Chapter Eighteen

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

D enedor noticed he had company up on the wall walk; de Vesci and Keats, having heard the commotion from inside the great hall, stood on either side of him on the parapet. Denedor looked over, noticing that Keats looked particularly strained. And he didn't blame the man. Even though the approaching group was far off in the distance, it did not take a great intellect to deduce who they were. There was only one possible answer.

They had suspected this might come, only not so soon. In fact, Denedor was still planning for the event of taking Lady Kellington out of Alnwick that night and whisking her by sea to Ireland. Last night, de Vesci has promised him a lordship. Up until a few moments ago, he had been planning a new life with his new wife. He had been looking forward to it, like nothing he had looked forward to for many years. At the moment, he was deeply disappointed more than anything. He couldn't even muster the will to be afraid. He only felt frustration.

He turned to de Vesci, standing next to him.

"My lord," he said. "There is still time to remove your family. I would suggest you take them through the kitchen gate and flee to the south while there is still time."

De Vesci looked pale as his brown eyes beheld the army in the distance. "Move them? Why? Who is that?"

Denedor's pale blue eyes looked to the horizon also. "That, I would suspect, is de Velt."

Keats closed his eyes and dropped his chin into his chest as de Vesci flirted with denial.

"What?" the baron gasped. "How would you know that?"

Denedor shrugged. "Who else could it be?"

The baron was growing agitated. "But…," he swallowed. "How could he be here so soon? How would he know she is here?"

"There are a thousand different ways the man could have been told," Denedor replied calmly. "It does not matter how he knows or why he has managed to come so soon. But the fact remains that he must know, and he has ridden a very long way very quickly to get here. We need to seal up the fortress immediately, so if you are going to leave, I would do it now."

De Vesci was still in disbelief as he turned to Keats. "You know de Velt's army on sight," he waved an arm at the man. "He was just at Pelinom three weeks ago. Is that the same army who now bears down on Alnwick?"

Keats opened his eyes and looked to the distance, watching the great army of men fan out along the meadows. They were forming blocks; he could see it. He'd seen the same thing almost a month ago at Pelinom as they had watched curiously then, having no idea who was coming or why. They should have known then what he knew now. There could be no other alternative.

"Lock down the fortress," he hissed at Denedor. "Lock it down and prepare for the worst. We have something he wants and he'll stop at nothing to get it."

As they continued to watch, two riders broke off from the group and began to close the distance to Alnwick. De Vesci swore and ran off, mumbling about getting to his family. Keats and Denedor let him go, knowing the man would be no good in battle. He was a nobleman and had long ago given up fighting. That is why he had an army of men to do it for him, including Keats and Denedor. But as Denedor watched his liege stumble down the wall ladder, a thought suddenly occurred to him.

He thought of Kellington, still standing in the bailey. With a start, he rushed to the side of the parapet that faced the yard, only to be faced with a vast empty ward and no lady in sight. Panicked, he began to descend the steps to the courtyard below.

"Order the gates sealed," he bellowed as he went. "Every man to his post!"

The soldiers on the parapet began to take up his cry, understanding that something very bad was approaching. The majority of them did not know who Keats Coleby was, or his daughter, and had no idea that the army on the approach was none other than Jax de Velt's. All they knew was that their very calm captain had a twinge of panic in his voice, something that none of them had ever heard. It was enough to jar them into a stampede of purpose as they began to lock down the fortress.

Denedor reached the bottom of the ward and began to run back to where he had left Kellington. As he did so, he noticed that the main gates were beginning to crank closed. He was about to turn away when he caught sight of a medium blue gown just to the right of the main gates, standing well outside of the walls. The soft vision of blue against the brilliant green grass had his full attention.

Realization dawned and he switched direction, running faster than he had ever run in his life towards the closing main gates. He yelled to the soldiers above to open the gates and the men paused, looking confused by his command. But they dutifully complied. Denedor raced through the open gate, rushing to Kellington who was still standing just outside of the wall. She hadn't moved; she just stood there with her hand over her eyes, shielding her gaze from the bright morning sun. Denedor ran up and threw his arms around her.

Kellington shrieked, nearly falling to the ground with the force of his hit. Panicked, she struggled to pull away from him.

"Denedor!" she gasped. "Have you gone mad?"

He swept her up into his arms before he said another word. "We must go inside immediately," he tried not to sound alarmed.

