Hey guys! Here's another chapter! SOOO SOOO SOOO Sorry it took me so long to get this up. Loads of tests and papers due. There was some confusion about last chapter and I am extremely sorry for that to clear up some things I ll answer some of the questions...
-it was Arthur who dove in after Liliana which means he still cares for her and they are on the road to mending (more this chapter)
-when they are shooting...LANCELOT says,"I trusted as much." That was when she said she could have hit the Saxons a few paces back
hope that clears up things and once again I am soooo soooo soooooooo sorry. Anyways...on with the story!
Last time
She looked up to him, sighing as she did, "Arthur is fine. He is simply dressing himself and will be out shortly." Lancelot nodded at that. There could never be anything wrong with Arthur. Arthur was Arthur, he could never die. Continuing Fuliciana went on, "Liliana, she has slipped into a deep sleep. I do not know how long she will remain there but she should awaken. With the help of Guinevere we were able to attain her to end her shuddering." Again Lancelot nodded.
He was almost afraid to ask about his fellow knight but courage and worry for him probed him on. "How is Dag?"
Fuliciana looked to the earth and shook her head. "Dagonet suffered great injuries and..."
Liliana could barely open her eyes and when she could she was met with a blinding brightness that caused her to groan and immediately shut her eyes. Her groaning had apparently alerted Fulciana who turned from what she was doing to see to the girl who was obviously having a disagreement with the light.
"Shhh shhh shhh," she comforted the girl. "You are safe in the wagon now."
Noticing that the sun was hitting Liliana directly in the eyes she grabbed a piece of cloth and fastened it on the wagon wall so they sun would be shielded.
"There, now rest," she gently said, stroking Liliana's hair.
Shaking her head in protest Liliana asked, "Are we at the wall yet? Where is Guinevere? How long have I been asleep?"
"Shhh no we are still about a day and a half's journey from the wall. Guinevere I believe is riding in my carriage with Lucan. You have been sleeping for about two days. The knights are getting very worried about you." Seeing the girl look wistfully around her Fulciana continued, "I can fetch her is you wish?" seeing the girl nod she started out of the carriage when Liliana abruptly sat up looking around her urgently and finally spying who she was looking for.
"I-i-is he…?" she asked pointing a shaking finger to where Dagonet's prone body lay. Fuliciana looking to where Liliana had pointed sighed, "He is alive. Stubborn man wouldn't lie still after he awoke. When he saw you lying there and almost threw a fit. Three of the knights had to come in to restrain him long enough so I could get some sleeping herbs down him."
Nodding in comprehension with a shocked look on her face she asked, "When was he awake?"
"Ohh about two hours ago."
"Will he be alright?" Liliana dared to ask.
Fuliciana nodded her head, "The man's a strong one. His armor stopped the arrows from going too deep. In a few weeks he should be back to normal."
Liliana nodded in thanks as Fuliciana stepped out of the wagon to retrieve Guinevere. Laying her head back down she tried to remember the events that transpired on the lake, but found her memory to be hazy. She remembered cold and being forced to stay awake but that was the extent of her memory. Her attention then switched to Guinevere as she entered the wagon.
"Praise the gods you are awake," was her comment as she entered.
"You and my brother with your gods."
Shaking her head a bit, Liliana struggled to get herself in a sitting position. Guinevere seeing her dilemma gently helped the girl lean back onto the wall of the wagon.
"How are you feeling?" Guinevere asked when Liliana was comfortable.
Rubbing her eyes a bit to shake off the drowsiness Liliana replied, "Tired and sore, but other then that I am in good health."
Guinevere nodded in understanding, "Well you were in that glacial lake for so long it is a wonder you are not worse. The knights were beside themselves after you went beneath the ice."
"To confess I do not remember much. Falling through the ice and getting Dagonet out of the water is what I most remember. Everything else is just shadows."
"You do not remember?" Guinevere asked astonished.
Shaking her head, Liliana asked, "Could you tell me? I remember being dragged under second time, then waking up to Lancelot's face, between there I have no recollection."
Nodding her head Guinevere filled in her friend's memory. "Well, as soon as you went under the first time, Lancelot had to be held back by Tristan. Arthur ran out along with Bors searching the water for any sign of you two. Once they had gotten Dagonet out of the water, Arthur turned to get you and you had gone under again. This time not even Tristan could hold Lancelot back who charged forward to come get you. Lancelot almost dove in himself to save you but Arthur told him it was something he had to do."
