Standard Disclaimer still applies and will always apply; King Arthur and all that is related to the legends and movie are so not mine. It'd be great though. Ah well, stuff you don't recognize, like the ideas and such, yeah that's mine. Anyways onto "Blood Heritage"
Thanks to my new beta Ailis-70 for helping me out with this because my other beta Tracy137 could not. Thanks to the both of you, much appreciated!
A/N: some notes -actions during speech- "speech" 'thoughts'
"Lancelot, Gawain," she called to the two knights a few wagons ahead; they turned to her voice and rode over to the woman.
"How does he fare, Roxie?" Lancelot asked the tired looking hazel-eyed beauty. She had wrapped a thick cloak over her head and body, but still she shivered for she had not removed the wet clothes in her concern for Dagonet.
"Better'n I would've hoped. I got most of the poison out and found some local plants for any infection that doubles as an antidote." She smiled weakly.
"Yet, there is something still not right," Gawain provided at her silence and weak smile.
Nodding, Roxie explained that Dagonet was lacking in body heat which would slow his healing incredibly. She also explained how blankets were already sparse and a fire would be impossible if they hoped to reach the wall in the next day or two.
"I… I do have one other option, but…"
"Roxie, you have done more than enough, and you have just been pulled from that very lake as well, do not overwork yourself," Gawain scolded her firmly when she swayed, holding her steady, "How can we help?"
"Erm…If you can charm a few girls to the wagon, I can take it from there." She replied tentatively. They looked at her curiously, "Look, you two are probably the most experienced at coercing a woman to do just about anything for you. Don't tell me I'm wrong?"
"Of course not, you milady are speaking with the most handsome man alive." Lancelot grinned.
"Only 'cause Johnny Depp, Keanu Reeves, Ioan Gruffud, Clive Owen and Tom Welling haven't been born yet," Roxie retorted playfully before turning back into the wagon.
"Who?" The two men looked at one another curiously, and then Lancelot led his horse away from the strange woman.
"Men who would definitely give you a run for your money." She giggled, "They fall under a woman's three H's: Handsomely Hunky Hotties." Gawain shook his head in amusement.
"Roxie, you had best get out of those wet things or you may fall ill." Gawain tossed his cloak and it landed over her head. Pulling it off roughly she glared daggers at his grin.
At least 15 minutes later, three pretty young women came into the wagon out of the cold. Two were red-heads with soft grey and blue eyes respectively the other was a dark-skinned brunette with darker brown eyes.
"L-lady Roxie?" One of them called softly, they had each been given a gown spared by the Lady Honorius as many of the women in the village. A soft groan drew their attention to the knight and for the first time they noticed the clothes laid out to dry.
Roxie lifted her head to see the three girls, all pretty, all young and all seemingly exotic. 'Men.' She thought ruefully as she got up from under the covers she shared momentarily with Dagonet.
Roxie had stripped down to her undies and wrapped herself in Dagonet's blanket for warmth. The big man was slowly getting warm, but not warm enough.
The three women blushed as they saw her get up from under the big knight's blankets in only her undergarments.
Briskly, Roxie explained what she needed the girls to do. Afraid of her temper, the girls immediately did what the assassin instructed and climbed under the furs with Dagonet. Roxie stayed in the wagon with the three girls and the unconscious Dagonet, occasionally one of the other knights would come in and check on them but other than that it was lonely. Guinevere rode in the carriage with Lady Fulicina and Alecto (if she could really stomach it) or she would ride with Arthur at Roxie's urging. Never Lancelot.
The caravan had finally reached the wall; Dagonet's body temperature was once again normal thanks to the three girls, Aria, Bethany and Ceridwen. Yet he was still unconscious, this worried Roxie to no end. The only thing left to do was wait… something that made the normally patient assassin incredibly irate.
"Open the Gate!" One of the soldiers called, Roxie was riding astride the wagon allowing a somewhat giddy feeling overwhelm her. It was a lot like a homecoming, the knights were going to be free and the Romans were going to be gone.
The rest of the group rode into the knights' courtyard where the bishop and other official-looking Romans waited. Roxie paid little attention to the goings on of the knights and the bishop; her only concern lay in the wagon next to three very pretty women. It was only when Lucan jumped down from the wagon and rushed to the courtyard that Roxie looked up and paid attention.
"Boy! Stop!" one of the Romans yelled about to run after Lucan, but was stopped by a rather long dagger in his face courtesy of Galahad. Roxie smiled gently at Lucan and helped him into the wagon that held Dagonet.
"He'll be alright, I promise you Lucan." Roxie hugged him to her and the boy returned it tightly. "I would never let anything happen to him."
When the knights received their release papers, they (with the exception of Arthur) helped move Dagonet to his room. Bors insisted on staying with his best friend until Roxie was forced to call Vanora to back the odd woman up.
