I'm SORRY for the late my friends, my bad, I didn't see the time flew ! To apologize, here a longer chapter, I hope you'll like it and I truly hope you'll forgive me :) Have a good time reading it :)
Chapter 10 :
Guinevere tried to catch her breath after her speech and dared to look at the King in the eyes. She loved his son. She had almost lost Arthur once, and she wasn't going to let that happen again...
"You're lying." Breathed the King.
"I'm not lying my lord." She said firmly.
She was sure of herself now, sure about her feelings, sure about Arthur's feelings for her.
"You're lying." he said again, louder.
"No. Arthur loves me."
"How dare you pronounce his name?" Screamed the King and this time, he walked closer, menacingly, but Gwen didn't move. "You are going to leave Camelot."
"No."
"Tonight."
"No I will not."
"Are you standing against your King?"
"No. I stand for love."
Uther took his sword and raised it toward her stomach, catching her shoulder in order to prevent her from escape. Gwen swallowed hardly but didn't look down.
"You are going to leave Camelot or I will kill you."
The King pushed the tip of his sword slightly against the young woman so she could see that he was serious. He saw her eyes watered and for a moment felt guilty before recovering, she was a mere servant. He could not take the risk of seeing his only son marry her.
"I won't leave Arthur's side again. Not unless he wants me to."
Arthur got closer to Cenred, who slowly took his two swords.
"How did you find me?" He looked behind Arthur and glimpsed Morgana, "And you bring your sister with you," He bowed. "My lady."
"Old pig." hissed Morgana and Arthur sketched a smile while Cenred lost his.
At this moment, a noise could be heard behind them and Morgana turned around, raising her sword, while Arthur asked her what was going on, not wanting to lose sight of Cenred.
"You didn't really think I was alone, did you?" Smiled Cenred looking towards Morgana.
Arthur worldly turned around slightly and saw four men surrounding Morgana.
"Morgana." He screamed.
"I'll be fine Arthur," she resumed and, on one blink of her eyes, two men were sending away, while she threw herself on the two others, "Take care of him!"
Arthur eyes left his sister and looked for the King, who had disappeared as he thought he would. However, he saw him try to run away and it only took two seconds for the Prince to run after him.
"Why are you here?" Hissed Morgause.
"You know why." Answered Merlin cryptically.
The witch frowned and walked toward him.
"I don't understand."
"What?"
"Why you are fighting against me and not with me, we grew up together, in the same village."
"I fight for the people I believe in. Arthur will be a great King, I know it."
"He is a Pendragon…."
"He is not his father."
"And the Princess?"
"Morgana has nothing to do with Uther."
Suddenly, Morgause started to laugh and Merlin frowned.
"I can't believe it."
The sorcerer stared at her.
"And pray tell, dear Emrys, since when exactly you're in love with her majesty?"
Merlin froze.
Cenred had the advantage of distance but Arthur had grown up in this woods and soon caught up to him.
Arthur raised his sword toward him. "Already leaving us?" Cenred looked surprise to see Arthur in front of him. "You know Cenred; I'll make it my business to kill you myself."
Trap in a fight he didn't want Cenred took his swords.
"And I'll make my business to take care of your dear sister once I'm over with you."
Arthur tightens his hold on his sword.
"Don't you dare talk about her."
"Or this charming servant girl who seems to have catch Prince Arthur's heart ..."
Arthur became livid and walked closer menacingly.
"I forbid you to talk about her."
"What's her name?"
"I advise you to close your mouth."
"Ah, I got it, Guinevere."
This time, Arthur threw himself on him and Cenred parried the blow with difficulty before pull himself together quickly.
"I said, don't you dare talk about her!"
"When I finished with you, I'll make sure she is treated with all the respect due to her rank ..."
This time, it was way too much for Arthur and he attacked for good. Soon, all that could be heard was noise of sword and scream of determination.
Morgana has disarmed one of the men who had run away. Two of them were still unconscious and the fourth was dead. Now, she was worried about Arthur. He wasn't quite healed from his accident and she was afraid Cenred might manage to take the upper hand on him. Arthur was a great warrior, the best in all of Camelot, even the best of the five Kingdom, but right now, he was weakened by his accident ... Taking the direction when she has last saw her little brother, Morgana felt her heart tighten. She hoped he was fine and that nothing had happen to him.
