This chapter is a bit long because of the formal tone of Arthur's announcement.

Emogen collapsed next to Vanora and Fulucina with an exhausted sigh. Who knew playing a simple child's game was so tiring? Vanora and Fulucina chuckled at her and she stuck out her tongue in retaliation.

As she pushed herself up into a sitting position because number ten, or the newly named Maeotis (Sea of Azov), had crawled into her lap and said, "You know, Maeotis is a beautiful name for this little lady. How did you think it up Lady Fulucina? I mean you are Roman."

The Roman lady smiled gently at her and said, "I, like my son, know a few things about the Sarmatian culture. I used to be friends with one of the Knights of Sarmatia, twenty-five years ago. He taught me a lot about his culture. In fact, his mother was named Maeotis. That's how I got the name."

Vanora smiled at her two friends and said as she looked fondly down at the green eyed blond hared angel, "It is a wonderful name. I'm glad you thought of it Cina."

Emogen blinked and said excitedly, "Cina? You are letting Vanora here call you by a nick-name?"

Lady Fulucina smiled, lightly rolled her eyes, and said as the Knights and the other women collapsed in a circle around them, "I am not a normal Roman Lady as you can see. Yes, I want you all to call me Cina. All my friends call me Cina. I prefer it better to Fulucina anyways. It makes me more human and I can further distance myself from the memory of my late husband."

Emogen smiled and said, "Well then, you can call me Gen or Emmy, all my close friends do."

Cina grinned and said, "I'd like that."

Arthur smiled at the group and said regretfully, "It's getting dark and the little ones need to be put to bed. Plus, I have an announcement to make too everyone. We must get back to the Wall."

The group moaned but did as they were told. It took all of them to round up Bors children since they didn't want to leave the glen, but in the end all the children were rounded up. Since they were so young, some even managed to gain a ride back to the wall. Emogen and her Woad friends smiled at the Knights, who were each carrying a child: Bors was carrying Donso, or number eleven, Dagonet was carrying Maeotis, or number ten, Galahad was carrying Lada, or number nine, Gawain was carrying Marada, or number eight, Tristran was carrying Drostan, or number seven, Lancelot was carrying Devin, or number six, and Arthur was carrying Ennis, or number five. It filled her heart with love and warmth to see the Knights so gentle and loving towards the children. It just reinforced what she knew all along- the Knights were human and not simple killing machines built for Rome. They had hearts and souls. With a grin she walked up beside her lover, stood on her tiptoes, pecked his cheek, and said in a tone loud enough for all the adults and older children to hear but soft enough to not awaken the sleeping children, "You are going to make a wonderful father, my love. When we get married, I hope that we will be blessed with a lot of children, like Vanora and Bors have been blessed with theirs."

Lancelot's eyes popped wide open in shock. He was so shocked that she told their future plans like that; he nearly dropped his six-year-old nephew, Devin. He turned to her with wide-open eyes and gulped at the burning passion in her green eyes.

Arthur and the other Knights turned to the First Knight and Galahad asked with a soft laugh, "Is there something we need to know about Lancelot? Have you gone and made Emogen a mother before she's married to you?"

Emogen and Lancelot burned but Lancelot cleared his throat and said, "No, I have not…"

He broke off as he eyed her uncertainly.

Emogen giggled softly, placed her hand upon his forearm, and said reassuringly, "I am not with child, love."

Lancelot sighed in slight relief, although she could see in his eyes that he was a bit disappointed, and finished his earlier answer, "I have not. But we are planning on getting married. We were going to tell you once Arthur and Cordelia had been married and crowned King and Queen because I will have to have their permission to marry Emogen apparently."

Ula nodded and said, "It's an old tradition in our culture. When a man wishes to take a bride, he must first have the tribal leaders consent. It's to make sure that all our soldiers will be accounted for when they are needed."

Galahad looked a bit confused so Enys tried to explain it better, "Since our numbers are so small, we need all the warriors we have. At least, we needed them in the past. The tribal leaders would only marry a man or a woman when the fighting was drawing to an end and would remain light for many moons. This would allow the woman to carry her child to term, and birth a new generation successfully. The tradition will be carried over into the new culture of Camelot, I suppose."

