The ride from the innocuous field was quiet, but not uncomfortable. She made light conversation with Cedric, the brother of the Warrior Aelfwine. He was an enthusiastic yet kind soul, eager to learn about everything. Totally insensitive about her supposed mix heritage, he launched question after question about her history, much of which she tried to adapt from her true life. Her mother compassionate nature, her close relationship to her father, her varied education from both her parents, their travel together and her involvement in some of their work. That last one, slipped out before she had thought and was a little difficult to explain. In return, she asked a little about his family and people, wanting to learn as much as she could about these people and their way of life. Her academic interest was misconstrued as curiosity about the missing half of her heritage.

"Your father seems to be a reasonable men… for a Norman, but you know so little about your own people. Did he deny you and you mother?"

"No, not at all. I suppose because we lived in my Fathers homeland, I had little access to Anglo-Saxon culture. He loves my mother very much, but she also loves him and they made sacrifices for each other. He, the confidence of his friends and family, her, her culture. Living as we did, it was dangerous form her to speak of it or me to learn too much… Does it bother you so very much?"

"No, I want you to learn as much as you can. We can't let the Normans wipe out who we are. I want you with us again, like you should have been from the start…"

The silence settled on them.

Riding from early morning until mid-afternoon, Serenity was tired and happy to see the small village emerging from the beautiful scenery. The prospect of getting off the horse for a stretch and a warm meal was appealing. She also relished a break from the oddly intense pressure that young Cenric 's deep and meaningful chat had invoked. Oddly enough, she felt no trepidation about being in a strange, possibly hostile place. She trusted Aelfwine at least and she knew, for now, he would keep her safe. Or so she hoped.

As would be expected, the arrival of the group within the village caused excitement bringing with it attention which soon turned to curiosity when individuals began to notice her… unbound and rather Norman looking. Serenity began to feel uneasy with the attention, she was never comfortable in large groups, and soon she had reason to be nervous. She had noticed a group of older men approaching, looking unhappy. These must be the elders.

***

The elders approached swiftly, but he was confident that he could explain the circumstances before they acted with undue hast. The more he had listened to the girl talk with his brother as they journeyed, the more he was convinced of her innocence. Although he did not shown it outwardly, he had found her account difficult to believe. Yet, if it had even a hint of truth in it, he must inform the elders of the potential traitor among them. Having spent time with her, he believed she was sincere, a rare thing among any Nobles, Norman or Anglo. But now they had to convince the elders, or she did anyway. It would not be easy, this village had suffered greatly under the Normans, especially in recent months, and were determined to resist the invaders.

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Sometimes, Aelfwine felt that the elders didn't care about the consequences, as long as they hurt the Normans. They were being consumed by their own pain. Perhaps Serenity, and the heritage of her eyes, would make the impossible possible… maybe she can make them understand that not all Normans and not all Anglo-Saxons had to enemies. Maybe then, one day, he could see her again.

The elders had reached them, each one now staring at her beautiful blue eyes that shone with the brightness of a Robin's egg. She did not know the meaning of those eyes, but we all did. Addressing the elders in his native tongue he began the task of ending the ceaseless blood shed that had saturated their land for too long…

"Honoured elders, allow me to introduce to you, Serenity…"

***

Oh boy. Each one of them was staring at her, yet they didn't seem to see her at all. They were staring at her eyes. Her Anglo-Saxon eyes? No way, they couldn't hold that much power, she looked practically like a full Norman.

Serenity's mind continued to contemplate the elders and she was studied by them when her musings were interrupted by the sound of Aelfwines voice. Trying not to squirm under such scrutiny, she was patient, but she couldn't help but be nervous. She had to answer their questions, many of which they would be unable to comprehend. How to tell the truth while hiding it? Finally it began.

"Your mother was Saxon?" the oldest of the men asked.

Serenity smiled to remember her mother. "My mother had blonde hair and the brightest blue eyes. Father says I have her eyes." (All true)

"She was a Saxon Noble?" another questioned.

Serenity frowned. "I don't think so, though my Mother's family were wealthy." (also true, mum's family always had plenty).

"Where is she now?"

Serenity paused, remembering the blank spot in here mind. "I don’t know, I can’t remember. My Father and I were travelling but Mother had duties somewhere… I miss them both so much. I hope they are together for safeties sake but also because, whenever they apart, I cannot stand to see the pain they go through… They met when they were both young, Father was always travelling around even then, when the old Monarch was still alive. Even when he was away, the wrote one another. They married for love…"

"Were you taught about your Mother's people?"

"No, Mother never had the opportunity to teach me and Father does not know a great deal about the Anglo-Saxon people or culture. Coming here with Father, I had hoped to learn a great deal about your people."

"Our people Serenity, You will always be a part of our people." Aelfwine looked at her with warmth.

"Alefwine, she is almost full Norman raised by Normans" someone spoke up.

"She is not like them!!"

All fell silent. There was an emotional element to Alefwines outburst that Serenity was sure did not entirely relate to her. She knew she needed to make her point and bring them back to the issue at hand. However, before she could, she was again questioned by the elders.

"Why are you here?"

"… Aelfwine and his party brought me here but I wanted to come. I wanted to know... It has to stop. The land is becoming drenched in blood. Whole families, whole villages are gone and can never be restored. I understand that the Normans have been oppressive and even cruel, and your… our people have suffered. You may feel that they deserve the death that plagues not only us but them as well. But you must see that the massacres we have seen of late are not normal. They are born of chaos and make no sense. There is a traitor working upon both sides. If this continues a generation will disappear. There will be no one left to farm the land or raise the animals. And with no fighting men, Norman or Saxon, another force will invade. This has to stop. Not all Normans are cruel. The oppression won't go on forever… but the massacres… nothing good can come of them. We are killing ourselves… Please. Don’t let this happen."

They all looked as her as if she had punched each of them in the gut. Finally. It looked like they were finally listening. Their future, and her history, were deliberately being changed… for the worse. They had to stop it.