Una woke up with her body aching worse than she had ever felt before. The light pierced her eyes like sharp blades and her ears rung like the resonance of a bell. Her joints popped, and her muscles were sore. She felt like she had woken up after the first day of battle. Worst of all, she was nauseated.

She rolled off her back to her side, and her arms bumped something. She could see the light bouncing off of their hair as they rested peacefully at their side. Una could barely speak due to her queasiness.

"In...grid? Una rubbed her eyes as she moaned.

Una watched as the figure rises slightly to pull more blankets on them, exposing their bare shoulder. Una froze when she gazed at their back. Ingrid definitely did not have broad shoulders. Ingrid was petite and dainty looking. Una hesitated for a moment until she remembered what happened last night. She had been drugged.

"Please, I hardly slept," Alaric mumbled, pulling the blankets up to his neck.

That was definitely not Ingrid's voice.

"Eek! Why are you in my bed?" Una said, startled.

Alaric's eyes slowly opened, and he sighed.

"Oh, sorry about that. I was so exhausted I must have fallen asleep putting you to bed." Alaric said as he pushed the blankets back and sat on the edge of the bed.

"Putting me to bed?" Una said, holding her stomach.

Her nausea was getting stronger.

"Don't you remember? I drugged you. I couldn't have you lying on the floor of that cold room." He laughed as he stood up.

Una's eyes nearly bulged out of her head when she saw Alaric stand and walk over to the window in the far distance. His backside was utterly bare.

"Oh, sorry!" Una said, averting her eyes.

Alaric was very tired. After he had come back to the castle, he made sure Ingrid was in her room safe. He went around and made sure that everyone was in their beds, hoping that they would wake up and think they all had gotten drunk. Alaric did this by emptying most of the mead bottles, wine, and liquors insight. For a second, he caught the gaze of Wilona running back to her room. Terror consumed her. She was frightened by the presence of Alaric and that Arawn the God did not harm him.

After Alaric was sure that the castle was prepared to awaken, he went to Una's room. There he opened the large wardrobe to find Una still peacefully asleep, cuddled up in the corner. He grabbed her and laid her gently in her bed. He sat to rest for a moment, digesting everything that just happened. It shook Alaric to the core. It was overwhelming, and he became distraught looking at Una. He checked her wrists more than a few times to make sure that he wasn't going mad, that everything really did happen. He wept quietly as he saw that Una was safe and unharmed. More than anything, he cried because Ingrid was brought back to life. He wondered so much what she saw and experienced as she took her last breath and when she was brought back.

Ingrid was his rock, the only thing that reminded him of his old life. Now what he knew as his old life was in jeopardy after what Arawn told him. He sat at the end of Una's bed for so long that soon he felt the irresistible urge to sleep. Naked as he was, he didn't care. He snuffed out the lamp and crawled under the wool blankets. He laid close to Una, but yet he didn't touch her. He gazed into the darkness, wondering how and why this happened. It was a miracle and a curse at the same time.

"Oh, forgive me! I was unaware!" Alaric said, squinting his eyes in the blinding light of morning.

He felt his face burn with shame.

"I did not mean to scathe your eyes." He laughed, embarrassed.

He saw that Una was turned to her side and ran over to her wardrobe. He found a long linen nightgown that he could cover himself with.

"Oh, it's no trouble. I've seen plenty of men nude. It's just...startling to me. I can't get used to it." Una said, gulping.

She felt like she was going to puke. His stomach was in knots, and she felt clammy. She couldn't take it anymore. She crawled off the bed and ran to the far corner of the room, barely making it to the dusty chamber pot. She retched and began to vomit.

"Una!" Alaric gasped.

He ran over to her side. Una was very pale, and her dress had sweat rings. Una would not stop purging. She had never been this violently sick. She knew it was the drug that Alaric gave her. Whatever it was, her body was taking its course against the residuals left in her system. Alaric hated to see her so ill. He knew that this was a part of the process. Many people would be nauseated this morning.

"Ugg!" Una said, sitting back.

She took a deep breath and sighed. Alaric reached out a hand, but Una smacked it away.

"Please...leave me be." Una hesitated as she stood up.

"Una, let me help you!" Alaric urged as he stood up.

"I'm fine!" Una cried out as she balanced herself over a chair.

Una was dizzy, but she managed to grab the chamber pot and walked out of the room. Alaric stood there and closed his eyes, sighing again.

"God, what shall I do with her now? She surely hates me." Alaric clenched his fists and turned around.

"Ugg." Una gagged as she emptied her sickness down the privy.

Suddenly a man burst through the garderobe and cut in front of Una. His face was pale as Una's. She knew he was sick too.

