Hey guys! Here's chapter 8. I hope you all like it. Please review. I'm feeling kinda lost with this story and all opinions/suggestions would be really great.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything except for my own characters. Anything/anyone you do not recognize belongs to me. I may use lines and/or quotes from other sources, which are not my own, later on in the story. I'm not quite sure though-so I'm being un-specific. Those (if I do choose to use them) also do not in anyway belong to me.
NOTE: We're adding a whole new character in this one...Woohoo. Not the ice scene yet, unfortunately. But it WILL be next chapter. And that chapter is already well on its way. Oh, and there are some places in this chapter where i've put in breaks to show the passage of time but it isn't showing up-so I hope no one will be too terribly confused.
Alright, here we go...
Choices
Chapter 8: Determination
"You waited for me?" Lena asked once she and Lancelot had walked several steps in the direction opposite Merlin. She let a coy smile dance across her face. Everyone else had left the small clearing while Merlin had been saying goodbye to Lena. But Lancelot had waited for her. She was sure he would have been mad but apparently he was taking things rather well.
"It is not safe for a Lady to walk these woods alone." He stated coolly in response, refusing to look Lena in the eye.
'Oh, so he wants to be huffy? Well, sir, I can play that game right back' Lena straightened her spine, drawing herself to full height. "You forget, these are my woods. I'd hardly find any danger here." Lena spoke in the same apathetic fashion Lancelot had as the pair trudged onward.
"Oh, well I'd figured that one out from the meeting with the king of the Woads and whatnot," Lancelot responded mockingly. "But I was referring to the rather large army of Saxons marching behind us." They both stopped their trek and instead stood facing each other.
"I don't need you to protect me!" Lena replied indignantly. "I can handle myself you know!"
Her voice held obvious frustration. Why did he have to speak like that? Why did he have to be angry?
"I'm sure if anything did happen, the wizard could just hit a Saxon with his cane and you'd be fine," Lancelot said wryly.
"You brought Arthur to Merlin!" He exploded. "You-he could have been hurt-killed! And you brought him there!" He pointed an accusatory finger at the Woad.
"I knew he wouldn't be hurt!" she cried defensively. "It was completely safe! And more important than you could-" Lancelot cut her off abruptly.
"No! No, I won't have any of that!" He yelled, confusing Lena.
"Any of what? Why are you so angry?" She demanded quietly, brow furrowed.
"I'm stuck here on mission I should not have been sent on, being chased by Saxon troops, facing almost inevitable death at the hands of said Saxons, and now I'm supposed to tolerate some Woad "prophet's" scheme to lure my best friend to MERLIN?" he asked angrily.
"Lancelot, please-" Lena didn't like where this was going.
"Prophet! What did you all call it-'Seer'? Yes-Seer!" Lancelot knew he was hurting her, but it didn't stop him. "You're a fortune teller!" He laughed heartily at his own words.
"Lancelot, stop it," Lena said quietly, through clenched teeth.
"No, go ahead-tell my AHAha-my fortune!" He continued laughing despite Lena's obvious discomfort. "Like one of the women in those freak shows that pass through!"
"Please stop, Lancelot." Lena spoke more menacingly than before. Through his laughter Lancelot managed to notice what a brilliantly dark shade of green Lena's eyes appeared.
He continued nonetheless, "You're...you're-a-a...a freak! Ahahahahaa-" Lancelot suddenly stopped his mocking laughter as a searing pain blazed across his face. It stung where Lena's hand had come into contact with his skin. He half noticed her storming away in the direction of their camp.
He stood motionless for several minutes. Why had he said those things to her? Arthur was fine, he was fine, Tristan was fine. No one had been hurt. Lena hadn't done a thing to anyone. Lancelot walked in a daze back to camp, pondering those very questions. Upon entering his bed he let his eyes drift over the forms of slumbering people. They lingered on Lena. He could tell she was only pretending to sleep.
As he began to drift into slumber Lancelot couldn't help but notice the heavy guilt that was slowly seeping through his body. Guilty? Lancelot never felt guilty over women, or so he had thought up until now. Lancelot had certainly felt deceived, but had Lena really deserved what he said? He sighed heavily before whispering into the night, "Why am I a such an ass?"
Lena was pretending to sleep. She shut her eyes tightly, refusing to cry over a man. Cry over a man? Lena had never cried over a man-especially one who thought her a freak. Freak. That word sparked so many painful memories she had pushed away for years. The words that had so long ago cascaded down into the dark recesses of her memory were bubbling up now. The things her father had said. And Lancelot was just like him. Lena had trusted him. Kissed him even. But that wasn't fair of her. How could she think for a second he would want her after finding out she was this thing.
