
      Once A Millennium


      Author: aria


      Rated: R



      Chapter 1
      Boy? Serena looked down at her clothes then at the other womens. She did 
      look like a boy when compared to the other women in their dresses. 
      Especially since the large sweatshirt hid her breast and hips quite 
      easily. She turned and faced him. "I dont have one." He was staring at 
      her face. Serena quickly turned away before he could figure out that she 
      was really a girl. "Thank you. I dont know how to repay you for saving my 
      life."
      When she turned back to face him he was still staring at her. Not knowing 
      what to do she quickly stuck out her hand glad, that she didnt apply any 
      nail polish before going out. "My names," she paused for a moment. 
      "Steven Woodard." It was close enough.
      He grasped it; his large hand practically engulfed her small one, and 
      shook it firmly. "Colville. Darien Colville."
      "Where am I?" She looked around at the primitive looking buildings, crude 
      carts and the horses pulling them about. This definitely wasnt home.
      "You are in the marketplace." He waved his arm around at the tables laden 
      with food and cloth. "Is that not obvious?"
      "No, I meant...never mind." Serena gave up, besides how would she explain 
      where she was from? "Anyway, is there some way that I can repay you for 
      your help?"
      He looked at her again and nodded. "I could use someone to take care of my 
      horse until I get home. I have quite a ways to go still."
      Serena nodded. There was nothing she could do until she figured out what 
      was going on and how she would get out of here. "Alright, I will go with 
      you."
      "Agreed. You will get packed and we will be off."
      "This is all I have." Serena indicated the clothes she was wearing.
      Darien nodded and turned to his horse, a large grey animal. Easily he 
      swung himself onto its back and looked at Serena. He extended his hand and 
      pulled Serena up in front of him. "Let us go then."
      As they headed out of town and into the countryside, Serena noted for the 
      first time that it was early morning. Beads of dew clung to the green 
      grass and winked through the lingering mist in the golden morning light. 
      Serena breathed in deeply, inhaling the clean, fresh air. She liked how 
      the trees looked and how the gentle breeze blew through the leaves. Serena 
      couldnt think of a more beautiful setting. She had spent almost her 
      entire life living in the bustling city where there was barely any space 
      for her on the sidewalk let alone a tree. Here, Serena could gaze for 
      miles and see nothing but trees a meadows.
      Serena felt a faint rumbling at her back before she realized that she had 
      leaned up against Dariens broad chest. She swiveled her head around and 
      found him laughing at her.
      "What are you laughing at?" Serenas spine stiffened with indignation. She 
      quickly turned her attention back to the road ahead and focused on the 
      clumps of grass there.
      "You are a strange lad, Steven. You act as though you have never ridden 
      through the country before." His voice was light with amusement.
      "It is just such a beautiful morning my lord." Serena remembered the 
      people saying my lord in movies and added it hoping it made her sound 
      more like a native. She held her breath waiting for him to respond.
      "It is."
      They rode in silence for a few hours. Serena was glad that he didnt 
      pursue a conversation. The less she said the better. Serena looked around 
      some more and tried to piece together what had happened. From what she 
      could make out, clicking on that icon definitely had something to do with 
      her being here. Probably the striking of midnight on the millennium had 
      something to do about it as well. Serena stifled a giggle. So there was a 
      millennium bug after all.
      "A what bug?"
      "Excuse me?"
      "You said something about a bug?" His deep voice resonated through his 
      chest.
      "Oh, nothing. I was just mumbling to myself." Serena toyed with the 
      horses mane, feeling the coarse hair on her fingers. She had to be 
      careful about what she said and did or else she would give herself away. 
      And who knew what these people would do to her. Visions of witch trials 
      danced through her head. Theyd probably burn her at the stake.
      "Youre a strange lad, Steven Woodard."
      "W...why do you say that my lord?" He had to have figured it out by now.
      "Well not many boys would be interested in the landscape or would fiddle 
      with a horses mane." His arms stretched on either side of her body as he 
      reached over and pet his horses thickly muscled neck. "Good thing that 
      Goliath likes it."
