FOURTH CHAPTER
A/N I know the phrase 'bingo' wasn't invented in the time of king Arthur, but bear with me people.
I am soo sooo sooooooooo sorry Its been weeks (maybe months) since I've updated, computer broke, school is getting really hard with end of year exams (I was meant to be revising all half term and before, didn't. and I failed a few exams, but oh well!)
plus other reasons which basically add up to one thing, there hasn't been enough hours in the day! Soo sorry for being such a crap writer, I fully understand any rocks, shoes, rotten vegetables that will probably be thrown at my head soon, or any flames sent to me. Again, I am soo sorry It took so long.
General POV
The Thud of the approaching Saxons feet, was deafening as the sound echoed and reverberated off the icy hills around the ice, turning the heavy steps into many more than the steady beat of the hundreds of steps in unison. Lancelot gulped slightly, thinking of Elle and his promise, 'I have to keep it.' He said to himself, as if giving himself an order, since when did he care about keeping promises? In an attempt to bring back the old Lancelot, instead of this soppy one he wasn't sure if he liked. He searched for something to take his mind off it.
'Bingo.' His eyes glinting with mischief, as he spied the very thing to reassure him he was still the same Lancelot. His cool sarcastic grin took over his face again. "You look frightened." He sighed, "There are a lot of lonely men out there." He said coolly.
'Yes he still had it' he thought smugly, basking in his comment. A self satisfied smile replacing the sarcastic one.
"Don't worry, I won't let them rape you." She replied, grinning to herself.
It took all his self constraint not to splutter at this. He gave her a grumpy look obviously angry she had thought of something to say back to him, most women would have just run away teary eyed. 'Arthur's got a lot to handle with this one.' He thought. Before he could throw another insult back at her he was forced to concentrate, the Saxons where there in front of them.
At the front of them stood an angry looking man, with no hair on top of his hair but he had a long blonde beard that was plaited, and a foul sneering expression inhabited his face. Next to him in front of the ranks of men was a larger man with a scruffy fly away unkept hair and beard, he looked like had never bathed before. They all had what looked like dirty animal skins draped over them all, that looked very heavy, not to mention ugly.
To any onlookers this battle would have looked very unfair, with 8 people lined up thinly, against the hundreds opposing them. If the Saxons opposite had not heard of Arthur before they would have laughed and jeered, a few soldiers stupid enough not to know, sneered and laughed grinning mockingly.
The man with the beard shouted behind him.
"Archers!" at once two archers carrying roughly chiselled bows came forward they drew the bow strings back, and in unison two arrows lept from the strings and flew into the air, they soared upwards for several seconds then plummeted to the floor and skidded across the ice. Arthur grinned smugly.
"Bors! Tristan! I believe their waiting for an invitation." Bors and Tristan steeped forward, bows ready.
"Their far out of Range!" protested Guinevere quickly. Arthur made no comment but smiled, as if saying 'You'll see'. Their arrows flew high in the air and shot straight threw the dirty furs expertly hitting their targets and killing several men at the front of the Saxon lines. Guinevere said nothing but looked quite impressed and stepped back to her position in the line. Even from where they stood, the anger could clearly be seen in the Saxons faces in particular the one with the blond plait. Though this emotion was beginning to be replaced with fear as they looked up at the knights and Guinevere.
"WHAT! YOUR'E SCARED OF 7 MEN AND A WOMAN IN A DRESS! MARCH! NOW!" he screamed at his Soldiers they hastily marched forwards their feet stamping on the fragile ice beneath them.
"Aim for the wings of the ranks. Make them cluster." commanded Arthur, as they drew closer. All the knights and Guinevere, began to shoot at the ranks, the marching Saxons noticing this, began to cluster trying to get in the middle of the ranks trying to avoid the vulnerable sides of the ranks. The ice began to crack dangerously loudly as they swarmed to the middle of their ranks. Cynric (the man with the blond plaited beard) suddenly realised what was going on and shouted at his soldiers,
"Hold the ranks! Hold the Ranks!" meanwhile the ice still cracks threateningly. "Hold the Ranks! Hold the Ranks! I'll kill you myself!" he screamed drawing his sword warningly at a soldier. The ice was no longer cracking.
