Almost Had It All

Well, despite the fact that I only received a couple of reviews for the last chapter, I'm trudging onward and posting the next update. I really hope y'all can do better with the reviews, they make me happy!

PLUS: When writing this chapter, I realized that this story is almost done, as it will end at the Wall. I'm adding in a couple of days after the knights arrive back at the wall up until the battle at Badon Hill, just to have more interaction between the characters. BUT, I would like some ideas. I know how the story will end, but I don't want it to happen too abruptly. If one of you wouldn't mind helping me out–with ideas and how the rest should be written–I would really appreciate it. If you're interested or have ideas you would like to share, please email me at los.ojos. and please, please email me!

Chapter Eleven: Awaiting Surprises

Yeah, Yeah
I know what darkness means
(and the void you left in me)
The isolation stings
(So think it wants to bleed)
The echoes in my brain
(Of the things you said to me)
You took my everything
Now I'm coming for you

I won't back down
I will not bow
I've come to bring you hell
I can't forget
Things you did
I've come to bring you hell

The shadows that you see
(In the places that you sleep)
Are memories of me
(Better pray your soul to keep)
The truth behind your eyes
(You know that place you never see)
Your darkest little lies
Are coming for you!

I won't back down
I will not bow
I've come to bring you hell
I can't forget
Things you did
I've come to bring you hell

All the scars that never heal
All the wounds that will not seal
I will not forget the day
These memories never fall

I won't back down
I will not bow
I've come to bring you hell
I can't forget
Things you did
I've come to bring you hell

I've come to bring you hell
(I've come to bring you hell)

"Won't Back Down" Fuel

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470 A.D.

Approaching Badon Hill...

Much to Aylin's relief, Dominic's questions had not stayed solely centered on her. The woman had visibly smirked at Lancelot when his snickering at her discomfort had turned to shocked anxiety when the boy's questions redirected toward himself.

But, alas, none of the knights were safe it seemed. One by one, they each suffered through the kid's endless interrogations. Dominic's curiosity led to the asking to ride the knights' mounts. Some–Tristan and Bors and Lancelot–refused, because of the risk of Saxons, while others grudgingly gave the boy a boost up onto their horse.

The lucky man at this point in time was Arthur. Riding at the front of the caravan with Arthur on the horse behind him, Dominic's voice could be faintly heard by Aylin, who rode several horses back.

Shaking her head in amusement, Aylin wondered when the boy would get tired, or lose his voice–which ever came first.

"He never seems to be satisfied with the information given him," Galahad remarked from his position beside Aylin.

Laughing, she replied, "No. No, he does not."

"I know you're relieved."

Galahad continued when she looked at him questioningly.

"I heard the things he asked you before we left this morning. About his father. That can't be an easy question to answer."

Moving her gaze from the young knight's face to the hills ahead, Aylin sighed.

"It's not something I like to talk about. I expected him to ask me something once I realized he knew who I was, but... I never expected it to happen so soon. I don't wish to have to explain it to him."

"What will you do? When were reach the Wall and are given our freedom? What will you do about him?"

"I don't know," she said quietly after a long pause. "I never thought I would have someone like him to take care of. I don't think I can do it. As I told him this morning, I am not the motherly type."

After her statement, Aylin wondered if Fulcinia would take him. She wasn't going to lie to herself by saying that she could care for a child. There was no way it could happen. Impossible.

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Badon Hill...

The men and Aylin were silent as the gates of Hadrian's Wall were slowly pulled open to allow the caravan's entry.

Even Dominic had ceased his questions when asked to return to the wagon to wait with Lucan and Guinevere. Perhaps, he could feel the nervous tension in the air.

Horses and wagons alike noisely clopped and squeaked into the courtyard. Aylin could see Vanora and her bastards waiting–as they had when she'd first arrived–behind a gate, grasping the bars as they watched anxiously for Bors–and smiling when he came into view.

She watched as the large knight dismounted and went to his family, smiling softly as he kissed his lover with all his might, then picked up one of his boys, patting him on the back while Vanora looked on lovingly.

That's how they used to be, Aylin thought, remembering her parents. It made her sad to think that she didn't have something like that for herself. She had experienced many things in her twenty-three years, but that deep, heart-warming love had never been one of them.

