So this is it... the final chapter. I hope you all enjoy and keep your eyes peeled for a sequal!

Chapter 26

I Don't Want to Go

Arthur had taken up the high seat in Britannia, and now he was not only a King but also a husband to the Lady Guinevere. He wanted to try and get all of the country to unite in a common cause to fight for their freedom. Many were loyal to the end.

Bors had given up his idea of becoming 'the governor of his own village,' and along with Galahad and Gawain became the first of many people to join his new Round Table. Arthur made his home near Hadrian's Wall but a few days ride to the southwest in a place called Caer Legionis, meaning Stronghold of the Legions. He named it such to make any would be enemies to understand there are strong and dedicated men to protect the island of Britain.

There were not many smaller kings under Arthur that oversaw their areas of Britain. Most were men of noble birth either Roman or Celtic, but either way they were appointed by Arthur and he checked on them constantly. He wanted to make sure his people were safe and content. It was beginning to be said that Arthur was bringing about a golden age that Rome could never have achieved in the island.

The people of Britain adored their new king and queen. Best of all they thought was that the Celtic Queen would be able to change the Roman part of Arthur, a thing she was slowly succeeding at. Arthur wore his Roman armor but had adopted the golden Celtic torc around his neck signifying his high rank and kingship. His knights wore the same type of torc around their wrists. All made out of quality gold and crafted to perfection.

Many were now happy that their shores were protected from the barbarian and Roman invaders and were now looking to internal things. Queen Guinevere was becoming extremely attached to the young girl, Anera. She was making the young girl a Celtic beauty but with arguments from Arthur in some areas.

"Why are you putting the blue paint on her?" He asked Guinevere one day.

"This was the age my mother did it to me; it signifies that she will be a strong and intelligent woman." Guinevere said as she played with Anera.

"She's not our daughter; she needs to be able to live in Rome. Please Guinevere do not make her too Celtic." Every time Arthur brought up the thought that Anera would soon be leaving for Rome her heart sank. She didn't want the child to go.

Arthur didn't want to tell her that the time she could be around the child was coming to a close. He had received final clarification of the time and location of the ship that would take Anera to Rome. The ship left in a few days; hence Anera would need to leave Caer Legionis by tomorrow in order to make it to Londinium in time to make the boat.

He had been fighting with the thought that he would not even tell Guinevere when the ship left. He feared Guinevere would never let go of the child, but as he watched her now he knew he needed to tell her. If not, he wasn't sure if Guinevere would ever forgive him and he couldn't live with that thought.

"She needs to leave tomorrow," he solemnly said looking at Anera.

"Tomorrow! Why so soon?" She held Anera to her chest.

"Caesar wants her there for the new year celebration. If she leaves here tomorrow we can get her to Londinium to make the boat to get her to Rome in time for the New Year."

"Why the New Year?" Guinevere didn't want to give up the child so soon. It had only been six months since the death of the scout, Sir Tristan.

"His own wife has been recuperating from a miscarriage birth of her second child in a villa near Illyrium, near her home. The miscarriage has been a secret from the whole of the Empire; most believe she has given birth to a daughter." Arthur didn't know if Guinevere understood.

"She wants to pass Anera as her own daughter! I won't allow it!" Guinevere shouted holding Anera even tighter.

"Guinevere it's what is right." He tried to comfort his wife. "She needs to go to Rome."

"Go to Rome? Fine… but be raised as the daughter of Caesar. Be raised as the daughter of a man I hate, a man I despise? How could you do this to me!" Tears were streaming down her cheeks and waking up Anera from her nap.

"From the words of Caesar, Lucilla wanted him to raise Anera." Arthur looked to his wife.

"Arthur… I want her." Guinevere pleaded.

Arthur could only shake his head in regret. "It is not in my power to command it Guinevere. I would keep her as well for I have grown fond of the small thing but I can't keep her from her family's wishes."

"We're her family now." She continued to beg.

Lightly taking the child from her arms he shook his head, "no… we're not."

Guinevere laid her hand on Anera's head and kissed her softly. "Good-bye, I will always love you, as my own daughter." Not being able to handle the pain any longer Guinevere left the room in tears.

Galahad and Gawain were waiting for Arthur. They took Anera from his arms not sure what to do with the child at the moment. Arthur took a final glance at Anera and looked to his brothers, "Take Anera to the docks at Londinium and put her on the ship to Rome."

"This soon?" Galahad wondered, he had thought they had some more time with the child.

"Yes, take her please." Arthur asked as tears welled in his eyes. The sadness was obvious in his tone and facial expression.

Galahad and Gawain sadly took the child and wrapped her in the warmest blanket Vanora could give them. The bastards of Bors and Vanora were taking her parting very hard.

"Why does she need to leave?" Helen questioned.

"Because Arthur said she needed to leave," Gawain tried to explain. He was never good at explaining things to the children; he always left it up to Arthur, Guinevere or Vanora.

