The group turned and headed back the way Tristan and Laney had come. The ride went well, the men were back to their usual jovial selves, and even Arthur was in a joking mood. Laney listened with a smile playing on her lips until they came to the caravan. In single file, they passed the caravan and rode in pairs toward the fort. Finally they came to the top of a rise overlooking the fort. The sudden feeling of coming home, caught her by surprise. She had never thought she could become so attached to a place as she was to this one. Glancing around at the people with her, she realized they invoked the same feeling. When she was with them, she was 'home'. The sudden happiness brought a tear to her eyes. Lancelot moved closer and whispered, "Strange how 'home' becomes something you tried to escape only moments before." She looked at him and smiled through her tears. "Lance, I love you." It was a simple statement, but told him everything he needed to hear.
They rode into the fort ahead of the caravan to find the Bishop looking anxiously for Alecto. When he saw him, he walked forward with his arms outstretched, praising Jesus that they had returned safely. Arthur watched the scene with disgust on his face. Finally he walked over to the Bishop and said through gritted teeth, "Bishop Germanius, friend of my father." Then he walked away. Lancelot immediately headed toward the Bishop and he began calling for the release papers, "Here, you're free… now." His voice trailed off and Laney saw the fear in his eyes. Lancelot passed the scrolls out to the rest of the knights. One by one they left the courtyard and headed toward the tavern. As Laney walked past the Bishop hand in hand with Lancelot, she saw Marius quickly look from her to Lancelot. She glanced at Lancelot and saw the look he was giving the other man.
She squeezed his hand and brought his attention back to her. She smiled and said, "I think it's time for our wedding now, don't you?" He kept the scowl on his face only for a moment. Then teasingly, "I thought you'd never ask." Then he put his arms around her shoulders and they headed toward the tavern to celebrate with the rest of the knights. Laney remembered the look on Marius' face and knew there would be trouble sooner or later. The man was afraid of Lancelot and his guards were still loyal to him. At least as loyal as his money could buy. She knew that Arthur would quickly take care of the problem, but if he wasn't careful, Lancelot could get hurt before he knew what was happening. Marius was not the kind of man to fight face to face. He would be sneaky and that was not a good thing.
They entered the tavern and saw that Galahad, Gawain, and Bors had wasted no time in beginning their celebration. There were two mugs in front of each man and they were looking at each others scrolls with a triumphant look on their faces. The sight of Tristan, sitting at the table watching his friends, also gladdened her. He was not drinking, but then he rarely did. As they approached the table, Vanora walked up carrying mugs in both hands. She placed the mugs on the table and took the scroll Bors offered. She looked at it and then wiped a tear from the corner of her eyes. She leaned over and kissed the knight on the top of his head. Laney smiled at the scene as she saw Bors wipe at his eyes without anyone noticing.
Lancelot had taken one of the mugs and stood up. "To freedom!" The other men stood and followed suit. Then Dagonet spoke up, "I say we meet tomorrow and decide whether we return to Sarmatia or stay in Britain. Arthur plans on staying and he wants us all to stay as well." They all nodded agreement, then Lancelot spoke up, "Before or after the wedding?" he asked. Gawain laughed, "I think after, you've waited long enough." They agreed and Laney stood up, "I'll ask Vanora for help getting a suitable dress." Lancelot accepted the kiss she offered and then she walked toward the bar. She didn't see the contented smile that lingered after she left the group. "I still say you're the luckiest bastard I know." Gawain said wistfully.
Lancelot turned his attention back to the men at the table. He picked up his mug and said, "I am," and then he turned the mug up and took a big drink. As he was setting the mug back on the table, he saw Arthur walk up. "Arthur," he nodded, "how's your freedom?" Arthur smiled, "Great, you seem to be in a rare mood. What's the good news?" Before Lancelot could answer, Galahad spoke up, "He's getting married tomorrow." Arthur nodded to Lancelot, "Good, a perfect way to celebrate our freedom." Then his voice sobered, "Then what? Back to Sarmatia?" He attempted to sound conversational, but Lancelot knew he really needed to know.
"Don't know yet. We're having a meeting after the wedding. We'll all decide together whether to go or stay." Arthur nodded once, then picked up the empty mug sitting on the table. "What does Laney want to do?" Lancelot sat there for a moment, he hadn't asked her, they had talked of several things, but neither had said what they wanted to do after he got his discharge. He looked up at Arthur, "I don't know, we haven't talked about it yet." He decided then he'd ask her that night. He would do whatever she wanted, then he realized he hoped she wanted to stay. He thought she did from the reaction when they arrived earlier. He remembered the contented look on her face as she looked over the rise and saw the fort. She was happy here, as was he.