"Bors, if you don't go in the next five seconds I can guarantee that Vanora is gonna kick your ass." Roxie threatened as she and the three women Lancelot and Gawain charmed worked to make the healer comfortable.
"Nay lass, 'e's me best mate. I'll not be leavin' 'im."
"Fine. Bethany, could you please get Lady Vanora—"
"No need lass, I'm already 'ere." Vanora walked into the room, a menacing glare on her face that made even Roxie cower a bit. "Bors, c'mon and leave the lass to 'elp 'im."
Roxie struggled to keep the smirk from her face when Bors open and closed his mouth trying to find some protest, but Vanora slapped his head before pulling him away by his ear. The older redhead winked at Roxie as she dragged her lover out of the room as Bors' voice boomed with many curses.
Turning to the other women, Roxie simply stated, "Let's get to work."
Roxie was never happier to see the little hole she called a room, for one she had left her more personal effects there and for two, she would have a proper bath because being on the road had not helped her hygiene routine at all. Opening the door with a bang, she had surprised Aurora with a large smile and hug.
"My lady!" Aurora yelped in surprise. Internally she was disappointed that the young woman had returned, but did her best to act happy the girl was safely returned.
"You have no idea how good it is to see you." Roxie grinned as she began to pull her bloody, sweaty and smelly garments off her body. "Could you please have someone prepare me a tub so I can bathe? I could really use it."
Aurora nodded and curtsied out of the room with a Barbie doll smile plastered on her face.
"Thank you, you're the best."
Wrapping herself in a long linen robe, Roxie surveyed the room. Everything seemed like it was as she had left it. Yet, something was off, different, wrong. Sweeping her eyes over every inch of the room it finally hit her. Something was missing from her bureau.
"Aurora!" The maid came scrambling back into the room.
"Yes my lady." Roxie looked at the maid and noticed how fidgety the woman was.
"You know where my bracelet is, don't you?"
"I—"
"Aurora, look at me. Where is it?" Roxie's look bore into the maid who nervously backed into the door. Again Roxie asked her question, but the maid did not answer yet it was clear what happened.
"You sold it?" Roxie's voice had a deadly calm as she approached her maid. Aurora looked at the young woman with wide frightful eyes. The maid let out a shriek when Roxie suddenly gripped the front of her dress and icily demanded to whom the bracelet was sold.
"I-I do not know..." the maid whimpered, the lie clear in her eyes.
"Don't. Lie. To. Me."
At that moment, the rest of the knights came in to see Roxie towering over the cowering maid.
Without thinking about the situation, Arthur bodily gripped Roxie away from Aurora while trying not to get punched and beaten in the process.
"What is going on here?" Arthur questioned. "Roxie, I demand an explanation."
"She stole what is mine and I want it back. If not, I will take matters into my own hands and none of you will stop me." Roxie threatened with a look that actually made them feel fear.
(A/N: First POV)
I lay in my cot that night with the curtains open letting in the cool air. My body shivered as the blasts from the north rushed at my bare skin, the sheets on my flesh felt heavenly. Maybe I shouldn't have tried to kill Aurora, but damnit, she stole Connor's bracelet from me. That deserved some retribution. I stared at the bright moon as it flooded my room making everything look ethereal and haunting all at once.
My thoughts have been completely jumbled these past few weeks. I mean, I love Connor, he is always on my mind and heart, but then there's the other… Lancelot.
I find myself thinking about him constantly, almost to a point that I feel like I'm betraying Connor.
Sighing, I turned my body to face the window as I stared listlessly at the moon. The glaring brightness was the last thing I saw as I fell asleep.
I heard the heavy door of my room open and close softly. Soft footsteps padded softly on the cold stone floor. Keeping my eyes closed I felt for the long dagger under my pillow that I bartered from the blacksmith's daughter. A hand lay gently on my shoulder and I immediately turned to face the intruder, my dagger at his throat.
We both let out a gasp of surprise and I dropped the dagger letting it clatter on the stone floor.
"Connor…?" I couldn't believe it; the love of my life, the man whom I would give up everything to be with, the man who was my everything was standing there in front of me, looking exactly like I last saw him before I left on assignment, before the Red Sun got wind of him, before he died.
"Hey babe."
I was so overcome with a myriad of emotions, I broke down sobbing. It had to be a dream, caused by stress and worry and G… It was G, trying to play with my mind.
Sniffling, I wiped the tears, "Very funny G. Bringing a specter in that looks like Connor, that is so wrong."
"I'm no specter babe. It's all me. Here with you." He lifted my chin to kiss my lips. Oh God his lips! I could feel his tongue gently caress my lips; no man has ever kissed me like this. Not like Connor. Our mouths met each other hungrily and our hands just as fervent.
