Chapter 3:

In the morning...

I woke up and stretched, ready to start a whole new day and curious to see what had progressed last night. Rising I

went towards a satchel that lay on the floor of the carriage. I peek within it to see a pretty dagger and as I looked it over

I saw to my surprise that it was my own dagger. I smiled to myself lightly.

"Thank you Lancelot" I murmured apperciativly. I strapped it to my thigh, under my dress then exited out of the

carriage to survey the area and wondered what everyone was upto. I saw that Gawain and Galahad laid close to the

now dimmed fire, still very much fast asleep. Bors must of risen for I didn't see him as well as Tristan, Arthur and

Lancelot.

I watched amused at Gawain and Galahad then I heard a shout of anger and my head snapped over to the side

of camp where I last saw Dagonet and Lucan were asleep. Sprinting towards the sound of the fray I froze in my tracks

at the sight of Dagonet fighting off at least ten men that began to advance upon him. I looked around frantically for

Lucan and saw to my horror him being held fast by Marius.Feeling anger race through me I grabbed a sword that had

fallen on the ground from a dead soldier and rushed towards Dagonet and began to help him fight off the rest of the

soldiers. I felt a sting of a sword slice along my shoulder but I spun with swiftness and cut the throat of the soldier that

had inflicted my wound.

"I have the boy!" Marius shouted warningly. I froze as I turned with the sword still within my grasp and I looked

over to see Dagonet glare hatefully at Marius for even touching the young lad.

I glared at Marius as well then a rustle to my left gained my attention and I saw Lancelot, Arthur and Guinevere

enter the scene and glare at Marius as well. Lancelot glanced at me briefly but my attention was on Lucan. Guinevere

now held a bow and arrow within her hands and I knew that Lancelot and Arthur had given it to her.

We all cautiously kept our eyes on Marius, I saw Fulcinia rush over to his side. "No! Leave him alone!" she cried.

Marius shoved her aside with a growl and she fell upon the ground. My blood boiled at his mere dismiss of his wife as

if she were a mere toy.

"Marius your nothing but a coward!" I cried out. His eyes snapped hatefully at me as he narrowed his eyes. "Why

you little bitch! How dare you!" he yelled.

I smirked at his anger for it was mild compared to my brothers. "What else would you call it? A man who hides

himself behind a mere child what is he if nothing else but a coward?" I remarked hotly. Guinevere had strunged her

bow back as Arthur and Lancelot unsheathed there swords. Lancelot holding his twin swords against his neck but I

saw that he had my back as I step forward to gain Marius's attention.

"Marius why not let the boy go? Why go down this path?" I asked. Marius sneered at my attempt to get his

attention else where.

"What? A mere whore dare give me words of wisdom?" he sneered cruely. I ignored it for he was trying to falter

me from the task I was intent on doing.

Marius glanced over at his guards. "Kill her!" he ordered. I heard the others yell out in protest and as a guard came

forth Guinevere shot out her bow which caught the guard in the chest which seemed to anger Marius even more.

"Kill them all!" he shouted. I yanked out the dagger which was hidden under my dress and let it fly, hitting him

right in the chest and he collasped on the ground, dead. Lucan free now, ran to Dagonet who pushed him under the

carriage with a soft "Down" as he stood up with a sword in hand at any of the other soldiers daring them to come forth.

I stepped forth to get my dagger and saw Lancelot glance at me amusingly. "Your hands seem to be better" he

remarked. I just gazed at him briefly then my attention turned as I heard thundering hooves and Bors riding.

"Arturious!" he yelled. He rode up towards the guards, glaring down at them. "Do we have a problem? Huh?" he

inquired. I looked over at Arthur who pointed his sword towards one of the guards that seemed to be in charge.

"You have a choice. You help or you die" he pointed out simply. I smirked at the no nonsense in my brothers

voice then I walked over towards Guinevere who glanced at Arthur admiringly. I smirked at the picture she made stand-

ing there.

Bor's horse nudged the soldier who quickly threw his weapon upon the ground then looked at his fellow soldiers.

"Put down your weapons" he ordered. Then when they hesitated he ordered again and they threw them down, Arthur

turned towards Jols who nodded and began to gather the weapons just as Tristan rode up, Bor's looked at him.

"How many did you kill?" he asked curiously. Tristan rode past. "Four" he answered. Bor's grinned at us all and I

couldn't help but smile.

"Not a bad start to the day!" he remarked laughing. I laughed out as well and I saw Lancelot and Arthur look over

at me with a bit of a smile at seeing me smile and laugh once again. I pressed my hand against my chest and held up

my fist.

"Bor's! Rus!" I cried out. Bor's pressed his fist against his chest as well and returned the battle cry. I chuckled as

I walked over just as Tristan dropped a cross brow at Arthur's feet.

"Armor piercing. There at close range, we have no time" he explained breathlessly. I hide my alarm quite well at

that point then I saw Arthur get his commander side once again, looking pointingly at Tristan.

