The Last Priestess: Part II
Chapter 12: Final Fury
"Anabelle!" Gwaine, Percival, Leon, Mordred, and Arthur shouted out to her as they were forced to watch the woman held under the control of a madman, strangled by the dark magic Trystan held her with.
After having a long heartfelt talk with Arthur, coming to the promise that they would find a way to discover what might've been between them, without destroying her new relationship, Anabelle returned to Mordred's side, trying her best to fall asleep. Her thoughts made sleep impossible. She laid still, looking up through the trees at the night sky, feeling peaceful for once since she had left the castle walls. Her peace was quickly shattered by the sound of someone approaching the camp. The unseen presence made no effort to hide their advance, breaking the branches on the ground, moving swiftly through bushes and the brush around the camp. Anabelle was not the only one to hear the noises. As if on instinct, the King and his Knights were circled around the makeshift camp, and around Anabelle. Leon kept his arm around the Princess, as Percival brought her behind him until they knew who would appear.
The men protecting her were no match for Trystan's tricks. He had control of Anabelle in seconds. When she finally saw his face, his mission was clear. More than ever, he still meant to kill her. Trapped in place by his magic, Anabelle was forced to her knees once the malicious man had immobilized the King and his pet guards.
"Trystan, don't hurt them. They are innocents. They don't deserve to die."
He did not speak to her at first. He kept his eyes upon the men, walking, circling them. Eventually he kneeled down, grabbing her chin roughly with his fingers. His blond hair and the bluest eyes still reminded her of Arthur. The evil in his gaze and in his heart were the things that set him in a category so much less than her Arthur. He could never compare to the kind, moral, and brave King she knew and adored.
"I have no intention of harming them yet." Trystan spoke to her. "It is you I have come for. It is you that I mean to take from this place." His hand replaced the magic at her throat, holding her in place. "Stand up." He ordered, giving the Princess no choice but to comply.
She could hear Arthur shouting to her, she saw him and the others fighting to break free of the magic they were constrained by, and there was nothing she could do to help them or herself.
"I love you." She mouthed to her brave protectors.
"Fight Anabelle!" Gwaine yelled, knowing she would be taken away from them. "You do not let the enemy take control. Even blinded you are a fighter and a survivor."
"You will not survive what I have planned for you." Trystan told her, turning then to the men still struggling to get to Anabelle. "I will return to you by dawn King of Camelot. Anabelle will submit to me by then. She will be lost to you." The two were gone minutes later, disappeared into the night.
The last thing Anabelle heard was all of the men calling out to her.
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Panic and desperation were the only things Arthur felt. He had lost her. He had promised her that nothing would ever harm her as long as she was at his side, and she had been taken from him again. He didn't know which way to turn or look. Helplessness joined in on his emotional party just then. His Knights had split up, running fast in separate directions, looking for clues to the direction Anabelle had been taken off by Trystan. The King looked over to Mordred who at the moment looked as though he might fall upon his own sword. He went to the man, first securing the weapon in hand.
"We will find her." Arthur assured his friend.
"He took her. He wasn't supposed to get anywhere near her. We were supposed to protect her from him." Mordred spoke, standing broken beside the equally as broken King. "He said he will kill her before dawn. Dawn is not far off."
"He lied." Arthur didn't quite believe the statement himself, but had to assure the others. "Anabelle is smart. She will not let him kill her if she can find a way to keep him occupied, and his goal neglected even temporarily. She is clever enough to say the right things."
"Here! I found something!"
The two men were distracted and startled by Percival's shouting. "There are signs of footprints." The men all ran in the right direction.
"The tracks lead back to Camelot." Leon seemed spoke, confused by the facts.
"How can we be certain who the tracks belong to?' Gwaine joined the others.
"I also found this." Percival handed a piece of fabric to Mordred.
"It's Anabelle's. Her dress. I'm sure of it."
"Good girl Anabelle." Gwaine spoke.
"Why would he return her to Camelot?" Leon questioned.
"Because," Mordred answered the inquiry. "He is just clever enough to think that we would not guess he could return to the place our journey began." There was not even a short enough pause before Mordred was ready to go after the Princess. "I'm going to find her."
"I'm going with you." Gwaine offered.
"No." Mordred refused and Gwaine looked insulted by the rejection. "Trystan will notice when he returns if more than one of us is missing. He will know if we are close to finding Anabelle. The less suspicion the better."
