The Last Priestess:
Chapter 20: Where Do We Go From Here?
It was the sound of movement in the room that woke Arthur. It was far too early an hour to require anyone to be awake, so it was not so surprising that the King would without hesitation reach for his sword. He jumped from his bed, immediately going into the defensive position he was trained for. To his overwhelming relief, it was his wife's face he watched move into the light of the few torches. His relief was short lived as he saw the disillusion and frustration hit its peak on Guinevere's face. Her cheeks were still stained by the tears she had allowed herself to shed away from Arthur's eyes.
She had been crying again. And by the look of it, Arthur had once again somehow caused more pain. Frustration quickly reset itself as both guilt and forfeit. The Queen was surrendering. The white flag of peace was torn. To see the King looking so confused by her behavior only fed further into the Queen's desire to go through with her departure.
"What are you doing? " Arthur questioned, seeing his wife fully dressed, preparing to leave their chambers at such a late hour. It was suspicious behavior, but Guinevere would not let this guilt chip away at the still whole pieces of her heart.
"I'm leaving Arthur."
"It is the middle of the night Gwen." Arthur argued. "You cannot go anywhere at this hour. Come back to bed." He held out a hand to guide her, watching the woman recoil from him as he reached for her.
Arthur was not blind to the problems that had continued to build between the two of them. Gwen had been acting strangely for some time. She had still not permitted him to touch her in private (and often in public either), since her return from Morgana, and it was clear that Morgana's influence stayed present as Guinevere held onto the strengthening trust of the dark Priestess.
"Gwen, it is late. Can we not have this argument at a more reasonable hour?" The King sighed, exasperated by this same argument taking control of them. "You are the Queen. You cannot simply leave without cause."
Fire and every part of her rage swam through Guinevere's eyes at the idea that she had no cause to be upset, but she kept herself collected as she had been taught to do.
"I can do as I please. I am not a prisoner. You will not hold me here against my will."
"I've never…" Arthur paused only for a few seconds, lowering his head. "I had not realized you were so unhappy here. You are the Queen. Anything you desire is at your fingers." He pointed out.
Gwen lowered her own head. She wanted to scream at him. She wanted to throw every horrible word she knew at him in the dead of night, just to shame him into being honest with her once and for all. Instead she chose to leave. She would leave and find peace from this devastating heartache.
"I have access to any and everything I could ever wish for-everything but your heart." She stopped his advance as he again attempted to pacify her suspicion.
Arthur ignored her complaint. He had heard it so many times. "Don't be ridiculous. I would not marry anyone who did not hold my heart."
"I may hold a small piece of your heart Arthur, but it has never been wholly mine. Who is Anabelle?" The Queen inquired. She wasn't sure she wanted the answer, but when else would she have an opportunity to ask the only question that had mattered? "What does she have that I do not, besides your heart? Why is it her name that you call to night after night?" Her words were spoken with as much apathy as she could summon.
Arthur did not respond immediately. He felt as though the wind had been knocked out of him. His Queen knew the name belonging to the other woman closest to his heart. She was asking him to divulge the identity of a woman who had left an emptiness in him; the woman who had left him feeling incomplete for so long. She had sent no word to him for years; had not returned to his arms; and yet, she stayed ever-present on his mind, and in his heart. He had found no peace without Anabelle. By god, how he missed her.
"I have known Anabelle since my childhood. She is my friend." The King finally spoke her name. "She left long ago, but lately I have thought of her. I could talk to her. She held no judgment for the things I said and felt. Her presence was a comfort in my position."
Guinevere scoffed. "You are blind Arthur." She accused with venom in every syllable. "You cannot be honest with either of us. She is much more than a friend Arthur. If you still think of her, even after you have married another, she means far more to you. You would not call out her name as you sleep if a friendship was all you could see with her."
"I do not expect to ever see her again. She will not return." Arthur confessed, feeling the pain of his honesty hovering above them.
Guinevere said nothing in response. Pulling her green cloak around her, she prepared for the journey ahead of her. She was giving up so much, but what she returned in surrender was not worth accepting over the continued pain of staying. Reaching the door, she stopped, turning back to the King for the last time.
"Do not stop me. Do not follow me. And do not attempt to bring me back to this dreadful place. Find happiness elsewhere Arthur."
"Don't go." Arthur fell to his knees, unable to lift his head. "Please do not leave me." He was pleading, but he knew that it was not Guinevere he was begging to stay with him.