"You ride ahead" he ordered which Tristan merely nodded and rode off. Arthur turned to Lancelot. "Get all of

them set to depart" he remarked. I saw Lancelot nod as he turned to do just that when he caught my eyes. I wondered

if he could see the longing within my eyes. He merely nodded at me with a bit of a admiring smile then he turned and

departed to do his task.

I walked over towards Fulcinia who was helped towards the carriage that her and Alecto sat within. I pressed my

hand against her cheek.

"Are you alright?" I asked concernly. She nodded but then glanced down at my arm. "Your hurt" she remarked. I

glanced down at my shoulder to see the cut that the soldier gave me run along side my arm but I looked back up at her.

"Worry not for this is minor. Now go ahead I am quite fine" I remarked. She nodded then entered the carriage, I

turned towards Guinevere who walked towards me.

"We have weapons in needs of defense and may I add my dear friend you have a beautiful sword" she complimented. I smiled for that

was her way of saying well done.

I saw Galahad walked towards me with my dagger in hand and he handed it to me. "Milady I have retrived your dagger and cleaned it for

you" he remarked galantly. I laughed then I saw Gawain walk over as well.

"Milady will thou ride with me?" he asked dramatically. I barked out in laughter at the way they were being comical

then Galahad turned towards me with a dropped face.

"You had but promised to ride with me milady" he remarked then Gawain stepped forth. "No she shall ride with

me" he announced then he turned towards me. "You will wont you?" he asked. I shook my head as I laughed at them

both then I took my dagger from Galahad.

"Oh fair knight I thank you kindly for retriving my dagger but I believe I'll ride with...Bor's" I remarked as they both

stood dumbfounded as I sautered towards Bor's as he and Dagonet shook with laughter at the mere dismiss of their

fellow knights. I glanced back at Galahad and Gawain to see there shocked expressions but I blew them a kiss which

placed a smile on their faces again then as I went to climb onto Bor's horse Lancelot came riding over by our side

and glanced at me.

"Milady will you allow me the pleasure of your company?" he asked sweetly. I looked over at him and saw that he

wanted me to be by his side. I realized that we needed to talk. I looked over at Bor's.

"I promise you the next journey Bor's" I remarked. He merely nodded with a bit of a smile at both Lancelot and I

I walked over and saw Lancelot glance down at my wound and he looked at me sharply.

"You are wounded and you say nothing?" he asked gently. My eyes flashed at him warningly then I sighed. "Oh

for goodness sakes Lancelot if it bothers you so then why dont you tend to it?" I asked sarcastically. His eyes

narrowed dangerously then he took a torn cloth from somewhere then look about him and picked up some snow,

pressing it against my shoulder and I hissed at the stinging sensation much as I wanted to hold it back then saw the

satisfied look upon his face along with his cocky smile. I narrowed my eyes at him defiantly.

"You smile as if you won some great battle" I remarked. He chuckled then he took the torn cloth and wrapped it

around my cut then making sure it stayed in place he then turned to me.

"I believe you shall live" he remarked. I nodded my thanks then I went and got up onto the horse as he swung up

behind me then he kicked the horse so that we could move on. The whole ride was a quiet one but then I decided to

break it.

"Lancelot tell me what is it that I have done wrong? Have I wronged you somehow?" I asked desperately. I hated

this not speaking to one another. I heard his sigh then he wrapped a arm around me and pressed me closer to his

warm body and I closed my eyes in pleasure at his smell that settled over me.

"You have done nothing wrong Shirin, tis I! I who as your...your..." he couldn't even seem to form a sentence at

the moment and it was perfectly clear to why. I sighed at this playing back and forth. We rode the rest of the way in si-

lence once again which seemed like our only purpose then we reached a clearing where it was nothing but ice. I stared

in horror as Lancelot swore softly then I turned to Arthur who stood by Tristan.

"Is there any other way?" he asked of him. Tristan shook his head mournfully. "No we have to cross the ice" he

remarked. I took a sharp intake of breath then I glanced at Lancelot who caught the fear upon my face but then he took

my hand and gave it a quick squeeze. I gave him a apperciative smile then turned my attention back to Arthur.

"Get them out of the carriages. Tell them to spread out" he ordered. We merely nodded and we did just that. We

got them out and began to spread out along the ice which moaned and groaned under feet. I could hear the distant

drumming in the distance and I didn't know which frightened me more, the drums or the ice. I could hear the horses

snicker in fright at the ice but I saw the knights calm them down. People around us murmured nervously at walking

along such treacherous territory. I looked over at Guinevere who stood at arm length from me. As we moved

more we saw that the ice moan and groan more. Arthur halted in his movements then with a mournful sigh turned and

glanced at each of us.

"Knights..." he started mournfully. I knew what he was getting at, we all did. Bor's stepped forth first. "Well I'm

tired of running and these Saxons are so close behind that my ass is hurting" he remarked. Tristan turned with a bit of

a grin on his face.

"Never liked looking over my shoulder much" he remarked. Gawain commented next. "Be a pleasure to put an

end to this racket" he exclaimed and Galahad followed. "And finally get a look at the bastards" he remarked. Dagonet

stepped forward with his horse as he grinned.