"Mordred is right." Arthur shocked himself by agreeing. "I don't want to stay here either. I want to go after her too, but Trystan will return, and he will not get away with this."
"I will find her." Mordred said in a firm tone. "She will not be harmed."
"Bring her back to us." Leon ordered, and Mordred was off, taking his horse and weapons.
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"How did you get away with this? How did you find us?" Anabelle insisted on knowing as Trystan pulled her up the steps of the castle.
When they reached the top, Trystan pushed her against the wall, his hands still threatening to torture her with as much pain and suffering he could imagine using.
"The only person who despises you more than me - she was willing to help me find you. She wants you dead more than you can dream. What ever could you have done to the Queen Anabelle?"
"The Queen." Anabelle choked, forced then to march into the Throne room, thrown to the floor and kept silent by the point of a sword at her chest.
"I told those men that I intend to kill you by dawns light, but I think it would better serve my purpose if first we talk. You will not be found anytime soon, so if you are honest with me, I might let you live a short time longer." Grabbing her by the arm, Trystan lifted her, thrusting her then into a chair.
"What did you do to the Queen?" He still wanted to know, thinking the answer could be used to his advantage.
"How did you know where to find Guinevere?"
Trystan's anger was provoked again. "I am asking the questions Anabelle."
Her voice quieted to a whisper. "The King was still in love with me when he married. By no fault of my own, I have had influence over Arthur and his choices at times. Now please tell me how you came to speak with the Queen."
Trystan relented slightly. He sat across from the Princess. "It was by chance that I was able to speak to the woman you so cruelly slighted. Agravaine led me to the Lady Morgana before being stupid enough to return to his nephew. I requested audience with Morgana, but she refused to see me. It appeared as though you found her first. She would not help me to find you, and said that if I bring any harm to you, she will see that I experience each torture I show you three fold." He stood up again, coming to stand beside Anabelle. "I will admit, you are well protected in this place, but the Lady Morgana and your King are not here for you now." His sword rested at her arm, nicking the flesh just above her elbow. Grasping her cut arm, Anabelle did not understand his need to play, taunting her with her imminent death.
"You intend on returning to Arthur to tell him you have killed me?"
"That is the plan. I will go very soon; Perhaps as soon as you are compliant and quelled."
Anabelle could feel the effects of whatever Trystan had done. Her head and her whole body were lighter. She felt dizzy and could barely hold her head up. "What have you done to me? What have you given me?" Attempting to stand, the dizziness kept her seated. She wasn't just lethargic, but felt sick and near blackout.
"Are you alright Anabelle? Are you finally feeling tired?" Trystan calmly question her. "It should only be a matter of time before you succumb and I can tell the King you are gone."
"Trystan, what have you done to me?"
He gave a laugh, sounding even more menacing than before. "Thanks to a sufficient dose of hemlock, mixed with my own blend of saffron and peppermint laced over the blade of my sword, you will be sedated in no time."
"I should've known you would not fight me fairly; on an even field. Arthur is going to kill you."
"I am going to find a way to get us back home. We are going to marry and I will be King." He didn't take notice of the look on her face. "First, I will go to meet your love. He will never have you."
Anabelle could feel waves of exhaustion sweeping over her. She struggled to stay awake and keep her conversation going. She would not allow Arthur to be harmed by Trystan. That was not the way he was meant to leave her.
"We cannot go back." She told him. "It is impossible. I made sure that I could not return when I came here." She had to half lie. "I had assumed the danger would not be so impudent as to follow me."
"You're lying." He returned.
"I'm not. Everyone within our time presumed us dead years ago."
"Years." Trystan spat unbelievingly.
"We have been gone for years Trystan. Time and these jumps work differently. There is no way to go back. My sister has been Queen for a long time. My death made her grow up. She rules even better than I might have. I won't take that from her."
Continuing to fight the ache of unconsciousness hovering in a cloudiness just above her, it was impossible for her to move. "In my pocket, there is a letter from my sister. Gaius was able to help me send it before it was too late."
Cautiously, Trystan approached the sedated Princess. Watching her closely, he reached into the pocket of her cloak. Opening the paper, Anabelle watched his face change. The royal seal was still clear upon the pages. She watched him read, silently determining his next step.
"This is a forgery." He pushed the blade of his sword to her neck, denying the validity of what had been written.
"Written in my sister's hand and bearing the seal of my family?"
