Disclaimer: I don't own King Arthur, blah blah blah, all I own is all the Misguided Roses characters and any new characters in this installment. Woohoo.

Author's Note: Sorry, this chapter is probably gonna be a lil bland to most of you, but its just the backdrop for the story to come. I know there are a lot of characters that randomly have big parts, but its just because they were big characters in my other story (which is why I recommend you read that one first….not for plot help but just because you'll appreciate the dialogue in this one more). As always, reviews are wonderful…even if you say it sucks.

Chapter two

I don't know how long I sat out beside the lake, staring ahead of me with a vacant expression. Soon my right arm began to shake, and I knew it was going to rain. Strange things, the bodies are. When I was young I had fallen into the ice over that very lake that stood in front me, almost drowning. I was immediately pulled out of the water by Lancelot, and ever since, my arm tingled when it was about to rain, snow, or storm. A useful device, Bors called it. Curran laughed and called it a freak of nature.

"Gildred said you would be here" the aging man exclaimed, snooping up from behind and taking a seat next to me. I did not reply, and could not look at him.

"He explained everything to me. I'm sorry you had to witness that, son." It was rare for Arthur to call me son. He did not want to replace my father, even though I had told him countless times I didn't remember my biological father. It was only in times of great angst or happiness he called me that name. I took it to heart, because he only used it when he needed to emphasize that I still meant something to him.

A lump was stuck in my throat, but I attempted to reply. "If I crack over every oppression I see, I will make a sorry king indeed."

I turned to face him, but he wasn't even looking at me anymore. His face was stoic, and I could not tell from his tone what his thoughts were.

"Many a man would have seen the evil you saw and looked the other way. While your anger was rash, this only proves to me that you will be an even greater king than I shall ever hope to be."

I scoffed. "How is that, Arthur? I killed a man in cold blood."

"The regret in your voice and your passion for justice tells me so." He stared at me, searching my eyes with his regal gaze, willing me to stay strong. "I pardon yourself and Gildred for what happened earlier today. And make it known, I will strive my hardest to ensure nothing like this ever happens again."

He held out his hand, and I took it. We walked back towards the castle, never speaking a word more on the subject.

I never showed emotion before that night. Even when Marius' men were torturing me in the dungeons, I never made a sound. Some thing inside me willed myself to stay quiet, and take things like a man would. After Arthur had his talk with me, I vowed never to lose control of myself like that again.

As spring began to blossom, so did one of Arthur's most important campaigns. Though Arthur had made peace with one of the Irish clan leaders, others were skeptic and continued to filter their men into Britain and disrupt the lives of the peasants. But they had their reasons. Our people continually waged war against the land of Erin, pillaging and plundering as much as they do to us. And as I saw for myself, our people captured theirs and sold them in the trade market to Gaul, Rome, and the Far East. Talks of peace were cheap to the leaders of Erin, they want revenge and justice for the atrocities we have done.

That is why in a week's time Arthur has planned a visit to the island of Erin, to talk with Sorcha's father, Hail, Lord of Crestwind and leader of the Cuhatain Clan. Curran's grandfather. In the Battle of Harrow's Field against the Saxons, Lord Hail had brought many men to help fight our enemy. His daughter decided to stay in Britain and marry Avery. Her family was crushed, but let her go. Ever since Arthur and Hail had kept correspondence with one another, and finally Hail had convinced some of the other clans to meet with Arthur and discuss a possible truce and alliance against the ongoing Saxon incursions on both islands.

For fifteen years Arthur has been waiting for this moment, a chance to unite with a people the island of Britain has been with war with for over hundreds of years. All winter I had been looking forward to going, a chance to see outside the walls that protected me.

"You can't go, Lucan," Arthur told me three days before the campaign began. This was not what I expected.

"What?" I exclaimed, my eyes narrowing. "Your joking."

He sighed heavily as if he had been pacing all night thinking up a good way to inform me his plan. "I'm sorry, Lucan. I know you've been looking forward to this visit. I need you here."

I broke with formalities and swore. "You were fine with me going before. Tell me the truth, your Highness, you don't want me going because of what happened in the port."

He looked as if he knew I would say that. "Among other factors, yes. What you did was rash, but this is not a punishment. I honestly think it best for you to remain. My advisors keep hinting that this meeting may not go according to plan, and if that happens I need the heir to the thrown here…safe. I promise, there will be other convoys."

I was supposed to submissively bow and respond with a 'yes my Lord'. I was supposed to act like a man, not a selfish boy upset over things he didn't understand. But instead, I kept my eyes narrow and held my head high. I did not respond, I simply looked away, letting him know I was through with this conversation.

He bit his lower lip and nodded, exiting the room without a statement. Blowing out the candle, I sat alone in the dark, with nothing but the blackness keeping my company.

In the practice yard I swung violently at Lancelot, taking out all my frustration against his blade. He parried and pivoted to the left, forcing me to block midchest. Lancelot was the best swordsmen of Arthur's Knights. When I was younger he was my trainer, and I too learned the art of using two swords at once, though I could never quite master it up to his caliber.

