Right, me again :) sorry, i'll let you get back to the story in a minute. This is the completely new chapter and concept that i've been working on, a new character.

A Married Woman

Chapter Five

The girl hummed softly, her fingers brushing through her long mousy hair as she began to plat it. The tune was an old one from a distant land she'd never seen but it comforted her none the less. She closed her eyes for a moment feeling the cool, summer air brush over her exposed skin and a small, beautiful smile came to her lips. She looked at the young boy who lay in the bed next to her stool and he was watching her silently. He could only be five or six, such a young boy. Too young to have lost his mother. She smiled at him and continued plating her hair before beginning to hum again and then breaking out into a quiet song.

"Across the waters to the East,

Lies a land of heart and peace,

Where our fathers ride,

Across rolling skies,

And the rain makes the trees grow tall.

There's a land of brave and bold,

Where they sing the tales of old,

You can hear them in the mountains,

You can hear them on the shores

You only have to sing them and your home.

Across the waters to the East,

Lies a land of heart and peace,

Where our fathers ride,

Across rolling skies,

And the rain makes the trees grow tall." When she finished she looked over the young boy to see that he'd fallen asleep as he always did to her lullaby. She smiled, standing up and brushing her plat over her shoulder before crouching down beside the bed and placing her lips upon his forehead.

"I love you," she whispered before standing up and walking from the bedroom and shutting the second room contained a cooking area and a table, it was quite small but she'd always liked their home, it was humble but comfortable. The girl was petite and slim, she looked fragile, gentle and loving. She was the kind of girl that would pick fresh flowers everyday to brighten up the rooms and enjoyed the sounds of the birds singing in the early morning. Her large grey eyes swept across the room and she sighed gently, walking across the bare floorboards to the fire and sitting down beside it to warm her hands. Her eyes watching the dancing flames and it took her some time to feel the eyes on her. She looked up suddenly, surprised but in seeing him, a genuine and beautiful smile broke across her face. He stood by her window sill which was where she knew he'd climbed in and she stood up.

He looked up at her, his dark eyes surveying her. She was not breathtakingly beautiful, nor was she so stunning that she'd turn every man's head but there was something about her, innocence, a purity of some sort but she was like looking into a warm light. You were so filled with warmth and comfort that she seemed to glow and what most men did not see, he had seen. She was stunning…in body and soul. She ran to him, her body crashing into his and he held her tightly, his eyes closing, finally feeling at peace.

They said no words but just stood, holding one another. She felt his hands brushing her shoulders; just the feel of her skin to him was amazing, so soft and smooth. She looked up at him then and he pressed his forehead against hers, looking into her eyes.

"Hello," he said in his usually quiet voice, she smiled but he could see the pain and relief behind her eyes. Every time they parted she feared he'd not return and he knew that. He sighed gently as she placed her palm on his cheek and he closed his eyes at her touch.

"To touch you again…" she whispered shaking her head, tears in her eyes "I was so scared…so scared Tristan-" He took her hand in his; hushing her gently and he brushed his hand down her cheek.

"I am here…" he said simply and she smiled, throwing her arms around him once more and embracing him tightly.

"Yes you are."

As the morning light broke over the fort Tristan looked over to the woman who lay beside him, her eyes were closed and she was sleeping soundlessly on her front, her face towards him, her long hair strewn over her back. He turned in the bed so that he was laying on his side, his hand tracing the lines of her back and carefully brushing her hair to one side.

"Good morning," she whispered and he smiled at her voice. Tristan's smile was something not seen often. It was small and almost unnoticeable unless you knew him well which of course she did, but with her he was content and he didn't need to do things out of character like a bellowing laugh or a stupidly large grin...he was Tristan, she loved him the way he was. Her eyes were still closed but a small smile had graced her lips and he leaned forward, pressing his lips upon her shoulder and back. She turned, pressing her back into his body and bringing his arms around her waist. She was playing with his hand, her fingers interweaving with his. It was quiet, the morning birds just beginning to sing.

"I need to go…people will be stirring soon." He said and she groaned

"Must you?" she asked and smiled again

"Yes," he kissed her once more before climbing out of the bed and pulling his trousers on. She turned, sitting up in the bed and looking at him. She'd pulled the covers up to her chin and was watching him as he pulled his shirt over his head. He paused looking at her "Go back to sleep,"

"I'd rather watch," she said with a smile, he raised an eyebrow and she pursed her lips together trying not to laugh

"If it was not morning I'd do what I did last night to you again," she giggled furiously but quietened herself to not wake her sleeping brother in the bedroom next door. She pulled the bed clothes around her and stood up, walking up to him and smiling a little.

"I missed you…" she whispered and he looked down at her through his hair, his dark eyes watching her before he leaned down, kissing her gently.

"Goodbye," he said before picking up his sword and climbing out of the window,

"Tristan!" She hissed playfully and he looked up as she ran to the window, he smiled as she kissed him again,

"Stop it," he said as he broke off, "I have to go people are stirring," she laughed

"Alright, will I see you later?" she asked and he caressed her face, kissing her once more,

"Where else would I be?" and then he jumped down from the roof to the ground floor below where the family that lived were beginning to wake. He didn't look back as he dissapeared into the hidden streets of the fort.

A short one, but let me know what you thought about this new chapter. Thanks a lot.