Today has been such a long day...ugh...but no matter! I am home, with fluffy socks, a fluffier cat and I couldn't be happier presenting the next chapter to you all! Tah dah!

"Hold." Amaya lifted her hand, crouched low against the wall of the battlements as she listened to arrows whistling through the air towards her left and right down the wall where the archers were drawing fire then flipping the lower shield down to protect themselves when a volley returned fire to them. She listened to the rhythmic drum of the battering ram against the gate. She was grateful that behind that was a metal grate which would hold them back further should the gate cave in but it would mean that arrows would be able to slip through and she did not want her men to take any hits. "Hold." She repeated when she saw one man move out of the corner of her eye, reaching for the lever.

When she saw that the last basket had been filled, she gave the signal. "Loose!" Instantly the levers were snatched and the catapults sprang their cradled nests forwards, launching them over the wall and Amaya watched with Ector, Kay, Daniel and Lionel as the mixed assortment of items fell from the sky. A few men managed to raise their shields but as the manure, rotten fruit and rocks pelted them, the men leaped back and to the sides trying to get out of the way.

Suddenly they all burst out laughing. Amaya clutched her gut as several men were shoved over in the disarray. "Reload!" She called, grinning from ear to ear as the archers laughed as well though none quite as loudly as Lionel, who thundered aloud as if drunken. Once the baskets were again full, she commanded them loose and watched them sail over.

Standing up Amaya slashed her sword down, directing it to some squires who waited with their buckets of sewage water. "Now!" They poured it over the edge and the contents spilled free, raining down onto the battering ram and the soldiers shrieked in disgust, leaping away at the sudden stench and Amaya quickly gave the order. "Aim for the stragglers!" Her face now stern and commanding she loosened several arrows at her side whilst archers struck the other. "Again!"

They repeated the attack then she called for the fire to cease, not wanting the men to get used to the grossness that she was pelting at them. By far it was the most humorous tactic she had ever come across but she was sure to remember it, as was everyone else.

Looking back to the ram she flinched as it began to hammer again. It looked as if she had no choice. They were going to break through but what was their point, if they were only to be met with a metal barrier? What was Lazarus planning? Amaya heard a sickening crack and she tensed, looking down to the doors. Those trying to climb up the ladder struggled with the branches and wooden beams in the way, easily taken down by some well-placed arrows until they ran away in fear.

As the gate gave another sickening crack in breakage, Amaya ran to the edge of the wall then bellowed down. "Gawain! Get out of there!" He looked up to her in confusion. "Go! Sweep to the sides, do not fall into their line of fire!" Nodding his head he bellowed back the order to his men and they hastily parted just as the gates crumbled, they hammered it down then grabbed the doors, yanking them open and Amaya hastily shot down any who exposed themselves but the moment the doors were wide open, the horn sounded and the men drew back, racing away from the arrows that thundered after them.

"Hold!" Amaya called and all arrows stopped in their tracks on the bowstrings. "Conserve your arrows." She ordered. "I want a full count as soon as you have an accurate number of arrows." She said to the archers and they nodded, beginning the count. "Lionel, body count. Kay, see that your stocks are replenished." She gestured to the catapults and they both nodded. "Ector, count the wounded."

"Aye." He answered then moved off as Gawain climbed up to the battlements.

"Why did they pull back?" Amaya shuddered.

"He's going to play dirty from now on. Double the night patrols, I have a feeling he's going to try something when we're all asleep. I want fires lit every ten paces, not a shadow to be found. We need to be able to see every movement he makes. Keep up the guard posts at every point on the wall, no one is to move position in case he tries to break in another way." Amaya said as she walked forwards, Gawain following and listening intently. "Ensure that the tunnels are secure. If they have been checked then check them again." She added under her breath so that no one else could hear and Gawain nodded his head.

"I'll see to it. Get some food then sleep, you're looking tired still." She nodded her head.

"Call for me if anything happens." Gawain touched her shoulder then turned her around to face him.

"You're a hero. You know that? We would be finished if it wasn't for you. You have given us hope and have led us into this battle without even a glance to your own welfare. You have no idea how the men are inspired by you, do you?" Amaya blinked, struggling for words.

"I do not think very much, Gawain, I just do what I need to do. I am glad that I can help, really I am. I would much rather be out here than sitting inside twirling my thumbs around and around. This is me, this is who I am." She lifted her bow. "It is what I am good at. Fighting." Gawain reached forwards and kissed her cheek in a brotherly fashion, reaching around to kiss the other as she smiled softly to him.

"Ah Amaya, Tristan shall certainly have his hands full with you." Her eyes widened as her jaw slackened, the lion like knight chuckling at her astounded expression, finding it all too amusing not to laugh at.

"How…how did you…"

"I have noticed the change in Tristan." Gawain explained, resting his hand on her shoulder as she clamped her mouth shut, thinning her lips with worry. "He is softer, more tentative than he used to be. Even with people. I first saw the change when he stopped by a group of young boys who were pushing a small girl around. I was a little behind him but I saw him lift the girl up and frighten the boys away." Amaya blinked in surprise. She had known this, Tristan had never mentioned it but then, he was not much of a conversationalist. "And then later when he actually let Galahad win a game of daggers. No one else seemed to notice but I was not so intoxicated." Amaya swallowed.

"What else gave us away?"

"The way he looks at you, the way he speaks to you, the way he searches for excuses to simply touch you. Even if it's a simple hand on the shoulder." Amaya looked down to her feet, making Gawain chuckle again. "I am happy for you both, though I'm not sure how Galahad is going to take this."

"Galahad knows." Amaya murmured and this time, Gawain was the one with the shocked expression. He stared at Amaya, utterly dumbfounded. "You see, it's more than what you think, Gawain. Tristan asked Galahad for his blessing." She glanced away to compose herself before looking back up into Gawain's eyes. "We are courting." His face fell further, eyes widening and Amaya feared if his mouth dropped any more, it would hit the floor.

"Tristan? Courting you?" Gawain whispered then pulled himself together. "I did not realise he was that serious. I thought you two were just lovers." Amaya shook his head.

"We haven't...you know." She blushed a little and Gawain chuckled.

"I understand what you mean. Well then, Maya, you have astounded me. I did not know Tristan was capable of ever falling for a woman but you certainly have your claws buried in him deep. I pray all goes well for you. I really do." Amaya nodded her head in thanks.

"We must go, there is much to look at." Amaya murmured. "We must check the food and water supplies as well as look to the last defence of the inner wall." Gawain nodded his head.

"I shall follow your lead." The woman lifted her head and turned, lifting her bow to salute the archers who kept a careful watch over the camping army before striding away, barking out orders as she went.