"Arthur jumped in after me?" she questioned with a look of disbelief in her eyes.
Before Guinevere could answer Arthur entered the wagon. Knowing that they needed time to talk Guinevere excused herself and went to go find Lucan.
Liliana was nervous that her brother had sought her out. She was afraid that if they spoke their conversation would turn into a quarrel.
Sitting himself down next to his sister Arthur looked her over. She seemed herself although looked paler then normal. Sighing he watched her contemplate with herself before she began to speak.
"Y-you saved me?" she asked in disbelief. "You risked your life to save mine?" she was confused. Her brother had been angry with her the last time they had spoken and she thought that he did not care for her as he used to.
Once again sighing he enveloped her into his arms. He held his sister tightly while whispering into her ear, "Do not leave me again, I could not bear it," rocking his sister back and forth like he used to when she awoke from a nightmare.
"B-but I thought that after Merlin..." she asked while leaning back and looking into his face.
Arthur shook his head. "You are my sister. You will always be and always have been. Nothing can take that away. I know how you feel and I understand."
With tears of joy in her eyes at her brother finally forgiving her, she launched her self back into his arms. When she pulled away she furiously wiped her tears away with the back of her hand.
"You seem to be upset Liliana. Talk to me, please. You have never shown this much emotion in all your life." Arthur wondered if she was truly alright. She had been more apt to crying and having her emotions take over her actions which she rarely let happen.
Sniffling Liliana replied, "I feel as though I betrayed you and the knights by not coming back. I betrayed you all for nit fighting harder when I was taken in the first place. I betrayed you by allowing Merlin to ask you to lead in battle. I feel so lost. I do not know whether I am Woad or knight now."
Sighing Arthur held his sister tighter. "You never once betrayed us sister. You will find your place. I promise you that."
Nodding in understanding they broke their embrace and sat next to one another simply lost in their own thoughts. Fulciana came in after a few moments and shooed Arthur out saying, "She needs her rest. You may come back soon."
Looking to his sister and nodding in affirmation, Arthur gave Liliana's hand a squeeze before leaving the wagon.
Fulciana turning to her charge looked her in the eyes and told her in a firm voice, "Sleep."
"But-but...I have been sleeping for two days! I-, "she was interrupted when she heard her brother's voice from outside the carriage.
"Liliana do as she says."
Sighing in defeat, for she knew her brother's tone held no argument; Liliana lay back down and closed her eyes.
A day later, Liliana was sitting up conversing with Guinevere and Dagonet when Galahad stuck his head in and informed everyone they were almost to the wall. Dagonet, still weak but propped up gently with furs was conversing with the two girls good naturedly. He noticed that Liliana was becoming excited at the thought of being home, and watched as she began to twitch with anticipation.
"Young one, you are far too anxious. Not a thing has changed." Chided Dagonet good naturedly as he watched his sister at arms bounce around and stick her head out her window, hoping to get a glance of the magnificent wall.
Guinevere nodding her head as well with a small smile on her face agreed, "Calm down. We will be there soon enough."
Looking back at both of them Liliana shook her head. "No. No. You don't understand. I have been away for far too long. I missed this place and these people." She turned back to looking for ay sign that they were near the wall.
Dagonet with a small smile, amusedly questioned, "Even the Romans?"
Laughing Liliana turned back to him, "Not particularly no. But then again, who else was I going to pick on?"
Guinevere, astonished that she had teased Roman guards and lived to tell the tale, gaped at her. "You taunted Roman guards? And they never laid a hand on you?"
Both Dagonet and Liliana were laughing at the memories. "Yes," Liliana began, "but being with the famed Sarmation knights, a knight myself, and with my brother as commander, retaliation was not a clever choice."
Guinevere shook her head with a small smile playing about her face. Her friend always was bold when it came to expressing her opinion as well as her fighting; she was never afraid to make a move that would cause injury to herself, but in turn defeat her enemy. Turning back to Liliana she noticed that she was still searching for any sign that they were close to the wall.
