Hello everyone. Here is the next chapter and as always read and review please! Thank you! Kinda shorter...sorry. The next chapter will be longer!
Last time
Merlin looked Arthur in the eye, "No Arthur Castus. The less you know of her whereabouts the better. That way you can truthfully tell Rome when they ask if you know where she is that you do not."
"Then how can I trust if she is safe?" Arthur questioned looking over Merlin's shoulder as the knights watched the man carrying Liliana disappear into the woods.
Guinevere gave Arthur a sympathetic look, "Do you trust me?"
Staring at her for a few moments, Arthur nodded. Guinevere gave him and the rest of the knights a reassuring smile, "Then you have nothing to fear. She is safe."
Two months since the battle of Brandon Hill and one month since the Roman's had officially severed their ties with Briton, which left Arthur and his knights in charge of overseeing the lands, the knights plus Guinevere gathered at the Round Table to talk of issues among the lands.
"The rebel Woads to the north have been taken care of?" Arthur questioned Gawain and Guinevere.
Guinevere nodded. "Merlin has seen to them and assured me that north of the Wall there will be no new rebels; however, south he is not so certain."
"According to his scouts there is a small band of rebels that are forming up a small army, "piped in Gawain. "He says that they will be easily eliminated."
Nodding in understanding, Arthur turned to look every one of the knights plus Guinevere in the eye, "Now are there other pressing reports that require attention?"
They all shook their heads. Turning to Guinevere, they all gave her inquisitive looks. Shaking her head remorsefully, she lowered her glance at not being able to help the knights with information concerning Liliana.
Lancelot, who had been quiet during the entire meeting and much of the last two months, stood up in anger, startling everyone in attendance, "Why is there no new information! We have not heard of her state in over a month! Hell, we haven't seen her for two months and the last time we did she was near death! Rome is gone! What is keeping her delay?"
Slamming his hand on the table in annoyance, Lancelot turned around so quickly that his chair fell behind him as he exited the room swiftly, irritation and sadness apparent in his anguished walk.
After a few moments of silence, Dagonet broke the tension, "There walks an empty man."
Everyone nodded as Arthur stood from his chair, righting Lancelot's. His dejected look told that he was feeling similar to Lancelot and the rest of the knights. They missed Liliana.
Guinevere felt that she should speak up, "I promise you that Liliana is safe. I am not privy to the information containing her whereabouts; however I can put any fears to rest that she is living."
Bors and the rest just nodded at her, "It's not you lass. We haven't heard anythin' new in ov'r a month 'n a half."
They all nodded together. The last news they had received was that Liliana had awaken after two long weeks and that she was safe in an outlaying Woad encampment. Guinevere noticed that Arthur was still staring out where Lancelot had stormed out. Gently rising from her chair, she placed a hand on his arm, startling him. Looking into his eyes, Guinevere could see sadness and a want to go after his most trusted knight.
Guinevere reached her hand to cup Arthur's cheek. Gently rubbing her thumb across his tense face, Guinevere gave him a small encouraging smile, "Go after him. He needs someone."
Arthur looked around the group present and they all nodded at him supportively, "Go on Arthur," came Tristan's voice speaking for the lot of them.
Nodding Arthur placed a gentle kiss on Guinevere's lips and departed the room in search of his friend. Guinevere turned back to the knights present and there was a collective sigh.
It did not take long for Arthur to find Lancelot. Walking towards Hadrian's Wall, Arthur could see a lone figure standing at the top looking out towards the wilderness. At times Lancelot spent hours in this spot, waiting for Liliana to return home. Many of the knights came with him and sat there with him, keeping him company and thinking.
"We all miss her," was Arthur's opening statement to Lancelot. He walked up beside him and began staring out at the land before them, the battlefield where freedom was won.
At Lancelot's quiet response Arthur continued, "I remember when you we were about fifteen years of age and Liliana was eleven, you could barely stand the fact that she beat you in a match. You raved for days how the sun blinded you and you were sore from the previous day."
Lancelot gave a small smile and finally spoke, "She was good, even for her age. Tristan had quite a hard time with her if I do remember."
Arthur nodded with a smile on his face. "It is good to see you smile, if but a small one." Lancelot's smile faded and he continued, "It is alright to miss her, we all do."
"I do not miss her," Lancelot spoke up. Astonished, Arthur looked to his best friend, probing him to continue. "I am upset that no new information has been provided on her whereabouts and her condition. She ought to have been back by now."
Lancelot turned his head from Arthur when he was finished. He was lying to his best friend, his brother. He could barely look at him for he knew once Arthur saw his face he would know he was untruthful.
However Arthur could tell in his voice that Lancelot was lying when he spoke of not missing Liliana. Everyone had noticed that the usually vivacious knight had become mellow and would often look to the horizon, looking for Liliana to return.
Seeing that Lancelot was not going to speak any further on the matter, Arthur placed his hand on Lancelot's back comfortingly and spoke as he left, "When you are ready Lancelot."