"How?"
"I told you- time works different here. Science and magic brought me here, but it will not take either of us back." She sat up further, facing her threat head on again. She would not let him continue to make her afraid. If she died, it would be on her own terms.
"I am not returning. You can try to find a way back, but our lives are no longer entwined. Arthur will not allow you to stay."
"The King of Camelot will try to kill me."
"And he will succeed. If not him, any of his Knights will do the job." Anabelle taunted him.
His anger bubbled over the surface then. His plans were backfiring. Throwing the letter and everything upon the table behind him into the wall, Anabelle winced as everything was smacked, shattered, or spilled to the floor. Angered by her mocking, Trystan trapped her to the chair, still under the effects of Hemlock. Anabelle could not break through the magic he used, so she stayed in the chair.
"The sun will start to rise. I must now go see your dear love. When I return, we will be married."
Minutes after Trystan strode arrogantly from the room, Anabelle wiggled around the chair, struggling still to free herself from the power keeping her trapped in position. She had to keep herself from screaming out loud, holding in every bit of heightened terror coursing through her veins as a set of hands touched to her shoulders. She took in a deep breath and looked up, fearful that Trystan had changed his mind, returning to hurt her for more time.
"Anabelle?"
The voice was familiar and a definite comfort. She looked up and couldn't help but feel relief.
"Merlin." She said. "Help me. I can't get free."
There was no hesitation in his actions this time. The power in his magic was one that Anabelle knew was more intense than Trystan's. She was free in a second, able to stand again. She fell right back into the chair when she tried. The poison Trystan had supplied her with still affected her.
"Anabelle, what is it? Merlin asked, his arm helping her to stand and walk out of the room.
"Hemlock, saffron, and peppermint." She told him. "Trystan had the blade of his sword laced with it. He cut my arm before he left. I'm tired. I'm so tired." She felt her knees weaken, and wanted to fall and sleep.
Merlin knew that Anabelle would not make it much farther if she had to be upright. He shifted his arm around her, using the other to lift her up.
"Where is Arthur?"
"He's in the dark forest. Trystan went to meet him. He is going to try to kill…" Anabelle didn't finish.
When Merlin looked down at her, he saw she'd fallen unconscious. "Anabelle?" He shook her gently, setting her down to the ground. He wrapped her cut arm with a piece of his shirt. "Anabelle, wake up. You have to open your eyes." He said. He was busy trying to think of any way to remove the poison from her system. He wasn't certain he knew the answer. He could've started to panic if there hadn't been a Knight running frantically through the doors of the castle.
"Merlin."
"Mordred." The sorcerer was actually happy to see the other man. He immediately set to explaining the problem of the poison as Mordred gave direction to Arthur. The two men took off, Anabelle still blacked out in the arms of her betrothed.
"I may know a way to contradict the effects of the hemlock if we can pick up Hawthorne berry and juniper on the way. If Arthur sees her like this…"
"It won't be a good scene." Mordred agreed, using a sentence Anabelle had once seen fit to use.
Mordred was on his horse with Anabelle in no time, Merlin following close behind. They didn't slow much until they were halfway into the forest area. Merlin was searching for juniper to mix with the Hawthorne he had plucked up.
"What were you doing at the castle? Anabelle said you were on a separate mission for her."
"I arrived back on time to see Anabelle held captive by a man that I did not recognize." Merlin responded to the Knight.
"Trystan." Mordred pointed out.
Merlin nodded. "He was hurting her when they walked through the doors. When I went to find her, I remembered that Anabelle mentioned he has magic. She didn't need my help right away. I listened outside of the room, and she was great." He told the man who clearly would give his own life for her. "She stood up to him even when he was cruel and hurting her. She didn't look afraid of him at all."
"That's my girl." Mordred kissed the top of her head.
"There." Merlin pointed out, jumping down from his horse. Running to a near tree, he gathered juniper. Immediately he started mixing the ingredients, using a makeshift mortar to crush it all. "Give this to her."
Mordred carefully leaned Anabelle's head back, opening her mouth. He slowly poured the thickening liquid into her, making sure it got into her body. Forcing her to swallow, both men waited for any sign of life from the woman. The time that passed as they walked was agonizing for both men.
"You really love her, don't you? Merlin questioned. With nothing better to do than wait through the torturing minutes, he figured they could at least talk.