She was greatly confused by his behavior. "What is wrong with you? Put me down this instant."

He had her snuggly in his arms, walking back through the main gate very quickly. Kellington struggled against him, kicking and twisting.

"All will be well, my lady," he assured her as evenly as he could. "Calm yourself and I will explain everything."

"Calm myself? Me?" she repeated incredulously. "You are the one who nearly sent me to the ground with that tackle. I would say it is you that needs to calm."

He put her down and she slapped his hands away, stumbling back from him. "What is the matter with you?" she demanded. "Why did you grab me like that?"

Denedor gazed at her, feeling disappointment sweep him more heavily than it had earlier. She was such a lovely, brilliant little thing. Something worth fighting for. He took her by the arm and began to pull her with him towards the gatehouse.

"Come along," he said firmly.

Kellington didn't like being drug around and strongly resisted. When she dug her heels in, he tossed her over his shoulder and carried her, kicking and fighting, into the gatehouse and down the steep steps to the vault. As she hollered her protest, he took her into the first of two cells and set her to her feet. Before she could recover her balance from being roughly set down, he slammed the old iron grate and locked it.

Kellington wasn't frightened as much as she was baffled. But she suspected, deep down, why he had done such a thing.

"Sir Denedor," she looked at him with her luscious golden brown eyes, wide with remorse and fear. "I was not going to run away, I swear it. I was only looking."

He stood on the opposite side of the grate, his hands on his hips and the key in his hand. "I did not think you were going to run away, my lady."

His reply surprised her. "You didn't?" her brow furrowed curiously. "Then why did you put me in here?"

His gaze moved over the sweet lines of her face, knowing he was going to do everything possible to keep her for himself. Against Jax de Velt, that could quite possibly mean forfeiting his life. He was well aware of that.

"Because we are facing battle," he said quietly. "I have put you in here to protect you."

She just stared at him. "Protect me from what?"

He cocked his head. "Do you not know?"

She truly didn't. She hadn't seen the approach of de Velt's army those weeks ago and, being relatively ignorant of war as she had repeatedly sworn, was not one to recognize an army on sight. It did not even occur to her that Jax would have come this soon. For all she knew he was still laying siege that mysterious castle that he would not tell her of.

"Nay," she shook her head, her slender fingers winding around the bar grates as she pressed her face against it. "Who is here?"

Denedor sighed faintly, struggling to calm himself completely. He would need all of his wits for what was to come.

"De Velt," he said quietly. "I have put you in here to protect you from the siege."

Kellington's eyes widened. "Are you sure? How do you know?"

"Who else could it be? Besides, your father identified the army and he knows better than most."

Kellington suddenly came alive, rattling the iron grate madly. "Then let me out to talk to him," she demanded. "Perhaps he will leave Alnwick alone if you turn me over to him. Please, Denedor; do as I ask or you will all face a horrible death."

"We are already facing a horrible death," he replied. "Turning you over to de Velt will not prevent that. He will simply take you and burn this place over our heads."

"Nay!" she shook the bars that held her. "I will not allow him to, I swear it. He will listen to me. You must let me out!"

Denedor watched her, the way her cheeks flushed with emotion and the gentle curve of her lips as she spoke. He suddenly moved forward, grabbing her face through the bars and kissing her forcefully on the lips. Before she could pull away, he released her. Kellington stumbled back, her hand to her mouth as if to wipe away the memory of his lips.

"I will not turn you over," he said quietly, steadily. "Jax de Velt is not worthy of you. He is a thief and a murderer and you deserve better. You may not understand that now, but in time you will. Your father has offered me your hand and I have accepted, so in the eyes of the law if not yet in the eyes of God, you are my wife. And I will not turn my wife over to de Velt."

There was no true animosity from him as he spoke, but there was a definitive possessiveness. Kellington's first instinct was to flare, to deny him, but she kept her composure. That would gain her nothing. Removing the hand from her mouth, she moved back towards the cell grate.

"Denedor," she said softly. "You know that I adore Jax. Why would you keep me from him?"

"I told you. Because he is not worthy of you."

She sighed heavily. "I know that you are an honorable and decent man, and if Jax and I had never met, then I would be deeply honored to be your wife," she reached out and grasped his sleeve. "But I want to be with Jax. Can you not understand that?"

