Authors notes: Thanks to all my reviewers!
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Tristan had every intention to follow Arthur's orders, really he did. He had planned to hide in the tree line and closely monitor the fort and the enemy. However the sight that greeted him when he crested the hill was one that shocked him despite his many years as a knight and the many horrific scenes he had witnessed. Lancelot. Granted he had seen his fellow knights killed and even tortured but this was different. Anger filled his veins at the mistreatment his friend had suffered and the brazen display of arrogance by the woads in pinning him to the gate. He felt anger that after so long nothing had changed. The woads still loathed them, the Romans were still putting their lives on the line with blatant disregard for the consequences and no substantial gains were ever made. For every step forward they were knocked back and seeing the disaster before him made him realise that nothing was ever going to be resolved and their suffering would continue.
He knew the woads were watching the fort, waiting for their return. He considered his options and realised that even if it meant his certain death he would try and save Lancelot. The knight would do the same for any of them and damn the Romans but he would not follow orders this time. Nudging his mare forward he slumped forward putting on the pretence of being injured. Hopefully a lone injured rider would not become firing practice for some bored woads. His mare knew exactly where to go and trotted gamely towards the gates. Tristan held his breath and as he reached the gates he drew to a halt.
He allowed his mare to munch at the wisps of straw that had gathered around the entrance.
"Lancelot?" he whispered. There was no response.
"Lancelot!" he demanded more insistently. Again silence. With slow movements he removed his knife and then taking a deep breath he drew himself up, quickly cut the ropes binding Lancelot to the gate and dragged the still body onto his horse. Then as quickly as possible he urged the mare inside the gates just as three arrows impacted the gate where his head had been.
Once inside the fort Tristan quickly dismounted and dragged Lancelot out of the courtyard. He caught a movement out of the corner of his eye and quickly thrust out his knife.
"Tristan!" a voice squeaked. Jols. Tristan brought the knife away. He turned his attention back to Lancelot. The knight was shivering uncontrollably and small whimpers of pain passed his tinged blue lips.
"I need bandages, warm water…"
"There is none Tristan." Jols replied inching closer.
"What?"
"Look around you Tristan." The squire said in disbelief. For the first time the scout looked around. The fort was a smouldering ruin and the bodies of those unfortunate enough to be caught by the woads were sprawled in the courtyard.
"Where are the civilians?"
"In the cellars."
"What happened?"
"They took out the scouts and then attacked in darkness. Julio and Lancelot took the Romans out to face them. It was suicide but Julio refused to hide behind a wall and Lancelot refused to remain inside. Most of the legionaries fell. Julio called a retreat and he and three others made it inside. Lancelot didn't make it and the woads tortured him before pinning him to the gate."
Tristan nodded and moved to quickly examine the prone knight. Unfortunately as soon as he shifted the knight Lancelot screamed. Jols didn't know whether to be more startled at Lancelot or the fact that for the first time he saw Tristan jump.
Tristan barely noticed he jumped as his attention was focused on the screaming man. He had never heard Lancelot scream like this before. He had cried out in the midst of delirium a few times when his battle wounds had become infected but Tristan had never heard anything like this. The agony transmitted through the screams was palpable.
"What did they do to him?" he spat glaring at Jols.
"I don't know I couldn't see. I think they gave him a potion or something… I don't know." The squire stammered.
"DON'T LEAVE ME!" Lancelot screamed. He writhed and flailed his arms around. They latched onto Tristan's arms tightly.
"I WILL RETURN…PLEASE WAIT!"
"Calm down Lancelot." Tristan whispered but it had little effect.
"Where's Arthur and the others?"
"Half a day behind me." The scout said distractedly as he struggled to control Lancelot's flailing without hurting the man further.
"And you just rode in here plain as day!" an annoyed voice stated and Plautius appeared by their side.
"I don't expect you to understand." Tristan said calmly.
"Don't start that Roman versus Sarmatian crap." Plautius snapped. Tristan turned his head and fixed him with a glare that made the Roman unconsciously move backwards.
"He is a Sarmatian knight and my brother. The degradation that has befallen Lancelot is not something I shall let stand."
"Do you think we left him there because we couldn't be bothered to get him down?" Jols questioned angrily. He cared for these knights greatly but he would never in their eyes be included within their inner sanctum.
"The woads know someone is alive within here but they are not going to waste their time by killing one scout. They are waiting for Arthur." Tristan brushed his hand over Lancelot's curls. The knight shied away and once again cried out.
"Look after him." The scout said as he rose to his feet.
"Where are you going?" Plautius demanded.
"I need to scout the enemy and await Arthur."
"You won't get out of here." The Roman pointed out.
"Really?" Tristan smiled. "What did you think I was doing when I was stuck in the fort all day?"
Without saying another word he disappeared.
"He's still conscious." Jols murmured. "Surely he should be unconscious."
"Whatever those bastards gave him must be preventing it. To prolong the agony or something."
Jols winced in sympathy and tried to sooth the knight.
"He is burning hot. We need to get him some sort of medical supplies or the doctor."
"Not around when you need…al.always around…when…when…don't." a voice gasped and the two quickly glanced down to see the pain filled eyes of Lancelot looking back at them.
"Lancelot!" Jols cried happily. "How are you?"
The knight glared. "Stupid question idiot." He said his voice just above a whisper.
"Well you can't be too bad off if you are still insulting people." Jols said as he allowed Lancelot to squeeze his hand as a wave of pain enveloped the man.
"What…what…happened?"
"Tristan got you down."
"Arthur?"
"No Tristan was scouting ahead. They will be here soon."
"Trap." Lancelot whispered. The knight looked so exhausted the drug working extremely effectively.
"We know. There is not way to avoid it. Just hold on Lancelot and soon you will be back on your feet."
"Liar."
OO