Title: Sarmatian Ladies
Author: Jmaria
Rating: PG-13 - R
Disclaimers/Spoilers: Joss owns the Buffy crew, Bruckheimer, Franzoni, & Fuqua own this incarnation of Arthur & his knights
Summary: New house, new neighbors, training, lessons and doctor visits.
A/N: I went a little old-school Buffy knowledge with the last part. Lothos is the name of the vampire Master Buffy had to face in the movie. He killed slayers with every passing generation, and as far as I know neither Kakistos (vamp who killed Faith's watcher in s3) or the Master ever brought down a slayer.

10. Innocence

From beside the queen Gawain
to the king did then incline:
'I implore with prayer plain
that this match should now be min.'
- Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Higher Planes of Existence

Morgana watched as the couple parted. She hated that he must hold the truth from her, as she was sure he hated it too. But it was the only way to keep the plans of the powers safe. There were so many causalities of this mission, so many innocents lost - so many more made unknowing victims in the war. The girl would suffer more, be put through unnecessary hardships if only to fool the betrayer.

Morgana could not show more interest in the champion yet, Europa and her abomination must believe that she was in the dark to their plans and schemes. Merlin found her gazing in the tapestries that held most of their warriors, their wins and their losses. He had grave news to tell her, just as he did before.

"What is it? What has you troubled?" Morgana asked quietly, before the older power could have time to speak.

"Gaheris is dead."

Morgana's head snapped up. This was not what she had been expecting to hear. But then Merlin could be counted on for the most disturbing news.

"Dead? You assured me that the other knights were being kept safe!" Morgana hissed, pulling Merlin aside. "How could one of the hidden knights be dead?"

"It seems he was part of a champion assignment in Los Angeles."

"Los Angeles? And you considered this placement wise, will all that we have worked towards for the past fifteen hundred years, Merlin? We were already one knight short!" Morgana cried. She ran a hand through her dark hair, trying to absorb this new information. A thought struck her. "He was not meant to be Los Angeles. He, like all the other knights was meant to be reborn in the place he died, in Briton, Merlin! Hundreds of years of planning now hang in the balance and you bring me this news?" Morgana cried. She needed a moment to collect herself before continuing. "How did Gaheris wind up involved in a champion assignment?"

"Well, ya see, that'd be kinda my fault," a shorter dark haired man said from beside Merlin.

"I should have known," Morgana said ruefully.

Hadrian's Wall, 2005

Summers Cottage

It took them nearly two weeks of work to get everything unpacked, cleaned and organized. The knights took a vote and gave Dawn the bigger room, the one that had a small room attached to it. The whole house could use a fresh coat of paint, and they had decided to do the bedrooms first, before any of the new furniture arrived.

Of course, the boys had serious qualms about Dawn painting, and more than once when she tried to help with the painting she found her paintbrush being yanked or knocked out of her hand. It was sweet and insulting all at once. So she made the meals, a sweet and revenge-ish task that she thoroughly enjoyed. The boys didn't, so Gwen was reassigned from painting to cooking - which only made the food worse. Gavin decided to switch with Gwen and take over the cooking.

"We have to begin training," Dawn sighed one afternoon as she and Gavin finished making sandwiches.

"Exactly how are we gonna go about training?" Gavin grinned. Every time Dawn brought this up, she asked the same thing, expected the same answer.

"I can show you basic broadsword and dagger training, but I suck at hand to hand. You remember what happened when we got ambushed by Marius's men. I jumped on the guard's back! No offense, but can you see Garrett or Boris trying to pull that move on - whatever it is we're gonna have to fight?"

"Well, Willow can help train us when she arrives this week, right?" Gavin said calmly, trying to play it cool while he checked on her ETA. Dawn rolled her eyes, but Gavin continued. "And Trev's got all that military history crammed up in his head, so he can help us out. Not to mention that Boris is a coach, which sorta doubles as a drill sergeant."

"Yeah, well knowing where to aim a ball and the results and weaponry used in the War of 1812 aren't exactly gonna help when there are vampires or demons tracking us down and ruining our Tuesday night plans."

"And the Willow option?" Gavin grinned over at her as he placed a few more sandwiches on the platter.

"Well, she's good at directing people where to go, but for actual training? Not a good idea. We'd be better off having her stick with spells," Dawn sighed. "And she's arriving tomorrow, so you have the rest of today to try and get all the paint chips out of your hair and clothes. Although, do I really have to remind you again that she's into girls?" Dawn asked, sneaking a pickle slice off the tray.

"You're just mad that you don't get to pick away at old paint all day long and patch the plaster. And you have said that she did date blokes at one point in her life," Gavin pointed out. He poked his head into the hallway and yelled, "Oi! Lunch's ready!"

