Disclaimer: Disclaimer: Same as before…. Obviously I do not own this song and no copyright stuff is intended, I just like it a lot….so don't sue me…I'm dirt poor anyway!

The song I've included in this chapter "Who wants to live forever?" was originally done by Queen. However, my version is more angsty (and fitting to this chapter) and was done by Dune on the 'Chillout Moods' 8 CD compilation and is the best version of this song I have ever heard; I thoroughly recommend it to everyone. My description of Devon's voice is based on the female lead singer's from Dune.

LaurelinRe: She is a bit scary though! Lord, even I would be….and I wrote the character! LOL No, I am trying not to kill anyone….but am not sure yet.

Aelia O'Hession: I don't know…I just felt it was lacking something. I'm not a lovely woman…..at least the outlaws would say I'm not:O) But I am glad, and relieved, you liked it. Horton was begging for some major mickey taking…..I hope that Van tantrum and Dag knock-out was funny. Yes, it is for you…don't blush- I just know what a major Dag fan you are and after all he went through in 'Fallen Knights' I felt you, and he, deserved a nice story where he actually got the girl. Chamomile and willowbark tea – don't like the taste myself…personally illness is okay. But you sound really sick so I think in your case I'd drink the tea. :O There will be fluff before…a little during and then a LOT after….with a nice little Van, Devon, Bors and Dag segment. Thanks for reviewing even though you're ill, I'm really grateful.

Twilight Falcon: Glad you liked it. He is lucky, but so is she as he is a lovely fella. Yeah, I liked the blood oath too – I felt it was fitting for the two of them. Not sure if she should be a 'sister' in the same way to any of the others as I think it would lessen her connection to Tristan. I hoped the Van and Bors bit would be funny, along with Dag being knocked out. Hopefully…there will be more such V/B moments in the other chapters.

lilstrummrgrl527: Oh God, I didn't mean for anyone to choke, though I did find that bit funny…..though my favourite was Tristan barely flinching at the tray of cups! Oh you should have because it is so true! LOL He has got great hair and I will try to cut back on the hair ruffling, but I was watching it again and thought I would definitely ruffle it…a lot – very little boy type you know:O) Glad you liked the bit with Tristan – I wanted to make it as believable as I could, but also to give them a connection. Aida as mayo? Yeah she is set to become very important to Devon, watch what happens in the chapter after this one…. Quick pick up on Alecto (you were the only one btw) and no he didn't at all… HAPPY BIRTHDAY for a week's time (just in case I forget!)

Calliann: So do I! I do tend to agree…and why I put it onto the story. Not sure I believe in reincarnation either though…..maybe because I could not see myself doing all this over and over! Blech! Glad you liked all the other bits (and hope they made you laugh) and Aida is going to be fairly important in the next chapter. I KNEW you would love that line…I just knew…and I did too (a lot)! LOL

SpectralLady Would they not be? (cue evil laugh)! But Aelia has her own lynch mob with ready primed pitchforks and flaming torches on speed dial so I have to be good! ROFL

Magpie-Detonation: Ohh you are so rude! ROFL I never thought of it like it that! ROFL once more…. Not many people do it these days….though a couple of boys did in school when I was about 14. Still mates now – so maybe it works. You'd be surprised with the cutting thing, you really would. I know what you mean…for me at the moment it's a close thing between Dag and Tristan, with the scout just nudging it (though, with writing this story I am beginning to lean heavily towards Dag). Of course you can…any time – I'd love to!

Evenstar-mor2004: Oh I know exactly what she's going to do to him and it ain't going to be pretty! I know you have to wonder whether he covers up when he leaves the house poor sod! I read it back and thought you were right…I roared with laughter as that wasn't what I meant! Is Horton the cowardly lion though? ROFL

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 Nine!

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Heart & Soul

Chapter Nine – The Night Before

They spent the evening in the tavern; Dagonet watched as Devon supped either water or milk. But she seemed to be having a good time, just watching what was going on around them…

He, too, was never one for regularly getting drunk and so was quite happy to sup the odd ale through the evening. He was never going to admit it to anyone, but he was a little nervous about tonight.

