The next day Arthur was in a wild fury, despite the fact that his knights had just been resurrected to have the freedom they so long deserved, he had to deny it to them yet again. The Roman Empire had become a huge enemy of Britain, of Arthur and his people. After all he had stood up against the Saxons; he had saved Britain, a small island of no importance to them and taken it for himself. He would not be returning to Rome to serve the Empire.
Therefore they had decided to revolt against him. A large gathering of Roman troops were in the north beyond the great wall. They had taken a large amount of Arthur's people captive. They were waging war against him.
"I don't know what I should do, part of me still belongs to the Roman Empire, but I have to defend my people"
"Arthur you owe nothing to the Roman Empire, nothing! It was because of them that all three of us died in the first place"
"But it is because of their religion that you are back here!"
"That's the point Arthur, their religion, not them! Do you remember back when we were on the rescue mission for Aletto? Do you remember that temple where they had taken people and tortured them for so long, murdering them in the name of your God? Not even your god himself would have wanted that."
Arthur looked at Lancelot, who was leaning on the edge of the round table, breathing heavily,
"Just because they worship this god does not mean they are doing what he wants them too, they are doing what they think is right. Now Arthur, you tell me, is taking people captive for ransom, torturing and murdering pagans and waging war is what your God would want?"
He paused, staring at Arthur who was now sitting at his place, head in his hands full of grief.
"Is it?"
Lancelot said, whispering as if he dared not to speak,
"No Lancelot it is not. You're right I owe nothing to Rome, and Rome does not own me anymore."
He stood up and threw his cloak over his shoulders.
"You will prepare, we are to go above the wall and save our people, but I promise you Lancelot, if you even come near death, whoever touches you will die a painful death."
Lancelot smiled and left the room, closing the door tight shut behind him. Arthur sat down again, burying his face in his hands. This was like the Saxon invasion all over again, and if his knights were hurt he knew he'd never forgive himself. He heard someone enter the room, but did not look to see who, he didn't care right now. He felt a hand on his shoulder and a pair of soft lips upon his brow. He looked up to see Guinevere smiling at him, brushing his hair behind his ears with her hands.
"Don't worry about the invasion, you have won before, you can do it again. How many times have you told me about when you have rode on into battle, outnumbered but yet you still triumph over defeat? With your knights and me by your side we can do it again. I have heard Jermius will be riding to Britain for war,"
"Jermius? Well I promised him before, and I will keep my word. IF he denied my knights freedom for the second time, if he denied it all, no man not even god himself would save him. At least his blood will make the ground holy when I spill it with Excalibur. In battle I will make sure he dies, I will give him an honourable death in war, even though he never deserved it."
He stood up to walk away, Guinevere's hand running from his face down his chest to his hand. He turned back to see her smiling at him, trying to cover her worried expression. He walked back to her and kissed her full dark lips, holding her hands in his.
"We will triumph again"
He whispered softly into her ear before turning and leaving her there, alone in the cold room, her hand resting lightly on the edge of his chair.
"Lancelot, have you warned the other knights of our quest?"
"Yes Arthur, they are all preparing, as well as Keirai, she insisted on coming."
"This is no place for a child"
"Arthur she was a woad with Guinevere, she can handle a bow and is an extremely skilled swordsman, she carries both weapons in my fighting style and Tristan's. Don't leave her behind she could prove useful."
Arthur saw the look in Lancelot's eyes he knew he could not deny him this request, now that he was denying his freedom again.
"Fine she rides with us at first light tomorrow morning; we head for the north, and war."
Lancelot smiled and walked off to prepare. Galahad was in the far corner of the courtyard with Gawain, preparing the horses. Dagonet was saying farewell to the small Pagan boy he had found in the unholy temple, hugging him tightly and ruffling his hair, he treated him like is own son, and had become a father to him. Bors and Tristan though were no where to been seen.
"Galahad where are Bors and Tristan? Where is Keirai?"
