Disclaimer: I do not own King Arthur. I only own Ceri.

Chapter 1

I was only young when it happened. The Romans took my brother away from me. I hope everyday that he hasn't forgotten about me, though I fear he has. Lancelot was taken from me fifteen years ago. He was forced to serve as a knight in the Roman military for fifteen years; this had been going on since even before I was born. I gave Lancelot a little rat necklace the day he left to remember me, I hope he still has it.

I am now seventeen, and alone. My parents died from disease and my siblings have all gone on with their lives. Since the day they took Lancelot I have trained. I convinced my father to train me with a sword. I am particularly skilled with two like Lancelot. My father also trianed me with a bow and riding. Now that I am alone I will look for my brother.

Ceridwen journied through Britain tirelessly. She made it to the wall safely and undetected, she had been following a large group of Roman soldiers toward Hardian's Wall. She traveled lightly and lived off the land. Her most prised possesion was her horse, Luthien. He was a strong, black stallion with a splash of white on his right ear. Ceri carried her bow and quiver along with her swords strapped to her sides. She made sure she stayed a long way behind for the knights that escorted the Romans sent a scout evey so often to look for Woads.

Ceri followed the large group to the top of a hill were she recognized Arthur, the leader of the knights. She recognized him because of his sword, Excalibur, the sword that her father told her about when she was younger. The other men she didn't recognize, save for one, he had jet black hair, like her, and rode her father's horse. She would never forget that horse, or those eyes. He had deep brown eyes with a light in them that never faded.

"Lancelot," Ceri whispered placing her hand over her mouth. A tear snaked down her cheek at the sight of her brother. Ceri then realized that she was too close to the group she was following, but it was too late. There was a screech from above and the knights turned. Ceri looked up to see a hawk circling above her, screeching.

"Great," she muttered as she rode out of the trees and into the vision of the knights grouped on the hill. They rode down to her, their weapons drawn. She sighed as they formed a circle around her, but she did not draw her swords.

"Who are you and why are you following us?" Arthur questioned, pushing his horse closer to the girl and pointing Excalibur at her throat.

"I mean no harm, I am not a Woad, if that is what you are inquiring," Ceri said calmly. "I have come in search of my brother. And it apears that I have found him."

Arthur raised his eyebrows at the young girl. She stared determindly at him, not breaking the glare.

"What's your name?" Arthur asked at long last.

"Ceridwen," she replied. "I came in search of Lancelot, my brother, he was taken from me fifteen years ago, He is the only family I have left."

Ceri turned to Lanelot and another tear streaked her face. She gave him a watery smile.

"You cannot be my Ceri, she had golden hair and light eyes," Lancelot said.

"It has been a long time, Lancelot," Ceri said sadly, "My hair gradually darkened over the years, as did my eyes." She then held up a small necklace which she carried with her always and handed it to him. He looked stunned and held up his own.

"Ceri!" he said after a long silence. "Friends, this really is my sister, Ceridwen, please, do not harm her."

The knights lowered their weapons and left Ceri and Lancelot alone. They rode together and rejoined the knights atop the hill.

Ceri watched as the Romans rode ahead and the knights began to talk.

"As promised- the Bishop's carriage," a man with dirty blonde dreadlocked hair said. Lancelot whispered that his name was Gawain.

"Our freedom, Bors," another knight said excitedly. He looked younger than the rest, he had dark curly hair and blue-gray eyes.

"That's Galahad," Lancelot said, "And that's Bors," he pointed to the knight, he had a close hair cut, and a light beard."He's the funny one with lots of kids," Lancelot whispered. Ceri smiled.

"Mmm.. I can almost taste it." Bors said and the men laughed.

"Your passage to Rome, Arthur," Gawain said.

Arthur ignored him and kept his gaze on the carraige, it was very foggy and quiet. Luthien became uneasy and Ceri noticed the silence. A twig snapped and she drew her swords.

Suddelny an arrow shot out of nowhere and killed a Roman soldier, throwing him from his horse.

The scout that Lancelot said was Tristan exclaimed, "Woads!"

Arthur led the knights down to the plain, Ceri followed. She killed a few Woads but they mainly attacked the Romans and steared clear of her, why, she didn't know.

Finaly the fighting slowed and she dismounted Luthien. She walked over to the carraige with Bors and peered inside. The bishop was dead, an arrow sticking out of his chest.

Gawain bent down to find the Bishop's aide muttering in Latin. "Save your prayers, boy, Your God doesn't live here."

"Bors," Arthur called and walked over to the carraige that Bors, Gawain and Ceri were grouped around.

"What a bloody mess," Bors said motioning to the Bishop.

"That's not the bishop," Arthur said.

"God help us. What are they?" the bishop's aide asked frantically.

"Blue demons who eat Christian's alive- you're not Christian, are you?" Bors asked.

The Bishop's aide began to pray, whimpering loudly.

"Does this-" Bors imitated the aide, "Really work?" He began to mumble incoherently. Ceri smiled.

"Nothing.. maybe I'm not doing it right.." Bors said sarcastically. Ceri burst out laughing and clasped Bors's shoulder for support. She was gripping her stomach laughing. Bors smirked.

"Arthur! Arthur Castus. Your father's image. I haven't seen you since childhood," the real Bishop said riding over to them. Ceri quieted instantly.

