Chapter 19: Galahad

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Note: To all my fans: Love you guys….wasn't too happy with the reviews…but hey, it's my fault. Never mind. I'll try and clear some stuff up.

Yesterday had been a blur for Amanda. All she could feel was confusion, which was mixed in with happiness because the Bishop was dead. Amanda, Arthur, and Galahad sat in the room with the Round Table. Galahad and Arthur had glasses of wine in their hands, but they were still full. Amanda sat silent, as Arthur stared into his wine glass, and Galahad stared at the stone wall opposite of him. Amanda assumed that they had been sitting there in silence for hours, and they would go on doing so if someone didn't say something.

"Do you think Rome will send an army?" she asked softly.

"What?" asked Galahad, sounding confused.

"One of their Bishops has gone missing, out here, in our country. I don't think the Pope will forget about one of his beloved Bishops without waging war against us," Amanda explained. Arthur looked up at her, and put down his wine glass.

"She's right," he said. "The Bishop went missing here, and even if we lie about his being here, they'll wage war or do something to try and kill us." Galahad sighed, knowing very well what the two meant. Knowing that it was his fault. Amanda, however, knew exactly what Galahad was thinking.

"Galahad," she said, "it isn't your fault." Galahad looked at her, and nodded in agreement.

"Do you really think they'll send an army with the Huns at their doorstep? It seems risky." Arthur entertained the notion for a long time before answering.

"You have a point Galahad. The Romans can't risk sending an army out here. If they do, and the Huns find out, they'll surly attack, and Rome could possibly be ruined," answered Arthur.

"Rome already is ruined. It's been crumbling from the inside out for centuries now. You know that," Amanda said softly.

"I know I do, but it hasn't collapsed yet. Rome is still a threat to our nation," replied Arthur. Silence befell the three once more. Amanda continually shifted, and Galahad fiddled with his tunic. Arthur, on the other hand, sat perfectly still, but glanced frequently in Amanda's direction. Even though Amanda hated to think about herself, fearing that she would turn into a arrogant, possibly conceited jerk of a person, she couldn't help wondering about what the Bishop had said to them.

"All I wanted was her. After all, she is the one in the note. And she would have caused you pain." Amanda mulled over the Bishops words over and over again. The note had said to "kill the one they loved". It just didn't fit. Amanda had only known these men for a few months. Suddenly, Amanda was called back from her thoughts when a knock came at the door. Both Arthur and Galahad seemed to be called back from far away as well. Nonetheless, Arthur granted permission to enter and in walked Bors and Gawain.

"Ah, hello," said Arthur.

"Where the hell have you been boy?" cried Bors at Galahad, who smiled.

"I had to go for a long walk," he said simply. Bors shook his head in dismay, but smiled at Amanda.

"Hello Bors," Amanda said. Gawain came over and sat next to her, patting her shoulder as he passed.

"Hello Amanda," he said gently.

"Where's Aalya?" Amanda asked. Gawain looked down at his hands for a moment.

"Aalya and I, are, uh, no more. She, uh,-"

"He caught her with another man," interrupted Bors. "That slut."

"No," Amanda said softly, "it can not be. She was so sweet, and…" but Amanda couldn't think of anything else to say, since she barely knew the woman.

"Don't you worry," said Gawain as softly as she had, "I'll find someone else."

"Amanda," said Galahad. Amanda looked up at him, and he was now standing by the door. He nodded his head for her to come with him, and Amanda obeyed. As they left, Amanda felt a cold draft flowing over her body, fresh new spring air blowing through the halls. Galahad took her arms, leading her away from the room, and towards his.

"Galahad what is it?" Amanda asked. Galahad looked back at her and stopped. The two stared at each other for several long moments; as Amanda waited for him to say something, and Galahad searched for what exactly to say.

"I wanted to tell you something. Something about Bishop Ahias, and the note, and the knights, and Arthur, and all of that," he said.

"What is it?" Amanda asked, feeling like Galahad had been reading her mind back at the Round table. Galahad sighed, and looked around.

"We can't do it here," he said. "Come with me." Galahad took Amanda's arm once more and headed back in the direction of the Round table room. His pace quicker, Amanda had to practically run to keep up with his rather long strides. Walking back past the Round table room, Amanda heard the door open when they passed.

"Galahad," said Arthur's authoritative voice.

"Yes Arthur," answered Galahad reluctantly.

"Let go of Amanda's hand," said Arthur. Galahad did, and walked away.

"Come here," said Arthur to Amanda. Amanda obeyed and walked to his side.

"Arthur," she said, "what is going on?" Arthur looked down at her, and Amanda felt this whirr of feelings as she looked into his brilliant green eyes.

"There's something we all need to tell you when the time is right," he answered. Amanda barely heard him. Her mind was elsewhere.

The next morning, after a very rough sleep, Amanda was out by her parent's graves, silently praying and watching the sky. The snow had begun to melt, and the sun was shining.

"Thought I might find you here," said a deep voice that had become all too familiar.

"I guess you thought correctly," Amanda answered Arthur. Arthur came up beside her, and looked down at the graves.

"Seems like it's been forever since all this happened. Doesn't it?" Amanda asked, chocking a bit on the forever part. "I feel like I've almost forgotten them. I can barely see them in my memories." Arthur put a comforting hand on Amanda's shoulder, and Amanda rolled into his chest, crying softly. After a few moments, Arthur embraced her fully, and tried to calm her down.

"But you haven't totally forgotten them have you?" he asked. Amanda looked up at him and knitted her eyebrows together.

"No, I suppose I haven't," she answered. "But I guess I might as well have." Arthur shook his head.

"You're one of the lucky ones Amanda. I can't remember my father at all, let alone barely," said Arthur. In that moment, Amanda and Arthur both felt the same sorrows. And though it was for a moment, it meant more than a life time. Amanda and Arthur were beginning to shape the same person out of two.