"I don't know Arthur; I haven't seen them all morning."
All of a sudden two horses burst into the courtyard, weapons and supplies hanging of their saddles, the one in the lead bearing Bors, who had his hand on his heart and was screaming his wild cry of war before holding out his arm to Arthur. The second horse was bearing Tristan; Keirai was riding with him, two small swords tattooed on either side of her face as was on Tristan's, parts of her long black hair braided.
"Morning Arthur, just went out for a morning ride"
Bors laughed and his eleven children ran towards him, arms outstretched as he jumped down from his horse.
"Gilly! You still been fighting?"
He said picking up a rather tall boy who looked around ten to eleven,
"Yes"
"You still been winning?"
"Yes"
"That's my boy"
Bors said putting him down. Tristan had jumped down and taken Keirai's hand and helped her down. Lancelot noticed and walked over, taking out his broad swords and pointing on at Tristan's throat.
"Getting a little friendly aren't we?"
"Only being a gentlemen Lancelot, nothing implied"
Lancelot lowered his sword and slipped them back into their scabbards before walking back to his horse, midway he turned around,
"I've got my eye on you Tristan"
He said smiling and walked off again, scratching the back of his head.
"Sorry about him, he's extremely protective of me"
"It's no problem"
Tristan said and smiled, as she ran off to find her horse and prepare him for battle.
At first light the next day the great iron gates were opened, and the seven knights, plus Guinevere and Keirai, rode out to the north. Guinevere and Keirai were talking avidly; they had been woads together for a long time before Keirai had to go back to her homeland, where she found her family dead. She and Lancelot had a giant hatred for the Roman Empire, and they were willing to go at any costs to avenge their family's death.
"Tristan you go ahead, check that the road is clear"
Tristan nodded and rode off ahead; Keirai looked around and without Arthur's word rode after him, her horse quick and cutting gracefully through the wind. Lancelot made after her but Arthur called him back,
"Let her go Lancelot, Tristan could use some help upfront"
Lancelot pulled back reluctantly, to Arthur's side. Guinevere smiled, for Keirai had told her about the night she had kissed Tristan, and how she had fallen for him. None of the other knights knew, and so far neither of them had any intention of telling them about it. Firstly Tristan knew if Lancelot found out he'd kill him. Secondly, they wanted to enjoy the privacy while they could, they knew if the others found out that they'd make a really big deal out of everything.
The night was dawning, and according to Tristan and Keirai the road ahead was clear. Arthur halted and turned to face his knights.
"We camp over in those trees tonight, we ride at dawn"
The others nodded and sped off with haste to the forest area Arthur had pointed up, setting up camp and watch. Woads were in the trees above them, keeping guard of the base. Dagonet had fallen asleep straight away, as did the other knights as the sky darkened.
Lancelot stayed awake, his back to a tall tree and he twiddled his thumbs. All of a sudden Keirai sat down next to him, the small wooden wolf emblem she had recovered in the palm of her hand.
"Remember this? I gave to you that day when you rode off to do your service for the Roman Empire, the day you promised to come back to us"
Lancelot held out his hand and she tipped it onto his palm as he stared at it,
"Lupus… where did you find it?"
"Arthur gave it to me the night I rode here when you were resurrected, he said that since I was the only remaining relative to him I should have it, he found it when they were wrapping your body ready for the burning."
He stroked it with his thumb and looked at his cousin, she was so beautiful, and a damn fine warrior, he would marry her if he could, I mean it wasn't against the law for him too, but he could never marry her, it would complicate things to much.
"You're a fine woman Keirai, Im glad that you're the last of my relatives, I would want it to be anyone else."
She smiled and leaned into his chest as he put his arm around her, closing his eyes in a deep sleep. She though remained awake, for she was watching Tristan, he often kept guard. He was amazing to her, he didn't sleep and he didn't seem to have the need to either. So mysterious, there was a wonderful history behind him, one she knew she'd one day find out about.