"Here. Now" he remarked. Arthur looked at Lancelot and I. I narrowed my eyes as I glanced over my shoulder

then I turned to face Arthur.

"I have my own settlement that I choose to go forth with" I remarked. Arthur arched his eyebrow in question but

now wasn't the time to see as to why. He looked over at Lancelot who shooked his head yet finally nodded.

Arthur turned towards Jols and nodded which caused Jols to jump into action and turned to few of the Roman

soldiers.

"You two take the horses" he ordered and the men began to jump into action. I glanced over towards the satchel

where our weapons laid and going through it began to sort it among us. I picked up my bow that I had for so long and I

felt tears of apperciation well up but I quickly urge them away as I glanced at Lancelot.

"I suppose I have you to thank?" I asked amusingly. He gave me his trademark smirk. "I suppose but what shall

the reward be?" he asked teasingly. I smiled at our light banter regardless of the situation.

I looked over to see Ganis talking with Arthur and I strolled over towards him as I overheard Arthur give Ganis a

order.

"Ganis I need for you to lead the people. The main Saxon army is inland so if you track the coastline until your

well south of the wall, you'll be safe" he explained. Ganis looked up at my brother worriedly and concernly as he

looked about him.

"But you eight against 200 men!" he protested. I walked over but saw Guinevere stroll over, bow in hand.

"Nine, you could use another bow" explained Guinevere calmly as she walked past. Upon seeing my brothers

shocked expression I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing and keep a straight face. Ganis protested once again.

"I rather stay and fight" he admitted. I smiled at the courage and determination the young man had but I felt as

did Arthur that his place at the moment was to lead these people to safety. I walked over and placed a hand upon his

shoulder.

"You'll get your chance soon enough" I remarked softly. He gazed at me and I gave him a encouraging smile and

he nodded in agreement and seemed to take to heart my comment. I patted his shoulder once again. Alecto waltz up

to Arthur as well.

"I am able. I can fight" he announced bravely. I looked at him with a bit of admiration for he hadn't completely

been corrupted, he still held a heart. Arthur looked over at me with a questioning expression and I caught what he

meant that if we should allow him to stay or better that he go along with the others but then Arthur made his desicion

and placed a hand upon Alecto's shoulder.

"No you must bear witness to all that you have seen, there's one thing you must do and thats to get back to Rome"

he told him as he searched within his eyes to see that he understood what he was saying as he patted his cheek

fondly.

I turned and walked back towards the group but then I felt Arthur place a hand upon my shoulder, halting in my

step I looked at him questioningly. Arthur gazed within my eyes then quickly leaned in and placed a kiss upon my fore-

head then gave me a slight smile as he caught sight of my surprised reaction towards his tender move.

"Be safe little one and for all our sakes make it out alive" he murmured fearfully. I nodded and gave him a hug as

we held one another tightly then we brokeapart and began moving towards the group that were ready for battle. My life

had always held this moment, a moment of battle, a moment that consist of wondering if my family would make it out

alive. I sighed inwardly as I prayed to god to allow us to make it out alive.

I walked over towards Guinevere and Lancelot and stood on the left side of Lancelot as I gathered my bow and

arrow, he glanced over at me and walked over towards me as he also kept a eye in the direction to where the drums

sounded from. He cupped my cheek and I closed my eyes as the touch of his rough, calloused hands that held the

roughness from years of wielding a sword, battle and rough work.

"Dont you dare leave me again, I wont be able to bear it if you did" he remarked passionately. My eyes widening

at his sudden display of passion yet mingled along the lines of concern and fear that he will have to go through the hell

of once before.

To put his mind at ease I pressed my hand against his cheek then I leaned in and not caring if the others were

watching I pressed my lips against his soft lips then just as he went to deepen the kiss I pulled back and gave him a

brave smile.

"I have to say the same to you but fear not for I do not believe we are finished here my dear Lancelot" I merely

whispered. He nodded with a sad smile but taking my hand in his he brought it up to his lips as he kept his eyes upon

me and I dearly wanted to tell him how much I loved him and how I much I truly cared for me but now wasn't the time

nor the place.

He moved into position and we all held our weapons in hand and ready as the decending footsteps came closer. I

looked over as I heard Lancelot chuckle lowly as he addressed Guinevere.

"You look frightened. There's a large number of lonely men out there" he remarked. Guinevere and I smirked at

one another and I spoke up first.

"Do not worry" I remarked. Guinevere continued. "We wont let them rape you" she finished. We merely gave one

another smiles but that was short lived as the saxons got closer. I could feel the wound that had been inflicted by one

man mingled in that army began to throb but I merely ignored it. The time would come where I would have my chance.

I could feel the anticipation boiling within all of us as they appeared from the other side of the ice. I could feel the

coldness seeping off of them and washing over me and I refrained from shuddering as we held our ground.

Arthur stood calmy yet I knew that he was raging a war within himself at what was about to come about but he had

mine, Guinevere, Lancelot and other brothers in arms support.