Chapter 4

Threats and Decisions

Rhiannon burst upon her uncle in a wave of fury. Her wild hair matching her flaming eyes.

Senator Murrelus Volumnius looked at the wild-eyed woman with some amusement. Her rigid arms both ended into tight fists. Her dress was rumpled and dirty, as the rest of her appeared to be. She was also a bit wan looking, but he had been told she had devoted herself to one of Arthur's knights, and had slaved over him to ensure his recovery. That would make his task a bit easier for him, and if the girl thought she hated him now, just wait. He felt positively and smugly satisfied. No matter how this played out, his unconventional, and currently unkempt, half-breed niece would never see Rome again. He couldn't suppress his smile of jubilance.

Arthur and Galahad had drawn up behind Rhiannon only seconds in her wake. Seeing the exulted smile on the senator made both of them wary of what Rhiannon might do in anger. Her temper was apparent.

Murrelus noted the mens presence, but ignored them, and rather held his arms out to the raging woman in front of him. "Ah, my dear niece. How very long it has been." His voice was so light, and pleasant...mocking.

"How dare you?", Rhiannon ground out, her face a mask of wrath. She was an absolute vision of savagery. All eyes in the room were on her.

"I suppose that Artorius has informed you as to why I am here?" The senators tone was completely affable, as if oblivious to his nieces ire. Rhiannon did not speak, nor move to answer, but rather stared hard at the man before her.

"Oh come now my dear. I hardly think dramatics are necessary." Murrelus knew as he scolded his niece that she would explode if this continued much farther. He wasn't really trying to make her temper break, but he would admit the fun in toying with the girl. She had always been trouble. No, that was not quite true..it was more like she drew trouble to her. That was it exactly. This visit was not an exception to that. With any hope she would never know that he was actually saving her.

His smile widened even more. "I have come here to collect you before you are allowed to shame your family with your...indiscretions.." At his last word, a sickeningly, suggestive, smile replaced the affable, mocking one.

The hall was deathly silent, as Rhiannon tilted her head a bit trying to somehow process what her uncle was saying.

"Indiscretions?", she asked incredulously. Arthur stepped around beside her.

"It is no use feigning ignorance with me niece. I came here simply to see you, but was then informed that you have kept company with one of the knights here. In his private chamber no less. It has been told to me that you have been alone with him for weeks." Murrelus knew that this was a cheap shot at her, but he had to take it. He knew of this knight by reputation that she had been working so hard to heal. If he was truly a good man, and if he had any idea of what he owed to his niece, then this would not be difficult at all. On the other hand, if this impromptu plan of his failed, it really would not matter so much. He turned his attention to Arthur who had stepped forward at his accusation to defend her.

"Senator Volumnius, the Lady Rhiannon has given herself totally to the care of one of my knights when all other healers had left him for dead. It is because of her constant care that he is alive now." Arthur spoke with clear authority.

"Call it what you will, but she has still compromised herself as far as I can see. I know that you are an honorable man, Artorius, so I will ask you...Can you be certain that naught has gone on between them that would be improper?" Murrelus kept his voice even, and sincere. Artorius would be a hard man to fool.

"Did my wife, or Gawain not inform you of the mans health?", Arthur asked carefully. Something about this unsettled him. He wanted to look at the face of the woman beside him, but dared not take his eyes away from the senators face.

Rhiannon saw Gawain shift in his seat, his eyes on her. She turned her gaze to Guinevere who was also looking back, but she sat still as stone. Her eyes were guarded. Something about this was not right. She could only imagine the tension was present because they were angry with her. She was why the Romans were here after all.

It hurt her heart, though she did not blame any of them. She dropped her eyes to the floor.

"They did. They said that he regained full consciousness yesterday."

"Then you can imagine that he was hardly in the shape for what you are implying."

"Where has she been sleeping at night? In his bed perhaps?"

"Rhiannon..." She turned her head to Arthur as he spoke her name. "...you have slept upon the floor have you not?"

The lie was so close and yet she could not do it. Had her uncle asked, the lie might have come, but she refused to be dishonest with Arthur. "All nights, but one, milord."

Arthur's eyes questioned her.

