Disclaimer: Disclaimer: Same as before…. Aida is old English for joyful helper; which considering her part in the story will be very apt. For those that are interested, crucifixion was actually invented by the Persians around 300-400BC with the first historical record being made in 519BC. Romans were considered the more humane of the practitioners of the act as it was not unheard of for a roman soldier to break the legs of a crucified individual to haste death by the sheer fact they could not push up to breath and so would suffocate much more quickly…..scant comfort I know….

Lucillaq: Unfortunately, it was truly barbaric and I found out many more details during my research that actually made me feel sick. I had hoped I'd made it heartfelt, so glad you agreed. Yes, it was horrible what she went through. Glad you liked the humour though, I thought it needed it.

Calliann: Muchly is the word we love to use! Have to have major kissing…and I hoped the explanation for the 'muchly' would get an 'awww'. Galahad becomes a bit of a sweetie in the next chapter, but she does have another dig at him before that though…only in jest. Lancelot is the sort of bloke you have to love as you know deep down is actually a nice guy. It made total sense and I understood. Yeah I knew that would be amusing….chatty Jols and silent Tristan – in any other circumstances not a good combo! I laughed when I read the last part of your review…I do that here when I read something good and I laugh or shout yeah! Trevor's like "Those bloody stories again? Do you women ever do owt else?" My reply is usually along the lines of 'yeah I could make you wear your dinner!" ROFL

Twilight Falcon: Yeah, she really has been through the wringer…but she is a survivor so you have to admire that in her. Flavius is already dead, mainly because I didn't think there was a way she could really kill him that would make up for what he did to her parents, so she cut his throat when he tried to rape her….a bit too quick if you ask me…but I can make up for that I think later on in the next chapter.

SpectralLady: Dag is a serious cutie and you just want to hug him and go 'awww' all the time….well, sad Muppet that I am – I do:O) Glad you liked it and realised they didn't know they had an audience beneath them! LOL

June Birdie: I think 'muchly' is getting as recognised as 'moving the furniture'! LOL Their deaths were truly horrific (and I left a lot of what happened out) but at least by her telling him about it and what else has happened to her it broke the ice enough for them to kiss….not a much of a trade I know….but…still, at least they made headway.

lilstrummrgrl527: I think a lot of women who saw the movie, and know the legend, agree with you and your friend…. Galahad is pretty harmless but he is easy to rile. However, later in the next chapter you'll see that Devon has a bit of a soft spot for him. Tristan is so lovely isn't he? I'm glad I was able to work a friendship with him into the story. Flavius is already dead, mainly because I didn't think there was a way she could really kill him that would make up for what he did to her parents, so I got her to cut his throat when he tried to rape her….I know it was a bit of a quick death…but I can make up for that I think later on in the next chapter with someone else. Sadly she'll find out about Pelagius in the next chapter. Lancelot will be fine (and I'll be doing a story for him next where he definitely gets the girl!) and she will be a bit nicer to the poor sod! LOL Oh, hey the muchly will always be there…can't get away from the muchly! LOL More passion to come! Glad you liked it.

Lunawolf: Glad you liked the fluffy bit….yeah poor Devon. But on the plus side it enabled her first kiss with Dagonet… A bit more fluff in this chapter and then it's the Battle….

Evenstar-mor2004: It took some research…..and my God did they suffer! There was some stuff I couldn't put in as I felt it would have been too graphic. Rome was actually considered more humane as I mention above…..beggar's belief really doesn't it? Personally, from all the research I've done on all the stories I've written, I don't think it fell fast enough! I've believed for a long time this is the hell we have to suffer and Heaven's the reward we get for surviving it; I'm pleased you don't think that's a mad notion! Devon and Dagonet….such a lovely couple.

Magpie-DetonationReally pleased you liked it so much. Yeah, poor old Dagonet does get a bit overlooked. But the vote went his way….so there must be a lot of Dag fans out there like us (though Tristan is my total favourite!) I will be continuing for a while never fear!

Elfvamp1-13-97Glad you liked it! I think it needed a bit of humour before it came too dark – my favourite bit was Lancelot's 'I'm a very bad man':O)

JediPirateElfyDude: Have a drink on me! Well, I had to get at least one kiss in there…but there will be more I promise.

