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"
A/N: some notes -actions during speech- "speech" 'thoughts'
Whoa… it's been so long since I got back to this. I'm sorry, I was just more inspired with "Bitter Friends" but I'm back and this story is definitely not dead. Besides I couldn't kill it if I tried, I've still got the sequel writing itself in the back of my mind. Enjoy
(A/N: Third POV)
Roxie bit her lip and squeezed her eyes shut. Not only had she just revealed her feelings for the dark knight, but she was just about to run away. Something definitely not her style was to run away. 'Stupid, stupid, stupid…' her current mantra went on in her head.
"Roxie, look at me." Lancelot kept his grip on her wrist firm.
"Why? So can laugh at me? Remind me that I'm an idiot just like every other girl who fell for you?" Her voice cracked with heavy emotion, "No thanks."
"Roxie…"
"Let. Me. Go. Lancelot." She stressed, her body trembled viciously. Roxie desperately tried to keep her voice even and her breathing normal, this was so much worse than when Kronos sliced open Connor's chest in front of her. Lancelot tugged at her wrist until she looked up at his handsome face. Grasping her slim wrists in one large hand, he brushed her slightly red tinged bangs behind her ear only to have the stubborn strands fall again.
"Why would you think I feel nothing for you?" He tipped her head to get her to face him.
"You made it obvious enough, Lancelot. The only feelings you have are the stirrings in your cock. I am only your friend... with benefits." She replied curtly, slowly the hardened assassin began to surface. "Let me go now Lancelot or I will hurt you." Roxie's voice was ice now and the coldness reflected in her hazel eyes. Lancelot's grip on her wrists tightened and he pulled her closer to his body. The reaction of the nearness of her body to his was evident against her stomach, her reaction in the flush of her cheeks.
"Nay, I will not. Not while I still have breath in my body will I release you, not from my grasp and not from my heart." With that he dipped his head to hers into a fierce kiss, a fiery passion consumed them both as they felt they would devour one another.
Gasping for air with lips red and swollen, the stared at one another; silence deafening until Lancelot finally loosened the grip on her wrists.
He was about to say something until Roxie cut him off. "Don't. Just don't Lancelot. I came here with a purpose and I have fulfilled it. May your journey to Sarmatia be safe." And without a final word, look or anything she left him alone in his room.
Roxie sat on her windowsill rubbing her sore throat with her legs freely dangling thinking about how she'd left Lancelot. With every good intention, the young assassin had firmly believed herself to be in the right; she was going to tell the dark knight how she felt for him and possibly give in to him before he left for Sarmatia. That was how she wanted to do it, just lay her cards on the table with little to regret and everything to live for.
But that wasn't the case, she'd knocked on his door and when there wasn't the slightest indication that he was in, Roxie opened the door only to find him in the throes of passion with the blacksmith's daughter.
The two looked up from their activities and the girl squeaked before pushing Lancelot off, wrapping herself up and running out past Roxie.
"Oops, guess I spoilt you fun." She stated flatly after a pregnant silence. She turned around to allow the knight privacy to put some breeches on. What she didn't expect was him to come up and wrap his arms around her.
"Maybe, but I know a way you could make it up to me." He whispered huskily in her ear before taking the tip of her lobe between his lips. What would have normally been thought as romantic and sexy from a lover had disgusted her. Here was the man she'd fallen for just fresh from mid-fucking a blacksmith's daughter and was now trying to seduce her into taking the poor girl's place.
Breaking Lancelot's grasp on her, she pushed Lancelot away before throwing his discarded trousers at him roughly. He stared at her bewildered before pulling them painfully over his hard manhood. "What is your problem Roxie? You come to me dressed to make me want you, you flirtations toward me evident and when I take you in my arms you refuse me. What is wrong with you?"
"What's wrong with me? What's your fucking problem? Oh wait, never mind I interrupted that." She held a hand up to her lips in mock-shame, "And another thing, what the fuck are you talking about Sir Lancelot du Lac? Flirtations? My clothes? They have nothing to do with my problems. GOD!" Roxie threw her hands up in frustration. "Just who in fucking hell do you think you fucking are, ass hole?"
"Then what is your problem woman? Got your knickers in a twist?"
