I M SORRY! I M SORRY! I M SORRY! I M SORRY! I M SORRY! I M SORRY! I M SORRY!
I am so sorry I haven't updated in forever...school is killing me...but I promise I have the story all mapped out…its just the typing part that is getting to me
Anyways...here is another chapter for your enjoyment. I hope everyone likes the story so far. I am sorry for my spelling/grammar errors but I am pretty bad at grammatical stuff. ANYWAYS! Continuing on…some of you are a bit put out at the fact that Liliana did in fact kill the bishop and thought that Lancelot and Arthur were going to do it. Trust me it will kinda fall into place with the rest of the story I have going. ANYWAYS AGAIN! No one wants to read me prattle on so on with the story!
Last time
Lancelot made a move to follow her but Arthur placed a hand on his friend's shoulder. Lancelot turned his head to see Arthur looking straight into his eyes with sadness, "No. Let her be alone for a few moments."
He numbly nodded and stared back to where Liliana had been standing.
All the knights including Vanora and Guinevere were silent for a few moments before Galahad spoke. "This cannot be good." Silently within everyone, they were all thinking the same thing.
After an hour subsequent to the event of finding Liliana with the dead bodies of the bishop and his two bodyguards, everyone had begun to worry. No one had seen Liliana since she had run off. The knights, Guinevere and Vanora had all split up and searched for her, agreeing that if they had not found her in an hour to meet at the Round Table.
Tristan was searching in the barn where the knights kept their horses, when he thought he heard a slight shuffling noise come from above him. Quietly moving over to the ladder, he slowly began climbing up the rickety old ladder that had been there ever since he had come to this godforsaken land. Quietly, as only he could, Tristan ascended into the hay loft that rarely had any being inhabiting it. Turning his head slightly to his right he could see a fold of cloth sticking out from behind a particular stack of hay that sat before a window overlooking the entire fortress.
Hearing choked sigh coming from the other side, he knew instantly he had found her. Liliana was sitting with her knees propped up and he head resting on them as she breathed deeply, causing her whole frame to rise and fall. As Tristan sat down beside her, he felt her tense and then immediately relax as she peaked through her arms to see a very solemn Tristan next to her.
After a few moments, Liliana collected herself. Furiously wiping her face she stared out straight ahead, watching the village as it started to come alive with the night life.
Finally Liliana turned to Tristan. "So, you found me..."
Looking at Liliana, Tristan's intense eyes bored into her own. "You are too predictable for me. You've been hiding out here since you were a girl."
Liliana gave a small smile, "I just feel so free when I am up here. No one can touch me," her lightness instantly fading in realization of what she said. "Oh gods, I've killed four Roman's." she mumbled to herself.
"That you did do. Do not fear. The knights will protect you."
"Protect me for how long? I am a knight as well. You all cannot keep putting yourselves at risk for me! I have been a bother to you all ever since I started this silly nonsense."
Shaking his head Tristan replied," No. No. You have been like the rest of us. A knight who has come close to each of us. We would die fighting for another."
Liliana became frustrated, "That is it! We would all die for one another! I do not want you all putting yourself at risk for me anymore! I wanted to become a knight, I did that! You all stood by me then, come hell or high water, and now I have killed a high Roman and a Roman bishop and you still think I will continue to anguish you in ways that should not have been laid on your shoulders in the first place? I have caused enough trouble with my selfish actions..." she finished, muttering the last part so silent, even Tristan's well trained ears barely noticed it.
Tristan held her gaze. His eyes meeting her green, boring into them the truths that he possessed, "So then, you becoming a knight because you were good was selfish? Killing those two damnable Roman's because they tried and succeeded in harming you? Those were all selfish?"
Becoming angry and frustrated, Liliana cried out, "It is Rome's word against yours! It is Rome's word against this place! Rome wins every time. What makes this so different?"
"Because you are Liliana, famed knight, sister of Arthur Castus, daughter of Merlin. Cowardice and surrendering are not becoming of you. Do not start now."
"And of the Saxons? What am I to do then? You are all leaving for Sarmatia. I will not have you then."
"You are welcome to come with us."
Liliana furiously shook her head. "This is the only place I have ever called home. I am full Woad. My brother, I fear, will not leave this land. Running away from here would only cause my problems to follow me."
"I trust you will choose when you are ready. Now come," he said standing and extending his hand to Liliana," everyone is worried."
Grasping Tristan's hand she hauled herself up from her spot in the hay. Bringing her arms around Tristan she whispered in his ear, "Thank you my brother."
Nodding at her with the tiniest of smiles on his face they made their way over to the ladder. "You know Tristan;" she mused," I believe the past few days is the most you have ever spoken to me since I have known you."
Smirking as he came down the ladder after her, they continued on from the barn to the round room.
Everyone save Tristan was gathered at the Round Table. All the knights were glancing around restlessly, awaiting the return of Tristan to see if he had news on the whereabouts of Liliana. Lancelot had taken to pacing, while Arthur looked on at his distraught friend.
"Lancelot calm yourself. Your pacing is wearing down my nerves and will not help the situation at hand," Arthur finally said after a few more minutes of watching Lancelot pace.
Lancelot paused from his pacing to turn and face Arthur with a glare. "I should not have let her go alone!"
