Visions of Destiny

Disclaimer: I do not own King Arthur. I have merely used that story to tell my own.

A/N: A shout out to Gaara-frenzy, thanks for the review! To my wonderful readers, I hope you enjoy this chapter, and please review and let me know what you guys think!

Chapter 9

Arthur unbolted the door to find a Roman soldier standing outside. He looked down the hall, but there was no sign of the knights. "Where are my men?"

"I sent them along to their duties." The soldier didn't add that the knights had been forcefully removed when they had refused to leave. "You're needed for a meeting in the commander's hall. I am to escort you there."

Arthur glanced worriedly at Elena, but she waved him on. "Go on, I'll be fine." She put on a brave face as the two men left, but as soon as they turned around the corner, she felt the tears coming fast. She knew that it would be better if she could make it to her room as quickly as possible. Not only was now a perfect time for the Romans to try to take her, but she could also feel the numbness rising again, threatening to overwhelm her. She made her way as best she could until she was forced to stop, blinded by the tears that would not stop coming. She sank down against the wall, sobbing.

It was only a moment later, though it could have been hours, when Elena felt a pair of arms go round her. She stiffened until she heard the newcomer speak. "Easy. It's just me." Dagonet had found her and now held her as she clung to him, her face buried in his shoulder. Dagonet smiled sadly to himself as he held her close. He knew that he was only a substitute for who she really wanted. He was not Rowan, but he didn't mind. He knew what it was like to loose someone that you loved and were close to. Indeed, he was grateful that Elena would allow him to comfort her even a little. He had hidden the feelings that he had for her since she had been so obviously attached to Rowan, but maybe now she would find room in her heart for him.

Vanora and Bors found them in the hallway a few minutes later. Elena was still crying, but she seemed calmer now. "You want me to take her to her quarters?" Vanora's gentle question revealed how concerned she was about Elena. It held none of her usual bite, a bite that had gotten worse after she found herself with child by Bors for the third time.

Dagonet was reluctant to let Elena go, enjoying the feel of her in his arms, so he helped her to stand. "I'll come with you. She may have to be excused from her duties for a few days. I'll speak to Arthur about it after we get her settled."

Bors chuckled as he saw what was going on with his friend. "I'll let you two get to it then." He left to go tell the others that Elena was safe and they could stop looking for her.

Vanora softened even more as she saw that Elena needed Dagonet's support as they walked down the hall. "She and Rowan were very close then?"

Dagonet nodded. "The shawl she's wearing, it's a traditional Sarmatian mourning shawl. The only ones to wear this particular color are the parents, spouses, children, and full-blooded siblings of the deceased. She's obviously not Rowan's mother or daughter, so that leaves only-"

"Full-blooded sister or his wife." Vanora gasped the words out. "And the chances of her being his sister are slim at best."

"I doubt that she's his sister. She grew up here in Briton, he lived in Sarmatia his whole life before coming here. And while they shared a birthday and were the same age, the chances of them being twins and separated long ago enough that they would have no idea who the other was when Elena first came to us four years ago…it's impossible."

"Leaving that she was his wife. But you, Bors, and the other knights would have known about it if Rowan had married Elena, even if they had hidden it from the Romans and tried to hide it from you lot as well."

Throughout the exchange Elena simply staggered on, not bothering to think beyond trying to put one foot in front of the other. She was exhausted by the emotions that were swirling around inside her, and she could feel the numbness rising again. She also still didn't want to reveal her heritage yet, a part of her convinced that doing so would make it easier for the Romans to use the knights against her. That hadn't stopped her from honoring her brother's traditions though. She felt it would have been an insult not to, especially since Rowan had taken the time over the last two years to explain the traditions of their father's people to her when she had asked.

Suddenly, Elena found herself on the floor despite Dagonet's grip. Dagonet quickly knelt by her side, allowing her to lean against him. Elena had become so numb that she hadn't even felt her legs give way. Vanora moved to help, but Dagonet brushed her off with a shake of his head. Instead, he simply put one arm around Elena's shoulders and the other under her knees. Before Elena had even registered what was happening, Dagonet had swept her up off the floor and nodded to Vanora to continue on. Elena finally slipped into blessed oblivion as they walked.

