Disclaimer: I am poor and own nothing. And because I'm poor, this is my only source of entertainment, so please do not sue.
Authors Note: This story is dedicated to Tracy137.
LANCELOTTRISTANBABY – Sorry for the wait on this one. I'm working on three stories at once that are posted and a bunch that aren't and it's kinda a hassle sometimes. I've been fussing over this one so much; I figured I needed to post one of my other ones. Also, I really didn't want to watch the ice scene again. Thanks for the review. Makes me smile.
Lucillaq – Don't worry, he does. Guinevere comes off as kind of manipulative, at least as far as I see it, and that's why no one trusts her. Thanks for your continued reviewing. I really appreciate it.
Tracy137 – Oh good, I'm glad your flattered and nothing else. Hope you like this chapter as much.
Dw – Yeah, he can be a bit intimidating can't he? I'm so glad you liked that part, since it was one of my favorites as well. And the part with Lancelot and Ana. Loved writing that as well. I'm so grateful for your praise, but really don't deserve it. Thank you for the review just the same. It made me feel really good today.
Ryn the whitepanther – Thank you so much for reviewing. I'm glad you like this story so much. Makes me smile.
TriGemini – Wow, what a very long review you sent me. But that's okay because I like long reviews. I'm glad you liked the chapter. I hope you like this one as much. Thanks for the review. And yeah, Arthur hit him in the movie. One of the best scenes.
Op – Yes, I only wish he could mind fk him more than he gets to. I did like putting that little bit in though. Hopefully I'll get to put more of that in when it comes to Cornell. Thanks for the review!
Lunawolf – See insanity is a good thing. Oh branding! I forgot about branding. And thank you for the warning. Those days can be annoying, at least for me cause I'm like "Aww" to every little thing, and then I start thinking, "Damn I'm such a dork sometimes!" But I'm glad you liked the cuteness moments. I personally live for cuteness. Not really looking forward to a pitchfork wielding Lunawolf! You can pretty much guarantee that I won't kill Ana. Unless of course I suddenly change my mind, which has been known to happen. But at this point she's safe. Now lets see for how long…thanks again for the review!
Cardeia – I'm so glad you think Roxana and Tristan fit so well together. I couldn't not have him bow to her though in that instant. It shows that under that tough exterior, his love for his wife is still the most important thing in his heart. Actually, I think there was a whole group of us who felt that way about her. Maybe we should form a club or something. But you're right, that will make her a good Queen. I'm glad you like this story so much. After reading yours, I don't feel like I deserve your praise. But I thank you for it just the same.
Dmitchell1974 – Well the two year old explains that. Thank you for your praise, but I don't deserve it really. Not sure if Roxana is pregnant again. It's a possibility, but really, I haven't even decided yet. Anyway, hope you like this chapter as much and thank you for the review. I hope you choose to do it again.
FlamezBlaze1 – Glad you're so excited and reviewing every chapter. I love it. Gives me a happy. Thanks again!
Chapter Eleven: Thin Ice
True to his word, Tristan left long before morning and Roxana went to work, sharpening her blades and making sure she had plenty of arrows before she started packing up her gear and fastening it to the saddlebags of her horse. It was best to be prepared. As light began to crest over the mountains, she heard a struggle from farther into the camp. "Dagonet!" she whispered, leaving her gear with her horse and grabbing her sword she raced across the campground, coming upon struggle. Dagonet was facing off against three of Marius's mercenaries while the Roman held a knife at the throat of Lucan.
"I have the boy!" he growled and turned to his men. "Kill him!"
Before anyone could move, Roxana was there, her sword cutting across his arm at the shoulder, it falling carelessly to the ground, blood pouring from the wound. He howled in pain and released Lucan, Fulcinia rushing in and pulling the boy out of the way. He broke away from her and ran behind Dagonet who told him to get back as he pulled his sword from the wagon and brandished it for the three attacking guards. An arrow flew then, striking Marius in the foot, holding him in place.
They all turned to see Guinevere walking forward, another arrow already knocked as she glided across the snow-covered ground, in a pale blue dress.
Lancelot and Arthur came then, Excalibur drawn and Lancelot's double blades crossed behind his neck. "Your hand seems better," he stated smirking.
"Stop this!" Marius called towards Arthur who didn't say anything but merely glared at the mercenaries.
"ARTORIOUS!" Bors bellowed, riding up fast. "Do we have a problem," he nudged his horse against the mercenaries.
"You have two choices. You can fight, or you can die," Arthur said, glaring at the mercenaries.
"Looks like you're screams are falling on deaf ears," Roxana grinned. "How familiar."
