A/N: A big thank you to all of my reviewers! You are wonderful! LilyoftheValley4 – I've added a longer comment in reply to your review below :)


Arthur had been right that even with just one blade the dark knight was his best swordsman. But after three weeks neither the Roman commander nor the Sarmatian knights could get used to the sight of Lancelot fighting with just one sword. It was the equivalent of Arthur fighting without Excalibur. Lancelot had all but given up on ever finding the missing sword and used all of the hurt and anger that had settled in his veins in performing his every day job with more vigor than ever before.

His black stallion whinnied in anticipation as Lancelot led him out of his stall. Arthur had explained to his knights the evening before that they were to intercept a caravan further south amongst which was a Roman family, who they were to escort to a village which was a two-day travel to the west. Arthur had sounded eager to meet Valerius Romanus, a good friend of Pelagius.

Tristan rode to the front only two hours after the knights had set off, and pointed Arthur towards something invisible at the horizon. "The caravan," the scout said without hesitation.

Arthur stared ahead, but was unable to make out what Tristan was pointing at. The Roman glanced briefly to his side. Lancelot was staring far away in the distance as well. The Sarmatian felt his commander's gaze on him and turned around to face Arthur. A slight smile lingered on his face as he shrugged his shoulders.

Another two hours later, Arthur led a small caravan of Sarmatian knights, Roman foot soldiers and Valerius and Antonia Romanus and their son Larcius away from the large caravan they had met up with. Lancelot and Bors were riding directly behind their commander. The Roman soldiers were both in front as well as behind the carriage. Larcius was on horseback following the carriage in which his parents were riding, Gawain and Galahad immediately behind him, with Dagonet and Tristan closing the ranks.

With dusk approaching, Arthur sent out Tristan to scout for a place to spend the night. Only half an hour later, the scout returned, riding his mare hard. The knights immediately drew their weapons, knowing that something was wrong.

"Woads!" Tristan called out as he reached the front of the small caravan.

"How many?" Arthur asked, Excalibur drawn.

"Twenty, thirty, maybe." The scout sounded out of breath, indicating just how fast he had ridden to return.

Arthur hesitated for a moment. Too many to take easily with just seven knights. Going back was no option as the Woads would catch up easily. With the help of the Roman soldiers, they should be able to defeat them, he thought. He considered leaving the Romanus family with a few soldiers behind to take care of the Woads, but that would leave them almost unprotected if the Woads were to find them. "We'll go forwards. Take them as they attack." He turned towards the Roman soldiers, addressing four of them. "Stay close to the carriage at all times. The others of you go with us," Arthur commanded. "Larcius, stay close to your parents."

The young man looked about to protest, but Arthur turned away already. Larcius drew the sword that had been hanging over the shoulder of his horse, but remained behind the carriage carrying his parents.

They didn't have to wait long before the Woads fired their first arrows upon them, but the knights were ready. Tristan and Galahad quickly fired their arrows as well and the first Woad archers soon dropped from the trees that had been hiding in. Arthur and Lancelot were the first to charge forwards on their horses, Gawain, Bors and Dagonet on their heels.

The clashing of swords, loud screams of pain, and shouts of victory could be heard as the knights fought mercilessly. They drifted apart on the battlefield, all dealing with their opponents in their own ways. Arthur thrust Excalibur powerfully, Lancelot swung his single sword in a dancing rhythm, Gawain cut heads and limbs effectively with his heavy blade, Bors stabbed forcefully with his short swords, while Dagonet's broadsword struck his opponents mightily. Soon Galahad and Tristan joined the fighting on the ground as well, wielding their swords gracefully and deliberately.

Although in the majority, the Woads were no match for the Roman commander and his Sarmatian knights. The sounds on the battlefield turned to panting, grunting and groaning. Arthur extracted Excalibur from the stomach of the Woad he had just killed, readying himself for the next attack. When none came forwards, he looked around.

Lancelot was engaged in a battle with a tall Woad. Waiting for the right moment to thrust his sword through the Woad's defense, the dark knight was exhausting his opponent with his light footed movements and teasing assaults. A devilish grin appeared on his face when he saw the blue painted warrior stumbling with fatigue, dropping his sword ever so slightly, but more than Lancelot needed to finish his opponent off. Taking a step forwards, while dancing to his right side, Lancelot swiftly changed his sword to his left hand, surprising his opponent completely. The Woad's arm lifted up in an attempt to deflect the Sarmatian's sword, but missed completely as Lancelot slashed his sword upwards through the man's throat. Speechlessly, the Woad dropped dead at his feet. When Lancelot looked up, he met Arthur's questioning gaze from across the field. He nodded to confirm that he was unharmed.

Arthur surveyed the rest of the field to check on his other knights. At the same moment as he heard his name rolling through the air, his eyes fell on Gawain and Galahad who were standing next to the carriage. The Roman rushed across the battlefield, not liking the looks on their faces at all.