Lena turned onto her back, staring into the empty black night as she asked, "Why am I such a fool?"
Lena woke with a start and nervously evaluated her surroundings. The world was wrapped in the cool gray light that lived somewhere between night and dawn. Lucan slept peacefully beside her, and Dagonet lay sleeping on the other side of him.
Sitting herself up quietly, she tried to calm her breathing. Something was not right. She turned her upper body so she could see into the wagon they all slept against, and felt around the wooden floor for a weapon/her sword. (We all know she's reaching for a weapon, just be straightforward about it!) Out of the corner of her eye, Lena thought she saw a sudden flash of scarlet. She searched more hurriedly.
Just as her pale fingers came into contact with the hilt of the sword she'd been groping for, a rough hand grabbed her arm forcefully. Lena dropped the sword and let out a startled scream before another hand covered her mouth. "Stay quiet," someone commanded.
But it was useless. Her scream had awoken Dagonet who had grabbed his axe, and begun swinging at the sudden onslaught of Roman soldiers. He stood protectively in front of the now terrified Lucan, who had also woken at the sound of Lena's scream.
Lena was pushed forward roughly, and stumbled to her knees only to be dragged up by a fistful of her dark hair. Two grubby hands dug into her arms as she faced a fat and finely dressed man. "I have the girl!" he cried. "No one move!" The triumph in his voice was sickening.
Still facing him, Lena decided it was time to speak. "Marius," she hissed in acknowledgment, taking pleasure in the idea that the man must be terrified of her. Lena imagined she wasn't looking any friendlier with the spiteful glare she was directing his way.
"Still attacking defenseless people I see."
"Satan's bride," he returned, barely masking his fear. Hah! He was afraid of her. Lena almost let herself smile at the thought. "You aren't as detestable once you've stolen my wife's gowns, whore." He smiled wickedly commenting on the clothing Fulcinia had kindly given her. Lena wanted to slap that arrogant face of his.
"Funny, you're just as detestable as I recalled. Maybe even more so; I'm having difficulty deciding. I hope you understand." She smiled back venomously.
Suddenly Lena was spun around, her back pressed into Marius's chest. Something cool and hard was tilted at her throat. "Don't move," he Roman ordered. His chin just reached the crook of her neck and being that she was taller than him, Lena made a good shield.
She noticed for the first time that Guinevere, Arthur, and Lancelot all stood before her-weapons at the ready. They all looked rather helpless, standing there prepared to fight, but unable to do so for fear of injuring Lena. The Woad was breathing hard, trying to remain calm.
"Now you will all follow my orders!" Marius bellowed pompously to all present-which were quite a few people it appeared. "And you," he whispered to Lena, bringing his lips close enough to brush against her ear, "will work no further black magic." He nuzzled her neck in a way that made Lena queasy. Lancelot felt anger surge within himself at the sight.
"You," Turning her head so she could see his face, Lena whispered back affectionately. "You make me feel..." suddenly her melodic murmur turned into a hiss. "More disgusted than I ever thought humanly possibly you FAT, daft, thieving, gluttonous, UNHOLY PIG!"
Marius sharply pressed her body closer to his own, while applying more pressure to the blade at Lena's throat. "You will die as an example then!" Marius roared. "As a CHRISTIAN it is my duty to end your life, MONSTER!" He choked out furiously.
Quickly Lena grabbed the chubby, bare arm that held the knife to her neck. Concentrating all her energy on it, she whispered to no one. "Let me see."
Lena did exactly what see had intended to. Catapulting herself into a vision would send Marius into a dazed shock as well. And Lena saw. And what she saw was blackness.
Marius had no more life.
Shaking herself from the trance, Lena grabbed the blade from Marius's lose grip before he had time to recover. She spun around, hair flying out behind her, and lodged the dagger into the man's chest before he knew what was happening.
Crimson spilled down his pristine white robes as he crumpled to the snow. Lena felt an arrow whiz by and heard the thud of a second body collide with the cold ground. Guinevere had killed the man who was advancing on her cousin, and now the other Romans stood dumbstruck.
Guinevere shot another arrow at their feet before Arthur spoke. "You have a choice. You help, or you die." The Romans remained still.
"ARTORIUS!" Bors bellowed, riding in on his horse. "Do we have a problem?" He asked, unsheathing his broadsword.
Galahad and Gawain arrived next, both brandishing weapons. They surveyed the scene warily. Romans always had to cause trouble. They would kill their only chance of making it to the wall alive if it meant they got to run the show. Bastards...
