A/N – Apologies for the length of this chapter I got a little carried away while writing it but I wanted to finish it...well where I've finished it! Be warned, there is a lot of movie dialogue in here and that is because this part is too important to miss out or alter too much. (In my opinion anyway) Hope it's not too long, all comments are appreciated! (Except spam...) Enjoy!

Zala

I took a few moments to rest in my small, darkened room before opting to surprise everyone by wearing a dress. I had only ever worn one twice before in my life and I smirked as I thought of my comrades reactions. It was, perhaps, a dangerous ploy...considering some of the personalities I had encountered before at the tavern; but freedom was almost in my grasp and I was going to enjoy myself.

I flung open my small trunk at the edge of the bed and rummaged around before pulling out an emerald green dress with long, flowing sleeves that were open at the shoulder (a/n - similar to the style of Guinevere's dress later on). I smiled. I had saved this for a special occasion. I stripped off my knights clothing and allowed the silky material to slide over my skin. I may have preferred to dress in men's clothes but I was glad of the change. I was still very much female and I enjoyed showing my feminine side once in a while.

There was a loud knock on the door and I jumped. A muffled voice said my name but the door was thick and I couldn't make out who it was. Well they could wait. I pulled out my untidy bun and let my hair fall down past my shoulders. It was my token feature and I was eager to show it off on my final day in service. I grabbed my small, ivory comb and - after teasing out a few tugs - slid it carefully in to place at the back of my head, bunching some of my hair so that it hung down from the comb. There was another, louder knock and I sighed impatiently.

"I'm coming!" I glanced in to the small hand mirror I had by my bed and smiled. I would do.

When I swung open the door, the words on my cousin's lips died as surely as his jaw fell open then shut again, not unlike a floundering fish. I giggled and gave him a little twirl.

"Well, what do you think?" Gawain was not one to be lost for words so I was surprised when it took him a few moments to regain control of his voice. He coughed and stammered before finally he managed to string together a coherent sentence.

"You...look beautiful." I blinked in shock and the astonishment must have shown on my face as Gawain laughed and instead of ruffling my hair, gave me a small chuck under the chin.

"Are you that surprised? Is your own cousin not allowed to praise your looks?" I flushed ever so slightly but managed to laugh it off. I was not one for embarrassment.

"Well you so rarely do it that I am most surprised when you do, cousin." I stuck my tongue out at him playfully, as if I was still a small child but I couldn't help myself. I was so elated and so ready for freedom I felt I could get away with anything. Gawain must have felt the same as he pulled me to him and tickled my ribs. I doubled over laughing.

"Ok, ok stop. STOP!" I pleaded, my ribs being my one weak spot that, unfortunately, my brother's knew all too well about. He let me go then and in keeping with our fun, bowed mockingly.

"My lady, may I escort you hence? I believe we still have a competition that must be completed" I giggled and mock curtsied back.

"Come then, my lord, let us drink and be merry!"

The drinking competition was abandoned after we lost count of how many tankards we had downed. I felt pleasantly warm and couldn't stop smiling. I had left Lancelot speechless after I gave him a little twirl and Dagonet had smiled his warm, friendly smile and commented on how beautiful I looked. I was flattered. I did not consider myself a vain person but I couldn't help but be pleased with myself. Bors had came striding over and without any warning, flung me over his shoulder and paraded me around bellowing he had found the most beautiful woman to come out of Sarmatia. I was drunk enough to laugh rather than scold and took it as an apology for his earlier comment about the ugliness of Sarmatian women.

"Gawain! It's your throw!" cried Galahad, a wench perched on his knee. Gawain took a last swig of his wine and sauntered across to the throwing spot...then subsequently dropped his knife. I choked back a laugh.

"Helps if you could hold it!" He raised his eyebrows at me then quick as lightning, flicked it up with his foot and hurled it at the stacked chairs. It landed with a thud and for some reason we all found it extremely funny. I clapped and laughed as Gawain struggled to pull it from the wood.

"Right, cousin! Beat that." I grinned. I thrived on a challenge. I borrowed his knife, stood in the throwing spot and threw hard. The knife embedded itself in the wood near the very tip of the chair and I beamed. Over the noise of the clapping and laughing I heard my cousin's voice mutter "Show off." I beamed and mock curtsied creating another round of laughter. The place was noisy tonight.

I returned to my seat and caught sight of Bors, rocking the newest addition to his growing family. I had to go and see him. I stood in one fluid movement then I heard a soft thud. Galahad had taken a throw which Gawain was clearly unimpressed at. Then from out of nowhere Tristram, munching on an apple, flung his knife with one hand and I felt my eyes widen as it landed perfectly on top of Galahads handle.

"Tristram..." he gasped, turning to him in shock.

"How do you do that?" asked Gawain, his eyes boring in to the quiet man before us. He took another bite of his apple and pointed at the daggers.

"I aim for the middle." I laughed at Gawain's confused face then turned and went to see Bors. Vanora had arrived and Bors had handed over his son to her. I smiled at Vanora; we had always got on well, and I bent down and cooed at the baby. He looked at me as if a bit startled at first then a small smile crept over his chubby cheeks and a small giggle bubbled in his throat. My heart leapt. I loved children, especially babies.

"Dagonet, where have you been? We have plans to make." I heard Bors say behind me and I turned and greeted Dagonet with a smile. He rolled his eyes as if it was the last thing he wanted to do and I just suppressed a laugh. We had a silent understanding. Bors suddenly turned to Vanora and I.

"Here, please...sing. Both of you" I stared at him in shock.

"No!" We chorused together but Bors was already pushing us out in to the courtyard.

"No I don't have the time...I'm trying to work!" moaned my friend and I tried in vain to back her up.