"It's not going to crack. Fall back. Fall Back!" shouted Arthur. "Prepare for Combat!" he began to draw Excalibur. Dagonet, lifted his own sword and stared out at the enemy he breathed heavily, and fidgeted, then his face was set and determined he threw down his sword, and grabbed his axe, then charged forward, yelling.
"dag!" Bors shouted.
"Cover him." Shouted Arthur, all the knights hurriedly picked up their bows and Arrows. Dagonet began to hack at the ice furiously.
"Archers! Move! Move!" barked Cynric. The knights shot down the Saxon archers. The Ice was beginning to crack.
" Move! Move!" Roared Cynric, pushing some more archers' forward. The ice was breaking dangerously.
"The Ice is breaking!" called, the British scout.
"Kill Him!" bellowed Cynric, pointing at Dagonet. An arrow embedded itself into Dagonets right arm.
"Dag!" shouted Bors. Dagonet delivered the final blow, completely breaking the ice. The screams of many Saxons could be heard as the fell into the freezing cold watery depths, never to return.
Arthur ran forward as Dagonet began to slip into the icy water. Bors ran out soon after with a shield to cover them as Arthur dragged Dagonet back. Galahad begun to shoot furiously at the enemy shortly joined by lancelot, Guinevere, Gawain and Tristan. Who had been so shocked at what they had just witnessed. They shot down every man they could, their arrows like blurs, as they loaded and shot their bows.
"Arthur! Pull back!" yelled Lancelot.
"Help us!" shouted Bors. Gawain rushed forwards to help. Most of the Saxons drowning around him Cynric began to retreat, Guinevere shot an arrow at him angrily, narrowly missing him. He smirked and carried on walking.
"Dagonet! Stay with me!" commaned Bors, though the pleading in his voice, shone through.
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Back to Elle's point of View
A/N I know this bit is a bit different from the movie, but it will start to change back to the movie. This bit is only different because the knights come back after the villagers. Plus a certain knight might not die.(you never know! He might, not sure! Ohh, the Suspense!)
It had been a week since we had parted with the knights and Guinevere. I missed my best friend greatly, and the thought of her not returning killed me inside every time I even allowed myself to think of it. I feared for the knights safety to, and despite my best efforts, many sleepless nights, and walks throughout the fort, where occupied by a certain, dark curly haired knight. The thought of him dead, I did not allow myself to think about, I couldn't think why. I mean of course I was attracted to him, I mean, who wouldn't be? I suspect hundreds of women have been, and still are. But it was no more than lust, or was It? Whenever these questions slipped into my mind I usually just shook my head vigourously, and returned to what I was doing, but soon enough I would have to think about them.
The day after we arrived, me and Fulcinia where forced to say our goodbyes, it was a sad farewell. With many tears and promises of better futures, I still miss her constantly. I was introduced to Bors's wife, who I had heard much about but never before seen. Vanora was described to me as a feisty red head, she is. But she has a very kind heart. She has been my friend since Fulcinia left. I serve drinks at the tavern most nights, and I look after her children when she's busy, and every Thursday I help her do the families washing, in big tubs of hot water. Even with the plentiful company, and the very comfortable living arrangements, I still spend every morning before everyone wakes, when the sun is just a pin prick on the Horizon, scanning every millimetre of land, and the top of every hill.