She watched him all night, her eyes fixated on his dark eyes, and then all of a sudden he looked her way. He smiled to her and winked when their eyes met, before turning away again, his finger resting upon his bow string.
Therefore they had decided to revolt against him. A large gathering of Roman troops were in the north beyond the great wall. They had taken a large amount of Arthur's people captive. They were waging war against him.
"I don't know what I should do, part of me still belongs to the Roman Empire, but I have to defend my people"
"Arthur you owe nothing to the Roman Empire, nothing! It was because of them that all three of us died in the first place"
"But it is because of their religion that you are back here!"
"That's the point Arthur, their religion, not them! Do you remember back when we were on the rescue mission for Aletto? Do you remember that temple where they had taken people and tortured them for so long, murdering them in the name of your God? Not even your god himself would have wanted that."
Arthur looked at Lancelot, who was leaning on the edge of the round table, breathing heavily,
"Just because they worship this god does not mean they are doing what he wants them too, they are doing what they think is right. Now Arthur, you tell me, is taking people captive for ransom, torturing and murdering pagans and waging war is what your God would want?"
He paused, staring at Arthur who was now sitting at his place, head in his hands full of grief.
"Is it?"
Lancelot said, whispering as if he dared not to speak,
"No Lancelot it is not. You're right I owe nothing to Rome, and Rome does not own me anymore."
He stood up and threw his cloak over his shoulders.
"You will prepare, we are to go above the wall and save our people, but I promise you Lancelot, if you even come near death, whoever touches you will die a painful death."
Lancelot smiled and left the room, closing the door tight shut behind him. Arthur sat down again, burying his face in his hands. This was like the Saxon invasion all over again, and if his knights were hurt he knew he'd never forgive himself. He heard someone enter the room, but did not look to see who, he didn't care right now. He felt a hand on his shoulder and a pair of soft lips upon his brow. He looked up to see Guinevere smiling at him, brushing his hair behind his ears with her hands.
"Don't worry about the invasion, you have won before, you can do it again. How many times have you told me about when you have rode on into battle, outnumbered but yet you still triumph over defeat? With your knights and me by your side we can do it again. I have heard Jermius will be riding to Britain for war,"
"Jermius? Well I promised him before, and I will keep my word. IF he denied my knights freedom for the second time, if he denied it all, no man not even god himself would save him. At least his blood will make the ground holy when I spill it with Excalibur. In battle I will make sure he dies, I will give him an honourable death in war, even though he never deserved it."
He stood up to walk away, Guinevere's hand running from his face down his chest to his hand. He turned back to see her smiling at him, trying to cover her worried expression. He walked back to her and kissed her full dark lips, holding her hands in his.
"We will triumph again"
He whispered softly into her ear before turning and leaving her there, alone in the cold room, her hand resting lightly on the edge of his chair.
"Lancelot, have you warned the other knights of our quest?"
"Yes Arthur, they are all preparing, as well as Keirai, she insisted on coming."
"This is no place for a child"
"Arthur she was a woad with Guinevere, she can handle a bow and is an extremely skilled swordsman, she carries both weapons in my fighting style and Tristan's. Don't leave her behind she could prove useful."
Arthur saw the look in Lancelot's eyes he knew he could not deny him this request, now that he was denying his freedom again.
"Fine she rides with us at first light tomorrow morning; we head for the north, and war."
Lancelot smiled and walked off to prepare. Galahad was in the far corner of the courtyard with Gawain, preparing the horses. Dagonet was saying farewell to the small Pagan boy he had found in the unholy temple, hugging him tightly and ruffling his hair, he treated him like is own son, and had become a father to him. Bors and Tristan though were no where to been seen.
"Galahad where are Bors and Tristan? Where is Keirai?"
"I don't know Arthur; I haven't seen them all morning."