They got to Elena's room and Dagonet laid Elena on the bed, making sure that she was comfortable. He would have lingered but Tristan stepped into the doorway. "Dagonet, Arthur's called us to the fortress hall." Tristan gave a snort of disgust. "Something about another mission soon." Dagonet frowned and left the room to follow Tristan.

Vanora, on the other hand, sat with Elena until she woke up. "You feeling alright?"

Elena shook her head. "Rowan's not coming back, is he?" Her voice was quiet, and her face crumbled when Vanora shook her head in the negative. "I want Rowan. I want him back!" Elena's voice broke on the words.

Vanora held out her arms and let Elena fling herself into them as she started to cry again. Vanora could feel a few tears of her own escape as her friend vented her grief. "Now, you listen to me. You may be a healer, but this time you are my patient, and I am ordering you to stay here for a few days. No duties, no being pestered, just letting yourself heal. Understood?"

Elena gave a small nod. "It's what I would tell anyone in my position to do. I can call if I need anything."

"That sounds fine. I'll also bring you your meals while you are resting. I know you won't have much appetite, but you should still eat."

"Thank you." With that, Elena rolled towards the wall and curled up with her arms wrapped around her pillow. Vanora understood the silent request to leave Elena alone and quietly left the room, gently pulling the door closed behind her, only to stop short as Arthur came up.

"Is she in there?"

"She is." Vanora held up a hand as Arthur moved to enter the room. "She's trying to go to sleep though. What do you need to see her about?"

Arthur was frowning, a look repeated on the faces of several of the knights as they made their way back to their rooms. "We've been ordered on another mission in the morning, one that will take about four days. I'm worried that the Romans may use the opportunity to try to kidnap Elena. It would be the perfect time to strike, and they've been watching her all day."

Vanora paled. "We can't let that happen. She needs several days to herself, and Goddess forbid that the Romans get to her while she's still so vulnerable. She couldn't even make it all the way to her room without collapsing."

Arthur's frown deepened when he heard this. "I'm afraid that Jols is the only one who can be left behind. It would either be that, or take Elena with us, which would be dangerous if we were attacked." He sighed and ran a hand through his hair in frustration.

"We'll have to ask her then. She may have an idea." Vanora turned and went back to Elena's door. She knocked gently before easing the door open. She left it open as Arthur went to sit on the bed, allowing the knights to gather around the doorway. They were all worried about how to protect their sister while they were away.

"Elena, I'm sorry to bother you, but we need to discuss something very important." Elena gave no reply except to shift a little so that she could hear Arthur better. She knew that they would not have bothered her right now unless it was serious. "In the morning, we have to leave on a mission. You, however, are in no condition to accompany us, and we can not leave one of the knights behind. It would be the perfect opportunity for the Romans to try to take you."

Elena sighed as she forced herself to think. Unfortunately, she knew that she couldn't trust anyone outside of Arthur, the knights, Jols and Vanora. And now, a mission had come up that would take all of them except Jols and Vanora away. "How long will you lot be gone?"

"Four, maybe five days."

Elena cursed as she turned back to face the wall again. But then, a glimmer of an idea struck her. "Arthur, Jols' quarters are inside the stables themselves, right?" Arthur nodded as she turned over to face him again. "What if you hide me there until you get back?"

Arthur thoughtfully put his hand on his chin. "He would be around all day to keep watch as he goes about his duties, and there is no way to get to his quarters from the outside since there is no outer window. And he can bring food back for you without raising suspicion, since he usually takes food there for himself when we are gone." Arthur nodded, seeing the advantages. "Yes, it may just work."

Tristan spoke up from the doorway. "But how do we make sure that she gets there unseen? We know that they're watching her."

Arthur stood. "We let her be seen." He held up a hand to silence the protests. "We can then make it seem as if she rode out with us, being carried by one of the knights. She is our healer, and Rome would expect us to force her to accompany us as long as she was physically fit enough to do so."

Lancelot spoke up. "A sound plan, but a risky one. What say you, Elena? Are you satisfied with this plan?"

