Disclaimer: I nothing in the movie, only the original stuff.
Britain- 467 AD
The Sarmatian knights sat around the round table in their meeting room, goblets of wine in front of them. There were forty seats around the table, most of which had been filled no more than ten years ago. Now these seven were all that remained of the brave warriors that protected the Roman Empire. These seven who had spilled the blood of enemies of Rome, and buried their companions, their brothers, their fellow knights. The faces of their dying companions would linger in their minds for years to come, regardless of their desire to rid themselves of those horrible memories.
Tristan raised his goblet to his lips and took a long drink. For him wine was no escape from reality as the other warriors thought. Getting drunk was useless to him, but perhaps tonight he would join them, not because he was celebrating their freedom, for he would not celebrate. He believed that celebration was wrong. This was a time of mourning for him because in a short amount of time the life he had known would be over, and then he would no longer know what to do with himself. As long as he was a knight he knew what he was, knew what was expected of him, knew what his duty was. When he was free what would become of him? What would he do then? There were no jobs for hired mercenaries in Sarmatia. What would he do then? What job would he take? What skill did he have really? Tracking, hunting and killing. Hardly the makings of a common villager.
Around him his fellow knights laughed.
Arthur stood to address his knights, his friends. "Let us not forget that we are the fortunate ones," he said.
How could we forget? Tristan thought bitterly. For as long as I live I shall see their dying faces, hear their voices. I will see their blood rushing out of them, and no matter how many I kill it will never avenge them. They are gone, and I live, we live. How can we not remember them when there is no justice in this world? Arthur, my dear commander, do you not understand? I would give my life for theirs in an instant. Theirs mean so much more than mine. So, you tell me, Arthur, how can I forget them?
The knights all stood one by one, some clasping their goblet in their hands. Tristan found his grip almost painful. "Let us raise our wine to those gallant and extraordinary men we have lost," Arthur continued, as the men held their goblets out towards the center of the table. "But who will be remembered for all eternity," he finished.
All of the men lifted their goblets to their lips and sipped the their wine. Tristan however downed the rest of his.
"To freedom," Bors said, holding out her goblet.
"To freedom," the other knights echoed, holding out their goblets in turn.
As the men placed themselves back in their seats they glanced around at each other.
"I must admit, I never thought this day would come," Lancelot said, smiling ruefully. "Freedom. I never thought I would live to see it."
"You always look at the downside of things," Gawain laughed, shaking his head. "How many times did you think we would all die in battle? How many times did we prove you wrong? More times than I can count and yet you still assume the worst. I cannot understand you."
"That is because you understand very little." Galahad glanced at his friend while he spoke. "Arthur is right however. We are the lucky ones. We lived while others died."
"Many people die in battle," Tristan said. The others stared at him. They hadn't expected him to speak up. Normally when they were all in deep conversation he would keep to himself for that was his way. He wasn't the type of person to speak up without good reason, and that was usually to inform them of danger or to give his opinion when it was asked of him. To hear Tristan offer up an opinion, or to speak without being spoken to, was an event that the knights had maybe experienced a dozen or so times before. "It is what battle is all about. If you cannot accept that then you don't know anything about being a warrior."
They were all silent for a while. Of course it was Tristan who turned the mood sour.
Gawain cleared his throat. "So, Bors, aren't expecting that twelfth child are you?"
Bors let out a snort. "Not if I have a say in it. Eleven is enough."
Galahad merely shook his head. "And you love each and every one of them."
Inside Arthur's room Germanius examined his surroundings while his servant, Horton, unpacked several things. Germanius made his way over to Arthur's desk. There sat a tablet. The bishop briefly examined it, but soon a disk on the desk caught his attention. He took it in his hand and examined it intently. "Pelagius," he said bitterly, running his finger of the surface.
Horton glanced up from what he was doing and over to Germanius. "Very kind of Arthur to give up his room." Germanius's attention was drawn away from the disk and to Horton. Horton hesitated for a moment. "But, of course, it is to be expected," he added.
