DUCKS FROM ANGRY READERS DON'T HURT ME! Wow oh my goodness I feel sooo bad for taking forever. I am so sorry. Exams this time of year and it have been getting hectic. Anyways onward with the story!

Last Time

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.

Late that night found Liliana cleaning off her old armor that Jols had returned to her that morning. It's deep gray finish and intricate designs in bronze were hidden under a large amount of dust and tarnish. She had been working diligently on the pieces in her room while the others had been sleeping off their drunkenness in their own quarters. She was singing a song that her brother and the knights had taught her about a dragon and a village when she was younger and couldn't help but get into a better mood as she remembered the last few stanzas.

"...now we'd like to be shed you, and many have tried.
But no one can get through your thick scaly hide.
We hope that some day, some brave knight will come by.
'Cause we can't wait around 'til you're too fat to fly.

Now you have such good taste in your women for sure,
They always are pretty, they always are pure.
But your notion of dining, it makes us all flinch,
For your favorite entree is a roasted wench.

Now we've found a solution, it works out so neat,
If you insist on nothing but virgins to eat.
No more will our number ever grow small,
We'll simply make sure there's no virgins at all!"

"You know I cannot believe you can recall that song," Arthur chuckled as he leaned against the doorframe to her room.

Liliana laughed and moved her armor so her brother could sit on her sleeping pallet. "Well you boys sang it so much it was a wonder if I didn't remember it! I believe it was Lancelot who started it and got Bors the rest of them singing it once they went to the tavern."

They laughed as Liliana pit the finishing touches on her breast plate. They settled into a comfortable silence, both lost in their own thoughts until Arthur broke it with,"Do you remember mother's lullaby's to us?"

Liliana shook her head sadly, "I don't remember her much."

Arthur nodded, "You were young when she died."

Liliana nodded her head somberly as she moved onto her gauntlet. She sighed and a sad smile came to her face, "I mostly remember you singing me to sleep." Arthur shook his head in laughter as she continued. "I remember once I woke up from such a terrible nightmare screaming and carrying on," she chuckled and Arthur smiled fondly with the memory.

"If I remember correctly, you woke up every single knight," he teased.

"Yes, yes I remember that. I remember how they all burst into our room demanding to know what was wrong. Every single one of you tried to calm me down and finally you gave up and started singing my lullaby. I think half of the knights fell asleep where they were!"

They both sat there laughing to themselves with the memory. Liliana finished polishing her armor and stood up to place it in the chest with the rest of her suit.

Arthur stood and walked over to his sister, pulling her into his embrace and kissed her on the forehead.

Confused at his actions, Liliana looked up at him and asked, "What was that for?"

Arthur looked at her solemnly, "I fear something dire is about to happen to us."

"Us?"

"Everyone. I cannot explain it but I have a feeling something is coming. Something I cannot explain."

Liliana hugged her brother once again. She looked up into his eyes to see worry, stress, and a slight bit of fear. Whatever feeling he was getting was one that made her brave brother fearful.

"You should sleep. It is late and you look tired," Liliana chided her brother. He nodded and walked out of the room, rubbing the back of his neck tiredly.

"You look troubled," came a voice from behind Arthur. He turned to see Guinevere standing there, a look of concern on her face.

He nodded in affirmation, "The knights are leaving in a days time, and I suspect that Liliana will follow Lancelot and then where will I be then? I have no home. And I fear the Saxons are advancing onto these lands."

Guinevere nodded. "What are you most afraid of? The knights and your sister leaving you or the battle ahead?"

"Both I assume. I want Liliana and the knights to free themselves from this land. They have been punished enough. I could not ask them to stay for my own selfish purposes."

"Liliana will not leave you. That is a fear I can quell."

Arthur shook his head. "She and Lancelot are bound to each other. They have been since they were children."

"Betrayal is not something she is acquainted with. She will not run from a battle nor leave any one person she loves in that battle alone."

Guinevere gave him a small smile, touched his arm, and then continued on her way to the chambers she was assigned to. Arthur followed her movements till she walked out of his sight before continuing on to his chambers.

The next evening the knights and servants were packing the belongings that they were taking as they journeyed back to Sarmatia. Arthur has a meeting early that day with a Roman official that had made him uneasy.

FLASHBACK

Arthur sat in his usual seat as he waited for the Roman official to arrive so he could attend to more pressing business. Finally Jols came through the door with the official trailing behind him.

"Artorius Castus. I have been sent here on urgent business that has been presented upon me. It seems that two Roman men have fallen as well as tow soldiers. We have evidence to support that it was one of your own."

Arthur stood up defiantly and glared at the official. "What evidence do you have to claim such accusations?"

