Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from the film King Arthur, nor do I own the myth, or anything else, Dzerassa's character. This story was written for entertainment purposes only, no money was exchanged. Please don't sue, just tell me if I need to change something.
Veia – Thanx for the review. I think I wrote how old Dzer was before…ummm, I think I decided that she was about 17, and has now been with the knights for a few months at least. I figure she could still have passed as a boy if she pretended to be a younger one, with a small frame and high voice etc…
Zelina – Opps, sorry if that was confusing, yes, Secunda was the one who let her free because she was her friend and cared for her. But the Roman doesn't know that and thinks strictly in terms of the concepts that make sense to him, ownership and power, not friendship. So he just assumes that she is a runaway. I guess she should have protested, but maybe she knew that he wouldn't have listened anyway. Thanx for so many reviews!
Samli, Spectral Lady, Dazzler420, Dmitchell, Babaksmiles, Gondorian Archer, Bolle, JuneBirdie, Elvenstar5, Raynacchsilvermoon, and everyone else who's reviewed : Thank you! I only have one more chapter after this before it's finished. Keep reviewing and tell me what you think of the end in the next cjapter, when its posted. I think it's a bit untraditional.
Chapter Seventeen: Endgames
After picking pockets and living on the streets for what I guess was about a year, I find passage on a ship bound for Britain. I sign a contract saying that I will indenture myself to the trader for three years, and become his apprentice of sorts for his many voyages. This is a contract that, of course, I have no intention of honoring. I will find my friends if I have to fight every man who stands in my way. On this particular voyage, the trader hopes to engage in illegal trade with the Woads, though he could just as easily be shot by them. Fortunately, the merchant accepts my change of plans and does not force me to kill him. In fact, once I have a knife pressed against his throat, he is quite compliant and willingly gives me his supplies and a horse. I ride furiously, and foolishly. The passage to the fort is unprotected. I heard rumors that the Romans had pulled out completely from Britain, discarding it as an "indefensible outpost." I hope this is not true, for it would mean that Arthur and the others are either dead or long gone. I search the sky again, and there! Through the clouds is a hawk! It is beautiful. It is Tristan. If he couldn't come rescue me, he must have stayed here. That's why he never came. He is waiting here, waiting on this island, for my return. Lost in my thoughts, I do not even notice the silent hunters around me. I am taking completely by surprise as I am knocked off my stolen horse. In a flash of blue, I am bound and being dragged off. The Woads. One tells me I will be brought to their king and likely killed. Another spits in my face, calling me "Roman filth." Strange. I did not know that the Woads had a king.
I laugh when I figure out where I am being taken. The fortress! I must admit, it is ironic. I will die at the very place I've longed for throughout an entire year. The Woads must have taken it over when the Romans pulled out. I wonder how my friends died. Valiantly, I am sure. Thinking of me? I can only hope. I am forced to kneel before the throne. I feel heavy and dead at the realization that everyone is gone or dead. I don't even look up until one of the Woads physically grabs my head and yanks up. I meet piercing dark eyes. The Woad queen is strikingly beautiful. And the king – "Arthur!" I yell, taken aback. I stand up sharply to the dismay of my Woad guard, but Arthur gestures for him to leave. "Dzerassa?" he questions, "Dzerassa? Why did you leave? Why did you come back?" he asks softly. His voice is eerie, but I ignore my misgivings, "Arthur! I thought you'd all died, but I knew Tristan would wait, and you're here, you're all here! And I never left, they took me after the festival, but I'm back now because I knew he'd wait, and my brother, and you, king? Why? But it doesn't matter, I just – I missed you all!" I am so overwhelmed I am practically laughing and crying at the same time, an unattractive sight I am sure. But Tristan won't mind. Arthur is silent, and then explains the conflict with the Saxons, the valiant fight. I barely listen until he mentions Lancelot's death. I look up in horror. Sure, Lancelot was blunt, but he was fun and smart and protective. "And the others?" I ask in a whisper.I had cared for Lancelot, so much. For Dagonet as well. So sweet and gentle. And they died thinking I had abandoned them without a word. Arthur continues, "Gawain and your brother returned home, to Sarmatia. Perhaps to find you as well," he smiles slightly, trying to reassure me. Galahad returned home to find only death, I think, but Arthur continues, "Bors is here, with Vanora and his children…they miss you, you should visit…." His voice wavers. "And Tristan?" I ask. Arthur won't look at my eyes. "Arthur – And Tristan?"