The Queen only gave a short single laugh. "Give me one good reason why I should continue to have my heart and spirit destroyed by someone who cannot truly love me."
"I do love you." His voice was scratchy and full of emotion. "Is that not a good enough reason to make you stay?"
"You do not love me Arthur Pendragon, and if you do, it will be your loss. I can no longer bear to look at you." Her words were still meant to be as cruel as possible. "I release us both from this hell we are in. If your Anabelle does not return to you, I only hope that you will come to understand the hurt I have endured for these years. You will soon know the damage of unrequited love." Turning back to the open door, the Queen then entered into darkness, relinquishing every part of who she had been forced to become.
Arthur awoke with his heart racing, and his breathing sped up. "Anabelle!" He called out her name again. His nightmares returned, but this time she was at his side, holding his hand, helping to lower his heartbeat, and quell his nightmares. The cord that had always connected them, was repairing itself.
He felt the intense cool of her skin against his, stimulating all of his senses as his heart continued to beat quicker. His hands found hers, bringing her fingertips to his lips. He kissed her softly, still under the influence of the visions within his memories.
"I have never felt so whole Anabelle. You returned to me. That is sign that we should be together forevermore." Arthur said, watching his friend roll her eyes and smile kindly at him.
"You are tired Arthur. Sleep. We will speak in the morning when you are fully rested."
Hours later, or perhaps it had been only a few minutes, Arthur awoke to movement beside him. The sun was rising in the east, turning the sky its beautiful pinks and blues and oranges as Arthur shifted onto his side, seeing Anabelle still keeping watch over her friend.
"Did you sleep?" He questioned, moving a strand of her hair from one side to the other.
"Percival came in to keep watch and I slept for a bit. How are you feeling?" She asked him, resisting the urge to kiss him as he sat up, holding her close, kissing along the side of her neck.
Lately she could not tell whether she needed his touch or needed to push him away. It was becoming much more difficult to decide one way or the other. When Arthur had come out of his coma, he and Anabelle had briefly allowed their intensely building passion to overshadow clear judgment. Both were mostly undressed, a short distance from the line they could not uncross. Gwaine knocking on the door with Gaius by his side had given a rather prompt interruption. And now as his hand began to move over her, keeping her close to him, she wanted to ignore clear reason again. The lines blurred again between Arthur and his friend as reservation and doubt vanished into a haze of indulgence. Anabelle was intoxicated by all of her senses working overtime. Both succumbed to the previously undiscovered desires that could've or possibly should've been.
Lying her back onto the bed completely, Arthur's hips rolled onto Anabelle and all bets were off as she started to pull at him. She could not get him close enough to her, her hands pushing into his back muscles, mutedly insisting and multiplying her own desires. Both were now stripping clothes from each other not seconds later, obeying the silent commands Anabelle made.
Arthur made no attempt to deny the same staggering passion coursing through every part of him. He struggled for a time, waiting for Anabelle to accept her own desire for him, and only now was it paying off. This was so much more than he had expected from her as he continued to kiss Anabelle, tearing off the tunic she wore over her perfect body. His hands and mouth were finally given permission to explore every part of her as he wanted. He felt the need to slow the amorous activity only once as Anabelle slowly ran her hand over his inner thigh, unsure of his own hesitation.
"You can trust me always." She whispered into his ear, slowly moving her hands over him again. She had to keep in mind that the King had not allowed any woman to become so invested and impassioned for him since the Queen, and he had not allowed himself to be touched so easily by a woman. "I will deny you nothing. I have your heart and soul. Will you not grant me your body too?"
Arthur agreed, willing away his hesitation again as she straddled him, pushing him into her as they quickly found a common rhythm. Not only had the lines of their friendship blurred, but so had Anabelle's vision as Arthur brought her to heights of untapped pleasure. The walls rattled and the floor boards shook around them as she found herself in the capable hands of the King, who moved her back to press against the head board, her legs wrapped around his waist, pushing him into her as he clung to each part of her. Each time they moved in synch, she felt him struggle to to keep her name quiet on his lips, needing more and more to get louder with every passing second.
Anabelle's palms pushed into the wood of the headboard, moving Arthur to his back on the bed. She had control of him and he enjoyed it. No woman, Guinevere included had ever claimed such complete control over the King. He finally had every part of Anabelle, and it was better than he had ever anticipated as both reached what could only be described as climactic nirvana.