"I have never had such strong feelings for anyone." Mordred returned. "When Trystan took her, I thought I had actually died from heartbreak and loss. I think I know now how Arthur felt when the Queen left him. It's destructive. I care for her in ways I cannot put into words."
"He says that, and yet he hesitated when I asked him to marry me." Anabelle giggled. She felt Mordred jump, moving her up into position to face him.
"Anabelle?" Merlin smiled and laughed.
"You came for me again." She whispered to Mordred, her arms already around him. "You saved me."
"I would love to take credit for saving you my love, but it was Merlin who saved you this time."
Anabelle shot Merlin a look of complete thrill. "Stop the horses this minute." She insisted, jumping down as soon as the men stopped, confused by her request.
She walked over to Merlin, waiting for him to dismount. She threw her arms around him when he stood in front of her. "Thank you." She said to him. "I owe you my life." She then kissed his cheek sweetly before pulling back.
"Arthur is waiting for us Anabelle." Mordred said. He smiled when she shot him a look.
The three were off and running after another minute, armed with what they needed and in search of Arthur.
"He'll be happy to see you." Mordred told her, sensing her anticipation.
After a long ride, they arrived about twenty yards or so from where Arthur stood with Leon. Anabelle was not sure if Trystan was near, but she didn't care currently.
"Arthur." She called out to him, jumping from the horse, sprinting in his direction.
Arthur spun at the sound of her voice, breaking into a run to her in only seconds. His girl was alive and well. She was so close to him, and when she jumped into his arms, he was whole again.
"My Anabelle." He hugged her, unwilling to let her go, even when Leon ran to her, picking her up into his arms. Arthur kept hold of her hand. He let Mordred keep hold of the rest of her, but he wasn't letting go.
"Has Trystan arrived yet?" Anabelle questioned.
Arthur and Leon shook their heads. "He has likely lost his way. We are expecting him any moment." Leon spoke. "You will stay hidden." He commanded her. He used a strict tone that Anabelle had never heard from him. Gwaine had used the tone many times, but this was a first for Leon. He was serious about her staying out of sight.
"We will stay hidden with her." Merlin offered, nodding to Arthur.
"You're back then." The King noticed.
Anabelle nudged him in the ribs, making contact even with his armor on. "Merlin saved my life Arthur. You will be especially nice to him. If not for him, I'd be magically trapped to a chair waiting for Trystan to return."
"And unconscious." Merlin added.
"And unconscious." Anabelle agreed.
Arthur wasn't going to argue or question the fact that Anabelle had lost consciousness yet. "Thank you Merlin." He said. "I owe you more than anything for her life."
"Could you owe me a day off?" Merlin suggested.
"I don't owe you that much." Arthur joked, smacked on the arm by Anabelle.
"The hell you don't. I think my life is worth far more than a day." She and Merlin laughed, silenced as they reached the edge of the camp meeting space. They group of men stood behind a tree with the Princess.
Arthur and Mordred kept Anabelle between them as Leon joined Gwaine, Percival, and the remaining Knights. Trystan was dismounting his horse and Anabelle tensed, her hands squeezing to the hands of both men.
"Where is your King?" Trystan asked, searching the surrounding areas.
"He will return shortly." Leon spoke for the Knights. "Until that point, you are going to contend with me." He took out a rolled piece of parchment from his cloak, handing it to the annoyed man.
Trystan took the paper in hand, unrolling it, sneering and frowning as he read. As he finished, it was clear that his derision for the men had grown.
"This is a treaty." He said. "How diplomatic of your King. Am I expected to accept these terms? You would expect me to sign this without argument? I will not agree to such unreasonable and foolish terms." Taking a small step forward, his face stayed inches from Gwaine.
Anabelle could see the tension in Gwaine from where she stayed put. She knew he would've struck Trystan if not for Leon's hand stopping him from an attack.
"You have invaded Camelot. You are trying to take someone that I love; someone who will never be yours to control." Gwaine did not hesitate to return a comment, but with Leon's hand still holding his shoulder hard, he kept his cool, taking a cue from his Anabelle's book of level-headed ways. "Anabelle will always stay protected by us no matter where she is, or who tries to take her." Gwaine hoped to God that Mordred had found Anabelle.
"You love her as your King does." Trystan scoffed. "You may like to know she will not survive much longer after I return to her. It's true that she may already be dead. I have poisoned her with Hemlock."
