It took me a little longer than I expected to update this story, but, finally, an update there is. Lol.

I don't have time to individually thank all of you who have reviewed, so I just want to say a general thank you to all you guys. Your thoughts and opinions and encouragement really help me.

Now, on with the chapter.

Chapter Fifteen

Juliana trembled as Mother Superior approached her. The large woman seemed to tower above Juliana. She continued to walk towards Juliana who, overcome by fear of Mother Superior, stepped back from the imposing form.

"What," Mother Superior's voice was nothing more than a harsh whisper, "is that?" She raised a finger that was just beginning to grow gnarled from old age, and pointed at where Juliana's hand rested, covering the shameful mark.

The trembling within the young woman's body increased as she fought to find the words that could curtail the severity of the situation.

"Mother Superior," she began, her voice quivering. Taking in a deep breath, Juliana forced herself to calm. "Mother Superior, I can explain." Despite the fact that her voice still trembled, she sounded a bit more confident than before.

"You had better." Mother Superior snapped, her eyes blazing furiously. "I took a vow that no woman under my care would come to sinful acts. But it seems that you have a mind of your own, Juliana. I always knew that you were too willful and too stubborn to be a nun. But, despite my better judgment I allowed you to stay on at the convent and take your vows. And now look," she grasped Juliana's hand in her own and yanked it away from the bruise. "You have disgraced us all. You have made a mockery of our faith for this whole heathenistic place to witness."

Tears bit at the backs of Juliana's eyes, but she willed them to keep at bay. She could not allow Mother Superior to see her crying, lest it be one more thing for the woman to latch on to.

"Well no more," the older woman continued. "You will return to Rome at once and serve out your punishment under the supervision of the nuns still at the convent."

"Mother Superior, no!" Juliana cried. Return to Rome? She couldn't bare to do it. Not after she had seen all the wonderful beauty that Britain had. She would die if she could no longer go out onto the plains and feel the sun on her face and the wind in her hair.

"No?" Mother Superior's eyebrows formed together above her eyes. "You will listen to me, Juliana. You will listen and you will obey."

Juliana started to protest, but Mother Superior cut her off with a glare.

"You will return to Rome as soon as possible and there you shall remain, locked in your apartment until you realize the enormity of your sins. To think, one of my own would lie with a man like a no good harlot. You've brought this upon yourself, Juliana, and you only have yourself to blame for your punishment."

"Please, Mother Superior…"

But the old woman was finished. She turned her back on Juliana without a word and left the small apartment, slamming the door closed behind her.

The instant the door shut, Juliana fell onto her bed, her body racked with heavy sobs.

Return to Rome. Britain was too much a part of her now. She lived for the trees and the grassy plains and the azure sky. The very water that flowed in the streams now flowed through Juliana's veins. This land was part of her and she a part of it. There was no doubt in Juliana's mind. Should she return to Rome it would most certainly be the death of her.

> > > > >

The night passed whilst Juliana lay sobbing herself to sleep.

She awoke the next morning to a room brightened by early morning sunlight, so different from the dark turmoil she felt within her soul. Her eyes were red-rimmed and rheumy from lack of sleep. For her sleep had been troubled and haunted with images of Mother Superior's fiery eyes and the bleakness of Rome.

Though Juliana had been unable to think of a solution for her problem, she knew one thing for certain: she would not go back. No matter what she had to do, she would not return to Rome.

But Mother Superior will make me go, she thought. She will make me go and I will have no choice. There is nothing that anyone can do to change her mind.

Had there been tears left within her to cry, Juliana would have certainly broken down then.

Below her room, Juliana could hear the other nuns preparing for the new day. They all sounded so cheerful as they talked and worked together, none knowing the fate that had befallen Juliana.

She bit her lip and moved from her bed to the small window. She had sat at that spot many times, always looking out at the beauty offered by Britain's plains. How could she leave all this behind? It was impossible.

Above the chatter of nuns and the whistle of those birds brave enough to weather Britain's winter, Juliana heard the unmistakable clang of sword metal.

Despite herself, she could feel her heart skip a beat. Galahad was out there. She just knew it. He was out there practicing his swordplay with his companions, and, probably, not a thought about her entered into his mind. But Juliana was thinking about him.

Her mind instantly flashed to that night. The pleasure it had brought her, and now the pain. Though she knew the fault lay entirely on her shoulders, she couldn't help but blame Galahad just a little for his part in her having to leave Britain. It was he, after all, that had tempted her.

Lord, why did you have to make him so beautiful? She sighed and rested her head against the cold stone wall. Her eyes drifted close and, in her mind, she pictured Galahad in the practice court. The sunlight glinting off his sword's blade, his dark eyes narrowed as he assessed his opponent. A slow smile spread across her lips as she continued to imagine the scene. The corners of his mouth were brought up into a calculating smile and he moved with determined steps.

With a jolt, Juliana brought herself back to reality. She could not think of him, of his rugged and handsome face, of his eyes that seemed to sparkle as if stars resided within their depths. She shook her head, freeing her mind of the pesky daydream.

Remember what he has done to you, she chided herself. Remember that, because of him, you must leave this beautiful country.

"But it is not entirely his fault." She stated to the empty room. "It's my fault as well for giving into him. I cannot blame him for this. I should have known better than to go down there that night. I knew it that something would happen if I went and yet I did not heed my own mind's warning."

She drew in a deep breath and shook her head.

"No, the blame is my own."

With a slim finger, Juliana traced the stones around the window. Outside, she watched the clouds move swiftly across the sky, driven by the forceful wind. The bony skeletons of the trees were beginning to show and their dark limbs stood out against hazy winter colors.

Another sigh tore itself from deep within Juliana. She knew there was no way that Mother Superior would change her mind.

"If I am to return to Rome," she stated determinedly, "then I shall at least enjoy my remaining time here."

She stood, dressed herself quickly, and wrapped her cloak about her before leaving the room.

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This chapter is not one of my favorites, and it's kinda short (sorry 'bout that). But I had to write it so that Juliana's fate could be known and to set the scene for the upcoming chapters, which I am so looking forward to writing. Anyways, please review and tell me what you all thought.