"Keep your left foot center when you thrust, otherwise you'll be off balance" he said as he panted.

"I thought he was doing quite fine" Arria shouted from the fence, watching us with great interest. Nearby Gawain and Curran were sparring, Gawain still clearly superior despite Curran's youth.

Suddenly her smile turned into a wince of pain, her hand instantly grabbing her stomach. She did not scream, but Lancelot saw the look on her face. Sheathing his sword, he jogged over to her, as she leaned oagainst the post for support.

"Are you alright dove?" he said, staring intently at her. She winced again, but a hint of a smile lurked beyond her pain.

"I believe its time" she got out. His eyes widened and suddenly he became a mess. At first he smiled, but retracted it when she quickly grabbed his hand as a contraction started. "Ow!" he yelled, her nails vigorously digging into him.

"Don't worry, Arria, I'll get Claudia" Gawain said calmly, running towards the nearest door to fetch the midwife. Lancelot looked about, for what, I wasn't entirely sure.

He helped her walk slowly towards the castle as she clutched her stomach. "Stop worrying, Lancelot, it's only a small contraction." She wisely said, tussling his hair. He tried to laugh, but it came out as more of an anxious wheeze.

I had never witnessed a birth before. At first I was in the room, watching with quite amusement as Arria yelled obscenities to Lancelot, cursing him for being male and making her endure this. As the midwife told her to push, she screamed, "Next time you're the one who delivers this huge melon coming out of me!"

In return Lancelot yelped as her hand clutched his tightly. "Out! Out!" The midwife called, thankfully placing Lancelot and I out into the hall. Lancelot nervously paced about, Bors behind him chuckling softly.

"Honestly man, sit…have a drink. It'll be over soon, and then all you'll have to worry about is the crying, burping, the throwing up, oh and my personal favorite; the changing of cloth. And the baby is even worse!" Bors remarked, Gawain and I chuckling.

"You mean to tell me you got up in the middle of the night to wipe the shit from your baby's ass?" Gawain asked.

Bors guffawed. "Good god man, of course not! But listening to Vanora whine about it was annoying enough…"

I shook my head. Lancelot looked absolutely petrified by the sound of these words, his face turning pale. Soon the door opened, and in rushed Lancelot. The second he took a look at the babe wrapped in Arria's arms, the insecurities instantly fell apart and all he could do was smile and kiss his wife softly on the forehead.

Arthur approached and beamed at the happy couple. "And what are we to call the son of the two greatest knights of Britain?"

"Breandan" Arria stated, out of breath. She looked quite frightening, as if she had battled a warlord to the death and won.

"My son" Lancelot whispered, not noticing that anyone else was in the room. Arthur patted his shoulder as we filed out, leaving the happy couple with their newborn.

"I'm glad I'm not a female" Gildred replied, shaking his head as we walked outside towards the stable. "Not that I couldn't take the pain, but honestly, who'd want to go through that?"

"Does it give you a new appreciation for the female species then?" Curran asked, saddling his horse.

Gildred thought about it for a minute, furrowing his brow poignantly. "Eh, I suppose. My God, if my wife looks as bad as Arria does after that occurs, I don't know if I'd ever sleep with her again…"

"Let's hope Lancelot never hears that. I don't fancy burning your nasty corpse after he's through with you." I stated, stroking my mare's soft brown coat.

"Oh come off it, you know I think Arria's a ripe beauty. But pregnancies….I don't know how father stood them."

"He didn't. He specifically asked Arthur to send him out on assignments every time Vanora was pregnant and giving birth." Gawain emerged from the shadows with a laugh.

The four of us mounted and rode south toward the Wall, the only thing separating Arthur's kingdom from the Southern Saxon control. Checking up to make sure all was fine, we then headed east to let some of the lords know of Arthur's departure to the land of Erin. Because Arthur thought the land would be vulnerable in his absence, he sent extra men to every village southeast and southwest of Camelot.

The campaign was to take over a month. He, along with Lancelot, Sorcha, Gawain, Curran, Avery, and twenty men in the company were to first take a boat across the channel to the middle isle, the isle that many of the Irish and British forefathers fought over for control. There, Hail and his men would safely accompany them back over to Erin and to the land of Crestwind, where Hail was lord. The other seven clans would meet their to discuss possible treaties and alliances, if they thought well of Arthur and his intentions.

The day they left, I got up early to see them off, though the anger of Arthur's decision still burned within me. I needed to prove myself; couldn't he see I needed this?

I watched as Lancelot kissed his wife, and then his newborn infant son. For once he was radiating out of pure joy, not devilish fun. Curran took his place beside his father and mother and mounted up. He was the son of two nations, the blood that could very well make peace. He was Hail's grandson, therefore he could inherit Crestwind if his grandfather wished. It was doubtful the Irish would even acknowledge him as being one of their own, but it was worth a chance. How I envied him, being able to leave with the others, though he was quite a few years my younger.