The Romans were now matched in men, and far inferior in skill. "Put down your weapons!" The lead soldier commanded. "Do it, now!" Jols swooped in quickly, collecting all of the discarded swords. The Romans stalked away, closely followed by Gawain and Bors, who Arthur had sent after them. Dagonet left to check on Lucan.
Lena still stood silently in front of the corpse of Marius Honorius.
"Lena?" Guinevere asked gently, approaching her cousin, who had not taken her eyes off of the body of Marius this entire time. When Lena didn't respond Guinevere tried to lighten the mood. "It's not fair, you know, I wanted so badly to be the one that killed the pig." Speaking more seriously, she added, "He deserved it. You know that, Lena." She was mistaking the look on her cousin's face for guilt.
Arthur, Lancelot, and Galahad approached the two Woads who stood beside the dead Roman. Uncertainly, Arthur placed a comforting hand on Guinevere's shoulder. If she hadn't been so preoccupied with her cousin, the Woad would have smiled at the kind gesture.
Lena went unaware to the movements around her, staring apathetically at the bloody corpse. She had the distinct feeling that this was not yet over.
The knights and Guinevere stared at the Seer worriedly. All three men where still confused as to exactly what had just taken place between Lena and Marius, but none thought it proper to discuss at the moment.
They all stood in uncomfortable silence before Galahad began to speak. "Ahem...Arthur I think we should-" He threw another glance at Lena. "We should start to get everyone on their-" He was interrupted by a sudden scream from Lena, who fell backwards and began scrambling away from the body of Marius.
"Lena!" Galahad inquired, moving towards the Woad. "Lena what's wrong with you?" He bent down and tried to grab her arm, but was stopped by Guinevere.
"Don't touch her." Guinevere commanded, putting herself between Galahad and her cousin. "You must let it end, lest you drag her out of it before it's done." Arthur and Lancelot both seemed to understand enough of what she was saying, but Galahad looked from Woad to Woad helplessly. "It will be explained to you soon." She said in a dismissive manner, glancing back towards her shaking cousin.
"What do you want?" Lena pleaded miserably. Arthur saw the pained expression that flashed across Guinevere's face at her words. All four stood uncomfortably around Lena, who sat, oddly clutching the snow-covered ground beneath her. The men noticed, for the first time, that her eyes were blank and white.
She had been standing there, contemplating the strange feeling she was receiving; distantly aware of the people around her, as she stared at the body of the man she had just killed.
It wasn't that Lena was guilty, oh no, the man had deserved to die and she would kill him with out a moment's thought if she had the opportunity to do so again-but something was still off.
She stared determinately at his corpse, waiting for something to happen. She could tell how the others were watching her. Even Guinevere looked worried. No use scaring them. She was just being paranoid. Nothing was going to happen.
And then, for the second time in much less than 12 hours, Lena realized how very wrong that idea was. A cold hand shot out and grabbed her ankle. Marius, eyes wide and blank as she knew hers turned during sights, was clawing at her leg.
Lena screamed and threw herself away from him. Stumbling backwards she fell, and tried to shuffle away from the man who was supposed to be dead. For an instant Galahad clouded her vision, but again she saw Marius. He laughed mercilessly at her fear.
"What do you want?" she whispered. Even in death this man would not leave her be. "I've killed you!" She tried to sound intimidating. "You cannot harm me." How could this be happening? Marius was dead on the ground! The wine dark blood that stained his robes were a fresh reminder of the dagger that had just plunged into his heart! He was dead!
"You most of all should know how little death means." He stated, as if reading her mind. He came closer to her still, a sick sort of satisfaction adorning his features. "I come bearing a message for you, devil girl."
Lena stared confused. Why would Marius, dead or alive, have a message for her? "Out with it!" She commanded, making herself let go of any fear the man had over her.
He laughed again, finding her sudden courage mockable. "Oh you can try to be brave, you little whore, but bravery won't save them."
"Save who?" Lena demanded, not allowing herself to be put off by him.
"All of them." he hissed.
Faces flashed before her eyes. Woad after Woad after Woad. Guinevere, Merlin, Arthur, Dagonet, Galahad, Gawain, Lancelot, Tristan, Bors, all their faces shown between the countless friends and strangers. Blood everywhere. She watched in horror as they all fell lifeless to the stained earth.
A blade to Tristan's throat, arrows to Dagonet and Gawain, A mace to Galahad's skull, an axe that cut down Bors, crossbow piercing Lancelot's heart, Guinevere-dear cousin of hers-being mauled and viciously de-robed by an ugly Saxon with a braided beard. And Arthur last of all. Noble, loyal Arthur being stabbed through the ribs. Excalibur slipped through his pale hands, and the Saxons marched onward.