"Last night, I slept beside Dagonet, but not to the end that is implied. I was so weary I could not help myself. I still wear the dress I slept in. Nothing questionable has passed between he and I." She nearly blushed at her technicality, but Rhiannon answered Arthur with strength and conviction.

Murrelus believed her completely, but she gave away precisely the detail he needed for this situation. If he was anything at all, he was clever. "What was your knight wearing I wonder?"

At his question, Arthur's jaw tensed. He saw nearly everyone in the room shifting in discomfort. It was only practical that a man wounded as Dagonet had been would be unclothed. He had been fevered and delirious for a long time, and had required much bathing. While it was unseemly for Rhiannon to bathe him, the fact was that Dagonet was in such critical health that she, and she alone cared for him in all things. She would allow no one to make potentially deadly mistakes even in the simple act of cleaning Dags body, and Arthur supported her on that. He knew that much of this the senator had knowledge of already. His pointed questions, and cool eyes gave him away. He was after something.

At Rhiannon's hesitation to his question, Murrelus knew he had his answer.

He realized he had won a small victory. However, much depended on Artorius' reaction. The cunning senator knew that he was relying considerably on the commander's reputation. Still, if he accomplished what he was after, it was better than the alternative. He had loved his younger brother dearly, and it would haunt him forever if he had to drown his child, even were it to save her from what he knew would be a worse fate. His smile vanished. Now was the time to strike. He looked at Arthur sternly.

"I am concerned Artorius. You see Rome can be unforgiving about such transgression from a woman. She has been in his bed, and that is enough, however she has seen this knight of yours naked. Touched him as well. Even if my niece and her paramour are not actually lovers in the true sense of the word, she would still be compromised in the eyes of any man. A man may wish to lie with a whore, but a man does not desire to marry one. Since she is already known in Rome for her peculiar ways, and was subsequently exiled outside the city for such, any news of this sort of wrong doing might be enough to endanger her."

"What exactly are you getting at Senator?" Arthur's question was stern, as he addressed Murrelus with open suspicion.

"I do not think that I can take her back to Rome considering the circumstances. I had intended to marry her off, and pray that it might settle her, and her troublesome ways. Now, I would be risking my reputation as well as the man's reputation that she would wed. If indeed, she is no longer a virgin, the punishment for her would be grave."

"If she is no longer a virgin, I do not believe it is by my knights doing."

Murrelus noted how curt Arthur was being, and took it as a good sign. Arthur knew that Murrelus had a point. Now he would begin to see just what sort of honor Artorius, and the knight Dagonet adhered to. He looked at his niece only to see her face had turned scarlet in her humiliation, her eyes full of hatred. He was insulting her in the most degrading way that he could, but he had to play into Arthur's sense of loyalty. Perhaps his knight was not as honorable as he had been led to believe. If the knight would not be responsible for her willingly, Artorius might well make him. If nothing else, he would not want to create a tenuous situation with Rome considering his new position as ruler here, and the threat of a scandal with a senator would be powerful. That might be enough to get Rome to come to this God-forsaken outpost. Murrelus looked to his prideful niece still proud in her humiliation, and he despised what he had done to her, but it was necessary. He looked back to Arthur who stood in silence, eyes like steel.

"As you will. I would ask your hospitality till the morrow, and then we will depart. I will take this wayward child with me, and deal with her accordingly." Murrelus waited for Arthur to speak, but another voice answered him instead.

"You will not take her if she does not wish to go."

Rhiannon heard the hard, baritone reverberate in the large hall with disbelief. She snapped her head around, and gasped at the sight of Dagonet standing tall, Bors with venom for the senator in his hot eyes on one side, and Galahad on the other looking at Dag in worry. Both men held out steadying arms for their brother, but Dag stood there proud, and tall. His eyes bored into Murrelus'.

This has to be Sir Dagonet. Murrelus thought with awe, and satisfaction. Rhiannon's reaction alone would have made him certain, but he could see for himself that this man had obviously been in the shadow of death. She had certainly done well in saving him. He had no doubt of her healing abilities however. She's had a good teacher.

He noted that everyone in the room was staring at the knight in awe. The knight Gawain had risen from his seat, and appeared dumbfounded. Murrelus was enjoying himself again.

