Prologue: Where the Road Ends
"Tell me where the King is."
He looked her over once, eyes not stopping on the curious wooden box wrapped tightly in her hands.
"I'd rather die."
It was the response she expected. Nothing was ever simple with him, a fact of life she knew all too well.
"And you shall have your wish once you've told me. Not even you, Sir Knight, can resist the charms of the Nathair."
She opened the box. Its hinges creaked as a vicious little black snake peeked out. He recoiled immediately at the sight of the snake, any cry for help or of anguish caught in his throat. She looked positively satisfied. He was exactly where she wanted him. She would have a victory. His death would be sweet and slow and by her hand. In another time the moment would have been bitter, wouldn't have even come to pass. But that was long gone.
"I've always believed it didn't have to be like this."
"But it does."
"You loved me once, is that so easily forgotten?"
"As easily as you've forgotten everything that's happened."
"I forget nothing. I proved that to you once."
"I am through playing your games, you will tell me where Arthur is."
"I will tell you nothing."
Hesitating for only the shortest of moments, she moved the box towards him. Her eyes flitted between the small box and the captured knight. Her lips parted, her voice prepared to utter the last words he would ever hear her say.
"Turn from this," he said just as she was about to breathe the words.
"What?" she asked incredulously.
"Turn from this," he repeated.
"You would have me run for the rest of my life like an animal."
"I would have you do what you should have done a long time ago. When there was a chance for forgiveness."
"Forgiveness is not what I crave. The throne is mine and I shall have it!"
Her heart beat faster with every suggestion she could give in. That she could let Arthur Pendragon rule over what was rightfully hers. No, Camelot was hers and no mortal or sorcerer would stand in her way. This conversation, talking to him, it was making her lose control. Her sanity was slipping away again. It happened more often now that the final battle had begun. Only victory would bring her peace. The crown would bring her serenity.
"I'm going to ask one more time. Where is the King?"
"What will you do as Queen? Will you force your people to love you with death as their alternative?"
"Where is he?"
"Give the word, I've said all I can. Camelot will never be yours."
"WHERE IS HE?"
"You're going to lose. And I'm sorry."
Morgana commanded the Nathair to attack. And Gwaine screamed.