Arthur wrapped his arms around Anabelle fully as she breathed in and out heavily beside him, covering each of them as they rested. The castle inhabitants would be waking up and moving around soon, so the two knew they had to get dressed, but neither could think to actually move yet.
"There was nothing anti-climactic about that." Anabelle said, kissing Arthur's chest as he pulled his arms up under his neck, staring up at the ceiling.
He laughed softly. "Were you expecting less?"
"Not completely sure what I was expecting." She half-mumbled.
Her comment only spurred more questions in the King. "There is no going back. Do you now regret what we've just done? I assume this changes our friendship absolutely."
"Our friendship is undoubtedly changed," Anabelle sat up, keeping herself covered. "But I would not undo this. I cannot regret any of what we have experienced. That is literally the best it has ever been for me Arthur," She complimented, "and that is the god's honest truth. No regrets and no turning back." She subtly mentioned a desire to move forward with her King. "Our relationship may change, but that does not mean our friendship would too. You are still the one I want to come to and hold onto with good or troubling circumstances."
Arthur nodded. He could accept that. It was so much better than he had been expecting. There was just one question left to ask.
"Where do we go from here?"
She wasn't willing to answer the question yet. Maybe she just wasn't ready to know the answer herself, but she kept silent, shrugging her shoulders as she lay back down beside her friend. Her body felt the effects of exhaustion, listening to the hypnotizing rhythm of Arthur's heartbeat. As she drifted to sleep, her thoughts were once again confused with Mordred. She couldn't help but think of him. They were tied in more ways than Anabelle had considered. Her dream was incredibly vivid. The smell of his just washed hair and the feel of his fingers trailing down her back felt so real.
"You still love me. You cannot let me go." His deep voice spoke in her ear as he held her close, wrapping her within the magic they shared.
"I do love you." Anabelle admitted. "But I have to let you go. I realize that I am confusing my guilt with my grief, and I will not be made to endure the idea of failure to save Arthur from the point of your sword. There are so many reasons why I should continue to love you Mordred." She told him, her conviction growing in her words. "But there are more reasons for me to let you go." Her hands went to grip him, fading as she began to wake.
She knew now what held her so tight to Mordred still, and she knew there was only one way to collapse that connection. Was she really willing to give up everything? Sitting up as Arthur continued to sleep, Anabelle understood why the King would give up so much for her. Until recently, she was unsure of how much they could be willing to sacrifice for each other. To give her life and everything she knew was little in comparison for what she was willing to give up. She looked around, seeing that Percival had since gone to take care of any responsibilities he had. Arthur was waking up beside her. Leaning down onto her elbow to face him, Anabelle hoped to find some sort of direction from him. She practically jumped up and ten feet from him when his hand rested on her stomach. Anabelle felt a strong kick from inside. It jolted her awake with a gasp.
Her hands moved directly to her flat stomach. A dream. It was a dream. She sat beside Arthur, still asleep. Her body was shaking with terror. She wasn't as sure as she should've been that she had been dreaming. Could there have been truth to her fear? To her dreams? The truth was, it was possible. She sat considering the possibilities of what might be. She was not certain of anything, but she did know that she could definitely be a change to the prophecy between Arthur and Mordred. To make sure that events did change paths, Anabelle had work to do.
She had been pacing through the room for a good half hour, looking through texts and ingredients before Gaius had to question her behavior. She hadn't said a word when she entered, acknowledging the men once. Gaius and Merlin had let her go on searching for whatever she needed, but now she was just pacing.
"Anabelle, are you alright?" Gaius asked as the young woman crossed his path for the tenth time.
"I'm fine." She mumbled. "Why do you ask?"
"You're pacing." Merlin pointed out to her.
"Am I? I hadn't noticed."
"Can I ask why you are pacing?" Merlin asked.
"No." She returned to her strange behavior of searching, reading, and again pacing.
Returning to a nearby book, making a few notes in her head, Anabelle found the only solution to her problem. There was only one person who could help her, so when he passed by, she made eye contact, stopping him in front of her. Making her request was the easy part, but convincing Merlin of her sacrifice would be the hard part.
"I do not think that I can help you Anabelle." Merlin responded to her appeal. "It isn't that I don't want to help, but I do not have that kind of spell. I am not powerful enough to conduct such a forceful enchantment."