      "Goliath. That name suits him. He certainly is a giant." Serena steered 
      the conversation away from her.
      They rode silently for a while longer. Now they were in the woods. 
      Sunlight speckled the ground where it broke through the dense canopy of 
      leaves. Moving in cadence with the horses movements Serena listened to 
      the wind swishing through the trees. She shifted uncomfortably in the 
      saddle. They had been riding for a few hours and the champagne she drank 
      had worked its way through her system.
      Darien must have noticed because he stopped under the shade of a large oak 
      tree. Without a thought to her he relieved himself on the side of it and 
      then looked at her obviously expecting her to do the same.
      Serena mumbled something about privacy and wandered not too far away and 
      did her business concealed behind a small bush. She hurried back to him 
      before any wild animals could get her.
      Darien offered her an apple when she returned. He took a bite out of his 
      and pointed at her clothes with it. "How did you come by such strange 
      clothes?" He eyed her jeans and sweatshirt then moved back to her face.
      "Everyone wears them where I come from." It was the only thing she could 
      think of saying.
      "And where is that?" He leaned up against a tree casually and took another 
      bite.
      "North. I am from up north." Serena nervously nibbled at her apple.
      "I see." He threw the core carelessly over his shoulder.
      Too nervous to finish off the rest of the apple, Serena walked over to 
      Goliath and fed it to him.
      "You have done it now."
      Serena froze, what had she done? Did she do something wrong?
      "He is your friend for life now." Smiling, he walked over and pet the huge 
      animal like it was no more than a puppy. "Let us go. We have quite a ways 
      to go still."
      The sun was dipping into the horizon just as they reached a magnificent 
      castle that glowed in the golden light. Serena looked at it in awe. This 
      definitely looked like the setting of a fairytale. Trumpeters perched on 
      the outer walls announced their arrival when they crossed drawbridge.
      Curious, Serena turned to him. "Is this yours?"
      "No. This is the home of Prince Diamond." They got off of Goliath and a 
      young man took him away.
      "Come with me." Darien led her in through the stone entranceway and into a 
      very large room. At the far end was a throne, where a handsome young 
      blonde man sat apparently awaiting his arrival.
      Darien strode to the foot of the throne and kneeled. Serena followed his 
      example and kneeled next to him, careful to keep one eye on Darien so that 
      she could copy his every move.
      "Colville! Stand." The princes voice echoed in the drafty room.
      Darien did as he was told and stood before him. To Serena surprise the 
      serious look on the princes face evaporated. His grin was genuine as he 
      leapt off the throne and gave Darien a hug.
      "Damn good to see you old friend." Diamond gave Darien a good-natured slap 
      on the back.
      "It is Diamond." Darien nudged Serena with his boot indicating that she 
      was to stand.
      Quickly, Serena jumped to her feet and bowed; again emulating another film 
      she had seen.
      "Who is this young lad?" Diamond turned his beautiful face to her and 
      studied her.
      "This is Steven Woodard. He has just come into my service." Darien slapped 
      her on the back. Serena had to take a step forward to keep from falling 
      over.
      "Yes, sire. He saved my life this morning." Serena looked up at both men 
      and bit her lip.
      "Will I be in my usual room?" Darien and Diamond were walking down the 
      large room now and turned down a huge hall.
      "Of course. And young Woodard here?" Diamond glanced at her over his broad 
      shoulder.
      "He can stay in the chamber adjoining mine."
      Serena panicked a little. She would be staying in the room next to his. 
      What if he walked in while she was changing or something? Serena shuddered 
      at the thought then looked at the two men. They were several yards in 
      front of her, easily eating up the distance with their long strides. 
      Serena ran after them and struggled to keep abreast.
      Diamond led them through the castle long corridors and through its maze of 
      rooms. Finally they arrived at a large wooden door. Darien opened it and 
      they walked in.
      Serena looked around from her position next to the door. The room was a 
      large. On one wall was a gigantic fireplace piled high with logs. The 
      other walls were decorated with colorful tapestries. In the middle of the 
      room was a large canopy bed. There was an oak table next to a wooden chest 
      and his bags that he had with him were already waiting on the floor.
