Summary: Tristan vows to find Galahad in their next life. Hannibal has to live up to that promise.

Disclaimer: I own nothing of Hannibal or King Arthur

Rating: T+

Pairing: Tristan/Galahad Hannibal/Will

A/N: Each chapter is short.

MIRRORING THE PAST:

HADRIAN'S WALL:

942 AD

Tristan and Galahad approached the wall with the Roman's in the guard posts watching them. He almost expected them to keep the main gate closed, to wait for Arthur to see them, but the massive doors opened with creeks and groans allowing them to enter. Warily Tristan guided his horse and Galahad's through and to the main road that let them to the village. Halfway they were met by Lancelot and Gawain. No Arthur. This didn't bode well for him. When he faced Arthur, Tristan alone would shoulder the wrath of their commander. No words were exchanged as Lancelot and Gawain turned their horses around to lead Tristan and Galahad into the settlement.

Galahad leaned to the left, close to Tristan and asked, "What's happening?" Things that happened this morning were hazy. Every time he tried to recall the events of that morning, all that came to him was blackness

"I don't know. Arthur may be waiting." Tristan replied silently not entirely sure of they would find once they entered the stables where their horse were kept and cared for. He could hope that Arthur would understand why he'd done the things he'd done. Then there was a part of him that knew the Roman in Arthur valued order and discipline.

"What do you think it means that Arthur isn't here?" Galahad asked looking at Gawain riding in front of him. Even if retribution didn't touch him, he knew that it would fall on Tristan, and that was something he couldn't handle. Tristan had only done what he did to save his life, it wouldn't be right of Arthur to punish them.

"It's hard to say." Tristan responded turning his attention to the stable doors. They parted with Arthur waiting in the center. He felt the tugging of guilt, the sting of disobedience. Going against his commander had offended his sense of loyalty, but not leaving to save Galahad would have been the greater offense to the universe. Jols stopped them, taking the reins from them. Tristan slid from the saddle, not hiding from what he'd done. "Arthur."

"You disobeyed me, Tristan." Arthur said with a heavy heart. Next to Lancelot, Tristan was fiercely loyal.

"I know." Tristan nodded, lowering his head. Arthur was right to be angry with him, even though he felt what he'd done was right no matter what anyone told him.

Arthur turned his attention to Galahad still on his mount, slumped over his head nearly touch the mane of his horse, despite that, his knight looked healthier. In the face of Tristan's success, Arthur couldn't keep his anger from falling away. With a sigh escaping him, he leaned into Tristan and said, "I understand why you did what you did, I forgive your actions, but never disobey me again."

Tristan looked Arthur in the eyes and nodded once. "It won't happen again." He promised and he meant it. Loyalty was ingrained in his very bones. "But I had to make this right." Tristan added hoping Arthur understood the full weight of his words. "You would have done the same for Lancelot."

"Yes," Arthur agreed, "I would have." He pulled back raising the volume of his voice, and said, "You should get him back to his room so he can rest. Then meet us in the training courtyard."

Tristan waited for Arthur and the other's to leave them in the stables before breathing a sigh of relief. He turned back to Galahad who was trying to get down from his horse. Going to his companion, Tristan gripped Galahad's waist to give him more stability. Galahad's feet touched the ground with his back pressing into Tristan's. He held his love close for a few seconds just feeling the way Galahad breathed in and out without trouble. For as long as he could he would hold Galahad while he tried to believe they were alone in the world.

Galahad leaned his head back, ready to just fall to the ground under the exhaustion. "That could have been worse." He breathed out reveling in the fact that he could breathe deeply without pain or the weight on his chest. Galahad would have preferred if Tristan hadn't been forced to disobey Arthur, but he was glad that he did and that he was able to live another day. Behind him, Tristan said nothing, just held him closer. Turning with as much strength as he still had coursing through him, Galahad cupped Tristan's face, "I love you." He couldn't remember a time when he'd said those words to him. They never had to, they were always understood, but this near death experience had made him desire to voice them just so Tristan knew.

"I love only you." Tristan replied without hesitation. "I promise to always find you, to always save you." He responded in a rush of words before drawing his lover close so their lips could touch, so Tristan could taste the spark of life that still resided inside of Galahad as a result of his actions today. Pulling back, Tristan rested their foreheads together. They stayed like that, frozen for an instant of time where everything around them grew so still. Tristan pushed aside the nagging words of the Lady of the Lake. She said she'd seen their path in the next life. Would they have one? Would they be together? To any gods that were listening, Tristan prayed they would indeed be together.