Here you are. An update. Sorry again for the lateness. But I have good news I am almost done writing the next 2 chapters so they will be up. Thank you so much for you patience with me. I am just trying to come up with interesting scenarios for our two lovers to find themselves in. Both together and apart. Enjoy.

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Darkness still dimmed the morning sky as Lillian finally rose from her slumber. Glancing outside the stars still dotted their black canvas. Her body, still aching from the training they endured earlier in the evening, yearned for more sleep but her mind raced and sleep seemed distant.

'Since you seem to have so much extra energy, you shall practice until I see fit.' Cauis whispered to his men once Arthur and his left.

Lillian couldn't help but feel responsible for the events that took place earlier at the bar. She had certainly not intended for such a quarrel to take place but words escalated and fighting broke out. She remembered the look on several of their faces, the look of uncaring, a wanting to fight, while still others tried to maintain some degree of peace between the group. She had been one of those that had tried to calm the others, until……

'Now lookie here fellas. Looks like this Sarmatians need a lesson in controlling themselves……and their women.' A drunken Roman nearby managed to say. Without warning he reached out and pulled Lillian to him.

'I give you warning sir, let go of me!' she growled as the stench of ale and sweat flooded around her. Tearing hard at the mans grip she tried to free herself from his grip but he held firm.

'Warn me? Did you here that she warned me.' He laughed to his comrades who still sat drinking. The smile on his face melted to a look of intimidation as she still fought to free herself. 'Now be a good girl and do as you're told.' Squeezing his arm tighter around her waist he weaved the other in her hair trying to pull her face closer to his.

'I...said….NO!' she hissed, kneeing the man hard, sending him crashing to the ground at her feet.

She had not wanted to fight but he left her no choice, unfortunately when Cauis arrived he refused to believe her allegations.

'That was very, very stupid.' A voice whispered menacingly, spinning aroundshe saw the drunk soldier once more. Raising his hand quickly he slapped her, knocking her to a nearby table. 'Now to show you how to treat a Roman with respect.' He mocked her.

Reaching out she grabbed a mug of ale and threw at the mans face. Taking advantage of his momentary blindness, using the cup as her weapon, she stuck him hard across his face sending him tumbling several paces back.

'ENOUGH!'

That's how it had ended with Arthur and Cauis bursting in. She remembered the look of surprise on everyones faces as the two made their way to them. She remembered the look in Cauis' eyes.

'You will practice, run, fight and bleed until I say otherwise.'

For hours he had them practice. He had them run and they did bleed. Quietly she made her way to the stables shaking the images and the fatigue her body felt as far away from her mind as she could. Breathing deeply she made her way to her comrades side. His dark hair partially shielding his eyes.

'Hello my friend." She whispered softly, leaning against the stable door. "Did you miss me?" Reaching a hand out she stroked his forehead, pushing several strands of his mane away from his face. Neighing softly in response the dark horse nudged her. "I missed you to." She replied, moving her hand to his neck she caressed him gently.

Silently she looked to the big brown orbs. Nudging her once more the horse rested his head upon her shoulder. Reaching down she retrieved the small trinket that lay bound around her neck. Rubbing his cheek with one hand and holding the trinket with the other, she leaned her head against his neck. "We are a long way from home aren't we and you are homesick aren't you my friend." She whispered, closing her eyes she could almost see the green fields, could almost feel the wind blowing through her hair, feel the grass beneath her feet. "So am I Midnight. So am I."

'Be strong, fight hard, and you will come home.' A voice in the dark whispered. The face of her father filled her mind.

'You have Sarmatian blood in your veins. Knights blood. You will come home.'

She remembered the sadness in his eyes when the Romans came and selected her. His only daughter. His only child.

'I do not know what he would think if he had been here tonight. What he would say.' She spoke still stroking the horses neck.

"What who would say?" a voice questioned, breaking the silence.

Spinning around she saw the man emerge from the shadows, eyes piercing hers.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know anyone else was here." Lillian responded, ignoring the mans question. Taking a last look to her horse she walked closer to the man.

"No one usually is. I think that's why I like to come here. For the quietness, the solitude. A rare thing to find at times like these." He replied, his eyes following her every move. "Who were you speaking of, if you don't mind my asking."

"My father." Lillian answered, lowering her eyes momentarily from the mans stare. "He was one of the few who survived his service and was able to return home."

"One of the lucky ones." The man responded, watching her intently as she spoke.

"He had been his commanders first knight." She continued reaching a hand up she placed her loose hair behind her ear. "A little more than a year before his service ended his group was ambushed. Outnumbered it was pure luck that a small group of Romans were wandering close by and heard the commotion. Several of my fathers group died, including his commander. He had died trying to save my father. He even gave this pendant to him." She smiled slightly. "When I was recruited my father gave it to me but he never told me why. He only said it would help keep me safe."

"A sad tale of the lives of us knights." He stated. "You father must be a great man for that Roman to risk his life for him."

"It is a sad tale, and my father is a great man." Lillian said sadly. "Although I am saddened for the Roman and the family he left behind I am grateful for his deed otherwise he would not have returned to my mother or myself."

"So you were more or less born into war." The man question her. Her eyes seemed lost in thought as she answered.

"Yes. My mother and father met at his post. I was born in the last 5 years of my fathers service. Its funny that war has made its way back into my life. A war that my father fought in and his before him." She laughed as she thought more about the scenario she found herself in. "I have intruded on your sanctuary, I should go." She smiled politely as she started to walk away, but was stopped short as the man approached her.

"How can you intrude if you did not know I was here. You may stay here if you like. I must go anyways. I have some rounds to make before the others wake." He replied to her.

'And if I may say, your father would have been proud of you actions last night." He added. Having wondered off sometime before the outburst he had only heard of the fight from others. Bowing low he turned to leave.

"Wait." She cried out. "I am sorry. Its just that I do not know your name."

"Raoul." He answered bowing low once more.

"It was nice to have met you Raoul." She replied laughing lightly on the inside at the mans actions.

Quickly the man left, glancing outside she saw the morning starting to brighten as the twilight began to fade.

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Just on another note I thought it would be interesting to have some one trying to gain Lillians affections before Lancelot. Maybe someone to make him jealous... wink wink Please R&R thank you.