"Are you the knight she has been so...attached to?", Murrelus asked the nearly dead looking, yet imposing man.

Dagonet only nodded.

Arthur's eyes had gone wide when he had seen Dag standing in the hall. He looked swiftly to Guinevere who was looking back with open apprehension, her fingers strangling the sides of her chair. He watched as Rhiannon slowly approached Dagonet, her face full of emotion. Dagonet's eyes never left the Roman senator. Now was the time to do something. This could not get out of hand.

"If everyone would leave us so that we may speak privately...my Lady, and knights shall stay, as well as the Lady Rhiannon."

The unarmed body-guards of Senator Volumnius looked to him apprehensively. "Go now.", the senator commanded them, waving them away. Wordlessly they obeyed.

Murrelus had followed Arthur to be seated next to him. When he looked back, he saw is niece gently touch the face of the large knight who now sat across from him. The man only had eyes for Rhiannon, and they were full of tenderness. Her eyes mirrored the knights exactly. Good. That was better than he could have hoped for. They were in love. He felt his heart lift a little. He wondered if they even realized it yet. It almost made him laugh a little, as he thought longingly, and lovingly of his wife waiting for him in Rome.

Dagonet had moved to the chair he sat in without help. There would have been no shame for him to have accepted help from Bors or Galahad. Bors had very nearly carried him here anyway, but he could not afford weakness in front of Rhiannon's uncle. His insides felt as if they were on fire with every breath he took. ' Damn, but I'm weak.'

Rhiannon knelt before him. She looked so lovely, even as she was so bedraggled. Her eyes sparkled like two stars with the tears that were welled in them. That took his breath away, for in her large, tearful eyes he saw her pride for him, deep worry, and endless tenderness. His chest had tightened at all the emotion she openly displayed for him, and then she had touched his face. It was a soft, loving gesture that made him suck in his breath sharply. He could not focus like this.

He needed her to stop touching him. This meeting would require all of his concentration for her uncle. The look of the man was one of intelligence, and Bors had warned him of that as he helped him here. Dag wanted all of his concentration on the imposing man in front of him, not on the woman fresh from his bed. If she remained touching him, that would be impossible.

Rhiannon had begun checking his wounds to make sure that they were not reopened, still fearing unnecessarily he might be doing some internal damage. She was putting gentle pressure on his wounds through his shirt, her sure fingers unfailingly finding them because she was so very familiar with his body. She was softly pressing on the wound by his heart, when he took her hands in his and shook his head at her. He was being blamed for her current trouble. After hearing her uncle speaking to Arthur, he was positive that the man was up to something, and now was the time to find out just what that was. Dagonet looked into her worried eyes, and tried to reassure her with his own..

Galahad walked to Rhiannon, and leaned down to put a hand gently on her shoulder. He needed to get her to sit down. Dagonet had to concentrate, and Galahad knew that Rhiannon was a large distraction for him. Bors had motioned for Galahad to get a chair for her, and so he had. Now as she looked at him, he felt sorry for nearly taking his frustration out on her earlier. He had no doubt that she loved Dag. It was all over her face now manifest with her fear.She let him seat her a few feet away from Dagonet, and he was relieved that she had not resisted. This senator was obviously a clever man, and Dagonet had come to satisfy this matter. The least that he could do was to make sure that the great effort Dag had made in coming here was not wasted.

Dagonet's eyes were on Murrelus. Murrelus saw the cold concentration in them, and returned the look. "Sir knight, allow me to introduce myself. I am Senator Murrelus Volumnius of Rome."

Dag nodded at the man without taking his eyes off of him.

"I am aware that my niece has endangered her reputation with you, and I am curious as to how this might be rectified." It was a statement, that was meant to convey that he had his own ideas about how this might be accomplished.

Dagonet looked at Arthur warily to find the man looking back from his seat by the Senator. Arthur saw the caution in Dag's eyes and was gratified by it.

"We are curious at what you might need Senator in order to be satisfied. Would you please inform us of your terms?" Arthur asked turning to the man beside him.