"You will pay for this heresy!" Marius stammered, tears streaming down his face as he tried to back away from Roxana only to have another arrow pin his second foot, Guinevere smirking proudly. A quick flash of her blade and two large wounds gushed blood from Marius's legs sending him to his knees, his shins breaking the arrows off painfully as he hit their shafts.
In the background she heard the mercenaries surrendering to Arthur and the knights. "It's almost a pity, to kill you now," she stated, her voice calm. "When I was having so much fun with my game. Watching you tremble at the feet of my husband."
"You will pay for this! They will crucify you!" Marius sobbed now.
"You still don't understand do you?" Roxana asked sadly, shaking her head and making a tisking sound. "You are nothing to them. Alecto is the only one that matters. No one will miss you." Smiling she slapped the broad side of her sword against his broken arm, which was still attached to his body, shattering it further. Still in motion she spun and sent a roundhouse kick into his ribs and followed through with her swords hilt to the side of his head.
Her eyes met Alecto's then, who stood watching his father be tortured to death with the rest of the group. Her eyes softened for a moment and she asked him in a gentle voice. "If you wish it to end now, it can, but I cannot let him live to do to others what he has done to me."
Alecto nodded slowly. "He has lost his way, I understand why he must meet the creator." He then turned and walked over to his mother, who wrapped him in her arms.
The sounds of hoof beats interrupted and Tristan rode forward from the trees.
"How many did you kill?" Bors asked.
"Four," came the reply as he stopped in front of Arthur.
"Not a bad start to the day," Bors laughed. "Just ask Ana."
Tristan threw a crossbow before his commander's feet. "Armor piercing. They're close, we have no time."
Arthur nodded, "You ride ahead."
Tristan nodded in return and turned his horse, looking at his wife, his face deadpan. "You started without me?"
"He was attacking Dagonet and left little option," Ana replied.
"You've had your fun then?" Tristan asked, unsheathing his sword.
"Aye I suppose," Ana replied stepping back.
Tristan nodded and spurred his horse, taking Marius's head as he rode by. He came back and paused before his wife. "Ride with me."
Roxana smiled up at him and let out a loud whistle, bringing her horse trotting to her. She mounted quickly and they both took off into the woods, making sure the path was clear while the others hastily prepared to follow them.
They rode in silence for some time, checking the route ahead when Tristan suddenly spoke. "You are sad you didn't get to play with him further."
"Aye," Ana looked at him and pouted. "And I was having fun with it."
"Cornell will suffer more then," he promised, his eyes looking ahead.
"You are so good to me husband," she said as they rode on.
He was silent for a long time before he spoke again. "When we find Cornell, wait for me."
She let out a long laugh then, grinning over at him as they continued forward, he always knew how to make her laugh. She blew him a kiss as they rode on, coming around the bend and stopped quickly, a field of ice before them.
"Can we go around it?" Ana asked as they both began to scan the area, looking for a way to keep from crossing the frozen lake.
"Nay, we don't have enough time," Tristan replied looking at her, his face passive, yet certain unease to his eyes.
Ana let out a sigh before dismounting, and slowly, walked out onto the ice, examining it closely for any cracks or weak spots, being that she was the lightest of the two, it was the obvious choice. "It looks thick enough," she called back to him, walking to the center of the lake. Letting out a whistle, her stallion trotted towards her and she listened closely. She heard it creak, but it did not break. "I think we can make it if we all spread out," she said, not willing to risk mounting the animal, taking it by the reins she walked back to Tristan quickly, and remounted.
He nodded to her and sent his hawk to the air as they waited. It wasn't long before the caravan rode up, Arthur and the other knights coming to meet Tristan and Roxana, a sullen look on the commander's face.
"Arthur what is it?" Ana asked concerned.
"It must wait," Arthur said, turning to look at the lake before them. "Is there any other way?" he looked to Tristan.
"No. We have to cross the ice," the Scout answered matter-of-factly.
Arthur nodded in understanding before turning to the squire. "Get them out of the carriages. Tell them to spread out."
The knights and Ana all dismounted as Jols rode off and began walking across the ice, the villagers spreading out behind them. Each of the knight's lead their own steed, Tristan placing himself between the animal and rising cracks in the ice as they moved. Ana moved near her husband, cooing softly at the beast and stroking it's main gently, trying to keep him calm.
A large crack sounded about halfway across the lake and the horses became very anxious. It was then that the Saxon drums resonated behind them.
Arthur had a determined look on his face as he turned to his men, all looking to him for orders. "Knights."