As soon as Arthur came to a halt next to the carriage, Gawain nodded to indicate to Arthur to look inside. The Roman cursed in Latin as he took in the sight before him. Antonia Romanus had been slaughtered, her chest cut open. Her husband's faith was no less brutal. A long sword had been driven through his heart.

Arthur stepped back from the carriage and looked around once more. He saw that Lancelot was making his way over to them already. Surrounding the carriage were the dead bodies of the Roman soldiers Arthur had assigned to guarding the carriage. All four of them had been killed by arrows, either through the head, neck or heart.

Larcius Romanus was lying unconscious next to the carriage as well, Dagonet bent over him.

"Dagonet? Is the boy dead as well?" Arthur asked, his voice strained.

Dagonet shook his head. "Out cold by a blow to his head, but no, not dead."

Lancelot strode over to where Arthur was standing, Bors and Tristan closely behind him. He took in the dead Roman soldiers and the unconscious young man. "How could this happen?" Lancelot asked angrily. "What about the husband and wife?" Without waiting for an answer, the dark Sarmatian moved towards the carriage and looked inside. His face went deadly pale, his body rigid. He had seen many dead bodies, many even mutilated worse than the Romanus family, but the sight of one of his twin swords penetrating a Roman nobleman's heart was beyond shocking.

Arthur placed his hand on Lancelot's shoulder, trying to convey his support. He could feel the slight tremors coursing through the Sarmatian as he reeled with shock.

Bors went over to the carriage as well, sensing that something was horribly wrong. A brief look inside was enough to understand what was going on. "What did you do, lad?" he said, addressing Lancelot.

Lancelot couldn't hide the pure hurt crossing his features at Bors' words.

"Oh Gods, I didn't mean it like that!" Bors apologized immediately. "Oh come on, Lancey, we know you didn't do that!"

Lancelot only nodded but remained silent. His gaze seemed empty as he stared at the carriage, not really seeing anything.

"We need to return to the wall. We'll sort all of this out when we are there," Arthur ordered. "Dagonet, Bors, Tristan, take care of the boy and the dead." He gently pushed Lancelot's shoulder to get his stunned knight moving towards his horse.

The entire trip back to Hadrian's Wall was made in near silence.

–– 8 ––

Arthur stood in front of the door to Lancelot's room, pausing for a moment before he entered. He found the Sarmatian seated in the window sill, staring outside.

Lancelot slowly turned his head towards the Roman, only jumping down to the floor when he saw what Arthur was carrying.

Wordlessly, Arthur handed Lancelot the second of his twin swords. The blade was still covered in blood. Lancelot held the sword loosely in his right hand, looking at it like he had never seen it before. Carefully he set it on the table against the wall of the room.

Arthur was the first to break the silence. "There is going to be an inquiry."

Lancelot started to open his mouth to say something, but Arthur interrupted him before he could speak. "You don't have to tell me, or the other knights, that you didn't do this. We know, all of us. The thought never even crossed my mind!"

"But still there is going to be an inquiry…" Lancelot spoke softly.

Arthur closed his eyes for a second, hearing the pain in his friend's voice clearly. "Larcius has testified that a man in dark clothing approached the carriage before he was knocked unconscious. Not exactly the usual dress for a Woad. And your sword was used…"

"And the Romans hate all of us Sarmatians. We are nothing but filth to them. Good riddance…" Anger poured out of Lancelot's voice even though he continued to speak quietly.

Arthur saw the hurt washing over the Sarmatian's face. He did not deny Lancelot's statement. When he spoke up, the pain he was feeling for his closest friend was evident in both Arthur's voice and expression. "I wish I could do anything to change this. I would do anything if I could!"

"When?" Lancelot tried to sound like he didn't care but he knew he couldn't fool Arthur. He hadn't when his sword went missing, and he couldn't now that his sword was returned to him.

"Soon. I'll let you know." Knowing that words would not help any, Arthur stepped forwards and briefly enveloped Lancelot in a tight embrace. "Get some rest," the Roman urged with concern as he left the room.

Lancelot stood staring at the door as Arthur closed the door. Without a second thought, he picked up the nearest object, a water bowl, and threw it with force against the wall. The sound reverberated for a long time.

The sound rang on in Arthur's ears for a long time as well. He understood what Lancelot was going through. His heart welled with pain and sympathy for the man he loved like a brother.

Inside the room, Lancelot suppressed his flaring temper and the urge to give every other item around him the same treatment as the water bowl.


Hi LilyoftheValley4! Your comment certainly made me think :) Because, to be honest, I never even thought that much about putting Lancelot in the graveyard, but I can completely follow your reasoning, which makes a lot of sense. So what can I say…:) Maybe Lancelot feels close to home at the cemetery because his Sarmatian 'brothers' are physically there. But after his death he didn't want to feel close to home – he actually wanted to go home. And he could accomplish that by having Arthur and his fellow knights cast his ashes to a strong east wind which would carry him back to his homeland. Would that make any sense to you as well? I hope you'll enjoy the rest of the story :) Tri