He had bedded women, of course he had. But not like this….she meant, what was the word she'd used? Muchly….aye, she meant muchly to him. He smiled as she caught his gaze and rolled her eyes at some nonsense that Galahad was coming out with to Gawain, who was holding his usual long suffering look….but he could tell she was fond of the boy.

She was leaning against the frame of the tavern at the back…she stood as if she had always been there…idly sharpening a shaft for her arrows; she had many made up by her feet and he knew she would need all of them for what they were to face on the morrow. Her arrows were a marvel, a real work of art…just like her, he thought.

He realised this was probably where she had always stood, watching them and sizing up whether she should give her word to Vanora to help look out for them. He was glad she had…if she had not; he might not have met her. Well, not beyond that one day…

What was it Lancelot had called her? A goddess - that was it. He looked at her again, she was laughing with Van now – they were looking at Bors, still nursing his cut lip and dented ego – and he saw her slim figure, long blond hair, dimpled smile, bell like laugh, and those eyes….those gorgeous, wondrous eyes. He wondered afresh how an old war horse like him could even find someone like her as a friend….let alone even stand a chance of aught else.

His mind drifted back to the coming night; what to do? He did not want to scare her off by immediately thinking she may want to make love with him, and for him that's what it would be; he would make love to her. But neither did he want her to think he was not interested, if she was.

He sighed….he could not talk to Bors. He loved the old goat like a brother, but subtlety and tact was never a Bors strongpoint. He looked at Lancelot…No that would never work! He was too smooth and flirty….Devon would hate it.

He looked at the dark knight once more, he seemed different tonight. He watched as Lancelot tried unsuccessfully to get the barmaid to leave him be…and when she sat on his lap and did something with her hand underneath her skirts, he stood up so quickly she was dumped unceremoniously onto the floor. She leapt to her feet, swore at him and stomped off.

He turned to Devon and smiled ruefully, shrugging his shoulders – she merely grinned at him and beckoned him over. He went and she said something to him before kissing his cheek. He blushed and returned to his seat grinning like an idiot.

Dag didn't know what she'd said but he sat like that for a full five minutes before Gal said something that made him slap him upside the head…..

Even so, Dagonet didn't think he would be the person to ask. He also quickly ruled out Gawain and Galahad as being too young and, he looked over, too drunk.

A fact Devon had noted and had gone to speak to them; they both nodded and grinned at her. She playfully slapped their heads and came back a few minutes later with hot drinks to help them sober up. They were still grinning at her and she kissed their cheeks. Dag smiled - if Tristan was her older brother, they were definitely her younger ones!

Arthur was a definite non-starter; not least because Guinevere was sat with him looking ruefully at Devon, but also because he had never had that sort of friendship with his commander. The only one who did was Lancelot…

He looked round and then saw the scout…could he? He decided he could…he was, after all, now her brother. Ah, he hadn't thought of that. He had a younger sister and knew what he would be like…maybe not then. He sighed deeply, oh well he would just have to play it by ear. May the Goddess help and protect him….

0-0-0-0-0

Devon was completely unaware of the musings of the gentle knight sat at the table with the others. She was flitting between formulating a plan for the best disposal of the Bishop that would be quick but also extremely painful, and keeping an eye on the knights, mainly the drunken boys, and Vanora.

Van went to go past her and a Roman, drunk and careless about leaving this island on the morrow, stuck his foot out and tripped her up. Devon knew he had been trying to do it all evening, but as he had not succeeded she had let it lie.

Now, however, it was different – he shouldn't have done it, and now he would regret it. With lightening reflexes she stabbed the shaft she had just finished sharpening into the back of his hand, and as she turned and lowered herself in front of him she twisted it.

He was yelling in pain, his hand effectively nailed to the bench, as she spoke conversationally with him "Don't do that again, or next time I might just have to cut it off…." she motioned to the offending foot.

His friend, who was sat next to him, went to help him only to find himself face to face with a very large dagger.