      "Colin brought your bags in for you." Diamond put his hand on Serenas 
      shoulder. "Woodard. Your room is through here." Diamond led her to the 
      small door next to a tapestry. He opened it and led the way through.
      Serenas room was smaller than Dariens but was decorated in a similar 
      manner. "Now young Woodard, Darien tells me you have nothing but the 
      clothes on your back. That is a shame. My younger brother is a little 
      bigger than you, but his clothes should do fine."
      "Thank you sire. That is very kind of you."
      "Anything for a friend of Dariens. I must go. If you need anything more 
      just tell Darien. He will get it for you. Someone will come with some 
      clothes in a little while."
      Diamond swept magnificently from the room.
      Serena perched herself on the side of the soft bed. "How am I going to get 
      home?" She ran her hand over the soft fur of the skins she sat on. The 
      whole thing was so bizarre. How did she get here? Why was she here? How 
      was she going to pretend to be a boy?
      "Woodard! How goes it?" Dariens voice boomed from the other room.
      "Fine my lord!" Serena jumped up from the bed as he walked through the 
      doorway.
      "You must want to get cleaned up. You are filthy." He pointed at her face.
      Serena rubbed her hand on her cheek and looked at it. It was smudged with 
      dirt. "Yes my lord." A bath would help. "But I have nothing to wear."
      Right at that moment there was a knock on the door. Darien opened it and 
      three women walked in carrying piles of clothing. They bowed, quietly put 
      them on the bed then bowed again and scurried out of the room.
      "You do now. I will get some water." Darien walked to the door and would 
      have gone and done what he said, but Serenas shocked cry stopped him.
      "No!"
      He looked at her, with a puzzled look on his face.
      "I mean no thank you my lord. I can do without a bath." Serena fiddled 
      with the clothes. She couldnt bathe with him in the next room.
      "Nonsense. You are filthy. I will be right back." He disappeared down the 
      hall.
      Minutes later the women returned again, this time with a large wooden tub 
      and bucket of steaming water. They quickly filled the tub and left her.
      Serena pulled the bar down on the door locking it and then ran to the 
      other door, the one linking her room with his and locked it as well. 
      Satisfied that the room was secure, she undressed and climbed into the 
      tub. Hurriedly, Serena washed and climbed back out, drying herself with 
      the sheets the women left her. She picked up the clothes on the bed and 
      dressed herself in similar clothing to what she saw Darien and Diamond 
      wearing. It took a moment to figure out what went where but she managed in 
      the end. When she was done she was wearing dark green hose, a flowing 
      linen shirt and a leather jerkin. The clothes were loose but she was glad 
      for that. They hid her figure quite well. If no one looked too closely she 
      did look like a teen boy.
      Serena folded up her own clothes and placed them in the bottom of the 
      trunk then filled it with the rest of the borrowed clothing. She combed 
      her hair with her fingers and tied it back with her elastic and then 
      pulled on the soft leather boots that were on the floor.
      She unlocked her door and looked out into the hall. Serena gasped when she 
      saw Darien heading down the corridor toward her.
      "Woodard!"
      Caught, Serena stuck her head back out into the hall.
      "Thats better. You look like a man now."
      Serena almost started laughing. "Thank you my lord."
      "Come. You will have to meet the other lords." Without waiting for an 
      answer he pulled her down the hall and back to the large room they were in 
      before, only now it was filled with people. Darien pulled her through and 
      pointed at a group of men laughing near the throne.
      "That is Lord Coverdale." He pointed at a great red bearded man. "With him 
      are Wessex, Middleton and Northumberland."
      Serena nodded. "Why are you all here?" She looked at a couple of men 
      comparing swords and her eyes widened.
      "We are going to war with the neighboring kingdom in less than a week." He 
      replied nonchalantly. "We are here to go over the battle strategy." He 
      stopped when he saw Serenas face blanche. "You have never battled 
      before." It was a statement.
      She shook her head mechanically. "No." She had never been more terrified 
      in her life. She had been zapped right into the middle of a war!