"Did she do something wrong? She's too small to do something wrong." Aggs commented.

Vanora saw the trouble the children were having with the idea of Anera leaving. She sat down next to them. "Kids, Sir Tristan and the Lady Lucilla asked Arthur to do this in case something happened to either one of them. Arthur can't change what is going on. We need to respect what Tristan and Lucilla wanted."

They each said good-bye to the child but Helen put a golden ring on her finger. Everyone looked at the young girl. "Where did you get that Helen?" Vanora asked.

"It was one of Lucilla's. She said they had gotten too small for her and gave me two. So I think that Anera should have one." The girl responded.

"That's very nice," Galahad said ruffling the child's hair.

Galahad and Gawain mounted their horses and were about to leave when they were stopped by Bors. "Don't think you're gonna go on your own in the black of night, did yah?" he wondered laughing a bit.

"You're coming with us?" Gawain questioned in a comical voice, as if Bors would has something better to do.

"We both are," Arthur said.

"It'll be like old times!" Bors excitedly said.

They rode out of the stronghold with fifty men following the three knights and their King. They made fairly good time in reaching Londinium. The city was no better than it was over two years ago when Lucilla arrived. Arthur had tried to expand the city and have people move to less populated areas but no one wanted to leave.

Entering the city, the flag bearers went first carrying the red dragon and black bear standards signifying Pendragon, the leader of Britain, and Arthur, the country's King. Next went Arthur only a few steps before the three knights. Galahad and Gawain were to Arthur's right and Bors to his left. Bors was carrying the child wrapped tightly in his arms.

The weather was getting colder on the isle. But it seemed as if Anera didn't mind. She remained sleeping in the arms of the large knight.

Reaching the docks of Londinium they had a following of the average folk. They were wondering who this man was and realizing it was Arthur they liked the thought that the King was finally entering the city. They found the ship without a problem and standing at the dock was Gaius, the man who had helped Marcus plot against Rome and Lucilla.

The knights glared at the Roman, rage filled their eyes. Gaius cautiously walked over to the knights and the King of Britain. "I am here to escort the child to Illyrium."

"She's not going to Rome?" Galahad questioned loudly. Arthur had not told them where Anera was going nor who was going to raise her.

"Her new family is in Illyrium." Arthur sternly said. The less people that knew about Anera's future the safer she would be in later years. "It was arranged by Caesar, she will be very well taken care of."

Gaius agreed. Bors reluctantly handed the child over to the Roman; she was still very much asleep. The knights looked to her and with growing sadness said good-bye.

The Praetorian cradled the child as if it was his own. Looking at the child he looked to Arthur and the knights. "If allowed by you King Arthur I will be the child's protector. I will make sure she is always safe and out of harm's way."

Arthur nodded, "If you betray her like you did her mother I swear to blessed savior I will find you in Rome or Illyrium and personally cut you into small pieces. Am I understood?"

"Yes, my Lord, you are understood." He looked to the other knights, "Farewell. It was an honor knowing you. May God go with you… always." With those final words Gaius walked up the pier and boarded the Roman vessel. He turned and told the pilot to shove off. They were working a day early and Gaius was hoping to reach Illyrium at least a day early.

The ship slowly began to move away from the docks of Britain and enter the Thamesis River. Gaius stayed near the edge of the ship and allowed both Anera and the knights to get a final glance of each other.

Anera had woken up as the ship began to move under her. She looked up at Gaius and not recognizing the man she began to wail. Each of the knights heard her little cry and took a step forward to grab her but they knew they could no longer to do anything for her.

The parting of Anera was bittersweet for Arthur and the knights. They were happy they were able to do what her parents deemed right but in this same moment they wanted to keep her and watch her grow. Galahad, Gawain, Bors and Arthur each held back the tears they knew they were about to shed.

The knights, the King, the fifty other soldiers and hundreds of Britain's citizens watched as the final Roman vessel left the port of Londinium destined for Illyrium and then the passengers would go to Rome.

What awaited the little girl none of the knights knew; in fact no one knew what awaited her. Or what her life would be like. They could only pray to their holy savior that she would have a happy and peaceful life. They hoped they would see her again but knew deep in their hearts they most likely would never hear of her or see her again. The parting tore their hearts in two. For some reason a song came to their minds:

Land of bear and land of eagle,

Land that gave us birth and blessing,

Land that called us ever homeward,

We will go home across the mountains.

As I said I truly hope you all enjoyed this story and I'm not going to lie when I tell it you it was really fun to write. I have some good ideas as a sequal using the child Anera and the knights. It will be called "Roman Lies" and as I said please keep your eyes peeled for it. I love hearing your reviews so please let me know what you thought of the story and if you think a sequal will be a good idea. I always appreciate your thoughts. Thank you so much for bearing with me throught this labor of love.

THE END!