"Bishop Germanious. Welcome to Britain. I see your military skills are still of use to you. Your divise worked," Arthur praised.

"Ancient tricks, " the bishop laughed, a cold deep laugh, "for ancient dog. And these are the brave knights we have heard so much of in Rome." He dismounted his horse and then noticed Ceri. "A woman! Arthur surely she is not a knight!"

"No, she is not," Arthur reasured the bishop. Ceri scowled, her dislike towrd the bishop growing.

"I thought the Woads control to the North of Hardian's Wall," the bishop said returning to his point.

"They do, but they occasionally venture south. Rome's anticipated withdrawl from Britain has only increased their daring," Arthur explained.

"Woads?" the aide asked.

"British rebels who hate Rome," Gawain said.

"Men who want their country back," Galahad said obnoxiously. Ceri smirked.

"Who leads them?" the bishop asked.

"He's called Merlin. A dark magician, some say," Lancelot replied coming up behind Ceri.

"Tristan, ride ahead and make sure the road is clear." Arthur ordered. Ceri whistled for Luthien and mounted him.

"Please, do not worry, Bishop. We will protect you," Arthur assured the bishop as Tristan left. He climbed into the carraige.

"I have no doubt, commander. No doubt.." the bishop said letting the curtain fall closed over the opening to the carriage, the fabric blocking his aide from entrance.

"Dozen's don't worry me nearly as much as thousands," the aide said as the curtain closed.

"Thousands?" Lacelot asked menacingly.

Ceri shook her head and rode with Lancelot to the top of another hill where the knights were watching the Bishop's carriage enter Hadrian's wall.

"Well, now that we are free men, I'm gonna drink 'till I can't piss straight," Bors said.

"You do that every night," Gawain said smirking.

"I never could piss straight. Too much for myself to handle. Down there," Bors said as they slowly rode towards the wall. Ceri raised an eyebrow.

"Well, it is a problem! No really, it is. It's a problem. It's like-" Bors started.

"A baby's arm holdin' an apple," the men said together. Ceri giggled but kept her mouth shut. The men laughed heartily.

"I don't like it, that Roman. He's here to discharge us. Why doesn't he just give us our papers?" Galahad asked curiously.

"Is this your happy face?" Gawain asked laughing. Galahad grinned. Ceri noticed that Galahad had a very nice smile too. She had taken a quick liking to him.

"Galahad, do you still know the Romans? They don't scratch their asses without holding a ceremony," Gawain continued. Ceri snorted.

"Why don't ye just kill him, and then discharge yourself after?" Bors pipped up from behind Ceri and Lancelot.

"I don't kill for pleasure. Unlike some," Galahad replied a smile tugging at his lips.

"Well, you should try it someday; you might get a taste for it," Tristan said sarcastically.

"It's part of you. It's in yer blood," Bors said. Gawain laughed.

"N- no- no" Galahad said half laughing, "No. As of tomorrow, this was all just a bad memory."

"Oh.." Bors mouthed. Ceri smiled.

"I' ve often thought what going home would mean after all this. What will I do?" Gawain said. "It's different for Galahad. I have been in this life longer then the other. So much for home- it's not so clear in my memory."

"Speak for yourself- it's cold back there." Bors said staring into space. "And everybody I know is dead and buried. Besides, I have, I think, a dozen children." Ceri mouthed "Oh my god!" to Lancelot. He just laughed.

"Eleven," Gawain corrected.

"You listen, when the Romans leave here, we'll have the run of this place. I'll be... governor of my own village, and Dagonet will be my personal guard and royal arse- kisser, won't you, Dag?" Bors asked looking over to Dagonet who looked away.

"First thing I will do when I get home is find myself a beautiful Sarmatian woman to wed," Gawain said dreamily.

"A beautiful Sarmatian woman? Why do you think we left in the first place?" Bors said smiling widley. Ceri raised her eyebrows.

Gawain scoffed and Bors mooed loudly. The knights laughed but Ceri looked offended.

"I beg to differ Bors!" she shouted at him angrily.

"You must be one of the last fair ones, Ceri. Your name suits you, poetic goddess," Galahad said. Ceri smiled at him and blushed slightly.

"Thank you Galahad," Ceri said before sticking her tongue out at the other knights.

"What about you, Lancelot? What are your plans for home?" Bors asked slyly.

"Well, if this woman of Gawain's is as beautiful as he claims, I expect to be spending alot of time at Gawain's house." Lancelot said smiling. "His wife will enjoy the company."

"I see." Gawain said stroking his beard. "And what will I be doing?"

"Wondering at your good fortune that all your children look like me," Lancelot said with a smirk. Bors and Ceri burst out laughing. Lancelot's smile grew wider.

"Is that before or after I hit you with my axe?" Gawain said stroking his axe. Ceri and Bors laughed even harder.

Lancelot rode forward to catch up with Arthur and left Ceri to ride by herself. Galahad rode forward and the two began to talk, getting to know eachother. Ceri noticed that he kept looking her up and down studying her features. She had long black hair which was loose on her back, it reached just above her waist when she sat. She was thin and she had a moderatly sized chest. Ceri pretended not to notice as they rode on, Lancelot asking Arthur about the women in Rome as they aproached the gates.