Ailis-70: Sorry it upset you so much, and I left a lot of the graphic details out so you can imagine how awful it really was. I have to say it's been one of the worse things I've head to research; but yes it does explain her almost pathological hatred of the Romans. Lancelot is what my old Nan, God rest her, would've called a rough diamond! You have to love him but you still need to give him a smack every so often! LOL As for Guinevere…..hmmm, yes a bad name for all women from that woman!

WARNING: BAD LANGUAGE AND VIOLENCE, SO READ AT YOUR OWN PERIL.

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

'—' signifies thoughts.

"—" signifies speech.

Anyway…chapter seven!

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Heart & Soul

Chapter Seven – The Calm before the Storm

They sat for some time wrapped in each others arms, their breathing the only sound that could be heard. He was reluctant to break away, he really felt like he had come home, that all he'd ever wanted was right here in his arms. He knew it was madness, he'd only known her a few days….but…he couldn't shake the feeling. Did love at first sight really exist? He wondered, because if it did it would explain a lot to him now.

He loved her…there…he'd said it. In his mind at least, he'd said it. But he wouldn't say it to her – not yet. He didn't want to frighten her away. Too much, too soon; and it wasn't his way anyway.

Dagonet was a plodder, he had heard Lancelot call him that once. His friend was right, although the name had hurt a little at the time; made him sound slow and dull-witted.

It was also the only time Bors had thumped a fellow knight…he smiled at the memory, he'd knocked Lancelot clean out - but it was alright…he was; he plodded through life – accepting whatever fate threw in his path. Savoured the good and had learnt to deal with the bad.

Devon was the good…definitely very good. He would savour this and just pray that she never left him…ever. But if she did, he would look back on this time in his life as the one moment he was truly happy….for one brief, shining moment he knew what happy really was.

Devon for her part was merely enjoying feeling safe and protected for the first time in too long. Even Wolf, as much as she had loved him, did not make her feel the way this knight did.

She always slept with one eye open, always with the knowledge that she could never really sleep, never really let her guard down for that was when the bad things happened….she was never really warm, never really calm; not like she was now.

What was it that was different? Why did she feel Maybe it was because she had told someone the whole sordid story of her life on this Goddess forsaken rock, and they had not rejected her. Maybe because he was just the gentlest and kindest man she had ever met in her life.

She knew her parents, especially her father, would have truly loved him like the son they had always wanted; she would tell him that one day…tell how much her parents would have loved him and been pleased and honoured their daughter knew him.

She shrugged herself deeper into his arms, folded herself into his lap – let his warmth and security surround her. She didn't want to know what it was, merely that she felt safe and…happy. For one brief, blissful moment she finally understood what happy really was.

It took Dagonet a few minutes to realise she had gone to sleep. She had moved from being in his arms to sitting curled on his lap; though his arms had still been wrapped tightly around her – she had seen to that.

He didn't know what to do now. Move her onto the hay and leave her? Or just stay? There was no way he could pick her up and carry her back to his room, or any room for that matter….not with the hayloft ladder to negotiate and both of them injured. Anyway, she liked being near her horse, he remembered her saying.

So he stayed, he couldn't bring himself to move her….to break the contact. Something told him if he did he would freeze without her. He shuffled back until his back was against the wall of the stables; he heard her mutter something and she smiled – it sounded like 'Dagonet'. He grinned…. Soon he was sound asleep too, his head resting on hers.

0-0-0-0-0-0

That was how Jols found them the following morning. He was so happy that he had to clamp his hand over his mouth to stay the shout….and stop himself dancing in an almost warlike manner of happiness around the hayloft.

He leant over the railing and gave the old woman, Aida, a huge grin. She clapped her hands and grinned gummily back at him; doing her own little dance. She had been deeply touched by the honey-eyed girl's kindness, to both her kin and herself; to give her comfort at a time when others ignored her….except for that nice squire.