Germanius turned his attention back to the disk and with a sigh he tossed it over his shoulder.
The disk landed next to the fire, shattering, and the image of Pelagius forever broken.
There was a knock at the door and when it opened Jols came in. "Sir," he said tiredly. "I'm here to escort you to the fortress hall."
Germanius glanced at Horton, then with out so much as a word exited the room and headed down the hall.
Horton reached over to where the bishop's possessions were and grabbed a wooden box. The box itself was beautifully crafted, the wood crisp and beautiful. He walked over and stood in front of Jols. "When my master meets with your knights, he must be seated last and he must be seated at the head of the table," he told Jols loftily.
Jols had to make himself keep from smiling. He bit the inside of his cheek briefly. "Your master can plunk his holy ass wherever he chooses."
Horton smiled, seemingly satisfied with the answer. Little did he know what Jols meant.
Horton entered the fortress hall to the sound of laughter. His walk was full of conceit. He stood there, glancing out at the room. His expression changed instantly. This was not what he expected. The table was round. He shook it off and continued his duty. "His Eminence, Bishop Naius Germanius."
The bishop entered and stopped short, examining the table. He had expected to sit at the head of the table, but there was no head. The table was round and there was no way to tell which place was which.
The knights all rose, honoring the bishop at they knew they should, though Tristan took his dear time. Sucking up to the bishop may help them get their discharge papers sooner, but he felt no need to honor someone of a religion he didn't believe in.
As Jols entered behind the bishop Horton turned to him. "A round table? What sort of evil is this?" he asked.
Germanius surveyed Arthur while Horton spoke.
Jols glanced at the table and then back to Horton. "Arthur says for men to be men they must first all be equal," he explained, while servants entered from behind them.
"I was given to understand there would be more of you," Germanius said, looking out towards the knights. He was still seething at the fact that there was no head of the table but he tried his best to not show it.
"There were," Arthur said, looking towards his knights as well with warmth in his eyes. "We have been fighting for 15 years, Bishop," he reminded him.
What a fool, Tristan thought bitterly. After fifteen years there are bound to be fewer of us than there were to begin with. Only a fool would believe we would all be here, alive and waiting for our freedom. Oh, how I hate this Roman already.
"Oh, of course," the bishop responded as though he had known it and merely forgot. He reached over to the tray that one of the servants held and lifted up the largest goblet. "Arthur and his knights have served with courage," Germanius said, walking over to closest seat on Arthur's left. "...to maintain the honor of Rome's empire on this last outpost of our glory. Rome is most indebted to you noble knights."
Across the table Horton held a goblet out towards Tristan. He turned to look at the man then at the goblet and reluctantly took it from him.
"To your final days, as servants to the empire," the bishop's said as the knights held onto their goblets.
Lancelot glanced up from his goblet and towards the bishop. "Day. Not days," he corrected bitterly.
Germanius waved the comment off with a shake of his hand and took his seat. Some of the knights were already treated, Tristan included, before Bors and Dagonet took their seats again.
"The Pope's taken a personal interest in you," Germanius informed Arthur. "He inquires after each of you, and is curious to know if your knights have converted to the word of Our Savior or...?"
"They retain the religion of their forefathers. I have never questioned that," Arthur answered, giving his knights a reassuring glance.
"Of course, of course." Germanius however looked highly disappointed. "They are pagans. Hm?" He said the word 'pagans' as though it was a sin within itself. Galahad tensed at the tone but held his tongue. Germanius sighed before he continued. "For our part, the Church has deemed such beliefs innocence, but you, Arthur, your path to God is through Pelagius? I saw his image in your room." He turned to glance at the commander.
At the mention of his mentor Arthur instantly felt a great happiness. "He took my father's place for me," Arthur told him. "His teachings on free will and equality have been a great influence. I look forward to our reunion in Rome." For a moment Arthur looked lost in thought.
