Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from the film. They are not born of my imagination and, alas, never will be. But I have created some of my own for the benefit of this fic.

Since That Day

Chapter One

Now, just before I start, I must remind those who are reading this that the initial parts of this chronicling have been put together from stories I have been told by my grandfather, his friends, as well as the few believable rumours that never grew out of proportion. It is not an excuse for any errors in the story of my grandfather's life, merely the reason for their occurrence.

Dawn had just broken when there was a sharp banging on the door. Arthur mumbled irritably and, after unhooking Guinevere's arm from his waist, sat up.

"I'm awake! I'm awake!" Arthur answered another bout of knocking with sleep slurred words.

Groggily, he reached out to his clothes and somehow managed to put them on. He blinked to get the last of the sleep out of his eyes as he looked around for his boots – he knew they were there somewhere.

He was finally presentable when a third round of knocking came and he strode across the room, opening the door to come face to face with one of the fort's guards.

"There's a man in the council room, sir," the man spoke quickly, the syllables spilling out as a single word. "He refuses to speak to anyone but you."

Arthur nodded wearily and followed the guard as he hastily headed through corridors and down steps until they entered the large room, which was dominated by the circular table that would one day be famous.

At a gesture from Arthur the guard left the room, a grateful look on his face. That left Arthur and the visiting man. The man himself was a surprise. He was stocky, broad shouldered like a soldier would be. Yet he wore the garb of Roman officials. His was a little darker than the native people of Britain. That meant he was one of the few Romans who had decided to stay after the retreat of the others.

"I am deeply sorry, to wake you, my Lord," the other man started with a slight bow when nothing seemed to be forthcoming from Arthur.

The title made Arthur grimace. He may have been declared King, but as yet he had not adjusted to being addressed in a way that a Roman Emperor would have expected.

"But I bring urgent news from the south," the man looked about to continue when Arthur interrupted.

"And you are?" he asked sharply, for a moment not caring if he appeared rude.

"Larcius Ursus, aide to the Governor of Camulodunum," the man answered, turning a little red. "I was sent as a messenger. Large ships have been seen off of the coast, and there have been reports of small costal villages being attacked and people being taken."

Arthur nodded, absorbing the information. Attacks? Kidnappings? That did not bode well at all, especially when there had always been a strong garrison of troops in and around Camulodunum.

"Thank you, Larcius Ursus," Arthur had to struggle to find words that were polite. "If you would follow Jols he shall have a room prepared for you. Rest for today and return tomorrow."

The man bowed his head in thanks, and after looking around for Jols, who had just arrived, followed him out of the room.

"Jols, I want the others here as fast as possible," Arthur called down the now deserted hallway.

Walking over to his place at the table he sat down. With his elbows perched on the table, he rested his head in his hands, already exhausted. He had been accepted as ruler a mere week, and already it was all starting to go wrong. And he didn't even have Lancelot who, for all his hot headedness, often gave sound advice when he needed it.

He raised his head when he heard the hurried steps of the knights sometime later. Bors looked disgruntled, grumbling something about being in the middle of something. The others came in silently, looking a little anxious over what was to come.

"I've had news." Arthur started when the other had sat down only to be met with Bors demanding to know what type of news was important enough to require him having to be up and awake at this ungodly hour?

Arthur pulled a tight smile. It was something he should have expected. "There have been attacks to the south, along the east coast near Camulodunum. People in the coastal villages have either been killed or taken."

This announcement was met with an angry outburst from all around. Arthur raised his hand for quiet and was about to speak once more when a cry of alarm came from the door. Arthur rose from his seat to sigh in exasperation.

"Merlin, what brings you back? I thought you to be well on your way back north." Arthur was feeling a little on edge. Whenever he saw Merlin, something happened. Last time he was married, the time before that there had been a battle over who would have Britain. If things were to follow a pattern, this appearance would signify the start of another war.

"You look worried, Arthur," Merlin comment, an amused gleam in his eyes. "And I suppose we all should, but I also bring good news."

By now the other men in the room were staring open mouthed at the Woad.

"What type of good news?" Galahad asked, somewhat wary of what the answer may be.

In answer Merlin turned and left the room. A frantic whispering could be heard from the corridor, although none could make out what was being said. After what felt like an age the tones that wafted into the room sounded less worried and more in agreement.

When Merlin re-entered the room, he seemed to be smiling. Behind him three figures emerged from the shadows of the hallway. There were gasps followed by oaths and curses.

"What game is this?" Arthur demanded as he crossed himself. He had turned pale, and out of the corner of his eye he could just make out Bors spluttering in disbelief.

"'Tis no game, Arthur," Merlin replied, his voice completely level. "They are needed."

"They're dead! We dug the graves, said the prayers." Arthur didn't know what he was saying; the words came unbidden and passed his lips. He knew what he saw before him, but his rational mind told him that it couldn't be true. All he had seen and believed told him that it couldn't be true.

"Arthur, isn't that what they said of your Lord Jesus, he rose from death?" Merlin asked. "You believe that that happened, yes?" He watched Arthur nod his head in answer. "Then why will you not accept this? They have roles to play yet in the future of our land. They are to be in this world for a little while longer."

Arthur could do nothing but stand and blink, all thoughts of the south gone for there before him stood Lancelot, Dagonet and Tristan. Their faces were specked with mud, but there they stood as they looked before the whole sorry business north, and south of Hadrian's Wall that had taken their lives.

I know it sounds unbelievable, and I would be questioning my own sanity were it not for having seen where Arthur and his other knights had buried these men as well as seeing them walk around, riding, drink and sing. I assure you now that it is not a fabrication.

I will tell you the reason that Merlin gave for this miraculous event when I receive more paper and ink, as my supplies have already ran out.