Disclaimer: As chapter one pleas don't keep making me write it out – life's too short and I get tired!

Same disclaimer applies to the Aristotle quote.

WARNING: BAD LANGUAGE AND VIOLENCE, SO READ AT YOUR OWN PERIL.

All reviews, and constructive criticism, gratefully received – but no flaming please; and I will try to update regularly.

'Thoughts'

"Speech"

Well this is the last chapter and I am so sorry it has taken so long - it's been very hard to write without my mum; but its done. I hope she'd like it ; I hope you all like it........take care one and all - and please, give your mum's a hug from me. It's so hard without them; be grateful yours are still there. I still miss mine every single day. Hugs and blessings. T.

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ABANDONED PRINCESS

Chapter Fifteen – Truths

In the morning Storm awoke first, extricated herself from Arthur – a little confused as to where the 'gap' had gone – and quickly dressed before fetching Belle and Lucan for a ride to the river.

Everyone seemed very subdued and Van had asked if she had not better wait for Arthur to rise before disappearing again. "I did not 'disappear' last night Van." She grumbled "I went to look for Arthur and when I couldn't find him I went to bed; that is all."

She nodded at her friend "anyway, I promised them a trip to the river, and a trip they will get." She gathered the two children and made her way to the stables.

Lucan looked at Belle "should we be going?"

Belle, now almost seven, shrugged "daddy will not be pleased, it is true – but mummy will be the one he is angry at, not us. When he arrives mayhap we should take a walk?"

Lucan nodded "not too far though, eh Belle – we need to be close to stop them killing each other."

Belle sighed "grown ups confuse me – they love each other, but fight all the time; they make no sense."

Her friend shrugged "they never do. I stopped trying to understand adults a long time ago." Giving her a smile he added "mayhap when we're older we'll understand better."

"Is there no girl you wish to fight with?" Belle worried that someone would take Lucan away from her forever.

"Nay, my little princess!" he laughed "How could I fight with anyone else, when no one holds a candle to you and your temper?"

Belle beamed and quickly hugged him, before they hurried off to keep up with Storm.

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When Arthur woke he could not believe his ill fortune – she had gone once more. His bloodied knuckles nearly put paid to another door, but Van stopped him by opening it "Arthur, fret not; she has only kept a promise to Lucan and Belle – she has taken them to the river."

He growled about the "stupid wench, trying to kill herself to escape him" and went after her.

Van turned to Merlin "I think they will either come back a couple or we will be bringing back their bodies."

Merlin smiled ruefully "well, we can only hope it is not the latter."

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Belle had pleaded with Storm to wait for her father; that perhaps he would like to come. Storm had merely shaken her head "your daddy has many things of state to do Belle; I doubt he could spare the time to do something silly like we are."

Belle sighed and decided she had done all she could; if aught ill luck befell her belligerent parents it would be through no fault of hers.

Lucan wiggled his eyebrows at her and Belle stifled the giggle; they both thought Storm and Arthur were being stupid, but neither had the courage to say.

They walked by the river; Storm had left the horses to graze. The two children asked about Sarmatia; Storm told them of the awful wars that raged there.

"What of peace?" Lucan asked "I though when Rome fell that peace would come to all."

Storm sighed "Aristotle said that we make war that we might live in peace."

"I do not understand what that means" Belle groused "why must adults always speak in riddles?"

"You worry about riddles?" Lucan rolled his eyes "you should try living with Merlin; he speaks in naught but riddles!"

Storm chuckled "what Aristotle meant Belle is that there is no such thing as perfect peace. There will always be those that see a ruler wishing peace and tranquillity for his people as weak; they will try to conquer that ruler and his people, to take his land.

When that happens there is naught to do but go to war – by defending ourselves in war, we ensure that we have periods of peace."

Belle frowned "I think I understand; but it is sad."

"Aye it is, but it is the way of things and naught will change it; far better to be able to defend ourselves than to be conquered."

"You speak as a warrior" Belle murmured.

"Mayhap I do" Storm agreed "but I also speak as one whose people were conquered. Rome ruled my people brutally for many years; I know what it is to live in a free land and I know what it is to live under the boot of an oppressor." She patted the little girl's shoulder "believe me, the former is much preferred."

She was suddenly swept up into strong arms "What the…..?"

"When I order you to do something, I foolishly expect to be obeyed!" Arthur growled.

"Put me down!!" Storm was horrified at being treated like a child.

"Nay, I will not." He was frowning; there was a barely controlled energy about him that made her shiver.

Lucan smiled at Belle "come Belle, let us go to the river" he waved at Arthur and Storm "we are going for a walk, we will return…….later."

Arthur flashed a smile at the boy and his daughter, as Lucan dragged a bemused Belle away "don't go too far."

"Nay, Arthur – we will go but far enough." Lucan grinned.

"Don't leave me here alone with him!!" Storm all but pleaded.

"But Storm, he is your beloved husband and a dear friend – you could be no better protected from your enemies!" The boy called back over his shoulder, before disappearing into the trees.