He was being sucked in by her eyes, feeling himself bending to her soft voice and sweet touch. With his last shred of control, he pulled back from her and struggled to focus.

"I do," he replied, almost curtly. "But I have no time to discuss it with you now. I must see to the defense of Alnwick."

He fled up the stairs even as she called after him. Kellington continued to scream for him long after he was out of earshot, but he did not come back. Finally, when all was deathly quiet, she sank to her buttocks against the cell grate, exhausted, and in turmoil, wondering what horrors this day would bring for all of them.

Then the tears came.

*

Jax and Atreus approached Alnwick at a dead gallop. The chargers, sensing battle, were working up great globs of foam from their mouths. As they approached the massively walled castle, they could see the activity up on the parapets and they slowed the horses to an unsteady halt. They gazed up at the top of the walls, looking at the hundreds of frightened faces looking down at them. Jax knew that they were in range of the archers, but it could not be helped. He had promised Atreus that he would negotiate and he could not do that from a mile away.

"Who is in command?" he bellowed.

His voice echoed off the great walls. When no one answered right away, he tried again.

"I am Ajax de Velt," he boomed. "I will not ask again. Who is in command?"

There was some scuttling on the wall directly over his head. Looking up, he thought he caught a glimpse of Keats Coleby. In fact, he was sure of it and fury surged through him. He yelled up to the man.

"Coleby?" he roared. "Show your face immediately. I would speak with you."

After several long seconds, Keats' familiar features appeared over the wall. "De Velt," he said calmly. "What do you want?"

"You know what I want," Jax retorted. "Bring de Vesci and his commanders to the front gate. I am prepared to negotiate, but know this offer will only be given once. If you refuse or delay, I will unleash my siege engines on this place and you will all be dead by nightfall."

Keats' face disappeared. Jax and Atreus reined their horses towards the front gate, vigilantly aware of their surroundings, taking nothing for granted. Jax half-expected a volley of arrows to come flying at them, but so far, the men on the wall had remained still. He knew they were not foolish; if they were to kill de Velt, then his army would let loose hell upon them and, clearly, no one wanted that.

Jax wait impatiently for the gates to crank open. But they were kept waiting an excessive amount of time. Just when he was preparing to issue more threats, the great wood and iron panels lurched and began to slowly creak open.

But they only opened enough to allow one man to pass through them. As Jax watched, a big knight with very blond hair slid through the opening, followed shortly thereafter by Keats. As Jax watched Kellington's father emerge from the safety of the fortress, it was all he could do to keep his anger in check. He was already in danger of breaking his decision to negotiate. He wanted to kill.

"Where is she?" Jax demanded.

Keats was trying hard to remain calm; that much was clear. Facing off against an enormous de Velt with his great horned helm and fire-breathing steed was harrowing enough.

"She is inside," he said evenly.

"I know why you left Pelinom," Jax said. "Suffice it to say that the reason why you left no longer exists. I have come for Kellington."

Keats was trying to figure out exactly what he meant. "The reason I left was to remove my daughter from your influence."

"I know that Amadeo threatened her life," Jax clarified. "I know you had little choice but to leave. But I have come for her now and I expect her to be returned to me."

Keats sighed heavily, less fearful and more defensive. "She does not belong to you, de Velt. She never did. I know how she feels about you and I know how you feel about her, but I am telling you now that I will never permit a marriage between you and my daughter. She is not meant for the likes of you."

Jax dismounted his charger and handed the reins over to Atreus. He flipped up his visor as he walked towards Keats and Denedor.

"I understand your position," his tone was surprisingly civil. "Your daughter is worthy of much greater men that I. But I will swear to you now that no man can provide better for her or respect her more than I."

Keats lifted his eyebrows. "Provide for her with stolen goods and the blood of the conquered?" he shook his head. "Do you think that is a future she deserves? Do you think that will make her happy?"

Jax didn't reply right away; his dual-colored gaze turned to the knight standing next to Keats. He was met with a steady, appraising gaze.

"Who are you?" he asked.

"Sir Crosby-Denedor, commander of Alnwick," Denedor answered evenly.

"Be gone. This conversation is between Coleby and myself."

It was a snappish command. Denedor looked at Keats, who shook his head at him.

"He stays," Keats told Jax. "He is the commander of Alnwick and as such is privy to any information we discuss, including my daughter."