"Ah." Germanius glanced away from Arthur's face for a moment. "Rome awaits your arrival with great anticipation," he informed him. "You are a hero. In Rome, you will live out your days in honor and wealth." He let out a small chuckle. "Alas...Alas, we are all but players in an ever-changing world." From behind him came Horton, carrying the wooden box from the bishop's possessions. "Barbarians from every corner are almost at Rome's door," the bishop told them as Horton placed the box on the table in front of the bishop. "Because of this, Rome and the Holy Father have decided to remove ourselves from indefensible outposts, such as Britain." He stood up and opened the box. The soldiers all stood. "What will become of Britain," the bishop continued. "...is not our concern anymore. I suppose the Saxons will claim it soon."
"Saxons?" Arthur glanced at the bishop.
"Yes," Germanius answered. "In the north a massive Saxon incursion has begun."
"The Saxons only claim what they kill," Lancelot spat.
"And only kill everything," Gawain added.
"So you would just leave the land to the Woads," Galahad said disbelievingly. "And I risked my life for nothing."
"Hm." The bishop forced an obviously fake smile. "Gentlemen," he stated, holding up the open box, which contained the scrolls that would grant them their freedom. "...your discharge papers with safe conduct throughout the Roman Empire. But first I must have a word with your commander." All of the men glanced at each other. "In private."
"We have no secrets," Arthur informed him, glancing at his knights.
Germanius slammed the box shut in frustration.
Lancelot glanced down at his goblet and grabbed it. "Come. Let's leave Roman business to Romans." He raised his goblet as if in a solute and drank the last of the wine in his goblet.
Tristan glanced at the bishop with distaste. I greatly dislike this man, he thought sourly. And I do not trust him wanting to speak to Arthur alone. He would only do that if he was afraid to let us hear what he had to say.
Dagonet left his goblet on the table and walked past Bors, patting him briefly on the back. "Let it go, Bors."
Tristan followed after Dagonet, goblet in hand.
Bors lingered for a moment, glaring in the bishop's direction before he too headed out with the rest of them, goblets in hand.
Once Germanius was sure that the men were gone he turned to Arthur. "Rome has issued a final order for you and your men," he told him.
"Final order?" Arthur asked in distaste.
"You are to travel north to rescue the family of Marius Honorius and return, in particular, with Marius's son, Alecto," Germanius informed him. "Alecto is the Pope's favorite godchild and pupil. It is his destiny to become a bishop, perhaps even pope one day."
"On this day you ask this of my men," Arthur said in disbelief. "On this day." Arthur stood up with a sigh and paced around his seat of a while, then looked back at the bishop. "They have risked their lives for 15 years for a cause not of their own. And now, on the day they are to be liberated, you send them on a mission, which is far more dangerous than any other they have undertaken. You tell me, Bishop, how do I go to my men and tell them that instead of freedom I offer death?"
"If your men are truly the knights of legend, perhaps some will survive," the bishop said dismissively. "If it is God's will. Your men want to go home, and to get home they need to cross the entire breadth of the Roman Empire. Deserters would be hunted down like dogs. Will you defy the Pope, Arthur? Rome? God himself?"
"Everything I've done has been for the Church and for Rome," Arthur said, barely containing his anger. "Do not mistake a loyal soldier for a fool, Germanius."
"Would you leave a defenseless Roman boy, destined to lead our Church, at the hands of the Saxons? Fulfill this mission, and your men will receive their discharge. Their papers will be waiting here the moment they return." Germanius leaned over the box and lifted it into his hands and turned to look at Arthur once more. "You have my word."
As the bishop made his way out the door Arthur's voice stopped him. "You think very hard upon that vow, Bishop, for I will hold you to it. Break it, and no Roman legion, papal army, nor God himself will protect you. That is my word."
A/N: I know most of this is from the movie but I need to put this in there and there was a little bit of talking from the others, a little interaction and a little bit of Tristan's thoughts.
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