"Of course.", answered Murrelus as he looked first at Arthur, then to Dagonet. "I would ask that my niece leave the room however as we discuss this matter. It is men's business."

Rhiannon had been looking at her uncle with all the distaste she could muster, but now it was replaced with surprise. She stood up angrily, squaring her shoulders. "You cannot mean to have this discussion without me present. My fate will be decided here, and I will not be dismissed as a child might be."

Arthur looked pleadingly at Gawain, the knight sitting closest him. This could not escalate. They had no idea yet what this senator was truly after, and any outburst from her could heighten his sense of injustice. Gawain moved quickly along the curve of the table till he reached her, and then grasping an arm firmly, stood awaiting Arthur to say something.

"Rhiannon, if you will, please wait for us to be done here. You have friends here and we will protect your interests as best we are able. Gawain will stay with you till this is completed." Arthur's tone was one of warmth, and confidence, but despite that, and the debt she felt she owed him, she nearly turned her anger upon him. All that stopped her was Dagonet's voice penetrating her outrage. "Rhiannon,", he spoke out huskily and low, and she turned to him, "no harm will come to you. I swear it."

A shiver slid up her spine as he said her name, and she bowed her head to him. Dagonet spoke with conviction, and she did not doubt him. She would not insult either of these men, particularly the latter, by displaying a lack of trust.

"I too shall go." Guinevere rose from her seat nonchalantly, and made to walk over to Rhiannon, and Gawain, but not before casting a backward look at Arthur that obviously pleased the man, and made Murrelus look away, his thoughts once more on his loved one. These were good people and he hated how he must look to them. ' It will only get worse.' He thought regretfully.

Rhiannon looked at Dagonet once more as she hesitated at the doors. Gawain felt the tension in her arm and stopped instantly. The expression in her eyes was indecipherable to everyone, Dagonet included. That was how he knew she was weighing him. She cast her eye to the floor, and then swept through the door with Gawain, and Guinevere behind them.

Dagonet turned back to the senator in time to see the man as he rose to speak.

"We all here are aware of what I am accusing my niece of. She may or may not be innocent of what I have said against her. I honestly do not care. The facts are these...", Murrelus began to pace a few steps either direction as he spoke careful words. "...my niece has property in Rome. I want it. She is mine to do with as I please to get it. I cannot simply marry her off to some unfortunate Roman because she is peculiar, and part British. She is not a great commander that garners respect such as Artorius, so she is a burden.. If I were to marry off an eccentric, mongrel niece with the position I hold, I feel certain that it would come back to hurt my reputation, family, and in the end, result in the loss of my seat in the senate. I cannot have one such as her upsetting my life. She inherited other things as well, in the way of her parents possessions with the inclusion of a fair amount of money. I want none of that, only the property. She has refused it to me in the past however, and I feel certain she will do so again. I came here to get her, and on the voyage back, throw her over the side of the ship thereby ridding myself of my troubles, but now a more merciful way presents itself."

Bors scooted back loudly in his chair and stood up seething. Arthur minutely shook his head at the large warrior, and for once he remained quiet, although he maintained his threatening position. Rhiannon had saved Dag and that was enough reason for him to kill the man in front of him, but he could wait.

Murrelus ignored the looks of anger and disbelief on the face of all the men before him, except Dagonet whom he fixed his eyes on.

"I am curious if you will take responsibility for her? Do you have the honor I am told you have?"

"What do you want?" Dagonet growled, as he stood gripping the table till his knuckles were white. Bors moved to Dagonet's side, his eyes never leaving Murrelus' face.

"I want to be certain that she will never set foot in Rome ever again. I want her property turned over to me. Though she will not give the property to me because it is a house she is most fond of, if she is married, her husband would become legal owner, and could gift it to me. If she married a man here that would give me the confidence I need that I will never see her face in Rome ever again. Particularly if the man hates Rome."

His logic was dawning on everyone present.

Dagonet considered what he said as he looked to Arthur. Arthur looked as if he could part the Senators head from the rest of him without second thoughts. Dagonet understood completely.

