Disclaimer: As chapter one; so please, for the love of God, do not make me keep writing it out people!

Thane is an old English name meaning Attendant Warrior, which I felt would be perfect for the son of someone like Bethan!

Letocetum is now part of Lichfield in Staffordshire, and was occupied mainly around the time of Marcus Aurelius. It had also had a large fort built along the lines of Trojanic/Hadrianic architecture (i.e. Hadrian's Wall) according to the site I found. As a Staffordshire dweller I felt that I should stick to an area I know hence Arthur going there. I will not be calling the city Camelot I will keep it as Letocetum, as I feel that is more legend that reality so it will basically be another fortified village similar to the one at the wall only on a larger scale. Hope you are all okay with that.

WARNING: BAD LANGUAGE, VIOLENCE AND SOME SEXUAL REFERENCES (though not too graphic) SO READ AT YOUR OWN PERIL.

All reviews, and constructive criticism, gratefully received – but no flaming please; and I will try to update regularly.

'Thoughts'

"Speech"

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Bethan & Lucan

Chapter Ten – Letocetum

The rest of the journey to Letocetum passed without any more skirmishes; and true to his word Galahad told Gawain who had truly saved him.

Gawain had been recovering in the wagon for a week before Galahad finally had some time alone with him.

"How fares you brother?" he grinned entering the wagon.

"Doing well Galahad; doing well…"

They chatted about things generally, and then Galahad brooked the subject of his illness.

"Do you remember much about when you were sick Gawain?"

"Nay, why?"

"You know 'the tie that binds' was done for you?"

"Apparently, aye…why?"

"But do you know who did it?"

"Ysabeau of course!" he smiled "who else would do it?"

"Bethan…" Galahad replied quietly.

Gawain looked at him confused. "Bethan? Why would Little Scout do it?"

"Because Ysabeau refused!" ground out his friend.

Gawain looked both surprised and hurt; he knew Galahad would not lie to him. "She did? Why?"

"She was scared you would die and take her soul with yours."

"Bethan was not concerned about dying? What of Lucan, he can be very jealous?"

"Nay, she was not; she promised Ysabeau and gave me her solemn word that she would do whatever it took to save you, and she did. Lucan agreed with her, he could see it was the only way." There was immense pride in Galahad's voice when he spoke of Bethan.

Gawain looked at the floor, this was a shock to him - he had heard from the other knights that it was really 'the tie that binds' that saved him, but none would not say who had done it; not even Tristan. He had merely assumed it was Ysabeau; to find out she had refused, and it was actually his Little Scout….

"I see; thank you for telling me Galahad."

"I felt you should know who you owe your life to; I am sorry Gawain…" he saw the deep hurt in his brother's eyes, and wondered if his need to make sure he knew the truth was doing more damage than good. Maybe he should have heeded Bethan….

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A few days before, Bethan was riding with Lucan when Galahad rode alongside with Lancelot. They were discussing something quietly; but Bethan, ever the scout, heard it.

Lucan felt her stiffen "you will do no such thing!" she exclaimed, annoyed "She loves him and he loves her! You will not upset their life together Galahad, nor you Lancelot!"

"I want him to know!" Galahad cried.

"Oh for God's sake Galahad, just bloody grow up! What good will it serve? Who will it help?" She was angry now.

"He should know!" Galahad was also getting annoyed "He thinks she saved him, and it was you!"

"So? Who will it possibly help to know that his best friend saved his life instead of his lover?"

Tristan rode up "Bethan is right Galahad." His tone brooked no argument. The youngest knight shut his mouth, his face set with anger.

Lancelot sighed "he should know Tristan; it is only fair…"

"Aye, I agree; but as Bethan was responsible, if she does not wish it you should respect that."

Lancelot nodded; Galahad merely scowled.

Bethan calmed and touched his arm "Is this your happy face?" she asked with a smile. Using one of Gawain's favourite sayings to his brother; Galahad could not help but laugh.

He leant across and hugged her "I love you Little Scout; I just want the right thing to be done!"

"I know Galahad; I know, but let it be…"

But he had not….and now he wished he had listened to her.

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Some time later Bethan popped her head into the wagon and saw a despondent looking Gawain sitting up staring at the floor…..and a sobbing Ysabeau in the corner.

"GALAHAD!"

The youngest knight shuddered and rode ahead; he would wait until she calmed down before speaking to her….

She sighed in exasperation "What did he tell you?"

"That you were the one who did 'the tie that binds'…." He gestured to Ysabeau "as soon as I asked her….." he petered out; Bethan realised that her friend's tears were her 'confession'.

She growled her frustration and Guido, her now faithful companion, grumbled too sensing her anger and exasperation. "Look Gawain what does it matter who did it, only that it was done and you are safe?

So Ysabeau is afraid of death and I am not - what of it! My soul was already bound to you in friendship; I have only made that bond more secure and I thank God for it, for you have been the best friend a person could have in this world or the next one. I am only glad I could repay a small part of all that you have done for me.