Elena forced herself to sit up and looked dully at the knights. "It will have to do. The Romans did not give us much time to prepare."

"Then we should get some rest. Dismissed."

The knights filed out, but instead of going straight to their quarters, they gathered in a cluster in the hallway. The same thought was going through their minds. Kay spoke first. "I'll take first watch."

Dagonet nodded. "I'll take second." The other watches were quickly taken by Gawain and Tristan and it was only then that the knights moved to their quarters for the night.

The next morning, in the faint light of the false dawn, Arthur and Lancelot helped Elena to the stables where she was quickly installed into Jols' quarters. Jols himself had been up half the night getting the horses and gear ready so that they knights could leave almost immediately afterwards. The knights knew that speed would be key to protecting Elena, so they simply mounted and rode out as soon as they put their saddlebags and weapons in place. Dagonet even thought to use his spare cloak to make it seem as if he was holding Elena in front of him.

The plan worked. Elena had hidden herself under Jols' cot just in case and then took a draught that would make her sleep for several hours. When she woke in the evening, Jols quietly told her that the fort commander had come by to demand why the knights had ridden out so early with their healer. Jols had told the commander that the knights had wanted to leave early to avoid detection by the Woads, and that of course they had taken Elena with them in case they were wounded on the road. The fort commander had insisted on looking inside Jols' quarters to be sure that he wasn't hiding anything, but he had only glanced to see if anything looked disturbed before walking out, muttering curses under his breath.

Elena stayed in Jols' quarters the entire five days the knights were gone. Jols brought her food, and took the wine away when she tried to drink it all. She mostly lay on the bed, staring at the wall. Jols hoped that once the knights got back that she would perk up at least a little. He was relieved when they rode in after it got dark enough to hide the fact that Dagonet was yet again using his spare cloak as a decoy. The fort commander came running, determined to catch them in what he was sure was a lie, but before he could enter the stables he saw the very one he had been seeking. Elena was wrapped in Dagonet's spare cloak, her bag at her side, and wearily walking with the knights in the direction of their quarters. Furious at the sight, the fort commander turned and stalked away.

Elena shivered as a vision took her. She saw the fort commander leering at her, only to take a step back as she smiled cruelly back at him. Then she saw about a dozen Romans lying around on the floor, obviously dead, and the fort commander looking up at her in fear as she advanced on him. She shuddered again as the vision left her, but this time in anticipation. Whatever he was planning, the fort commander had just signed his own death warrant. She just had one little thing to take care of first.

The next morning though, Elena woke in her chambers and looked around for a clean change of clothes, sighing as she realized that all of her clothes were filthy. She had been planning to do some washing up the day that Rowan had been sent on his mission, when she still had two changes of clothing left. Now, she had nothing to change into and her outfit was one she had worn for the last two days. Sighing, she brought in the buckets of water that she needed and started to wash her clothes. She kept her shift on though, just in case.

It was a good thing that she did, for Arthur and Tristan came in just as she was hanging the last of her clothes up to dry by the fire. She shot them a slightly panicked look, a blush staining her cheeks, embarrassed to have been caught by the two in nothing but her shift. The fabric was thin enough that she knew that they could see a dim outline of her body through the fabric. Still, it was better than if she had been completely naked.

Elena saw a strange expression cross the men's faces before they got themselves back under control. Arthur determinedly looked at her face, while Tristan quickly pulled off his coat and offered it to her. She gratefully took it and slipped it on.

"I see that you are doing better."

"I am better Arthur." She nodded her thanks to Tristan for his coat before looking Arthur in the eye. "It still hurts all the time, but I can bear the pain now."

"I know what you mean. I still have moments when I miss my mother." Arthur cleared his throat in remembered sadness. "Will you be back on duty tomorrow?"

Elena hesitated and glanced at her clothing. "I may need another day. I feel it would be better if I had clothes to wear." She flushed, even as she grinned at the small joke.

Arthur and Tristan both glanced at the hearth, well aware of what her wardrobe consisted of and seeing every piece there. "Did you really have to wash all of them at once?"

