hope the wait for this chapter wasn't too long, I had a bit of trouble writing this. also I'm working on another story which I haven't posted yet, so updates here may not be too fast in the future.

As always, thankyou to all my reviewers! without you this never would have been written. so thankyou again, and keep those reviews coming in!

To my surprise, I didn't really feel upset. I was a bit sad, but if I was truthful with myself I knew that my life as a hawk was much more interesting. If only I could know that Ebony was safe, my new life would be perfect.

I was perched on a rafter when Arthur came into the tavern. I knew by the look on his face that his news was not good. By now I already knew that he rarely smiled, but even for him he looked grim.

I couldn't hear what he said, but I saw Galahad's reaction. He stepped towards Tristan as if to stab him, and I tensed. I was ready to swoop him, in fact I was about to take off, but Lancelot stepped between the two. I settled back down.

Tristan followed Dagonet, and I swooped down onto his arm. He ran a hand over my back, and I could feel the anger in his touch. Anger and resignation. He didn't want to go on this mission any more than the others did – but he knew the reality, knew that there was no escaping Roman law.

I perched on the stable door as he readied his gear for tomorrow. I could tell by the violence in his movements that he was furious. I hoped he didn't meet Arthur – Arthur would be the perfect target to vent his frustration and fury.

In fact, as Tristan was leaving a little later, he met Arthur entering the stable. I perched on Tristan's arm, waiting. There was a tense moment where the two locked eyes.

Despite Tristan's mellow words earlier, he was as angry as the others. Tristan's dark eyes gleamed in a way that I knew all too well, and his hand started to move for his dagger. I bit him swiftly, and he seemed to realise what he was doing.

Tristan turned and strode into the night. I watched Arthur, who looked grave and unhappy. The half Roman disappeared into the stables. Lancelot was not far behind as Tristan turned a corner.

He ran a finger over my head and down my back, saying thankyou without speaking. I nudged his hand affectionately as he made his way to Hadrian's Wall.

Tristan avoided the guards easily, staying out of the light and waiting until the Romans had passed before going up the steps. He looked out at the silent, dark land beyond the wall.

'We'll be out there tomorrow,' Tristan said softly, so that I had to lean forward to hear him. 'I can't help but wonder… was I supposed to die? Am I meant to die?'

You can imagine how surprised I was to hear him speaking like this. Tristan was one of the last people I'd have expected to start questioning whether death is predetermined. But he continued.

'I've killed so many. Life doesn't mean anything any more.'

I could feel fear gnawing at my insides. Tristan had to live… if he died, I would be devastated. He was my life now – all I had. I couldn't stand to lose him. He continued to look out over the wall, and as I glanced up I couldn't help but think him beautiful.

Beautiful isn't a word that some would use to describe Tristan. He washed once every fortnight or so, and his hair was always unkempt and hiding part of his face. But he was beautiful, underneath his slightly frightening demeanour.

I called softly, low in my throat, and he looked down at me. His dark eyes were bright, but not with happiness. He gave a small smile and patted me again.

'I take it you want me to live,' he said softly.

I nudged his hand again and he turned, silently leaving the wall and heading for his room. But as he walked I stared into his face and fear once again gripped me. Would Tristan die? I wasn't exaggerating when I said that I couldn't bear it if he did.

Tristan lifted me into the air before he mounted his horse. I hovered high above him, keeping watch. I tracked them as they pressed the horses hard, galloping for as long as the animals could keep the pace.

Around midday I left them to hunt, and it was evening before I rejoined them. Once again it was raining, and I landed on a low branch. The water gathered along the branch fell in a shower of droplets as I landed, which fell onto Gawain's face. He moaned.

'Ugh, I can't wait to leave this island. If it's not raining, it's snowing. If it's not snowing, it's foggy.'

'And that's the summer,' Lancelot said with his characteristic smirk.

'The rain's good,' Bors said, looking up. 'Washes all the blood away.'

'Doesn't help the smell,' Dagonet said, one of his rare statements.

Lancelot looked over at Bors. 'Hey Bors, you intend on taking Vanora and all your little bastards back home?'

'Oh, I'm trying to avoid that decision. By getting killed.' Bors added the last and smiled.

Gawain laughed and Lancelot smiled.

'Dagonet.' Bors leant over. 'She wants to get married, give the children names.'
'Women.' Tristan sheathed the sword he had been sharpening. 'The children already have names, don't they?'

'Just Gillie. It was too much trouble, so we gave the rest of them numbers.'

'That's interesting. I thought you couldn't count.' Lancelot grinned.

'You know, I never thought I'd get back home alive. Now that I've got the chance, I don't think I'd leave my children.' Bors looked thoughtful.

'You'd miss them too much,' Dagonet said softly.
'I'll take them with me,' Bors said, unusually quiet. 'I like the little bastards. They mean something to me.' He seemed to realise what he had just said, and covered up his affection with his usual bluster. 'Especially number 3. He's a good fighter!'
'That's because he's mine,' Lancelot said, smirking.

I didn't hear Bors' reply as a crack of thunder rang out over head. I'm rather ashamed that I jumped, frightened. I felt my heart beating extraordinarily fast and shook my self in annoyance.

I settled on the branch and fell asleep, listening to the knights' continued joking.

The next morning I was hovering overhead when the knights galloped into the Roman estate. I was shocked at the sight of the peasants. They were so thin that their clothes hung on them like sacks. They were all gaunt and tired looking. Already I was starting to dislike the Roman.