"Yeah, Oz, but that doesn't mean she can switch back and forth -" Dawn started to say as she snuck another pickle slice.

"Unless she really likes the guy."

"You're hopeless."

"Are you two talking about the redhead, again?" Garrett groaned as he walked into the kitchen.

"We're talking about Willow. Of course, that might not be the redhead you're referring to, the Chaste," Dawn grinned wickedly.

"Stop calling me that, crazy pregnant woman," Garrett sneered.

"Speakin' of bein' pregnant, when's your appointment, Dawn?" Boris asked as he rinsed his hands off in the sink.

"In two days. I'm gonna need the car, guys," Dawn sighed, snagging the ham and Swiss sandwich Gavin put on his own plate. When he glared at her, she simply batted her eyes. "Pass the ketchup?"

"Ketchup on a ham sandwich?" Garrett's nose wrinkled in disgust.

"Ham and cheese and ketchup please," Dawn said in a sing-song voice.

"That's - gah," Gavin shook his head. "Must be the pregnancy cravings."

"Actually, this is how I normally eat a ham sandwich," Dawn frowned. "You guys think it's weird? How is it weird?"

London

Faith tossed in her sleep. She dreamt of something that she hadn't dreamt of in years.

She stood at the edge of a burning village, her dark hair matted against her skin and a burning torch in her hand. She had been too late, the Saxon scum had already defiled the sacred place she had found sanctuary in after Tristan's betrayal.

Bodies of young Sarmatian women littered the ground, their hair shorn and their dresses bloodied by vile half-men. Was this destruction what she fought her way to freedom for? Was this painful sight what she had been willing to leave her sister behind?

Two figures stood beside her, their eyes dark with anger and grief. Isolde saw something move within a collapsed tent. Clenching her sword tightly in her hand, she raced forward. A man lay bloodied and bruised beneath a fallen horse. Isolde yelled back to her companions to come help free the man.

"Wray, what has happened?" Isolde demanded as she worked to free the weapons master.

"Too late, I -" the dark haired man coughed roughly, blood trickling down his lips.

"The big moments, kid. Gotta look for the unexpected big moments," Isolde glanced over her shoulder to a duplicate of the same man she held dying in her arms.

"Who are you?" She demanded, glaring at him.

"You know who am, Faith. Why I've come."

"I'm -"

"Isolde, yeah, I should know. I'm bleedin' all over you there. But you're just dreamin', kid. Remembering really."

"What -"

"You gotta wake up, Faith. Look for the signs, offer help, cuz you can still be somebody. Still have a say on how the endgame's gonna be played. She'll ask, and you'll offer."

"And to what ends would you have me go to?"

"Hell, kid, you're really digging this past life lingo, ain't ya? You're gonna get what you lost back. Your lover."

"Isolde, a rider comes!" Elaine cried, jarring her from her conversation.

"Prepare yourselves," Isolde turned back to the oddly dressed man, but he was gone. "Lord Death might have -"

A hand clamped down on Faith's shoulder, jarring her awake. She blinked a few times before her eyes could focus. She groaned.

"This better be good, red."

"It is."

Summers Cottage

Dawn tossed and turned in her sleep as well. For the past two weeks, each night brought her heartbreaking realistic dreams of Dag that left her worse than the day before. It was quarter to six when she shoved back the suffocating sheets, her hand groping for the bedside light. The sight that greeted her when she looked down at her mattress had her screaming.

Blood caked the sheets where her body had been moments before. Tears streaked down her cheeks as she scrambled from the bed. No, no, this couldn't be happening! Please, god, no! Gavin and Gwen were the first ones to burst through her door, weapons drawn for non-existent enemies.

"Dawn, what is it? What's wrong?" Boris demanded, his eyes landing on the bloodied sheets. "God, no."

"What's wrong?" Trevor asked from the doorway, cricket bat clenched in his hand.

"I can't - what did I do wrong? Why would the powers take, oh god, I can't lose him again!" Dawn sobbed as Boris pulled her into his arms.

"Did she lose the baby?" Gwen asked quietly, tears in her eyes.

"Dawn, your foot's bleeding, love," Boris said quietly. "The babe is safe. Trev, go grab us a bandage! It's toe-blood, not baby-blood, Dawn. Gavin, get rid of those sheets and Gwen fetch us a washcloth."

"Oh god, Bors! I almost lost him again," Dawn sobbed.

"Shh, shh, there, there. Nothings wrong, you and the wee little one are safe and sound."

"What's going on?" Garrett asked from the hall.

"Nothin', go get Dawn a glass a warm milk, pup," Boris glared.