Elena nodded. "I was lucky to be able to get the stains out after they had been sitting for so long. I had meant to wash them the day Rowan left…" She swallowed against the sudden rush of fresh pain. How long was this going to keep on happening?

"Right. Let me know when you're ready for duty then." Arthur turned and headed for the door. "Coming Tristan?"

"In a moment. You go ahead." Arthur nodded and left the room, though he did wonder for a moment if leaving the two of them alone was the best idea. He shook his head. He knew how Elena felt, and that she could take care of herself if anything happened that she wasn't ready for. She was no longer the lost soul that could barely walk. Five days hidden away from the world had done wonders for her, and he would not let a moment's jealousy ruin her happiness. He was also sure that she had no idea of his true feelings for her.

Meanwhile, Elena had finally looked up at Tristan as the door shut behind Arthur. Her breath caught in her throat as she saw the possessiveness and desire he felt for her in his eyes. She looked at him, studying him closely for the first time. She inhaled sharply when she saw that his hands were clenched into fists at his sides. He was barely holding himself back now that they were alone. Her eyes flew back up to meet his. Tristan chuckled ruefully and moved closer to Elena. She drew in a shaky breath as Tristan pulled her slowly into his arms.

"I like seeing you in my coat."

Elena's chest felt tight. "You can have it back now." She tried to pull away so that she could take it off, but Tristan gave a low laugh and pulled her closer.

"Keep it for now. I'll get it back when you have something besides just your shift to wear." He gave her a smirk. "No telling what I'd do to you if you gave it back right now."

Elena gulped as Tristan ran a hand down her face, and she knew that she would have to tell him her plan. If she didn't, he would keep on behaving like this and she wouldn't be able to push him away. Even worse, the Romans were sure to notice and they would use him to force her cooperation. She couldn't let that happen. "Tristan." She gasped as he nuzzled her neck right below her ear and tried again. "Tristan, wait. We can't have anything between us." She held her breath as she waited to see what his reaction would be, knowing that she had hurt him with her words and feeling guilty for having done so, even if it meant protecting him.

Tristan went still. "What do you mean?" His voice was dangerously low and Elena shivered.

"What you feel for me, whatever it is, you must forget it."

Tristan grabbed Elena by her shoulders and shook her. For the first time, she felt afraid of him, though she knew that he would never intentionally hurt her. "Why?! I thought that you were interested, that you cared for me!" His voice was filled with confusion, anger, and betrayal.

Elena looked up at him, tears welling in her eyes, showing him that she was also hurt by this. "I do care about you, which is why I'm telling you this. It is the only way that I can protect you from the Romans."

"What?!" Tristan was so surprised by her words that his voice came out in a whisper. "What are you talking about?!"

"Rowan was sent alone on that mission with the intent to get him killed. It was to punish me for hiding from the Romans for sixteen years. When they realize that it has failed to bring me under their control, they will look for someone else to use to force my cooperation, just as my father was used to ensure my mother's cooperation." She bowed her head, resting her forehead against his shoulder. "If they realize how I feel abut you, you will become a target for the Romans. I will not let that happen."

Tristan shook with suppressed rage at what Elena was telling him. Still, under the rage, he understood Elena's reasoning, even if he felt that she was exaggerating. At least she was explaining things to him, rather than suddenly ending things with no explanation at all. That would have been even worse, not to mention making it more likely for the Romans to realize what was between them as he tried to win her back.

"I understand." Tristan's voice was thick with his emotions as he tipped Elena's face up so that she was looking at him. "However, it doesn't change what I feel for you." Tristan's other hand moved further around her waist, drawing her closer. "Even if Rowan hadn't asked, I still would have watched over you." Elena's gasp was lost as Tristan's lips met hers for the first time in a chaste kiss. He held her there for a moment, his kiss merely a gentle pressure against her lips, before releasing her. He let her see his love for her in his eyes before he turned away and left the room, sliding his face into a more neutral expression to hide his feelings.

Vanora popped in a few moments later. "So that's where Tristan's coat went." Elena flushed at the statement as she nodded. She had completely forgotten what she was wearing. "Does that mean you and Tristan will be together now?"