Jax lifted a dark eyebrow. "He is not involved in anything that has to do with Kellington. That is between the two of us."

Keats was about to tell him just how deeply Denedor was involved but he refrained. He knew that de Velt would not accept that news calmly and he did not want to provoke Denedor's death needlessly.

"He stays," Keats repeated. "As for my daughter, you may not have her. I would suggest you take your army and return to wherever you came from."

"I am not leaving without her."

Keats' lips twisted. "De Velt, understand that the only way Kellington will go with you is if I am dead. And I do not intend to die for a long time. You are not a worthy husband for her. I do not know how much plainer I can make this."

Jax's two-colored eyes glimmered strangely. He turned to Atreus, still astride his big charger. Atreus, seeing that Jax was at the end of his attempt at negotiating, flipped up his visor and slid off his charger. Since he had insisted on negotiations, it was now his turn to shine. And he'd better to a damn good job of it.

"What will it take for you to return the lady to de Velt?" he asked as he approached Keats. "Surely there is a compromise we can reach."

Keats did not know Atreus; he had never seen him before and therefore had no idea who he was. All he knew was that if was with de Velt, then the man was a killer.

"There is no compromise to be reached," Keats said shortly.

"Ah, but there is," Atreus removed his gloves. "There is always a compromise. My lord de Velt is willing to negotiate terms. What is it that you want in return for the lady? Do you wish Pelinom returned? He will give it, and gladly, if you turn the lady over to him."

Keats tried hard not to look shocked. He wasn't doing a very good job of it.

"Pelinom?" he repeated dumbly.

"Aye," Atreus was a smooth talker; he could see that the man was morbidly interested. "My lord de Velt will return your castle and all of your wealth. He will even restore what servants he can. Would you take that in return for your daughter?"

Keats' surprise turned into outrage. "She is not a prize mare to be bartered for," he snapped. "I will not turn her over."

"Then you will die."

Jax had said it, standing a few feet away. His two-colored eyes were riveted to Keats as all heads turned to him. He walked upon Keats, towering over the man by over a head. They all sensed that the time for compromise was quickly growing to a close.

"Give her back to me or I will raze Alnwick and all within her," Jax growled. "I am at an end negotiating. Know that your stubbornness has caused the deaths of hundreds of people you just as easily could save. Is your daughter's life worth all that?"

Keats was back to feeling fearful and angry. "Ask yourself the same question," he shot back softly, "for you are about to make the same choice. Is my daughter worth killing all of these people for?"

Jax nodded, very slowly, very firmly. "She is."

"Then my answer is the same to you."

"Wait," Denedor spoke up, seeing that the situation was quickly deteriorating. "You came to negotiate, de Velt. Allow me to do so."

Jax lifted an eyebrow. "Speak, then."

Denedor's pale blue eyes were like ice. "I have a counter offer," he said, waiting the appropriate amount of time before delivering it. "Do you wish to see the lady?"

Jax was slightly off guard with the question but answered. "I do."

"I can make it so."

Jax sensed there was more to it than that; nothing in his life was that simple. "At what cost?"

"That your army leaves after you have seen her and never returns."

Jax was not pleased in the least by the terms. "Who are you to dictate such terms to me?"

Keats cast Denedor a side-long glance, silently imploring the man not to tell him the truth. But Denedor wasn't listening.

"I am a man of value and worth," he said pointedly. "Worthy enough to be the lady's husband. Considering her father and I have agreed to a betrothal, I believe I am being most generous in my offer. I will allow you to see my betrothed, even speak with her, but you must pull your army out without a sword being drawn."

Jax just stared at him, digesting his words. Keats stood by, coiled, waiting for the man to strike. Even Atreus was tense, waiting for the explosion to come. Especially Atreus; he knew how unpredictable Jax could be. He knew that this could not end well and he braced himself.

But he was vastly surprised when Jax, very slowly, nodded his head. He did not even make reference to the betrothal, even more surprising. But it made Atreus distrust him all the more. He knew the man would not take this news lying down but could not figure out what, exactly, he was planning.

"As you say," Jax agreed evenly. "Bring me the lady so that I might see her and I will withdraw my army."

"I would have your oath as a knight first."

"And I give it."

