Disclaimer: I don't own King Arthur or any of its characters. The King Arthur movie is the property of Touchstone Pictures and Jerry Bruckheimer. So there is no copyright infringement intended, nor do I intend to tick anyone off – so please don't sue me, I'm poor enough already; but if you do you will only get a rust bucket car and a load of rescued pets that make Tristan look like a cakewalk! But I do own the story itself and the characters of Ember and non-King Arthurian types…. :O)

Sorry for the delay in posting anything – but I was taken into hospital as I reacted badly to some medication I was on. Still they've changed it now and I am feeling muchly better. I started this just after I came out of hospital and am now a few chapters in, so thought I would start posting it. I have not forgotten the others and started another chapter of 'Abandoned Princess' last night, so hope to post that soon too. :O

This is my eighth King Arthur fanfic. It is based on the 2004 movie, as well as some legends I know a little about. I do not intend to rip off any other writer (I just can't wade through so many pages of stories to check, I'd lose the will to live!) so if this premise has been done before I'm sorry, I just hope mine is different enough for it not to be too boring. But if I digress from the movie and stuff a little, don't shoot me as I'm old and the brain (what little I have) is not what it used to be. Plus I might also change things to fit the story a little better –sorry. But that is what artistic license is all about! LOL!

So here it is, it is going to be set after the original movie – and she will be bringing our three favourite knights back from the dead once more; though in a slightly different way than the method in Fallen Knights! It's going to be very dark, dramatic and romantic…in places it might be a little humorous (I hope!)….. It is nothing but dark fluff, so if you don't like dark romance and stuff please don't read it! If you've read any of my other stuff (particularly the likes of Little Bird and the Hawk) and liked it, hopefully you'll like this too.

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"

Anyway…on with the show!

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ELEMENTS

Chapter One – Return

The woman almost seemed to appear out of the mist on top of the small hill that housed the bodies of the fallen knights of Sarmatia. She located the three she needed; taking her dagger she slit her hand – mixing her blood with the earth of each grave. She began to chant quietly "Hear me Gaia, Mother Earth who rules my centre. Give up the three bodies I have spilt my own life's blood for – let them return to this realm." She then pushed a coin, also smeared with her blood, into each grave "hear me Death, let them return who I have paid with coin and blood for their journey back, guide their souls." She then sprinkled a small bag of herbs on the three graves "Hear me Destiny; if it be your will let them return as whole as the day they died – let their bodies return now as they were in life."

She stood before the cemetery "By the four elements that rule me – earth" she threw some soil into the air, "water" she sprinkled some water from her skin, "air" she whistled a single note "fire – as is my own element" she tossed a smouldering stick into the air "let them return to us." There rose up a maelstrom as she recited the last, sucking in all she threw into the small funnel….before dying away to naught.

She sat on the hill and waited, amidst the thrashing storm that suddenly erupted…….half an hour later the earth began to move and she smiled thinly – the knights of Arthur had returned.

She stood and bowed before the now quiet night "thank you Mother Earth, Death and Destiny – thank you all of the four elements. You have done us a great service."

She went and helped the men out of the graves and hoisted them onto the side. She then went and fetched the horses, her own being jet black, and made them mount up; pulling their swords from the now loose ground, she tied them to the saddles and then quietly led the still disoriented men back to the fort.

As she rode to the main gate Ganis, who was on duty, called out "Hey there – you down there; state your business!"

"I have three knights that belong to Arthur – let me in." Though soft, her voice yet carried and the young man recognised Dagonet first as he was the biggest – though the man looked set to drop from the saddle. He flew down and yelled for someone to fetch the knights and Arthur………

When the gates opened the woman was faced with Bors, Gawain, Galahad and Arthur ranged against her…..she nudged her horse forward before speaking softly "these are yours – I have delivered them as promised; now I take my leave."

She let the reins drop "Ar...Arthur?" Lancelot finally ground out, his throat was sore and he felt sick – all he could smell was burning wood.

His commander, best friend and brother stared up at the three men he never thought to see again in this life – Tristan's hawk, which had been haunting the cemetery for 6 months suddenly lighted on his shoulder, preening his ear. He started at the unfamiliar contact, but settled when he saw who it was. Bors shot forward as Dagonet slid from his saddle….. "Hold!" Arthur called to the woman "Hold lady…what sorcery is this!"