"Sorry!" He cried out as he, too, began to vomit.

"You too?" Una laughed weakly as she walked over to the other wall and sunk.

She felt so much better, but she was still weak. Her head always felt like it was going to explode. After the man puked, he walked over to Una and sat next to her.

"You're that lady. It's been a while." He gasped, trying to regain his composure.

"Yeah, whoever that is." Una nodded.

The room felt like it was spinning. She could barely hold her eyes open.

"What happened last night?" He moaned, throwing his head back.

Una turned her head over to look at him. He was wearing armor like what Gareth had worn before.

"I don't recall a thing. We had too much to drink, I suppose." Una said honestly, but she knew the real reason why.

"The boys and I were practicing our shield formations. I guess it was too much for us, and we passed out. It's no wonder we are out of shape. We hadn't practiced in so long, not since the last war." He smiled.

The stagnant stench of puke was looming around, but the man and Una would not move. They were far too tired.

"What brings you into the castle?" Una asked, wondering how he got in.

Usually, soldiers were allowed, but only the elite ones who guarded, not the true warriors of Wintacaster.

"I was searching for the healer, Sir Alaric. I couldn't find him, though." He smiled.

"Not that it matters now. I'm just thanking the good Lord that I was able to hold it until moments ago. My men are weak. They are all out there sympathetically vomiting like we were at a tavern." He giggled.

He had a gorgeous laugh. Una couldn't help but turn her head and smile back at him. He had hair like Una, a rich auburn color that ignited like copper in the morning light. Half of it was hanging in his face. The other was disheveled and tied up. He looked like he had gone through more than Una has. His eyes were of a similar color to his hair. His cheeks were slightly freckled, but now they were gaining some color back in them. He was probably the same age as Gareth, just a few years older than Una.

"You're a foot soldier?" Una asked, looking at his sword.

"A knight, my lady." The man corrected her.

"Oh, my apologies, sir knight...erm." Una hesitated.

"Sir knight Laurel Bourchier, earl of Exeter, land of Dumnonia, from Cornwealas." He said with a bright smile.

"An earl? What brings you here out of Dumnonia?" Una asked.

"The war. I rode alongside Gareth in the last war. Forgive me, but I've seen your face before, there on the field with King Idris. Your name escapes me." He said, turning his head toward the warm light of the morning.

"I am Una Elisedd, queen of Snowdonia, land of Gwynedd, from Wealas," Una said.

"I knew your accent sounded familiar. It is you!" He smiled.

Una could not recognize him. She had seen a thousand faces before in battle. She could hardly remember anyone unless they were necessary.

"Forgive me, my queen. We have met on the battlefield many times. I will never forget your face and voice. It begs me to ask, though, what brings you here? Are you for the war as well?" He asked.

"Well, originally, I was on my way to avenge my dead family. However, things took a very drastic turn." Una smiled, but it soon sunk.

"Oh, I see. Well, it would be a great honor to fight side by side once again. I would like to serve this land again." He said, standing up.

He took his hand out and offered it to Una.

"Oh, where are my manners. You're a queen. Might I ask you something, my queen? Would you be willing to show my men a thing or two with your sword when you have the time? They won't believe your strength until they see it personally." He said with a bright smile.

Una took it and stood up. She was still dizzy, but at least Laurel was distracting her from her splitting headache.

"Thank you, Sir. Knight Laurel," Una said.

"Please, Laurel, my queen." He said.

"Only if you call me Una." She asked.

"Very well, Una. That sounds so strange, but yes, Una. Please see me today if you wish. We will be in the courtyard today, but we are moving to the field soon to gather more troops." He said, looking at the window.

He looked back and peered into Una's eyes. What he was staring at was not some bloodthirsty ravaging warrior of hell like he remembered. Una looked noble and fair. He was shocked by her stature as well. He could have sworn she was as tall as him and more girthy. He believes his mind has melded with his perception of her. The stories of her beheading men in one stroke had made her grow taller and more formidable in his mind.

"I haven't used my sword in so long," Una said.

"Nonsense, it is like walking. Once you learn it, it cannot be undone, well unless you fall." He laughed.

Una smiled and took her other hand and placed it over his.

"In that case, see to it that your men are awake and well. There is no time to vomit when there are dragon skins to be harvested." Una smiled.

"That old oaf still thinks he can take on Wessex. He hasn't learned his lesson from Idris, obviously. Those pendragons get under my skin. They're like fleas. They won't die!" He laughed.

Suddenly Laurel looked out the door with fright and released his hand from Una's hands.