I saw the Romans close the gate. I was too high up to hear what they were saying, but soon the Roman lord came out. I resisted the temptation to dive and cut his face open, but I dearly wanted to. His son, hardly any fatter than the peasants, came out. He seemed awed by Arthur, and not very inclined to follow the lord back inside the house.

I left then, and hovered while watching Tristan. He was riding back at a full gallop – obviously his news wasn't good. I saw him glance up at me, and I could see a faint smile tugging the corners of his mouth before he looked back to the road.

I followed him back to the estate, where Tristan delivered his news to Arthur. The knight's commander didn't look encouraged, but he nodded. Tristan listened to the Saxon drums, the pounding of which was now audible. Everyone halted what they were doing, listening.

Then Arthur seemed to notice two monks hurriedly blocking a doorway. He dismounted again and strode forward, drawing his sword. Dagonet broke down the door while the monks looked on, horrified. Then Arthur, Dagonet, Gawain and Lancelot entered. Tristan drew his sword, standing guard over the entrance.

When the knights came out again a while later, Arthur and Dagonet were carrying two emaciated people. One was a woman – a Woad, I noticed as I flew lower. The other was a young boy, about eight or so. He had a badly broken arm, while the woman's fingers were dislocated.

Horton, the Bishop's secretary, knelt down beside Dagonet as the Roman lord's wife came forward to help the woman. I wheeled away, sickened by what I had seen.

It was worse because I knew that this had been inflicted by men who claimed to be "of God". What god would support that? Rage filled me, and I stayed away until Tristan whistled.

I landed on his arm. He was at the head of a large trail of people – everyone from the estate. He looked back over his shoulder, then turned again to face the front with his usual grim mask in place.

'We'll never make it,' he muttered. 'Arthur will give his life for these people.'

There was bitterness behind Tristan's words. While he was not cruel, did not want to leave the peasants to die, he valued his own life more than those of others. He knew that when Arthur chose to make a stand, the knights would stand with him – and most likely die.

I offered what comfort I could, but I was afraid for him. I didn't want Tristan to die – especially not with his freedom so close to hand.

Tristan seemed to shake off his black mood, looking relatively cheerful as he led the mob of people. At last Arthur called the knights together. I noticed the Woad women, Guinevere, had her eyes fixed on Lancelot's back – although she occasionally glanced at Arthur.

'We'll sleep here,' Arthur said, shouting against the wind that snatched his words away. 'Take shelter in those trees. Tristan.'

That was all that Arthur needed to say to ask Tristan to scout. He patted me once more, then spoke.

'You want to go out again? Yeah.'

He lifted his arm, and I took off into the frigid air. The wind buffeted my wings and at first I found it hard to fly straight, but at last I got above the worst winds and it was easier.

That night Tristan seemed reluctant to sleep. He stood beside his horse, obviously contemplating scouting again. I could see that he was tired, so I landed on his shoulder and bit at his hand.

'You think I should rest, huh?' he said softly. 'You worry too much.' I clicked my beak, and he sighed. 'I suppose you could be right.'

He led his horse over to Jols, who took the reins. He would feed and rug the stallion, although Tristan had already unsaddled and groomed the horse.

Tristan found a tree quite a distance from camp. He preferred not to be too close to the others. Even so, he settled against the tree but didn't go to sleep. I watched from my perch on a branch on the next tree. He kept his eyes open, continually scanning the surroundings. I felt like rolling my eyes – there was most likely going to be a huge massacre tomorrow, and Tristan wouldn't sleep because he was too busy keeping watch.

I fluttered down and landed beside him. He looked at me and I chirped softly and as reassuringly as I could. He sighed and stroked my head gently, a slight smile on his mouth.

'You're the only one I trust,' he whispered. 'Will you watch for me?'

I nudged his hand affectionately and settled down beside him. He smiled again and closed his eyes. In moments he was asleep, and I kept watch over him until dawn.

'Knights,' Arthur said, his voice and face resigned.

'Well, I'm tired of runnin',' Bors said, walking forward. 'And these Saxons are so close behind, my arse is hurtin'.'

'I never liked looking over my shoulder anyway,' Tristan said, but his eyes flicked towards me where I was hovering just above the group.

'It'd be a pleasure to put an end to this racket,' Gawain said in a low voice.

'And finally get a look at the bastards,' Galahad added softly. His face had none of the anger or sarcasm he had felt towards Arthur since starting this final mission.

'Here. Now.'

Dagonet was already leading his horse forward. His voice was calm, as always – but decided. No matter what came after them, they would stay and fight.

Arthur glanced at Lancelot, who shrugged slightly. Tristan held out an arm, and I landed. He ran a hand down my back and gave me another piece of meat.

He didn't say anything, but I could feel his regret through his touch. The Saxon drums were loud as the others kept on going – with the exception of Guinevere, who stayed with the knights. Tristan gave me a last stroke, then lifted me into the air.

I circled once about his head, then with a cry I rose up into the strong wind. I had to struggle to stop myself from being blown about by the wind, but I had to see what would happen.

I had to watch the battle that was about to start. Who would live? And who would die?

Sorry, I was going to include the fight in this chapter but I need some advice - should Dagonet die? I'm not sure if I should kill him or not... so please review andtell me what you think, and whether he should die or not.