She stopped and turned; her face a passive mask, she shrugged "I was bid return them to you; I have done as I was bid. What more would you have me do?"

"Come in and tell me who bid you do it? Tell me how? These men were dead some 6 months, Dagonet longer still – how come you to bring them to me as if living and breathing?"

"Not as if…they live, they breathe – it is now as it was before they perished."

He looked away and when he looked back she was right in front of him – he could not see how she had done it, but there she was. He stepped back involuntarily.

She was shorter than he – somewhere around 5' 5", she had shoulder length fiery red hair like Van's; but almost translucent grey eyes, indeed they seemed to verge on silver. She was dressed entirely in black which made her hair stand out all the more – she looked like a wraith, a soul of the dead come back to haunt the living.

She stared enquiringly at Arthur, he swallowed; she carried an air of utter danger and she was armed to the teeth "please lady, will you not come and explain this to us?"

She sighed imperceptibly and looked at the three men "on the morrow – on the morrow at dusk I will return. They will need rest before then and so will I, they have travailed much to return to you and I have given much to bring them." He glanced at his disorientated knights and when he looked back she was gone.

They got the three men into the fort; Bors almost beside himself with glee to have Dag back ("sod why" was his only comment), Gawain and Galahad were pleased to see Tristan (who only asked if they still had his own horse); and Arthur asked Lancelot if he remembered aught – "only waking to find myself covered in burnt sticks".

He did not think she would return, but decided the knights needed to rest before speaking to them in detail about their ordeal.

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However, the next night at dusk Jols came running in to say the strange wraith woman was back at the gate saying Arthur had bid her to return.

Finally she was ushered in; she looked surprised to see a round table but ignored it. She glanced round the men there seemingly taking in each one at a glance before finally levelling her gaze at Arthur.

He cleared his throat "Thank you for returning. I did not think you would." She shrugged "I have to ask why you brought them back from the dead? They remember naught except the moment they died and then coming around in their graves."

"Merlin bid me do it – I did what he bid me, and this is the result."

"But why?"

"Merlin bid…."

"Aye, you said – but why did Merlin bid you do it?"

"I know not."

"You carried out powerful magic like this without a reason?"

"If Merlin bids me do it, there is good reason – it is just not clear to all yet."

"How did you do it?"

"You would not understand – I am of the elements."

Guinevere gasped, the woman looked at her "You are Woad?" She nodded "then you understand."

"Aye, I do." She looked at Arthur "she is of all the elements we see around us – earth, air, water and fire." She glanced at the other's hair "you are fire?"

"Aye, my name is Ember."

"So where are your sisters?"

"Dead – all dead, I am the last of my line."

All saw Guinevere's eyes pool "then that is a sad loss for you."

Ember shrugged and regarded the table once more "why is it round?"

"To show all men are equal." Arthur stated proudly.

"They have no leader, no one to give them orders?" grey eyes regarded him calmly.

"Nay I lead them."

"You have no second to take command should you fall in battle then?"

"Aye, it is Lancelot."

Her gaze swung thoughtfully to the table and back to him "So how are they all equal?"

Arthur stood speechless for a moment, as the other knights tried not to laugh, then she turned to leave "where are you going?"

"I told you of the facts, they are here – they now follow destiny. My part is done…."

"Nay child…" Merlin spoke from the door "your part is far from done."

For the first time since they had first met her, she smiled – her face lit the room "Merlin! I did well did I not? All is as you asked."

"You did as I expected Ember. Your sisters would be proud."

She dipped her head "I cannot leave?"

"Nay, not yet a while – destiny has plans for thee. You must rest a while here."

"Are we immortal?" Lancelot finally asked.

"Nay knight – none are immortal; you have merely traversed both lands – living and dead. You are now back in the living, but a false move on a battlefield means you could go back to that of the dead." she stared at him her head tipped to one side "you should watch your back more – if she cannot fight her own corner that is not your concern." She gestured to Guinevere.

Lancelot blanched – she had not been at the battle of Baden Hill; he could almost guarantee it, so how could she know that he died saving the new queen?

She then looked to Dagonet "You should not be so quick to act, his bad decision cost you your life – that was his error to correct, not yours." She nodded at Arthur, who knew he had drawn the battle line in the wrong place on the ice, thus forcing Dag's hand.