Denedor's problem was that he trusted knights. He believed them all to be men of their word. As he turned back for the open gates, he did not see Atreus cast a long look at Jax, who refused to look at him. He did not see Keats hang his head in sorrow. All he could think of was allowing Kellington a few moments with de Velt so that the man would leave them alone. Perhaps it was a foolish belief and deep down, he really didn't think that Kellington would let de Velt go so easily. He fully expected tears, screams and all things similar. Moreover, he didn't really think that de Velt would leave as simply as all that. But in lieu of a full-blown siege, he was willing to try something that could be potentially painful for the lady. But it would only work if de Velt stuck to his word.

Jax stood tall and silent as he await Denedor's return. Keats was several feet away, staring at the ground, as Atreus casually moved to Jax. He stood next to him but faced away from the castle. He did not want Keats to overhear him.

"What are you doing?" he whispered.

Jax did not change expression. "Waiting for Kellington."

"That's not what I mean and you know it. Tell me what you have planned so that I might at least be prepared."

Jax shifted on his enormous legs. "I have nothing planned other than that which will naturally take place," he said quietly. "Let Kellington see me and we will see if her father does not change his mind. I have seen her when she becomes irate; Keats will not be able to deny her."

"Your whole plan hinges on this?"

"It does. I know I am right."

It seemed simple enough but Atreus was still dubious. Puffing out his cheeks, he exhaled sharply and resumed his post over near the chargers. He, too, would wait and see. He wondered what would happen if the lady did not react as Jax anticipated. Or if her father did not react as Jax anticipated. There were too many variables in the mix and he was on his guard.

What he did not expect was the expression on Jax's face when Kellington emerged through the cracked main gates. With her long braids and delicious blue dress, she looked like an angel. Jax looked as if he was about to collapse. Denedor had her by the arm as he led her out, but the moment she saw Jax, her face crumpled into tears and she yanked herself harshly from Denedor's grasp. As she raced for Jax, Keats managed to get a hold of her arm but Kellington pulled hard, so hard that she lost her balance and went stumbling with the momentum. Jax was there to catch her, and he swept her possessively into his arms. It all happened in a split second and suddenly, they were together. He had her now and he would never let her go again.

Kellington threw her arms around his neck, holding him tightly enough to strangle him. She wept loudly into his shoulder, her tears falling upon the mail and armor that protected him. He took a step back, away from Denedor and Keats as they advanced. With a pointed look at Atreus, the man understood the silent command and unsheathed his broadsword, leveling it at the two knights.

"Come no further," he ordered firmly. "De Velt has what he came for. He will leave you now in peace."

"Nay!" Keats roared. "He cannot have her!"

"But he does," Atreus said evenly. "Turn back for the fortress and we will leave without incident. Pursue this and we will have no choice but to destroy you."

"Nay," Kellington's head came up, her face wet with tears. She looked at Jax, an almost panicked look on her face. "You will not harm these people, Jax. They are only trying to protect me."

Jax looked at her, so glad to have her in his arms that he could hardly think straight. He kissed her, eagerly, his raised visor bumping her forehead. She seemed not to care or notice as she returned his tender kisses.

"Let me take you back to the wagons," he said. "We will speak of…."

She shook her head. "No, Jax," she insisted softly. "You will leave Alnwick alone. Please. I am asking you to."

Jax looked at her, knowing what he had promised his men. They were expecting Alnwick. He couldn't lie to his men; if he did, their loyalty to him would be at an end. But if he did not, he suspected Kellington would take great issue with him. A new, more dangerous kind of turmoil began to breed in his chest.

"Kelli," he said quietly. "My decisions with my army are my own. Although I respect your request, you must let me do as I must."

She stared at him. "But I have asked you not to raze Alnwick. These people have been kind to me. It was not their fault that my father brought me here. I forbid you to attack this castle."

His expression flickered. "You do not make demands."

"I am not demanding. I am telling you not to do this. Will you honor my wishes?"

He sighed, not wanting to get into a battle with her when he had only just gotten her back. He wanted to kiss her until she swooned, then make love to her until she fainted. He wanted her so badly that his entire body ached for her. But there was an obstacle arising that could ruin everything.

He looked away, turning around and making way towards his charger. Kellington released her grip on his neck and pushed herself from his arms. He tried to reclaim her, but she moved away from him.

"You cannot punish these people," she said in a low voice. "They have done nothing wrong other than offer me shelter. Why would you punish them for this?"

