Sorry about the delay for an update, please blame my schoolwork, I do! No reviews for the last chapter ): can I have some pleeeease? (:
Chapter 7
The old farmer stood in front of his King, the knights that stood around him and the bag of coins he had in his hand that was significantly larger than what Arthur would have been able to give him, told him that he had made the right decision. By the time the farmer had reached the city, it was well into the night and he thought he might not be able to see the King, but as soon as he muttered the words 'Pendragon' and 'Camelot' he was rushed to the King, the time of day completely forgotten.
King Udin however, was less sure about whether disturbing him from his late evening meal to see an old farmer was really worth it, he could just be saying these things for money, as many of his desperate people did. His land was crumbling into nothing, everyone could see it, apart from the King himself, and no one was brave enough to point it out. It had been five years since Prince Arthur had killed his son in a fight, and the hatred and anger still lived on. As King Udin grew older he grew more paranoid about his neighbouring ruler, he demanded to know everything about the Kingdom of Camelot, but he had heard little, and he didn't know who to trust. Udin was on the verge of giving up, but he had been assured that this was important information to him, concerning Uther's son.
So the King sat there, on his thrown surrounded by guards and his advisors and listened to what the farmer had to say, his face was expressionless, but his mind was racing. He waited until the farmer had finished before he asked his questions:
"Are you sure this was Prince Arthur?" He asked, looking down at the farmer, who was beginning to look nervous.
"Yes indeed it was, there ain't no doubt about it my Lord. 'E had the royal crest an' he spoke like no other young man I see, 'e spoke like a Prince. I 'ad heard stories about 'im before, an' I seen drawings. I'm good at recognisin' faces Sire; it definitely was 'im. I tell no lie."
"You knew that he was an enemy, but you did not stop them for entering my land," the King pointed out.
"Forgive me Sire, but there was little I could do, they 'ad weapons, I do not 'ave the strength to kill two grown men like I used to. I did as best I could, I made them cross an old bridge in the 'ope that it might collapse, but it didn't."
"But where did you say he was heading?"
"The young Prince wanted to know how to get to the Dark Forest. 'E even asked if I could guide 'im there Sire, O' course I said no. I'm not as mad as people think I am," the old man smiled as if this was some sort of joke only he could understand. "I wouldn't dare go to that forest, besides, I've got animals to look after."
"But you did give him the directions?" King Udin asked suspiciously, wondering if the farmer was in fact a traitor and what he was saying was a lie.
"I gave 'im the longest and most dangerous route there is Sire." The farmer grinned, showing many missing teeth. "'E knows nothin' about this land, the Prince won't last a day, 'e couldn't even find a bridge!" The farmer laughed, but it was not a pleasant laugh. It was one that could indeed belong to a mad man, and it echoed off the walls of the crumbling castle.
"The question is, why would Prince Arthur, the son of a King who despises magic, go to a place like the Dark Forest, where magic rules?" Said King Udin, more to himself that the farmer. Even he could not deny that he had let some places in his Kingdom fall into the hands of magic spells and mythical creatures.
"I dunno Sire, I am nothin' but a lowly farmer, I know nothin' of the forest that would have anythin' useful for the Prince of Camelot or any other Prince, there are some nasty things that 'appen in that forest." For the first time since the farmer was put in front of his King, he looked uneasy at the very thought of what might occur in the Dark Forest.
"There is obviously something that they want, but they do not wish anyone to know if only the precious Prince and his manservant went. I have heard nothing about someone from Camelot entering my land."
"I have heard rumours Sire, that Camelot has recently been under attack from a monster, perhaps there is something in the forest that can help them defeat it." Said an old man next to the King, one of his closest advisers. His voice seemed to be tainted with knowledge, but unpleasantness at the same time.
"Well whatever they wish to find, if it is Prince Arthur of Camelot, he cannot have it and he must not leave my Kingdom alive." King Udin rumbled, rage building up inside him like fire, he turned to one of the guards. "Send out a spy to try and find him quickly." The guard nodded gravely and left the room, he then turned back to the farmer. "You may go back to your farm now peasant, if you have nothing else to say, you have been given your reward and I am grateful to you."
"Thank you Sire," said the farmer and was about to leave when the King spoke once more.
"Just one more thing, why did you come here to tell me of this, if what you say is indeed the truth?"
"I am a loyal man of ya Kingdom Sire, I would not betray you and let such an enemy enter this land." The old man's face was serious for a moment, but then he grinned again. "I also need something to pay for my food during the winter."
"Very well, you may leave, but if I find out what you said is a lie, I will hunt you down and have you slaughtered." King Udin warned.
"I understand ya uncertainty Sire, but I have told ya nothin' but the truth." The farmer replied, he then hobbled out the room and out of the castle.
When the farmer had left, the King's old adviser turned to him.
"Are you sure it was really Arthur Pendragon the old man saw?" The adviser asked.
"Who else? He described his exact image as well, and no one would dare lie to me. Especially about a Prince from Camelot, my people know how I feel about that place, and that King." King Udin said, turning his palms into fists and shivering with hatred.
"What is your plan my Lord?"
"I shall send a spy to the mountains to try and find out where they are, and what they are really here for." The King thought for a moment, "that little creature we have locked up in one of the cells will do."
"Are you sure my Lord? We do not know whether it can be trusted."
"It will do as I say, besides, it came from those parts, so will be able to find the Prince and his servant. If they are still alive by the time our spy finds them, and they indeed are heading to the Dark Forest for some sort of purpose concerning Camelot I refused to let them continue. I shall then send some of my best soldiers out there to stop them. I hear that Arthur Pendragon is a good fighter and brave warrior, but I doubt he will be able to defeat my men."
"Very well my Lord, we shall send out the spy tonight." Said the adviser.
Suddenly, for the first time in a month, the King smiled. "By the end of this month," he mumbled, "Prince Arthur Pendragon shall be no more."
