Just wanted to wish everyone a happy Fourth of July. Hope you all have fun. I will post another chapter soon. Hope you like this one. Let me know. Like always I would like to sent my appreciation to those who take the time to read this story and to review. Thanks again.

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"Wait!" He shouted as he watched her run off into the darkness. Moving quickly he sought to stop her but was cut short when Arthur interviened. "Let me go Arthur. I have to get her back. Explain all of this." He shouted still staring in the direction that she had disappeared, trying to pry himself loose of the Romans grip on his shoulders.

"We will go together my friend." Arthur said removing his hand from Lancelots shoulders. "Tristan come with us, the rest of you remain here. Should she return one of you come and find us." Arthur said his voice commanding and urgent at the same time. Turning he saw Lancelot already moving, calling her name as he went. The two men chased after their comrade before dividing to cover more ground.

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Branches snagged her hair and her cloak as she ran. She heard him call after her but she didnt slow her pace. She needed to escape, to be alone as her mind raced with what she had heard. They had known her. They knew and they had kept quiet. Her heart hurt as she finally came to a stop and sunk to her knees. Wipping away the tears that had surfaced she forced herself to quit shedding more. Behind her she heard them calling and searching. Not wanting to face them now Kendra climbed to her feet and ascended the nearest tree hiding herself from those who might emerge below.

"Kendra!" Arthur called coming from the trees. "Kendra!" Behind him she heard the sound of several others fanning out.

Shifting in her perch she sought to hide herself further from view. Her movement on the tree limbs caused a cascade of leaves to fall around the Roman below drawing his attention.

"I know you are there." Arthur said attempting to pierce the denseness of the foliage around her with his gaze. "You do not have to answer, just listen."

"Why should I believe a word you or your men say. All of you lied to me from day one." Kendra cried out softly trying not to draw the attention of the others. How she wanted to descend from her high perch and confront him. Confront them all. She wanted to lash out, to hit him but instead she remained hidden in the treetop holding in her anger.

"Not of their own accord. I made them swear to wait until we reached Hadrians Wall. Lancelot and the others had wanted to tell you after they saw you. Do not punish my men for following my orders." Arthur said, his voice was as he spoke.

"You and your men no nothing of punishments." Kendra snapped. She had heard the sorrow in his voice and some small part wanted to believe him. Wanted to leave and go back to them, but her anger swept through her veins.

"You are wrong. For eight years my men punished themselves for what they believed had happened to you. They blamed themselves for not being there to save you, Lancelot most of all. Do not think that its stops there. Now that they know you are alive they now blame themselves for giving up so easily, for not fighting to find you and they will blame themselves for all you indured for the rest of their lives. Even if they dont say it. The fact is if you run now you will cause them nothing but more pain. And the woman I know would not do that to them." Arthur said trying to persuade her to come forth. As earnest as he was she still remained hidden from view. The sound of the others became louder as they neared their position.

"And how would I know that! I knew nothing until tonight and even then I dont know all!" Kendra shouted angrily at the Roman below. The sound of others speeding their way signaled that they had heard her call.

"You are Lillian. You are a Sarmatian knight like you father before you and like my men. You are brave and smart young woman. You fought alongside me and my men for several years to defend our outpost and I had never seen either you or Lancelot happier then when together.You have always thought of others before yourself, and for that you are a dear friend to many. If you doubt any of that just think back to your actions on the ice. You threw yourself in harms way to save Dagonet. What other reason could there have been other than in some way you knew you would have regreted had you not." Arthur tried to reason but only silence followed. The sound of the wind through the trees and aprroaching footsteps were all that he heard as he looked to the treetops. "Now it is your choice what ever it may be. You may come with us still or stay. We leave at daybreak. If you are not there we shall depart leaving you a horse and supplies."

She saw him turn to depart and she losened her grip on the tree that held her. "Before I leave let me tell you this. For years you have sought for your past, for a place to call home and a family who cares. I have seen it in your eyes. These men, these knights are your family in everyway that matters. They have fought with you and bled with you even though you dont remember it. They love you. Lancelot loves you. You are searching for your family Lillian, they are there beyond those trees. Think on that when you choose Lillian." With that Arthur left her alone.

Breathing deep she stared up through the treetops to the stars beyond. Closing her eyes she fought the urge to cry once more.

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"Arthur! We heard her cry out, where is she?" Lancelot spoke breathlessly as he stopped near his commander. His auburn colored ayes, intense with his feelings, searched the surrounding area to see her.

"I did not bring her with me." Arthur said quietly as he looked into the mans dark eyes.

"How could you not?" Lancelot asked as he jaw locked. "She is out there we have to bring her back to the safety of the camp." His voice intense.

"She will be fine. She just needs a moment to think. I do not believe she will venture far." Arthur commented as he began to head back to camp.

"Just like you believed the Saxons to have killed her, or that she wouldn't run when she was told." Lancelot said defiantly causing Arthur to turn and face him.

Arthurs green eyes were transfixed on the brown of his. "I understand how you must blame me Lancelot, but blaming me will not bring her back to you. You think you can bring her back to the camp she lies beyond those trees." Arthur said showing him where to go. "Tristan come, we are going back to camp."

Waiting Lancelot watched as the two men disappeared into the trees. Turning around he followed the direction Arthur had pointed out and made his way through the trees. Unsure of what he would say but knowing he had to speak to her. His heart raced as he made his way through the overhanging branches looking past them he saw her descend fromone not far ahead.

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