She realised that all the knights were good men, and she was glad the girl had found herself the best….and made a firm friend of the second best; the silent one. They would help her in the coming times. She sighed; she knew the storm was coming, she could it feel it; she hoped it would not kill these good people, these people who had saved them from that demon…

Jols flew down the ladder to find the knights…..especially Tristan. They were all at the Tavern obtaining breakfast. Even Van was there, her eyes puffy. Jols picked her up and swung her round.

"Oi! What you doin' with my woman?" Bors eyed him; what was the matter with the mad man?

"They're together!"

"Who are?" Galahad asked.

"Them!"

Tristan grinned "Really? I'm pleased."

"Oh well, I'm glad 'Mr Cryptic' over there worked it out from you wild bloody ramblings – but for the rest of us mere mortals without his silent brainpower; who exactly is 'them'?" Lancelot ventured sarcastically.

"Dagonet and Devon!"

"What you mean together together?" Lancelot grinned.

"Lancelot get your thoughts out of your breeches for once! No, not together together. Just together!" and he told them what he'd found.

"AWWWW" Bors was touched and pulled Van into his lap "See, didn't I tell you our Dag would make it all alright?" She nodded and hugged him. "Daft bat, cried most of the night worrying about her little mate!" he explained to the other knights "Loves her like a little sister, don't ya?"

She nodded, hiding her head and mumbled something about Devon. The other knights looked to Bors "She was worried about her leaving…." He mumbled loudly.

"I doubt she will now." Jols ventured, smiling.

"I 'ope not….it'd crush our Dag." Bors put in.

"Nay, I think they found each other at just the right time…" ventured a dreamy looking Galahad "True love always comes when you least expect it." He got bombarded by a load of buttered bread from all the knights "What!"

"Daft oaf!" Bors exclaimed, grinning.

"Romantic idiot more like!" Laughed Gawain, throwing another piece of bread at him.

Van got up and kissed his cheek "Well, I think he's right – at least where our Dagonet and Devon are concerned. She won't leave – she promised me to look after you lot, and besides she has Dag to think of now. You'll see, she won't leave us…." And she happily went out the back to fetch more bread.

"Unless she can't help it…" Tristan muttered.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Bors asked.

"If we fight the Saxons, or even if we don't – she knows full well he will" the scout nodded in the direction of Arthur's room "and so she'll stay and fight too."

They all nodded remembering her words the night they tackled her about her connection to them. Lancelot realised now why Tristan had been asking her what had seemed, then at least, random questions. "If she does, you cannot guarantee she won't die…..or that any of us won't die…" he shrugged "Battles are too unpredictable."

"When do you think they'll get here?" Gawain asked.

Tristan thought for a moment "Sometime today I think….."

They all exchanged looks "Then it looks like we have a fight on our hands tomorrow boys!" Exclaimed Bors with a grin…..and a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach.

0-0-0-0-0

Back in the hayloft Dagonet woke and tried to move a sleeping Devon off of his lap. His legs had gone numb and he wondered idly with a smile if he would ever walk again….either way he thought she was worth it.

Devon stirred and her honeyed eyes opened slowly and focused on him. He held his breath waiting to see what she did – he longed to take her in his arms again; to kiss her and show her that he cared, that it wasn't sympathy or pity before….

She smiled at him….it was a smile he had not seen from her before, it lit her whole face "I didn't have a nightmare" she said incredulously "for the first night in 16 summers I did not dream of my parents dying. She flung her arms round his neck "Thank you Dag…thank you….not to relive that horror…not to go through their loss again…"

"I don't see what I did…." He replied gruffly, though smiling "but you're welcome."

"You made me feel safe, secure…I finally slept properly…I don't know what you did…but thank you!" she kissed him then, lightly on the lips…but there was a feeling there he couldn't ignore; did she feel the same about him?

Her stomach growled so loud they both heard it. "Goddess, I didn't realise I was so hungry – but I didn't eat last night. Come" she stood and held out her hand "let's get some breakfast…"

She stopped then and looked at him "you….you are still my friend right? After last night, what I said…what I told you; you don't think less of me do you?"

