Disclaimer: No, I do not own King Arthur whether it's the movie or the legend of the countless stories told about him. I do, however, own all original characters, this plot line, and the title.

Spoilers: This story takes place a few years after King Arthur leaves off.

Author's Note: This idea struck me as soon as I watched King Arthur and I just knew that I had to write it down. How often I update will be determined by how much interest I have in the story and by how many reviews I receive. So, if you like this story make sure that you review because the more reviews the more inspiration I'll probably have.

Chapter One

Lush green grass joined with a cobalt blue sky that was devoid of clouds. The hilly countryside rose and fell away beneath the feet of the caravans horses. Trees stood off in the distance, their abundant foliage green and brilliant beneath the warm summer sun. Air, as clean and fresh as you could breathe, filled the lungs of the men and women traveling across the twisting dirt road.

From inside one of the many carriages that traveled the road, Juliana pushed aside the heavy veil that covered the window and stared out at the beautiful landscape. She'd never seen anything so wonderful and luxurious. The vastness and beauty of it all put Rome's craftily and carefully architectured city to shame. The land had been untamed, welcoming its visitors with an openness and tranquility which Rome lacked. She breathed in deeply, her nose out of the window and inhaling the deep rich scent of earth and water and air. This was God's creation at its best and Juliana couldn't imagine anything more beautiful and soul-stirring than what she was seeing and experiencing right then.

"Juliana, what in heaven's name are you doing?" The screech broke through the stillness. The young woman jerked as a hand pulled her back from the window.

"Get away from there this instant." The veil dropped back over the window and she turned, her eyes adjusting once more to the gloom, to face her riding companion.

"I am sorry, Mother Superior." She replied, her head dutifully bowed and her eyes lowered. Her fingers twisted together where her hands sat in her lap, knuckles turning white as she listened to Mother Superior's admonishment.

Outside of the carriage she could hear the creaking of the carriages' wheels, the snort of the horses as they struggled up the hills, the sound of the birds that took flight from the trees, and the rippling of the brook that ran alongside the road. Each noise joined together until they were a mighty chorus that signified the life outside Juliana's promise; her vow to God.

Her fingers twisted into the black fabric of her nun's dress. Juliana had made her vows to the church when she was barely sixteen. The Sisters had raised her and life at the convent was all that Juliana knew. But now it was all about to change.

The caravan from Rome was heading towards Britain and, more importantly, to the court of Arthur. Arthur Castus, a former Roman centurion, had begun his own town, his own kingdom: Camelot. Rome was against it, but knew that Arthur had much too powerful an army behind him to object. They allowed him his Camelot on one condition, that he have the word of God preached to his people. Arthur had agreed, being a Christian himself, and allowed for a church to be erected near to his own home. The church would also serve as a home for the nuns and the monks who traveled now to Camelot to preach to the pagans who resided in the land.

Juliana glanced longingly at the covered window, wanting nothing more than to gaze, at least once more, upon the beautiful countryside that they passed through. She had lived her life cloistered behind high gray walls. She knew no beauty beyond that of sparse gardens that the nuns grew near the walls.

Stifling a sigh, Juliana sat back on the hard wood bench on which she sat and listened as Mother Superior continued on her rant about the barbarians that inhabited the surrounding landscape.

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The nickering of a horse brought Juliana out of the deep sleep into which she had been lulled by the rocking of the carriage and the heat that had gathered under the mid-day sun. Beside her, Mother Superior was snoring loudly.

Juliana sat up straight on the bench and, after glancing at her companion to make sure she truly slept, pushed aside the veil. Her breath caught in her throat.

Camelot was like a dream. Gardens grew everywhere, and not the colorless gardens which the nuns grew, but lush and beautiful gardens full of color and life. The buildings were of wood and stone, their colors bright and new in the fading light of dusk. People bustled about, finishing up the last of their work before night fell. They all looked so happy to her, none of them looked as if they regretted what they did or as if they were being forced to do their work. They all seemed to take a real joy in it. Even the children laughed as they herded the chickens into their coops.

Juliana had never seen any place so peaceful.

Rome was a harried place. People seemed only to want to do their work and get home before it was too late. They didn't want to wander the streets and simply drink in the joy and beauty of the day. But Camelot's people seemed to take joy in every single moment, every single chore. This was their home, and they took a pride in the fact that they had helped to build every single building, every single wall; stone by stone.