"Don't…." Devon spat at him her honey eyes already a dark amber "give me a reason to hurt you boy….I won't need much of one.." He sat back eyeing his friend worriedly.

She stood, after giving the arrow shaft one more grind into the hand, and then pulled it out – before throwing into the face of the injured soldier and wiping her bloodied hand on her trousers.

Van had got to her feet with Bors' help…. Who was grinned at Devon "Thanks mate! You hurt him more than I would've - I wouldn't have thought of doing that…."

"No, of course you wouldn't…you're a man…you don't think!" Van barked.

Bors sighed and shuffled sadly back to the bench….just as Van relented and caught up with him, hugging him tightly; his face lit up as he pulled her into his lap. All was forgiven; Devon grinned, they never stayed mad for long.

Tristan had watched the altercation between Devon and the soldier avidly, as had all the knights; he wandered over and silently offered her a slice of apple. Devon took it with a big smile; Tristan's addiction to apples was legendary and he never shared….. until now.

"That was impressive…."

"Worthy of a sister of the fabled Tristan?"

"Aye…indeed…." He flashed a smile and indicated the apple slice with his blade "and a reward…"

"Good…then I can die happy on the morrow…"

He cuffed her head gently "But even a fabled brother can chastise his cheeky sister…."

She smiled and nudged his shoulder "it is good to have family again." Her voice hitched and he nudged her back.

"Aye, it is…."

She turned to find herself surrounded by Galahad and Gawain. "What is it boys?"

"He hurt…." Galahad weaved a little unsteadily "our Van! Lets cut his foot off anyway!" He was waving a dagger dangerously about.

"Let's not, and say we did!" she smiled, relieving him of the offending weapon.

Tristan smirked and went back to his seat "we've got a rare one there Dag…" he muttered to the large knight sat next to him.

"Aye, that we have…." Dagonet smiled.

Arthur had to stifle a smile at her retort to the young knight. He knew how wearing the boy could be, but she'd gone from finding him a chore to being almost sisterly to him. Mind you, his moaning had lessened since she'd constantly reminded him of it, which would probably have helped.

"You like her?" Guinevere asked.

"Aye…she is a rare one.." he smiled as she turned Galahad and steered him and by default Gawain - for never two could he see more as brothers; so much so in the early days he had checked to see if they were related - to the table they had been sitting at.

She rounded up the barmaids "No more ale for them! Or you'll have me to deal with, right? They have to fight tomorrow, and I doubt you'll want drunken and hung over knights defending you from lusty Saxons intent on pillage.

But the Saxon rage will be not a patch on mine if I see you slipping them ale again!" she shoved the one that had had advanced on Lancelot to make a point.

Lancelot grinned as the girl stumbled and fell over "and when a knight says 'no' he means it full as much as you girlie!" she growled.

They flounced off, but not before Arthur saw they were visibly quailed – it would seem the little altercation with the roman soldier had only served to increase her reputation as a 'fight first and talk later' sort….just like Tristan.

They were so alike characteristically that if it had not been for her odd eyes and long blond hair you would believe they were genuine blood kin; but he also knew as far as they were concerned that is exactly what they were now.

Lancelot whispered something to Van who grinned as they grabbed Devon and pulled her into the centre of the room "Devon will sing for us!" Van announced loudly.

"No Devon bloody won't!" the younger woman said equally as loudly.

"Sing!" cried Gawain, Galahad and Jols….the middle slopping ale all over his friends sat with him as he waved his mug in the air, causing Gawain to rescue it before they all ended up wearing the lot.

"No point wasting good ale brother!" Gawain smirked at Galahad's frown. Only to be slapped hard on the back as the latter realised what he had been about to do; Gawain merely rolled his eyes at Jols who burst out laughing.

"Sing! Sing!" called Bors. Even Arthur and Guinevere smiled and called for her to sing; but she still shook her head.

Tristan merely nodded..…but left it up to her if she did or not.

However, when she heard the deep voice that belonged to Dagonet say "Devon… please… sing…" she sighed, cleared her throat and began to sing a song that her father taught her:

There's no time for us
There's no place for us
What is this thing

that builds our dreams

yet slips away
From us

Who wants to live forever
Who wants to live forever...who?

