Hi again. Sorry this took a little longer than expected…and I STILL haven't gotten my research paper now. I mean, after all, my motto is "Procrastinate now!" so, yeah. But after that and finals week next week, pfft, I'll have the next two chapters up in no time, this story has been coming out very quickly. As for those of you who guessed it about Marcus, heehee, a great big high five. Everyone else…seriously, if I hadn't had this idea already, some of those I would have used LOL. Anyway, here's the next part. From now on, the next chapter included, it's nice and dark. At least for my writing it's dark. Sorry this is kind of short, the next chapter will be longer. Enjoy.

Chapter 4 – A Hero's Darkness

I watch as the daylight crawls
Past the shadows hanging on the walls
It's been a long time since I felt the stain
Of yesterday getting in my way

- Sky Is Falling: Lifehouse

Lancelot reached the house before Marcus returned, but he did not have time to say what he had heard when the boy entered. No one spoke, a dark tension filled the room that seemed as though it made the sun retreat early. Arthur was standing in the doorway to the other room; Marcus dominated his territory – the middle of the main room, with his arms crossed. Lancelot watched for lack of words. He could have sworn he felt heat emanating from Marcus' hatred-filled eyes.

"Eleven years I have waited to face you again, Artorius Castus," the young man's voice hung thick in the air. He glanced at Lancelot for a moment, his dark eyes boring into the knight who still didn't know what passed between them previously. Marcus snorted, amused slightly at the blank expression hidden within Lancelot's face. "You never told him, did you," he asked in a taunting tone, "He doesn't know."

"He never needed to know," Arthur replied coldly.

Marcus continued, his gaze shifting again to the tall Roman, "He doesn't know the truth about you. Arthur Castus, the murderer…"

Arthur's grey eyes blazed, "Your father attacked me, and my men."

"And you finished it, didn't you. Well now I will finish it entirely."

Out of the corner of his eye, Arthur saw Antonius jump to his feet, about to intervene. The soldier held up his hand, "There will be no more blood shed. I did not want that to happen, I'm sorry it did."

"The only blood shed will be yours," Marcus glared.

"Marcus!" Antonius' voice split the tension like a knife.

The younger man shot a glance in his direction, "You're not my father, you have no authority over me."

Lancelot stood unable to speak, watching the exchange. A shadow had fallen about them. The knight had seen every kind of man be taken hold by the rage of battle, and Arthur was no exception. He had a feeling the Roman's past contained full version of the shadows of the battle monster. Everyone's past had something similar, some worse than others, some not as bad. Now, Lancelot felt he was in the presence of another side of Arthur – a darker side.

Taking a daring step forward, the light which had shown on Arthur from the window became out of range and darkness hung about him. "I will not fight you, Marcus," he said in a low voice.

"Then you will die," Marcus' eyes narrowed.

"There has not been a day gone by when I have not wished it never happened, Marcus," Arthur started, the line of fire drawn between their eyes turning to ice, "I was defending myself. You have to face the truth, your father gave away information to the Woads that cost more lives than his own."

"And you have to face the truth that you murdered him!" Marcus snarled.

It was very sudden that the outside world made its presence known again. The sound of horses' hooves and men shouting indistinctly thundered outside. All eyes turned to the doorway as if waiting for it to burst open any second. Arthur brushed past Marcus, Lancelot on his heels. Together they knew exactly what to expect when they went outside.

"Arthur! Lancelot!" Galahad called out

Dagonet slid down off of his large dark horse in front of them, "Coincidence meeting you here."

"Yeah," Bors added, "And we thought that we were just going to have to warn the village about the Woads."

"Woads?" Lancelot questioned.

Dag nodded his head towards the woods, "Coming this way, we don't have enough time to get up a proper defense."

"Then round up as many men as can bare arms for now," Arthur ordered, looking around to the village, "We have to try and hold them off."

The two other knights muttered agreements and turned back to their comrades, relaying the orders of their captain. But Lancelot stood by the Roman's side and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Arthur, what about you? You're in no condition to fight," he said softly.

"We're short men to hold off the Woads, I have to," Arthur turned to speak only into Lancelot's ear, it was not a conversation meant for the others to hear.

The knight's dark eyes looked at him with worry, but he nodded. Lancelot paused a moment, "And what of..Marcus?"

Arthur stiffened, "What of him?"

"He-.." Lancelot started, but was unsure how to continue.

"He will fight me if he has the chance," a shadow passed across the Roman's grey eyes. "So be it."