The official arrogantly pulled out a scroll and continued with, "A guard under Marius has sent us word that his superior was brutally murdered by a Woad woman. There is also some discrepancy with the murder of Bishop Germanius. It seems that while the story could pose as true, the bishop was seen around the castle around the same time that it was recorded that he was murdered. The last time he was seen was when he was walking down the corridor after your female knight."

Arthur continued to send the man glares, "Sir, are you to say that one of my knights has in fact killed Romans in cold blood?"

The official nodded his head and smirked. "I have here a document containing the death warrant for the person or persons responsible for the deaths." The official placed the document with such haughtiness in front of Arthur and turned to leave.

Arthur however grabbed the official's arm and looked him straight in the eye, "Sir, I am afraid you will find no such person in this outpost. I suggest you take your accusations somewhere else." And with that Arthur stormed out of the room before the official could anger him any further.

END FLASHBACK

Arthur began to help Bors load things into his wagon when he noticed his sister come around a bend, laughing at poor Galahad's expense. Galahad had five of Bors' children wrapped around him. He could barely keep his balance as he teetered over to one side and the grasped out wildly for Liliana's outstretched hand to right himself again.

Galahad yelled over to Bors, "Bors! Get your little bastards off me!"

Bors and Arthur both looked over and chuckled at the position Galahad was in. Liliana was struggling to hold him upright because she was consumed with fits of laughter.

By this time all of the knights had focus their attention towards Galahad and also began to laugh. Lancelot smiled at Liliana and his eyes beamed at the sight of her laughing and having enjoyment in something frivolous. The past week had been rough for her and it was good to see her lighthearted.

Finally after he had clamed himself down a bit, Bors yelled, "Oy! Seven, nine, ten, five, and two! Get off 'im and get yer tails over here n' help yer mother."

Liliana, still with her laughter present on her face, made her way over to Lancelot.

"Having a good time?" Lancelot asked as he pulled Liliana into his arms.

Liliana laughed as her answer and brought her lips up to meet Lancelot's in a sweet kiss. "Has your head recovered? You drank so much last night it was a wonder you could make it to your chambers!"

Lancelot winced. He had drank heavily the night before and had woken up with a horrible headache. Although it was improved now, his head had a slight throb to it. "Yes only please don't speak so loudly."

Liliana giggled and stood on her toes to place a tender kiss on Lancelot's temple. He smiled and said, "Feeling better already."

Liliana smiled but it soon disappeared as she looked down at Lancelot's things being packed into trunks and thrown into the wagon. Lancelot noticed her solemn face and pulled her into his embrace. He held her gently as she laid her head on his chest and breathed in his scent. She looked up at him and saw that passion in his eyes that he held for her. He bent down and gently placed his lips on hers. Liliana felt his tongue grace her lips and she parted them as they deepened their kiss.

They heard a throat clear and they turned to see Arthur standing there with the other knights and Guinevere. Blushing, Liliana broke away from Lancelot who kept a firm hand on her waist, not ready for her to be too far from him.

Liliana became aware of her brother's somber face and inquired, "Arthur what is it?"

He looked around to make sure that no one could overhear their discussion. The knight's noted his apprehensiveness and came in closer so their conversation could not be disclosed.

"The Romans know about the murders," he began, "they discerned that is was one of the knights."

"What? How?" came Gawain's confused reply.

"Apparently one of the Marius's guards told a few influential Romans the tale after he had a large amount of ale. And another guard apparently saw him walking down the corridor after Liliana," he said gravely whilst the whole time never taking his eyes from his sisters which stared intently at him.

"Are you saying they can distinguish it's Liliana?" Lancelot questioned with a hint of malice in his voice. Rome would pay.

Arthur looked at his most trusted knight and comrade, "I have convictions that they believe it was her, yes."

"So what is the plan for her?" Lancelot asked, increasing the hold on Liliana's waist.

"Sarmatia," was Arthur's response.

Lancelot looked downward at the woman in his arms and noticed that at the utterance of Sarmatia her face immediately hardened.

"No."

All the knights turned to her. "No?" came Galahad's confused question.

"I will not run to another land. I will not leave again," Liliana forcefully spoke.

Lancelot looked down at her. "Are you saying you won't go with us?"

"Lass ye' don' have a choice!" Bors said, trying to get some sense into the girl.

"Rome will find you anywhere else," Galahad put in.

Liliana looked up at Lancelot and around at each of the knights. "I cannot. This is my home! The only land I have every truly known. This is the only land you have every truly known. Think of it! Can you honestly consider Sarmatia your homeland now that you have fought so long and hard for these lands?"

Each of the knights looked at her contemplating. She felt Lancelot remove his hand from her waist and she knew what she had just said upset him.