Liliana, noticing that Guinevere and Dagonet were both looking at her trying to hide their grins of laughter, narrowed her eyes playfully.
"You are doing it once again," Guinevere chided lightheartedly.
"Child, your patience has not changed. You still squirm in your seat as you did when you were a child. Tristan was correct in believing you would never grow out of it," Dag said with smiling eyes directed towards Liliana.
She began laughing as she returned her gaze back to the terrain they were passing. She noticed the trees and hills were becoming more familiar. She then saw a distinct tree about forty paces into the woods they were traveling parallel to. The tree was in the center of a cluster of smaller trees. The tree was distinct in its extremely large size and thick branches sticking out in the four directions. Glancing to Dagonet to assure herself it was the same tree, she noticed he was staring at her with his eyes twinkling.
Nodding back to the tree, Liliana silently asked if it was the same she was thinking of. When Dagonet smiled Liliana jumped to her feet, ignoring Guinevere's protests to be still, and nearly leaped out of the carriage. Landing in a crouched position, she lifted her head to see six pairs of horse legs. Lifting her gaze higher she saw her brother and her brothers at arms smirking down at her from atop their horses. She blushed under the stare she was receiving from Lancelot.
"Now is that anyway for a lady to exit her carriage?" Gawain jested. The rest of the knights laughed as she stood to her full height and looked Gawain straight in the eye with a glare.
"You and the rest of these good knights here know I am far from a lady."
The knights all shot her a pointed looks. "You are a lady in every sense of th' word," Bors began, "Ye just have sum violent tendencies." The knights all chuckled and agreed. She had given each of them a fair share of harm when they trained.
Shaking her head with an embarrassed smile on her face from the praise she was receiving, she questioned excitedly, "We are nearly there are we not?"
Nodding, Arthur questioned his sister, "Yes we are nearly there; about another hours ride. Did you not notice the tree?"
Liliana nodded smiling. She began to walk amongst the knights as they journeyed towards the wall. Suddenly she felt herself being lift off the ground and into the familiar arms of a certain curly haired knight.
She shivered as she felt the breath from his mouth dangerously close to his ear as he whispered, "You need your rest still milady."
Nodding her head in understanding she noticed the rest of the knights riding away from them. Mentally scolding them for being so childish, she turned back to Lancelot as he once again began to speak huskily in her ear, "How are you feeling? Not too tired?"
Shaking her head no, Liliana replied, "I am feeling quite well thank you."
"That is good milady."
Annoyed with Lancelot's referral to her as milady, she turned her head only to find herself inches from his face. "Don-don't call my milady Lance," she stuttered out. She was able to look deep into his eyes to see that he was concerned for her, as well as wary. Their last encounter had not ended well.
"Lancelot," she began, "I am sorry for the way I acted a few days ago. I had no right to judge you and no means to talk to you in that manor and I hope..."
She was cut off by Lancelot's lips on hers. He had grown tired of her rambling and the only plausible way to quiet her had been to stop what was causing the noise.
Liliana was in bliss. She felt Lancelot's lips gently move against hers and she returned the kiss with just as much fervor. When he pulled his head back she sat in his arms simply staring into his intense eyes.
"Wha-what was that for?" she stuttered.
Lancelot chuckled, "My dear if you do not know then I am not sure what I am to do with you."
Laughing, Liliana lightly slapped his shoulder. Lancelot joined in her laughter and noticed the rest of the knights turning around and giving him large grins. Arthur however, simply gave him a nod with a look that told him if he ever hurt Liliana there would be consequences. Nodding back in understanding, Lancelot returned his attention to the beauty in his arms. She had leaned her head on his shoulder and he felt her sigh in contentment.
Turning serious, Lancelot asked, "Would you have me?"
Lifting her head from his shoulder, Liliana gave him a quizzical look. "Would I have you? Would I have you as what?"
Nervously Lancelot answered, "As yours and only yours."
Eyes growing wide for a moment, Liliana gave him a gently reassuring smile and grabbed one of his hands. "That would all depend," she began, "if you would have me."
Lancelot gave her a heart melting smile and kissed her again with passion. "I would not have you any other way love."
Smiling at him, Liliana returned her head to his shoulder, unable to keep her happiness from radiating onto her face. She calmly stared ahead as the wall gradually came into view.