You must remember that Ysabeau has not been raised to kill and face death as we have, many fear death as greatly as she and we wonder not at it; but because she is the lover of a knight, suddenly she is condemned for it!" She sighed deeply "I do not care what anyone else says; she is my friend and I will not condemn her for it!"

He looked at her then and smiled sadly "You are a good friend Bethan, you speak true I know. It was just a little shock to learn that the woman I love with all my heart was too scared to tie her soul to mine to save me; that that dubious honour was left to my best friend." Bethan growled her exasperation, but he continued "But as you say, I love Ysabeau; it is not her fault she was afraid." Ysabeau flew to him and buried her head in his shoulder. He wrapped his arms round her comforting her - Bethan left them, grinning.

"Is all well?" Lucan asked when she rejoined him.

"Almost…aye." she smiled. Then her face darkened before adding "But I am going to kill bloody Galahad!"

"He is already gone!" laughed Lucan "said he would speak to you when you calmed down!"

She sighed "Bastard."

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It was hours later before she caught up with Galahad – she walked over when they pitched camp and punched him in the face….

"Next time…respect my wishes you daft bugger!" Then she stooped and helped him to his feet as he wiped his bloody nose. Kissing his cheek she added "But I thank you for trying to show me as a faithful friend; just do not do it again…..naught is worth the hurt that was inflicted, however temporarily."

"Well, I got off more lightly than I thought, it is not even broken" he touched his nose gingerly "you are mellowing Little Scout…." She pretended to punch him again, then hugged him.

"Sometimes you care too much Gal…" she sighed with a smile, before saying more seriously "Do not interfere again!"

He held up his hands with a grin "Pax, pax!"

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The rest of the trip had been problem free and she had had much more time to spend with Lucan, Milo and Gawain. She adored her little brother, and could not have been prouder of him for making his first kill protecting one of the knights' children.

She and Lucan became closer still, revelling in their new togetherness. She and Gawain found their friendship entered a new phase; they would have no secrets and she found that she had been able to help heal the rift between him and Ysabeau, as if it had never existed, because of it.

The new fort was wonderful; the knights did indeed have their own section, and Lucan and Bethan were given quarters there as promised.

They had been there about four months when Ysabeau sought her out; she knew Bethan, now 5 months into her seventeenth year, had been training as a healer with Merlin since Gawain had been injured.

She was indeed a quick study and had learnt much, but she found it boring - still, it was what they all wanted; from Merlin and Arthur right the way along to her father and Gawain….so, for once in her life, she obeyed them.

Ysabeau had been ill for a week or so, and you did not need to be healer to see she was with child; Merlin confirmed Bethan's suspicions and much rejoicing was made around the fort that Gawain was about to become a father - at long last.

Bethan herself was with child now and was about 6 months ahead of her friend. Lucan had been almost delirious with joy when she told him. He picked her up and swung her round, before suddenly realising this might not be the thing to do and apologising profusely for his ignorance.

He ran round the fort telling any who would listen, and she had laughed and smiled at his excitement. She felt a pang he did not know of the other child she had lost, but his reaction to this pregnancy merely confirmed her feelings that he would never have forgiven her….

Gawain and Bethan never actually spoke of the miscarriages she and Ysabeau had suffered; but they had a silent acknowledgement and she could see he was worried. She drew him to one side "I will look after her to the best of my abilities Gawain, I promise. Vanora and Merlin will be there for her too."

"Thank you Bethan" He hugged her tightly to him. "But I am concerned; I remember your mother all too well."

"Aye but think of Vanora, Amila and Guinevere; they all pop them out without a problem!" she laughed.

He laughed with her………but could not quell the feeling of foreboding that hung within his heart. Bethan too felt the light breeze that blew around her, whispering……

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The months slipped slowly past and soon it was Bethan's time to deliver; she realised her waters had broken whilst she was chatting to Jols in the stables.

He had run to get Lucan and Vanora; unfortunately her husband collided with a stable door as he rushed headlong to her side - knocking him out for some time; and even on recovering consciousness, found he was too groggy to be of any great assistance.

It fell to Gawain and Galahad to be her supporters, Arthur had gone on patrol with the other knights; but she faired well and delivered a healthy baby boy with little problem. She refused to have them sent outside as she did not want to be alone; for all her bravado during the delivery, for the first in her life Bethan was frightened…. very frightened.

She and Lucan named him Thane, with Gawain and Galahad as his chosen protectors should aught harm ever befall her and Lucan.

She recovered well and looked forward to Ysabeau's delivery; they had become like sisters during their confinement, along with Alisia, they had joked and laughed their way through the 9 months. She loved Ysabeau and spent much time with her, revelling in having a sister of sorts who understood the vagaries of men and their stupid actions that drove her to distraction.

Like her mother before her, the knights and Lucan tried to stop her doing too much. Whilst she was careful, her first failed pregnancy still too raw to ignore, she did not want to be treated like she would break if a raindrop fell on her.

That happiness and attachment was the only reason Bethan could later give for ignoring the whispering breeze that had tried to warn her of what was to come - though Merlin knew naught could have been changed, it had all begun to hang very heavy on his heart, for the worst of it was still yet to unfold…….