"Well I'm tired of running. And these Saxons are so close behind, my ass is hurtin'," Bors said, looking for a fight, a grin on his face.
"Never liked looking over my shoulder anyway," Tristan added, casting a glance to Ana who nodded in return. If he stayed than so did she.
"Be a pleasure to put an end to this racket," Gawain added, referring to the drums.
"And finally get a look at the bastards," Galahad agreed, looking at Arthur.
"Here. Now." Dagonet said with a grin, all the knights moving together, knowing that they would stand and fight.
Lancelot gave a defeated look to Arthur before moving towards the others, a sigh escaping his lips, Ana patting his shoulder comfortingly as he passed her.
"Jols," Arthur said, the plan already forming in his mind.
"You two take the horses," Jols said, handing over the reins and moving to begin collecting the weapons bundles, Ganis coming to assist him.
The knights began pulling their swords and weapons from their steeds; Ana following suit, as well, taking her bow, quiver and blade before giving the animal a loving pat.
Tristan walked over to her then, his face emotionless as he looked at her. Without a word he leaned down, and she rose up, their lips meeting briefly, but lovingly. A common message passed between them then. 'Don't make me drag your body out of here today.'
"Ganis, I need you to lead the people," Arthur said, drawing the young man aside, a bow draped anxiously over his shoulder. "The main Saxon army is inland, so if you track the coastline till you're well south of the wall, you'll be safe," Arthur instructed, watching the young boys face fall.
"But you're eight against two hundred?" he asked confused.
"Nine," Guinevere spoke up, moving forward. "You could use another bow," she looked at Arthur as she moved across the ice to join the knights and Ana, who watched her closely.
"I'd rather stay and fight," Ganis asked, looking almost pleadingly at Arthur.
"You'll get your chance soon enough," the commander promised him before turning to the mercenaries. "This man is now your captain. You do as he says. Am I understood?" he asked, his voce leaving no room for argument.
"Yes, sir," they replied, bowing their heads slightly.
"Go, go!" Arthur encouraged as the others went to collect weapons from Jols, lining up on the ice, Guinevere next to Lancelot and Roxana next to Tristan at the end of the line. Jols moved down it, placing bundles of arrows and weapons at their feet, well trained in his duty.
"Right. Come on, then! Move on," Ganis called to the caravan as it slowly began moving back towards the wall.
"I am able. I can fight," Alecto said, coming up to Arthur. Roxana paused from testing her bow and looked at the boy, then to his mother as Fulcinia sat in the wagon next to Lucan, wringing her hands.
Arthur shook his head. "No. You must bear witness to all you have seen," he explained to the boy. He reached over and placed a hand on the boys' head in a fatherly fashion. "There's one thing you must do, and that's get back to Rome."
Alecto paused for a moment, understanding washing over him before he looked at Roxana, nodding and moving back towards his mother.
"Be safe!" the Noblewoman called out to Roxana and Guinevere, her hands clasped in prayer as they began to move on.
Dagonet raised his hand to Lucan, the boy waving sadly back, tears streaming silently down his face. Roxana made a special, silent, vow to the child to watch the large knight personally, winking at the boy as they passed. Arthur moved then to take his place between Dagonet and Guinevere, the caravan quickly rolling out of sight as Jols placed Dag's ax next to him.
The beating drums came closer and the Saxon army cleared the bend, coming into sight. The knights watched it closely, looking at one another, Roxana's eyes focused on the men ahead. They'd have to fire multiple arrows to do any damage. Without warning she broke the silence.
"Loser is the winners slave for a week," she said, all the knights looking down at her and Tristan, the scout's eyes still watching the Saxons approach.
"I am already your slave," he stated, not caring at the moment who heard him, especially considering that all the men present taunted him incessantly for that very fact. The other knights grinned at the couple in spite of the situation.
"Very well, looser," she leaned over then and whispered into her husbands ear, so none could hear her. A smile suddenly passed over Tristan's face as he turned to regard her.
"I will hold you to that," he stated, taking four arrows from his quiver, Ana doing the same.
The others snickered before falling back into silence, each contemplating the battle ahead. Arthur was the next to break it. "Hold until I give the command."
Not looking at Guinevere, Lancelot began to speak, "You look frightened. There's a large number of lonely men out there."
The Woad woman shot him a glare before answering, "Don't worry, I won't let them rape you."
The dark knight smirked in response as the Saxons began shouting in their own language, pausing at the other side of the lake. Their leader called for an archer who moved forward, took aim and fired, his arrow flying half way across the distance before skidding harmlessly across the center of the ice, stopping far from the knights.