Anabelle nodded. He had a point. He was not yet powerful enough, but he did know others who were. "You cannot personally help me Merlin, but you can guide me to others who are powerful enough. I need to speak directly with the druids. They are connected to Mordred in more ways than I assumed. I have found a way to save Arthur, but I must find an appropriate way of staying the path. This is the first step." Anabelle stood, knowing that Merlin would follow.
"Where are you going?"
"To stop the prophecy for good. First I have to stop in to the Knight's council meeting. Arthur will be there and there are things I need to address and stop him from doing." Anabelle stated, walking without hesitation to the room where the Knights and Arthur could all be heard arguing. She had the Knight standing guard at the door retrieve Leon for her. If anyone could get her into the room to speak, it was her Leon.
He was happy to see her, greeting her with a hug, until she whispered a request in his ear, giving him reason to be suspicious and worried.
"Please repeat what you just said." The man crossed his arms, standing across from her.
He was getting that distant angry tone again, but Anabelle held her ground. "I want to address the Knight's council." She repeated. "It is important and will not take long. Please." She said, knowing he would not deny her.
With half of the reservation he had a few minutes before, Leon re-entered the council meeting with Anabelle at his side. Arthur and the rest of the men were certainly surprised to see her enter. She smiled, staying quiet as Leon gave her the floor to talk.
Stepping up beside the King, she began to speak. "You will forgive me." She spoke quietly at first, her confidence waving. By god how she hated public speaking. It was part of the royal package that she must give speeches and many public governmental debates, but her nerves always got the better of her. "I have not given a speech to the Knight's council in quite a few years now. I hope I still recall the protocol involved." Taking a deep breath in, Anabelle lowered her head for a few brief nerve-inducing seconds. She was determined to save the King, so this too was a necessary step. She jumped when a hand touched briefly to hers. Looking to her left, she saw Gwaine's eyes encouraging her. Looking up, she noticed more expectant eyes upon her.
"It is not my intention to interrupt your debates, and I will not take up much of your time."
"You could never be an interruption Anabelle." Arthur spoke from her right. "You have the floor completely." His smile was comforting.
"Thank you." She said to him, enjoying the way his eyes sparkled in the sunlight that shined through the stained glass. She turned back to the men around the table. "Your majesty and Knights of the King's royal council, I have made the choice to address and petition for both a diplomatic solution and a diplomatic chair to the catastrophic circumstances that the lady Morgana has seen to create. I am positive that I have a far more reasonable and far less disastrous solution. Camelot does not need to see bloodshed and lives lost."
"Anabelle," Arthur interrupted her, now feeling a bit betrayed by her actions, and her ability to deceive him. "We are doing everything in our power…"
"You are considering war with the darkest parts of magic, and that is the wrong decision." She defiantly spoke out against a decision that had clearly already been made.
Arthur stood. "That is out of line Anabelle. This issue does not concern you."
She too stood her ground. Their arguing now somehow felt like a twisted version of foreplay. "You are my concern." She stated. These Knights are my concern. This entire Kingdom is my concern. I may not wholly be a citizen of Camelot, but I dare you to test my loyalty to you and your Kingdom."
Arthur was not about to test her loyalty to either one. He and everyone around them knew just where Anabelle stood in her allegiances.
"What is your solution?" Gwaine questioned, knowing no one would make her prove her commitments.
"My solution is currently still taking shape." She received a few disbelieving looks. "That is not to say that I am ill prepared to face the lady Morgana." She clarified. "It is no secret that Morgana wants the throne of Camelot. She has made no move to hide her desired goal, and she will try to take the King's life to get what she wants."
"Anabelle, stating the obvious problem does not help to achieve a solution." Percival cut into her speech.
"Why can we not give her a portion of what she is willing to kill for?"
Her suggestion was naturally met by a very large wall.
"You would sacrifice Arthur and his crown?" Leon loudly questioned, standing, disbelief building around the room. All of the Knights and the King stood in objection.
"I would never dream of such a treacherous act." The woman shot back quieting only to understand that she needed a new and less direct or compromising approach.
"Anabelle," Arthur's voice was low to her left, "I can hear that you have a reasonable or diplomatic solution you are trying to convey, but I cannot see it. Perhaps we should speak alone."
Anabelle tilted her head to where the King stood beside her, giving him a nod. Without another word, the King dismissed the council, all of the men still up in arms over the misconstrued vision Anabelle had presented.