If he married this woman he hardly knew, Gods knew he would likely be graced with a wonderful wife, but there was the matter of not really knowing her, and would she even want to marry him? Additionally there was this house that she obviously did not want to part with and he would be required to sign it away to a man she had to despise. Yet, if he did not she would die simply because she was unique and in the way of a piece of property. His heart lurched at the thought. 'I swore protection to her, and she trusts me.' His thoughts sealed his decision at that moment.

"Oh, yes. There is one more condition. I will require to stay till she is bedded. On the day I am shown bloody wedding sheets, the property shall be given to me, and I will depart." Murrelus paused, looking into Dagonet's cold face. "Will you take responsibility for her Sir Knight, or shall I?"

Dagonet did not hesitate even in his open disgust. "I shall wed her."

I swore fluff and it is on the way I promise, but there was some business to take care of first. The next chapter will find Dagonet and Rhiannon learning a little more about each other and their depth of attraction for one another. The romance will pick up. (It will involve a table.) I hope this chapter wasn't too dry.Big thanks again to everyone who is reading this and reviewing.Individual responses are below.

From: MedievalWarriorPrincess ( http/ )
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Oh my gosh! I have just found this and am ever so happy that I did! I ADORE IT!

Dagonet is one of my favorite knights, and it is wonderful to see a romance fic about him! He is such a sweetie and deserves his share of loving. .lol. And Rhiannon the perfect person to do so, I love her already!

I cannot even begin to list all of my favorite bits from these first chapters, so I really won't even try. I've loved everything from the first words onward!

Suffice it say that you have won my heart over with this, and I cannot WAIT for the next chapter!

This is without a doubt going on my favorites, and you as well! Truly an excellent job! Please let the next chapter come quickly!

I cannot tell you how glad I was to read this review. I have had success with Rhiannon so far as a leading lady, and I feel like Dag has been seriously neglected in the lovin' department as well. I just wanted to write something heartfelt about this character, and I am thrilled that you like it so well. I appreciate that you have added my story and me to your favorites. That is a gigantic compliment! Thanks so much. I hope this chapter doesn't dissapoint. Please keep reviewing and let me know what you think. Sincerely-RS

From: homeric ( http/ )
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Hmm interesting... I wonder what Rhiannon's uncle has planned for her - nothing good from the sounds of it! I loved the description of Dag and Rhiannon waking up together - it was a really nice moment of tentative romance. Looking forward to more :)

The uncle...not so evil, although I hate him after this chapter and I know better. As you may have guessed from some deliberate loose ends about him in this chapter, he does have a heart somewhere under his toga. Maybe not much of one...I don't even know yet...but a heart nonetheless. I am happy with the bedroom scene myself, but that is going to step up a notch in the next chapter. I won't say how much, but Dagonet and Rhiannon do become a little better acquainted. I hope this chapter managed to answer some questions and get my plot going. Thanks so much for following this story and reviewing. It means a lot. Sincerely-RS

From: KnightMaiden ( http/ )
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Wonderful update. No problem reviewing. I can't wait for an update, but take your time. Rushing is never the answer. lol (words of wisdom)

Thanks for the reminding me not to rush. I know better, but sometimes it gets away from me. I try to write for me first and foremost, and so I take your advice to heart. Thanks for being so supportive and for reviewing. Looking forward to hearing what you think of this chapter. Sincerely-RS

From: JustQuinn ()
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Hey sweets, I´m sorry for pushing you like I did yesterday, but as you can tell I was really anxious to read the next chapter. And now that I have I can say that it was worth the wait!
Reading Dagonet´s thoughts as he woke up almost made me blush! Whoah!
Was the uncles visit the turning point of this story? Very curious to know what his intentions are, and how it will affect Dagonet´s and Rhiannons (soon to be) relationship.
I´m really looking forward to the next chapter... and some fluff! Fluff is always welcomed! Take care and thankyou for the update. Cheers.
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Your reviews never cease to delight me. I have promised you fluff and it is coming. I had intended it to make it into this chapter, but the story ran long, and is in the fifth chapter that is mostly complete so with any luck it will be up in a couple of days. Think of it as a Christmas present. lol The next chapter will also give you the insight you are looking for in how this will effect our main characters.I really hope you like this, and feel that it sticks with the integrity of the story. Please keep reviewing. Appreciatively-RS