Arthur stared back at his friend with awe. He had never heard him speak in such a harsh manner. He had always been opinionated and on occasion lost his temper but never to the degree where he forcefully yelled at him in front of the other knights none the less.
Lancelot stared at Arthur a for a few moments before sighing and returning to his fretful pacing, while the rest of the knights as well as Vanora and Guinevere looked on in worry and pity.
Upon hearing a commotion from the chamber adjacent to the group, all eyes were upon the door as Jols entered first, followed by Liliana ,wearing new clothing, and Tristan. Lancelot froze in his position when his and Liliana's eyes meet, but was soon once again in motion as he made his way towards her and scooped her into a large embrace.
The rest of those gathered meanwhile stood from where they were seated and look to Tristan for answers. "She is found, let her rest," was his statement to the looks of wonder he was receiving from each person.
Lancelot set Liliana back onto the ground where they gazed into each other's eyes, conveying their emotions with their gestures rather than petty words.
"Are you all right, love?" he inquired to her as he swept a stray piece of hair behind her ear.
"I shall be fine Lance. Do not worry about me," she answered with a reassuring smile.
"Good then," came Arthur's diplomatic voice from his seat. He stood and walked over to where Lancelot and Liliana stood in each other's arms. Liliana squirmed her way out of her love's embrace to stand in front of her brother.
Arthur, seeing his sister nearly cowering before him, changed his aggressive approach. Everyone waited on baited breath as Arthur finally came to a stop in front of his sister. He gave a gentle smile to her defeated meek pose as he said, "First order of business." He stepped closer to his sister and enveloped her into a strong brotherly embrace.
"Are you truly well my sister?" he whispered into her ear.
"I am fine brother I assure you."
Nodding at her reply, Arthur pulled back from the embrace just as Vanora swept Liliana into a bone crushing hug which was followed by each of the remaining knights in turn as well as Guinevere.
Once everyone had their chance to see to Liliana, everyone was seated as servant's brought in goblets of wine. Arthur stood once everyone had their cups and looked to each and every person in turn.
"The evening's recent events have made it clear that the times ahead will be troubled. We must remain solemn to this unpleasant incident and not speak of this to any soul."
Liliana looked around confused. Surely her brother was not speaking of keeping the matter within the room?
"Arthur what are you saying..." she questioned him with an inquisitive look. She had killed two very high ranked nobles and their followers, the news should have spread like wildfire by now. Now that she thought however, she noted that she should have been at Roman hands by now.
She looked around at each of them and noted that they all held content smirks on their faces; smirks that they usually wore when they had done something. Guinevere and Vanora were outright smiling at her. "What have you boys done?"
Galahad smiled proudly at her, "No one save us knows of the...incidents of tonight. And those who witnessed the murder of that blundering bastard have been taken care of. They will not tell."
Liliana looked about at every person. "No, please. I cannot risk your safety for my own. If the Roman's found out they would swiftly punish all of us."
Lancelot looked to Liliana and took her trembling hand, "You are safe from any Roman's. We promise to make sure of that."
Liliana, still unsure, questioned, "What story will you give them then when they ask how two influential Roman's die within days of each other while they were under our protection?"
Everyone looked back at her with knowing looks. "We already what course of action we will take if it comes to that," spoke Guinevere.
When Liliana raised her eyebrows, Bors continued, "Well ye' know, there are quite a number of bandits tha' sometimes venture close to the wall. "
"Agreed," Vanora chimed in. "I told the bishop and his guards to be wary when they went out but they would not hear of it."
Looking proud all those present in the room save Liliana, Lancelot, and Arthur smirked that their well thought out plan.
"You see there? It were a misfortunate thief encounter," added Gawain.
Lancelot turned from staring at Liliana to add,"Liliana had not a thing to do with it. She simply was walking around outside with myself and we came upon them."
Liliana stood up at this. "No! I cannot allow you to do this. You could all be killed and with your freedom now yours, how could I take that away from you? If you were to be found by the Romans…" she trailed off.
Galahad stood as well looking Liliana square in the eye with a look of determination. "Liliana, it has already been decided. You had nothing to do with it and were simply an innocent bystander."
He then looked at every person in the room asking a question he knew the answer to, "Are we at an accord?"
A chorus of "Agreed" rose from everyone as they looked at Liliana, save Lancelot, Tristan, and Arthur. Looking around she saw her brother and Tristan nod at her giving their silent consent. She sat back down defeated and looked into Lancelot's eyes. He was now stroking her back, willing the apprehension and stress out of her.
"Well aren't you going to agree with them as well?" she asked accusingly.
Lancelot looked at her with his intense brown eyes and brushed a strand of hair off the nape of her neck. "You needn't have asked."
Arthur stood and looked around surveying the scene before him. "Now that the matter has been covered and explained I believe we are done here. You are all free to leave."
"Drinks!" was chorused through the room from the knights. They all turned to look at her as she stood holding Lancelot's hand. "I haven't had Vanora's ale in over a year…"
Laughing, Bors bounded over to her and swung her up over his strong shoulder. "Well little miss we need to fix that."
Laughing everyone proceeded to follow him to the tavern.
once again soooo soooo sooo sorry! Please read and review however if you forgive me! I know it's short but it is sort of nessicary...it's a transistion chapter to what will happen next chaper! in the mean-time...read and review!