"Don't think for a moment you had any affect on my 'knickers' Lancelot. I can't believe myself, anybody would have been better than you!" She yelled at him, confusing him further that he ended up lounging on his mattress waiting for her to finish ranting. Roxie began speaking in a language he didn't understand, but several times she seemed to spit his name venomously. Finally she faces him, the fury evident in her sparkling hazel eyes, "You wanna know something Lancelot? You're an ass hole, a complete and total jerk loser and for reasons I don't understand, I am in LOVE with you. But sure, why bother right? I'm just some poor sap that fell through time and under your fucking charms! Lancelot, you don't think about nobody but yourself. But I'm the crazy one." Her voice became shriller as she had declared herself to him.
But he didn't realize there were tear brimming at her eyes, that all the pain she held to herself had been washed away. That the love he had for her was reciprocated in this beautiful being standing before him. Lancelot didn't notice how her expression quickly went from pained and angry to completely defeated, but when she sighed and place her pendant on the table did he finally take notice.
"Tomorrow, I ride with Arthur against the Saxons. I gave him my loyalty and I'm not gonna change my mind. I want to say 'Don't forget me' in hopes that you won't and leave this with you, but I know you will. So I really don't know why I'm even bothering with it. But know this, if you asked I would have come with you."
He then realized that he had to make his move, to let her know that it was her. From the moment he met her, it was her and only her. Lancelot grasped her to him and tried to tell her this, but she would not let him. Or she dismissed any such proclamations as lines to get in her panties. The wall to her heart and soul built itself as rapidly as it fell. She denied him a chance to speak and then she was gone.
"I'm so stupid. I'm pining for a guy who'll never love me when I should be getting my head in the game. He'll leave, whore himself in Sarmatia and never think about me. God! Can't I just think about anything but him? ARGH!" Roxie spoke aloud before throwing herself onto her bed for a fitful sleep.
He came back, they all came back to fight with Arthur. But it was near close of the battle, Lancelot was battling Crynic and Tristan was near his end against Cerdic. Lancelot was fighting bravely and the Saxon prince seemed not to be able to hold his own. The dark knight was distracted by a few more Saxons and…
"LANCELOT BEHIND YOU!" Roxie woke in a cold sweat panting; the blankets were twisted around her body in a suffocating restraint. A quick glance through the shutters of her window signaled it to be near dawn. With a groan Roxie plodded over to the water basin and washed the sleep from her face and smoothed her hair. Today the knights would leave for Sarmatia, today Arthur and she would face the Saxons with the Woads… today could be the very day she died. But it would not be a more noble death.
Stretching her limbs to prevent cramping, Roxie mentally prepared herself with what could be the last day on this earth. "Oh, poppet, you know I would not let anything happen to you." G's smooth voice whispered in her ear. He wasn't around, but just his presence was comforting enough.
Taking a deep breath she walked out her room to meet with Arthur regarding the plans for the upcoming battle.
Roxie shifted uncomfortably in the metal armor that Arthur managed to find for her. It had once been Galahad's when he was 14, but since the decision to join Arthur was more of a last minute one it was the best that could be done. She checked her hook blades on the sides of her thighs and her naginata, she was more or less ready. The caravan that would take the Romans to Rome and the knights to Sarmatia was headed past the hill which Arthur and Roxie held their ground.
"Are you nervous, Roxie?" Arthur broke the deafening silence between them. Adjusting the helm on her head, she half-smiled.
"Not a bit. I'm a dealer of death, I – yes, I am a bit nervous." She admitted as they watched the caravan trudge away. Her eyes followed one knight in particular, he was walking away from her because she pushed him away… but at least that dream won't come true.
As they watched the caravan leave, Bors broke away and unsheathed his sword yelling "ARTORIUS! ROOOUUUUUUSSSSSSS!"
Roxie fumbled with her helmet to look at the man next to her, waiting to see if he would respond. She watched as he lifted his standard high and replied with a loud, "ROOOOUUUUUSSSSSS!"
It didn't bother her that no such cry came for her, they had their quiet good-byes in the courtyard and that was enough for Roxie. It was enough because it meant that Bors would marry Vanora, Galahad would see his home, Dagonet and Gawain would find their beautiful Sarmatian women, Tristan would… well do Tristan-y things and Lancelot will always be Lancelot.
"Roxie, look there." Arthur broke her out of her reverie as he indicated someone waving a white flag on the other side of the gate. "Come, they seem to want a truce." The future king gave her a wry smile as he led his horse down the slope to meet with the Saxon leader.
