A/N: Anwen: My results were great apart from missing my maths grade! I took three A-Levels and three further AS-Levels so maybe I overstretched myself – I sat 19 exams this summer, which has to be some sort of record... Anyway, I got into my first choice Uni so it all worked out!! I won't be adding any major new characters – I pretty much know where the story's going and I've written a good deal of it. I'll definitely be updating (unless people tell me not to...)!
Chapter Six
After several hours of patient watching, listening, and hawk-following by Tristan, he, Lancelot and Arthur entered a large forest clearing – all was silent except for the sigh of the wind in the trees and the snort of Arthur's horse as it impatiently tossed its head. He stroked its neck in calming manner and motioned that they would halt their journey.
Tristan's eyes darted back and forth, restlessly scanning the trees. He knew they were being watched – had known it for the past half league. By now they would be surrounded by invisible foes.
There.
His eyes alighted on a darker shadow in the gloom beneath the trees. It was slowly moving towards them, becoming visible as a man on horseback. Two other horsemen flanked him...no, one was a woman, Tristan corrected himself. The Welsh leader – Lindon – and his second-in-command, along with another of their men.
The three Welsh warriors walked their horses into the clearing and reined them in opposite the knights. Both parties regarded each other warily.
Lindon spoke first, his voice soft but commanding, and his language indecipherable. Tristan's gaze briefly met that of Lancelot, before flicking to the Welshwoman as she spoke.
"Why have you come here?"
Her eyes were on Arthur, but the knight kept his gaze on Lindon when he replied;
"To talk in peace"
The woman relayed this to Lindon, who betrayed no surprise. He said something, and the woman translated;
"If we chose, you would not leave this clearing alive"
An uneasy feeling settled in the pit of Lancelot's stomach, although outwardly he retained his confident aura. He was well aware that they had walked straight into a trap. So was Arthur – that was the point. It was a show of trust that would not be lost on the Welsh leader.
"Killing us would not save your people" Arthur said. "You must know that the Irish are coming"
After a brief translation, the woman returned;
"We did not give up our land or our way of living for you, Romans, and we will not give them up for the Irish"
Lancelot studied the woman mounted opposite him. It was the first time he'd seen her so close up. 'Auria', he thought, trying to see if the name fit with the face. He decided that it did...they were both beautiful.
Her dark hair was braided and held back from her face with a forest-green tie. Pale skin contrasted with full red lips and blue-grey eyes, which were now fastened on his own, as if she were aware of his scrutiny. They held defiance, and self-confidence. He met her gaze equally, wondering who would be the first to break the stare.
Arthur spoke again;
"You are too few to defeat them"
Auria's gaze broke with Lancelot's, and she looked to her leader, translating the knight's words. A second later, she replied;
"So are you"
This time her eyes remained fixed on Arthur, and Lancelot continued his evaluation. For all her seeming confidence – the relaxed way she say on her horse, clad in breeches and a leather jerkin like a man; the way she carried two swords on her back (Lancelot smiled inwardly at this mirror of his own style) – what struck him most was how young she was. She was certainly no more than twenty; probably a year or two younger, and to become a leader at that age...well, she must be special. She didn't look Welsh, with her complexion and blue eyes, and she spoke Latin. She was an enigma, indeed...an enigma with whom he had a score to settle...
"That is why I am here" Arthur continued, breaking his knight's reverie. "Neither of us can repel the Irish alone – I came to ask that we work together, call a truce to our fighting and unify to face our common foe"
Auria didn't relay his words to Lindon. Instead, her eyes narrowed.
"Why should we trust you, Roman? What guarantee can you give that you will not betray us...won't turn on us once the battle is won? I recall it was only a few days ago you were trying to discover our settlement?"
Her eyes met Lancelot's, and there was a glint of what looked like amusement in them. Was she mocking him? He glared back, refusing to feel belittled. Arthur, next to him, ignored her last statement, concentrating instead on what mattered – trust.
"You could just as easily betray us" Arthur replied. "It is in both our interests not to"
The woman looked like she was about to say something, but a word from Lindon stopped her. Instead, they spoke together for a minute, then Lindon's eyes met Arthurs, and Auria said;
"What, then, is your guarantee?"