Galahad nodded in understanding and Gawain stated, "That's actually quite understandable. So, if I wanted to marry Alma, I'd have to have Arthur's consent to marry her?"

Alma looked at her blond hared hunk in shocked happiness. Gawain shot her a small shy smile, which caused Alma to beam back at him happily.

Emogen nodded with a smile and said, "Yes, you'd have to have permission. Although, I'm sure Arthur wouldn't disapprove."

Arthur shook his head and said with a large smile and a teasing tone, "No, I'd happily approve. So, Lancelot, when were you planning on asking my permission to marry Lady Emogen?"

Lancelot's face burned again as he muttered clearly, "I was going to! I was just waiting for after YOUR bloody wedding…Dear God I…what the HELL am I saying!"

The group burst into loud fits of laughter at Lancelot's shocked, hilarious face. His eyes were wide open and his mouth was hanging open.

Arthur calmed down slightly and said with in a cheery tone, "You just prayed to God, my friend."

Lancelot's mouth snapped shut and he glared at Arthur, although Arthur and Emogen could see he didn't mean the hotness that colored his voice, and said, "I've been hanging around you to bloody long. I'm starting to talk like you!"

Vanora, although still chuckling, hushed the group by pointing to her little ones and placing a finger on her lips. The group quieted immediately and for the rest of the time, the group walked through the forest in a comfortable silence.

When they arrived back at the Wall, Cordelia walked up to Merlin, Merkin, and Duncan, who had been standing off to the side, just INSIDE the Wall, and commanded, "Gather EVERYONE within this Wall. Arthur has an announcement."

The three men bowed and said reverently, "Yes My Queen."

She blinked at their show of loyalty, but shook it off and walked back to her female friends. They were waiting for the Knights to return without the children.

When the Knights returned, Arthur was surprised to see that nearly five hundred people were waiting for him patiently. When he and the other Knights climbed up to stairs to the top of the scaffolds, they found the girls waiting for them.

Arthur held out his hand to Cordelia. She took it and looked down at her people. They were staring at her with wide eyes.

Merlin stepped forward, raised his hands up high into their air, and said, "Behold, our new Queen, Cordelia! Behold our new King, Arthur! Their wedding, their union will take place in two months upon the Imbolc Festival! Our people are now one!"

Merlin, Merkin, Duncan, the Knights, the Ladies, and the other leaders, bowed and said, "Hail, King Arthur! Hail, Queen Cordelia!"

The people on the ground followed suit and Emogen felt a large surge of pride flow through her veins. These were her people. They were ready to follow their one time enemy. This is what she and Cordelia had been fighting for- ever since they were children-freedom and peace.

When the cheering stopped, Arthur said loudly, "We, the council, and Lady Emogen have come to a consensus about who shall gain titles in our knew Kingdom. I, Artorius Castus, shed my Roman heritage here and now and take up my Briton name, Arthur Pendragon, and accept the title and role as King!"

Cordelia followed her fiancée, "I, Cordelia Verdi, shed my Woad heritage and take up my Briton name, Cordelia Dragonheart, and accept my title and role as Queen!"

Lancelot stepped forward upon Arthur's command and said proudly, "I, Lancelot du Lac, shed my Sarmatian heritage here and now and take up my Briton name, Lancelot Shieldguard, and accept my titles and roles as Knight Commander and King's Protectorate!"

Emogen took her place beside him and said clearly, "I, Emogen Verdi, shed my Woad heritage here and now and take up my Briton name, Emogen Serenity, and accept my title and role as Lady Ambassador!"

Then to the shock of the other Knights, Tristran took a step forward and said proudly, "I, Tristran Sharpeye, shed my Sarmatian heritage here and now and take up my Briton name, Tristran Sentinel, and accept my title as Head of Intelligence!"

Arthur waved Ula forward and started, "Do you, Ula Lock of the Woads, Mistress of Healing, here and now, shed your Woad heritage and take up the Briton name of Ula Healing and the title and role of Lady of Medicine?"

Ula slowly stepped forward and said clearly at Cordelia and Emogen's reassuring nods, "I do, My King!"