Once the room was cleared, Arthur did not bother to have the doors closed. He was tired, a bit angered, definitely confused, and now stressed he'd have to quell a mob of vengeful Knights.
"What the hell…" He got out before Anabelle put her hands up in surrender. His stern tone was a surprise to her .
She ignored it and answered his waiting inquiry. "You and your men have taken everything I've said in the last few minutes completely out of context."
"I need clarity Anabelle. Clarify your plan."
"I don't have a fully formed plan exactly." She said. "I have however come up with a solution to save your life and the lives of others that I care for." She met his eyes to see concern returning. "I can fix what has gone wrong here and in the future, but I won't do it at the cost of innocent lives here in Camelot. There is a resolution that can appease everyone, but only if the King is fully on board."
Arthur knew her well. Too well. He knew then that Anabelle was not as unprepared as she had let on.
"You had me get rid of the Knights on purpose." He guessed. "You knew what you were doing?"
"I am skilled and greatly versed in diplomacy and conflict resolution." Anabelle went on to smirk as she sat down with the King, who was now more prepared to listen to her. The two then began to discuss all that needed to be addressed.
"I had not realized until recently how different and complicated the problems of my Kingdom were from those of Camelot—and vice versa." Anabelle swung her legs onto the lap of the King. "I have tried to assist you, but I have not been looking at the solutions from the appropriate angles." She saw Arthur looking thoroughly confused, but she went on speaking. "I had not considered that I should change the methodology. Diplomatic solutions in this time are to some extent, less advanced, but that does not mean that there cannot be peace without bloodshed."
"Anabelle, Morgana is on the warpath. She gathers forces for war, not diplomacy. She will not be swayed or subjugated by royal discretion." The pair heard Leon state from the open doorway where he had been eavesdropping.
Anabelle stood, considering the statement as Leon entered with the King's permission. When he sat down, she too crossed her arms, utilizing logic to control the debate. "No one here in Camelot has had the ability to manipulate Morgana. I am not her enemy, because I was not privy to her downfall, caused by Uther's treatment of her." She reassured the men. "We may not be able to stop her entirely, but there is always a better solution to killing. War is never necessary if…"
"How would you logically suggest we achieve any possible solution here Anabelle?" Arthur questioned her.
He was coming around, and that pleased Anabelle. The satisfaction in her thoughts disappeared when she realized also that no one would like what she would say next. There would be more yelling and more fighting. Bracing for the storm, she answered her friend.
"You will not like what I must say."
"Tell me anyway." Arthur insisted, bracing himself as well, knowing that when she said things like that, it would be worse than he imagined
The two took in a collective deep breath and Leon couldn't help but chuckle as they played off of each other, and could still come to a resolution in some form.
"You and I are going to have to meet Morgana alone on her territory."
Leon then looked like he had stopped breathing. Arthur could only lower his head.
"It is a show of good faith and mutual cooperation."
"You intend to offer her peace with a treaty? Face to face? She is dangerous and equipped with dark magic." Leon was scandalized by her suggestion, and Arthur still had not said a word in response.
Anabelle smirked again. "You think I'd go walking into the fires of damnation with just a treaty in hand?" She saw Arthur look up with a smug expression. "He really should have more faith in my intelligence." Arthur agreed with that point. "Am I not my father's daughter? And have I not been well trained by two Pendragon Kings and their most trusted Knights?" She was playing then on his ego, hoping it would help her. It did.
The three stayed in private council for the remainder of the day. Anabelle finally held up her white flag, surrendering to her exhaustion. By the end of the day, logic had won most of the verbal battles, but not without a few more heated discussions. An immediate message had been sent to Morgana and her forces, requesting that she meet Anabelle alone on neutral ground. No response was received, but Anabelle was certain her friend would hear reason.
Kissing the King firmly, Anabelle made sure he was prepared to join her at first light the next morning. Arthur promised to be at her side, holding her close, offering to walk her to her room. Refusing his offer was difficult but necessary. Anabelle was not finished with the redirection of her plan. Leon was not happy to be left behind as liaison to any treaty or alliance formed. Arthur and Anabelle would be at the mercy of Morgana's magic, deception, and her armies. Anabelle kissed his cheek, receiving only a grunt of acceptance. She again pointed out the dangers of converging on the Priestess with a horde of Knights.
"We are trying to avoid war Leon."
"Of course." He agreed with no less anxiety.
! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Stepping into the dangerously open area of the dark forest, precariously on the edges of Camelot borders, Anabelle wondered only now if she had set herself up for failure, ruin, and even loss. She was sure Morgana would show up to see her, but not so sure that the deceitful woman would in fact come alone. Anabelle was not technically alone. What gave her certainty Morgana would not think to fortify herself and this meeting? Anabelle was not the type to consider turning back, and running from this fight. She was no coward, but couldn't help but think she was making a mistake. "Never second guess yourself." She heard Gwaine repeating in her head. He had been right when he said it was better to face fear, rather than let it take control. She could not second guess this decision. Her mind was made up.
"Anabelle?" She then heard her name spoken softly.
"Morgana." Anabelle spun around to greet her once lively friend. She had come alone, surprising Anabelle. The black clothing she wore did so little for her complexion and eyes that had paled in comparison to the vibrancy Anabelle missed seeing in her friend. The lady Morgana now looked tired and uneasy.
The two did not embrace as they often made a point to do, but they were no less pleased to see each other. Anabelle subtly peeked behind her, confirming that Arthur stayed hidden.
"I am glad you were so willing to meet me here."
"This meeting was your doing?" Morgana had questions, and was becoming more interested in Anabelle's intentions. "I suspected Arthur's hand."
"It was my doing. I have had many long discussions with the King, and verbally battled with his Knights over all that I want for you and for Arthur."
"Anabelle," Morgana stepped closer to her friend, cautiously eyeing the area they stood in. "Why would you meet outside of Camelot? This area is known for bandits and thieves."
"Thank you for your concern." She smiled at her friend. "I suggested Arthur let you enter the borders again, but sadly it was the single battle that I could not win. Arthur made a good point. War is currently on the horizon. I could not morally allow the enemies of Camelot within its walls."
"I am still considered an enemy, but what of Mordred?" Morgana carefully questioned.
Anabelle knew that this subject was bound to come up, and only part of her hoped that Arthur heard what she would say.
"Is Mordred your enemy? Is he no longer the man you love? Do you truly no longer intend on marrying him?"
"He cannot be both Morgana. He tried to kill the King." Anabelle paused, wishing she had Arthur's hand to hold as she addressed any issue that broke her heart. "Mordred made himself my enemy the moment he threatened my friend."
"He believes that your heart now belongs to Arthur."
Anabelle spun on her heels, half-tempted to deny the accusation, finding that she did not want to. It was time. It was time for everyone to know what she had known for so long. She lowered her voice a single octave, still not enough that Morgana would be suspicious.
"Arthur will ask me to marry him soon enough, and when he does, I will say yes. I have every intention of becoming his Queen." Her statement sent a shockwave through Morgana, who looked temporarily frozen. There was every right and reason for Morgana to further question Anabelle, so it was permitted.
"You do not love Mordred anymore." Morgana tried to confirm, but that was one thing Anabelle truthfully denied.
"I have loved that man with every fiber I claim. I loved him so much that it hurt." The pain of heartbreak returned like a shot. Anabelle sank down to her knees, holding a hand up to stop Morgana from comforting her. Her hand also held the hidden King to place. The pain she had caused Mordred coursed through her again. "It hurts to love someone so much, to eventually have to face that the person you care for will not abandon such a deadly quest for vengeance. I loved a man who broke the most important promises. I gave him a choice and he chose wrong." Quickly enough, she regained her control.
"But I do not come here to speak of my lost love." Anabelle stood, wiping her face and dress off as she stood. "It is abundantly clear that not only do you seek to eradicate the persecution of those with magic, you also want the throne."
Morgana stiffened. "It should be mine. If not for Arthur, I would have everything I deserve."
"Do not think yourself so deserving Morgana. I cannot give you the crown, nor will I let you take it by force." Anabelle verified. "But if not for Arthur and his acceptance of my terms, I would not be standing here, trying to reason with you. I am here to offer you what you most desire without the necessity for war." She watched, guarded as Morgana calmed slowly, listening to what her friend offered her.
"You have come to me with terms then?"
Anabelle could still hear and feel the distrust in Morgana's tone. She had to find ways of gaining trust.
"Morgana, I have held long, arduous, and sometimes fury-inducing conversations with the King. We have tirelessly disputed back and forth on each outcome. I come from a different time, and I do not wish to see bloodshed here. It will only cause trouble for the future."
"A future you are not returning to, so what does that time matter now?" Morgana fought.
