Chapter 7

Kayley looked out the barred window of the dungeon. What little sunlight entered Nightmare Swamp told her that it was almost sunset. Her mind was filled with horrible thoughts. Where were Jill and Emily? Were they safe? Would she ever see her sweet children again?

Kayley felt Garrett's hands on her shoulders. She turned around and pressed her head to his chest.

"Oh, Garrett!" she said softly, "I'm so worried about the children!" Now she knew how her own mother, Lady Juliana, felt when Kayley rode off into danger that night when she went to search for Excalibur.

True, Garrett was blind, but he could feel his wife's fear and anxiety.

"There, there, Kayley," he said gently, "they'll be fine."

Kayley looked at her husband's face and saw his encouraging smile, but she could see a twinge of doubt.

She turned to the window again, and she bowed her head. "Dear Lord in Heaven, please keep my children safe…" she prayed.

She also couldn't shake the feeling of guilt. By being Morgana's bargaining tool, she felt like she was betraying her king! Kayley would never forgive herself for that.

By now the sun had almost set, and darkness would fall upon the earth. Kayley and Garrett couldn't rid themselves of the thought that their daughters were out there, alone and helpless, and that there was nothing they could do about it.

Tears began forming in Kayley's eyes as her fears grew. Finally she threw herself in Garrett's arms and wept. She wept for Camelot, for Arthur, and for her dear, sweet little girls.

A tear formed in Garrett's eye, and he made a silent prayer that his girls were fine.

Meanwhile, the children, Ayden, and the dragons were still making their way through the forest. Darkness had enveloped the forest. Jill was still leading the way with a torch that Cornwall had lit.

The beauty and enchantment of the forest had become more menacing and spooky. Emily held Devon's hand and never left the dragon's side. She could hear strange noises from all around. Her heart was racing and she grew more frightened.

Even Jill was growing uneasy, but she forced herself to hide it. A real knight is never scared, she told herself.

"Jill," Emily said, "I'm getting tired. I think we should stop for the night!"

Jill turned and looked at her twin sister with a confounded look on her face.

"But Mum and Dad are in danger!" Jill protested, "We have to keep going!"

"Jill, your sister needs rest!" Devon said, "she's exhausted!"

"But Devon, a knight of the round table must brave the elements in order to complete his quest!" Jill said through gritted teeth.

"But, a knight of the round table is obligated to the people and not to himself!" Devon countered. "And right now, you are obligated to let Emily regain her strength."

Jill glared at him, by stopping they were running out of time to save her parents. Then she noticed she was getting a bit sleepy herself. Well, I can't save Mum and Dad if I'm tired, she thought.

"Okay, fine!" Jill said, relenting. Emily took off her cloak and nap-sack. She laid her head on the sack and pulled her cloak over her like a blanket. Jill soon followed suit. Devon and Cornwall smiled as the two little girls lay in their makeshift beds.

"Good night, Devon. Good night, Cornwall." Emily said, yawning. "Yes, 'Night." Jill said softly. "Good night, children." Devon said, tucking Jill in. "Sleep tight," Cornwall added, "don't let the bedbugs bite!"

The twins were soon fast asleep. Devon and Cornwall looked at the little girls and made a silent vow to protect the children with their lives. Ayden had tucked his head under his silver wing, and fell asleep. The dragons soon drifted off to sleep. They all had a long day ahead of them tomorrow.