Well lovely readers, this is the end! I think Alvilda and Lancelot have to be my favourite couple out of all my stories! Thank you got all the follows, if you enjoyed this story please have a look at my other works!

Thanks and enjoy,

Phantomshadow99

XXXXXX

A bright light filtered into the room, dust particles lazily settling on the sill in the morning stillness. Faint noises of horses and men talking drifted through the open window along with a faint breeze. A figure in bed breathed in deeply before their eyes blinked awake.

Avarona's eyes stared up until the ceiling came into focus, her eyes moving until she realised she was in her own room at the fort. She began to sit up when she hissed, her hand going to her side to feel the bandage there with a few spots of blood that had seeped through due to her movements. Someone grumbled to the side, and Avarona looked over, and smiled at the sight.

Lancelot was lightly snoring in a chair that pulled close to her bed, her name whispered every so often. Avarona reached across and gently took his hand, and he shot awake. "Avarona!" he shouted, the ghost of sleep still in his mind. He looked at her, blinked a few times before standing up and grasping her hand in his tightly. "Avarona, you're awake!" he cried in happiness, collapsing on his knees by her bed, kissing her hand repeatedly.

"How long have I been in here?" she asked, her throat croaky from the lack of use. Lancelot moved to get her a drink, and sat beside her as she took grateful sips.

"A whole week. I didn't think…" he trailed off, his voice choking on the unspoken words.

"Did we win?" she asked, and he smiled faintly before nodding. Avarona smiled, before trying to sit upright.

"Steady," Lancelot scolded, and she smirked as he fussed over her until she was able to stand with his aid.

"My mother? And Lucan?" she asked, shuffling to the door and gaining confidence with every step. Lancelot held her close to his side, still in joy of her waking.

"They are downstairs. Arthur sent Jols to send word to them to tell you of the victory and of your condition. They have hardly left your side," he explained, and she winced. "What is it? Do you need to rest?" he asked, panicked.

"I feel so guilty for worrying so many," she said, and he rolled his eyes, shaking his head.

"You were shot by an arrow, Avarona. None of us knew if you'd awaken," he said, and she placed her hand on his chest. He smiled tightly, leaning down to kiss her forehead. "Come," he said, helping her out of the room.

For the next few days, Avarona grew stronger with the help of Lancelot and her family. She shed tears when she was told of Tristan's death and visited his grave when Lancelot allowed her to. Life returned to normal at the fort, for the exception of the lack of Roman soldiers and the frequent appearance of woads moving around freely. As soon as Avarona had made a full recovery, she was busy helping Guinevere for an important ceremony.

"I cannot believe you are marrying Arthur," Avarona said for the tenth time that morning, helping weave flowers in her friends hair. Guinevere smiled, shaking her head as she stood getting ready. Avarona was dressed in a dark red dress that flowed in a similar style to Guinevere's. "I am grateful it is you, though. You're the only one who can put him in his place," Avarona praised, smiling when Guinevere laughed.

"It feels strange, but I love him," she replied, and Avarona sighed at her happiness. The ceremony took place on the cliffs to the west of the fort, and Lancelot grinned when he saw Avarona.

"You look beautiful," he whispered in her ear, his arm around her waist as Lucan moved from his side to stand in front of the two. She smiled, kissing him gently on the lips as she wrapped an arm around Lucan's shoulder.

"Arthur. Guinevere. Our people are one. As you are," Merlin blessed, after the couple drank from the ceremonial chalice and they sealed their union with a kiss. Avarona smiled and clapped with the others, Lancelot's eyes on her instead of those in front of them.

"Now I'm really gonna have to marry your mother," Bors muttered next to them, and Avarona laughed to see him talking to his new-born.

"Who said I'd have you?" Vanora asked, taking their son out of his hands and holding him close.

"King Arthur!" Merlin shouted, bowing as the crowd of people followed suit.

"Hail, Arthur!" they shouted, Avarona smiling proudly at her friends.

"Let every man, woman, child bear witness that from this day all Britons will be united in one common cause," Arthur shouted, unsheathing Excalibur and holding it high. Guinevere placed her hand over his as everyone stood, chanting his name. Lancelot and Avarona unsheathed their swords, the two smiling when Lucan lifted Avarona's dagger that her father had given to her.

"Artorius!" Bors shouted, raising his sword to his chest in salute. Avarona smiled, looking up at Lancelot who grinned down at her, kissing her sweetly on the lips as flamed arrows were shot into the sea.

"I love you," Lancelot whispered, resting his brow on Avarona's. They chuckled when Lucan made a disgusted sound at the affection, and Avarona nuzzled her nose against Lancelot's.

"I love you, my knight."

XXXXXX

"By 300 AD, the Roman Empire extended from Arabia to Britain. But they wanted more. More land. More peoples loyal and subservient to Rome. But no people so important as the powerful Sarmatians to the east. Thousands died on that field. And when the smoke cleared on the fourth day, the only Sarmatian soldiers left alive were members of the decimated but legendary cavalry. The Romans, impressed by their bravery and horsemanship, spared their lives.

In exchange, these warriors were incorporated into the Roman military. Better they had died that day. For the second part of the bargain they struck indebted not only themselves but also their sons, and their sons, and so on to serve the empire as knights. I was such a son. Our post was Britain, or at least the southern half, for the land was divided by a 75 mile wall built three centuries before us to protect the empire from the native fighters of the north. So, as our forefathers had done, we made our way and reported to our Roman commander in Britain, ancestrally named for the first Artorius, or Arthur.

For 200 years, knights had fought and died for a land not our own. But on that day at Badon Hill, all who fought put our lives in service of a greater cause. Freedom.

And as for the knights who gave their lives, their deaths were cause for neither mourning nor sadness. For they will live forever, their names and deeds handed down from father to son, mother to daughter, in the legends of King Arthur and his knights," Lancelot finished, smiling in amusement at the wonder on his three children's faces.

"Father, did you and mother truly fight in the great battle against the Saxons?" his eldest son, Danae asked. Lancelot smiled at his son, and nodded.

"That is why your father never wins a fight against me. Ask Lucan when he next visits if you do not believe your father, for he himself witnessed everything," Avarona said, appearing next to her husband and holding their new-born Lyssa in her arms. "Off to bed now, my darlings," she added, and the children reluctantly bid them goodnight after Lancelot promised another story the next day. "You will give them nightmares," Avarona warned Lancelot, tucking Lyssa into her crib. He smirked, pulling her onto his knee when she walked past.

"And you, my love, will remedy their nightmares with your angelic voice," he muttered, his lips against her neck. She laughed, and his arm gripped her tighter.

"Better you not tell them stories, though. Then I will have to tell them the countless times I saved your life," she teased, and she laughed in delight as he tickled her side. "No, stop! You'll wake the children!" Avarona cried, between laughing.

"Oh my sweet lady, I will never tire of your laugh," Lancelot murmured, looking at his wife with love and affection. She smiled, stroking his cheek before kissing him tenderly.

"I will only laugh when you are near, my knight," she replied, and smiled as he carried her to their room.