Arthur saw the emotions cross his friend's face. He felt sure Laney would want to stay, she loved it here, and she had said so. Lancelot would stay if she did. There was no doubt about that. He hoped what he believed was true. He hoped she would stay. He glanced around the room at the other knights. None of them except Bors had any ties here. But then they also had no ties at home either. Or none they thought still existed. The last time he had heard them talk they had said as much. He would miss them if they left. Each man was unique both in their abilities and their personalities. But together they made the most effective team of warriors he'd ever seen in the fifteen years he'd served Rome.
A hand on his arm brought him back to the group at the table. He turned and saw Lancelot looking at him. He smiled, "I was just thinking about all the men I've known over the last fifteen years and saying a heartfelt thanks that you six survived to make this decision." He looked around the room once again, and then he turned back to his best friend, "No matter what decision you each make, know that you will always be welcome in my home." Lancelot waited a moment then told Arthur, "As you will always be welcome in mine." They clasped each others arms in a brotherly embrace, both knowing that life would not be the same if they were apart.
Laney watched the men from her position at the bar. They were so happy. She felt her heart swell and then she caught sight of Dagonet laughing at something Galahad was saying. She remembered the scene that had been playing out on the ice. Dagonet had been about to run out onto the ice. He was willing to sacrifice his own life to save the lives of the people he loved. She was so glad that she had been able to prevent the death of such a wonderful man. Such a caring man. She was so caught up in her thoughts that she didn't notice Tristan until he said something, "You look mighty pleased with yourself about something. Wonder what that could be?" She looked quickly at him and saw the teasing glint in his eye.
"What makes you say that? I'm just surveying the happy crowd tonight." She looked over at the other knights to find them laughing, "They are happy, aren't they?" Her voice sounded so in awe at what she saw that he had to look at them again. "Yes, I'd say they are. They deserve it." He then turned his back on the scene they had been watching. She turned toward him, "What about you Tristan? Are you happy at all about being free?" She thought he was going to ignore the question all together, so she tried to come up with something else to talk about. Just when she thought she could talk about whether or not he was going to stay or go, he said, "I guess I'm happy. I'm not sure what being free means right now." He shrugged his shoulders and looked sideways at her.
"I would think it means you can do whatever you want to do." She replied. He stood up straighter and turned so that he was facing her a little more. "And if the things I want to do are still out of reach?" She knew he was referring to her. There was nothing she could say to make him feel better without sounding like she was flirting or leading him on. He watched the emotions cross her face. She did love him in her own way. He could see that, but she would not be willing to do anything that would lead him to believe it could ever be anything more. He turned back to the bar, "Yeah, well, I guess I'll just keep looking for something else I could want to do." Laney looked back at the group and saw Lancelot looking her way. He flashed her a huge grin and she returned it without having to think about it.
She turned back to Tristan, "Tristan, I think you will change your mind someday. You will find many things you want to do once the newness of your freedom wears off." Then she placed her hand on his arm, "You heard that my wedding is tomorrow?" She watched him nod. "You will come, won't you?" She wanted him to say he would, but she expected him to find an excuse not to. "If you wish it. I said I would, but only because you wish it." She told him, "I do wish it. But I don't want you to come only because of that. I want you to come so you can celebrate the happiness of your two friends, as they would for you." She watched his face for some sign that he understood, finally he just looked to where Lancelot was sitting, "If you wish it." Then he pushed off from the bar and headed over to the table to join his friends.
Laney watched him walk over and perch on the edge of the table. She let out a sigh and turned back to the bar. She hung her head, trying to think of something she could say, or do that would make Tristan move forward. Something that would open his heart up to the world around him instead of storing his feelings inside. He worked so hard to keep his emotions under control and hidden from all those around him. What he didn't know was that those friends had learned to interpret what they could see as well as most people did what they were told. He knew she knew what he was feeling, as he knew what she felt. That kind of made it hard for either of them to hide anything from the other. She wished she could be ignorant to his feelings concerning her. Their friendship wouldn't be so strained if only one of the was aware of the situation.