"Blessing be to you, my queen." He said, bowing slightly out the door.

Una stuck her head out and saw Wilona walking past. When she caught sight of Una, fear enveloped her, and she ran away.

"My queen?" Laurel said.

"Heavens, I didn't think I was that ugly!?" Laurel laughed.

"Nay, you're prettier than all the tavern whores combined." Una laughed.

"So still pretty ugly then." Laurel joked.

Una smiled at him. He was handsome, not as much as Gareth or Alaric, but what he lacked in physical luster he made up with his infectious laugh and humor. It almost reminded Una of Frey for a second, and she felt a twinge of sorrow come to her and leave.

"Are you alright, Una?" A voice called out to her.

Una and Laurel walked out into the hall and met with Ingrid. Her eyes were filled with tears of joy as she jumped off the ground and wrapped herself around Una's neck.

"Oh, thank the heavens! I was so worried about you!" Ingrid said, jumping down.

"You seem well," Una said, crossing her arms with a smile.

"Because you are well, my lady! Alaric said you had run down here, but he didn't want to fetch you because you were so upset."

"Alaric?" Laurel said.

"Yes. Who are you?" Ingrid asked bluntly.

"He's a knight," Una said.

Ingrid's eyes lit up, and she blushed.

"Oh, my," Ingrid said.

Una gasped, laughing for a second at Ingrid's expression. It was love at first sight. Then again, Ingrid falls for any man she bumps elbows with.

"Yes. I see you and Una are close. Would you like to come to watch us in the courtyard today? We are training for battle." He asked

Ingrid looked at Una.

"Only if I can hold your sword, Una!" Ingrid asked.

Una was taken back from her question.

"You? You want to wield a sword?" Una laughed.

"Yes, I know it's not customary me being a female. But don't you have female warriors, Una? Would it not be fair to let me try once? You said long ago that I wouldn't know if I'm good at something until I try it, right? Maybe the sword is my calling! I am obviously not good at washing clothes and pleating hair, but maybe I can fight better!" Ingrid begged.

Laurel looked at Una with wide eyes and a smile.

"I see no quarrel with it. It's up to you. My men could use some female company anyways to bolster them up in their presence." He laughed.

Una looked at Ingrid. She wasn't thinking of her practicing for fun. She was trying to envision her on the battlefield next to her. Ingrid was short and willowy. She had hardly any flesh on her to hold a sword up for long. That is not to say that she could never become a warrior. It would be an arduous task for her. She would have to do exercises day and night to keep up. She would have to eat more and become robust from the inside out. She was fragile, and Una didn't want to see her broken-spirited, but at the same time, she didn't want to see Ingrid's broken body.

"You may try, but you cannot come to war with me. Is that understood?" Una said her terms.

Ingrid's face sunk in disappointment.

"I've been thinking a lot lately, Una. I would really like to try. I just want to fight these devils! You know why!" Ingrid said hastily.

Una took a deep breath and sighed. Una had to remember what it was like for her to become a warrior. Eurion was her trainer and Darren. She wonders what they would say in this situation.

"Fine, but if I hear you cry or complain even once, I'll throw you out." Una tried to say it seriously, but she couldn't help but laugh.

"Oh, Una!" Ingrid said as she jumped on her again with a mighty embrace.

"Your pup has a spirit." Laurel laughed.

He turned and bowed to Una.

"It's been a pleasure as always, your grace. Una, I mean." He laughed.

"I'll see you there, little lady." He smiled at Ingrid as she broke away from Una.

When he had disappeared behind the bend in the hall, Una turned to Ingrid and laughed.

"You're positively smitten!" Una teased Ingrid.

Ingrid turned red from head to toe.

"Am not! He's cute, that's all." Ingrid said, turning around with her arms crossed.

"He's a knight," Una said seductively.

Una laughed when she could see Ingrid tilt her Nordic nose high in the air.

"Whatever, I will become a warrior. That's all that matters." Ingrid said.

"You'll be trained by Laurel, the man who spoke to you just now," Una whispered as she put her hand on the back of her shoulder.

"And perhaps he will train you in other ways he can't with his soldiers," Una said softly next to Ingrid's ear.

Ingrid flushed deeper.

"Oh, you're such a pest!" Ingrid laughed, trying to smack Una, but she darted away.

"Lesson one, be quick." Una laughed heartily as she ran away from Ingrid and out of sight.

"Oh, one of these days!" Ingrid laughed, clenching her fists, embarrassed.

Despite it all, Ingrid couldn't be happier. She was going to make Una eat her words. She won't complain. She can make it. She must! She must have the spirit of a warrior to become a warrior.