us before joining the others in the tavern where Kaida waited.

As the door shut, I bustled over to the hearth to stoke the already high flames. I just needed something to do… I was nervous; today I would lay down everything and tell him. He was going to be released from service within the next moon and we would be getting "married".

Just as I lit another candle, Tristan held me close and kissed me for all I was worth and at that moment felt like a million dollars just being in his arms.

"Guess someone missed me huh?" I teased while helping him out of his smelly armor, the armor I made lovingly for all of them; it was dented again. "Suppose I should give Lancelot my regards." I swayed toward the door only to get pulled into a strong bare chest by equally strong arms.

"Tease me not woman, or you will regret it." He growled as his hands slowly and painstakingly pulled the pink Roman clothes off my body leaving me bare from the waist up. Self-conscious, I tried to cover myself with my arms and pull away, but he would have none of it and pulled my arms to wrap around his neck. Tristan's hands trailed down my sides and tugged at the remainder of the dress and panties before removing his trousers. "Please turn me not away Victoria." He whispered huskily against my throat in English.

"Never again." We fell to the bed and… well you know. It was my first, my second and I lost count after four, but I would not have shared it with any other man, Tristan had ruined me for anyone else.

We lay peacefully on our bed, my head on his heart as he stroked my spine and held my left hand in his. I can't even begin to tell you what I was feeling, but my body tingled with every touch of his calloused hand.

"Are you awake?" I muttered groggily against his chest in English.

"Aye" Came the husky reply.

"You'll be free next month." His hand still at the small of my back, "I take it you'll be going back to Sarmatia."

"Perhaps, I never thought I would live this long. Now that I have, I know not what to expect." I looked up at him and moved to kiss him again. There was something in his eyes he needed to talk about but wasn't ready to let me. I'll be patient… for now.

"Hey…I love you, you know." He grinned and pulled me in for a kiss, but he was still far away.

"And I am in love with you, Victoria." His reply was simple, but no less meaningful.

"You know, you never did thank me for all the work I've done for you." I teased his lower lip. "The knives, your armor…"

Tristan's brow quirked at my diversion tactic, "Aye?" Again he kissed me, and kissed me and…kissed me.

The next morning, it still rained but I was warm and for some reason my pillow was breathing. Looking up, memories from last night flooded my mind and a deep blush rose to my cheeks. Realizing the time and that Argon has me working today, I sighed, kissed Tristan awake before wrapping a blanket around my shoulders and dragging in the bathing tub behind the screen to wash.

"Love?" Tristan called his voice hoarse.

"Yes?" Every time he calls me that it makes me all giddy inside.

"Arthur has called for a meeting," He peeked around the screen just as I dunked under the water rinsing my hair, "I will see you in the dining hall?"

"Yep." I sputtered wringing out my hair. "Love you."

I could hear him smile and felt a light kiss to my wet hair, "Aye, as I with you."

Minutes later, wrapping myself in a drying linen and pulling a comb through my wet tresses, I noticed something rather odd. My dark hair was longer, as if I never cut it, my skin was a darker tinge of olive and my feet looked a little farther away. Confused, I look to the polished silver that served as our mirror.

Oh, my god.

A/N: Okay, so this one is a bit short too. I'm sorry, but I really needed to move this along and explain some things. Hope that you like it, reviews are candy and I've got a bad sweet tooth.