A/N:: Hiya! So sorry for the delay, school does get in the way from time to time. Once again, I highly appreciate constructive criticism to make me a better writer, even if it's blunt but please don't be rude about it either, thanks. That's all for now. P.S I'm sorry if the first part is boring, but I think I did promise a longer chapter and details.
Disclaimer: I don't think I would be writing a fanfic if owned this. If it seems like I'm plagiarizing…I'm really sorry.
Genre:: Humor/ General
Rating:: PG…for now
Ethne meaning fire is my character that's being introduced. She's just a little girl that's about a few years younger than Lucan. So… sorry, no pairing with any of the knights. Well at least romantically.
Chapter Two: Signing of the Death Warrant for a Life
The Knights settled in their respective places at the round table and waited for the Bishop to grant their discharge papers. Within minutes, Bishop Germanius arrived looking displeased at what stood before him, a round table. But he made no comment to it and put on a fake smile instead.
Time had passed and the Knights were becoming agitated. They had only one purpose to meet with the Bishop and he has yet to bring it up. He was attempting to weave around a secret that he kept.
"What will become of Britain is not our concern anymore. I suppose the Saxons will claim it soon." Bishop Germanius stated as he slowly open the box that held the discharge papers.
"Saxons?" Arthur asked.
"Yes. In the north, a massive Saxon incursion has begun."
Lancelot then stated, "Saxons only claim what they kill."
"And only kill everything." Gawain added.
Galahad, however, seemed very irritated at the Bishops' plans. "So you'll just... leave the land to the Woads. I risked my life for nothing."
The Bishop ignored Galahad's comment and gave a strenuous smile. "Gentlemen.
Your discharge papers with safe conduct throughout the Roman Empire. But first, I must have a word with your commander…In private."
Arthur looked around to his fellow knights and responded, "We have no secrets."
There was a loud bang from one of the knights pounding the goblet to the table and an eerie silence followed.
Lancelot finally spoke up, "Come. Let's leave Roman business to Romans." He takes one last sip from his goblet and stalked away with the other knights following him.
:..::..:-:..::..:
While Arthur handled Roman business, the knights started an early celebration of their freedom. Gawain and Galahad were mildly drunk and were having a little contest of knife throwing. Tristan sat near by, eating one of the many apples he had, hidden somewhere. Bors spent time getting to know the newest edition to the family, Dagonet seemed to be missing at the time and Lancelot was busy hassling the Roman soldiers.
Everyone in the tavern seemed to be enjoying themselves and their spirits were high and free. But suddenly the mood became solemn for a memory and desire were cast upon them.
Land of bear and land of eagle
Land that gave us birth and blessing
Land that pulled us ever homewards
We will go home across the mountains
We will go home
We will go home
We will go home across the mountains
We will go home, singing our song
We will go home...
One by one, everyone slowly joined in with Vanora. Arthur stands by in the shadow watching everyone. Of all the time they served, they were now asked of one final mission.
Hear our singing
Hear our longing
We will go home across the mountain
We will go home
We will go home...
"Arthur!" Jols took notice.
Galahad seemed happy to see Arthur, but was woozy because his blood vein contained more alcohol then blood itself. "Arthur!"
Arthur slowly approaches them, for he knew that he is forced to deliver an unwanted message.
"You're not completely Roman yet, right?" Galahad jokes as everyone joined in for a good laugh.
However, Lancelot looked at Arthur skeptically. He knew his commander and friend all too well.
:..::..:-:..::..:
It was hard, but it had to be done. It killed him to tell his knights that they were obligated to carry out one more mission before they were free. Arthur stalked off to prepare for tomorrow, but is overcome with frustration. He turns to the one that he feels that may guide him.
Unknowingly, Lancelot emerges from the shadows. "Why do you always talk to God and not to me?" He pauses then gestures Arthur to continue. "Pray. To whomever you pray that we don't cross the Saxons.""My faith is what protects me, Lancelot. Why do you challenge this?"
"I don't like anything that puts a man on his knees."
"No man fears to kneel before the God he trusts. Without faith, without belief in something, what are we?"