The caravan moved towards the largest building. A palace among the small houses of the village. People watched curiously as the carriages passed. Some followed the caravan towards the large home, while others remained to finish their chores.

With a jolt, the carriage came to a sudden stop and Juliana was thrown against Mother Superior's ample side. The older woman came awake with a jerk. She cleared her throat, her double chin wobbling slightly.

"What is going on?" She asked Juliana, her voice harsh and commanding.

"We've arrived, Mother Superior." Juliana replied, head once again bowed.

"Good." Mother Superior adjusted herself on the bench. "This journey has been too long. Not good for an old woman like me to travel this far."

Juliana bit back the smile that threatened to spread across her face. Mother Superior, for as long as Juliana had known her, always complained of being too old to do things and yet she did them anyway.

The carriage door opened and the driver offered his hand to Juliana. She took it gratefully and allowed him to help her down from the carriage. Her feet hit the hard packed dirt and a jolt was sent up her spine. She had been sitting, cramped in that small carriage for too long and her limbs refused to work. Forcing herself to walk a few steps, she waited for Mother Superior to step down and take the lead.

A handful of men walked down from the open door of the mansion. Juliana tried to keep her eyes on the ground, but could not resist sneaking a glance at these men. Having been hidden away in the convent her whole life she had never laid eyes on any men other than the monks who resided in the monastery just across the wall from the convent.

Her eyes scanned the men, taking in their rough and tumble appearance and the pride in which they carried themselves. A sword was strapped to the belt of each man, the fading light glinting dully off the polished blades. Juliana gulped. Weapons of destruction and death. She couldn't help but think of the lives that had been taken by those blades; of the sons and fathers dead and buried because of the wars that had been raged on this land. There was a power within those blades and within the men who wielded them.

Around her, Juliana could hear the other sisters and monks exiting their carriages and joining her. Mother Superior stood in front of the cluster of holy people, her body a shield to protect them from these ungodly people.

"King Arthur." She said, inclining her head to the man who led their welcoming committee.

"Mother Superior, we are grateful to have you and your companions with us." Arthur replied, bowing his head to the imposing woman.

From beneath her habit, Juliana studied Arthur. He wasn't too old, barely thirty-five by her guess. And he was handsome. Powerful and manly with an air of mystery about him. Juliana liked him instantly.

"It is good to be here, Arthur Castus." The older woman said. "We hope that our being here may bring God into this forsaken land."

Juliana winced at Mother Superior's words. Tact was not a word associated with the head of the nuns. She saw the men surrounding Arthur tense and their hands move instinctively to their sword hilts.

"Yes," Arthur seemed unaffected by her words and his calmness eased the tension that wafted off his men like a foul stench, "well God's will be done however He wish it."

His easiness about the situation caused Juliana's respect for the man grow.

"Please, won't you and your companions come inside. My wife, Guinevere

has had the staff preparing a feast all day."

"I am sorry, my lord, but we shall not partake of this feast that has been prepared."

After the long journey, Juliana's stomach was growling and ready for a feast. She felt as if she could eat for ten days and never be full.

"We wish only to be shown to the church and to our quarters."

"Surely you will want something to eat." Arthur seemed shocked, the first real sense of emotion that Juliana had seen from him, that someone would refuse his invitation to a fine dinner.

"We only request bread and water as we will begin to pray and fast before we begin our duties of bringing these people to God."

"Very well then." Arthur nodded. "Jols, please take these people to the church and help them to settle in."

A man stepped from the group that stood with Arthur and nodded his head at the king. As their group was led away, Juliana cast a last look at Arthur and his men. They stood, watching the nuns and monks as they walked to the church, their mouths moving in a conversation too far away for Juliana to hear. There was something about these men that drew her to them. She wanted to learn more about them, to listen, entranced, as they told her their stories. She wanted to know everything there was to know. But most of all, she wanted that freedom, that purpose, with which they carried themselves.

> > > > >

So, what did y'all think? I know that this chapter wasn't very exciting, but I promise that it will get better. If I got anything wrong- like if I spelled a name wrong or something- please tell me and I'll make sure to fix it as soon as possible. Also, as I'm not Catholic I might get some things wrong about the nuns and stuff, so please tell me if I did. Please review and give me your honest opinions of this story. Thanks.