Well, this is the last chapter of my Dagonet story. I'm kind of sad that it's over, but I felt that carrying it any further would just be mindless dribble. Hope you all enjoy it and will let me know by reviewing. I will eventually do a story for each of the knights, maybe even Arthur and Guinnevere, but I will NOT be doing the Arthur/Guinnevere/Lancelot triangle. That story has been done in every conceivable way possible, so what is the use.

Oh, I still don't own the story of the knights, that belongs to history and the many writers that are much better than I could ever be. But it is still fun to dabble in their stories…

The small caravan headed back toward Hadrian's Wall with Dagonet and Bors leading the way. They chatted happily and Bors took up his old plan of becoming Governor of the area with Dag as his right hand man. Dag listened but did not commit to any plan at all. It all depended on what he and Fulcinia decided to do. He didn't think she would care where they lived and he really didn't except for Rome. He didn't want to go anywhere near Rome.

"Dag, are you list'ning to me?" Bors sounded exasperated. "Yeah, well some of the time, what did you say?" was all Dag could answer. He had been so lost in his thoughts of Fulcinia that he forgot Bors was even there. Bors looked at his friend and Dag looked back at him. At first he was annoyed then he flashed a big toothy grin, "So, is she worth it?" Dag grinned back at him and began nodding his head, "Yeah, I never thought I could feel quite like this." He sounded so amazed that Bors had to laugh out loud. "It's amazin' what a good woman will do for you, huh?"

Dag looked at the other man and realized just how much he had changed since he met Vanora. Love did strange things to people. He hoped the changes in him would be just as good as they were in Bors. "Hey Bors, do you think there is really hope that we will be able to make a life here? I mean, if the women are willing?"

"Yeah, why can't we? Arthur is being crowned king of all Britain and we're to be his Knights, just like we've always been. We can have anything we want." Bors boasted so loudly that one of the Roman guards came riding up to see what was going on. When Bors repeated what he had just said, the guard just laughed. "Do you really think Rome won't return as soon as they find out the Saxons have been defeated for the time being? Hell, they'll be back as soon as the Bishop delivers the news. Your service to Rome may be over, but you'll still have to fight." This news gave Bors and Dag something to think about. The guard was probably right. Their bright future suddenly had some black clouds on the horizon.

The next few miles were passed in silence. Neither man wanted to bring up the subject of their future now. Suddenly the thought of going back to Sarmatia wasn't too far out of their thoughts. They were still lost in the thought that Rome might come back to reclaim the land south of the Wall when the Wall came into sight. Dag saw the flags signaling their return and he looked back to see Fulcinia smiling at him. He wanted to go to her, but knew he needed to be in the front as they entered through the gate.

They rode through the gate to the cheers of all inside the walls. Dag looked at Bors and saw that he was reveling in the attention. He smiled and shook his head. He probably would become governor some day. But it would not be soon for they had all pledged to stay and help Arthur realize his dream of peace between all the peoples of Britain. When they rode into the private courtyard reserved for the knights and Arthur, they found them all standing and waiting. Arthur raised his hand in salute and Dag nodded his head in acknowledgement. He dismounted and immediately headed for the wagon where Fulcinia and Alecto were riding with Lucan. He helped her down, holding her for a moment longer than it took to let her down. Alecto jumped down and held his arms for Lucan.

The boy jumped down and headed toward the other knights and Arthur. Arthur put his hand on the boys shoulder and welcomed him back to the fort. "Are you glad to be back here, Lucan?" Lucan looked around for a minute, then he turned to him, "It feels good to be home. As long as Dag is with me." Arthur nodded his agreement, "Aye, we all agree with that." Dag and Fulcinia had walked over as Arthur spoke. He smiled at the couple and extended his hand to Fulcinia, "Lady, I'm glad you could return under such good circumstances. You are more than welcome to stay." Then he turned to her son, "Alecto, I'm glad you took the time to return. Are you still planning to return to Rome?" Alecto nodded his greeting, "Arthur. Yes, I sent word ahead with the Bishop, even if he wasn't happy about my return. I told him I would leave shortly after the wedding," he looked at Dag and his mother, "or weddings." His words caused Arthur to look at his friend. The smile on Dag's face made him smile as well.