Finally her eyes rested on Tristan "you thought yourself the better warrior….thought yourself able to save him the fight." She nodded at Arthur again "you were wrong."

The scout merely dipped his head.

She turned to Merlin once more "Mayhap I go now?"

"Aye, rest child – it was much that you gave for these three to return. Regain your strength and thank the powers that be for their generosity."

"Aye, I already have."

"Good girl, you learnt well."

She left without uttering another word. One moment she was there, then they glanced at Merlin as he went to speak to Arthur, when they looked back she was gone.

"Who is she?"

"She is Ember. She is Woad. She had three sisters – all elementals like she; Rain was of the water, Eartha was of the earth, Storm was of the wind and Ember was fire. Her sisters, her village and all she loved were killed by the Romans not these 10 years past."

He sighed "She all but lost her mind with grief – it was hard work on my part that kept her tethered to this life. Her greatest grief was her grandfather and her sister, Rain. Chalk and cheese they were; Rain, calm and gentle like a summer shower and Ember, fiery and raging like a forest fire. Yet they were the best of friends and closest of the four sisters; her grandfather ruled them, ruled the village in fact as he was the chieftain – their loss was almost her undoing."

He looked towards the door "when her mind finally returned to us, she was as you see her now – but her revenge was swift and terrible; she said she crossed the veil and conversed with her sisters - they agreed to let her control all four elements and so she used them to seek out those that had destroyed her village; a whole legion disappeared in one stormy night."

"Can she use those abilities at will?"

"Aye, she is shamanic by birth – but chooses to fight her own corner; hence all the weaponry you see her with. She is a consummate killer."

"I do not doubt that." Arthur smiled "she radiates danger."

"Aye, much like your scout Arthur; so do not point fingers at my people." Merlin chuckled in return.

Arthur dipped his head and had to agree "so why did you bid her stay?"

"I had a vision that she will be needed. The trade for your men's life is a costly one to her; not only her coin and life blood did she have to shed, but she will have to carry out a task for destiny – I hope she will acquiesce….."

"When will you tell her?"

"I need not, she will know soon enough – but I do not think she will know the details as I do; Destiny has learnt she fights back if displeased and so does not let her see all anymore." He smiled "it irritates her."

"She sounds intriguing." Lancelot smiled.

"Aye boy she is – she is also troubled and lost. So do not toy with her; if you do, you may well find yourself without a head. Ember does not believe in pointless arguments, not when death finishes it so well."

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Later, when they had all dispersed, Galahad chanced upon her on the battlements; she had her back to him and he stood for a long moment unsure what to do.

"You are the youngest are you not?"

He did not know how she knew he was there when she had not turned in anyway to see him and he had ensured he was soundless on his approach. "Aye, that I am."

She sighed "you liked this life the least – the fighting for so long."

"I did."

"Better now? You are free."

"Aye, in a way; I fight for what I believe in now and not merely on orders. But…."

"But you hope you have time to breath before another battle like the last."

"Aye…how….?"

She raised her head to night air "your wish is granted it seems, but rest not too long. It is but a breather….."

"Do you know why you are here?"

She tapped her foot and shook her head as she turned to face him "Nay, only that I am bid to help your Arthur. Destiny loves to tease me these fine days." She walked towards him and he had to resist the urge to turn and run "you have a good heart Galahad; life will not take it if you do not let it. Look to the one called Dagonet – a good soul and brutal fighter, the two can be kept separate." She glided past him and down the steps.

He breathed out the breath he had not realised he had been holding; only to hear her voice float back "I am friend boy, fear me not."

"Ember!" he called suddenly keen to speak more to her.

"Aye?" and in a flash she was back in front of him.

He started in surprise "You move quickly."

"Aye, what point would there be to moving slow; except to give your enemy an easier target?"

"Agreed…." He smiled "what I wanted to ask is how you knew what I was thinking – before?"

"I sense much, it is what elementals do. I sensed your sadness, your melancholy for all you were forced to do and yet did not agree with."

"Do you hate us?"

"Because my family died?" he nodded "Nay, those that did it died. You are blameless."

"Do you miss them?"

"Nay, they are at peace and that gives me comfort. To continue to mourn them would keep them earthbound and that is cruel."

"Thank you."

She smiled then, a genuine smile "you are welcome." And was gone.

Galahad smiled; he felt he had just made a friend.