Lancelot didnt recall when he traveled harder or faster. With fellow knights and Arthur at his side they made their way across the terrian. Following the path the Caius had told Arthur he would go. Tristan's hawk flew high in the sky. They had been traveling for several days with no sign that Lillian or her party had met with trouble. In a way that eased Lancelot's worries but he knew the only way to ease his worries would be to see Lillian and he group safely at their post. When Lancelot and the others had left they were little more than a day behind Lillian and hers.

"Look Tristan returns." Galahad shouted over the thundering of their hoofs. Tristan had ridden far ahead to scout for trouble. Slowing to a halt they awaited the mans news.

"What have you seen Tristan?" Arthur asked.

The man stared through the group before his eyes laid upon Lancelot. "Their lay a pile of burnt bodies not far ahead. The emblems are those of the Romans that journeyed with Lillian."

All eyes looked to Lancelot as he pushed his way through the crowd. "Is she there?" Lancelot choked out. His eyes burned with hope that she lived.

"I am guessing the fire we saw that night was from the raid upon these people. There are tracks leading away so some escaped. There were carriages and people on horse. If they made it and how far I dont know and there was this." Tristan said pulling a dagger from his belt and showing to the rest. "Saxons."

Lancelot burst through the crowd and passed the silent Knight. Hanging limbs from trees nearby threatened to knock him over but he pushed on until he made it to a small clearing. He was taken back by the site before him. A pile of bodies were smuldering in their ashes. Weapons still littered the ground and his heart began to pound in his ears. 'She's okay. She has to be okay. If there is a God let her be okay.' Dismounting he searched the remnants of the battle. Blood laced the ground a deep red. Walking about he saw it and sank to his knees. Time slowed as he stared down, at his feet lay her twin swords. Bloodied. His heart ached when the realisation hit him. In the distance a black steed emerged from the trees.

"Midnight." Lancelot said whispered. He did not hear them come from behind until he felt the hand rest upon his shoulders. Turning he saw Arthur and the others, all looking down upon him. Standing he wielded both of her weapons in his grip. Several of the knights turned away not wanting to face what may be. The eyes of the knights she had grown up with misted over with tears.

"I am sorry Lancelot." Arthur said looking into the deep brown of his eyes. He had grown to care for Lillian himself. She had been like family to him, even though he did not open up to her till it was too late. Now, to see Lancelot and the others mourning her loss made the reality of the situation pain him.

"No." Lancelot said. "You dont say you're sorry. She's not dead."

"I know this is hard for you Lancelot. It is for all of us. You, all of us, know that Saxons to not take prisoners and those that they do are killed. They kill everything in their path. Look around you my friend, you know as well as I she could not have made it, and even if she did, you know she would not leave her weapons or Midnight behind. I am sorry my friend." Arthur said, his voice soft and compassionate towards the Knight. Reaching a hand out to lay upon his shoulder.

"She's not dead!" Lancelot said dropping her swords and striking the man before him. The Knights stepped between them and held the grieving Knight at bay. "She's not..." Lancelot sunk to his knees once more. His heart twisted inside. The figures of the men around him blurred as his eyes filled with the tears he had fought so hard to hold back. His world was crashing down around him and he had been too late to stop it. Silence swept over the group as each dealt with the loss of one of their own. "Tell me I am dreaming Arthur. Tell me I will wake and she will be here. That this is just some nightmare."

Arthur gazed into the man before him. The man that raced into battle, swords shining in the sun as he fought. His first Knight, the one who would yield to no one. Now on his knees, begging for a solution that Arthur could not give. "I am sorry Lancelot, if I could bring her back I would but... I cant."

"I shouldnt have let her go." Lancelot said holding her swords once more in his hands. "I should have forced her to stay at Hadrians Wall." His fingers traced the insignia on their handles. Thoughts of their last days haunted his mind.

"We all should have stopped her lad." Bors said as he tried to hide the pain in his face.

"She would not have had to have been forced Lancelot. She would have stayed but, she had a duty to preform. As do we all." Athur tried to reason.

"I dont give a damn about duty!" Lancelot shout back as he rose from the ground. "Rome has taken everything from me. They took me from my home, I've watched as my friends slayed in battle before my eyes. A battle not my own and now Lillian has been taken from me as well."

Dagonet stepped forward and held the shoulders of his friend. "Come Lancelot, there is nothing more we can do for her here. Let us take her horse and weapons back with us. Let us give her a decent burial. That is the least we can do for her now. She would want you, all of us to go on. Do this for her."

Lancelot looked up into his eyes. How he wanted to lash out, to vent his anger at the others. To releave the guilt he felt for failing the one woman he had ever trully loved. But Dagonet was right, the least he could do for her now would to give her peace. With a nod he signified his agreement.

"Gawain, get her horse." Arthur said silently.

"No." Lancelot interjected. "I will get him."

Lancelot stood and made his way to the wandering horse. Seeing the man approach the horse neighed in recognition. Shifting the swords to one hand, Lancelot grabbed the reigns and pulled the horses head close to his own.

"I am sorry my friend. I failed you... I failed her." Lancelot whispered looking into the horses brown orbs. His voice choked as he uttered the words leading the horse away from the horrors behind them. Lancelot had allowed Dagonet to wrap the swords together with clothe before strapping them to his own horse. Mounting Lancelot followed the others silently with Lillians twin blades at his side and her horse following behind.