Thanks for all the reviews. It make take a while before I can update… I've really hit a block now. Where do I go? Help me decide…
The two knights had taken up their fast pace and after only a few more hours found themselves catching the caravan. The Roman soldiers turned at the sound of the horses fast hoof beats ready in case of an attack. When they saw who the men were, they raised their hands in salute. "Anyone wishing to return to the fort is welcome," yelled Bors. "We defeated the scum." The soldiers gave a cry of celebration and waved the two men through the caravan.
When Fulcinia heard the commotion she quickly turned to look back the way they had come. She wasn't sure what she expected to see but when she recognized the form of Dagonet riding as fast as he could beside the caravan she yelled for the driver to stop. She quickly grabbed her shawl and climbed down onto the ground. Alecto had also seen the two men and made to help his mother, but before he could so much as offer her his hand, she was gone. Lucan was riding in the wagon with Vanora and the kids and hadn't seen Dag yet. But Alecto decided to wait a few moments before going to stop the rest of the wagons.
Fulcinia started running to the side of the roadway to wait for him to ride up. When he saw her standing there patiently waiting he grinned. She was such a beautiful sight to behold. His heart leapt at the thought of taking her in his arms. They had never embraced intimately and he was not going to wait any longer. He pulled his horse up next to her and watched Bors ride past looking for his loves.
Dag dismounted and took a step toward the woman he loved. Before he could take another step she was in his arms. He held her tightly for a moment, then, loosening his hold just a bit he held her away so he could look into her eyes. He saw tears in her eyes and knew they were tears of joy. Leaning closer to her face he said, "I love you Lady." And kissed her gently. When her kiss became more passionate he did not protest. It didn't matter to him who might be watching, he just wanted to kiss her forever.
Alecto watched his mother for a moment, cleaning his throat, he went in search of Lucan. The boy would be as happy to see the knight as Fulcinia was. He hoped they had their emotions under control by the time he returned with the boy. He was only halfway to Vanora's wagon when he met the boy running at full speed. He grabbed him and taking his hand tried to keep him at a slower pace. When Lucan protested he let him go and he took off again. By the time he had walked back to where he had left the others he saw Dag hugging the boy and twirling him around. They were such a happy group, he had no qualms about leaving his mother and going to Rome alone.
When all the reunions had been completed they decided to stay where they were for the night. Dag and Bors told everyone about the battle and Vanora was chiding Bors about the new injuries. Fulcinia looked to Dag and inquired about his injuries. He assured her they were minor and would heal completely in no time. She smiled and accepted his story knowing that he would never admit it if they were worse. Also knowing, they couldn't be too terribly bad or he could not have ridden as the speed he did to catch up to the caravan.
Bors was telling them about the proposed wedding in two days and everyone was so excited they wanted to return to the fort to attend the function. Bishop Germanius would not hear of it and Alecto almost gave in to the Bishop's arguments. But finally he put his foot down and Germanius reluctantly agreed making it seem his idea. Bors made a noise that sounded rude and Dag just looked at the man with disgust on his face. If Alecto didn't need to talk to the Pope he would never travel to Rome with him. He would never travel to Rome at all. He had grown fond of the people he had met and hated to leave their company. As soon as he finished his business he decided he would return here to make his life.
Bors and Vanora quickly got the children bedded down and was spending some time together just talking and occasionally giving each other a passionate kiss. Dagonet looked around the camp and enjoyed the peace that had settled in his heart. Fulcinia was sitting at his side and he heard her sigh with contentment more than once. He thought about what it would be like to lead her back to the wagon and take her to bed. He knew he wouldn't. But it felt good to think about it. He would wait until she was ready to marry. He respected the Christianity she held so close even though he didn't understand it. To make a move on her with being married would disrespect what she was in her heart. He would never harm her not even if he saw no harm himself.