There's no chance for us
It's all decided for us
This world has only

one sweet moment

set aside

for us

Who wants to live forever
Who wants to live forever….who?

But touch my tears

with your lips
Touch my world

with your fingertips

And we

can have

forever
And we

can love

forever

Forever

Is our today

Who wants to live forever
Who wants to live forever…..who?

Who waits forever anyway?"

Her voice rang out around the little tavern, clear and earthy. She put so much passion and feeling into the song that everyone from the barmaids to even Horton had tears in their eyes.

This was a song sung from the heart, a song about loss and yet also hope – a hope that one moment of love would last a lifetime.

Lancelot cleared his throat and sat down…he hadn't even realised he was still standing up in fact. Van went and hugged Bors so tightly his face went all red, but he buried his head in her neck and kissed it.

Galahad was resting his head on his hand, a dreamy expression on his face – but even he had tears in his eyes. Jols and Gawain both looked moved but were stoically swallowing the tears.

Dagonet stood and hugged her, his eyes bright with tears "You sing beautifully Devon…"

She rolled her eyes as she looked at him "Oh Dag I did not mean to sadden you…I thought you wished it…." She frowned with concern.

"Aye I did…and I think it was a lovely song…just sad."

"Aye a little maybe…but my father told me when he taught it me that he thought it meant that if you could love, even briefly, all hope was not lost. That a true love like in the song was one that would last a lifetime and beyond the grave however briefly it was in your life…" she smiled at him.

"That is nice….then maybe it is not so sad..." he hugged her and drew her back to the table.

Tristan was as usual completely passive in his face, but his eyes were bright with emotions too long buried and he stood, touched her arm as he passed to get another drink – 'she understood him as no other because she was as used to loss as he' he realised with a pang. Well, at least they had each other now.

Arthur smiled once more; it was nice that the scout finally had someone to call his family. He didn't know what had happened to his kinfolk back in Sarmatia, and all the knights knew it was unlikely they would ever return now….

The Roman commander would have liked her as his sister too…she reminded him of Morgane; all fiery temper and arguments. Unfortunately his own sister had perished with his mother in the fire that had engulfed their home. He sighed "Aye, I do like her Guinevere….I like her a lot. Do you not?"

She laughed "Aye I do as a matter of fact…though I doubt the feeling is reciprocated. She made me face my destiny and I'll always be grateful for that. But I think once you've hurt a friend or kin of hers then you've burnt your bridges."

"Well, maybe not….give it time. She does not seem the sort to bear grudges that are not warranted." He stood "I will escort you to your room and then I too must retire, Lady…"

She stood smiling, and took his arm. As she left she caught Devon's eye and smiled; Devon smiled back, but her eyes showed she was still wary. Guinevere sighed, she would do as Arthur said and give it time…she wondered why was she always so stupid, the other woman would have been a good friend to her.

"You don't like her…" Jols said sitting next to her where she had joined Tristan and Dagonet at the table.

"Aye I like her well enough…I just don't trust her."

"Why?"

"She manipulates and I don't like that."

"Ah…..well, maybe you can make her change?" he grinned.

"Now that would be a challenge!" She laughed "Somehow I think the Saxons would be easier…."

Tristan cocked his head "That we'll know soon enough…."

Then she heard it too….the sound of drums approaching.

"Sign of an inferior ego when they have to keep announcing their arrival!" she smirked.

"Glad I'm not bloody staying – the Saxons are bastards!" muttered one of the Roman soldiers as they left.

"Yes…that is why the brave stay and the cowards leave!" Devon said loudly as they passed.

"You calling me a coward wench?"

"No, I do not stoop to name calling – I am merely stating a fact!" she bridled, leaping to her feet and drawing her swords "But by all means prove me wrong……that's if you wanna play?" she grinned maliciously.

His friend remembered the others she was rumoured to have slain, and the other soldier now nursing a butchered hand. He also saw the infamous Sarmatian knights ranging behind the newest addition to their clan "Leave it Flavius, there's no point starting a fight the night before we leave this Godforsaken rock…" he paused and grinned evilly "I do want to live forever!"

