Chapter One:
Ten years later
Kelleigh hurried about Arthur's quarters, trying to finish the preparations for the Bishop of Rome. She pulled the curtain closed that separated the bed from the rest of the room. Jols looked at her. "It is ready, Kelleigh," he said, pushing a chair into the desk that was in the room.
"That may be, but everything has to be perfect, Jols. You know that," Kelleigh said. "Those were Arthur's specific orders."
"Since when do you follow orders?" Jols teased. He'd been another brother to her for the last ten years. He'd even picked up on Arthur and Lancelot's teasing, along with the remaining knights. A young boy in Roman dress ran into Arthur's room, breathless from running so hard.
"The knight's are arriving," he said. Kelleigh looked at the poor boy and gave him a smile.
"We'll be there, child. Get yourself some water," Kelleigh ordered, and gently pushed him towards the door. She didn't want anyone in the room. Since her father had died ten years ago, Kelleigh had become an essential part of life to Arthur and his knights. She'd become the feminine touch the knight's needed, and the only one whose touch didn't engage anything but treating wounds and scraps. She'd even become something of a healer for Bors' children.
Sounds of hoof beats brought Kelleigh out of her thoughts. She looked out the window and saw the knight's ride up. Jols led the way out, and Kelleigh followed. A crowd had gathered to see what the commotion was, and Kelleigh instantly wished she could go back inside. Not many people knew about her, and what she was to the knights.
"Welcome back, Arthur," Jols said. Kelleigh looked at Arthur with a small smile. He'd grown into a battle-hardened man over the last ten years. His face was marred with age, and he'd seen too many battles.
"Jols, Kelleigh," Arthur said, looking at her. He nodded, and Kelleigh turned to Lancelot.
"Lancelot," she said, eyeing him closely. Out of all the knights, Kelleigh kept an eye on him the most. She had fallen in love with him ten years ago when he'd buried her father. She remembered that day well. She'd been strong for so long, and then, after they'd buried him, Lancelot noticed the tears in her eyes. He'd told her that it was okay to cry, he was still her father. Kelleigh had cried, great, wracking sobs and Lancelot held her, whispering words that soothed her pain away. He had grown up more since than. His hair was darker now, and his eyes were almost cold, but they held signs of being happy at the same time. Lancelot had become a well-oiled machine, both lethal and deadly. He was a man not to be trifled with.
Lancelot nodded at her. Every knight dismounted their horses, and Kelleigh turned to look at the carriage in the centre of the circle of people. The Bishop stepped out of the carriage and looked around as he stepped off the small step. Kelleigh noted that the man was in military dress. She made a point to ask Arthur about it later. The bishop looked directly at her. Kelleigh didn't have time to look away before he was making his way toward her. Lancelot stepped in front of her and stared the Bishop down.
"Bishop, please, my quarters have been made available to you," Arthur said, trying to divert the Bishop from what he'd seen. The Bishop walked away from Lancelot and Kelleigh, and stopped as he proceeded to go in the door.
"Ah, yes, I must rest," replied the Bishop. Jols led the Bishop away while Kelleigh looked the rest of the knights over. Lancelot pinched her as her passed, and Kelleigh gave him a look of mock anger. Inside she smiled. He was, by far, the most handsome knight.
"Where've you been?" Kelleigh turned to watch Vanora and Bors kissing fervently, with the knights smiling as they passed them. Circumstances banned Bors from marrying Vanora, but it was evident that Bors loved the woman. Galahad stood beside Kelleigh, and offered his arm. Kelleigh looked at him with a kind smile. She'd get whatever she wanted to know out of the youngest knight, even things that Lancelot and Arthur would rather she not know about what they had been doing. She took his arm and walked by the kissing couple.
"Are you all uninjured?" Kelleigh asked Galahad, a custom she'd picked up after nine years of seeing them come home with dead bodies of fallen comrades.
"Nothing freedom won't cure," Gawain said, passing her and Galahad with a smile.
"Freedom," Kelleigh repeated. She and Jols knew, more than anyone, how much the knights wanted freedom.
"We're to meet in the hall?" asked Tristan. Kelleigh nodded at the young scout. His bird sat on his arm. Tristan was a bit sadistic, but she cared for him all the same.
"Get yourselves cleaned up," Kelleigh told them as Galahad let her go. "Arthur, you will be sharing quarters with Lancelot." She looked at the two men. They stared back with affection in their eyes.
"Everything is ready for the Bishop?" Arthur asked, laying his hand on her shoulder.
"As it ever will be," Kelleigh replied, smiling. "Go now, off with you. Wash up." She ordered and escaped Arthur with a teasing laugh. Arthur looked at Lancelot with a smile. Both men then walked into the building.
Laughter filled the hall as Kelleigh walked in. Arthur stood, a sombre expression on his face. "Let us not forget that we are the fortunate ones." The knights stood with glasses of wine. Kelleigh held one of her own from her position between Lancelot and Arthur. "Let us raise our wine to those gallant and extraordinary men who we have lost but will be remembered for all eternity." Everyone drank from their respective goblet.
