Roar FanFic
Childhood Memories
Part IV
Conor stood, his arms folded regally against his chest. He just stared at the two men that stood before him. "I don't get it, why would the Romans be sending out search parties?"
"Because they're looking for me," the soft voice interrupted before Fergus could speak. Conor turned around and stared at Kendallyn. He had left her alone only moments ago so that he could speak to Fergus and Daniel.
"Kendallyn?" A questioning look gave way to his eyes as he stared at her. She looked like an angel to him - dressed in a white night dress.
Her eyes never left his, she just kept them fixated on him. She was determined - he could see it in her eyes. She had to go with them, there really was no getting around it. The Romans were looking for her. They were searching the entire country to find her - possibly even the empire. But Caesar knew where she was. He had known she'd flee back to Ireland - to Conor the first chance she got. "It's my fault the Romans are here."
Conor just stared at her, questioning what she was saying. He was utterly confused. What was she talking about? "Kendallyn - they've been here for years. It's not because of you." He stared at her, watching her stare back and moved away from Fergus and Daniel to stand by her. Her eyes never left his - he could see how sick she was and the concern rafted through his face. She sighed and leaned against a tree before sitting down and pulling her legs close to her chest. "What's going on Kendallyn?" Conor crouched down beside her and Fergus took Daniel and led him away so the two could have their privacy.
"Can we go somewhere else?"
Conor simply nodded and took her hands as he stood, helping her up. She stayed close to him as he led her out of the Sanctuary. He let his hand fall into hers when she finally felt safe enough to drop her arms away from hugging her body.
"Kendallyn," he spoke slowly, softly as he led her off the path. She knew where he was taking her - to the lake - to their Nirvana. "What's going on? What do you know about Diana?"
Kendallyn bit down on her lower lip and sighed softly, her head turned and she stared at Conor - at his profile, as he led her through the forest. She didn't speak until they reached Nirvana.
Kendallyn moved away from Conor, letting her hands slip from his. She sighed softly as she took her seat upon the rocks. She pulled her legs to her chest and rested her chin on the tops of her knees. "The Romans came to our house. They told my father that he had a chance. Either join the empire or suffer. My father said he would never join the Romans. Three days later I woke up to find myself in a mysterious bed. Caesar had me kidnapped. He knew I was my father's only daughter and he made my father suffer. I didn't know what was going on, but I was scared to death. I overheard soldiers talk about the attacks on Ireland - on our families. I was so scared. Caesar had Diana sent here, to set u pa base - to keep an eye on you." The entire time she spoke, she refused to look at Conor. By that time, he had moved over to her, sitting on her right side. His knees propped up, arms hanging over them. He stared at the water. It was one of the reasons he chose the Sanctuary - it was so close to their Nirvana. He came here a lot, to talk to her, to think about her. And now, she sat here with him. All he wanted to do was wrap her up in his arms and hug and kiss her.
"The Romans are here because of me. They keep their eyes on you because of me."
"Caesar knew you'd come back?" Conor asked, almost unbelievingly.
"Yes. I need to go with you to fight, Conor. It's the only way this will end."
She felt his arms wrap around her body and his face press against hers. Her breath caught in her throat and she felt her heart start to pound.
"I won't let them take you from me again," he whispered softly into her ear. She managed a nod. "I know."
Conor made his way back to the Sanctuary alone. They had fallen asleep and he held Kendallyn tightly through the snort nap they took. When he woke, he didn't feel her body near his. He sat up immediately and looked around. A soft relieved smile crossed his lips when he saw her swimming in the lake. He had joined her, playing and splashing around as they had done as kids. Catlin had come to get Kendallyn and take her back to the Sanctuary and Conor promised to wait behind. He couldn't get the image of her out of his mind.
Conor sighed softly and ducked under a low branch and turned on the path. He reached the Sanctuary, slipping in wordlessly as he looked around. It was empty. "Hello?" He walked through the deserted Sanctuary.
"Conor!" Molly came running from their bedroom. "They've left! The Romans-"
Conor's eyes flashed and he just stared at her. "Where's Kendallyn?"
"She was the first to leave. Fergus gathered the men and told everyone else to hide in the forest. He told me to stay here and wait for you."
"Where'd they'd go, Molly?"
Molly's gaze went downward and she stayed quiet. "Don't go, Conor, please. Hide with me." Conor just stared at her. His eyes turned cold, he couldn't believe she would ask him that. This was his fight - Kendallyn was his cause. "I can't do that, Molly and you know it. This is my fight too. The Romans are my reason." He could feel himself getting angry as his voice broke almost, but he stopped.
"They went North," she sighed softly. He was gone before she could get another word out.
By the time Conor reached the battlefields there were bodies sprawled over the ground and pools of blood. He stopped, sword drawn and just stared at the scene before him. Within moments his eyes laid upon Kendallyn and he saw Fergus and the rest of his men battling sword to sword with the Roman soldiers.
With a cry, Conor ran head first into the fight with his sword drawn. The battled raged, soldiers on both sides seemed to be falling to their enemies' swords.
Conor's eyes seemed to be pulled from the body of the soldier that lay at his feet as he looked up towards the hill. There, he saw Kendallyn and Longinous sword to sword. Longinous's eyes moved up and he smiled towards Conor as he knocked the sword out of Kendallyn's hands. Conor screamed and ran as fast as he could, but it was too late. Longinous plunged his sword into Kendallyn and she fell helplessly to the ground.
Conor yelled again, his sword waving around in the air above his head as he battled with Longinous. The young prince lunged his sword but the immortal man moved out of the way and Conor fell forward. "She was a traitor. You're better left alive to grieve her death."
Conor inhaled deeply and turned to face the man that responsible for killing everyone he loved.
"Conor," Kendallyn's weak voice came, breaking Conor from his vengeful thoughts. In a moment, he was at her side, his arms wrapped around her, holding her close. His face bent down, close to hers, his eyes closed tightly but it didn't stop his tears.
Slowly, Kendallyn brought her hand up to his face, touching it softly. "Conor," she whispered as he opened his eyes, turning his face to her hand. He felt her warm blood run against his cheek and his lips when he turned his head, "don't cry."
He turned and looked down at her. She stared into his luscious baby blue eyes and just watched him. "I'll be okay," she coughed; blood spilled over her lips and she closed her eyes tightly.
"Please don't leave me, Kendallyn. I need you." Conor whispered softly leaning his head down close to hers, rocking with her gently.
"I'll see you again, Conor." She forced a smile, it was small but the most she could manage. "Take care of Molly."
Conor's eyes closed tightly and he shook his head. His hands holding her close to his body, rocking gently. It was too late, she had stopped breathing and her heart stopped beating.
Conor's face turned towards the sky and he screamed. "Noooooo!" Letting all of his rage, anger and sadness out - but it didn't seem to help. He had lost the only girl he ever knew he really, truly loved.