"I doubt that will happen, from what I hear Rome is having problems with the Hun…and they make the Saxons look like a lot of dead fish!" She grinned back equally as malevolently "if I were you, I wouldn't be planning an old age…."

The roman blanched and left….she watched them go and then sheathed her swords "cocky bastards!" she muttered and then yawned.

"Tired?" Tristan asked.

"Aye…very…"

All of a sudden the drumming got very loud. They all rushed to the wall; what they saw stopped them…there were the Saxons…lots of them, everywhere.

"Fuck!" said Bors.

"Fetch Arthur Jols, please…." Devon turned to the squire.

Moments later a dishevelled Arthur and equally rumpled Guinevere came to the wall.

"Dear God!" Arthur said looking out. He turned to look at the knights and then out across the fort at the defenceless serfs and other peasants. He turned back to the knights "Knights. My journey with you must end here. May God go with you, if you decide to leave. But you are free men now and it is your decision…..I hope you choose freedom." He inclined his head and walked down the battlement steps.

Guinevere and Lancelot exchanged a look…Lancelot ran after him. "Arthur. This is not Rome's fight. It is not your fight. All these long years we've been together, the trials we've faced, the blood we've shed... What was it all for, if not for the reward of freedom? And now when we are so close! When it is finally within our grasp - look at me!"

He angrily grabbed Arthur's arm and swung him round "Does it all count for nothing?"

"You ask me that; you who know me best of all?"

They stared at each other, and then sighing Arthur began to walk away.

"Then do not do this! Only certain death awaits you here. Arthur! I beg you! For our friendship's sake, I beg you – "

Arthur grabbed Lancelot by the shoulder and rested his other hand on his neck "Then be my friend now and do not dissuade me. Seize the freedom you have earned and live it for the both of us. I cannot follow you, Lancelot. I now know that all the blood I have shed, all the lives I have taken have led me to this moment.

If you have chosen to leave then so be it…and I will rejoice, but this is my destiny and I have accepted it." He cupped his brother's face and smiled and then walked away.

Lancelot reached for his arm, but Devon watched it slip from his grasp. The dark knight sighed deeply and turned to watch his commander and brother walk away. He looked to the ground and then up to the sky, he sighed once more "Then I stay to fight too…and I will not be alone I think…."

He walked past Guinevere, but Devon heard him bitterly turn on her "I hope you are happy lady, you are probably consigning us all to the grave…but your scheming has worked, he will not leave you and them" he nodded out to the serfs "and we will not leave him…"

He reached the battlements "He stays…and so do I, for I will not let my friend and brother fight alone against such odds." He sighed.

Devon walked over and hugged him "And neither would I allow my friend to face them alone….. for you are that to me Lancelot. You have a good heart underneath all that bullshit…"

He smiled ruefully and hugged her back.

"well, I have to fight 'cos without me you'll all get bloody killed!" laughed Bors.

"I am staying as my sister stays…anyway, I have revenge to get…" shrugged Tristan.

"I stay too…it is the honourable thing to do…" smiled Dagonet sadly as Devon's hand crept into his.

Gawain and Galahad exchanged a look and grinned "Well, we wouldn't miss the party!" they said together.

All eyes turned to Jols "as if you lot could function without me!" he grinned.

"Then we stay…..I'll tell Arthur…" Lancelot went to walk away.

The rest exchanged looks "I think we should make the most of tonight….we might not have another…" Bors smiled "I'm going to spend it with my Van and my little bastards…"

Tristan sighed "I need sleep….I want to be ready for them on the morrow…"

"Would you like me to stay with you Tristan?" Devon offered.

"Nay, why would I Devon? I have faced many battles before…." He smiled at her "our 'religions' are the same you know. I have faith in death and believe in killing….neither does death hold fear for me and hasn't for the longest time, but I also have something to live for now – family….." he cupped her cheek with his hand.

She held his hand on her cheek and smiled "Sleep well brother…" he nodded and left.