"You will try, you stupid little girl, and fail." Deathly pale, Marius laughed again. "There is nothing you can do to save them. They will fight, and they will die. All doomed." Another mocking laugh.
"That's not true!" Lena yelled. "That isn't true!" It was a desperate plea. Suddenly Lancelot, Arthur, Galahad, and Guinevere surrounded her. Lena looked from face to face, breathing hard. "I-I it isn't, wasn't ...he was there..." She mumbled incoherently. Marius's dead body lay where it had before, feet away. Lena had not realized that it wasn't real. She had not felt herself slip into a sight.
Guinevere was at her side in an instant. "Tell me what you saw." Her familiar voice leant Lena strength. She felt her heart rate slow to its normal pace and her breathing calm considerably. She remained silent however, as the three men and Guinevere continued to watch her. "Lena," Her cousin started gently "You must tell me what it was so that we do not forget it." Lena sometimes lost sights. They were, to her, like dreams. On occasion one wakes remembering their dreams, but once they have shaken the sleep from their mind and stepped out of bed they can no longer recall the night's strange stories. Guinevere knew that anything that had inspired so much fear in her cousin was too important to be forgotten. "Tell me Lena, what it was you saw."
Lena shook her head no. "I-I can't" She felt tears welling up in her eyes. Guinevere was here. Arthur, Galahad, and Lancelot were all here. She had been so sure they were gone. Seeing it, hearing Marius's words- she had become so incredibly afraid that they were gone. She hugged her cousin suddenly, letting the tears spill from her eyes. "I thought you...he came to me-told me horrible things." Guinevere hugged her back, still confused as to what her cousin was talking about.
"Who told you things, Lena?" She asked, still hugging Lena tightly.
"Marius." Lena offered feebly.
Guinevere pulled back suddenly to look her cousin in the eye. "But he's dead." She stated nervously. "That is not possible." Lena shrugged her shoulders awkwardly. She didn't understand either. "That has never happened before. Has it?" She asked hurriedly.
"Never." Lena agreed.
"Then, how could that be?" Guinevere didn't like this at all.
"I know not." Lena's brow was furrowed as she stared at the snow and nervously bit her bottom lip. The sound of footsteps brought her attention to the man behind her. Bors was approaching them.
"What's this!" he called happily. Apparently the fight had him in good spirits. Lena wished she could say the same. "You all having a party without old Bors?" As he came closer the knight could clearly see the somber, and somewhat confused, expressions harbored by all. They all stood in awkward silence for a moment. The moment ended when Tristan rode in on his horse. It seemed he had found time to go out scouting after the ordeal that took place last night. Bors was the first to call out to his fellow knight. "How many did you kill?"
"Four," the scout replied curtly.
"Not a bad start to the day," Bors laughed, amazed by his own wit.
Tristan threw a crossbow from his horse. It landed with an ominous thump before his commander's feet. "Armor piercing." He informed Arthur breathlessly. "They're close. We have no time."
Lena stood suddenly. All traces of her earlier fear were gone, and she took on a diplomatic air. Things had to be done-and fear would not stop her. She would do that which she could. "They're moving faster than anyone anticipated. I have to go for help." Lena began walking in the direction of the horses, determination making her bold.
Marius was wrong. She could save them. She needed help-but she would not let them die.
"Lena," Guinevere called out, following her. "Lena, help from whom?" she asked, confused. The knights were all following the two Woads now.
"We are by the River Io, are we not?" Lena asked, stopping and turning to face the group. Tristan nodded. "Yes, that means Balor's outpost is near."
"Yes," Guinevere stated. Guinevere remembered the Woad named Balor. He had served her father well and been granted a large Woad settlement to rule as a provincial governor, loyal to Merlin.
"His outpost should be southeast of here. But you cannot expect him to aid us at such short notice." It was an unreasonable demand.
"Yes I can." Lena answered, trying not to sound too childish. "I can ask him to send several of his troops. They're all good riders and know the land, we will be able to catch up with you before the Saxons do." She spoke directly to Arthur now. "If we have to fight, you cannot expect nine people to protect all these civilians. The Woad settlement will be evacuated as the Saxon march through either way." Lena explained.
"Merlin does not intend to call upon them to fight, but we will." Guinevere admired the way Lena was taking control of the situation. "I will send the majority of their troops along the coast, to meet us back at Hadrian's Wall, incase of further confrontation," Lena didn't know why she had added the 'incase', there would most certainly be further confrontation. " but they can spare a small Calvary to assist us now." Arthur looked uncertain. "The Saxons can be avoided no longer. Let me leave. Let me help you." Lena was pleading with him now. "I'll follow your command, Arthur."