"No Bors, I don't want to. Bors!" I half wailed but he was having none of it.

"Just a last one. Come on come sing. SHUT UP! Vanora and Zala will sing!"

"No, no!" I cried but we were hit with a chorus of "Sing!" and we gave each other a resigned look. She leaned over and whispered in my ear and I nodded at the song suggestion. We had sang this a few times before together, taking a verse each and singing together at the chorus. I cleared my throat and we began our song.

"Land of Bear and Land of Eagle,

Land that gave us birth and blessing,

Land that called us ever homeward,

We will go home across the mountains.

We will go home, We will go home,

We will go home across the mountains,

We will go home, singing our song,

We will go home across the mountains,

Hear our singing, hear our longing,

We will go home across the mountains,

We will go home, We will go home,

We will go home across the mountains."

I stopped singing and felt a heaviness on my heart as I looked around and saw my brother's, faces shining with longing and yet looking so downcast as their thoughts turned to home. The home I barely remembered.

"Arthur!" shouted Jols then Galahad repeated the cry and I immediately turned to go to him but Bors stopped me. "That was good," he said and I smiled as he offered his arm and escorted me to Arthur. Galahad had got there before us.

"You're not completely Roman yet right?" asked Galahad with a smile.

"Rus!" shouted Bors and I smiled but something wasn't right. The look in Arthur's eyes was enough to alert me to the fact and out the corner of my eye I noticed Lancelot had realised this too. I was sober in an instant, the effects of drink seeming to wash away from me as my anxiousness rose.

"Knights...comrades in arms. Your courage has been tested beyond all limits," said Arthur gravely. "Yes," muttered Bors and I nudged him to be silent.

"But I must ask you now for one further trial,"

"Drink," motioned Bors and though I realised the seriousness of the situation I couldn't help but snort in amusement.

"We must leave on a final mission for Rome before our freedom can be granted."

"What?" I asked, aghast. The others were laughing, as if it were a joke.

"Above the wall, far in the north, there is a Roman family in need of rescue. They are trapped by Saxons. Our orders are to secure their safety."

"Well let the Roman's take care of their own." said Bors. "Above the wall...is Woad territory," added Gawain, all laughter gone from his face. I nodded in agreement, unable to speak.

"Our duty to Rome, if it were ever a duty, is done," hissed Galahad. "Our pact with Rome is done!"

"Every knight here, has laid his or her life on the line for you. For you," seethed Bors, pointing at Arthur. "And instead of freedom you want...more blood? Our blood?"

"Bors!" I cried. I may have been in shock but there was no way I was going to let anyone speak to Arthur like that, drunk or not. He ignored me.

"You think more of Roman blood than you do of ours?" I gasped and my eyes narrowed at him but Arthur jumped in before I could answer.

"Bors! These are our orders," he shouted. "We leave at first light, and when we return your freedom will be waiting for you. A freedom we can embrace with honour."

"I am a free man! I will choose my own fate!"

"Bors!" I shouted, my fists clenched by my sides. Gawain reached out and put a hand on my shoulder but I was so angry I shrugged it off.

"Yeah, yeah. We're all going to die someday. If it's a death from a Saxon hand that frightens you, stay home," said Tristram and I was astonished to find him slicing an apple to eat even now.

"Listen if you're so eager to die you can die right now!" burst out Galahad. Lancelot stepped in, trying to calm him down.

"Enough, enough!" he said but Galahad was in a rage. "I've got something to live for!" I was about to speak when, for the first time, Dagonet spoke. His soothing voice seemed to break through the sizzling atmosphere.

"The Roman's have broken their word. We have the word of Arthur. That is good enough." There was a short pause. "I'll prepare," he said with conviction. He turned to leave with a short nod at our commander.

"Bors? You coming?" he added, watching the huge man pacing up and down like a lion trapped in a cage. I knew the answer already.

"Of course I'm coming! Can't let you go on your own. You'll all get killed!...I'm just saying what you're all thinking!" I flinched. I hated everyone fighting but for once, I could do nothing about it. He stalked off in pursuit of Dagonet and Tristram and Arthur turned to my cousin.

"And you Gawain?" he asked solemnly. Gawain hesitated and for a brief moment I thought he was going to say no. Then he sighed in resignation.

"I am with you...Galahad as well," he added with a glance his seething friend. Galahad did a double take; resenting his decision being made for him in his anger. Gawain turned to leave and gave me a swift glance. I nodded at him, indicating I would follow in a moment, and he nodded back before continuing on. There were no smiles between us tonight. Galahad laughed, poured his wine from his jug and smashed it on the ground. He turned and marched off; passing Gawain who had stood to wait on him.

Lancelot and I were the only two left. I looked between him and Arthur; caught the look that Arthur flung at his closest friend before he turned and left us, as if he did not need to question our loyalty like he had the others. I glanced at Lancelot, saw he was not about to move, then slipped past him with a swish of my gown.

"Arthur!" I shouted. He paused but did not turn to me. I slowed my quick walk as I neared him and tentatively reached out to place a hand on his upper arm.

"Dagonet's right. It isn't your fault." I paused and drew in a steadying breath. "I will go with you. I would follow you to the ends of the earth." He said nothing and, a little hurt, I turned to leave.

"Zala..." I spun back round and he placed his hands gently on my shoulders. "Thank you. You have always, always shown me loyalty." Our eyes met and he gave me a small smile.

"You truly look beautiful tonight. I will protect you as much as I can. I will protect everyone as much as I can." I was stunned in to silence and some warmth returned to his eyes as he smiled at me.

"I am proud, and honoured, to call you sister." He leaned forward and kissed the top of my head before he turned and walked away.