"And is her Majesty aware of your affection?"
"It's none of your business Morgause." said coldly the sorcerer.
Morgause's face closed and she walked towards him.
"Don't stand in my way."
Merlin shook his head, a slight smile on his lips.
"You still don't get it, do you?"
Morgause frowned.
"I am Emrys. You don't stand a chance."
At this moment two arms were raised. Two looks became gold but only one body was sent into the air...
The battle raged in this side of the forest. Little by little however, Arthur took the lead and soon Cenred felt trapped and in a last effort tried to cripple the Prince otherwise.
"And how does dear Uther took the news? His son and a lowly servant?"
Arthur squeezed his teeth so hard his jaw hurt and attacked harder again.
"Don't talk about her."
"Is she alive?"
"Shut up."
"Does she know she will never see you alive again? I heard she doesn't love you ... Maybe I should call her in my Chamber once this battle is won, for, you know, that she shows me what she knows..."
At that time, Arthur attacked more fiercely and disarmed Cenred before planting his sword in his stomach. A gasp of surprise and pain escaped from Cenred while the Prince said in a low voice.
"See, you have lost. You've lost the war, your kingdom and even your life. I won Cenred. And once I came back safe and sound to my kingdom, I'll marry Guinevere and I'll enjoy each and every moment."
He pulled his sword from the body of the enemy and did not see the man put his arms behind his back and, in a final effort, stab in his side. Arthur frowned and a quiet gasp escaped his mouth. Cenred crumbled on the ground, muttering.
"You didn't win Pendragon. I... killed ... you..." He ended before his eyes close forever.
"Arthur!" Screamed a female voice.
Morgana has come at the moment of the fight; she wanted to help her brother but was scared to hurt him in the process. She guessed more than she heard that they were speaking about something and too soon, a sigh of relief escaped her when she saw his brother's sword ran through Cenred's body. She ran down the path between them crying with a relieved voice.
"Arthur!"
It was over. The war was over. Arthur turned around when she was a few meters from him and right away, Morgana felt her heart stop.
"No." She breathed, livid.
Arthur opened the mouth, tried to walk toward her but crumbled on his knees.
"NO!" Screamed this time Morgana. She had saw the red spot on the side of her armor and he could only mean one thing ... "Arthur"
She ran at his side and tilts his head toward her, his eyes were clouded by pain and she forced him to lie down, before look at him. Merlin was better at healing people. At this moment her heart stopped for the second time in a few minutes. Where was Merlin? She laid her hands on the wound of his brother and closed her eyes, trying to calm down, to control the hysterical sobs that wanted to take possession of her. She had to stop the bleeding, and then take him to Gaius; the old man will know what to do. She wiped her eyes, and stroked her brother's face murmuring,
"Don't worry Arthur, I will heal you."
After that, she closed her eyes and recited the words in the old language. She didn't dare open her eyes, what if she had failed?
"Morgana?" Asked a rough voice.
She suddenly opened her eyes and this time she couldn't control her sobs.
"Arthur ! You ... You are ..."
"Yes, thanks to you." Smiled gently the young Prince. "We have to get back in the castle, Guinevere-"
At this moment, a noise could be heard behind them and the sibling jumped. Morgana got up and took her sword, while Arthur tried to get up, as well.
"Well well, is that a way to welcome an old friend?" Breathed a voice and Morgana thought she was going to faint with relief.
"Merlin!" she exclaimed, throwing herself in his arms.
He smiled and squeezed back, before glimpse Arthur.
"Arthur?" He asked, receding slowly from Morgana before running toward his best friend. He saw Cenred's lifeless body but couldn't find it in himself to care.
"I'm fine. Morgana stopped the bleeding..." Breathed Arthur with pride.
"We have to get him to Gaius."
"Guinevere."
"Arthur-"
"No Merlin, I want to see Guinevere."
The young man sighed in front of the stubborn of his friend before Morgana help him get Arthur up and head toward the Castle, as quick as the Prince could.
"What about Morgause?" asked Arthur.
"Dead."
"I'm sorry Merlin." Breathed Morgana.