The Roman questioned it for a moment. "Very well. Lena, you ride to this Woad outpost and gather troops." He turned to his knights. "Lancelot, you will escort her. When you return, we will discuss today's...events..." Then more quietly, so only Lena could hear, he added, "I will explain to the men as best I can-if that is what you wish. They will be suspicious." The Woad nodded in assent. "You two get on your way then." He directed at Lena and Lancelot. "Make haste."
"Ah! But I-" Lancelot was cut off by Arthur, who was in no mood for his nonsense.
"Tristan, You ride ahead." He now gestured to all of the camp. "Bors, Dag, Gawain, Get everyone moving, quickly." He looked back to where the body of Marius lay. "Galahad, I'll help you put the body in a wagon," Galahad gave a look of protest. "We cannot leave him here to rot...no matter how much he deserves it." Lastly, he turned to Guinevere. "Make sure the Lady Fulcinia is well. And get yourself in a wagon." Arthur turned and walked with Galahad to the body as all the others followed their orders. Guinevere stood momentarily mesmerized with the man she knew, without a doubt, could be king.
Lena walked to the horses, followed closely by Lancelot, both somewhat displeased with Arthur's decision to send them out together. Lancelot mounted his steed while Lena stood impatiently below.
"What am I supposed to ride?" She asked, looking up so she could see his face. The man thought she was a freak, she recalled. He kissed her-then called her a freak. Why in the gods' names had Arthur made her leave with him?
"Only one horse." He informed her, patting his saddle. He was trying to hide his discomfort by resorting to his usual cocky manner. She hated him. He could see it. She hated him. He'd been wrong to insult her and this morning had proven that. She wasn't a freak-but she sure as hell hated him.
"There isn't another I could use?" she asked hopefully. Why did she have to ride practically in his lap? This wasn't fair.
"Lady, we've none to spare, and no time to argue over such things." He called her 'Lady' just to annoy her. He knew she was already angry, why was he trying to annoy her? What was he doing? "We will have to share." Lena gave a sigh and climbed in front of him on the horse. No use wasting time.
"Very well," she mumbled as they set off, riding quickly in the direction of Balor's outpost.
She would not let her stomach twist in that strange and pleasant way at the thought of Lancelot being so close, Lena decided. She would not let her heart strain thinking of what an enormous lunatic he must see her as now-having watched her fall into a sight firsthand. Lena would do only what she had to now.
She would save the men. Her people had dragged them into this war-and Lena would make sure they got out all right.
Lena could not let them lose the freedom they so long deserved.
Marius was wrong. He had to be.
Okay. That's done then. Thank you for reading. Next chapter we get to meet Balor-yippee.
Please Review, they make my day-and right now I really need some feedback. Lack of inspiration is attacking me. Come on, What do you guys think? Like it? Hate it? Tell me and I'll love you.
Review Responses
Lilo-Thank you! I'm glad you could see that it was important for establishing information. It makes me feel better that people aren't just pissed to get a boring chapter. (I would be...heh)
Katie-Haha. Wow, thanks. Makes me feel good to know you "love love love it" I personally didn't really like that last chapter-but it's good to know that you did.
Cal-Thanks for reviewing all the chapters! It must have taken you so long. I like Etta too, I'm planning on including her in later chapters a lot more. And we will get to find out more about Lena's past. I added the father thing specifically for that reason-it WILL be explained. And I don't want to give away the ending so you'll have to wait to see who lives and who dies. Sorry.
Just2spooky-Thanks, I'm glad to update!
Kayla-I'm glad to know you enjoy the story, and that you're still reading. Thank you!
Raz 42492- Glad to make you happy dance-and I'm trying to update sooner. This is a little sooner. And my computer problems are going to be gone soon enough.
LANCELOTTRISTANBABY-It's nice to know you like the story, and I'm updating! I'll try to keep updating as frequently as possible.
Evenstar-mor2004-I have to agree with you that good old chapter 7 need a little-well a lot-more umphf. Thanks for your review. It made me feel a lot better about that chapter. Do you think this one had the umphf that was so badly needed? I would love to know what you think of it.
To everyone else who reviewed before-THANK YOU! I wish I could respond to each and every one of you but I don't have the energy or time. Sorry. But know that all those reviews were sincerely appreciated and made me want to write for you guys.
fijimermaid-THANK YOU. Best Beta ever.
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