All of a sudden two horses burst into the courtyard, weapons and supplies hanging of their saddles, the one in the lead bearing Bors, who had his hand on his heart and was screaming his wild cry of war before holding out his arm to Arthur. The second horse was bearing Tristan; Keirai was riding with him, two small swords tattooed on either side of her face as was on Tristan's, parts of her long black hair braided.
"Morning Arthur, just went out for a morning ride"
Bors laughed and his eleven children ran towards him, arms outstretched as he jumped down from his horse.
"Gilly! You still been fighting?"
He said picking up a rather tall boy who looked around ten to eleven,
"Yes"
"You still been winning?"
"Yes"
"That's my boy"
Bors said putting him down. Tristan had jumped down and taken Keirai's hand and helped her down. Lancelot noticed and walked over, taking out his broad swords and pointing on at Tristan's throat.
"Getting a little friendly aren't we?"
"Only being a gentlemen Lancelot, nothing implied"
Lancelot lowered his sword and slipped them back into their scabbards before walking back to his horse, midway he turned around,
"I've got my eye on you Tristan"
He said smiling and walked off again, scratching the back of his head.
"Sorry about him, he's extremely protective of me"
"It's no problem"
Tristan said and smiled, as she ran off to find her horse and prepare him for battle.
At first light the next day the great iron gates were opened, and the seven knights, plus Guinevere and Keirai, rode out to the north. Guinevere and Keirai were talking avidly; they had been woads together for a long time before Keirai had to go back to her homeland, where she found her family dead. She and Lancelot had a giant hatred for the Roman Empire, and they were willing to go at any costs to avenge their family's death.
"Tristan you go ahead, check that the road is clear"
Tristan nodded and rode off ahead; Keirai looked around and without Arthur's word rode after him, her horse quick and cutting gracefully through the wind. Lancelot made after her but Arthur called him back,
"Let her go Lancelot, Tristan could use some help upfront"
Lancelot pulled back reluctantly, to Arthur's side. Guinevere smiled, for Keirai had told her about the night she had kissed Tristan, and how she had fallen for him. None of the other knights knew, and so far neither of them had any intention of telling them about it. Firstly Tristan knew if Lancelot found out he'd kill him. Secondly, they wanted to enjoy the privacy while they could, they knew if the others found out that they'd make a really big deal out of everything.
The night was dawning, and according to Tristan and Keirai the road ahead was clear. Arthur halted and turned to face his knights.
"We camp over in those trees tonight, we ride at dawn"
The others nodded and sped off with haste to the forest area Arthur had pointed up, setting up camp and watch. Woads were in the trees above them, keeping guard of the base. Dagonet had fallen asleep straight away, as did the other knights as the sky darkened.
Lancelot stayed awake, his back to a tall tree and he twiddled his thumbs. All of a sudden Keirai sat down next to him, the small wooden wolf emblem she had recovered in the palm of her hand.
"Remember this? I gave to you that day when you rode off to do your service for the Roman Empire, the day you promised to come back to us"
Lancelot held out his hand and she tipped it onto his palm as he stared at it,
"Lupus… where did you find it?"
"Arthur gave it to me the night I rode here when you were resurrected, he said that since I was the only remaining relative to him I should have it, he found it when they were wrapping your body ready for the burning."
He stroked it with his thumb and looked at his cousin, she was so beautiful, and a damn fine warrior, he would marry her if he could, I mean it wasn't against the law for him too, but he could never marry her, it would complicate things to much.
"You're a fine woman Keirai, Im glad that you're the last of my relatives, I would want it to be anyone else."
She smiled and leaned into his chest as he put his arm around her, closing his eyes in a deep sleep. She though remained awake, for she was watching Tristan, he often kept guard. He was amazing to her, he didn't sleep and he didn't seem to have the need to either. So mysterious, there was a wonderful history behind him, one she knew she'd one day find out about.
She watched him all night, her eyes fixated on his dark eyes, and then all of a sudden he looked her way. He smiled to her and winked when their eyes met, before turning away again, his finger resting upon his bow string.