He put his hands on his hips, massive fists that rested against the armor. "I will ask you a question, then," he fired back quietly. "Tell me of this Denedor and how he came to be your betrothed."

She looked at him as if he was speaking of something highly inconsequential. "My father promised him my hand to put me out of your reach," she waved him off. "It means nothing. I would not have permitted it."

Jax cast a long glance at Denedor, still being held at bay by Atreus' sword. "He called you his wife."

"I am not his wife. I will be yours."

"He has not touched you?"

"Not at all. Do you really think I would allow such a thing? Have you so little faith in me?"

He turned back to her, his heart softening at the sight of her. "Of course I have faith in you," he said quietly. "But I've not seen you in days. Why are we at odds right now?"

"Because I have asked you not to punish those at Alnwick," she moved towards him, pressing her sweet body against his hard, cold mail. He put his arms around her as she spoke. "Please, Jax. There is no need to do this. I beg you."

"Do not beg me," he rumbled weakly. "I do not like it when you beg me."

"Then do not make me beg." She put a hand up to his face, touching his cheek with her warm, soft palm. "I have grown to love you, Jax. There; now I've said it. I have missed you horribly. Please let us ride from this place and never look back."

He looked as if he was about to have some manner of emotional breakdown. "You love me?"

"I do. Now, will you please leave Alnwick alone and take me away from here?"

His mouth worked as if attempting to find the correct words. He could not believe what he had heard. He never thought to hear those words from her, or anyone, as long as he lived.

"My sweetest little love," the dual-colored eyes were moist with emotion. "Know that I have loved you since nearly the moment we met. I cannot remember when I have not loved you."

She forgot all about Denedor, Alnwick, her father, and the situation at hand for the moment. The look in his two-colored eyes erased everything from her mind but the joy of his words. Enveloped in his powerful embrace, she had never felt more fulfilled nor cherished. She smiled broadly and he returned the gesture. Like two giddy children, they grinned at each other, a stolen moment just for the two of them.

"Can we go, then?" she asked softly. "Please, Jax. I just want to go with you and leave this place."

His smile faded; as much as he wanted to relent, he knew that he could not. But he could not tell her that; at least, not at the moment. He gently turned her towards his charger.

"Let us return to the rear of my army," he said. "They are setting up an encampment. We can speak more of things there."

She was preparing to mount when, suddenly, there were sounds of a battle off to their left. They both turned in time to see Denedor and Atreus locked in mortal combat; when Atreus' attention had been momentarily diverted, Denedor had unsheathed his broadsword and brought it about. Kellington gasped as Atreus and Denedor lost themselves to the violence of a battle. With the power and skill they were exhibiting, it was sure to be a deadly one.

"Jax," she touched his arm insistently. "Stop them."

Jax didn't say anything for a moment; he was more interested in watching the scene unfold. Atreus was a strong warrior, but Denedor was almost overpowering him. It was impressive to watch. Seeing that Jax had not yet moved to do her bidding, Kellington abruptly rushed forward.

"Stop it," she demanded. "Stop it, I say!"

Jax came up behind her quickly, quietly, and put his hands on her shoulders to stop her from charging any closer. "Kelli," he rumbled. "Leave them be. Some things must be settled at the point of a sword."

She was quickly growing horrified. "Denedor!" she gasped. "Stop it this instant!"

Denedor took his eyes off of Atreus long enough to look at her, nearly getting his head cut off in the process. With blinding speed, he ducked the blade, swung beneath it, and came up behind Atreus. His broadsword went against the man's neck and all action immediately ceased.

Atreus knew he was in a bad way. With cold steel against his neck there was nothing more he could do. He held up his hands, letting his broadsword fall to the soft green earth, to signal surrender.

"Be quick about it," he told Denedor.

"Nay!" Kellington cried. "Denedor, do not kill him. Please!"

By this time, Jax had unsheathed his own sword and was stalking Denedor. Denedor saw Jax moving toward him and he pressed the blade more firmly against Atreus' neck.

"Not another step, de Velt," he commanded in a tone that Kellington had never heard from him. "Any closer and I will kill him."

Jax slowed but did not halt. "He is a warrior in my stable," his voice was deadly cold. "He knows that death is eventually expected. Do what you must with him and then prepare yourself to face my wrath."