Arthur nodded and said, "Then state your claim!"

Ula took a deep breath and glanced at Tristran. He had a small smile on his lips as he watched her with unusually soft eyes.

"I, Ula Lock, shed my Woad heritage here and now and take up my Briton name, Ula Healing, and accept my title as Lady of Medicine!"

As she moved to stand by Tristan, Arthur called out, "Do you, Gawain Gray-wolf of Sarmatia, Knight of Sarmatia, here and now, shed your Sarmatian heritage and take up the Briton name of Gawain Axelord and the title and role of Master of War?"

Gawain blinked, took a step forward, and said clearly, "I do, My King!"

Arthur nodded and stated, "Then state your claim!"

Gawain looked to his friends and saw their strength in their eyes and started, "I, Gawain Gray-wolf, shed my Sarmatian heritage here and now and take up my Briton name, Gawain Axelord, and accept my title as Master of War!"

Gawain stepped back with a large grin and Arthur returned it.

Then he called, "Do you, Alma Terra of the Woads, Mistress of Healing, here and now, shed your Woad heritage and take up the Briton name of Alma Peaceful and the title and role of Lady of Medicine?"

Alma gulped and moved to stand before her two rulers. They were smiling reassuringly at her, and she felt her courage soar.

With a straight back and a proudly lifted head, Alma announced to the world, "I do, My King!"

Arthur nodded in approval and said, "Then state your claim!"

Alma raised her voice and said loudly, "I, Alma Terra, shed my Woad heritage here and now and take up my Briton name, Alma Healing, and accept my title and role as Lady of Medicine!"

Emogen smiled at her and nodded to the side. Alma breathed a sigh of relief and quickly moved to her lover's side. Unobtrusively, Gawain wrapped his hand around hers and gave it a tight loving squeeze. Alma smiled back in gratitude.

Cordelia continued, "Do you, Seamus Encante, here and now, shed your Woad heritage and take up the Briton name of Seamus Swordking and the title and role of Master of War?"

Seamus, who was standing in the front line on the ground level, stared at the group in shock. His mouth dropped open and his eyes bulged out wide. After a minute of staring at them stupidly, he nodded his head vigorously and all but sprinted up the stairs.

Cordelia and Emogen smiled proudly at him and nodded at him.

Seamus raised himself to his full height and said, in a clam voice that belied his earlier movements, "I do, My Queen!"

Cordelia nodded in satisfaction and said softly but clearly for all to hear, "Then take your place next to us, your equals and friends."

Seamus took a deep breath and said seriously, "I, Seamus Encante, here and now shed my Woad heritage and take up my Briton name, Seamus Swordking, and accept my title and role as Master of War!"

Many of the people, the Woads, stared to cheer loudly. It was one thing to have their Ladies of Power take up power of a slightly different road, but it was something new and great altogether when a lowly bodyguard became one of the leaders of their world. Arthur, Cordelia, Lancelot, and Emogen smiled at one another. They were glad that their idea to merge the two groups was being eagerly accepted. Of course, Emogen reminded herself, this IS the group that supports Arthur, Cordelia, and I. There might be some problems with the other groups.

Cordelia continued, "Do you, Enys Plethora of the Woads, Mistress of Healing, here and now, shed your Woad heritage and take up the Briton name of Enys Tranquil and the title and role of Lady of Medicine?"

The blond lover of Galahad smiled. She had expected this when her two other Mistresses of Healing gained their titles, and confidently walked up to her new Queen and King.

She said calmly, "I do, My Queen!"

Cordelia nodded gently and said, "Then take your place next to us, your equals and friends."

Enys took a deep breath to calm her sudden fit of nerves and stated loudly, "I, Enys Plethora, shed my Woad heritage here and now and take up my Briton name, Enys Tranquil, and accept my title and role as Lady of Medicine!"

Cordelia waved her hand slightly and Enys quickly, but formally, moved behind Lancelot and Emogen. Emogen waved her fingers at her and Enys smiled. Her friend was always there to help out no matter what the situation was.

Cordelia started again, "Do you, Dean McCannon, here and now, shed your Woad heritage and take up the Briton name of Dean Arrowhead and the title and role of Master of War?"

