Reviewer Responses

Miss Krux- I do enjoy LotR as well. It's actually one of my favorite movies and books. I love the music from the movie, in the book, as well as Celtic music. I am glad you are enjoying my fic. Please keep reading and reviewing.

A.K. Anonymous- hehe. Thanks for the compliments. And about Dag dying? You'll just have to read the next couple of chapters.

Raven Sparrow- I agree it is kinda freaky that we have the same taste in music, I never expected anyone else to like Lorenna's music.

sugarskyline- sticks tongue out Hehehehe. I found the script with in a half an hour before I started writing this fic. If you want the link click on my profile.

All readers- I want to apologize for not updating sooner, between school, and work I've been extremely busy. Again I'll update with ch. 10 as soon as possible. We are coming near the end wipes tears form eyes I want to thank you all who have been reading this fic from the beginning.

Chapter 9

Over the next four hours, the group continued to travel. Lillian watched with interest as Arthur rode up and walked his horse in pace with the carriage/wagon that Lillian, Fulcinia, Guinevere, and Lucan were riding in.

Lillian listened quietly as Arthur spoke with Alecto.

"I'm sorry for your loss," Arthur said, his voice full of understanding at the loss of a father and compassion.

Alecto shook his head, "My father lost his way. He used to say, the church is there to help us stay on our path. It didn't help those he made suffer."

Arthur sighed, "The path he chose was beyond the reach of the church, Alecto," he told the young man.

Alecto snorted in disagreement. "But not of Rome. What my father believed, so Rome believes."

Arthur looked at Alecto, incredulity written on his face. "What, that some men are born to be slaves? No, that isn't true," Arthur said, trying to convince himself more than the boy.

"It is so! He told me so," Alecto argued.

Arthur shook his head in denial.

"Pelagius, a man as close to me as any there is now teaching that all men are free. Equal. And that each of us has the right to choose his own destiny."

Alecto looked at Arthur shook on his face.

"Teach? How?" the boy asked, "They killed Pelagius. A year past. Germanius and the others looked down on his teachings. They had him excommunicated and killed. The Rome you talk of doesn't exist. Except in your dreams," Alecto told him, his eyes filling with unshed tears.

Arthur slowed his horse as he simply stared at Alecto, stunned at the news that the man who was like a second father to him was dead, murdered by the man sent by Rome to give his men their discharge papers.

"Arthur!" Arthur started when he heard his name being called and saw Lillian sitting in the window that Alecto had just been at.

"Lillian?"

Lillian gave him a small encouraging smile. "I know it doesn't help, but I'm sorry. To lose anyone who is close to you is very hard," Lillian said, her voice tinted with sadness.

Arthur smiled sadly, "Thank you Lillian. Your words may not bring him back but they do help ease the pain a little," Arthur replied sadly then kicked his horse into a gallop and headed towards the front of the caravan.

An hour later the knights and the rest of the caravan arrived at a large, frozen lake. Arthur halted all movement and walked over to where Tristan was standing.

"Is there any other way? Arthur asked his scout.

Tristan shook his head. "No. We have to cross the ice," he reported, his voice resigned.

Arthur sighed and ordered, "Get them all out of carriages. Tell them to spread out."

Everyone got off their horses and started to lead the horses and people slowly across the ice. Lillian was one of the first out of the wagons and made sure to grab her knives before walking over to where the knights were walking. As the caravan walked across the ice everyone could hear the sound of ice cracking below their feet. The horses became frightened but the they pressed onward to get off the ice as soon as humanly possible.

The sound of the Saxon drums is closer than earlier that day, Lillian and the knights realized the Saxons are very near. Arthur throws a questioning glance to his men and they looked at one another as the caravan is called to a halt.

Lillian noticed Guinevere getting off of her carriage as Arthur turned around to face his knights.

"Knights?" Arthur asked, already knowing their decision.

Bors sighed, "Well I'm tired of running. And these Saxons are so close behind, my ass is hurting," he joked.

Tristan shrugged, "Never liked looking over my shoulder anyway."

Dagonet just smirked in response. Lillian couldn't help but grin at everyone's response.

Gawaine nodded in agreement, "It'll be a pleasure to put an end to this racket."

Galahad smirked as well, responding, "We'll finally get a look at the bastards."

Dagonet was already moving to where their weapons were stored and stated, "Here. Now."

Lillian watched as Lancelot shook his head disapprovingly. 'I wonder what bug is biting at his ass? I know most of them want to return to Sarmatia but…' Lillian's thoughts were interrupted when Arthur spoke.

"Jols."

Jols nodded at Arthur and looked a two people behind him, "You two," he ordered, looking at a couple of the serfs, "take the horses."

The two serfs nodded and grabbed the reins of the horses. Everyone started unloading weaponry and equipment for the knights.

Arthur looked around and found Ganis. "Ganis, I need you to lead the people. The main Saxon army is inland so if you track the coastline until you're well South of the wall, you'll be safe," Arthur instructed.

Ganis looked at Arthur in shock, "You're seven against two hundred!"

Guinevere walked forward, grabbing a bow as she walked by, "Eight. You could use another bow."

"Make that nine Arthur," Lillian said walking forward with her throwing knives, the crossbow, Tristan had brought and a quiver of arrows.

Arthur was about to say something about her not fighting when Lillian threw him a look that said 'Don't you dare tell me not to fight'.

Ganis looked a little hesitant, "I'd rather stay and fight," he told Arthur.

Arthur shook his head, "You'll get your chance soon enough," he told the younger man then looked to the mercenaries "This man is now your captain. You do as he says, am I understood?"

"Yes sir," the lead mercenary answered.

Arthur looked at the mercenaries and Ganis, "Go. Go!"

Ganis sighed then turned to everyone, "Right. Come on, then! Move on!"

As the knights kept unloading gear, Alecto walked over to speak with Arthur.

"I am able. I can fight," Alecto said, truly wanting to help Arthur. Who in the short time they'd known one another became like an older brother.

Arthur shook his head, "No. You must bear witness to what you have seen," he said placing one hand on Alecto's face. "There's one thing you must do, and that's get back to Rome."

Alecto hung his head and walked back to his mother's wagon and walked along side it as carriages started to leave. Lillian watched as Dagonet waved goodbye to Lucan, and Lucan waved back sadly.

As the wagons moved out of sight, everyone finished unloading weapons and ammo into nine little piles. And stand there listening as the drums of the Saxons came closer and closer. Lillian noticed everyone was slightly nervous and waiting for the attack.

Lillian, who was standing between Dagonet and Tristan, turned and looked at Dagonet.

"Dag, whatever you do, do not go running out there without someone to cover you," she warned. Dagonet looked at her quizzically. Lillian just shrugged her shoulders, "Don't ask questions until we defeat the sea dogs, ok?"

Dagonet nodded and they went back to listening to the Saxons.

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