Lancelot replies angrily, "To try and get past the Woads in the north is insanity!"
"Them, we've fought before."
"Not north of the Wall! How many Saxons? Hmm? How many!?"
Arthur knew that this noble knight was indeed very right and could not answer.
Lancelot sighs, he hadn't meant to be so vulgar. "Tell me. Do you believe in this mission?"
Arthur tries to stand his ground. "These people need our help. It is out duty to bring-"
Lancelot cuts him of. "I don't care about your charge. And I don't give a damn about Romans, Britain, or this island. If you desire to spend eternity in this place, Arthur, then so be it. But suicide cannot be chosen for another-!"
"And yet you choose death for this family!"
Lancelot could no longer take it and shouts. "No, I choose life! And freedom! For myself and the men!"
In reality, he could care less if he died or not. He truly had nothing to live for. He strongly believe that the other knights deserved the life they have always dreamed of. Bors and his family, Dagonet living in peace, Galahad's hopes of seeing home once more, Tristan had someone to go back to, but never revealed it and Gawain with his beautiful Sarmatian wife. Maybe he did have a reason to live after all.
Lancelot then states with all seriousness. "I will die in battle. Of that I'm certain. Now hopefully, a battle of my choosing. But, if it be this one, grant me a favor: don't bury me in our sad little cemetery. Burn me. Burn me, and cast my ashes to a strong east wind."
All Arthur could do was look with no emotions.
:..::..:-:..::..:
The next day of light. Arthur and his knights gave the true meaning of haste. Even with the run ins with Woads and Bors excessive stops to take a piss, they had reached the House of Marius Honorius.
It was a welcome that one did not want after a tiresome journey.
:..::..:-:..::..:
One more swing was all it took for Dagonet before he was able to fit through the door. Arthur enter first followed by Dagonet, Lancelot and Gawain.
They were greeted with a deathly stench that made anyone want to vomit.
"Who are these defilers of the Lord's temple?!"
Like it was an automatic reflex, Lancelot shoved him to the side. They knights looks around and see nothing but corpse.
Disgusted he is, Lancelot whispers to Arthur. "The work of your God. Is this how he answers your prayers?"
Arthur ignores his comment, "See if there's still any alive."
Lancelot searched the many cages with carcass rotting away, when he is grabbed by one the psycho monks. "How dare you set foot in this holy place!"
Lancelot pulled out of his twin swords and stabbed the crazy.
"There was a man of God."
"Not my god!"
Dagonet seeks for life, if there was life. Luckily he was able to find a little boy, coiled up in a tiny cage. "You must not fear me."
Arthur then kneels over to a cell that holds a woman in rags. He pulls out Excalibur and slashes the chain to bits and carefully pulls her out.
The four knights head out with there discoveries, but Lancelot instinct tells him otherwise. Just before he leaves the treacherous place, he skims it over one last time. His ears did not decieve him. He followed the sounds of moving dirt.
He moved to an unlit area with a torch in hand. Slowly as the light reached the corner, a tiny ball of rags materialized. Lancelot took a closer look and realized it was a child trying weakly to pry its bent fingers away from two rods that clamped its fingers.
Quickly but gently, he pulled the rods wide enough for the child to pull its fingers out. He then cautiously picked the child up, but the child struggled with all its might, fearing it'll be tortured again.
It was useless and the child gave in. Lancelot marched up the stairs and reentered the world. The child hissed and retreated into Lancelot's armor.
"What have you got there Lancelot?" Gawain asked.
It was then the child looked up at the two men to reveal that "it" was now a little girl. But it was more shocking when she revealed an eye that was greenest of all leaves and the other with a hint of glazed, leaving her slightly blind in the eye.
AN:: Yah! So…What do you think? BTW, I need a beta reader if anyone is interested.
Thanks to my two first reviewer, you two rock!
Camreyn: My very first reviewer! Yah, my favorite person now. LoL Thank you so much. Whew, I'm glad I'm the first to write this.
Gifted Empress: My second reviewer. Yah. Thank you also! I just hope this gets interesting.
