Chapter 7:
I woke up with a start as about 30 minutes past pounding sounded upon my door. Groggily I got up from the bed to go answer the door, swinging it open to reveal Lancelot.
"What is the matter?" he asked automatically. I nearly smiled for even as a child he had always been there, my protector, second being Arthur and Galahad.
I gestured him in as I looked about me, he entered the room as I quickly shut the door then he grasped me gently and turned me around to face him.
"Please Shirin I beg you please tell what is wrong?" he asked once again. I cupped his cheek as I gazed at him with a comforting smile then I led him to my bed as we sat upon it.
"The reason behind my disapperance is in regards to the man before you, that holds your papers of discharge. In order to get me out of the band of brother of arms that I was with. He wanted no woman amongst the sarmation knights which it was he that left me out to be captured by the saxons then later by the woads" I explained calmly.
In the midst of all this we were not aware that someone was listening at the door and apparently quite intently until I heard a soft pound against the door then suddenly the door bursted open as a wildeyed Lancelot and I turned to see Arthur burst in, anger apparent in his face.
"The man did what?" he growled in question. I bit my lip at the anger that radiated off him as well as Lancelot who I saw also held the same expression as Arthur did.
I rose from the bed as I walked towards Arthur who had a murderous look upon his face. "That man has already taken two people that matter the most to me in this world. He will not get away with this" he growled. I raised my hand to his shoulder to calm him when I saw Lancelot rise as well with agreement towards Arthur's statement. I pleaded with them both.
"Please you two do not do anything that will put your lives in jeapordy. The matter has already proceded now we move on with life. What does it matter? We are reunited with one another. Please do not make this matter worse" I pleaded with them both as I looked amongst them both. Arthur was still seething as Lancelot seemed to slowly get ahold of his temper.
Arthur turned to me with fire within his eyes and I knew that it wasn't directed at me yet it made me a bit afraid at the fire within his eyes.
"As you wish milady but heed this my dear sister shall he come again with one wrong move I shall disperse him from this world. Understood?" he muttered. I merely nodded as I saw that he truly meant every word that he said for my brother was a man of his word.
His angry manner melted away as he suddenly swept me within the warm, strong cradle of his arms and I set my head upon his chest.
"All that matters to me at this moment is having my dear sister home where she belongs amongst her family" he remarked. I smiled up at him then placed a kiss on his cheek then leaned towards his ear.
"Take care of her my dear brother" I whispered. He pulled back as he gazed at me with a expression of confusion then I saw the light of realization spark in his eyes.
"My dear sister you mustn't worry about such matters" he remarked. He nodded over towards Lancelot who came towards me, losely wrapping a arm around my waist.
"Lancelot you shall always love, honor and cherish my sister will you not?" he asked Lancelot. Lancelot gave him a comforting look as he approached him.
"Arthur you are my brother, my best friend and soon to become my brother in law. You who know me best of all doubt that I will take care of her?" Lancelot wondered amusingly. Arthur smiled and clapped Lancelot on the back.
"I believe you my friend yet at the same time I pity you for she is your matter now" he joked. I gasped in mocked outrage as Lancelot couldn't help laughing. I smacked him gently on the arm as I turned to my brother.
"You two are both beasts. The thought that I was nothing..." I was cut off by Lancelot leaning in and kissing me into silence which completely took me by surprise for I wasn't expecting it. I heard Arthur's chuckle of amusement then I heard his footsteps of departer as he closed the door behind him leaving Lancelot and I alone.
Lancelot pulled back from kissing me as I stood there with my eyes closed and a smile curled on my lips as my eyes fluttered open to stare within his brown ones.
"I love you so Shirin Castus" he murmured. I felt the tears well up within my eyes as I kissed him once again then I pulled back and took his hand within my own as I pulled him towards my bed and I laid down and pulled him down next to me which he he stretched out next to me, seeing what I was upto. It wasn't that we were planning on doing anything then laying by one anothers side.
I laid my head on Lancelot's chest, listening to the thumping of his heart as he held me to him tightly. I felt him hum a tune that him and I only knew. Lancelot and I tried to write a tune for a song but had no luck yet a few lines which he sung now seeming to find the words.
"This love truly is the answer which I search for, I have find the angel within my heart" he crooned. My eyes fluttered closed at his warm voice as well as goosebumps popped up on my arms. His voice was like warm water washing over me and I just basked in it then I found myself humming along.
I felt his warm, calloused hands running over my arms, lightly brushing over my throat as I struggled to breathe for he seemed to be taking my breath away itself then slowly as he settled and I rested my head against his chest once again and slept peacefully within the warmth of his arms.
About an hour later we woke up to a sudden pounding upon the door. Jumping awake at the constant banging upon the door. Lancelot popped up with a curse just as Jols worried voice came through.
"Lancelot come to the wall! Quickly!" he urged. I heard the trace of worry in his tone and I looked at Lancelot with a worried expression upon my face. He merely swung his legs over the side of the bed and I rose as well as we rushed outside. Jols wasn't surprised to see me by Lancelot's side but other matters were at hand.
"Jols what is it? Whats the matter?" Lancelot asked. I felt a feeling of dread building up inside I didn't even bother listening to Jol's reply, grabbed the hem of my gown and took off running down the stairs with the footsteps of Lancelot and Jols right behind me and for a minute I thought I heard Lancelot chuckle.