Today was just the same, I ran up to the top of the fort and breathed in the fresh air, as the wind swept back my hair, engaging it in a dance that floated in mid air behind my head, like liquid gold. Leaving my pale skin exposed and innocent, bright blue eyes bored into the distance. I stepped close to the stone wall, my head leaning out of the small gap in which to shoot arrows through. I continued to walk along the wall, my fingers tracing a pattern over the ruff stone only I could see. My eyes never leaving the land before them. 'Please let it be today.' I murmured, the small whisper that escaped my lips quickly swept away by the wind. The sun was rising now, like a ball of fire being cast upwards in slow motion. And then, everything was bathed in warm glowing sunlight.
The distance sound of patter, patter reached my ears, obviously from small feet. Two heads appeared on the stairs. It was Lucan and Gilly. They where soon joined by numbers 3&4 to twin girls, who where adorable and very sweet.
"Does Mummy know you're here?" I asked.
"No. but we wanted you to take us on a walk." Piped up Gilly.
"Did You?" I replied smiling.
"But Elle, It's alright, because Mummy likes you, and you always look after us." Spoke number 3.
"You promise Mummy knows your gone."
"promise." said number 4 earnestly.
"Promise." nodded number 3.
"Promise." came Gilly's reply.
"I promise." said Lucan quietly.
After being cleared by the guards, we left the fortress and walked through the fields, it was now summer time, and the fields where covered in long yellow grass which we ran through, letting our fingers trail through the yellow blossom after us, the many oak trees where in bloom, and left dappled stencilled looking patterns on the grass where the shadows fell, they flickered as the branches moved in the breeze. Gilly and Lucan picked up broken branches and pretended to play with swords near by, as the two girls and I sat under an oak tree and picked flowers. I placed a daisy in number 3's hair, it looked beautiful against her gold/ red hair.
When she gasped, I looked at her frightened,
"what is it?" I asked, worry sweeping over my face like a black cloud.
"the Knights are back!" she said in awe, as strands of hair, swept across her face . I followed her gaze, sure enough seven horses where coming this way, the horses coats where shiny with the golden sun and sweat from hard running, and as there hooves pounded on the floor again and again, the shinning coat rippled revealing taught muscels. But shouldn't there be eight, since Guinevere was there to, one horse had no one on it.
Panick.
That was what rushed through me at that second. 'Is he dead! What about Guinevere.'
"Quickly, lets all go inside." I said quickly ushering everyone back towards the gates.
"Yay! Daddy's back!"
"Dagonet…." Whispered Lucan, happiness taking over his face.
"Come on everyone, -Yes you can see daddy in a minute- Gilly put that down, no Lucan you cant take that back into the castle."
The Boys sprinted off, towards the towering gates, leaving clouds of dust as their little feet ran flat out. The two girls and I picked up our skirts and began to run to.
"Careful, don't trip!" I shouted to the rapidly disappearing figures, though I was pre-occupied at looking over my shoulder to the approaching knights.
Number 3,4 and I reached the gates puffing and panting, the boys where already there. The three of us walked over to a side of the courtyard as the great horn was blown to signify the knights where coming, there was a huge clamour as all the villagers rushed from what they where doing to greet the knights.
Lucan and Gilly ran towards us again, they seemed to have an endless supply of energy. Lucan stood next to me his head just reaching my ribs, while number 3&4 and Gilly stood on the other side. I tried to arrange myself before they entered, My cheeks where rosy from the running, and blonde curls had fallen from the elegant twist at the back of my head.
Great crunching and heaving noises where heard, as the huge gates where opened. The horses rode in, their riders all looked upset and worried and ….angry?
Bishop Germanus strode out to the centre of the courtyard to greet the knights, dressed lavishly in furs and rich velvets and jewels, he gave a cold glance towards the peasants, his arms stretched into a welcoming position, but his cold sneer and icy countenance turned what should have been a friendly gesture to exactly the opposite. I could see all the knights from where is tood as they entered. Their jaws where all clenched, and they looked as if they might cry, I stared at them each in turn, what would make the knights cry?
Next to me Gilly began to run forward to greet Bors, "Not Now, Gilly." whispered Vanora, placing a hand on gilly's shoulder to stop him from running.