"Aye, but who will protect me from him!" she muttered.

"No one needs to." Was the firm reply "I am merely ensuring your safety, my queen."

Storm wasn't fooled for a minute; he'd used that tone with her in the old days at the wall. She'd hear that neutral tone often when she'd upset him; she was in serious trouble.

0-0-0-0

He lay her on the ground under a tree; it was then she noticed his hand "by the Gods, Arthur! What have you done to your hand?"

As she tugged it towards her, he dropped down beside her "it is naught; a minor disagreement with a door."

She inspected the damage and shook her head "I hope the door fared worse?"

"Naturally."

She could feel the warmth of his hand in hers; it made her pulse quicken – she ignored it "why did you fight a door; did you start it or the door?"

Arthur chuckled, his anger beginning to melt away as he saw she fared well; Storm decided she liked the sound "sadly my lady I must admit the fault was mine; the door was merely an innocent victim."

She sighed "who knew you had such a temper?"

"You."

"What?"

"You; you provoke it more than any other living being. You know what a temper I have." He smiled.

"Apparently a door provoked it more – I have never done that to you." She gestured to the bloodied knuckles.

"Nay, you would only black my eye, bruise my ribs……anyway, the door was a victim of my temper because of you."

"Me? What did I do that would make you kill a door?" Her dark blue eyes rose to his.

"You disappeared from the healing rooms; search parties were organised. No one could find you; until I though to check our bedchamber and there you were." He sounded vexed.

Storm sighed "I went looking for you so we could talk about your…our…your….problem."

"Problem? You think my loving you is a problem?" Arthur sounded hurt.

"Well, not a problem exactly…..more a……ummmm……" for once Storm was lost for words.

"Aye, a what?" Arthur was not letting her drop the subject.

"Well, look at your hand – I wasn't even there and I made you that mad." She finally offered.

"I was angry because I thought I made a mess of things with you, and then no one could find you; I thought you had bolted. You drive me to distraction Storm; I never thought I could care for anyone as I do you, I……."

Storm jumped to her feet "stop, do not say more – you will regret it. I am a warrior Arthur; I do not do soft feelings. I have no way of knowing love…."

Arthur rose as well, at over 6' he towered above her "what of Tristan and Lancelot. You loved them did you not? You loved them deeply, your certainly mourned them deeply! Can I, your husband, not even expect the same soft feelings as your brothers?!!"

"It is not the same and you know it!" Storm was fanning her anger now; she was sure if they fought she was safe "a love for a brother is far different from that of a love for a husband!"

Arthur however was not to be thwarted in such a manner. Snatching her to him, his arms fastened her against him like tight bands "let me remind you of a certain night at the wall….." he breathed against her lips before his mouth took hers.

Storm tried to struggle free; but Arthur was immovable. Her arms wriggled up to his shoulders to push him away but, as his tongue begged for entrance at her lips and they parted to allow it, she realised with sinking horror that instead she was pulling him even closer to her.

He pulled her down with him as he sank to the ground; his hands making brief work of her shirt, and his lips never letting hers loose long enough to protest. Deep in his heart Arthur knew this was his one chance; get this wrong, allow her to run and this time would never come again.

Once they were naked, he began to kiss her all over; finally Storm managed to regain enough of her scattered thoughts to gasp out "Arthur, Arthur! I am a….maid!"

His kisses stopped and he rose above her, his heart in his eyes "I will not hurt you Storm; I would cut out my heart before I ever hurt you." Before she could protest again, he returned to kissing her to distraction.

Their coupling was fervent and yet she remembered no pain, only joy and pleasure. But, as always with her, the old fears set in once more.

She struggled to free herself of his arms and threw on her clothes as rapidly as she could; her cheeks were burning with embarrassment. This was not her; this simpering, blushing milksop. She was a warrior.

She turned to Arthur who had likewise put his clothes on, a sinking feeling in his chest. "I am a warrior, Arthur. Queen I maybe, but I am a warrior queen. No milksop maid to simper and sew; giggle and kiss. I was made to hold a sword before I could even a hold a spoon; shoot a bow before I could talk and ride a horse as soon as I could sit unaided."

She sighed and shoved her sweaty hair from her face "I am not the one for you Arthur – I am no real queen; I am....."

Arthur sprang to his feet and towered over her once more "do you care for me?"

Once more Storm felt the heat rise in her cheeks "I.....what?"

Arthur felt her confusion and blushes spoke much; but he wanted it said out loud once and for all "do you care for me? Even at all? You have just lain with me as a wife, you have given your body to me. What of your heart Storm? Is that mine also? Even a small part of it?"

Storm sank to the ground and sighed "you are truly impossible, you do know that?"

He sensed her growing feeling of defeat and, whilst he rued it in one way, in another he knew he had to use it "I care naught about that – I wish only to know if you care for me? If any part of that fierce heart of yours is, or ever can be, mine?"

Storm stared out across the meadow "it is."

