A/N: I am so proud of myself for finding the time to write this chapter. Now if only I could repeat the process for my other stories...
"My lady, the king has just summoned you," Guinevere said, entering Elise's room.
"Why?" Elise asked, putting aside the book she was reading.
"There is a messenger here. He says he is from Silvergrove."
Elise quickly got up from her chair and followed Gwen to the throne room. Standing before King Uther was a very familiar face.
"Lady Elise," the messenger said, turning to her and bowing deeply. He was a tall man, with dark, shoulder-length hair, and bright green eyes.
"Sir Edmund, it is a pleasure to see you," she replied with a smile.
"My lady, I'm afraid I am the bearer of bad news," he started unsurely. "It is with my deepest regret that I tell you that your father, Lord Byron, is dead."
Elise swayed on the spot, and Gwen quickly rushed to her side, but she did not collapse. "What happened?" she asked.
"The castle was infiltrated. I alone was able to escape, at your father's request. He wrote this and asked me to give it to you." He removed a letter from his jacket, and with a trembling hand Elise took it.
"Thank you, Edmund. If the king allows it, I would appreciate your staying here in Camelot." She looked at Uther, her gaze imploring.
"Of course you may, Sir Edmund. It would be an honor." He instructed one of the servants to show him to a spare room.
"Thank you, sire," Edmund said, and bowed. "My lady," he said, bowing to Elise before leaving the room.
Elise stared at the letter in her hand, seeing her name scrawled across the front in her father's handwriting. She clutched it to her heart, and asked Gwen to escort her back to her room. The servant immediately accepted, since Elise's face had paled quite considerably.
My dearest Elise,
As I write this, the enemy is making its way through the castle. Many brave and loyal men I have lost to this darkness, and I will shortly be joining them. I know you were upset at me for making you leave your home, but believe me when I say it was my love for you that led to that decision, though my heart has ached every day since you departed.
Sir Edmund is to deliver this letter to you. I know how much he meant to you and Frederick, so I will spare him from dying for this hopeless cause. Neither he nor you are to return to Silvergrove. There is nothing here for you but pain, and you would not recognize it; the trees have been dying, the once beautiful symbol of this land now destroyed. To return here means almost certain death, even with your magnificent gift.
I must say farewell, my beautiful daughter. I will be joining your brother and mother soon. I will always love you.
Elise kept re-reading the last line, tears falling down her face. Her family was now gone. She and Edmund were what remained of Silvergrove. She couldn't believe it.
She heard a knock on her door, and Gwen hurried over to answer it.
"I was hoping I might speak to Lady Elise?" Sir Edmund's baritone voice sounded from the doorway.
Guinevere turned to Elise, waiting for her answer.
"Of course, Edmund. Gwen, you may leave," Elise said, and Gwen bowed to her before leaving.
"Sir Edmund of Silvergrove," Elise mused, an amused smile on her face.
"Lady Elise," Edmund said respectfully.
She groaned in annoyance. "I have known you since before I could walk! You needn't keep to formalities." And with that she rushed forward and hugged Edmund, who was like a brother to her.
He hugged her back. "Elise, I am so sorry. I wanted to die protecting your father-"
"But he wouldn't let you. He said so in his letter," she explained.
"What else did he say in his letter?" Edmund asked as she began to light some candles in the room.
"That we are not to return home. Is it true the trees are dead?"
"I'm afraid so." Edmund was staring into the fire, the light flashing off the silver tree on his tunic.
"I guess we must stay in Camelot," Elise sighed. "It's nothing like Silvergrove, but everyone's been so kind…"
"Does anyone know about your…" He trailed off, not wanting to be overheard, and did some weird hand motions instead.
Elise laughed, a sound that made Edmund smile. "One person found out, but he won't tell."
"How can you be so sure?" he asked suspiciously.
"Because I've heard only the best things about him," Elise said matter-of-factly. "I can trust him."
Edmund still looked doubtful, and Elise smiled encouragingly at him. "Edmund, not everyone believes magic is evil. You should know that," she said, her voice slightly scolding.
He sighed. "I know. I know."
Elise took his hands in hers. "And it's not like you'd let anyone hurt me."
Edmund smiled at that. "True."
"Good. Now let's talk about something that isn't as dreary," Elise said. She moved to sit down at the table, and Edmund quickly pulled the chair at for her.
When she looked up at him to thank him, her blood ran cold. The light from the candles around the room cast shadows everywhere, and Edmund was standing directly in front of a candle.
But he had no shadow.
"No," she whispered, slowly backing away from him.
Edmund's once green eyes were now almost black. "Elise, did you really think that you could escape from us?" His voice was slightly distorted by echoing whispers. He moved towards her...
"Hello, Merlin," Gwen greeted him as she was walking from Elise's chambers. "You're looking better."
"Thanks, Gwen," the warlock replied, trying to hide the red bump on his head with his hair. Luckily the swelling had gone down quite a bit. "Did you find it as entertaining as Morgana?"
Gwen smiled, embarrassed. "I did find it a little funny, not that I wasn't concerned for your well-being because you did take a nasty fall, but only you could-"
"Could fall down the stairs?" he finished her rant.
"Yes," she replied, smiling.
Merlin sighed. "Yeah, that could only happen to me."
Gwen laughed, but the mood quickly darkened when a piercing scream came from down the corridor.
"Elise!" Guinevere gasped, and Merlin ran after her as they made their way to Elise's room. Gwen flung open the door, and there was Elise, standing over the now unconscious body of Edmund, an andiron in her hand.
"He attacked me," she whispered hoarsely, and Gwen rushed to her side as Elise dropped her weapon and began sobbing on Gwen's shoulder. Gwen held her, and gave Merlin a look that said, Go get help.
He took one last look at the scene before going to alert the guards that they had a new prisoner.
A/N: So what did you think? Leave a review and let me know! :D