"Ah! Christ be praised! You are here, against all the odds! Knights you are home, you are truly the knights of Legend!"
I felt two little hands hold my leg in fright, and a little body stiffen. I looked down to the dirty blonde curls of Lucan, even from where I stood above him, I could see his eyes flicking furiously from knight to knight to try and find dagonet. Where was dagonet? My eyes joined Lucans, searching, searching.
My own blue eyes landed on Dagonet. Bors was holding him as he was lying across the front of Bors's horse, bors was supporting him so he didn't tumble off his horse, his mouth was slack, and his skin was so pale, it looked like the snow that had fallen on the day we left Marius's estate. His eyes where closed but he didn't seem peaceful, as if he engaged in a vigorous battle inside.
I looked down at Lucan, he was stiff as if frozen, I took his small hand, in mine. His hand was ice cold, so cold and small, my warm hand seemed giant compared to his. I curled my fingers round his, it was like he only just noticed the warmth in his hand. He looked up at me, his green eyes filled with hurt, knowing, but not wanting to believe. I looked into his little green eyes my own filling with tears as I watched the little boy who had already lost so much, losing somebody else. As if his worst fears had been confirmed he turned and pulled his hand away from mine and ran towards Dagonet.
"Lucan, wait!" I shouted after him. Guinevere who seemed to have picked up on what was happening already ran after him and shouted.
"Lucan!" A guard noticing this ran after Lucan.
"You Boy-" he stopped as Galahad pointed a dagger at his throat, Galahad was silent though every fibre of his being gave off anger. Lucan stopped by Dagonets limp figure and was silent as he gently touched dagonets hand. Guinevere who had caught up with him, rested her hands on his shoulders.
Dagonets eyes didn't open yet he seemed to sense Lucans touch, his pale blood- drained lips opened and whispered as best he could a comforting word to Lucan. Guinevere tried to pull Lucan away.
'Lucan we have to go! Dagonet needs to be made better." He struggled, she picked him up. He fought and struggled. 'dagonet! DAGONET!" his little lungs pumped harder and harder as he screamed, he fought, struggling, his arms stretched out as far as he could so dagonet could take his hands. Thick tears fell to the dusty earth as he shouted "NO! DAGONET!" he screamed reaching out for dagonet, his face was contorted as he screamed with pain, he needed dagonet he had to be near him. I couldn't look, the sight made my eyes prick with approaching tears, at the little boy fighting tooth and nail to join him.
The bishop gave a disgusted look at Lucan as he passed, the turned to face the knights, he chuckled nervously at the pure venom as they stared back at him, faces expressionless, but their eyes and every pore of their skin oozed deep loathing. He chuckled nervously to himself.
"Great Knights. You are free now! Give me the papers. Come, come!" he gestured the papers to be brought with one stubby jewelled hand. "Your papers of safe conduct throughout the Roman Empire! Take it Arthur." He laughed nervously to himself again as they continued to stare at him.
Arthur walked slowly towards bishop Germanius, he walked very close so the bishop could hardly breathe, even from where I stood I could see the Bishop recoil slightly as Arthur stared down at him.
"Bishop Germanius, friend of my father" he spat. "Your mission is done." He snatched the paper from his hands and marched away. The bishops face was worried and crumpled as he tried to smile again, making a grimace.
Lancelot walked towards the box and grabbed the papers from the box, he began to give them to the knights, who each walked from the scene shortly afterwards. He reached Bors who stared blankly ahead, his eyes no longer filled with anger but emptiness, making him look far more frightening than he had when he was in a towering rage. A single fat tear rolled down his heavily scarred and dirtied cheek. Lancelot grasped his shoulder in a sort of male hug, and leaned his face close to Bors and said hoarsely, "For dagonet." And pushed the scroll into his chest, bors took it and looked down at it in disgust.