He thought he had not heard her right, so low was her voice. "What?"

"It is" she said a little louder. "The Gods alone know how I have fought you each and every step Arthur – but as much as you drive me to wish to kill you and dance on your lifeless corpse, another part of me wishes only to make you happy. You....." her brow creased in a small frown "confuse me. You confuse me greatly."

"How so?" he wanted to swing her into his arms, to kiss her again – to sing even......but he knew that would only confirm to her that this was all insanity and must be avoided. Storm was like a frightened deer – needing to be coaxed closer to be captured.

She looked across as he sat down beside her "if I have an enemy, I kill him; very simple. If I care for someone deeply, I protect them; again, very simple. But you...." she waved a despairing hand at him "you make me want to kill you and kiss you in equal measure; that is.....confusing."

Arthur beamed "that is naught but love, Storm. It makes fools of kings, milksops of warriors and idiots of philosophers. It is the way it is......"

Storm sighed "then there is no hope for me?"

Arthur continued to beam "nay, my feisty queen – there is no more hope for you, than there is for me. We are doomed to loved each other until death."

Storm looked at him reproachfully "I think my love will last beyond even that for you."

Arthur hugged her to him " as will mine for you – so there we are both doomed; but what a wonderful fate."

"Aye for you mayhap – not so wonderful for me; I will be expected to wear gowns, to sew and make nice with nobles." She all but retched at the thought. "To produce many little Arthur's as heirs to your throne."

Arthur pulled back from their embrace "nay, Storm. Never change from what you are – the warrior is who I fell in love with. The warrior is who I mean to keep with me. Only say that you will love me until eternity; only promise to stay by my side forever and I will be satisfied. Naught else will matter."

"Truly?" she hardly dared hope he was speaking true.

"Truly – your happiness is more important than my own. I would not wish you confined to the city, if you were unhappy."

"But if I get with child then I will be confined – your lackeys will not let me risk the life of your future heir."

"I don't know about my 'lackeys', but I would not want you to risk either your life or our child's. Heirs do not matter to me; I have a princess in Belle, they will have a queen if no other children are born to us. Even if I did not have Belle, when I die it is up to those left behind to decide who will rule."

Storm rolled her eyes at him "remind me to die first then – the moment you feel deeply unwell, I will fall on my sword....there is no way on this green earth that I will be persuaded to reign after you."

Arthur laughed heartily "of that I have no doubt!" he sobered slightly "so long as we remain together, Storm; and your heart remains mine, then I care not of what comes after. I have no doubt we will continue to fight and fuss; why change the habit of our time together?"

Storm slapped his shoulder "you must promise not to slay any more doors. They are but innocent victims to your raging temper."

Arthur took her hand and held it close to his heart and murmured "you have my word I will try not to kill them – but if you must vex me so....."

"Oh now you jest?! Well let us see how you run....." Storm leapt to her feet and ran towards the river.

Arthur, laughing heartily, followed in hot pursuit – as they reached the water's edge Storm stopped abruptly on the very tip of the bank. Her balance being better than Arthur's, she remained on the side........he fell into the water.

Storm's laughter rang out up and down the river's edge; until he pulled her in with him, by a sharp tug to her ankles. Where upon he set about kissing her once more; this time there was no hesitancy on her part.

She loved him, very much; and one day she would tell him. But not this day – this day would be for the start of their life together.

0-0-0-0-0

A short way from them, three shadows hovered close as if saying a last farewell......before melting into the rays of sunshine that shone through the trees, dappling the couple in the water. Their work was finally ended, those they loved were now happy; broken hearts were healing......Heaven now awaited the three for a job well done.

Lancelot turned to Tristan as they walked towards the light at the other end of the meadow "Thank the Gods, I thought they'd never do it and we would be doomed to walk beside them for eternity."

Dagonet shook his head "I never doubted for a moment that they would come together – love overcomes stubbornness eventually."

Lancelot rolled his eyes "aye, and you always were the optimist."

Tristan merely growled "nay, he's right – I would've banged their bloody heads together if they'd gone on much longer."

"Should I remind you it was our sister, not our leader that was being the most stubborn? If you wish tobang her head with Arthur's, be it on your own." Lancelot griped "Storm has a temper; one I do not wish to bring down on my head....."

Tristan gave his friend and brother a disbelieving look "What care I of her temper? What can she do to us, Lance – we are already dead?"

"Where our sister is concerned I would put naught past her devious little mind......" Dagonet chuckled as Lancelot added "she'd probably find a way to resurrect us, only to kill us again....."

"We will need to return occasionally" the largest knight put in.

"What? Why?" Lancelot looked horrified.

"To keep them from killing each other" Tristan nodded.

"I do not remember agreeing to play at nursemaids for eternity." Lancelot groused.

"You agreed to be her brother, brother – there are things brothers must do; even when dead."

Lancelot entered the light still grumbling about having the words of his dying breath held against him; anyone truly listening would've heard the deep rumble of Dagonet's laughter as they finally disappeared........for now.