"NAY!" he almost shouted the word, before quieting "Nay, I don't think less of you – I meant what I said last night Devon; you can speak any thought, tell me any memory and I will not judge you…I swore that did I not?" he looked softly at her, but she could see the sternness behind the gaze and nodded. "Good, for I do not lie….ever; and like you I always keep my word."

He staggered to his feet stamping them to get the feeling back. "Did I do that? You should have dumped me on the hay!" she smiled.

"Nay, you were asleep so soundly….and…and it felt good to be so needed…" he mumbled not catching her eye.

He felt her finger on his chin as she made him look at her "I will always need you my Dagonet." She whispered before once more touching her lips to his, and then stepping away and down the ladder.

He stood for a moment lost in that sentence…she would always need him, and she had called him her Dagonet.

0-0-0-0-0

Without speaking they both decided to make their way to the Tavern. She had asked Aida if she had needed anything, but the old lady had waved them off with a smile. "Nay child….do not fret so about me….your Jols is a good man; and is keeping an eye on this old baggage!" she laughed.

"No baggage, mother…just a friend in need." Devon had muttered, before impetuously leaning down and kissing the old woman on the cheek.

The old lady's eyes filled "You've got a good heart child…a big heart. Which is not so dead to love anymore eh?" she smiled. Devon blushed a deep crimson and muttered something about owing it to a friend…and left.

As Dagonet smiled and went to follow her, Aida touched his arm "You're good for each other boy. But watch her – she is fiercely loyal to all she cares for, especially you - and that temper of hers could get her into trouble…."

He nodded and patted her arm reassuringly "I'll let naught harm befall her Aida….worry not."

"If I were a good few summers younger, boy, I'd give that girl a run for her Denarii's!" she grinned "she's definitely picked the best in you."

Dagonet blushed, mumbled his thanks and went after Devon.

0-0-0-0-0

As they walked along, she fitted her hand into his. They never spoke; but both welcomed the contact, and they went the rest of the way to the tavern hands tightly held together.

Van came flying up to Devon and wrapped her in the tightest hug she'd had off the woman. "Don't' ever scare me like that again!"

"What did I do?" Devon was confused.

"You were so upset - and I didn't know what to do…."

"No change there then!" Laughed Bors "OWWWW you bloody vixen…one day you'll do that and I'll die and then you'll be sorry!" he rubbed his head where she'd clumped him with a tray.

"No my lover, because to do that I would have to hit you somewhere with some sense….and you're sitting on that!"

Devon burst out laughing…..the other knights had not heard her laugh properly, only Dag had. Lancelot was transfixed; it was a light laugh, like a bell…..

"So!" he said turning his attention to Dagonet….

Tristan glanced at the look on the dark knight's face - 'don't' he thought 'don't make a sport of him Lancelot…she won't like it…' but he dipped his head and grinned; knowing full well even if he spoke his words would fall on deaf ears.

"So…my plodding friend has finally won the race and got the girl! About bloody time, though you'll have to go some to catch up with me!" Lancelot laughed.

Before Dagonet, or anyone else, could do aught she had spun round on the knight causing him to sit back so quickly he nearly fell off the bench. Her eyes had clouded to a dark amber "Do not ridicule him Lancelot….why would he want to 'keep up' with you and the whores you bed?" she almost spat at him "as for being a plodder? Nay, he is a good and gentle man, with a pure heart….nothing you would be familiar with sadly…" she glared at him once more "You could learn much from Dagonet, Lancelot….for I do believe under all that ale and whoring" she stabbed him in the chest with a finger "beats the heart of a good man…."

She turned and stomped to the back of the tavern "Got yourself a real little spitfire there Dag…" he muttered "I s'pose she's right though…."

The others nodded "You just don't know when to keep that bloody mouth of yours shut mate, do ya!" laughed Bors "But good on her for telling ya…he hates being called a plodder…why do you think I belted you before? Though I don't see how she'd know that."

"She knows him…" Tristan flashed a smile at Bors.

The older knight nodded and grinned "Aye, 'appen your right….nice though innit?"

The scout merely nodded.

Lancelot looked at Dagonet "I meant no offence Dag…"

"None taken by me Lance…I'm well used to your humour. Unfortunately she isn't…" he smiled, gesturing towards Devon.

