I really hope you all enjoy this update. i will have another ready in a day or two and it will be better. Right now I was just trying to get the groundwork set up for some fairly interesting happenings in Lillian and Lancelots getting together. But I hope you enjoy this and please forgeve me for the lateness of my last update. It wont happen again. Please enjoy and please R&R thank you sooooo much to all who read and enjoy my story. Because if you didnt enjoy it I probably wouldnt write. Much thanks and love: MistressKenobi

Arthur and Cauis were already sitting by the time the knights had arrived. All talking stopped as they entered and took their seats. The look on the Roman mans face showed a deep concern that silenced all.

Dinner came and the night drew on and still Arthur did not speak. His eyes looked across the room as the knights carried on quietly among themselves.

"Have you seen him like this before?" Lillian asked looking to those beside her for her answer.

"What Arthur?" Bors asked taking a moment to look to her. Nodding she answered his question before he continued. "Well, no not really I suppose. I mean he has his quiet moments now and then, but usually he breaks out of it by the time we eat."

"Hey, Bors?" A voice spoke up drawing his attention away from her.

Gazing across the table she saw Izea and Axel conversing with several of their own group, and Raoul. Dagonet beside her talked quietly with Tristan. And farther across Lancelot chatted with Ellaine, Lillian couldn't help but see the blood rush to the womans cheeks as they spoke. For weeks Ellaine spoke of nothing else but him. His hair, his eyes, his sly smile. God it drove Lillian insane when she went on about him. Sure his eyes were a deep brown that seemed to go on and on and his hair just as dark and his smile gave him a childlike innocence.

"Knights!" a voice rang in the air, silencing all conversations instantly. All eyes looked to Arthur who now stood. His eyes looking to each of them. "Its has come to my attention that Cauis and his men……and women," Arthur said glancing to a few of them. "…have been here for more then three months. Three months and look at you." He added looking out across them. "In three months time little has changed amongst you. Sure you fight together on the battle field when you share a common enemy but when that enemy is gone you turn on each other. You dont even talk amongst one another."

"Arthur…" Lancelot intervened softly but was cut short by a quick look from the superior officer.

"In three months time your fights nearly equal the amount of attacks we receive from woads and picts within the same time. I have ignored it, giving in to the thought that it was just a phase as all of you get used to one another. I do give credit though, some are small but others……. Others have become more serious. Too serious to ignore any further." Arthur continued. Silence hung in the room save for Arthurs voice as it rung through the hall. "There is enough bloodshed and fighting out there on the fields, I will not have any within these walls!" Arthur stated flatly his eyes searching everyone.

Lillian saw the looks in several of their faces. They knew what Arthur meant. She could see the smallest bit of guilt and shame in some of them but others, others still held firm. Still believing that she and the others were intruders.

"Cauis and I have discussed this matter for several days and we believe we have come up with a solution. Whether or not it will work depends on you. But I pray to God that you give it a chance." Arthur kept on, still all sat not speaking though words edged on the mouths of some. Begging to be released. "Each of my men shall be paired with each of Cauis' men. You will train together, teach each other and learn from one another, in the hopes that all of you will gain some understanding and respect for your brothers in arms."

"But Arthur…" several men roared. One Lillian recognized as the drunk at the pub that started their first brawl. "You have got to be kidding." he continued laughing at the thought.

"Does it look like I am laughing at this situation." Arthur replied his face stern and authoritive.

"I wont do it." The man shot back several men nodding in agreement and his protest.

"You will do as I have ordered."

"He has a point sir." She managed to speak. All eyes turned to her. "I guess what I mean is you're both right. We have all failed but, forcing us together, wouldn't that make tensions worse between us all?" Lillian asked, eyes of several men boaring into her but still she held her head high. She admitted neither side really tried to welcom the other but she felt this solution would only lead to more tenions between the rivaling knights.

"She's right Arthur. If anything this may do more worse then good." Lancelot spoke up, agreeing.

Try as she might Lillian couldn't help but show the shock she felt that Lancelot agreed with her. Such a thing was rare, and on something like this, unexpected.

"Then is seems we have or first pair." Arthur replied Looking from one to the other.

"What?" they both exclaimed hoping they had heard wrong.

"You expect me to…….with him?" Lillian question pointed to the dark haired man who still held the look of shock on his face.

"With her?" Lancelot replied looking to Arthur hoping the Roman was joking.

"That is exactly what I mean. As for the rest of you…." Slowly Arthur made his way around the large table, pairing knights off as he went. When he was done he made his way back to his seat. "You will practice together starting tomorrow. Learn from one another. Hopefully this will improve your standings with one another."

"Paired with Lancelot! What was he thinking pairing me with him? I cant stand him!" Lillian fumed as Dagonet walked her back to her room. Laughing at her ranting and raving the whole way. "Why couldn't he pair me with you. We get along just fine." She said bitterly.

"Maybe that why." Dagonet replied moving aside temporarily to allow several young ladies to pass by before rushing to catch up with her.

"What?" Lillian asked shocked at the mans response. She had expected agreement with her, not the other way around.

"Well, Arthur knows how close we are and he knows that you and Lancelot are always knocking each other around whether it be verbally or physically during practice. Maybe that's why he chose you two to be together. He probably figures if he stands a chance at getting you two in the same room together without biting one another's head off, then the others stand a chance." Dagonet replied looking to her rather amused at the situation. "Don't worry everything will be fine. He can be a good guy."

"Sure if my name was Lukas or a floosy in some bar we would get along just fine." She announced sarcastically opening her bedroom door. "Good night Dagonet."

"Goodnight Lillian." He replied kissing her gently on the forehead.