"She all right?"

"Yeah."

Outskirts of Rome, 463

Morgana was met outside of the Lord of Death's villa by none other than Pelagius. She was shocked to see the priest there. She did not like the truths he spoke and represented, but as of right now, she had no one else.

"Come child, I've found you sanctuary for the night."

"Why?"

"You are in need, and I am a servant of the Lord. I have pledged my life to help those less fortunate then I. Can you think of one person less fortunate than yourself?" Pelagius asked, handing her a worn brown cloak.

"I do not believe in your God," Morgana said quietly, following him.

"That does not change your plight, Morgana."

"But it should." Morgana shook her head, trying to make sense of everything. "You should not side with me, priest! He will come after you even stronger, more than when you merely sing Artorius' praise. He will have reason to turn Germanius against you -"

"And until I am dead, I will still do what my God and my heart tell me is right."

"Mordred is not a sane man, Pelagius! He offered up his children's lives to find - "

"The Lady Lion. He has often crowed of her beauty and how he would possess her. He is obsessed -"

"And dangerous! He stood by as Lothos drained his children of their blood!" Pelagius paled at this.

"Jessamina and Felix were offered up voluntarily to that monster?"

"Yes," Morgana sobbed. "I should not mourn these children of my enemy, but they were innocent and did not deserve that death."

"No, they did not." Pelagius crossed himself, praying for the spirits of the innocent children who were slaughtered by their own father. "The Lady Lion is out of the city?"

"Yes, sent away months ago, right after he reached out to the Masters."

"Then we must work on getting you to safety. There is a Sarmatian woman in the city who can give you safe passage to Sarmatia. She has just been released from her servitude and is trying to go east to her homeland."

"Why do you help me, Pelagius?" Morgana demanded.

"There is no time, child. Europa may have released you, but Mordred will still seek you out," Pelagius pushed a bag of provisions into her arms. "You must flee as quickly as you can, child. May God keep you safe along you journey."

Morgana stared at him, tears in her eyes as she saw what fate held in store for him. She kissed his cheek softly.

"May your God keep you safe as well, Pelagius. But remember that Germanius and Mordred will not stop until they have total control. They will stop at nothing, Pelagius," Morgana hissed.

"Come, we must get you to Ismene."

Summers Cottage

Dawn lay in bed with her foot elevated and Boris sleeping in the chair beside her bed. Out of all of them, even Gavin who'd been there since the very beginning, Boris felt the most responsible for her. It had to do with Dag, and Bors failure to keep Dawn safe from the battle at Badon Hill. She smiled over at him, knowing he was still awake and watching out for her.

"I can't do it, Boris."

"Can't fall asleep, love?" He bent forward on his elbows.

"Well, that too. I can't train you," Dawn sighed.

"Damn right you can't, you're nearly what - five months along? Dangerous for the little nipper if her mum's whirlin' a sword about."

"Even if I wasn't pregnant, I couldn't train you against - whatever the hell we're gonna be up against," she rubbed at her eyes. "Which means I'm gonna have to call in the big guns."

"A slayer?" Boris asked quietly.

"Yeah, I'm just not sure if Giles will let her come."

"Get some sleep, Dawn. We'll get this all sorted out in the morning. Besides, you're going to see Doctor Kingston tomorrow, ain't ya?"

"Yeah." She rolled over on her side. "Boris?"

"Hmm?"

"Thanks, for earlier."

"Just doin' my job, Dawnie. Livin' up to my promise."

When Dawn woke up the next morning, Boris had already gone. She pulled on a loose sweater and her fat jeans and made her way down to the kitchen. She was shocked to see Trevor at the stove making breakfast. She slid into the closest chair.

"You're cooking."

"Yeah," Trevor said quietly.

"You never cook."

"It's been two weeks, short amount of time to strap a 'never' on, don'tcha think?" Trevor gave her a small smile.

"Either I really scared the crap outta everybody, or you've been body-snatched."

"Gavin's still sleeping, Garrett can't be trusted near a stove, Gwen's gone to pick up Willow from the train station, and Boris went to fill the car and rotate the tires." Trevor set a plate of eggs in front of her before turning to pour her a glass of milk.

"So I did scare the crap outta everybody?" Dawn sighed.

"Basically."

"Are they edible?"

"Would you rather eat Garrett's first attempt?" Trevor nodded towards the garbage bin.

"I'll stick with yours," She said around a mouthful of eggs.

"Your appointment's in two hours. And little one?" He said, setting the glass in front of her.

"Hmm?"

"Don't walk barefoot around the paint chips again?"

"I learned my scary ass lesson last night, Trev."

"Boris's gonna drive you to your appointment and pick up some more groceries. Make a list if you need anything."