We moved pushed past everyone as we rushed up the stairs of the wall and to my complete horror and Lancelot's alarm, fires set out no doubt the saxons finding us and camping out on our land. I blinked as I backed up a bit in shock at having our freedom put to these standards. Lancelot glanced over at Jols as he reached out and pulled me to him.
"Get Arthur!" he ordered gently. He turned back towards the sight. I saw Galahad, Gawain, Bors and Tristan come up the stairs as well staring at the disbelieving sight before them.
I gazed at them sadly for they just gained their freedom and the possibly of having to go back but I knew they wouldn't for they had their papers written that they were free.
"Make way! Make way!" came someone's voice as I turned to see Arthur and Guinevere come up towards us. I saw Guinevere look over the wall in shock as Arthur looked over the wall also with a pained expression and a bit of guilt then looked over at Lancelot, Gawain, Bors, Galahad, Tristan and I.
I felt the worriedness come over me as I gazed at my brother and I knew what he was planning and I step forward yet he stopped me.
"Knights my journey must end here, may you go freely and may god go with you" he remarked. He glanced over at Lancelot, Guinevere and I then spun on his heel and left. Lancelot and I shared a look before he took off after him and Guinevere and I took off after Lancelot and Arthur.
"Arthur do not do this! There is nothing here for you! This is not your fight! This is not Romans fight!" Lancelot pleaded with him. I grabbed my gown as Guinevere who was right behind me as well, went to catch up to them as Lancelot muttered something under his breath, I turned to Guinevere who shrugged then I heard Lancelot cry out.
"Look at me!" he shouted, grabbing Arthur and spinning him about to face him. "Does it all count for nothing?" he asked painfully.
Arthur looked at him then over Lancelot's shoulder to see me standing there a bit frightened at what the matter was going to come too. He looked back at Lancelot with disbelief written across his face.
"You ask me this? You who know me the best of all?" he asked a ting of hurt tracing his tone. I felt the tears of dread well up in my eyes as I knew what he was planning. He was planning on staying but seemed that Lancelot would have none of it.
"Arthur I beg you do not do this! For our friendships sake I beg of you! Only death awaits you here!" he cried passionately. Arthur seemed to disagree and placed a hand against Lancelot's neck as he made him look at him.
"Then be my friend now and do not dissuade me! Take your freedom and live it for the both of us, I cannot follow you Lancelot!" he strained to make sure his point was getting through. His tone softened as he gazed at Lancelot fondly.
"I know now all the blood I have shed, the lives I have taken have led me to this moment. I cannot follow you, I must stay but you, you take your newfound freedom and make a life for yourself" he remarked. He glanced over his shoulder and pointed me out to which Lancelot's eyes softened a bit upon seeing me. I felt the warmth spread through me at his gaze but then I shook my head at the matter at hand. Arthur patted Lancelot as he turned to sauter away to prepare for this battle, a battle that which wasn't of his own.
Lancelot who was frustrated ran a hand through his hair, I moved over towards him, taking his arm as he glanced down at me with painfilled eyes.
"I do not know what to do, I want to help him yet we have this newfound freedom" he remarked. I squeezed his hand then I turned to him with painfilled eyes, as he searched my eyes he frowned.
"What is it? You seem lost in thought" he remarked. I sighed as I cupped his cheek. Deep in my heart I knew that my duty laid with the man that I loved yet at the sametime my duty lied with my kin, my family and my commander none the less.
Lancelot saw the look in my eyes and shook his head in disbelief as he began to back away. I pleaded with him but he just raised his hands as if to ward off the pain that was sure to come as he gazed at me in shock.
"Do not tell me that you are remaining here? Please I do not wish to lose you too. The woman that I love to this madness, why are you..." he trailed off as I walked towards him once again, cupped his cheek then pulled him in for a kiss so passionate yet tender that it made my toes curl. He wrapped his arms around my waist as he yanked me to him kissing me back despertately, needingly which was rare for Lancelot for he had always been such a flirt, a ladies man but seemed that he was changing his ways.
I pulled away from the kiss as I gazed at him lovingly. "Lancelot I must stay. This is our land as well just as much as home, I must help him for he has no one else, he will drive himself mad if I do not. You must leave and I shall return to you, this I truly promise you" I remarked.
Lancelot shook his head as he backed away and I felt the first crack of my heart at his need to pull away then he looked at me sternly.
"Do you wish to know how it was like when I thought I lost you that first time? I died the day you disappeared Shirin, we all did, now you wish to put me through that...that...hell again?" he spated. I felt the ache and pain start within my heart at causing him and the others so much pain and now once again but I had to stay strong.
"Your lack of faith in me sir is a bit insulting" I muttered. He gave a snort then he ran a hand through his hair then I turned to him once more.
"Lancelot I love you, you and only you but also I believe I need to stand by my brothers side in this dark hour but I shall return to you" I remarked. He gazed at me sadly then without another word, he spun on his heel and stalked off leaving me to wallow in my guilt, grief and confusion on went wrong exactly. Head dropped in complete defeat I retreated to my room and prepare for tomorrow but I didn't know that tomorrow would be bring a whole new set of rules that would change the way of the game.