"How dare you say that? I have been working fifteen years to try and get back to Sarmatia! It is my home!" Lancelot yelled at Liliana before he continued in a quiet voice," And if you cannot value that then you cannot understand me," and walked off.

Liliana, shocked by Lancelot's words to her, stood there in silent trepidation. She became numb at the thought that she had unintentionally hurt Lancelot. She felt someone wrap their arm around her and looked to see her brother holding her and silently asking if she was all right. She nodded silently and looked to see the knights all looking from where Lancelot had stormed off to her.

"He will calm down," Tristan finally spoke. All the knights nodded in their agreement and Liliana felt Guinevere place her hand on her back.

"Until the Roman's at last abandon Hadren's Wall, Liliana should stay with my people," spoke Guinevere. "They will protect her and until Rome leaves, she is not safe within these walls."

The knights looked to Arthur for his authority. He looked to Liliana and nodded in assent.

"You should leave as soon as possible. I do not want you lingering around here longer than it is necessary," came his reply.

"I will travel there alone then. No sense in causing a stir," Liliana spoke finally.

Arthur nodded once again, "We do not need Rome suspecting anything."

"I will depart now. The sooner I leave the fewer questions will be asked."

Liliana then went around and hugged each person in turn, finally coming to rest at Arthur.

"Guinevere will keep you informed of the doings here. I will send for you when it is safe, I promise," he swore while holding his sister in his embrace.

"Thank you brother. Tell Lancelot that truly I am sorry and I will miss him. I will miss you all."

With that Liliana turned, and using her true Woad heritage, she slipped into the darkness.

Arthur was walking towards the stable when he heard a noise from within. Opening the door slightly, he saw Lancelot sitting with his back to the wall with his head in his hands. Deciding to enter, Arthur made sure that he walked heavily so not to startle an obviously distressed Lancelot.

Lifting his head and taking notice of his commander, Lancelot spoke, "What are you doing here?"

"She's gone to the Woads. She will be safe there."

Lancelot let out a pleasing sigh. "She was angry with me, wasn't she?"

Arthur let out a sigh of his own. "She wasn't angry. She was frustrated with her situation."

"Do not lie to me Arthur."

"She was not angry."

Lancelot sighed, "I understand why she cannot leave, but for her own safety she should realize that if she stays that Rome will find her."

"She is under Woad protection. Merlin will not let her come to harm." Lancelot nodded and Arthur continued, "Make no mistake, she does love you, you know. And I know that you love her in return."

"Why would she not come with me for her own safety then? She does not apparently love me enough to run with me."

"Give her time," Arthur answered.

With that Arthur left the stable and left Lancelot to his thoughts.

Liliana was walking atop Hadren's Wall towards the forest where she would scurry down the tree and take the unmarked path towards the Woad encampment. As she was walking she tried to clear her head from what Lancelot said to her. 'And if you cannot value that then you cannot understand me.' Her thoughts became angrier as she thought of him. How could he not understand that this was her home? This was the land of her mother, father, and brother. She could not abandon it easily.

As she became increasingly angry at her internal argument, she happened to glance to the right to see hundreds of tiny camp fires. Gasping in shock, she stood on the wall for a moment just gazing down. The Saxons had come.

Regaining sensible thought she turned around and began running for the fort. Thousands of thoughts were running through her head but the voice that was screaming the loudest was saying 'Get the knights!'

Finally entering the courtyard, she spotted Galahad and Gawain heading towards Vanora's tavern. Finding an extra burst of energy, Liliana ran to them as fast as she could.

"Gawain! Galahad!" she screamed.

"Back so soon?" joked Galahad, but received an elbow to the stomach from Gawain when he noticed the serious look upon her face.

"What is it?" Gawain pressed.

Liliana fought to catch her breath, but finally she stuttered out, "S-Saxons! Behind th-the wall!

Gawain and Galahad both looked at her with looks of shock and confusion. "Are you sure?" pressured Galahad.

"Of course I am sure! Gawain gather the rest of the knights! Galahad get Arthur! Meet me at the wall!"

As she watched both of the knights run off, she looked around before heading back to the wall. After running the entire way back, she stood on top of the wall looking down below her. The Saxon army was vast and the last time they had encountered each other, she and Dagonet almost paid with their lives.

Hearing people come from behind her, she glanced back to see Tristan, Galahad, Gawain, and with Bors supporting Dagonet. They were all looking downward at the encampment with looks of apprehension on their faces. Then she felt it, Lancelot's presence.

She turned around to see him standing there looking down at the fire. Then suddenly his eyes flew to hers and widened a bit, obviously surprised to see her there.

