36 – Taking All the Shattered Ones

They walked silently along the wall until they found a deserted place to look out over the vast land. Cara leaned on the heavy stone as she looked out over the dark land. Shadows loomed everywhere. The large oak stood alone in the darkness and Cara stared at the lone silhouette.

"Are you really planning on going home?" Lancelot asked, breaking the silence. Cara looked away from the land before her. Lancelot was bent over the wall right next to her. She looked at him for a moment before she looked at the stone in front of her.

"I don't know," she answered, laughing slightly in discomfort. "I don't even know if there is a home to go back to." Lancelot looked at her and waited for her to continue. "My mother died a few months after I was born due to sickness. My father was killed the day I was taken, courtesy of the Romans. I had no brothers or sisters, so really there is no point in me going home." Lancelot was silent. He had known about her father already, but having lost her whole family was something a person should never have to go through. "And you?" Cara asked, breaking his concentration.

Lancelot shrugged. "I've often thought about going home, but now I don't think I could leave the people I've lived half my life with." Cara nodded in both understanding and in agreement. Suddenly a single light appeared in the distance. Cara stared in wonder and curiosity.

"Lancelot?" she asked, wondering if he saw it too. Soon another was lit and an overwhelming sense of dread filled her heart. Fire after fire was lit and Cara could only watch. She was vaguely aware of Lancelot telling one of the guards to go get Arthur. She didn't realize she was shaking until one of Lancelot's hands overlapped hers.

"Hey, you alright?" he asked, but Cara's eyes remained on the glowing fires that littered the land. The other knights found their way to the wall and positioned themselves behind Lancelot and Cara.

"Make way! Make way!" she heard someone yell and her head whirled to face the stairs. Arthur bounded up them in only a few leaps and was by Lancelot's side in s matter of seconds. Cara cringed when she saw Guinevere beside him. Arthur's eyes remained focused on the fires for a few more moments. Both Tristan and Cara had a feeling of what was coming.

He sent both the knights and Guinevere a look that clearly said, 'forgive me'. Cara looked at him in disbelief. Now she really knew what was coming. "Knights, my journey must end with you here." Cara moved to object, but Gawain stopped her. "May God go with you," he said heading back down the stairs. Again she moved to object and Gawain's grip on her arm tightened. She sent a glare his way and he only shook his head in disapproval.

She didn't miss the glare Lancelot sent Guinevere and without wasting one more second he followed Arthur. "Arthur," he protested. "This is not Rome's fight. It isn't your fight," he clarified. Cara broke free off Gawain and headed after Lancelot. She wanted to hear the argument and she wanted to be there to prevent Lancelot making the mistake of leaving his friend on a sour note. She knew that when Arthur's mind was made up no one could change his mind, though many would try.

"All these long years we've been together," he continued, "the trials we've faced, the blood we've shed..." Lancelot said; his voice almost a pleading tone. "What was it all for, if not for the reward of freedom? And now when we are so close! When it is finally within our grasp," he continued emphasizing with a closed fist, though Arthur still didn't look at him. Lancelot grabbed his friend's shoulder roughly, forcing him to face him. "Look at me!" Arthur looked at him with the same passive expression. His speech was only a waste of breath. "Does it all count for nothing?"

"You ask me that? You who know me best of all?" Arthur asked almost angrily. There was silence between them as they only looked at one another. Again Arthur turned to walk away, but Lancelot never did give up easily. Cara laid a hand on his shoulder silently telling him to let it go, but he shrugged her off.

"Then do not do this!" he pleaded. "Only certain death awaits you here. Arthur! I beg you! For our friendship's sake, I beg you―." Arthur grabbed a hold of Lancelot's shoulder and rested his hand by his neck.

"You be my friend now and do not dissuade me. Seize the freedom you have earned and live it for the both of us. I cannot follow you, Lancelot. I now know that all the blood I have shed, all the lives I have taken have led me to this moment." With one last glance he released Lancelot and walked away. Lancelot exhaled angrily and Cara once again put a comforting hand on Lancelot's shoulder. This time his hand overlapped hers.

She rested her head on his shoulder and he turned and enveloped her into a hug. His anger turned to determination and it was directed at Cara. "Everything is going to be alright," he said gripping her shoulders and looking her right in the eyes. "I won't let anything happen to you. I promise." Cara was stunned for a moment and she remained as still as stone.

Lancelot wrapped his arms around her once more and held her. It was a few moments before Cara could move and when she could she wrapped her own arms around his neck. Without warning he picked her up bridal style and carried her toward her quarters. Her head was buried deep in his chest and only he could feel the hot tears that stained his shirt. "It's going to be alright," he soothed.

Cara didn't move. Even after he set her on the bed, she only laid there. "What's wrong," he asked, sitting by her side.

"This is wrong," she said simply. Lancelot sat silently, waiting for her to explain. "After all he's done for us. After all the times he's sacrificed himself for one of us. This is how we repay him? By leaving him to fight alone?" she asked, her eyes burning with anger and determination. Lancelot toyed with a strand of her hair.

"He made his decision," he said in anger. "If Arthur wants to fight for Rome then let him fight. Our duty to Rome is done." Cara didn't move. "I promise," he said, cradling her head in the palms of his hands. "I won't let anything happen to you. Alright?" His voice was soft and Cara struggled to remain calm as she nodded. Again she found herself being embraced and this time. She didn't let go.

"It's not my safety I'm worried about."