"and you…" she prodded Lancelot who had stopped to watch the exchange "Watch your back on the battlefield! Remember what I told you - do not always concentrate on what is before you; remember, too, what is aft!"

He smiled "aye I will do that….and you watch yourself too. Else I do not know what we will do with him…" he pointed to Dagonet, who was looking pensively out over the Saxons.

She returned the smile "I will be alright….mark me Lancelot, I will worry more for all of you, than myself. So long as we watch out for each other as well as ourselves we may all yet not only survive the battle, but win it too…"

He smiled and made his way to his room alone, knowing he would only stop to tell Arthur they were all staying…. She watched him go, cutting a lonely figure. She hoped if they survived the nightmare to come that both he and Tristan found someone to love…they deserved it, both were lonely men with good hearts.

She turned to the two boys "Come….let us sort you out…" she and Dag helped them to their rooms and put them to bed, with buckets in case they were sick.

Lucan had decided to spend the night with Bors and Vanora's brood. Van had confided he was much taken with Seven - Devon had laughed that they started younger and younger on love these days…

That basically left her and Dagonet alone…

0-0-0-0-0-0

They made their way to his room. They were holding hands once more and she could feel his trembling; she couldn't believe it was about the coming battle. She had seen him fight and knew that he had no fear of fighting or of death.

She turned to him "Dagonet? Does aught ail you, only your hand trembles so?"

"Ummm…..nay, nay….I ail not Devon…it's just….ummm…." he stopped 'this was ridiculous, he was a grown man for the sake of the Goddess!'

"Have you changed your mind about me sharing your room? It matters not; Aida will not mind me bunking in with her this night…." She looked at him brightly, but he could hear the disappointment in her voice.

"Nay…you are alright to stay with me…." He smiled confidently back; a confidence he was far from feeling.

"Well, here we are…" he said a few moments later.

He opened the door to his room, as Devon stepped inside it was just as she suspected it would be. A small chest of drawers stood on one side with a small mirror, pitcher and wash bowl set on top. On the other side of the room he had a larger than average single bed – but then he was a larger than average man, she smiled – that was neatly made and a large chest at the end that no doubt held his weapons and armour.

There were two small chairs by the fire and two pots to hang from the small hook over it; one which had a lovely smell emanating from it.

There was also a strange tapestry on the wall and a rug with a similar motif on the floor. She smiled "Aorsi work? You brought these all the way from home?"

He grinned "Aye it is…my mother and sister made them for me. I always feel like they are with me when I have them around…."

She smiled and went hesitantly forward, she dropped her things on the floor in the corner and then sat in one of the chairs "do you cook for yourself then Dag?" she asked sniffing appreciatively at the pot by the little fire.

"Aye….I usually find the food over at the tavern a little…." He tried to be kind "basic….except when Van's cooking of course" he grinned and sat down opposite her. 'maybe this wasn't going to be a problem….'

"The Aorsi's always liked their food well flavoured, so do the Iazyges - I remember that much about Sarmatia." She laughed that laugh he loved to hear.

"Do you remember much about our homeland?" he asked as he ladled some of the stew into two bowls.

"This is good!" she smiled as she ate "Nay…only bits and pieces, much like you I suspect…" she hesitated "when this is all over and assuming we survive…"

"We will…"

She smiled at his calm but firm assurance "Aye….mayhap you're right. Well, when we do, will you go back to Sarmatia or stay here?"

"I am not sure…." He thought about it "I have always wanted to go back and see my family. But….." he sighed "I know not even if they still live. The Romans and Huns have done much damage there from the little we have found out from passing traders."

He hung his head "I am a simple man Devon, I would not like to hate as you and Tristan do; yet I know if I returned to find those I love dead and the land I loved destroyed, I would hate with a passion that would far outstrip both of yours and make me into a man I would despise."

He felt a finger on his chin and looked up into her honey eyes – eyes filled with so much feeling and warmth it caused him to catch his breath.

"You are no simple man Dag. You are an honourable man who is pure of heart; and I too would hate to see that rare purity corrupted and your honour in tatters because of the sort of hate I feel."