"This doesn't make him a free man! HE'S ALREADYA FREE MAN!" he threw the papers at the bishops feet. "If he dies," He said menacingly, pointing a finger at the bishop, "let it rest on your head." He finished, as though condemning him with a lethal curse. He stormed away like thunder.
Tristan walked forwards, and after closer inspection took the mahogany box.
I was hot and sweaty, and there where bright red glowing patches on my cheeks, my dress was covered in a bit of blood and there where smudged marks of blood all over my face, I raced around the bedroom, as I tried to follow each of her instructions, at the right time, in the right order, as we tried to look after dagonet. Who lay sprawled out on the bed where he had been carried up to. I crushed different herbs and boiled them in water, I washed and bound his wounds, I covered some cuts in vile green pastes. I tried to soothe him, and bring his temperature down.
Vanora had a large grey metal tub heaved in and filled with steaming water. "He needs to have a bath, we've stopped the bleeding, but we need to clean the cuts out again before they get infected, and it might help his temperature if we bathe him."
I suddenly felt scared, 'But that would mean I would see him naked.'' Vanora looked up; she gave me a questioning look. I looked at the floor, hair covering my rapidly reddening face.
"it's just-" I stopped again mortified at having to say this. "Well…I've never…." She looked impatient. "I've never….you know… seen one." I said blushing furiously, motioning to dagonets groin. Understanding dawned on her face.
"Elle, you wait outside, I'll call you back in when I've finished." She said kindly. I walked towards the door feeling silly and childish, when I passed her she took my arm gently and whispered, "Don't be ashamed, Its not silly. It's normal."
I stepped into the stone corridor, as I felt a cool breeze cool my face and arms. I closed the heavy door and leant my back on the cold stone walls, my legs ached badly, I'd been too busy to notice it before. I sank down to the floor and sighed. The sound of footsteps could be heard, I was far too tired and self absorbed to hear or care. I felt a body slide down the wall next to me, I turned and practically jumped, when I saw who it was.
"It's only me." Came the gorgeously deep husky voice of Lancelot.
"Sorry, I was daydreaming." I said, suddenly very conscious of how close we where, and how I could feel the warmness of his arms and legs against my own.
'how is he?" asked Lancelot, his expression suddenly very serious.
"He's doing a lot better, vanora's giving him a bath."
"Why aren't you there to, are you-" he stopped as he noticed me look away from embarrassment. There was a pause. He had at least had the dignity to look embarrassed.
"Are you going to leave, now you've been discharged?" I asked trying to find a new topic of conversation.
"I don't know, this is really the only place I've ever known. So it must be home."
"Home's not where you've been most your life, I don't call that prison my home. It's where your most comfortable." I replied.
"You're remarkably clever for a woman who's been locked up for most of her life. He said in his deep voice, as he leaned his head back against the stone wall, a lopsided smile on his face.
"Yes. Well, 15 years is a long time to think."
He gave a deep throaty chuckle, "Too true."
There was a nice companionable silence, I looked sideways at him smiling.
"What?" he asked.
"Nothing, I'm just glad your back. As strange as it sounds, your very missable."
"Yet another young lady, who can't resist my undeniable charm." He boasted jokingly. I slapped his arm playfully.
"You know Lancelot, you're arrogance never ceases to amaze me. Only you could ruin a sweet moment like that."
"Well, that's all down to my unique, and apparently irresistible charm."
"how did you get all those women to sleep with you?" I joked.
"well, if you really want to know…" he laughed. 'I'll show you."
"Don't worry Lancelot, I think I've seen enough of your irresistible charm for one day."
He trailed his finger down my arm, I laughed as if it didn't bother me, but that didn't stop the Goosebumps that appeared all over my skin,
or the shiver that ran down my back, and how my breath had caught in my throat. I pushed his hand away, laughing.
"You're telling me that actually works?" I asked still laughing. Yet I could still feel his touch on my skin, white hot like fire.