      "Do not fret. I will train you." He made it sound like his training would 
      take care of everything. Darien pulled the pale Serena with him over to 
      where Diamond and a younger man stood talking.
      "Ah Colville. Woodard. We were just talking about you." He nodded at them. 
      "This is Sapphire, my younger brother. Sapphire this is the young man that 
      needed your clothes more than you do."
      Sapphire shook hands with Serena.
      Serena smiled at him. "Thank you for letting me borrow you clothes my 
      lord." He looked nothing like his older brother. Where Diamond was light, 
      Sapphire was dark. His dark hair and eyes a complete contrast to his 
      brothers golden features. Theyre parents certainly named them well.
      "Think nothing of it. Glad I could help." He slapped her on the back. 
      "Will you be fighting with us?"
      She nodded. "Yes my lord."
      "Good we could use a strapping lad like yourself."
      "Thank you my lord." Serena thought she was going to pass out.
      Darien put his hand on her shoulder. "We just need to refresh his mind of 
      the art of war."
      She nodded and swallowed.
      Somehow she made it through the talks and battle plans. She wasnt 
      interested in either. She was only interested on finding a way home before 
      she had to go to war. She wouldnt stand a chance on the battlefield with 
      hundreds of men. After all the talking, Serena followed some of the men 
      out of the castle and into the courtyard. The sky was a velvety black with 
      stars twinkling and a silvery moon lighting up the yard. Serena stared up 
      at the sky and wondered if she ever would get home.
      She watched the men gallop off into the night and thought of someone she 
      could talk to. Serena walked toward the stables and pushed open the door. 
      The musty smell of it turned her stomach but she pressed on. In the dim 
      light she managed to make out about twelve stalls. Quietly she wandered 
      past each one looking for Goliath. She found him in the one of the last 
      stalls. Serena clicked her tongue until he came to the gate and stuck his 
      head over.
      Smiling, Serena stroked the side of his head. "Hi there big guy. Thought 
      you might like someone to talk to. I could definitely use a good chat." 
      The horse nickered softly in reply. "Thought so. I dont know about you 
      but Im terrified about the upcoming battle. I just want to go home." She 
      leaned her cheek against his and sighed. "I have no clue how to do that 
      though. I dont even know how I got here." She laughed. "And to top it all 
      off, everyone thinks Im a boy."
      Goliath stamped his hoof. Serena looked at the door and saw a large 
      silhouette standing there. Not sure if she was allowed there, Serena made 
      herself as small as possible next to Goliaths stall.
      "Woodard? I saw you come in here!" It was Darien.
      Serena stepped guiltily into the light. "Yes my lord?"
      "What are you doing in here all alone?" He came up beside her and pet 
      Goliath. His voice softened. "Youre afraid arent you?"
      "Yes my lord I am. Im terrified."
      "Good. Fear will keep you on your toes." He sounded so cool and relaxed 
      about the whole thing.
      "Arent you the least bit scared?" Serena looked at him.
      "Of course. But when you have been in as many battles as I have, you learn 
      to cope." He smiled encouragingly. "Do not worry I will not let anything 
      happened to you. I do not think he would ever forgive me." He nodded at 
      his horse.
      That made her smile a little.
      "That is better. Now tell me about yourself Woodard. Since you will be 
      with me for a while, we might as well get to know each other."
      Serena tensed again. "W...what would you like to know my lord?"
      "Everything. How did a lad from the north get here?"
      "I dont know." Serena answered honestly.
      "You do not remember? How odd. Although, I have heard stories about men 
      who have lost their memories after falling and hitting their heads."
      Serena just let him believe that she had amnesia. He would never believe 
      the truth.
      They talked for a long while. She told him what little she could and he 
      shared with her as well. He was the middle child of three boys. His 
      parents use to live in this kingdom but were killed by their neighboring 
      one in one of the battles while he was still a teen. Serena now knew why 
      he fought. He did it to avenge his parents.
      They were having quite a good conversation when Darien held up his hand 
      silencing her words.
      She watched as he stood up and silently walked to the door and looked out. 