"She wasn't the person I grew up with; this Morgause was consumed by hate."
He looked down a few seconds, before continuing. Once in the Castle, they noticed the lot of bodies and Leon ran toward them.
"My lord Cenred's knights are retreating… my lord?" said Sir Leon alarmed at Arthur's current state.
"I'm fine, the war is won?" Answer Arthur.
"Yes." Smiled the knight "Yes the war is won."
Arthur smiled and receded from Morgana and Merlin, staggering toward the Castle.
"Arthur!" called Morgana, "You must go and see Gaius!"
"I must go and see Guinevere." muttered the Prince and the two friends followed.
Uther came again in the room and took his sword before heading toward Guinevere; this one leant in toward Bahir and whispered something in his ear, before the boy run in another room.
"I gave you enough time servant, you will leave Camelot and never return or I will kill you."
Gwen stood tall and proud. "My answer is the same as earlier your majesty, no matter your threads, no matter what you promise me, time or money, my place is by Arthur's side, as long as he wishes me to."
"In this case, you leave me no choice..."
Uther walked closer and saw the flash of fear in the woman's eyes, but was surprised to see it soon replaced by acceptance.
"It's not too late to change your mind."
"Tell him please that I never loved anyone but him-"
"Close your mouth servant, you're not allowed of speaking this way of the Crown Prince!"
"That everything I've done was in order to protect him and-"
"I said shut up!"
"And that as long as my heart will beat, and even once it won't anymore, he will be the only man in it and-"
Her words died in her throat, replaced by the cry of pain when the King's sword ran through her stomach. She vainly gripped his shoulder and he saw an only tear roll down her cheek, before hearing a scream of pure pain that wasn't hers...
Arthur was heading quickly toward his chamber; he needed to see that she was fine. He was walking in the corridors, his hand on his hurting side, which, even if Morgana has stopped the bleeding, was ready to infect at any time. He didn't care; Guinevere was the only thing he cared about. He opened the door and the scene he saw made him about to faint, Guinevere, a tear on her cheek, her hand on his father shoulder and his father's sword covered by blood, her blood...
"NO!" Shouted Arthur running towards Guinevere.
Uther turned around and paled, seeing his son, while Guinevere was crumbling to the floor, before Arthur caught her in his arms and help lower her to the floor.
"Arthur-" He tried but his son took his sword.
"Get away from her."
"Arthur, this is only a servant girl-"
"SHUT UP." Shouted the Prince. In his pain, he got up and he swung his sword toward the King, who had to jump in order to prevent the blow.
Once his father was of his way, Arthur threw his sword and ran back towards Guinevere, he took her in his arms and laid his hands on her wound, trying to stop the bleeding,
"No..." He breathed, tears rolling down his cheeks, "No... You can't die. I love you. I need you..." He buried his face in her hair and sobbed, before felt a slight pressure on his head.
"Arthur"
He raised his head after hearing this whisper, she opened her eyes with difficulty and a sad smile reached her lips.
"I... love you... too." she tried but her wound was hurting when she spoke.
"I'm going to fetch you Merlin, or Morgana!"
He was going to leave but Guinevere's small hand closed around his.
"No please ... stay."
"Hang on my love, I beg you."
Uther moved back until he found a wall and let himself slide against it, seeing his son crying for the woman he loved. He just killed the woman his son loved, what kind of monster was he? At this time, Merlin and Morgana came in the room, a smile in their lips, smile which quickly fade when they saw Arthur crying over somebody they knew well, too well...
"Gwen." Breathed Morgana before run at her brother's side, followed by Merlin.
Arthur raised his head and his eyes broke their hearts.
"Help her. I beg you, please."
Merlin kneeled close to his friend and laid his hands on her wound.
"Arthur," He breathed, "I can try and stop the bleeding, but Gwen has lost a lot of blood, I don't know if..."
"Just do it, please Merlin." Beg the prince desperately, moving tenderly a curl that was on Guinevere's face.
Merlin laid a hand on her wound and spell some words in old language before he removed his hand and laid it in his best friend's shoulder, Morgana stroked his forearm but the Prince didn't move, waiting for the woman he loves to wake up. When nothing came, Arthur closed his eyes and fresh tears rolled down, before he got up.