"To freedom," said Bors, lifting his glass again.
"To freedom," everyone repeated and drank. Kelleigh looked around and took the pitcher of wine, refilling each glass. Gawain made a joke, causing laughter. Kelleigh let out a girlish giggle, causing them to look at her.
"It's good to hear you laugh," said Bors, smiling at her.
"It's been at least ten years," Arthur added.
"Too many years." Lancelot looked at her with tender affection in his eyes.
"Agreed. You'll all be able to do as you choose," Kelleigh looked at them. Lancelot stared at her.
"And what of you? I've yet to see a handsome young man to catch your eye," he teased, causing more laughter from the knights. "Come to Sarmatia with me." Out of all the knights, Lancelot knew of her secret longing to go to Sarmatia. Kelleigh didn't answer him; she just stared into his eyes, hoping Lancelot would understand. Jols opened the door, and let the Bishop's aide in.
"His eminence, Bishop Naius Germanius," he said, looking bewildered. The Bishop walked in and stared at her. Kelleigh thrust her chin up in defiance.
"A woman and a round table? What sort of evil is this?" Horton, the Bishop's aide, asked.
"Arthur says that for men to be men, they must first be equal," Kelleigh answered. "As for me, I am the attendant. Show me the same respect that you would show Jols." The Bishop looked her over once more before addressing the rest of the room.
"I was given to understand that there would be more of you," stated the Bishop.
"There were. We've been fighting here for fifteen years, Bishop," Arthur replied.
"Of course." The Bishop took a goblet off the tray that Jols offered him, while Kelleigh handed Arthur and Lancelot their own. Lancelot smiled at her, after looking into the cup. "Arthur and his knights have served with courage to maintain the honour of Rome's Empire on this last outpost of our glory. Rome is most indebted to you, noble knights, your last final days as servants to the Empire."
Lancelot looked up from his goblet. "Day. Not days," he said. The Bishop smiled at them, and the knights sat. Kelleigh remained standing near the door, listening to what was said.
"The Pope's taken a personal interest in you. He inquires after each of you and is curious to know if your knights have converted to the word of Our Saviour or..." Kelleigh came forward, and looked at the Bishop sharply.
"They retain the religion of their forefathers. I've never questioned that," Arthur replied, staring at Kelleigh, almost willing her to be quiet. Kelleigh noted that the knights all shifted uncomfortably.
The Bishop looked at her. "What of your lady attendant?" He used the term lady as an insult. Kelleigh felt the anger curl inside her stomach and spring to life. She almost slapped the man. Lancelot put his hand on her wrist. Kelleigh looked at him and he nodded his head no.
"The lady retains her own religion," Lancelot said, standing up for her.
"Oh--of course, of course. They are pagans," the Bishop remarked. Kelleigh and the knights shifted uncomfortably again. "For our part, the church has deemed such beliefs innocence. But you, Arthur, you path to God is through Pelagius? I saw his image in your room."
"He took my father's place for me," Arthur said. "His teachings on free will on equality have been a great influence. I look forward to our reunion in Rome."
"Ah--Rome awaits your arrival with great anticipation! You are a hero. In Rome, you will live out your days in honour. And wealth." Kelleigh and Lancelot looked away, disgusted.
"Alas," the Bishop sighed. "Alas, we are all but players in an ever changing world. Barbarians from every corner are almost at Rome's door." Horton moved past Kelleigh and put a wooden box with gold trim next to the Bishop. "Because of this, Rome, and the Holy Father, has decided to remove ourselves from indefensible outposts such as Britain."
The knights all stood slowly in protest, except Galahad, who remained seated. "What will become of Britain is not our concern anymore. I suppose the Saxons will claim it soon." The Bishop opened the box beside him.
"Saxons?" Kelleigh looked at Arthur from where she stood beside Lancelot.
"Yes. In the north, a massive Saxon incursion has begun," the Bishop replied.
"The Saxons only claim what they kill," Lancelot said.
"And only kill everything," Gawain added.
"So you'll just leave the land to the Woads," Kelleigh voiced what they were all thinking.
"I risked my life for nothing," Galahad said aloud.
The Bishop gave a strenuous smile. "Gentlemen. Your discharge papers with safe conduct throughout the Roman Empire," he showed them the box. "But first, I must have a word with your commander," the knights still stood, watching the Bishop as he sat down. "In private."
Arthur looked around. "We have no secrets." Kelleigh jumped when she heard a loud bang.
"Come. Let leave Roman business to Romans," Lancelot said, taking a sip from his goblet. He started to walk out the door. Arthur looked at Kelleigh, who gave him a look that spoke volumes of her displeasure. Everyone left, taking a goblet.
"Let it go Bors," Dagonet said, putting is hand on Bors' shoulder as he passed, following Lancelot out the door. Kelleigh gave one last look to Arthur, and followed Galahad out of the room, wishing that she could stay behind to listen to the conversation between Arthur and the Bishop.