      Serena followed close behind.
      Darien pulled out a dagger and held it ready, his other hand held Serena 
      back behind him. He ducked back when someone opened the door and walked 
      in. Darien grabbed the man and held the dagger at his throat holding him 
      easily against the door.
      "What do you want?" Darien growled at the other man.
      "Colville. I did not think you liked to spend you time in the stables." A 
      calm, sugary voice replied in the dark.
      "Ralph Collinwood. Long time no see." Darien released the man and stepped 
      back. Serena saw no happiness to see the other man on Dariens face.
      Serena turned to the other man. His grin and menacing eyes were alarming 
      to Serena; she found herself moving closer to Darien.
      "This must be Woodward"
      Darien corrected him. "Woodard. Yes he is my new squire." His voice was 
      brusque, as if he didnt like the man. "We have an early morning so if you 
      do not mind." Darien pulled Serena by the arm past the man and then waited 
      for him to follow. After Ralph walked out Darien shut the stable door. 
      "Good night Collinwood."
      "Same to you Colville." The man turned and walked away.
      Darien led the way back into the castle.
      "Who was that?" Serena was practically running to keep up with him.
      "Ralph Collinwood. Duke of Wolsey." Darien muttered his answer.
      "You dont like him very much do you?"
      "No, I do not. He is a horrid little worm." Darien opened the door to his 
      room and moved so that she could enter with him.
      She walked through and he shut the door. She went straight to the door of 
      her own room. "Good night my lord."
      "Goodnight Woodard. I shall wake you in the morning."
      "Thank you." Serena shut the door locking it behind her. She changed into 
      a nightshirt that was several sizes too big and climbed into bed suddenly 
      exhausted. Serena was too tired to even care about the strange smells in 
      her bed. Easily, she fell into a deep sleep.
      Sunlight streamed into the room when she jerked awake. There was a loud 
      banging on the door. "Just a minute!" Serena jumped out of bed and 
      adjusted the shirt making sure all the vital bits of her anatomy were 
      covered and opened the door. Darien was on the other side fully dressed 
      and ready to go.
      "Come on Woodard. It is time to train."
      Twenty minutes later, the two of them were in the courtyard and Darien was 
      trying to teach her how to use a broad sword.
      "My lord it is much too heavy for me." Serena struggled to lift if off the 
      ground. She couldnt do anything more than drag it through the dirt.
      "Yes I can see that." His handsome face looked thoughtful. "Just a 
      minute." He walked away and came back moments later carrying something. 
      "Try this." He handed her a long bow.
      Serena took it from him and pulled it back.
      "No. Like this." Darien stood behind her and adjusted her grip and put his 
      hand over hers, pulling it back. "See?"
      Serena shivered when his chest touched her back and again when his hand 
      touched hers. "I...I see." Steadying herself Serena focused on what she 
      was suppose to be doing. She moved to take aim at a wooden post and 
      released it. The arrow embedded itself almost in the center of the post.
      "Very good. Now try it alone."
      Serena wanted to protest when he moved away. She gritted her teeth and 
      tried it again. And again she was successful.
      "Youre a natural archer. How about this?" Smiling broadly, he handed her 
      a crossbow.
      Serena traded the long bow for the cross bow and gave it a try. She hit 
      her mark again. It was actually kind of fun.
      Darien nodded in approval. "Try a moving target." He held what looked like 
      water balloons. He lobbed one into the air. Serena hit it easily, bursting 
      it.
      "Good. I believe we have found your weapon." He supplied her with a quiver 
      full of arrows and let her practice, getting Colin to throw the water 
      filled skins for her.
      Darien started practicing himself, with his sword and a stuffed sack.
      Serena paused a moment and watched him. He swung the sword around like it 
      was as light as a plastic toy. Darien went through the complicated pattern 
      of movements with ease. With a few strokes he decimated the dummy and then 
      went to work on a wooden post.
      Serena returned to her own practicing and found that she really enjoyed 
      archery. A few hours later, the sun was high in the sky and was beating 
      down on the dry ground. Even though it was sweltering in her clothes, 
      Serena refused to remove any article of clothing unlike Darien who had 
      taken off his jerkin and shirt. Bare-chested he continued to practice. 