Dismounting, she noticed that all the northern "evacuees" were still standing in the courtyard, uncertain of what to do in this strange place. Most had probably never been this far south, if they had ever even left the Honorius Estate before this. The wagons had been emptied quickly and Guinevere, Lucan and Dominic now stood at the front of the serfs, awaiting orders of where they were to go.

Arthur called Bors back to the men. The knight set down his son–who then went to his mother–patted his other children on their heads and shoulders, and then rejoined his brothers.

Once all together, the knights and Aylin released a breath at the fact that they had completed the mission, with no important deaths, and now they would be free to return to their homeland.

The bishop walked out of the fort and stared around in disbelief.

"God be praised! Alecto! Alecto, let me see you!" The man exclaimed in his best "admiration voice".

Alecto took a hasty step back as the man reached out to embrace him. Obviously, the bishop's charm was as repulsive to the young boy as it was to everyone else.

Attempting to save face, the bishop moved to push at the sleeves of his robes. He looked at Arthur with a smile on his face, but started slightly at the Commander's hard, expectant stare.

"Ah, yes. Your knights' papers," he mused, gesturing at a soldier carrying a box that all the men recognized as the one from the Meeting Hall several days earlier.

When the soldier stepped up to the bishop, Germanus opened the lid, revealing a group of scrolls, and waved his hand about as the men stood a little straighter.

"Your papers, discharging you from Roman military service."

Grunting at the soldier to follow, the bishop walked slowly to each knight and handed him his scroll.

With a hateful glare, Germanus handed a scroll to Aylin, quickly turning around as if he couldn't stand to see her literally holding her freedom in her hands.

Suspicious of the bishop's jerky motions, Aylin untied the knot holding the scroll closed, unrolled it and stared at the writing upon the paper.

As the knights were clasping each others shoulders in mutual congratulations, Aylin's heart skipped a few beats. Fingers clenched the paper so tightly the knuckles had gone pale; breathing so rushed and shallow that it roughly passed through her lungs; eyes that had turned a blazing, firey blue.

"WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?" She shouted as loudly as she could manage.

Germanus continued walking away from her, and closer to–she noticed–the soldiers across the courtyard.

"Turn around and face me you bastard from hell. You knew about this the whole time, didn't you? You were just counting the days until you could give this to me!" She snarled, stalking behind him and hurling the scroll to the dirt.

Everyone in the courtyard watched in shock as Aylin grabbed Germanus by the shoulder and spun him around... And treated him to a solid right hook.

The bishop thudded to the ground and Aylin sprang upon him, punching him as hard and as fast as she could.

All sound had disappeared for Aylin. All except the pounding of her heart and of her fists.

Voices were distorted and demon-like. Hands pulled at her, stripping Aylin from her attack of the bishop.

"Aylin! Aylin, stop!"

She didn't realize what had happened until she felt Tristan hold her back and heard his words.

Her hands were numb and covered in blood–the bishop's she noticed, glancing up at his face, as he sat up with a soldier's help and wiped his mouth.

"What is the meaning of this?" Arthur shouted over the commotion of the people, who had come closer to see the fight. His shout silenced the crowd, and he repeated the question, looking at Aylin.

"He is a snake! That is the meaning of this," she replied hoarsely from her position on the ground with Tristan's arms still about her.

The scout looked around and reached out for the scroll and read it.

Aylin felt him stiffen and she help but do the same as the memory of what she'd read flashed through her mind.

Tristan clenched his teeth and handed the paper to Arthur.

The Commander took the scroll and scanned it, stopping at two distinct words.

"Immediate Execution?" He yelled, bringing his gaze up to the bishop's.

"By order of the Emperor," Germanus smirked, spitting a mixture of saliva and blood to the ground.

Alright, sorry that this is such a short chapter–the shortest one yet. But as I said up top, I need ideas and don't wish to hurry the story before I get some–which I need.

I you don't mind knowing how the story will end, please email me so I can share my ideas and possibly gain some from you. I guess it could be called a beta, but I need one. Someone to bounce ideas off of through email. My address is at the top of the chapter and also in my profile.

Please Review.