"I believe they're waiting for an invitation," Arthur said, still watching the men before looking at Bors and Tristan. "Bors, Tristan."
"They're far out of range," Guinevere spoke up only earning a look from Arthur and a snort from Ana.
"Not for my husband," the raven-haired woman stated, watching Tristan load the four arrows along with Bors one. Aiming high the two men let loose simultaneously, all of the arrows finding a target, striking them dead. Ana beamed while Arthur shot Guinevere a, 'you were saying,' look.
The Woad woman looked mildly insulted at being proven wrong as she focused on the Saxons ahead, who had once again begun to move forward.
As one they all raised their bows, pointing high into the air, multiple arrows loaded on Tristan's and Roxana's as they awaited Arthur's command, each hoping the ice would break.
"Aim for the wings of the ranks. Make them cluster," Arthur stated firmly as their arrows began to fly. They kept this onslaught up for several minutes, the Saxon leader finally realizing what they were up to, struggled to keep his men scattered as the ice cracked loudly in protest. The knights stock of arrows was quickly running low as the Saxons moved forward. When they had made it halfway across the ice, with no sign of it breaking, the knights knew they were in trouble.
"It's not gonna break. Back," Arthur said, reaching down for Excalibur.
Tristan and Ana exchanged a look, all their feelings contained within it as they too reached for their weapons. "Fall back!" Arthur Continued. "Prepare for combat."
Out of the corner of her eye, Ana noticed Dagonet hesitate, looking from the sword in his hand to the ax at his feat.
'NO!' Her mind screamed, already guessing his plan. She opened her mouth to vocalize the sentiment, but was too late. The large knight let out a battle cry, grabbed his ax and ran for the center of the ice.
"Dag!" Bors screamed after him, fear on his face.
"Cover him!" Arthur yelled, and the others quickly picked up their bows once again.
This time, it was Ana's turn to hesitate. Looking between her bow and her shield, she paused. Suddenly she looked up at Tristan, who was already firing arrows towards the Saxons. "Never forget I love you," she stated before grabbing the shield and racing out after the gentle giant.
"ROXANA NO!" Tristan screamed about to follow her when he saw the Saxon archers stepping forward. Instead he doubled his efforts, as did the rest of the knights as she ran forward after Dagonet.
By the time she got to him, he had been hit once, and the ice was beginning to crumble under the onslaught of his attack. She reached his side just as the second arrow struck him, sending him onto his back.
"Dag!" Bors yelled behind them and Ana moved forward, dropping to one knee and blocking both her and Dagonet with the piece of metal.
"Get up or Tristan will kill us both," she said, looking at the large man, who was already starting to rise, an arrow in his lower left side and one in his stomach.
They heard someone running towards them from behind, arrows still flying by. Dagonet continued to chop at the ice while Ana moved her shield before them, stopping arrow after arrow, one coming dangerously close to Dagonet's chest, near his heart. "I'd hurry Dag," Ana yelled over the sounds of the barrage of arrowheads striking the shield, turning to look at him only to be knocked back, an arrow slamming into her left shoulder.
"Ana!" she heard Tristan bellow and then the ice finished cracking, crumbling beneath her feet, sending her and Dagonet tumbling down, the sounds of the Saxon men screaming meeting her ears as she slipped beneath the water.
Suddenly, a strong arm wrapped around her and pulled her to the surface, spitting water and fighting for oxygen. She noticed that Bors and Arthur were dragging Dagonet, who had looked better, back towards the others, who continued to unleash arrows on the Saxons who had made it off the ice before it crumbled.
"Pull back Arthur!" she heard Lancelot screaming frantically and suddenly felt herself be swept up into warm arms and looked up into Tristan's face as he ran towards the others, barely staying ahead of the cracking ice.
"Help us!" Bors screamed, he and Arthur struggling with their friend's weight. Gawain ran forward and Roxana practically jumped from Tristan's arms as he too moved forward, all of them pulling to get the big man to safety. Roxana kept moving, running ahead of them and towards Jols.
"Thread Jols, and a needle quick! And some wine if we have it!" she called to the man, who was already digging through his bag to accommodate her.
"Dagonet stay with me. Dagonet! Stay with me!" Bors was shouting as the men stood back, the large knight looking up at them with weakening eyes.
"MOVE!" Roxana shouted, pushing Tristan and Bors out of her way as she sank next to Dagonet, pulling her dagger from her boot. "The cold of the water may have slowed the bleeding enough," she said, cutting at his armor, pulling it from him. "Help me!" she added. Bors was quickly at her side, helping her cut the clothing from his body as Guinevere, Lancelot and Galahad continued to fire arrows towards the remaining Saxons.