Our breaths became pants as he pulled off my blanket and I his clothes desperate for contact. He kissed his way down my throat as he pushed me back onto my bed. I relished in the way he made me feel… beautiful, pure, and loved. It wasn't sex; I was in love all over again with the man I had planned to marry once I left college, once I put the Red Sun behind me.
This could not be a dream; dreams could not make the sounds that left my lips. Dreams could not make my body feel on fire and ache this way. No, this was not a dream. He was here with me as it should have always been.
Na na
Na na na na na
I miss you
Miss you so bad
I don't forget you
Oh it's so sad
I hope you can hear me
I remember it clearly
Chorus
The day you slipped away
Was the day I found it won't be the same oh
Na na
Na na na na na
I didn't get around to kiss you
Goodbye on the hand
I wish that I could see you again
I know that I can't oh oh oh oh oh
I hope you can hear me
Cause I remember it clearly
Chorus
Bridge
I've had my wake up
Won't you wake up
I keep asking why
And I can't take it
It wasn't fake it
It happened you passed by
Now you're gone
Now you're gone
There you go
There you go
Somewhere I can't bring you back
Now you're gone
Now you're gone
There you go
There you go
Somewhere you're not coming back
Chorus x 2
Na na
Na na na na na
I miss you
("Slipped Away" by Avril Lavigne)
I had awaked the next morning with the sun gently warming my face, the rest of my body wrapped in the blankets and something else. I opened my eyes to see Connor's handsome face sleeping next to me, my arms tightly around his neck. Shifting slightly, I brushed my fingers over the curves of his face giggling as he wiggled his nose. This was how it was supposed to be, me and him happily ever after. With him here, I didn't need the bracelet, it was just a trinket compared to the warm body next to me.
Slowly he woke up blinking and staring at me. His lop-sided grin made me want him all over again.
"I have to go babe. I've stayed too long." He said suddenly looking past me at sun rays filtering the window. Desperation crossed my face. "I was only granted one night. One night to give you strength, one night for you to let me go."
"No… you can't." I hugged him closer to me, but he slipped from my grasp.
"I have to."
"What am I supposed to do, huh? I need you Connor." I clung to him desperately.
"I'm sorry, baby…but I'm dead. I've crossed over, just like your family." He said sadly, "I love you honey, but you have to move on. You have to let me go. Someone loves you more than I ever could and he accepts you like I never could."
"Then what was this? A quick fuck and then you send me back?" I asked him angrily. I was hurt beyond any comprehension. I felt cheap and used like a two-bit whore.
"No. Don't ever think that! You're more than that and you know it. I couldn't… I wanted to show you that I still love you, but you need to heal and the only way to do it is to let me go."
"I don't know if I can…"
"You just did… I'll always love you baby." And like the summer breeze he was gone from my life once again… but for once I wasn't as sad as I thought I would be. I took in a breath and got up to get ready for the day. On my pillow lay a beautiful and perfect plumeria on a gorgeous silver charm bracelet.
(A/N: Third person POV)
Roxie left her room feeling lighter than air. It was as though all her emotions that bottled in her heart were finally let go. Now she could look forward to something more. It was though that one night before with Connor had magically given her solace to grieve, to release and to move on and it felt wonderful.
After a quick breakfast she went to see her patient. Everything was looking up for her and maybe sometime soon love would be there in her heart once again. Entering the room, Roxie saw that Dagonet had not moved nor seemed to have woken up. But this did not deter her happy disposition; she checked his wounds and redressed his bandages. Before she realized it, Roxie had fallen asleep on the chair next to his bed.
Roxie woke to the sound of Dagonet groaning, she hurried to his side. The man's eyes were half-lidded, but at least he was responsive.
"Hey, wakey-wakey scrambled eggs and bakey." She whispered gently. He chuckled, and then coughed weakly. "You feel any better?" Dagonet saw her face full of concern and exhaustion.
"Much better." He replied as she helped prop him up.
"Thank goodness." Roxie let out a sigh of relief as she hugged him. Her eyes clouded with tears, but she got up quickly to avoid him seeing. However the knight noticed and held fast onto her wrist as she turned to go. The tears streaked down her cheeks, "Look at me, I'm blubberin' like a baby. I'm gonna go and get the others. Bors has been beside himself demanding I use some modern magic or sumthin'…" She was about to wipe the tears from her eyes but Dagonet didn't let her wrists go; instead he pulled her gently to him and kissed each tear that fell. Roxie was so shocked when his lips traveled from her cheeks to her lips. Closing her eyes, Roxie let him chastely kiss her.
"Marry me Roxie?"
A/N: Wee! Cliffhanger! Hope you liked it.
Thanks to my reviewers you guys rock! I don't have much time to thank you individually, but I always love the reviews and reviewers.