Her thoughts were interrupted when she felt someone put their arms around her waist. She snuggled back into Lancelot's embrace and sighed. "You seem sure it was me." He whispered in her ear. "Oh, Lancelot, I thought it was Gawain." She teased him in return. He laughed and pinched her thigh, "He'd better hope not." His voice had suddenly taken on the husky, teasing tone she had first noticed in him. She wiggled until she was facing him, "I think you've been drinking quite a bit, Sir Lancelot." She pretended to be outraged. He snuggled her neck for a moment, "Not enough to leave the most beautiful woman in the fort standing alone at the bar." She laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Then take me back to your table so I won't be so vulnerable." The smile he gave her gave her the feeling of the sun shining on her face. She giggled like a small child when he picked her up and headed back toward the table.
As they stumbled up Bors spoke in his slurred speech, "She trying to get away already, Lancelot?" The others started laughing but Lancelot just looked at Laney, "I certainly hope not." She kissed him and whispered in his ear, "Not a chance in hell." He kissed her and plopped down in the first available chair. "Did you find a suitable dress for tomorrow?" She pushed a curl off his forehead as she said, "Yes, I think I did. Vanora says it will be perfect and I trust her judgment." She put her forehead against his and told him, "I'm tired, is it okay if I go to bed now?" "Of course, we can leave any time you like." He told her as he made to move her off his lap so he could stand up. "You can stay if you'd like, this may be the last night you get to spend with all your friends, you will have the rest of your life with me."
Lancelot looked into her eyes for a moment, "Are you sure? I can come with you." She nodded and he kissed her gently. "I'll be along shortly. Get some rest," then he lowered his voice so only she could hear, "you may need it." She slowly got off his lap and turned toward everyone else, "Goodnight, I'll see you all at the wedding." She left the tavern and headed toward the room she and Lancelot would be sharing. She was really tired, but her steps were light due to all the happiness she felt inside the walls of the fort. Not just within her small group of people, but throughout the fort. She stopped for a moment and closed her eyes. She stood still and listened to the world around her. Then she raised her face toward the sky and opened her eyes. The stars were shining brightly and the sky was clear of all clouds. She noticed the moon was just before the full cycle and was trying hard to compete with the sun in brightness. It truly was a beautiful night.
She continued her trek toward the knight's quarters. Just as she was turning the last corner before reaching her destination, she saw a group of men standing around a fire pit. She wouldn't have thought much about it since the fort was so full of people since the slaves at Marius' estate had arrived. But these men were very animated about what they were discussing. The moved around and she suddenly saw Marius at the head of the discussion. She thinned her lips at the sight of him and on a whim decided to confront him for what she and the others had been through. One of the guards saw her coming and motioned for the others to be quiet. Marius folded his arms across his chest and stared at her with malice.
"Marius Honorius, I wish to speak with you." She announced formally. He stared at her for a moment and then turned to his guards and nodded. They backed away from the fire to give them a little privacy. "Speak." He commanded. She shook off her irritation at his tone and proceeded, "I just want to tell you that Arthur and his knights know of your treachery. I spared your life at the estate when I told Arthur you deserved worse than a quick death. I will not be so charitable should you cause any trouble here. If you do or say anything that causes anyone harm, I will personally see that you are punished severely before you die."
She expected him to take offense to her words, instead he started to laugh. "You silly twit, do you think because you are connected to Arthur and his knights that you frighten me? I have the protection of the whole Roman Empire." The anger at his words surprised her. "How dare you think you can do the atrocious things you're guilty of and get off without any punishment!" She made to move around the fire toward him. She saw the guards put their hands on their weapons, ready to protect him should the need arise. She stopped and closed her eyes, 'Oh, Goddess, grant me the strength to show this man he cannot do what he has done without your wrath.' She silently prayed. The familiar icy feeling began to creep upwards from her feet. She opened her eyes and saw the look of terror in Marius' eyes.
"Beware the wrath of my Goddess," she said with feeling. As she raised her arms over her head, she saw the mist surround the Roman. He looked around wildly and began backing up, leaving the fire that had no effect on the cold mist that surrounded it. "Fear not, for I cannot and will not cause you any harm. But the Goddess has the power, if she so desires. I am merely her vessel." She lowered her arms and the mist dissipated as quickly as it had come. Marius moved back toward the circle of light around the fire. "You are a pagan witch!" He spat the words as one would a distasteful meal.
"I am no witch, Marius. But I am of the blood of the Goddess. If you hurt anyone I care for, the Goddess will grant me revenge. Heed my warnings, if you wish to live to see your beloved Rome." Having said all she needed to say, she turned and headed toward her room. As she did so she let the power slowly leave her body. She knew she would pass out as soon as it was gone, so she hurried toward her bed. She was almost there, when she felt herself slip into the unconscious state as before when the power was gone. She fell to the stone floor in a deep, restful sleep.