Dean, a average man with light brown hair and one green eye and one blue eye, sputtered for a few minutes as he awkwardly climbed the stairs and stared into his former leader's blue eyes. All he saw was confidence in his abilities. Dean smiled and nodded surely.

Cordelia announced, "Then take your place next to us, your equals and friends."

Dean moved forward and stated humbly, "I, Dean McCannon, here and now shed my Woad heritage and take up my Briton name, Dean Arrowhead, and accept the title and role of Master of War!"

Cordelia and Arthur both nodded to him and waved him off to the side. He quickly moved to the opposite side of the large group since there were so many people in that area, and he didn't want to fall off.

Arthur smiled and said, "Do you, Galahad Greenhill of Sarmatia, Knight of Sarmatia, here and now, shed your Sarmatian heritage and take up the Briton name of Galahad Weaponsguild and the title and role of Arms Master?"

Galahad looked a bit pinkish as he stepped forward and said strongly, "I do, My King!"

Arthur enforced, "Then state your claim."

Galahad turned towards the mass of people, like the others had before him and said, "I, Galahad Greenhill shed my Sarmatian heritage here and now and take up my Briton name, Galahad Weaponsguild, and accept my title and role as Arms Master!"

The people below were starting to cheer loudly as the ranks of their new government filled up before their eyes. The people standing below the Knights and the Woads knew that they could trust these people to be just and good rulers. They had seen it with their own eyes with their old leaders, the Ladies of Power, and they saw it during battle when they had to fight the Knights not to long ago. Everyone present knew that Arthur was a great man, and most of them felt honored to be in his presence. Even if they had to fight him before, all the Woads had respected him for his fighting tactics and his warmth towards his Knights.

Cordelia raised her voice over the loud cheering and said, "Do you, Dagonet Surefoot of Sarmatia, Knight of Sarmatia, here and now, shed your Sarmatian heritage and take up the Briton name of Dagonet Monies and the title and role of Head of Finance?"

Dagonet strolled forward and said calmly, "I do, My Queen."

"Then take your place next to us, your equals and friends."

Dagonet moved and stood besides Dean and said clearly, "I, Dagonet Surefoot, shed my Sarmatian heritage here and now and take up my Briton name, Dagonet Monies, and accept my title and role as Head of Finance!"

Cordelia smiled down on her people and said with a gentle satisfaction, "Do you, Conner McLeod, here and now shed your Woad heritage and take up the Briton name of Connor Arbitrator and accept the title and role of Head of Regulations?"

Connor's blank brown eyes widened in shock as he nodded slowly and said as he stood in front of his new Queen, "I do, My Queen."

Cordelia and Arthur smiled at him and Cordelia said, "Then take your place next to us, your equals and friends."

Connor bowed his head slightly and said in an even tone, "I, Connor McLeod, here and now shed my Woad heritage and take up my Briton name, Connor Arbitrator, and accept my title and role as Head of Regulations!"

Arthur smiled and said, "And finally, our last position, do you, Bors Bearhound of Sarmatia, Knight of Sarmatia, here and now, shed your Sarmatian heritage and take up the Briton name of Bors Governor and the title and role of Governor of Kameland City-city proper of our newly named Kingdom of Camelot?"

Bors' face seemed to outshine the sun as he handed Donso to Vanora and strolled up to his new King and Queen.

"I do, My King!" he all but yelled out in his happiness.

Arthur and Cordelia grinned up at her large boisterous friends and Arthur said, "Then state your claim."

Bors faced the crowd and said in his roaring tone, "I, Bors Bearhound, shed my Sarmatian heritage here and now and take up my Briton name, Bors Governor, and accept my title and role as Governor of Kameland City-city proper of the Kingdom of Camelot!"

The people cheered loudly as Merlin, Merkin, and Duncan smiled at them from the shadows of the wall. After they had thought about it for a few hours, all three of them came to the conclusion that they were tired of being in the publics view, and would much rather work behind the scenes to make sure that their new world-order would survive. It was a demanding job they had, Advisors of State, and it would over-stress them if they had to deal with the public everyday. Emogen turned to her elders and shook her head slightly. She could tell what they were thinking just by their giddy faces and twinkling eyes. Their dreams of freeing Briton had been achieved AND they get to rule through words of wisdom. They loved this new shift in power.