Arthur seemed to assume a greater air of command than usual – seemed to grow in stature. He held his head up proudly and said;
"My word"
"As a Roman?"
"As a Briton. I am a Briton. My men are Pagans. We fight under Rome's banner, but we do not hail from Rome"
Auria conveyed this to Lindon, who seemed to consider it. Then he said through the woman, surprising Lancelot with his change of tack;
"When would you say the Irish will attack?"
"Three days' hence" Arthur replied without hesitation.
Auria nodded. This agreed with their own information.
"How many troops do you command?"
"900" Arthur said.
Lindon thought for another long minute. He knew that a truce was in both their best interests – it was the only way to suppress the Irish invasion. However, trusting Romans was anathema to him and his people. Getting them to agree would take every ounce of his leadership skills. Looking at the man across from him, he saw a noble spirit – a Briton. Instinct told him he could trust this man.
"Very well. We agree to a truce, from now until the first full moon after the battle"
It was Arthur's turn to think for a moment. The full moon was almost two weeks off – an agreed date like that would save both sides from an attack from the other when they were already weakened after fighting. He nodded his assent.
"On my honour, the truce will be upheld"
"On my honour also" Lindon said, and Auria repeated in Latin.
Arthur, slightly relieved that he had completed this self-imposed mission, looked to Lancelot, and the other man nodded slightly in support.
The three Welsh people were turning their horses to leave, and Arthur motioned that his knights should do the same. He knew that they would have safe passage through the forest, although they would probably be tracked for some time to make sure that they really did leave. Lancelot hung back, his curiosity overcoming any feelings he had about the woman leading himself and Tristan to nowhere a few days before.
"Lady!" he called, and Auria reined her horse in, turning in her saddle to look at him. She didn't speak, but her eyes held a question. Lancelot's own eyes glinted as they met hers. "Where did you learn to speak Latin so well?"
Auria's gaze never faltered as she replied, her voice frosty;
"The same place that you learned to kill Britons so well"
Spurring her horse, she followed her leader into the trees, leaving Lancelot faced with Tristan's wry smile.
"Come, Lancelot" he said, "there are easier pickings back at the fort"
The trouble was, Lancelot thought, that he didn't want easier pickings...
Auria quickly caught up with Lindon and Ganal, and the younger man turned to her questioningly.
"What was all that about?"
Auria shrugged, frowning. "He wanted to know where I learnt Latin"
Ganal looked a little indignant. "As if it were his concern"
Auria sighed – he was right, the Roman had no right to ask her any personal questions. His gaze, although she would never let on, had been unsettling. Arrogant. She disliked him already.
As if reading her mind, Lindon spoke up.
"We must fight alongside these men – our personal feelings must be put aside"
Ganal nodded in acquiescence, as did Auria. Lindon was, as always, right.
A short while later found them back at the village, and Lindon called for a meeting of all the inhabitants, to being immediately. Although a few scouts had not yet returned from tracking the Roman knights back towards the fortress, they would hear what was said from others. Everyone knew that their leader had ridden out to talk with Romans, and hurried to sit around the communal fire, eager to hear what was said.
Two men took their horses, and Lindon, Auria and Ganal took seats before the rest of the village. Auria studied her leader – his face was impassive and he had assumed an air of command. What his was about to tell his people would not go down well, but it was necessary, and they must come to realise that. He raised his hand for silence, and immediately a hush fell.
The entire village – men, women and children had their eyes fixed on him, and were waiting expectantly. Lindon took a deep breath.
"I met with the leader of the Roman knights who came to the fortress some days ago. He came in peace, and left also in peace."
There was a slight murmur as people thought over the fact that no blood had been shed. Lindon raised his hand for quiet once again.
"We are an ancient people" he said. "We have lived in this land since man walked the earth, but we have now entered dark times. If we wish for our children to live free, we must face a new enemy. The Romans are no longer our greatest concern. The Irish are coming, and they will sweep us away as if we did not exist...We cannot fight them alone, and neither can the mighty Romans"
He paused, judging the effect of his words. So far, the people were rapt.
"The Roman leader, Arturius, brought this message to me today. He said that the
Romans wish to put aside our differences...join forces and face the Irish threat together as comrades in battle"
A louder murmur swept the crowd, but Lindon raised his voice to be heard over it.
