Disclaimer: Same as before. I have tried to make sure Tristan remains slightly truer to character, thanks for the feedback on that, as I agree I was giving him too much to say! I hope I've succeeded.

There will be loneliness and despair for Lancelot to come….two choices for him, a VERY sad ending or happy one (NOT with San do not worry)…any advice on which way to go?

Lancelot and Dagonet will start to feature more as the reason they are all brought back starts to play out.

Stoner Pyro: Awww, you are such a sweetie…I don't honestly think it's that good, or that I am that talented, but it is very nice of you to say so. I will be writing more for a while yet as the main story has yet to be told so I hope you stick with it, and continue to like it as much! Thanks again for being so kind…..

'—' signifies thoughts.

"—" signifies speech.

To all my reviewers…Hope you continue to like it enough to stick with it.

All reviews, and constructive criticism, gratefully received – but no flaming please; and I will try to update regularly.

A bit more fluff dotted throughout the chapter…but back to the bloodletting too!

Anyway…on with Chapter twelve! Which I hope you still like!

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

KING ARTHUR:

Fallen Knights Return

Chapter Twelve – Gathering Storm

Sandrina was too happy to immediately notice the distant rumble of thunder…… then a gust of wind blew the window open, and a shiver ran down her spine.

"A storm's gathering" Tristan said hugging her, and then going to shut the window latch.

"Yes, and not just outside" the wind swirled around her, pricking at her mind.

She paled visibly and leapt up, shrugging on her breeches and shirt...

"Where are you going?"

"Come with me, I will have need of you…." She grabbed his hand and tugged him after her.

"What did the wind tell you?"

"Its what it made me feel that concerns me….the storm that is gathering…..it will be grave if we cannot stop the evil about to be played out."

"Then I will come…"

She rubbed a hand over her eyes 'Dear God, please, please let me stop the game before that hand must be played….please let me be the protector I feel I am, let me save one I hold so dear to me. I do not know if I have the strength to carry out that task.' But deep down, she knew she had…..

Merlin watched them leave……so the game had finally begun……

As they reached Lancelot's room, so did Guinevere. She looked surprised to see both Sandrina and Tristan coming towards her, and a little annoyed.

"My queen, should you not be with your husband?" Sandrina smiled; emphasising the last word, and was rewarded with a blush.

"Arthur is working; I thought I would visit with one of our knights; and our friends."

"I see, then we too would welcome a visit with you, let us all go in…."

Lancelot was surprised to see an annoyed Guinevere, a concerned Sandrina and a baffled Tristan troop into his room. He was lying on his bed drinking ale, stripped to the waist 'and looking so lonely' Sandrina thought.

"Brother! We have taken pity and decided to visit with you - for after your comments of earlier, we felt we could not have you spend a night alone!"

"I'll have you know, wench, I spend many alone….well, a few anyway!" he grinned mischievously, pleased to see one so dear to him.

But Guinevere's presence disturbed him; Sandrina's words of earlier returning to him, and he suddenly realised that was why she was there.

"Is all well sister? I wonder if you think the line is fading in the sand already?"

"Yes, but not by your hand…..which poses a problem; which way to bring it back and ensure that others stay on the right side of their divide?"

"I see…Well, I am happy to draw the line again – but with your help." He smiled a sad smile that wrenched at her heart and, for one brief moment, made her sad that fate had not chose him for her "For I do not think I have the strength to do it alone…."

Tristan realised immediately what was being discussed, and all became clear "You are never alone Lancelot...have we not gone through even death together?"

The other knight smiled and gripped the scout's arm "Yes, we three and Dagonet….we have traversed the darkness and returned. No, do not shake your head San; you too went with Death, though you returned via a different path to us."

San smiled at Tristan "I returned because I could not be without my scout. How could I find my way in Heaven without him?

I bless God for the day he let Merlin's charm work. I have friends, brothers, I would defend to the end – a man I love more than my own life….no, no, I am not ashamed to say it, for I only speak true; and I would have not known you my brother, as close to me as my own blood."

Lancelot hugged her, whispering in her ear "and I thank Merlin for sending you to us…I will not survive this trial without you my sister….my blood" then turned to Guinevere "My Lady, I fear we bore you with our sweet words?" he smiled sardonically at her, sarcasm in his words, though it cut him deeply to do so.

"No, not at all Knight – I find it touching that warriors such as you can still allow love and companionship into hearts that are so covered with death." She spoke more sharply than she had intended, stung by his tone.

"No more than yours, my Lady. I do remember the battles that traversed our path, particularly Baden Hill. Your bloodlust was as clear to see as anyone's."

"Perhaps, but I have laid all that aside….now…."

"Now you are Arthur's….wife and queen….and fortunate you are to have loyal knights such as we to kill for you." He ensured she understood him, she belonged to another and not just any other – his King, his Commander and his best friend; he would not betray him…..he hoped he would not….

He would fight these emotions to the last, and he knew Sandrina and Tristan would help him. He felt the fear emanating from Sandrina as to the consequences if he did not; but he was still certain without her he may not have the strength to fight the feelings his heart cried out to speak.

"I have tarried too long – I will take my leave…. A word Sandrina…." They stepped out together.

Tristan and Lancelot exchanged a look "It is hard my friend, why does a heart have to hurt so over a woman?"

"I do not know; in my case I hate it…but would not be without her. But you do right; you cannot steal another's mate – especially in this case."

"No, no….you are right…but still…"

"Sandrina fears for the outcome Lancelot….I feel she will have a terrible task to carry out if you weaken to your feelings."

"I know; what is it she is always saying?"

"Fear is good; it keeps you guard up and your wits about you. Only a fool drops his guard". A smile from both knights.

"Then I must not be that fool….."

Outside Guinevere drew Sandrina away, as the latter set Midnight on guard at Lancelot's door "do not let anyone pass this threshold save other knights Midnight" The dog immediately lay down, his eyes watchful.

"Are we friends?"

"Yes."

"Then tell me what you fear so much that you set your dog to guard his door?"

"You."

"I? What can I do? I do not wish to harm him…I only wish…."

"I know what you wish and it cannot be…you belong to another…and do not try to say I am wrong, I am not. I know the game fate wishes us all to play; Merlin told me but says Destiny has a different path for us all to follow, and I must ensure that path is followed – for the good of Briton."

"And if….if I do not listen?"

"Then I will be forced into a task I would rather cut my hands off than carry out….but if you force me, I will find the strength to do it."

Guinevere blanched as the meaning became clear…."You would not…you could not!"

"I would hate it, I would mourn, I would curse it to my last breath – but I would do it…it is my destiny to protect, and I will do so…." She drew a ragged breath "I do not beg easy Guinevere…but please do not force my hand."

"I will try Sandrina….I will try; I am strong willed and I love Arthur dearly…but…"

"I know…and that is the pity of it…but you have made your choice….and now the die is caste there is no going back. You were born to be a queen Guinevere, it is your destiny. But with that destiny comes sacrifice…only do not let the sacrifice be others."

The two women embraced, the fear of one transferring to the other; who only prayed that she had the strength to remain true to one, and release the heart of the other….before it was too late.

Fate's game had now begun, but the players had won this first round, though the principal battle for the futures of the main participants had yet to be decided; Destiny's chosen path was looming and so its wheels turned…..