"Well, it seems love has grown all over this island." They all shared a laugh and headed toward the fortress. As they walked, Dag told Arthur what the Roman soldier had told them on the way back. Arthur listened intently, then he told him, "Call a meeting of the Round Table. I think this is something we need to discuss and decide how we're going to deal with it." Dag nodded and headed back to the courtyard. When he got there, he found that Galahad and Gawain were the only ones still standing around. He told them and went to find Bors and Tristan. He found Bors at the tavern and Tristan was out on the practice yard practicing with his bow. 'Peace will not cause him to be slack in his training.' Thought Dag. Then he headed back toward the fortress hall.

Arthur looked around the table and stood. "I see no reason to call this meeting to order differently than any of the others. Let's not forget that we are the fortunate ones and thus keep the memories of our fallen comrades in our minds and hearts for all eternity." He poured a little wine on the floor and watched as the others followed suit. Bors held his cup higher and yelled, "To Freedom!" Arthur was proud to call all of them friends. He looked at Guinnevere and saw the pride in her eyes as well. These men had fought well on the side of her beloved freedom. She saw Arthur looking at her and smiled. He returned her smile and turned to the men he had grown up with.

He then told them what Dag had told him. "Men, we have fought hard for our freedom. We have driven the Saxons away and men and women have given their blood to make this land free for all. Are we going to allow the Romans to come back and take what we fought for when they would not?"

Galahad was the first to speak, "It is as I stated to the bishop. If we allow this, we will have risked our lives for fifteen years for nothing. I, for one, do not wish to think I wasted that many years. I say we fight and keep this land free that anyone and everyone who wishes to live in peace may do so." Arthur watched the faces of the men he had come to know well. They agreed with Galahad, every one of them, even Lancelot was not against it. He waited for a few minutes before breaking the silence after Galahad's statement.

"Well, then I think that we should decide how we want to proceed." They discussed many options and all listened intently when Guinnevere spoke. "My people will not allow Rome to reclaim this land. As my father has told Arthur, he will be king and rule this land in his wisdom and sense of what is fair for all." The knights turned to Arthur and saw the love he felt for his bride-to-be. "Ah, that is another topic I wish to discuss now that we have all agreed that we will fight for the freedom of all on this island nation." He hesitated, giving the others time to change their thoughts from ones of battle to ones of celebration. "The ceremony will be native of the Woad people with Merlin conducting the ceremony. I will be honored if all of you stand with me as I pledge my love and life to Guinnevere. This is not any tradition that I know of, but you have all been by my side throughout every choice and deed I've done."

He looked around the table. Lancelot stood and the other knights followed suit. They raised their cups and Lancelot spoke for them all, "We will be proud to stand with our friend, our commander, and our king!" Arthur smiled broadly as he raised his cup to his men. "To the famed Knights of the Round Table. May you find your happiness as I've found mine, for above any others, you deserve it." They drank and sat back down. The mood had lifted since the news of the Romans and each man sat back drinking and lost in their own thoughts. After a moment Guinnevere stood and spoke to the group, "My father asks you all to join my tribe in a pre-wedding celebration this evening. We can be there in a few hours." She waited nervously, thinking these men would not wish to celebrate with her people. They had, after all, tried to kill most of them at one time or another. She was surprised when Bors spoke up, "A celebration is just what we need. After all, Arthur ain't the only one to find love on this island, right Dag?"

Dag laughed openly, something he hadn't done in quite a while. Arthur stood and told them, "Let's prepare for the journey. I don't want my future father-in-law to think I have cold feet!" They all laughed and headed for the door. Dag was the last to step out of the room and as he did, he turned and looked back. He sighed as he remembered the times he and the others had sat at that table wondering what their commander would lead them into next. He remembered the ones who had not made it and silently hoped they had finally found the peace he had. Only theirs would be with their ancestors, the people they had not known for a long time before they died. For some reason he felt sad that a time in his life had come to an end.

His thoughts carried on in this manner as he made his way to his room, where Fulcinia would be waiting. The sadness lifted as he thought of the future he could have with her at his side. A famed Knight for King Arthur and his beautiful lady… it was almost more than he could comprehend. It seemed that after all, the gods would not let him sleep in the cold earth as he had once thought. He would now sleep wrapped in the arms of the woman who could make his life the dream he had secretly hoarded all these years. As he walked through the door into the arms of his love, he began to hum the tune to Vanora's song. He had indeed gone home.

The End.