"Guards!" he screamed.
The guards came and Arthur gave a look full of hate toward the man whom he calls father.
"Take him to the dungeons."
Uther was surprised to see the men actually walking closer to him.
"What do you think you are doing? I'm your King for God's sake!"
"The knights are loyal to me." Said Arthur angrily at his father. "I am in battle by their side, not you. I trained them, not you. I earned their respect, not you."
They take the King, who surprisingly lets them do it, throwing an imploring look toward this son he has hurt so much.
"I'm sorry Arthur..."
"GET HIM OUT OF MY SIGHT!"
Once Uther gone, Arthur wiped his cheek and leant in before he carefully picked up Gwen in his arms, he cradles her in his arms laying her head in the crook of his neck and squeezing her against him. Once again sobbing for his dying love, he heads toward his bed and lays her tenderly, making her the most comfortable he could before take a chair and sit by her side, taking her hand.
"Arthur-" Started Morgana, tears rolling down her cheeks.
"Merlin, go and fetch Gaius. Morgana, fetch a new dress for Guinevere, I'll stay here and wait for her to wake up."
Morgana opened the mouth but Merlin stopped her, and she saw the tears rolling down his cheeks too and the woman laid a hand on her mouth, preventing the sob that was taking her.
Once alone with Guinevere, Arthur laid her hand against his lips and stared at her beautiful face.
"I beg you Guinevere, you must hang on. You must come back. Because I love you and I can't live without you... I beg you, please. Come back. Come back to me Guinevere."
Gwen was lost. All was white around her and even if she searched, she didn't know where she was, nor why. When she looked down, she was surprise to see she was wearing a white dress.
"I think I understand why he is so in love with you."
The young woman jumped and turned around. She opened wide eyes when she saw her; a woman was walking toward her, with long golden hair and wide blue eyes... She knew this face... It was the same as...
"Arthur." She breathed and she saw the smile light up the woman's face.
"Come, child." She smiled, lifting her hand towards Gwen.
After little hesitation, she took the hand and the women walked.
"Where are we?"
"I think you know where."
Gwen felt tears blurred her vision.
"And who are you?"
"I think you know that, too." Resumed gently the woman.
Suddenly, a voice could be heard.
"Guinevere." She heard the broken voice and right away, let go of the woman's hand and to try to find where the voice of the man she loves was coming from.
"Arthur?"
"You... You can't die! You can't leave me..."
"I'm here Arthur!"
"Come back. I beg you, come back to me."
Gwen felt tears rolling down her cheeks, she tried to look around her but all was white.
"ARTHUR!"
"I love you so much..."
"No." She breathed before turning toward the Queen who a tear has escaped her blue eyes, "You have to help me!"
"I can't, child."
"I beg you." Resumed Gwen, desperate this time.
"There is nothing to do." Breathed gently the older woman before taking her hand again. "I'm sorry." She walked a little before showing something to Gwen who would have wanted to scream in front of the scene she was seeing, she was laid in Arthur's bed, livid, the Prince by her side, tears escaping his gorgeous blue eyes, and her hand squeezed in his. "No..." she breathed again. "Arthur..."
Morgana just changed Gwen's dress, now we could almost think she was sleeping, almost. Gaius has already come and confirmed what Merlin has said earlier, Gwen has lost too much blood, and she won't survive unless a miracle... Arthur felt his heart broke a little more, if Guinevere died... No. He couldn't even think about it. The Prince has refused to be healed as long as the woman he loves was dying, what's the point of life if she wasn't by his side? He'd rather die with her. He heard the door open and Morgana came in, before laying a hand on his shoulder but Arthur didn't move, his eyes remained on Guinevere.
"She is beautiful, isn't she?"
"Yes." Breathed Morgana and he understood at her voice that she had cried. He then raised his hand and laid it on hers in his shoulder, still without looking away from his beloved Gwen.
"She will wake up, I know it."
"Arthur-"
"No. Don't talk. She will wake up Morgana, she must."
His sister squeezed tenderly his shoulder before leave him alone with the love of his life, letting him enjoy the few last moments together they have.
"There must be something we can do Gaius." The young man says desperately.