      Serena watched as his muscled bunched and relaxed when he moved. 
      Strangely, she suddenly had an urge to run her fingers over them. Wide 
      eyed, Serena stopped the train of thought dead in its tracks. She looked 
      over at Colin and saw that he had been watching her every move, including 
      where her eyes were drawn. Ignoring him she drew her bow. "Pull!" Another 
      skin exploded in the sky.
      They went in for lunch a little while later. Serena took a bit of chicken 
      and some potatoes. Uselessly she looked around from some utensils. She 
      looked at everyone else and saw that they had knives and were using them 
      as both fork and knife. Unfortunately she didnt have one of her own.
      Darien sat down beside her. "Here use mine." He handed her his knife.
      "I couldnt my lord. What will you use?" Serena handed it back to him.
      Darien held up his hand in refusal. "I can use my hunting knife." He 
      pulled out another one.
      The guy was a walking arsenal. "Thank you my lord." Serena watched him and 
      emulated his movements as best she could. By the time everyone else was 
      done, Serena had barely been able to eat half of what was on her plate. 
      Sighing she pushed her plate away and stood up with everyone else. Looks 
      like she was going to go hungry until she figured out how to eat with a 
      knife.
      She and Darien went back out to the courtyard.
      "Woodard, want to go out for a ride? Goliath could use a work out."
      "Yes my lord." I sounded like fun. She wanted to relax after the workout 
      she had earlier. Serena followed him out to the stable.
      Darien saddled Goliath and another horse then swung into the saddle. 
      Serena copied him.
      "Lets go." Darien clicked at Goliath and galloped off.
      "Ok lets give it a try." Serena had never ridden a horse before but it 
      wouldnt be the first time today she tried something new. She copied the 
      clicking noise Darien made and the horse galloped off after them. For a 
      while she struggled to stay on the horse, but gradually she got use to its 
      movements and settled in for the ride. They quickly caught up to Darien, 
      who had slowed to a trot.
      Darien led the way though the forest, galloping through the trees. By the 
      time they emerged on the other side Serena was laughing with delight. She 
      was having so much fun.
      "Where are we going my lord?" Serena shouted to him.
      "Its a surprise. I think you will like it though." Darien circled back 
      and went back into the woods again. Serena followed. Minutes later they 
      arrived at a secluded section of the forest. The lush vegetation seemed to 
      part as they rode through it. Darien got off of Goliath and led him 
      through some undergrowth. Serena had no choice but to follow his lead. 
      When she caught up to him she gasped at the sight.
      A pond was hidden just beyond the vegetation they trudged through. A pair 
      of swans floated nearby. At the bank a doe sipped the cool water. Darien 
      noiselessly walk over to her and took the reins. He tied Goliath and her 
      horse to a tree then came back to her.
      His voiced was hushed when he spoke. "I thought you might like this." He 
      smiled and led the way to a large oak tree and sat down at its roots. 
      "This is where I come to think."
      "What do you think about my lord?" Serena sat down next to him and leaned 
      back on the tree trunk.
      "Lots of things. Life, death, why we bother fighting, if there is more to 
      life than this." Darien stopped and let out a sigh. "Sometimes I wonder 
      why we even bother. Next month it will probably be someone else well have 
      to fight. And the next will be another. It is just a vicious cycle." He 
      closed his eyes.
      Serena watched his chest rise and fall with each breath he took. He looked 
      so peaceful here. The stern set of his brow was gone even his strong jaw 
      somehow looked softened. Serena smiled softly. For all his size and 
      gruffness, he was a surprisingly sensitive and pensive man.
      Darien opened his eyes and looked at her again. He smiled. "You think I am 
      strange for wondering about such things."
      "No, of course not. I wonder about things like that all the time." 
      Forgetting herself she smiled and put her hand on his. Then remembering 
      she was supposed to be a boy started brushing at his wrists. "There was 
      some dirt on you my lord."
      Darien just smiled at her.