"You will not be so lucky to make it out of this forest or this meeting alive." Leon let go of Gwaine, stepping forward himself, fire in his eyes and heart.
Anabelle had never seen him react that way. He had always protected her, but she had not once seen such an intense and savage side of him.
"Which of you is so confident to fight me?" Trystan taunted the men around him. "Who of you is so willing to keep me from what has been promised to me?"
"I think I am brave enough." Arthur let go of Anabelle for the first time since she had been returned to him. He felt his heart sink a bit, wondering if he could keep her safe this time. "I am Arthur Pendragon, King of Camelot, and you are trying to kill my reason for breathing."
"Your Queen will be so happy to hear such a comment has come from you."
Arthur ignored the comment made. "Anabelle is Gwaine's, and she is Leon's, she is Percival's, and she is Mordred's. Most importantly, she is my best-friend, which means she will always be mine. Are my terms so irrational?"
"You will have to kill me." Trystan growled. "If not, I will take what is mine."
Anabelle watched silently as both men arrogantly over her as if she were property, playing their parts in this childish game. She stayed tightly held in Mordred's arms. He was not letting go again.
"I will have her."
"This does not need to be finished so violently."
"You cannot kill me." Trystan figured. "Your Just and kind heart will not let you. You take too much of Anabelle into consideration when deciding. She would be disappointed in you if you take my life so arbitrarily." He was fuming still. "You are diplomatic and blinded by her opinion of you. In turn, you are as easily manipulated as the jaded woman you seek to protect." He couldn't leave out his insults. "Do you not have the guts to kill me King of Camelot? Will you keep from doing so because she refuses allowance? What a burden to be restricted by such a fragile woman."
Arthur laughed at the idea that Anabelle was fragile in any way. Trystan had paused only for seconds before again insulting and pushing the limits of Arthur's control.
"Coward." Trystan said
"So be it." Arthur still stayed calm on the surface, his own pride and anger bubbling up. He turned his back, picking up his sword.
When Anabelle saw the look on his face, she knew he was not calm enough to continue. Trystan was baiting him, tormenting his pride, his courage, and his own ability to think for himself. Arthur was furious. She had to do something. Trystan still had magic, and he would hurt her friend if given half a chance. She couldn't let that happen, so she subtly moved out of the firm grasp of Mordred, standing beside him.
"You threaten my Anabelle, you kidnap her from me, you will not sign the document that I offer you, and you continue to insult my intelligence." Arthur faced back to Trystan, his sword in hand, his Knights all ready to back him in battle.
"These are all acts of treason, punishable by death." Lifting his sword as though it were a light object, a jolt of surprise shot through him.
"Arthur, stop!" Anabelle shouted, surprising even herself by her actions as she got away from Mordred and Merlin, leaving the safety of their protection.
"Anabelle, I told you to stay put." Leon wanted to yell at her. She could tell he was angry. He looked more than irate when she let Trystan see that she had been recovered.
"Anabelle." Arthur whipped around, keeping her between him and Percival. "You have to run." He pleaded with her. "He has seen you here, go now. Run."
The young woman shook her head, pushing passed the crazed men. She looked at Trystan, unwilling to show any fear. Gwaine touched her hand, but she still shook her head.
"You are alive, and you are here back with your guard dogs." Trystan too was far passed angered and troubled by her escape.
"I am alive." She said. "And I am not afraid of you Trystan. Did you doubt that they would come for me? I never once doubted."
"You still won't let the King kill me." The man guessed.
"We will not allow him to live Anabelle. He is a threat to you and the Kingdom."
"I know that." She said to Arthur, her eyes still on Trystan. "But, this is not your fight. You are not meant to fight this time. History will be changed if you are hurt." She turned on her heels, confidently walking away from Trystan. She knew Merlin also protected her now. His magic combined with Mordred would keep her safer.
"This is my fight." She held her hand out to Gwaine, who hesitated to offer his weapon this time.
"You are so ready to die in front of these men who swear to protect you? You think they will let you face me?"
"Let her face you?" Percival scoffed. "Anabelle makes her own decisions." He faced her then too. "Even when those decisions will get her killed."
"What the hell have you trained me for?" She questioned Arthur and Gwaine mostly. "He is here because of me. He threatens the Kingdom over me. This is my responsibility."
Gwaine gave a short nod, reluctantly handing his sword over to Anabelle. As she took it easily in hand, Trystan stepped back a few feet, readying his own weapon.