Lancelot made a decision and stood to follow her, albeit warily – after all, she went everywhere heavily armed – since they had come back he had not seen her without her swords, daggers and bow. He found her out the back chatting good naturedly with Van, her temper cooling as quickly as it had ignited.

He hesitated to interrupt as he heard her telling Van about how wonderful it was when Dagonet kissed her. "He never forced it Van, just rested his lips against mine….waited for me to decide if I wanted to…." She sighed, Van sighed…. "Could you imagine Lancelot doing that!" she hooted at her friend.

Van grinned "No, I must admit that Lance is not the height of subtlety…"

"In his defence though I suppose he don't need it with the whores he beds. Just sticks his tongue down their throats to show them who he's picked for the night and that's that." Devon smirked; neither one seeing a stricken Lancelot watching their exchange.

"Well, he certainly doesn't have problem getting a wench to share his bed that much I know!" giggled Van.

Lancelot was genuinely hurt that they thought so little of him; especially Van, as he had known her a long time. He was about to leave when he heard Devon sigh "It's a shame though don't you think? That he truly believes he's so shallow?"

"Don't you?"

"Nay…I do not. I think he has a good heart, underneath all that shit he buries himself in to ensure he don't get hurt. He is a good man Van…oh, maybe not like Dagonet…" she smiled as she looked through the bar to where he was standing watching Lucan play with Six and Seven, smiling. "But there will only ever be one Dagonet in this world – of that I'm sure. But he is a good man nonetheless."

"Aye, I suppose you are right….."

"That is why I was so angry at that Woad witch…." She glared suddenly "playing him and Arthur off of each other."

"Aye, I heard from Bors…Do you think she will leave him alone, now she has chosen Arthur?"

"Let me put it this way – she better. If she chooses not to and hurts Lancelot I will personally take a great deal of delight burying my blades in her belly! I think he's the way he is because he hurts so badly; like Tristan…."

"Tristan?"

"Aye – has no one ever wondered why he enjoys killing so much? He too, has lost much I'm sure… But he has not let it colour him off the battlefield like Lancelot has."

"You like Tris?"

"Aye, he is like Dag….only more deadly. I am proud and glad to call him friend." She spoke with much pride.

"What of Lancelot? Bors said you called all the knights family to Guinevere, I think that was her name – do you consider him the same?"

Lancelot held his breath, he was intrigued to know what she really felt for him. He was pale at the realisation that she, in just a short time of knowing him, had come to know his hidden side more than anyone he ever knew….even the knights…even Arthur.

"Aye I do Van…." She grinned at Van's astounded look "I know, I know….I give him a hard time.. But he is so much more Van, he is - and I get so mad that he can', or won't, see it. I do call him friend, family….aye I do…because to me his; they all are…" she smiled.

Lancelot felt a wetness on his face and touched it….a single tear had slid down his cheek. He rubbed it away, no one should see him crying – he'd never live it down…

He watched her for a moment; Gods, Dagonet was one lucky bastard…but he would show she was right. At least with her he would be what she believed he was – a good man.

"Devon?" she swung round to him with a smile.

"Speak of the demon…" smirked Van.

"I'm sorry…for what I said before…about Dag….sorry. I didn't mean any offence…" he stammered out the apology, it was not something he was used to doing.

She walked over and wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly "Do not worry about it…..I have an extremely short temper and a very high regard for your brother knight. You'll know in future, my friend…."

"Am I…I mean, can I call you friend?" he asked.

"You can call me friend Lancelot, and honoured I would be to consider you such." She kissed his cheek and walked past him.

"You don't deserve her friendship Lance…." Van noted, as he touched the place she'd kissed.

"Nay I do not…..but I will…" was all he said as he followed her back to the others.

She was walking towards Dagonet when she spotted Bors making fun of Horton's praying….the cleric had come in to get some ale for his master, a man he now despised, and thought that he might explain his praying to the gruff man who had spoken to him on the battlefield.

This small action would be the start of a chain to a revelation that would floor Devon and yet bring about an understanding with the Roman Commander she still so despised.