She leant down and brushed her lips to his, even as he pulled her into his lap. Their food forgotten he kissed her fervently, trying in his own way to show her how much he loved her, how much he cared for her.

She kissed him back as passionately, soon they were both breathless. She looked deeply into his eyes as he pulled away and made to stand up. "Devon…" he panted "I….I think I should go for a walk…"

"I…what?"

"Just for a little while….ummm… you can get ready for bed…and then I will return and…and sleep on the floor." He was desperate to show her he respected her. But by the Goddess it was hard not to drag her into his arms, kiss her senseless, carry her to the bed and make love to her all night.

"I…I am sorry Dagonet. Look, I'll go back to the stables…I did not mean to embarrass my best friend so…" he heard a catch in her voice and wondered desperately what he'd done to hurt her.

"Devon…I….you…what did I do?" he finally stammered out, catching her arm as she went to go past.

"Nothing Dagonet…..nothing at all…" she looked up at him with sparkling eyes and he was lost. He gave up the fight….he could not fight the current that was engulfing him, and truth be told he no longer wished to.

He hauled her back into his arms and kissed her deeply "Devon…Devon I think…nay, I know I….love you…"he pressed his forehead to hers and closed his eyes tightly "I know it's madness, we have known each other only a few scant days…but…" she hushed him with a gentle kiss.

"Dagonet…" she whispered so quietly and brokenly he barely heard her "don't…."

He sighed; there, he'd risked all and lost…he went to release her when her arms snaked about his neck. He opened his eyes in surprise….he had been expecting her to pull away and leave.

"I feel the same Dag…I think I have since I first set eyes on you…." she kissed him again and his soul thawed a little more as his heart soared "don't….don't say it's madness to care; but if it is, at least we are insane together." She smiled.

He watched her honey eyes darken to that liquid amber, but this time with desire and not anger.

He could not resist her kisses, but still did not want her to think he had expected aught. "Devon, we can just sit and talk and…." But she stopped him with a finger to his lips.

"Dagonet we may not live past tomorrow and tonight I wish to be with you in every way…." She sighed "If I am to die tomorrow at least I will do so knowing that I have spent my final night in the arms of the man I love…"

"and I the woman who has laid claim to my very soul….." he murmured.

"As you have mine…." She nuzzled his chin "You are so tall…I can barely reach you…"

He lowered his head and captured her lips "is that better?" he smiled against her mouth.

"Muchly…"

He smiled again as he gathered her into his arms and carried her to the bed, laying her gently down. She reached up and drew him down to her. Her lips gently caressed the scar by his left eye.

He held her in his arms for a long moment - caressing her hair and taking in the scent of her; honey and lavender….

"Dag?" she was worried there was something about her he did not like. She was battle scarred and there had been many beatings from when she was a slave…

"I just want to hold you Devon, I'm sorry – I know you thought there would be more…..but I just need to know what it feels like to have this much love for another and to be loved in return…."

The gentleness in his voice was her undoing, and he felt the wetness on his chest. He was concerned "What did I do?"

"Nothing Dagonet…you are…you are my heart and soul….you are…and I love you…." he wiped the tears away with the pad of his thumb.

"And you are mine…." He hugged her tightly to him; and finally some time later, after they had murmured their love to each other amidst kisses and embraces, they fell asleep in each other's arms.

A little while later, as she thought Dagonet lay sleeping, Devon sent a fervent prayer to whatever Gods were listening, even Arthur's "please…." She whispered urgently into the darkness "I know I have begged for death every night for 16 summers, and I cursed you every morn when I awoke and found I still lived.

But this time…this time…." She closed her eyes tightly as tears seeped out and she brought his hand to cup her cheek and press gentle kisses to the palm "please, I beg you, let me live - let him live….please…."

She did not see the tears fall from the large knight's eyes along with her own, as he sent a similar fervent, but silent, prayer with hers.

His arms tightened around her and pulled her back to him….he hugged her close as she wrapped her arms as tightly as she could around his large chest, burying her head in his shoulder.

Whatever happened now, they would face it together…..even death.