A/N – Finally, I am able to bring you an update! The length of time this has taken is ridiculous and I have given myself a hearty slap on the wrist for it. This is partially due to my carelessness as I misplaced my chapters and have only found them within the last week! Also, I have had far too many things to juggle and unfortunately this had to take a back seat for a time. However, I am extremely glad and happy to announce that the next chapter is finally up! As much as there are bits I would like to go back to and improve in earlier chapters I just don't have the time, for which I hope you'll forgive me. Now I have found my chapters, updates should not be so long in coming to you and that I can 90% guarantee. Thank you so much for your patience and I have been extremely pleased and grateful to see emails popping up now and again to inform me of a Story Alert! I hope this was worth the wait. Please keep reading and reviewing and again, sincere apologies for the wait! Also I'd just like to point out that the version of the film I have used for the story is the Director's Cut so some scenes may be slightly different from how you would know them if you have seen the normal version instead.

XxScottishThistlexX

Zala's P.O.V

I barely had time to change from my battle clothes when I was summoned to the Round Table. Quickly, I flung on an old shirt and some breeches and made my way towards the main hall. I had an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach. Something wasn't right. The Bishop's face leered at me through my memory; a memory of when he stepped from his carriage and proclaimed he needed rest. Fatigued and travel weary myself I recalled dimly whispering "Don't we all," to Gawain and Galahad before stalking to my rooms.

Was I just being paranoid? Had my years as being a knight simply heightened my caution? Some instinct seemed to rebuke that statement but as I strode in to the hall I felt myself instantly relax. I was the last to arrive but it was a matter of seconds before I had a goblet of fine wine in my hand. I drank deeply and received amused glances from my brother's. I grinned sheepishly.

"What? You can't waste the first good swig of a drinking session!" My laugh was drowned by the roar of approval from my fellow knights but before any of us could take another draught, Arthur stood up from his seat. Everyone fell silent as he looked around at us solemnly.

"Let us not forget that we are the fortunate ones," I stood up with the others, holding my glass firmly between my fingers. "Let us raise our wine to those gallant and extraordinary men we have lost, but who will be remembered for eternity." My throat constricted but I managed to take a small sip of wine, ignoring the slight prickling of tears at the corner of my eyes as I remembered my brother's who had fallen. Then Bors raised his glass high in the air and bellowed;

"To freedom!"

"Freedom!" I cried back, smiling despite myself and managed to take a much larger gulp from the goblet.

Eventually - after a round of increasingly stupid toasts - we were back in our seats. I mostly stayed silent, listening to the conversation two seats clockwise from Lancelot. I loved our Round Table. It was such a simple thing and yet it symbolised so much. The boys spoke mostly of their upcoming freedom and what they planned to do once they had been delivered their release papers. Once more I felt uneasy but I was not given long to dwell on my thoughts.

There was a loud knock and the door opened. We stood as the Bishop's servant strode in to the room and I could not resist a smirk when he faltered upon seeing the Round Table.

"His Eminence, Bishop Naius Germanius" It was all I could do not to grin as the Bishop's confident gait halted at the site before him. I stared him down as his eyes flickered distastefully over the scene and he was arrogant enough not to hide his irritation.

"I was given to understand there would be more of you." I scowled. What ignorance.

"There were. We have been fighting here for fifteen years Bishop," replied Arthur steadily. It was one of the many things I admired about Arthur. He very rarely lost his temper although as I looked at him I could see a small flicker of annoyance darken his eyes.

"Oh, of course. Arthur and his knights have served with courage, to maintain the honour of Rome's empire on this last outpost of our glory." I scoffed. Did he expect a bunch of cowards? And what was so glorious about an empire that enslaved the people of the lands they conquered? My face was a mask of stone but inside I felt my anger bubble.

"Rome is most indebted to you noble knights. To your final days as servants to the empire."

"Day, not days." said Lancelot smartly, beating me to correcting the pompous fool. A servant scurried round and presented me with another flagon of wine as the Bishop brushed Lancelot's comment aside and motioned for us to sit. I tuned out as he talked about religion. I was not interested in his attempts to convert us pagans to the "true faith". Who was he to tell us how to worship? And more importantly who? Arthur, noble Arthur, was the only person who respected our beliefs and in return, we respected his. But there was no way I was going to respect this Bishop's beliefs when he so clearly wanted to slander our own. Even Gawain looked annoyed.

"Alas we are all but players in an ever changing world. Barbarians from every corner are almost at Rome's door. Because of this Rome, and the Holy Father, have decided to remove ourselves from indefensible outposts such as Britain." I stood up in shock, mirroring Gawain's movement. What did he mean indefensible? Is that not what we'd been doing for the past fifteen years?

"What will become of Britain is not our concern anymore. I suppose the Saxons will claim it soon." I gasped.

"Saxons?" asked Arthur, instantly wary. "Yes," confirmed the Bishop – I refused to call him by his name. "In the North a massive Saxon incursion has begun."

"The Saxons only claim what they kill," said Lancelot. "And only kill everything," added Gawain solemnly.

"Exactly. Why leave here for them to take their plunder?" I asked fiercely.

"So you would just...leave the lands to the Woads. I have risked my life for nothing?" The Bishop never actually replied to our accusations. He just smiled as if hiding a secret and I felt my unease grow again.

"Gentleman, and Lady," he added, looking at me with distaste, "Your discharge papers with safe conduct throughout the Roman Empire." We all leaned forward towards the box in front of him, staring at it hungrily.

"But first, I must have a word with your commander." He sat back down and when we didn't move he added "In private."

"We have no secrets," Arthur replied in our defence. I was fully prepared to back him up but the Bishop didn't seem satisfied. He slammed shut the open box and I very nearly growled at him.

"Come. Let's leave Roman business to Romans," said Lancelot with the slightest hint of sarcasm. I stared at him in shock.

"But we have no secrets." I said pointedly. "You heard Arthur!" Lancelot walked past me and gently took my arm, steering me from the table. I shrugged him off, swept a glance round at my brother's before stalking from the room. I wouldn't trust that Bishop as far as I could throw him and my anxiousness grew with every step I took.

"Zala?" I turned, a deep frown set on my face. It was Gawain.

"What?" I asked snappily, instantly regretting my outburst when Gawain frowned and looked at me significantly. A moment of understanding passed between us and he sighed, placing a heavy hand on my shoulder.

"Just forget about him. You have fun tonight, ok?" I hesitated then grinned up at him.

"Agreed. First to the floor looses?" Gawain laughed and ruffled my hair, grinning back at me with warmth in his eyes.

"Deal! I shall be seeing you, cousin." He strode away and I laughed. The challenge was on.