There was a commotion behind everyone present and Liliana turned to see Arthur trying to make his way through the crowd that had gathered.

"Make way! Make way!"

Arthur, followed closely by Guinevere, came up the wall and also looked down towards the fires. Liliana noticed that he and Guinevere both looked disheveled and flushed and with one look at Bors' smirking face, she knew that they had finally done something about their idle flirtations.

Everyone watched as Arthur took in the scene below him. He turned to look at each knight in turn, then Guinevere, and then the defenseless serfs behind the wall who had gathered to see what the famed commander would do in this situation.

His gaze rested on Liliana, Guinevere, and Lancelot and let out a sigh. "Knights, my journey with you must end here. May God go with you."

Lancelot, Liliana, and Guinevere all exchanged looks. Lancelot then broke their stares and ran after Arthur.

"Arthur," Lancelot yelled after him. The commander turned around to see Lancelot's concerned face. "This is not Rome's fight. It is not your fight. All these long years we've been together, the trials we've faced, the blood we've shed... What was it all for, if not for the reward of freedom? And now when we are so close!" Arthur began to look away from him to continue walking," When it is finally within our grasp...look at me! Does it all count for nothing?"

Arthur brought his eyes up to Lancelot's face and gave him a hardened stare. Liliana knew that Arthur wanted to be free, but she also knew that he was tied to this land, as was she.

"You ask me that. You who know me best of all?" he questioned angrily as he stares at Lancelot. He shook his head slightly and began to walk off when Lancelot cried out to him again.

"Then do not do this! Only certain death awaits you here. Arthur! I beg you! For our friendship's sake, I beg you..."

Arthur sent Lancelot a look of understanding and why Lancelot did not want him to do this. Everyone watched as Arthur grabbed onto Lancelot's neck and held him so they would not break eye contact.

"You be my friend now and do not dissuade me. Seize the freedom you have earned and live it for the both of us. I cannot follow you, Lancelot. I now know that all the blood I have shed, all the lives I have taken have led me to this moment."

Liliana had a pang in her chest as she watched her brother pat Lancelot on the face and turn his back from his best friend. She watched sadly as Lancelot made a grab for Arthur's arm, but slip from his grasp. She and the rest of the knights stood in silence as they watched Lancelot exhale loudly and watched Arthur walk off from him.

Liliana felt her blood run cold as the rest of the knights began to disembark from the wall and head back into the fort. Tomorrow would be a battle. The first battle without the knights by her brother's side. She knew her brother was great but she feared for him.

She felt a presence next to her and glanced to see Lancelot standing there with her. She nervously wrapped her arms around herself as she waited for him to speak.

"He will stay and fight," was the first thing that came from his lips.

Liliana sighed exasperatingly, "Yes he will stay. He will stay and fight for a long he has been fighting most of his life for."

Lancelot turned to face her fully and she did that same with him. "So he will risk his life for a fight we have been fighting for most of our lives that we were forced to fight for in the first place?"

"At least he is fighting for something," Liliana replied softly and turned away from him.

"Liliana wait," Lancelot spoke as he closed the distance between them. Liliana turned around just in time to have Lancelot's mouth crushed against hers. She tried to push away but she soon felt herself succumbing to his wants and began to kiss him back just has passionately. One of his hands held firm to her waist and the other cupped the back of her neck. She felt his tongue demand entrance to her mouth and gladly accepted it. As their tongues battled in their own war for dominance, Lancelot's hand began to stroke her back causing Liliana to shudder at the touch.

She then realized where they were and what they had been discussing and pushed herself back from him. They were both panting and their lips were swollen from each other. Lancelot looked at her confused at what she had just done.

Liliana sadly looked straight into Lancelot's russet eyes and said, "Lancelot, I cannot abandon my brother. However I cannot leave you. Please do not make me choose. I love you."

Lancelot just stood there dumbfounded. He could not find the words to answer what she had just admitted to him. Sighing, Liliana gave him one last look and disappeared from his sight.

Liliana ran to find Guinevere waiting for her further down the wall.

"Guinevere!"

"Liliana! Are you all right? You look troubled," Guinevere knowingly asked.

"I shall be fine. Let us depart at once."

Guinevere nodded and they hurriedly fled into the cover of the forest. After running for a bit, they slowed to find themselves in a densely populated thicket. With a sideways glance at Guinevere, Liliana called out in their own tongue, "Father, we have news."

About thirty or so warriors came out from the brush followed by Merlin. Guinevere and Liliana looked at him with looks of hurried anxiety.

"Daughter, what..."

"Father the Saxons are here," Liliana interrupted.

Merlin's eyes turned a fierce. "Then it has begun."

read and review! Please...I m sorry it took me so long...