I want to say a special thank you to all you who reviewed last chapter and helped me to see that it wasn't really as crappy as I thought it was. Lol. So, thank you to: MedievalWarriorPrincess, The EarthSong, DirrtyXtina87, Archangle, bloodredcherry, Wander of the Roads, greenDayzIdiot, TheHollister, grullo-cowgirl, LegolasIsMine, You'reJustJealousCozISoundLikeARockstar, Nilmelwen, wild-vixen, KnightMaiden, Lady Marek, problemgirl088, The Wild Woman, and homeric. Thank you all so much.

Chapter Seventeen

As she packed her few belongings, Juliana looked around the barren room. This would be the last time she laid eyes on it. Though it had been an uncomfortable and empty place, it had still been her home for the short months she'd been in Britain. And she was sad to leave it all behind.

Juliana closed the small trunk that held her earthly possessions and sighed. Her time had come to an end. Now she must bid farewell to the friends she had here, and pray that they wouldn't forget her. For once she left, she would never again be able to step foot inside the stone walls of the church. It was time to leave behind this life and all that it offered to her.

Stepping out of the small room, Juliana closed the door behind her. The protesting squeal of the hinges seemed, to Juliana, as a final farewell from the sad little apartment. A faint smile presented itself upon her lips and she touched the door, feeling the rough wood beneath her soft fingertips, one last time.

"Tis a sad day when we must bid one of our own goodbye." Sister Helen said, tears shining in her eyes. "We shall all miss you dreadfully, Juliana."

The older nun drew her into a tight embrace, and Juliana felt her courage crumbling around her. But she held tight to her resolve. This was, after all, the path that she had chosen.

"I'll miss you all as well." She whispered in Sister Helen's ear. "I shall never forget you." She kissed the older woman's cheek through her wimple before continuing down the hall, dragging her small trunk behind her.

As she continued towards the stairs, more of the Sisters said their tearful goodbyes, all wishing her happiness at the end of her journey.

She traveled down the stairs and towards the large front doors of the church. They swung open before her and she stared out at the bustling street. Drawing in a resigned breath, Juliana stepped from the church and into her new life.

> > > > >

"I hope that you will find these accommodations acceptable." The maid said as she led Juliana towards her new apartment in Arthur's court. "Queen Guinevere wished that you would have the most comfortable room available."

Juliana followed behind the maid, taking in the sights of the beautiful home. Though she was certain the court was not on the scale of Rome's finest homes, it was still the most beautiful home that Juliana had ever seen. The walls were a finely polished wood and the stone floors were covered in the finest fur rugs, muffling the footfalls of those who traveled the halls.

The maid stopped in front of a door and pushed it open.

"Here we are." She said. Juliana followed her into a room nearly three times the size of her one back at the church.

The walls matched those in the rest of the large home and a rug made of fox furs sat in front of a stone fireplace that had a fire already going inside. A row of windows allowed in the winter sunlight, casting shadows across the floor. A large, comfortable looking bed sat against one wall and across from it sat a bureau set with intricate carvings. Another door sat nestled in the wall beside the chest. It was opened partly and Juliana could see a wooden tub inside.

"I hope this will suffice." The maid said, hands on her hips as she surveyed the room herself.

"It's…" Juliana shook her head in wonderment. "It's more than I could have hoped for." She breathed.

"There's clothes in there," the maid pointed to the bureau. "Queen Guinevere had some of her old things put in there so that you would have new clothes to wear instead of-" Juliana felt the maid's eyes moving over her frumpy nun's dress.

"Thank you." Juliana said, her eyes moving rebukingly to the maid's. The other woman had the decency to look embarrassed and quickly dropped her eyes.

"The queen says that you are to have the rest of the day to familiarize yourself with the house before you begin your job tomorrow. Dinner is at nightfall. Do not be late." The maid said briskly before turning and leaving the room.

As the door shut behind her, Juliana stared at her new home. She still couldn't believe what she had done.

When Guinevere had sought her out the day before, Juliana had had no idea what would come out of the queen's mouth. And she certainly hadn't thought it would be what it had been.

She sank onto the bed, allowing the feather mattress to contour to her body. Closing her eyes, Juliana thought back to the day before.

"Perhaps it's time for a change." Guinevere said.

"A change, my lady? What do you mean?" Juliana had to confess, she was quite confused as to what Guinevere meant."

"I am in a position where I will need a new maid. Someone who can look after me in the coming months." Guinevere placed a hand over her stomach in a motherly fashion.

"My lady, are you…" Juliana stopped. Mother Superior had always taught her it was wrong to ask the village women if they were in the family way.

A mysterious smile graced Guinevere's perfect mouth.

"Yes." She replied. "I believe I am. And that is why I will need your help, Juliana."

"I…I don't know much about babies." Juliana shook her head. She had never had interaction with children except for those that the church took in. And even then her contact with them had been limited.

"That's quite alright." Guinevere said. "There are plenty women in Camelot who can give me advice and all of that. I suppose that's why I don't want any of them to help me. I don't want anyone telling me how to raise my child. I would rather learn it all on my own. That's why you are the perfect one to help me."

"I don't understand." Juliana said, even more confused. Guinevere laughed.

"I need someone to help me who won't try to take over the raising of this child." She rubbed her hand over her belly. "And that's why you're perfect."

"But-"

"I won't take no for an answer, Juliana."

As she lay on the bed, Juliana still wasn't certain if Guinevere had made the right decision. What did Juliana know of children? Nothing. Well, except for the fact that they were noisy and often smelt very badly. But she did find them quite beautiful despite their noise and smell. Who couldn't find babies beautiful? They were one of God's most wondrous creations. An absolute marvel.

Juliana stood. Though she still knew not why Guinevere had chosen her, she was here now and should embrace it. Had she not prayed to God for a way to deliver her from a return to Rome? This was surely God's interference, was it not? Why, then, should Juliana doubt it.

She walked towards the bureau and pulled its doors open. The first step into this new life would be to rid herself of the drab garments of her former life. But the action was more easily said than done. As she stripped the black dress off, Juliana thought of all that she was leaving behind. She would never again be able to step inside the church. Mother Superior would make sure of that.

The older nun had been so enraged when Juliana had told her that she was leaving the church, and was going to live in Arthur's court. She was certain that Mother Superior would have strangled her had Guinevere not been there as well. A tear slid down Juliana's cheek as she remembered the hurt and betrayed expression on Mother Superior's face. It had been so horrible to behold. Juliana felt the guilt eating at her soul even now. She had betrayed the woman who had cared for her since birth.

Screwing her eyes shut, Juliana flung the old dress from her and reached blindly for a new one.

> > > > >

Well, did you guys like it? I hope so. I probably won't update for awhile. We're taking my brother out to college next week and will probably be gone for some days. I hope that you guys will read and review. Who knows, if I get enough reviews I might have enough inspiration to review sooner than I think.

PS. Sorry it was so short. Next chapter will be longer. I promise.