Ok so big apologies to all you wonderful people who have read the first chapter. This is the second time I have typed it out as it was original going to be posted the following Tuesday but then my laptop got a virus and I have had to reset it to factory settings, before I got the chance to back it all up. Luckily I did back it up about a month ago (so my 2000 strong iTunes collections was saved!) but I lost the chapter and it took me ages to solve the problem. Anyway please read and review!
Gwen didn't really remember much of the following hours. She seemed to spend an eternity cradling Elyan's body as it grew cold in the arms of death. At some point she had been pulled gently away and into the comforting arms of her husband, but Gwen barely noticed. Her mind seemed to have left her body with Elyan's death and the feisty, strong woman who had relentlessly fought against Morgana's mind games had disappeared. She believed she had been carried down the tower as the strength had long since departed her legs.
Arthur guided Guinevere sombrely back through the previously impenetrable forest. She didn't seem to be with them in her mind, more of a shell they carried with them. He offered her as much support as he could but carrying her had quickly become impossible through the thick forest. Merlin led the slow parade with Gwain trailing at the back. Guilt ran thickly within all the knights as they all blamed themselves for not doing more. For Gwaine it was probably the most pain he had felt in a long time, as Elyan and he had been close because they had both done next to nothing before being granted a knighthood. Leon was of noble blood; both Lancelot and Percival had tried to become knights by helping out villagers and fighting for justice. Elyan had been a drifter just living how he pleased much like Gwaine. Through all the battles they had fought and ambushes survived Gwaine had begun to believe it was inevitable that things would always turn out ok in the end, but not this time.
Merlin walked in front focusing on finding a quick route out instead of the raw pain of loss that was threatening to overtake him. Merlin had though all along that Camelot's prospering would not last and now it seemed Camelot was truly at its darkest hour, its monarchy threatened, and its destiny still undecided by the cruel hands of fate. He spared a quick glance over his shoulder at his King and Queen as they followed him through the undergrowth. Arthur's face was easy to read as the naked pain was displayed clearly for all to see as he helped his wife. Gwen just appeared to be dead behind her eyes. There was no expression on her face, the light that normally sat behind her eyes had been extinguished. In fact Merlin had a feeling if they just set her down and left her she would not even notice, let alone try and do anything. He turned his focus back to their journey as he saw the undergrowth was lessening somewhat. He felt white hot anger rise up within him at Morgana and all the pain she had caused. He made a silent vow to make her pay for everything she had done.
As they reached the edge of the forest and stood blinking in the daylight it seemed surreal. Arthur didn't believe the sun should be shining and so bright, not when something so terrible had happened, and yet it was. He tightened his grip on Guinevere ever so slightly as though scared she may disappear; she made no attempt to return the hold though. They found there horses where they had been tethered grazing quietly. As the knights mounted it was bitter irony that Elyan's horse was just left standing by the tree looking almost sad at the absence of his rider. Arthur looked at Merlin who gave an almost imperceptible nod and tied the reins of Elyan's horse to his own. Arthur busied himself with getting Gwen onto his horse and then hoisted himself up behind her. Almost immediately she sank against him and he arranged his reins so he could hold both them and his wife at the same time.
The journey back to Camelot was slow and silent only stopping occasionally to let the horses drink. Gwen hardly moved falling in and out of sleep. Never truly sleeping but she did not seem to be fully awake either. They mostly stayed away from the outlying villages not wanting to attract any attention but as night drew closer and the visibility dropped they stopped a short way away from a village and sheltered by the edge of the forest. Leon and Gwain left to find them some dinner from the village without drawing attention to their presence. Merlin carried on doing unnecessary tasks to keep himself occupied. Arthur though about reprimanding him as his constant movement was getting on Arthur's nerves but he stopped himself.
'Let him cope in his own way' Arthur thought. He arranged his cloak around Guinevere even though she was sitting close to the fire. Dinner followed in much the same ways as the journey. The only discussion was on the quickest way back to the city, and how long they thought it would take. No one was particularly hungry, not even Merlin. As the fire started to die down Merlin placed the final wood on it to keep it going and everyone laid down to sleep. In truth, there was very little sleeping that night from everyone as their pain kept them company throughout. Gwen was slouched in Arthur's arms against the trunk of a tree and despite having displayed little emotion all day she clung onto him like an anchor as her grief shook her. Arthur held her fast all night, praying for the morning light. His heart tore itself up every time she shook and he didn't know how he was going to bear seeing her like this until her recovery.
Only an hour after dawn they were ready to move on and soon enough the top of the castle towers could be seen from the hill side. The knights formed a protective perimeter around Arthur's horse without even thinking. Riding through the lower town would be hard on all of them, especially if the townspeople didn't figure out something was wrong and realise they were a knight missing. Arthur mentally braced himself for the ride in as he banished as much emotion as he could from his face. He caught Merlin's eye and saw the understanding there. Merlin knew he had to appear strong for his people but he also knew it was killing Arthur to hide himself and not be able to protect Gwen from the prying eyes.
They crossed through the gates at a slower pace and the town's people started coming out to greet them but stopped short noticing the mood almost straight away. People were shocked at seeing their Queen looking so defeated in the arms of her husband and it was then that the extra horse was noticed. People bowed their heads in respect, lining the streets in silence. Arthur almost lost it right there but somehow managed to carry on across the bridge to the main stairs. He carefully untangled himself from the reins and slid off his horse. He held out his arms to allow Gwen to get down. As her feet touched the ground, her knees buckled and she fell from Arthur's grasp onto the stairs. It was like the floodgates had been opened as she started crying again not for her fall but for her brother. She sounded almost like a wounded animal and try as she might she couldn't stop. People were gathered around the courtyard in small clumps grieving themselves as they watched their Queen break down.
Arthur dropped to the ground next to her and held her tight until her tears grew silent. In one move he swept her into his arms and walked inside the castle with her, away from the outside world.
Hope that makes up for the wait, I am so excited for tonight's episode, I seriously hope the enchantment breaks. I have work every Saturday so I record it and watch it at like half eleven, but it is so worth it!