After Dawn finished her breakfast, she glared at the phone for about fifteen minutes. Then she called Giles.

Road to the Summers Cottage

"But Dawn's okay? She didn't lose the baby?"

"She cut her toe, bled on the sheets and freaked out," Gwen told Willow for the fifth time.

"But she's okay?"

"Yes, and even if she wasn't, she's going to the doctor's today."

"But she -"

"Willow, she's fine!"

"Sorry, I - I'm just really nervous about her."

"We all are. Boris and Gavin took turns sitting with her last night after it happened."

"How does someone not notice they cut their foot?" Willow asked, genuinely perplexed.

"Maybe it's the slayer's genes she inherited? The slayers never seem to notice when they get injured."

"Maybe," Willow muttered, pulling out her cell phone.

Rome

Buffy dropped her cell phone on the bed, not caring where it landed. The Immortal found her curled up in the chair in front of the window, her head resting on her knees and her hands clasped as if in prayer.

"Mi bella, what is wrong?" He asked gently, crouching beside her.

"Dawn," she said roughly.

"The baby, she has miscarried?" The Immortal could barely keep his face controlled.

"What?" Buffy's head snapped up, and a horrified look crossed her features. "God, no! But she had a bad scare."

"I am sure she's being well-cared for," he tried to say soothingly, but Buffy shrugged away from his touch.

"I'm her sister. I should be the one looking after her, not those guys she's living with."

"Mi bella, she has asked you to come to London?"

"Well, I didn't talk to her. Willow called me."

"If it were truly something to fear, would she not have called you herself?"

Buffy didn't respond. She glanced out the window again. The words he spoke were supposed to reassure her, but they just confused her more. Mort's cell phone went off.

"I am afraid I must go, Buffy," he kissed her gently on the top of her head. "I will return, mi bella."

"Yeah."

Kingston Clinic,
North of Hadrian's Wall

Dawn sat quietly in the passenger seat and watched the hills roll past. Boris chattered on about something that she really wasn't listening to. It was a half hour trip from the house to the clinic. While she was in the clinic, he would get the groceries. She was halfway up walkway when a little figure blurred past her, hiding behind her legs.

"Um, hello?" Dawn said, peeking over her shoulder.

"Hi!" A little girl chirped at her.

"What are you doing?"

"Hiding," the girl replied.

"Oooh-kay. Who are you hiding from?"

"Doctor Kingy. He's got needles," the girl whispered conspiratorially.

"You don't like needles?" Dawn smiled.

"Nuh-uh," she shook her head.

"Neither do I. What's your name?"

"Elise Morgana Arthuria," The little girl said seriously.

"Wow."

"Lizzie! Lizzie, there you are!" A dark haired woman with a baby in her arms came down the path. "Thank goodness, you found her! What have I told you about running off?"

"I'm not Lizzie! I'm Elise Morgana Arthuria!"

"Sorry, yes, I know," the woman sighed as the baby started to fidget. She turned to Dawn and smiled, "Sorry you have to see this. She's going through a phase. I'm Felicia Hollis, and you've met her majesty Elizabeth."

"Dawn Summers," Dawn smiled back, extending her hand to the older woman.

"Oh, you're the one who moved into the old Jameson cottage."

"We're actually calling it the Summers cottage now, cause I didn't know the Jameson's."

"We're you're closest neighbors."

"Really?"

"Yes. Well, we've got to be on our way, and we certainly don't want to hold you up anymore. Thank you for catching her."

"No, it wasn't a problem."

As the small family made their way to the pathway, Dawn couldn't shake the feeling that she knew the woman from somewhere. She shook her head and made her way towards the door. A Plexiglas window and a heavy looking door separated the doctors examining rooms from the small and cozy looking waiting room.

The nurse had her back to her as she signed in. The waiting room was empty, so rather than sitting, Dawn waited until she could get the nurse's attention. The red-haired nurse took the clipboard and went to the door. When she finally looked up, Dawn felt her jaw slacken. The woman smiled at her.

"Morning, Miss Summers. If you'll follow me?"

"Uh, yeah, sure."

"Good. Dr. Kingston's finishing up with another patient, but he'll be with you in just a few moments," the nurse said, holding open one of the examining room doors for her.

"Sure, yeah."

It took her a few seconds after the nurse had left for it to register that the nurse she'd just spoken to was the spitting image of Bors' Vanora. She didn't get to think on this for too long, because the door to the room opened, and that was shocking enough.

"Hello, Ms. Summers. I'm Dr. Arthur Kingston, and before we do the examination, I'd just like to ask you a few questions."

"Arthur?" Dawn whispered.