Title: My Knight In Shining Armour

Rating: PG 13

Chapter Four: Freedom and War

I own nothin'

I walked toward the Knights sitting quietly around the campfire. I was wearing my traditional war costume and as it was cold and my costume didn't cover much I wore a blanket around me. I walked over and stood behind Gwen who was sitting between Arthur and Lancelot.

"Hi" I said softly. Everyone looked up.

"Mel!" Gwen said and everyone else nodded to me. Arthur and Gwen moved over. And with a thud of my heart I realized that the space meant for me was next to Lancelot. I sat down stiffly as my injuries were tender, and nodded to Lancelot.

"Melewin, I'd like to thank you for helping us today, it was good of you." I nodded again. And got a faint blush as I heard Gwen mutter "You got plenty of thanks from Lancelot" Arthur smiled faintly.  We sat around the campfire, mostly quiet until it was time for bed.

We arrived at the Walls the next day the men got their discharge papers, they were now free. There were a couple of scenes, when the boy that Dagonet found in the chamber rushed to Dag's side, it was heartbreaking. And Bor's yelled at that despicable Roman bishop about Dag already being free.

I was sleeping that night when Lancelot ran into my room.

"Quick, there's Saxons outside the walls" I got up and ran after him. My wounds felt better now.

Sure enough when I looked over the walls there was an entire army of Saxons. We were massively outnumbered. I thought with an empty feeling in my stomach, we'll all be dead by tomorrow night. Then I remembered, it mightn't work but it was our only hope. I turned and walked back to my rooms. Twenty minutes later, in my war costume I stood outside a door that would lead me out of the walls and into the forest. I heard someone moving near me and turned, it was Lancelot.

"You're leaving?" He asked.

"Yes" I replied simply, "and you?"

"Yes, though Arthur's not" I nodded I thought as much. Lancelot continued "You're going to fight though aren't you? I understand if the Saxons take over you're finished. But you can come away from this Island, don't stay here!" I shook my head.

"It's not that simple, I'd rather die than leave my people to the Saxons." He nodded, resigned. "I thought as much. Well goodbye, it was nice knowing you" I leaned over and kissed him softly and slowly on the lips. Then I turned and walked out the door. Before I closed it I murmured "Lancelot, the end isn't here yet. There's still hope."

I went into the woods to find my Uncle. Gwenevere and Merlin were my last surviving family. As the Woad army got prepared I was covered in War paint. My thoughts kept drifting to Lancelot. I had a niggling suspicion that he would return, I hadn't seen the last of him, or so I hoped, and didn't hope at the same time. I wished I would see his face again, then thought no I wish I wouldn't, if he returned he'd be likely to die. But then I'd think even if he return and we survived what kind of future would we have, none.

A while before morning Gwen returned, looking grim. Gwen and I would lead a force each in the mornings battle. When morning came I watched as Lancelot, the Knights, villagers and guards left the keep. Arthur was a lonely and fearsome figure on the hilltop. I watched Lancelot, and Lancelot sensing me turned to look at me. I raised my hand in goodbye and he turned away, head down. Looking at him and the Knights I knew this wasn't the last I'd seen of them but ferverently hoped it would be. Sure enough as we waited for the fight to begin I noticed, my heart breaking familiar figures riding up next to Arthur. A while later the first of the Saxons entered the battlefield. In the fog as they wearily approached I and the other Saxons fired upon them. This caused them to put their shields protectively above them, then the Knights charged through them causing them to turn the other way. We fired upon them again. This went on until they were all dead. There was a tense wait befor the rest of the Saxons entered, but they did. With fierce war cries my people, the knights and I charged. The battle had begun. I twisted and ducked and dived, I slashed and stabbed and cut down Saxon after Saxon. Looking around I noticed Gwen was in trouble, she was being beaten by a big Saxon with a shaved head and beard. I recognized him as one of the leaders. With a sinking heart I realized I was to far away to help. As I made my way over I noticed Lancelot taking over from Gwenevere. I neared ready to help when Lancelot got struck by an arrow, but I noticed with some relief it wasn't enough to kill him, then heart sinking the Saxon got prepared for the killing stroke. Lancelot, to weak to do anything was about to get killed. With a cry a ran as fast as my legs could carry me and launched myself over Lancelot twisting as the Saxons axe cut me. I pushed him away from Lancelot and prepared myself to fight a difficult opponent. I realized although I was strong, I wasn't as strong as this Saxon, but I was quicker.

"Another Woad whore ay?" the despicable Saxon grunted. "I almost had the pleasure of killing another one before he interrupted. I was about to kill him then you interrupted. So I'll just kill you, then finish that weakling off then dispose of the whore"

"Not if I kill you first" I grunted back, my strength dwindling. I knew I'd have to act soon, or I'd die. He swung his axe at me and cut me slightly, I fell to the ground and heard Lancelot call out weakly "Melewin!" the Saxon chuckled. Just as he was about to chop me with his axe I spun up and around and grabbed his axe, although surprised he held on. We pushed each other around for a few seconds the in one quick movement I broke away causing him to fall off balance. I rolled on the ground picked up my sword and pushed it through his chest. He looked at me in surprise then died. I ran to Lancelot, and not finding Gwen anywhere moved him to a hidden spot.

"I'll be back soon" I promised and joined the fight.