"Arturius spoke prudently! His words held truth! The only way we can stand and fight these Irish dogs is to do so with Roman aid!"
The people quieted down, absorbing his statement. Auria knew that many saw the truth in it.
"I have called a truce with this Roman. It will remain in effect until the next full moon, but we will not know peace. In three days we will face the Irish, and we will fight alongside the Romans. We will know victory, and have time enough to ready ourselves to strive against the Romans once again. They shall uphold their side of the bargain, and upon my honour, we shall uphold ours!"
By giving his word that the Romans wouldn't betray them, Lindon was treading on thin ice. If they did take advantage of the weakness of the Welsh forces after the battle, they were doomed. If they somehow survived, Lindon's career as leader of his people would be over.
However, if it worked...he would be hailed as a hero.
The majority of the people seemed to assent to this plan, although their uneasiness was tangible. It was a testament to their belief in Lindon that they were willing to follow him into such a venture.
One man, Theodon, spoke up, his voice loud and insistent. Everyone turned to listen.
"You expect us to trust them? To lay down our lives for them? You are mad!"
Lindon's eyes flashed.
"We do not lay down our lives for Rome, we lay them down for ourselves! We cannot defeat the Irish alone – that much is true! It is our only choice...if you cannot see that then perhaps you should leave this land now – flee, and live to be an old man. Enjoy the knowledge that your people became Irish slaves!"
"Irish slaves or Roman slaves, it is all the same!"
Ganal stood up, staring down the other man.
"We have no other choice...but nor do the Romans. This course of action is prudent, and this man – Arthur, is noble. He can be trusted. He is a Briton!"
Theodon was pulled back down by some other men, and the warriors seemed to have discarded his speech as that of a fool. A large man with an axe at his side stood up and looked Lindon squarely in the eye.
"I say we let these Romans defend us for once. My axe is with you"
"And mine!" Another man cried. More voices joined them, and Auria saw Lindon's eyes light with pride...and relief.
"We will prepare for battle, then" He said, getting to his feet. "Remember, the truce takes effect on our side as well. The Romans will avoid us, but we must also avoid them"
Lindon made his way to his shelter, leaving Auria and Ganal free to do as they wished. Several people came up to them, asking about the Romans they had seen. Auria left Ganal to it and took Elen by the arm, steering her over to the other woman's shelter. Once inside, she sat down heavily and let out a long sigh.
"Thank the gods that went well!"
Elen sat down beside her and crossed her legs.
"Yes...I hope Lindon knows what he's doing"
"He's right about it being our only choice..."
"But...?"
Auria frowned. "It seems as if we can trust Arthur...but he's still a Roman. I don't trust Romans"
"I thought he was a Briton"
"Not at heart, obviously. If he was, he wouldn't kill his own people"
Elen considered this, then said;
"Did he seem noble?"
"...Yes..." There was indeed something about the man that made Auria feel she could trust him, no matter how much she railed against it.
"Did he seem handsome?"
"What?!"
Auria just stared at her friend, who returned her gaze with a completely innocent expression.
"What do you mean, 'what'?"
"Well...I mean..." Auria stuttered, then looked indignant. "I can't believe you just asked that!"
Elen laughed. "Oh come on – they're the famous knights from Hadrian's Wall! Fairy tales, right in the middle of our land!"
"And?"
"And...I'd quite like to see them"
Auria sniffed. "You probably will...at the end of one of their blades"
"Seriously" Elen said. "What were they like?"
"There were three of them – Arthur and two others. I think they were the ones who followed me the other day, although it's difficult to recall since I only saw their reflections. They were all tall, dark...One had a hawk on his arm."
Elen raised an eyebrow.
"One had an interesting beard..." Auria thought back to the knight she'd looked most upon besides Arthur. The one who had spoken to her...his eyes had seemed to search her, ask her a question, or set a challenge – but she wasn't sure just what it could be. She was a little surprised at her own choice of words to describe him. An 'interesting beard' hardly covered his deep brown eyes and intense gaze. She shook her head and looked at Elen. "They seemed confident, calm...although according to their reputation they have every right to be"
Elen nodded. "Perhaps the sort of men you want by your side in battle..."
Auria certainly saw the truth in that statement. If they upheld their side of the bargain, the knights would be formidable allies indeed.