"Arthur, everywhere I go on this island I hear your name. As though you were a… god, all I see is a man. No more flesh and blood than the animal you ride." Cerdic said in the same hoarse voice that sent shivers running along Roxie's spine. Arthur's horse circled the Saxon, as Roxie's own mount shifted restlessly on the side. The two men continued to speak venomously to one another, Arthur circling the revolting Saxon as Roxie's own mount skittishly shifted. She kept her eyes moving over the army that they were about to face, momentarily Roxie felt that she should have done more that night she and Galahad infiltrated the Saxon camp.
"…You've come to beg a truce. You should be on your knees." Cerdic's voice broke into her thoughts. 'Damn, now's not the time girl,' she mentally berated herself for letting her mind go elsewhere.
"I came to see your face, so that I alone may find you on the battlefield, and it would be good for you if you marked my face, Saxon, for the next time you see it, it will be the last thing you see on this earth." Arthur had drawn Excalibur and pointed the tip of the blade at the Saxon lord's face.
"Unless I get to him first, Arthur," Roxie muttered not realizing both men heard.
Cerdic cocked a blonde eyebrow at her as he took in her face, "I know you… Priestess Nari, we meet again. When we have won, I expect many a dance from you."
Roxie's jaw tightened and was about to retort, but Arthur was already headed back to the fort. So she just settled for flipping him the bird before following Arthur.
"Are you sure you truly want to do this?" Arthur asked her as they once again sat atop their horses on the hill. "If you hurry, you should be able to make it to the convoy."
"Too late, Arthur. I'm here and I'm not going anywhere; you have my word and my allegiance." She replied.
"And mine." A smooth voice said coming up behind them, Lancelot decked in full armor with his standard in his hand smirked at the two. The other knights, holding their standards, came moments later. They all shared a smile, before Arthur moved his horse in front of them.
"Knights, the gift of freedom is yours by right." In the distance the chanting of the Saxons and their drums was closing the distance between them, but Roxie felt little fear. "But the home we seek resides not in some distant land. It's in us! And in our actions on this day!"
The chanting came closer and for some reason unknown the Roxie, the flashbacks of her dream from the morning came back. "If this be our destiny, then so be it. But let history remember that as free men, we chose to make it so." Arthur was still talking and rallying them up but the assassin paid little attention to the inspiring words. Lancelot and Tristan could die today!
Oh poppet, you were given those visions for a reason. G's musical voice tinkled in her head, 'Fucking shit G, don't be a distraction.' She retorted mentally to her guardian.
I take it, darling, if you had your other weapons you would not fear so much for them, yes? If only I could grant you such a wish.
'So I can't have my gun? Or that ancient six-shooter with the dissolving rounds?'
No, you can't. But now it's time to pay attention. I'm watching out for you. G replied and cut their telepathic link.
"Lancelot," She spoke not tearing her eyes from the Saxons filtering in the gates, "You die, I promise that I will cross over just to kill you."
"Roxie… I –" He began only to get cut off.
"Don't get mushy on me. I mean it. You had better not die, or else I just might not make up to you what I should have last night." With a sly smile she looked at him to have his smirk return. "Besides I heard that the best kind of sex, is make up. Live through this and you'll get to know first hand." They shared a secret smile as the gate behind the Saxons closed with an ominous clang.
With an other-worldly scream, Roxie raced down the hill a heartbeat behind the knights; their weapons raised and looking as frightening as humanly possible.
(A/N: First POV… this should be interesting)
I am not a horsewoman, but by some miracle I have yet to fall. A few of the knights were dragged from their horses or voluntarily dismounted, but I remembered from all the movies and such that a rider has the upper hand in a battle.
My body seemed to move on instinct as did my warhorse, a bloodlust never before have I felt coursed through my veins. I reveled in the screams of the dying as I cut down Saxon after Saxon with my polearm. Blood splattered everywhere, on occasion blinding me, but my faithful mare steered me clear of danger. I suppose it was G's doing, but I wouldn't know.
Woads, Britons, Romans, Sarmatians and I fought together against the growing threat. My senses were in overdrive, until finally I was pulled from the saddle, only to face a man hairier than I have ever though possible. Three times my height and girth, he grinned evilly at me, maybe it's just me, but I found it hilarious that he looked like a character from the movies… hairy, butt-fugly, and villainous. I couldn't help but laugh before he swung his club knocking me down.