"Not all the time." He smiled again revealing those beautiful white teeth. "but this usually does."
He leaned towards me as if going in for a kiss, I laughed harder than ever as he did, as he pretended to pucker his lips and close his eyes like a school boy with no experience, he laughed to as he tried to keep a straight face, and make it look believable. I was giggling hard as I pushed his chin away, my sides felt like they would burst with giggles.
My hand slipped on the cold stone and I fell onto my back, so he was now securely straddling me. My laughter stopped. He opened his eyes and looked at me, he grinned. "Now Miss Elle, That looked rather deliberate, you could've just asked in the first place, I wouldn't have said no." he said cockily. He thought I did this on purpose! I lightly slapped his cheek, he dodged.
"Are you going to move?"
"What if I don't want to?"
"Then I'd think you wanted me to slip on the floor."
"And If I did.." he said huskily. I giggled, biting my lip to stop. I couldn't deny that I liked the present situation, though warning signs where going off like alarm clocks in my head.
He slowly bent his head down to mine, I could feel his ebony locks tickle the sides of my face, his face was lower and lower. His warm soft lips touched mine, at first he kissed me so lightly I could barely feel it. I wanted to kiss him again, he looked me in the eyes as if asking me whether he should carry on. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him closer, he was so warm and soft, he kissed me harder and I kissed him back. His hands circled my waist, as his tongue gained entry into my mouth.
He pulled away and looked at me, he stroked my hair and my cheeks. I didn't want him to stop I was aching for him.
"You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen." he whispered in my ear.
It suddenly hit me what I was doing, I sat up bumping Lancelot's face.
"what's wrong?" he asked, rubbing his forehead.
"what have I done!" I said my voice getting higher.
"You're saying this was a mistake?" he said looking hurt.
"No. No! This was … amazing, honestly." I said earnestly. "but,"
'What do you mean but." He asked his voice beginning to rise from anger. I stopped, thinking what to say.
"Lancelot…I hardly know you, and this is all happening too fast."
"so your saying we can't be together, or have feelings for each other because you don't know me, and it's happening too fast!"
"yes."
"There isn't a pacific time slot for people to fall in love, or to have feelings for each other elle."
"Lancelot, I almost gave myself to you on a stone floor! You wouldn't understand-"
"What wouldn't I understand! am I just a man whore who will do any random wench that walks past." He asked his temper getting dangerously near breaking point.
I could feel my anger growing, I couldn't stop it. It was bursting.
"from what I've heard yes."
"stop thinking about what everyone else says. This is about you and me! What if, I want to change for you! What if, I think you're different!"
"What If you don't! Tell me what happens then lancelot! Tell me what happens when you wake up tomorrow, and have completely forgotton about me. Or when your finished with me how'll you'll toss me aside like the other 50 million women you've screwed! I don't want to be another wench you where with, I want to be more than that!"
"when did I ever say you wouldn't?"
"well lets face it Lancelot, you haven't exactly got the best record for commitment." I hissed.
"Just because I've never fallen in love, doesn't mean I can't." He got up and looked down at me, anger and sadness making a deadly combination. "Maybe you're right, Maybe you're just another useless wench." And with that he left. the sound of his feet echoed in my head long after they faded away.
I leaned back against the wall, I couldn't take it anymore, wails of sadness burst from my lips. I cried and shrieked, my face creased in my pain, as the tears began to floe over and over again. I turned to face the stone wall and banged my hand, again and again, until the skin began to cut it, and I lied on the floor cradling and rocking my broken fist.
'Why, WHY had I ruined something so great. He would never forgive me.'
Those where the words that accompanied the sobs of a broken
Heart.
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Soooo……… what do you think?
I'm not sure about this chappie I didn't think a lot of you would like it, the ending probably isn't what you all expected!
But do not fear. All will become clear in the end, and hopefully work themselves out.
Next chappie will be out sooner (I promise to try!)
Anyways, please please please please :
REVIEW!