"Nay!" Kellington shrieked, rushing to put herself in the very dangerous position between Jax and Denedor. She held up her hands to Jax to stop his forward progression. "You will not harm him, Jax. Put your sword away and let us leave for your camp. Please."

It was obvious that Jax was torn. He reached out to gently grasp her hand, trying to pull her out of the way.

"Come away from there, love," he said. "Let the men do as they must."

But she wouldn't move. "I will not let you kill him," she was suddenly furious, turning to Denedor as he pressed the blade against Atreus' neck. "Denedor, release him. There will not be any blood shed this day if I can help it. Please do as I ask."

Denedor's pale blue eyes moved between Kellington and Jax. "I will release him on one condition," he said. "That you remain here, with me, and de Velt's army departs. Those are the terms."

Jax had come to a halt but he still held on to Kellington. With her gaze on Denedor, Kellington gently pulled her wrist from Jax's grasp and moved towards Denedor and Atreus. She stood directly in front of Atreus, her gaze on the blond knight who held the man at bay, and put her hands onto the steel against Atreus' neck. The implication was obvious. She pulled it away, weakly at first, her tug gradually growing stronger until Denedor relented and let her pull it away completely.

When Atreus was no longer under threat of having his throat slit, he swiftly pulled himself free and dashed several feet away. Kellington gave a good shove and pushed Denedor back a few steps so that there was space between him and the two mercenary knights. But still, she did not remove her hand from the blade. Her golden brown eyes were fixed on the man she had come to know over the past couple of days. She felt sorry for him, but not sorry enough to accept his terms.

"I cannot stay with you," she said quietly. "Please understand that it is my wish to marry Jax. He is the man I love. You are a good man, Denedor. A worthy woman will come your way and you will know happiness again someday. But I am not that lady; I belong to someone else. Can you not understand that?"

He just stared at her. Then, he slowly lowered the blade and reached out to grasp her hand. Fearful that he would not let her go should he get a hold of her, she moved out of arm's length, watching his face ripple with disappointment.

"Is there nothing I can say to convince you?" he asked.

She shook her head. "You must let me go with Jax," she said. "Not only because I want to, but because Alnwick will be spared if I do."

"We do not fear de Velt's army."

"But I do not want any battles on my account. My life is not worth the hundreds that will die."

"Kelli," Keats, who had been standing back for much of the exchange, moved forward, his aged face lined with sorrow. "You do not know what you are saying. If you go with de Velt, your life is at an end."

Surprisingly, she smiled at her father. "I know you were only doing what you felt best when you took me from Pelinom," she said. "But you must let me make my own choices in life, father. Only then will I be happy. This is my choice. Please respect that, for better or for worse."

Keats looked as if he was going to become physically ill; with all the tussling over the past several minutes, he could see the inevitable was about to happen and there was nothing he could do about it. Finally, after weeks of sorrow and pain and struggle, he surrendered to the unavoidable. His daughter was to marry a murderer. With a disgusted shake of his head, he turned away from her.

"If that is your choice, then know that you no longer exist to me," he muttered. "I no longer have a daughter. 'Twould have been better had you never been born."

Kellington's smile faded as she watched him walk away. Then the tears came, filling her eyes and spilling down her cheeks. Her father did not understand what was in her heart and for that, she was deeply sorry.

"Please do not say that," she begged softly.

He didn't turn around. "I am done with you. Go away and leave me."

She watched as he continued walking, her heart breaking into a million pieces. "Father," she called out after him. "I love you."

Keats didn't reply; he just kept walking. Kellington stifled a sob in the back of her hand, knowing it would be futile to beg or pursue him. He was in his own world of hurt and would have to deal with it, for she would not go back on her choice. Perhaps someday he would understand.

Denedor was still looking at her. Kellington cast the man a sidelong glance as if to apologize for his troubles, knowing that anything she said to him would seem trite or inadequate at this point. She opted to say nothing and turned away, walking past Atreus and Jax and going to wait by the chargers. In silence, she hung her head and wept.

Jax still stood with his sword in his hand, watching her as she stood by the horses and wiped at her face. Atreus was already moving to join her, wanting to be away from the volatile situation. Turning back to Denedor, Jax cast the man a long, enduring look before sheathing his sword and silently making his way back to Kellington and the charger. There was nothing more to say and everyone was well aware. The case had been heard, tried, weighed and measured. The verdict had been rendered.

It was done.