That was stupid, princess. G's voice rang through my head.
'No shit Sherlock, wanna tell me something else I already know?' I yelled at him telepathically while trying to face off with this brute. Maybe it was luck, maybe it was G, because the next thing I knew was that the fathead fell face forward with his back littered with arrows.
'Um… thanks?'
Poppet, it's about time to greet the commanding Saxons, your boy doesn't seem to be doing well. I quickly scanned the field looking for Lancelot as I picked myself up off the bloodied grass, there was no fucking way I was going to let him die. Even if I was angry at him, I wouldn't let him be ripped away from like Connor. I will not let my past repeat itself.
THERE! Just like my dream, he was facing against Crynic while Tristan was a good distance away fending against Cerdic. Oh God… I know I've never prayed, but now I really need you. God please just give me the time to save them both!
My body is weary, I know that, but I can't do nothing! Panting, I leaned against the staff of my naginata and tried to make my way over to my love as quickly as possible before another Saxon beast gets in my way.
As though hearing me, two Saxons in bloodied furs blocked my way with evil smirks as though they recognized me. Realization hit me, they were some sort of high end officers that I saw at the banquet in the Saxon Camp!
Their guttural words meant nothing as they advanced at me with full force. Weak in body, I somehow managed to defend myself before my horse ran in stomping and crushing the skulls of both men. Their brain matter splattered my face and clothes, because of the gross feeling I stripped off the helmet and uncomfortable armor. Instantaneously I felt lighter and less tired as I grabbed the saddle when my horse ran past me.
Once again from the top of my horse I inflicted damaged like never before, the men and women I've killed in my time would never compare to this battle, but it will not matter if I do not save them. I passed by a few of the knights engaged in their own fights, paying them no mind only to see that they still lived and my heart was thankful for that.
The masses of fighters seemed to split leaving a pathway to Crynic and Lancelot, although it looked like Lancelot had the upper hand, I will not leave it to chance. Those visions can happen, and I am here to see they won't.
Leaning forward to get more speed, I hold my naginata like a lance in a joust with the intention of spearing the Saxon Lord's son like a shish kabob. But in the last moment, braid-boy sees my intention and dodges… straight into Lancelot's sword before any other action could be taken. The young lord gurgled his dying breaths and I'm satisfied, I would do a little jig, but my forefather needs me right now.
"Roxie!" Lancelot calls to me, but I ignore him for now. Yes, I have much to make up for, but I will take enjoyment from it.
I urge my horse faster as I near Cerdic and Tristan; just like in my vision Tristan does not fare well. In fact he's doing something so below him… crawling away from his enemy.
"Cerdic!" I yelled as loudly as I could to distract him, lucky for me it worked. Bad for me, it also drew other enemies attention. Cerdic signaled to a big Saxon to come my way as I toppled off the horse's back. Without wasting any time I beheaded the man before he could take two steps towards me.
Desperately I ran as fast as my tired body would allow up the slight slope towards Cerdic and Tristan. As I neared, Cerdic watched Tristan with an amused look on his face while the once proud scout weakly let himself be dragged to his knees. In a split second decision, I threw all my weight into a jump and slide tackled his shins. I felt something snap as my feet made contact with his kneecaps and shins. Gasping for air, I shakily stood and surveyed around the battlefield. Everything was winding down. Good. Arthur had yet to come around. I shall leave Cerdic's death to the knight commander's hands, mine are bloodied enough.
Hobbling over to Tristan, I struggle under his weight trying to get him up. He leans heavily on me, but I'm going to try and help him.
If I hadn't been so focused on the scout, I would have noticed that Ceridic was no longer down. If I had made the right decision, I would have killed him before he could do anybody any more damage. I'm supposed to be good, I'm supposed to be the best, I'm suppose to remember no loose ends.
It wasn't until I heard Arthur yell out that I noticed the sharp and sudden pain through my back and under my ribs. Tristan fell back to the ground as I looked down and saw the tip of a blade poking through me.
"Nothing but a stupid girl." Cerdic's voice whispered hoarsely while his hand encircled my throat. Roughly he pulled the blade from my body as the ground and darkness came closer.
Is thisit?
A/N: Soooo how was that? Good, yeah? I hope so, I'm exhausted and over my head with work, school and research. But this chapter has been generating for some time. I hope you enjoyed it. Please review.