Once they got his armor and jerkin removed, she examined the wounds. "They did not go through," she said, wondering how she was going to get the arrows out. Looking up into her friend's eyes, growing dimmer by the moment, she slapped him hard. "I did not give you permission to die," she yelled at him, before taking his face in her hands. "How do I remove the arrows? They did not go through."
"The wound," he choked out, blood appearing on his lips. "Make the wound larger than the arrow."
She nodded in understanding, ignoring the pain in her shoulder and the cold that threatened to overtake her as she took her dagger and poured the alcohol over it and his wounds, causing him to hiss in pain. With a steady hand, she cut on either side of the arrow in his stomach, feeling that it was the most likely to cause problems, Gawain and Arthur holding him down as she did. The pain was enough to make him scream, but he tried to remain still, feeling his life drain from him with the pools of blood.
After she had made the cuts larger, she reached her fingers in, finding the end of the arrow and pulling it out as straight as possible, trying to not increase the damage it would cause by yanking it haphazardly. Throwing it to the side she held the wound open as gently as she could, examining his organs for a moment. Nothing looked punctured, save for the skin and the muscle beneath. "It went around them," she breathed and thanked the Goddess before she began to stitch, expertly and quickly, years of practice showing through as she moved.
Next she moved up to his side, repeating the process, and once again finding no severe damage. Once again she stitched quickly, thanking all their Gods, including Arthur's for their fortune. When she was finished she grasped his head in bloodied hands, staring directly into his brown eyes with her piercing blue ones. "You will not die do you hear?" She growled, giving his head a slight shake. "That boy back there needs you to badly to be his father!" She leaned forward and kissed his forehead, as the others watched on in shock.
"Aye," Dagonet rasped, his thoughts returning to Lucan, the reason he had ran onto the ice in the first place. She lay his head back gently, his eyes closing, his skin pale in color, but his breathing steady and strong.
"Will he live?" Bors asked worriedly, running a hand over Dagonet's forehead.
"If he makes it though the night than I am hopeful," Roxana replied honestly, rubbing her hands with her still wet cloak, her body shivering involuntarily as the wind blew against her. "And we can get him back to the wall and get them cleaned properly, staving off infection." She suddenly began to feel lightheaded, swaying slightly. Tristan was immediately by her side, kneeling down and pulling the wet cloak from her, wrapping his own dry one about her, Bors hand reaching out to steady her.
"And you lass?" Bors asked, equal concerns showing in his eyes.
"Aye," she said, looking down at the wound in her left shoulder, the blood starting to pour from it a little faster. Tristan and Gawain immediately went to tending it, removing the armor and cutting at her shirt. "The cold slowed the bleeding, but now it appears I've warmed up," she said, shaking her head to get her bearings.
"It went through," Tristan said, as he revealed the arrow, sticking out the back of her shoulder.
"Can we move them?" Galahad asked, looking to Arthur.
"We shouldn't move him," Ana said, looking up at Arthur. "Not until tomorrow."
Arthur nodded in understanding before looking at his men. "Galahad, Lancelot, get camp set up near those trees. We rest here tonight and catch up with the caravan in the morning. Bors, help me move Dagonet."
"Go help them, I will help Galahad," Guinevere said to Lancelot who looked to Arthur who nodded in agreement.
Meanwhile, Tristan was busy working on his wife with Gawain holding her still. Jols had brought him a fresh needle and more thread and he was examining the wound, the arrow still jutting from her skin. It was a clean wound, in and out, but he was hesitant to remove it. If it had stuck an artery, she would bleed out before him, and he knew he could never handle that.
"Do it," she finally breathed, gripping Gawain's upper arms for support.
Tristan met the younger knights eyes for a moment, who nodded that he had her before taking a deep breath, breaking off the arrow tip quickly and pulling it from her arm, grateful that blood did not come spurting out with it. She whimpered in pain, gripping Gawain tighter as Tristan began working, pouring first the alcohol, causing her to hiss as well, and then began sewing, taking great care with the stitches.
"I've never seen him this gentle," Gawain whispered to her, trying to keep her mind from the pain.
"I am surprised. I half expected him to leave the tip on when he removed it," she replied, offering him a grin that quickly turned into a cringe.
"There will be time to punish you later," Tristan said, his accent thicker than usual as he concentrated on his work. By his voice Roxana knew this was far from over. She'd seen the fear in his eyes when he pulled her from the water, and she would pay for it.
Gawain offered her arm a reassuring squeeze as Tristan fell back into silence, sewing steadily.