The next few nights were quite a blur. Mornings came and I found a new girl in my bed when I woke up, each of them complimenting me and blushing, though I have no recollection of the nights before. I spent those nights drinking away my sorrows.

One morning I found myself splashed with water as Gildred emerged from my bedpost. I sat up with a jerk, unsure of what was happening.

"Get up, you slob, half the day is gone!" he yelled….or, it seemed like he was yelling. Every noise seemed amplified, and I found my head aching.

"What's the rush?" I mumbled, pulling the sheets back over me, submitting my body to the tender feel of the silk cloth.

Gildred grinned widely. "I told Curran I'd be checking up on his siblings every few days to make sure their okay. Thought you might want to come."

"Watch you attempt to romance the most stubborn girl in the country? Well, I suppose it'll be worth it seeing her kick your arse."

He winked. "Then its settled."

We arrived an hour later, pleased to find the farm still in one piece. Curran's youngest sister, Sidney came to greet us. Sidney was a tall girl, with big round eyes that instantly caught your attention. She was fifteen, and though she was pretty she could not compare to the beauty of her sister. She was vibrant and fun, always cracking jokes. Dierdre was mysterious and quiet. She loved being outdoors, or atleast, I thought she did. Whenever we came over she was always off picking apples or swimming or riding.

"Prince Lucan, its quite an honor" Sidney bowed, grinning widely.

"Is your sister here?" Gildred cut in, his eyes anxious.

Her smile faded and her tone flattened. "Down by the river…probably drawing something…"

I stayed and talked with Sidney while Gildred went to fetch his imaginary love. Sidney looked on as he walked down the hill, folding her arms nervously across her chest.

I smiled brightly at her, and placed my hand under her chin. "Chin up, girl. He'll come around."

She looked possibly taken back by my words, and her cheeks instantly turned a deep red. "I know not what you mean, Lucan." She stared out after him again. "Besides, he only has eyes for her, like everyone else."

I chuckled and changed the subject, commenting on various villagers. A while later Gildred returned, limping on his left leg.

He grimly sat down as Sidney poured him a mug of water. "Don't worry, Gilly. Your not the first she's done that too."

He grumbled a response and chugged down the water. Sidney got up from her seat and stared out the window. "I told her to come back with another pail. She always takes forever down there."

"I'll get her." I said, wanting to leave the two alone. Sidney would not look at me, but nervously sat back down next to Gilly, who was still grumbling to himself.

Down by the river she sat, tucking her arms across her knees as she stared out at the water, a serene look plastered on her face. I approached cautiously, but she turned, knowing I was there. "I was wondering when you'd come."

I plopped myself beside her on the huge boulder, sighing. "I didn't know you spoke out loud."

She smiled, still gazing out on the rippling water. "I speak when I want to."

"You know, when you were just a few years old, I used to play hide and seek with you by these very rocks. Back when you were just a young girl, and didn't shut out the world."

"I do not shut it out. I merely choose when I want to emerge in it."

I chuckled softly, throwing a rock into the river. "They say you are a strange girl."

She turned to face me, her eyes challenging. "And what do you think, young Prince?"

I stared hard right back at her. I titled my head in thought, and then smiled. "I think you're scared."

At these words she sat up straighter, a look of sheer perplexity on her gaze. I continued to smile, but began playing with the ring on my right finger. She bit her lower lip, and raised a left eyebrow. "Is that your noble crest?" she asked, a hint of mocking in her tone.

My face grew grave and my tone softened. Clearing my throat, I took the ring off my finger and placed it in her hand. "Take a look for yourself."

She carefully examined it, rubbing her fingers over the engravings. "That was Dagonet's."

She looked up at me in surprise. "The famous knight's?"

I nodded slightly. "He was the one who saved me, you know. He brought me to Arthur, and died fighting off the Saxons who were going to kill us all."

She stared at it again, a new respect present on her face. "Were you close to him?"

"I hardly knew him. But, in the short while we knew each other, he protected me like a father would his son."

She brushed back a strand of her golden hair. It was longer than the last I saw her. She kept in pulled back a lot, but today it glittered down her back. An awkward silence befell us, and I slapped at a fly that landed on my arm. "Your sister wanted you back by now."

"Of course. Shall we?"

When we got back to the cottage, I noticed Sidney was desperately trying to start up a conversation with Gildred, and he looked quite bored in return.

"There you are! Come, Lucan, I told Bors we would head back to Camelot before nightfall and meet with the new scouts that returned from the south."

"They have information on the Saxons?" I asked, tilting my head upward with anticipation.

He shrugged. "Hopefully. Wouldn't mind getting into a little skirmish with the vermin."

Arthur had a policy of scouting out the activities of the Saxons in the southern provinces, but doing nothing about them unless they tried to venture north. Both Gildred and I thought it was bolox; we both agreed that sooner or later they would strike, and personally I would rather attack them before they hurt more civilians. If Arthur was here, he would never permit such a raid. But then again, he wasn't here. I raised an eyebrow at Gildred, and he nodded, grinning wildly. We would hear what the scouts would say, and take a course of action ourselves.