"I'm sorry Merlin, but Gwen has lost too much blood, even magic can't do anything now..."
"He won't recover." Cut in Morgana with tears in her eyes. Both men turned towards her, "I've seen him with Gwen just now, I know him Gaius. If Gwen died tonight, he won't ever recover."
The old man didn't answer and Merlin saw the tears in his princess's eyes, he walked closer and took her in his arms, allowing her to sob against his shoulder.
Gwen eyes wouldn't leave her Prince.
"I beg you," she tried again; "There must be something I can do."
"Death is a cruel thing young Guinevere, I am sorry."
A sob took the young woman and the Queen laid her eyes again on her only son. How could Uther sentence him at the same pain he has lived when she had died? How could he sentence his son to so much pain?
"Guinevere." Choked the Prince. "I beg you. Don't leave me."
"I'm here Arthur." Answered Gwen, even if she now knows that he had no chance of hearing her.
"I can't do it without you."
"I'm here my love."
"I'd give up everything I've got, everything I am, my own life if I had to if it means you'll be here, alive..."
"Oh Arthur..."
Arthur laid her hand against his cheek and closed his eyes, imagining Guinevere doing it, her eyes sparkling with love, her tender smile... Suddenly, grief took over him and he sobbed without being able to control himself. He couldn't live without her. At this time, the door opened again and, believing to be Merlin or Morgana again, the Prince didn't move, didn't open his eyes, until he heard the person speak...
"Oh no Gwen..."
Arthur got up right away and took his sword, in a blind pain, before throw himself on Louis.
"You killed her!" He screamed and the young man, livid, receded a little.
"No..."
"She is dying because of you!"
"I am so sorry..."
"'Sorry'will not make the woman I love live again!" shouted Arthur before walk closer, "You stole our last moments together."
"I'm sorry." Said again Louis, tears rolling down his cheeks.
He saw the Prince opened the mouth, then closed it, before lowering his sword.
"Out." he resumed in a broken voice.
"But I..."
"OUT BEFORE I CHANGE MY MIND AND I RUN YOU MY SWORD THROUGH YOU!"
This time, Louis jumped and bowed, before whispering.
"She loved you. She has always loved you."
And he left, leaving Arthur, who crumbled on the ground, his head between his hands, crying the true love of his life.
Gwen laid a hand on her mouth before look away. She couldn't watch that. Ygraine laid a hand on her shoulder but he didn't stop the young woman to burst into tears.
Gaius came in and saw the Prince, lying behind Guinevere, his arms around her and his face bury in her neck. The old man felt his heart tighten in front of the unfairness of life and walked closer, before clearing his throat. Arthur didn't move but Gaius knew he had all his attention.
"Sire, you have to say goodbye to her. Guinevere will surely not make it through the night."
He saw Arthur's shoulders shaking by sobs and couldn't help but being spectator of that.
"I'm sorry." breathed the old man before take his leave, leaving them some privacy.
Guinevere saw Arthur get up with difficulty and lay a tender hand on her cheek. She laid her hand on the same cheek, hoping to feel the caress of it but removed it, feeling nothing but coldness.
"I love you. I will always love you, I will never love another than you Guinevere, I give you my word." Said the Prince fiercely, tears rolling down his cheeks.
He leant in and kissed her tenderly and again, Gwen laid her hand on her lips trying to feel his, but still nothing. He kissed her again.
"We are only separate for a few moments. Even death can't tear us apart completely, we will see each other again my love."
He kissed her cheek this time, then her forehead before breathed, in a broken voice.
"You are and you will always be the true love of my life, Guinevere."
This time, one of his tears rolled down toward her half-open lips. Gwen wiped her eyes and wait, seeing Arthur stuck his forehead on hers, not letting her go. He couldn't do that.
Suddenly, she felt a sharp pain took her in her left side and she bent, trying to suppress it but it didn't work. She turned around toward the Queen and didn't understand the look of hope hidden behind her tears.
"What is happening to me?"
"I ... I don't dare believe it." Breathed the older woman.
