What happens when Arthur's knights are joined by a fresh group of Sarmatians, who include a mysterious woman? Story follows Tristan's perspective.

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters Arthur and his knights. They are from the movie 'King Arthur'. I own the new characters introduced here. I have done some historiacal research for place names etc, and any inaccuracies are my own. This is my first piec of fiction. I had to write it after watching (incredulously) Tristan die.

Update as of 9/21/2012 – I wrote the entire story so fast (less than a month) that I missed out on acknowledging some of the sources so I am going to add some footnotes here and there. The movie, interestingly, is set in 452 AD, by which time major Roman military and administrative presence was already long gone, supposedly circa 410 AD. Britain started experiencing raiders (Saxons, Angles and Jutes) circa 450, so I am guessing that's the reason for the late date. By 460AD, Britain was thoroughly de-Romanized according to 'The Story of Britain' by Rebecca Fraser.

I loved this movie for more than a retelling of the Arthurian legend, great fighting, fabulous locations and of course, the hunky Mads Mikkelsen as Tristan! I find this movie compelling because it is set in a time when the Roman Empire was withdrawing from its provinces in Britain. The drama that was playing out in the empire at large was also doing so in Britain – that of old order giving way to new. Read on!

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Dispatch from Rome

It was a cool, crisp day in late fall when the knights filed into Arthur's meeting room, each taking his accustomed place around the huge round table. Once they were seated, the room seemed emptier than before. The knights somberly took stock of the empty seats of absent comrades. Unexpectedly, it seemed likely that some of those seats were to be filled, a thing that had never happened before.

The knights were Sarmatians, taken from their boyhood homes far away to the East at a young age to serve the Roman Empire. The youngest two were in early twenties, while the oldest was in his mid-thirties. They were bound to serve Rome for fifteen years before they would receive their discharge papers – their freedom, one more of which remained. But as Bors observed occasionally when he was drunk, most of them were already free, discharged from life – with honors. They lay in the grassy field outside the fort.

Tristan, the most reserved of the knights, took a casual look around the table. He was as interested as any of them, though the only one not to show any sign of it. To his left sat Galahad, the youngest and most impatient. Close to him fair-haired young Gawain, his usual companion and foil for his occasional black moods. The two had little memory of their boyhood homes and envied others who had been older when taken. Dagonet and Bors sat close together, unlikely companions. Dagonet, the knights' healer, was tall and strongly built, but quiet and thoughtful. Bors seemed to occupy more space than his large rotund frame actually did, on account of his loudness. The only outward trait they shared was a shaven head. Wiry Lancelot, dark haired and charming, was closest to Arthur, their leader. Arthur himself was an enigma, even to the observant Tristan. A Roman from his father's side and a Celt from his mother's, he was a Roman centurion, a devout Christian, and loyal to a Rome he would see for the first time after they were discharged from their duties at the Hadrian's Wall in Britain, northernmost territory of the Empire, where they had been stationed since the beginning of their service. Farthest from anyone else on either side sat Tristan, dark eyes peering out from behind unruly bangs framing high tattooed cheekbones and salt and pepper beard. He was the company's silent scout and the odd man out. He preferred it that way, choosing the company of his hawk and horse.

Arthur walked in through the door to his accustomed seat and gave them one of his grave smiles. The knights leaned forward with varying expressions of expectancy.

'My friends,' began Arthur, 'I know you have been waiting to hear more for sometime. Two months ago I received dispatch from Rome that a group of Sarmatian knights – like yourselves – stationed in the Eastern territories, close to Constantinople, were to be reposted. Their commanding officer and a number of their fellows had been killed while defending their post against Barbarians.' Arthur paused, and the knights shifted in their seats, feeling sympathy for these unknown knights, their brothers.

'Rome decided to abandon the outpost. The trade route it protected is being shifted through other, more defensible cities. The new commander will take the remaining infantry to his new post. The Sarmatians, however, are being sent here to add to our numbers for their remaining years of service.' Again he paused, and then added, 'they will be here within a week or so, five of them. That is all I know, at present.'

The knights looked around and there was a flurry of comments - from all except Tristan – around the table. He had found that someone else always asked the usual questions. Galahad liked to grouse that Tristan could look into people's souls and dissect their brains. The silent knight did not bother to tell him that listening and observing told far more and accurately than mystical powers.

Arthur raised his hand, and one by one, they fell silent.

'They may indeed have news of your home. However, they have recently experienced a great loss, and they will be settling into a new home after a long journey, I will ask you to help them find their bearings first. That is all.'

The knights had no serious questions, and Arthur had no more information, so they all rose to leave. Arthur looked at Lancelot and Lancelot inclined his head. After so many years they could read each other's silences. Arthur had more to say to his most trusted friend, counselor and devil's advocate. As Tristan was leaving, Arthur stayed him as well. Tristan stood to one side and waited for the rare chance to hear a conversation between Arthur and Lancelot.

'Well Lancelot, it is an occasion for celebration, but I must confess to some trepidation as well,' said Arthur as Lancelot walked towards him.

The knights had been together for so long they were each other's real family. Now they were to receive five strangers. How would these two groups learn each other's ways, find trust and become one? But that was Arthur's job, and Tristan was glad.

'What do you need me to do?' Lancelot asked.

'In addition to your regular duties, will you please take over the task of finding them their quarters, together if possible, and having the rooms made ready?' Arthur went on to talk about finding additional gear, weapons, winter clothes, lodging for horses and servants, rations for the cook, duty roster etc. Lancelot, with the help of Jols the manservant, performed administrative duties for Arthur. Arthur took his responsibilities of looking after his men, their families, the fort and the people he protected very seriously, to the occasional annoyance of his superiors in Eburacum in doing so. His men responded with loyalty and trust.

Lancelot nodded and Arthur clapped his shoulders, smiling. 'And it is not all clerical duties. We must also make them welcome with feasting and singing. Vanora can organize that.' Vanora was Bors' lover and the mother of his many children.

'I will tell Jols and Vanora, and get their quarters ready.' Lancelot took his leave of Arthur. Tristan stepped forward.

'Tristan,' said Arthur, sobering. 'We have not had trouble with the Woads for some time, but I want to make sure our friends do not get ambushed unexpectedly on their way here. I want you to keep an extra vigilant eye on the countryside for them, especially on the road they'll take from Eburacum. Reroute patrols if necessary.' Tristan nodded and strode out.

Author's notes:

I am assuming the site of Arthur's fort to be Cilurnum (Chesters), roughly near the middle of the Wall, closer to the East coast

Eburacum (York) to the south of the Wall was a regional capital

Sarmatia lies to the North of the Black Sea

Hadrian's Wall, which marked the extent of Rome to the North in Britain, was 73 miles long, with 14/15 forts, numerous mile-castles and turrets along the way. From 'Hadrian's Wall' by Embleton and Graham