Slowly everyone went to their pallet or wagon to get some rest. The caravan would be leaving before daylight heading back to Hadrian's Wall for the wedding of Arthur and Guinnevere. Dagonet had heard some of the Woads talking of 'King' Arthur. It seemed more than he could comprehend but he knew that Arthur would make a good king. He would keep the needs of all the people in mind before he made any decisions. Guinnevere would make a good queen too, even if he didn't have time to know a lot about her, she knew what she wanted and didn't mind standing up for it. Her people would not suffer under the rule of their new king and queen, if that was indeed what they were to become.
Lucan had fallen asleep with his head in Dag's lap and Alecto took him when he retired for the night. Dag brushed his hair away from his face and gently kissed his cheek. The boy had seen so much to be so young he wanted to make sure he understood he was loved. When Alecto left the fire where they had all been sitting Lucan never stirred. Hopefully he would get a good night's sleep.
When he and Fulcinia finally stood up to get some rest everyone else was already gone. Fulcinia stood up first and turned to face him. She smiled and moved closer to him. Without thinking he pulled her onto his lap. She didn't resist but wrapped her arms around his neck and nuzzled his neck with her face. Despite his vow to do nothing to disrespect her he found himself wrapping his arms around her slight form. She reached up and kissed him gently on his jaw line and he moaned at the feel of her touch. He grabbed her by the arms and pushed her away so he could look into her eyes. "Lady, please take care. I am only a man and I don't yet understand your God."
Her eyes clouded with suppressed desire. Then she leaned closer and lightly brushed her lips against his. "Are you sure?" was all he asked. She again brushed his lips. Taking her into his arms he carried her over to where he had laid his bedroll. He set her down and picked up the roll to take further from the rest of the sleeping people. When he had unrolled the pallet he turned to her. He wanted to give her time to be sure she didn't want to change her mind. She just glided into his arms and he kissed her with all the passion he had held in check. Little by little he pulled her dress off her shoulders. Her creamy skin shone in the moonlight and he lowered his mouth to feather kisses from neck to shoulder. As he was kissing her she was gently running her hands across his shoulders being careful of any wounds he had.
He gently lowered her to the pallet and lay beside her. She was lying on her back and he was on his side with his arms around her. She suddenly seemed shy and he once more asked if she'd changed her mind. "No, I just don't want you to think less of me for not waiting. My religion calls this a sin, but the sin, I think, would be wasting any more of our precious time together." She smiled and he lowered his face and claimed her lips. After several moments he began to explore the contours of her body through her gown. He tried to figure out how her gown came off and after several moments of frustration she opened the ties herself. When she had finished he pushed the gown away from her shoulders uncovering all the way to her waist.
Her beauty took his breath. He put his hand on the exposed flesh of her stomach and moved it to her hip pulling her closer to him. She lay there with her eyes closed with her bottom lip firmly between her teeth. He moved his hand up her stomach and gently massaged first one breast and then the other. She gave a guttural moan and arched her body toward his. Any other time that would have been all he needed as encouragement. This time he wanted to savor each moment as he learned everything about her passion. As she moaned he held his hand still until she had her passion under control again. Then he leaned over and kissed her gently.
"You are so beautiful I could lie here and look at you forever." He whispered. She reached up and placed her palm on his face. "I don't think I could stand it if you did nothing but look at me." She surprised herself at the boldness of her words, but they didn't seem out of place with this man. She could see the love in his eyes and feel it in the way he touched her. She had no doubts about his intentions. This would never be something she would feel shame about in the future. This night she would remember for her entire life.
They continued their explorations of each other until in agreement they consummated their love. When they were spent he held her in his arms brushing her hair from her face with his fingers. With a final kiss she lay her head on his shoulder and immediately fell into a blissful sleep. Dagonet lay awake a few moments after she had fallen asleep listening to her steady breathing. He had known he loved her but he didn't expect the depth of that love. As they had finished their lovemaking he knew that she was the one reason he had fought so hard to live through the battle the day before.