Gwen let a small cry of pain and soon, her head was spinning and she thought she was about to faint, her knees went weak and if the Queen had not catch her, she would have fell. Ygraine squeezed her against her and she whispered words that had very little sense to Guinevere
"Enjoy this second chance, child. Be happy. Make him happy. I'm so glad the Gods decided to give you a second chance... Tell Arthur and Morgana that I love them, and that I'm so proud of the adults they have become! And tell Uther... tell him I know he is not this heartless person he is now, tell him I know the person I fell in love with is still there, somewhere."
Gwen felt her eyelids heavy and laid her head on the woman's shoulder.
"I'm so glad I met you Guinevere, I'm so glad my son choose you."
After these last words, all went- black.
Arthur closed his eyes and took her hand again, once Merlin and Morgana said goodbye to their friend. They were all in the room, the most important people in Guinevere's life. Arthur stroke the hand of the woman he loves with his thumb, murmuring again and again that he loved her more than anything else, while Morgana, heartbreakingly saw her little brother say farewell to the one he loves above everything. Merlin too, had tears rolling down his cheeks. He couldn't watch that. Gwen couldn't die, it wasn't her destiny.
After having murmuring once again that he loves her, Arthur laid his head by Gwen's side, soaking in her warmth, before squeeze her hand against his heart. He thought he felt her move her finger slightly but understood quickly that his imagination was playing a trick. He so wanted Guinevere to be alive that he was imagining she react at his touch.
.
..
...
He jumped and got up quickly.
"Arthur?" Morgana looked at Arthur questioningly.
He didn't answer but got closer to Guinevere.
"My love, I think I must dreamt that, dreamt it so hard but... if you hear me, if you're here, please, do it again."
"Arthur-" Started Merlin but all three gasp in shock when they see Guinevere's finger close around Arthur's hand.
"Go and fetch Gaius." said Arthur in a shaking voice before take Guinevere's hand and laid it on his lips, "My love..."
A few seconds later, Guinevere's eyes opened and Arthur thought he was about to die from joy.
"Guinevere..."
She then saw two gorgeous blue eyes and didn't understand.
"Arthur?"
"I'm here my love," He answered right away. "Don't talk. Don't tired yourself. I'm here; I'm not going to leave you, never."
"Your mother ..."
"Don't talk my love."
Too exhausted to talk, Gwen closed her eyes again but not before having put Arthur's hand on her heart.
"You made me come back..." she breathed and she heard his sobs before he laid a tender kiss on her forehead.
So ? What did you think ? :D A lot of Drama in this one but I hope you liked it ! No cliff-hanger in this chapter, it's a gift to say I'm sorry for the late ( initially, the chapter was ending after Arthur felt Gwen's fingers move but he wasn't sure... ) Uther and Gwen ? Morgana healing Arthur ? Merlin killing Morgause ? Uther killing Gwen ? Guinevere's almost death ? Arthur and Guinevere ? Guinevere and Ygraine ? Guinevere coming back to life ? I truly hope you had a great time :)
FIRST OF ALL, I want to thank my AMAZING beta : LunaSolTierra, THANK YOU SO MUCH for what you're doing :)
Thank you to my followers : Arthurlover7, Cowboy's Lover Dimitri No 1, LHC1, LunaSolTierra, Missyhoneybee, MySocksNevrMatch, RavenBaller-23, carlinejo, expowriting025, freckled98, , somegirlinthisworld and tfurman2011, THANK YOU :)
Thanks to people who added me in their favourites : Arthurlover7, LunaSolTierra, RavenBaller-23, expowriting025 and -stories, THANK YOU :)
And of course, thank you to my AMAZING reviewers ! Thanks to : Arthurlover7, larasmith, freckled98, megan, Guest, LHC1 and GPendragon, THANK YOU SOOO MUCH, it means the world to me :)
I wanted to answer to Megan and Guest :)
'Megan' Ahah, thank you for your kind review :) I'm so glad you liked it my friend ! And I admit I would have love for Gwen to fight by Arthur's side too... Who knows, maybe another time ? ;)
Thank you for your review ! :)
'Guest' Thank you I'm glad you enjoyed :) Sorry for the update tough, chapter 11 already written, almost translate ! Hope you'll like it ! Anyway, I'm glad you like Merlin/Morgana and the child ( I pretty like Bahir too :) )
Thank you for your review :)
I really, really hope you had a great time my friends,
Keep Safe :)