The knights and the caravan rolled into Hadrian's Wall with a quiet persona around them. The knights and Arthur were irate with the bishop and were not certain they would be able to keep their emotions in check. Liliana had become anxious at being at her home once again.
As they marched into the square the knights saw the bishop standing in all his elaborate garbs that were out of place with the other commoners who had come to see the knights home.
Walking next to Guinevere and Lucan, Liliana became apprehensive at the man waiting for them. His overall disposition caused her to become on edge at every move he made.
Bishop Germanius noticed Alecto walking amongst the serfs and called out to him smiling an almost malicious smile, "Ah! Good! Christ be praised! Against all the odds Satan could possi- Alecto! Let me see you! You have triumphed! Young Alecto! Let me see you! You are here!"
Liliana smirked as Alecto was being enfolded into the bishop's arms. He was obviously uncomfortable and his mother must have taken notice for she pulled her son from the embrace.
She turned and saw Jols and Bors supporting Dagonet between them as they half carried him to his room where the physician could examine him.
Suddenly she felt Lucan run from behind her and Guinevere towards where Dagonet was being lead away.
"Lucan!" called Guinevere as she ran after him.
Noticing that a Roman soldier calling, "You! Boy!" was trailing after them threateningly, Liliana grabber her dagger from its hidden place on her leg and held it to the man's throat.
"I wouldn't if I were you," she threatened him. The guard noticing that the knights were all reaching for their own weapons, stood down.
Noticing that Guinevere was with Lucan as they followed Dagonet's procession, Liliana sheathed her weapon and stood back from the guard next to Lancelot.
The bishop, observing the quarrel between the guard and Liliana, made his way over to where they had congregated.
"My lady," he started," such violence is looked down upon in the church."
Snarling at the man and sending him a glare that would melt hell, Liliana replied, "I am no damsel sir; I am a knight by trade."
The bishop stared incredulously at her. The knights noticing his rising temper all began to inch towards where Liliana and the bishop were having their case.
"A-a knight?" turning to Arthur, the bishop let out the full of his fury, "You dare let a woman hold the rank of..." he was stopped when he remembered when he heard rumors of a female knight in Arthur's ranks. "Is-is this is that tramp that the soldiers told rumors of! How is she alive I..." noting that the famed Sarmation knights were all drawing their weapons as if challenging him to continue, the bishop stopped himself.
Chuckling nervously, the bishop tried to regain his composure," Great Knights. You are free now! Give me the papers. Come, come!" he beckoned them forward. He noticed that the knights stood their ground glaring at him, weapons still drawn. "Your papers of safe conduct throughout the Roman Empire! Take it, Arthur."
Arthur gave the man a glare and nodded to Lancelot who snatched the papers from the Roman's arms. While Lancelot and the rest of the knights were busy with there papers, the bishop began to slowly maneuver his was to Liliana who was backing into a stone wall.
"You need to come with me my dear," he began speaking to her in a lust driven voice. "Repent your sins and turn to our Lord."
Driven by his lust the bishop pinned Liliana's arms to the wall, making her powerless her to defend herself. Suddenly two swords were locked at the bishop's neck, stopping his advances. As the bishop turned she noticed the swords belonged to none other then Lancelot and Tristan. Arthur, Gawain, and Galahad stood menacingly nest to them, weapons drawn.
Grabbing the collar of the bishop's robe, Arthur hoisted the man up until they were eye level. "Bishop Germanius. Friend of my father."
Dropping the poor excuse of a man to his knees Arthur turned to see his sister in Lancelot's arms, visibly shaken. Gently touching her cheek, Arthur asked, "Are you alright?"
"Yes. Yes. I am fine."
Noticing that she was trembling from head to toe, Arthur and the rest of the knights exchanged glances and lead the girl inside, forming a shield around her should anyone dare come near her.
Once again I am so sorry! It has just been very hectic! Tests, papers, and my birthday is on Monday I have been having trouble finding the time. I will try and update as soon as I can! READ AND REVIEW! I am kinda mixed on the chapter. One helf of me likes it the other half thinks it's a load of crap...hmm...
btw...when Liliana and Lancelot asked if they would have one another it is NOT a marriage purposal...its like a courting type thing...and yes they DO love each other but have not said it to one another...hmmmm...