Hearing those words that were spoken to him once again, Lancelot turned pounded his fist down on the stone ledge, barely feeling the pain that throbbed through his hand.
Arthur headed back towards the town when he passed the tavern and saw his knights plus Guinevere and Vanora sitting around a table sharing drinks. Arthur walked over and was greeted with some drunken cheers as he sat down between Guinevere and Tristan.
"How is he?" Guinevere probed as the table got silent to hear the news of their comrade and friend.
Rubbing his tired face, Arthur answered, "He is closing himself off. He does not want to hurt again."
Vanora nodded, "He's been by a few times askin' for drinks. Couple nights ago Bors here had to carry him back to 'is chambers."
Suddenly the tavern grew quiet as Lancelot strode in, one of his hands being gently handled by the other one. The group gathered looked on sadly as he motioned for a drink and upon receiving it, tipped his head back and drank half the contents in a matter of seconds. The noise resumed as Lancelot looked up and glared at everyone present. Sighing, the knights all turned back around and silently sat sipping their ale.
Guinevere noticing Arthur's tired and slumped shoulders placed a gentle hand on his shoulder and motioned for him to leave with her to retire. Nodding he stood and bade the knights a good night as he and Guinevere left the tavern arm in arm.
"When should we tell them?" Guinevere asked as soon as they were away from the noisy tavern.
Arthur sighed and looked down at the beauty on his arm, "We cannot keep it a secret for much longer."
Guinevere looked into his eyes sadly; she knew why he was delaying their news, "Tomorrow then?"
Arthur looked down at her and put a small sad smile on his face. Upon reaching his chambers he pulled Guinevere inside and held her close, "Tomorrow."
The next day all the knights plus Guinevere were once again present at the Round Table. Business was being attended to throughout the domains of their kingdom: Disputes between landowners, claims of rebel Woad attacks and many other different affairs that concerned Arthur and his trusted knights.
"Is that all we have?" came Galahad's impatient whine.
Arthur stood and looked all of his knights in the eyes, "I have one more piece of news." All the knights turned their full attention to their commander. "I have asked Guinevere if I could have her hand in marriage. She has consented. As of a fortnight ago we are betrothed. It saddens me that we are not all present to hear this news but I felt that keeping it undisclosed was no longer a sensible choice."
Cheers went up from all the knights save Lancelot. They all came to pound Arthur on the back in congratulations and they all kissed Guinevere's hand. Arthur noticed that Lancelot sat in his chair, unmoving and showing no emotion to the news he just received. Noticing that all the knights and Guinevere were conversing amongst themselves, Arthur made his way over to his friend.
"Lancelot? What troubles you?" Arthur probed.
"Not anything worth voicing."
Lancelot stood to leave however Arthur grabbed his arm before he could get too far, "Try me."
Lancelot shifted his gaze to meet Arthur's, "I lied yesterday to you concerning Liliana. I do miss her, more than any one person should have to miss someone. How does one exist without his heart?
Sadly looking into his friends eyes, Arthur replied, "One day at a time. She will be back."
Lancelot looked to Arthur and gave him a tight lipped smile and placed his hand on his shoulder saying, "Congratulations my friend," before walking out of the room, leaving Arthur staring at his retreating back.
Returning to the cluster of knights, conversation resumed when a servant boy of no more then twelve came rushing into the room, panting heavily from his run.
"Lady Guinevere! Please come to the wall quickly!"
Everyone looked confused, but followed the boy down the path towards the wall where three Woad warriors standing in full battle attire, obviously scouts.
Guinevere came to stand in front, the warriors giving a nod of respect which she in turn returned and began to converse in the Woad tongue.
"You must come with us this say. Merlin requests your presence immediately."
Confused Guinevere questioned, "When would we depart?"
"As soon as you are ready. You are also to bring spare garments."
Guinevere nodded in understanding, "I shall be ready within the hour."
The scouts once again nodded towards her and disappeared back into the foliage where they were most comfortable. Guinevere turned back around to be meet with looks of confusion.
"What is this about?" Arthur questioned her.
"Merlin requests my presence. I am to leave immediately."
Nodding, the group made their way back to the fort, all the while thinking that this journey hopefully will have something to do with the whereabouts of Liliana.
In an hours time, the knights and Guinevere were standing outside the gate to send Guinevere off. Dressed in her Woad battle garb, she went around to each knight, hugging them. She paused at Lancelot before pulling him into her embrace and whispering in his ear, "I will bring you news as soon as I can."
She then moved onto Arthur whom she placed a tender kiss before turning to see three Woad faces almost invisible in the foliage. Once again turning around to see the knight's faces and Arthur's worried look, she smiled saying, "I will being word of her!" With that she turned and ran into the forest, blending in with the trees.
wow you guys I know this is like the shortest thing ever but this chapter is kind of the transition chapter which explains why it is not very long. Sorry! But reviews make my day and feedback only makes me write faster. I will try and update by next week!