Elena sighed in frustration. "We dare not, thanks to the Romans hunting me. He's not happy about it, and neither am I, but he agrees it is necessary." Elena turned and went to her wash basin to wash her face and hands. Suddenly, there was a commotion at the door. Elena whirled around and whispered urgently to Vanora. "Don't let them in here. I'm taking a bath!"

Vanora caught on and nodded. "Don't you worry dearie. We won't let them get anywhere near you." Vanora left to find out what was going on and Elena had to grin when only a moment later she heard Vanora's raised voice. Hopefully whoever was outside wouldn't give them away.

"If you lot think that I'll let you in while the girl is bathing, you can just toss yourselves off the wall and spare me the trouble! I will pass on the message, but she'll not come until she's decent! Now GET!"

Vanora stormed back into the room and shut the door with a huff. Elena started laughing her head off. "What was going on?"

"Tristan decided to stand guard outside your door in case the Romans tried to come. Good thing too; a group of soldiers came supposedly bearing a summons from the fort commander for you. They got angry when he refused to let them in." Vanora grinned. "Luckily, he's good with masking his expressions. He didn't bat an eye when I said you were bathing."

Elena frowned as she thought about the implications of the incident. "A summons? From the fort commander himself? He is much bolder than I gave him credit for." She hesitated. "Can you safely take a message to him for me?"

Vanora understood what she meant. "I can, they haven't wanted me since Bors marked me for himself. What is the message?"

"Tell the commander that while I am deeply honored that he desires my presence, I can not come due to the late hour, when I wish to go to bed. However, if he wishes to come to my chambers, I would be delighted to attend him."

Vanora almost choked as she was torn between laughter and disbelief. "You do realize what you made it sound like?"

"As if I think he wants to bed me?" Elena smiled coldly, making Vanora shiver. "That was my intent. I will not make it easy for them to take me."

Vanora looked uneasy. "I hope you know what you're doing. I'll take the message now." She left and Elena let out a dark chuckle. She knew that she was playing a dangerous game with the fort commander, but she had seen his fate and she was determined to get as much satisfaction from toying with him as she could. It would go a little ways towards repaying what the Romans owed her. However, she would take care of that bloody sentry who had overheard her and Rowan first. In fact, she would do it the very next day.

Elena checked her clothes and added a few more logs to the hearth to help them dry faster as Vanora came back with a late supper for Elena. "The commander was livid when I told him what you said." She set her burden down on the table and turned to face Elena, her fists on her hips. "He insisted that you report at first light to the commanders hall, and he doesn't care what duties you have to attend to." Vanora grimaced. "You put him in a very dangerous mood."

Elena scoffed and dismissed Vanora's concern with a wave of her hand. "He obviously doesn't realize how dangerous of an enemy I can be. Just because I avoid fighting in battles at all costs doesn't mean that I don't know how to fight." She smiled coldly. "And not all battles are fought on the battlefield. Thanks to the treatment I received at the hands of my own people before I was forced out, I am actually a better fighter off the battlefield than on it." Vanora looked unconvinced. "I will be fine." Elena laughed grimly. "I know that they won't kill me. I'm too valuable to them."

"What do you mean?"

"My abilities. As long as there is a chance that I could be persuaded to use my abilities to help them, I'm no good to them dead."

Vanora still wasn't sure but she nodded. "Then again, you will do what you want no matter what I say, just the same as my Bors. Just be careful—I don't want to loose a sister."

Elena looked at Vanora in surprise at the admission. "I promise." Vanora left and Elena braided her hair before eating her supper.

However, she could not sleep that night. She constantly checked her clothes, making sure they dried quickly without catching fire. She figured out a plan for the morning that would see her remain free for at least the rest of the day. She also listened as the knights took turns standing guard outside her door. She shook her head and smiled. It was sweet of them to care for her so, but their efforts would be in vain. She would be taken at some point, but it would the best way to get close to the fort commander. Then, she would show him no mercy.

A/N: So, a lot going on in this chapter, and Elena is not about to let the Romans simply get away with what they've done. Come back next week to find out what she's got up her sleeve, and until then, review!