Arthur and Cordelia took hands again, and raised their free hands into the air. The people silenced immediately.

Arthur smiled at them and said, "I thank you for your support these past few weeks since all this started. I know this hasn't been easy for any of us, but I'd like to inform you all that we will not be remaining here at the Wall forever. Since this is a Roman fort, I thought it might be a good idea to search the area for a good place to build our new kingdom. If anyone knows of a place that is naturally fortified, please tell me. I'm open to ideas since this will be ALL of our homes, and as such, ALL of us should have a say in where we shall live."

The people started to cheer again and one small girl, maybe a few years younger that Emogen, stepped forward and said loudly, "I know of a place!"

The people quieted as Arthur looked down at her and said with a small, warm smile, "Then by all means, My Lady, tell us. You have the floor."

The young woman flushed slightly at all the attention and said sturdily, "It is two days journey from here, Your Majesties. It lies on the cliffs bordering the great ocean to the East and is surrounded by a wide river for most of the inland path. The river is fast paced and flows into a waterfall. Our new Kingdom would be impregnable there-I'm sure of it!"

Emogen placed a hand on Arthur's forearm to hold his questions and asked curiously, "What is your name, Lady?"

The woman stood tall and said, "I am Cerdiwen, daughter of Etain, daughter of Blisse and daughter of Michhae, son of Bruce! My family used to go there when I was younger for training. It is the best place to hope for My Lords, My Ladies!"

Emogen smiled at her and said, "Well, Cerdiwen, daughter of Etain and Michhae, we must see this place. And before that, we must finish our business here at the Wall. But, if you and a group of volunteers, would like to go ahead of us to ready a plan, that would be most appreciative."

Emogen felt Arthur's grin of approval and saw Lancelot glowing at her in pride. She flushed slightly, but retained her dignity as the woman, Ceridwen, nodded and all but fled the crowd with fifteen others trailing behind her.

Lancelot took a step forward, so he was now even with Arthur, Cordelia, and Emogen, and said, "Now, let the celebrations, begin!"

The people roared into good cheer, as the newly instated ruling government of Briton walked down the stairs. Fulucina and Vanora were at the bottom of the stairs with all of Vanora and Bors' children, Alecto, and Lucan waiting for them with beaming faces.

Vanora kissed her lover soundly and whispered happily, "We're really free now!"

Lady Fulucina just placed a small kiss to Dagonet's cheek and smiled as the gentle giant blushed slightly.

"Daddy!" cried out Lucan happily as the new Head of Finance picked him up and swung him onto his tall, broad shoulders.

As Emogen and Lancelot separated to join the celebrations, Alecto appeared in front of them and said, "When will we get rid of the cow-turd?"

Lancelot raised an eyebrow and Emogen whispered into his ear what the young Roman was talking about. Lancelot burst out laughing as he said, "This I HAVE to see! Perhaps we could get Galahad to join in. After all, he DID want to prank Merlin, Merkin, and Duncan during Guinevere's judgment hearing. Gawain and Dagonet managed to stop him, but he was disappointed. I bet that pranking the Bishop, with all he has, will lift his ailing spirits!"

Alecto's eyes gained a mischievous glint as he said, "Where's Galahad?"

The two pointed to the Knight in question and watched with amused smiles as the two eagerly started to whisper amongst themselves. Eventually, they pulled in Gawain AND Arthur!

Lancelot shook his head in amusement and awe and said as he guided his lover to the open dance circle in the center of the Wall's courtyard, "C'mon! You own me a dance, I believe, My Maiden."

Emogen smiled at him slyly and said, "I guess I do, My Savior, so shall we dance and make all the other couples quiver in envy?"

Lancelot burst into laughter again, but pulled her into the circle. Very quickly, the two gained the attention of those gathered. The people in the audience were amazed by the two's ability on the dance floor. When the first dance over, the two lovers got a standing ovation and cries for more! They beamed and did as they were bided.