"I promise you Morgana, I am doing what is best for everyone." Anabelle spoke, not having to lie to her friend." If you want the old ways of magic to return in any form at all, you must listen to my terms, and seriously consider them.
Morgana listened, fully interested now in what Anabelle stated.
"I have convinced the King that an agreement can be made. I do not wish to be made out as a liar, so I expect your cooperation just as I expect his."
"Anabelle, I cannot guarantee an agreement today, and I do not believe the King will obey a treaty after all that I have done. He would rather see me killed or in the iron chains of his dungeon."
This would not be at all easy, but Anabelle had not expected easy when it came to Morgana.
"Do not think of this as an alliance or as a treaty, but as more of an accord, which cannot under any circumstances be undone once agreed to." Anabelle explained her conditions. "One side will promise not to banish, condemn, or unequally treat those who hold magic, while the other side keeps to an equally binding agreement, keeping all attacks from Camelot and its defended borders." She faced Morgana head on without reservation. "This is a one-time only offer Morgana. Do not let the countless hours of time I spent convincing Arthur to trust this accord be in vain. You will be granted lands, titles, and the magical freedoms you have desired for years." She saw her plan working for a few brief seconds.
"How can I be assured that Arthur will keep his word? He has not done so before." Morgana still argued, but Anabelle kept her cool. Her plan was working, and Arthur would not have to die. Neither would Mordred.
"Arthur will not deny me much. He has fully agreed to these terms, and he will not terminate any decision made under royal agreement. I do not wish to see either of you harmed, and I can guarantee you Morgana if war is still your solution, you will not only lose your unsuccessful cause, but also your life. I could not bear to see you taken from me so soon."
Morgana did not hesitate to understand what Anabelle had just told her. Anabelle knew the possibilities of this fragile and fractured situation. Morgana did not doubt that her friend told the truth.
"I will consider your terms Anabelle." She agreed. "But I wonder if I might deal solely with you from this point on. I do not believe Arthur could change his opinion of me so quickly."
Anabelle half-agreed, but was not sure she could make the promise. "Trust me Morgana, your relationship with Arthur can one day regain glory with time. I only wish to see peace returned to all lands. Arthur is King, and ultimately my role between you will be his decision, but I will mention your concerns."
The two smiled, embracing then as they always had before Anabelle had to return to where Arthur stayed out of sight, guarding her.
"I offer you three days Morgana. Consider my terms seriously and we shall speak again."
Morgana nodded, letting go of Anabelle as she walked off in the opposite direction.
"She will refuse the offer." Anabelle listened to Arthur complain as soon as she returned to him.
She faced him, placing her hand to his face. "You must have suspected that she would not accept the first olive branch of peace. She will negotiate from this point." Anabelle reasoned with her friend.
The two began walking then, returning to their waiting horses. Arthur assisted his friend as he considered many of the things she had said. "You granted her lands and titles. We did not discuss land. Where do you plan to provide these lands offered?" He inquired.
Anabelle furrowed her brow in consideration mostly. "I haven't exactly figured that out yet."
Arthur grimaced. "We cannot offer what we do not have, but if she refuses the first offer because of her lack of faith in me, I may have a way of providing her with my trust."
"How?" Anabelle listened as they slowly returned home. If Arthur had a better way, and was willing to offer of improving relations with his sister, Anabelle was all ears.
The King paused in thought. He had heard every word his Anabelle said, and during her meeting with Morgana, he realized how right she was. He was in fact going to propose to Anabelle sooner than later. Sharing her body had given him the push to do so, but he was going to offer her his hand only under the right setting. He would not and could not tell her of his plan, but he could give her enough information to both set her at ease, and keep her interested. Careful to what he revealed, Arthur kept his cards relatively close.
"Perhaps if I were to allow Morgana a temporary reprieve, she would show more trust in me. It is something I will have to speak to the Knights about," he noticed he had piqued Anabelle's curiosity, "but if for one day I gave permission for her to enter Camelot, to be present and witness to an important event, she might have more trust and be willing to agree to our terms." Arthur offered.
"You're going to bribe her? What event?" Anabelle had many questions. "Are we celebrating something specific?"
Arthur gave a slight nod, but continued to hold his secrets to his chest. Arriving back to the citadel, they pair were greeted by Gwaine and Leon. Arthur had not said much more. After helping Anabelle from her horse, he kissed her, leaving her then with Gwaine as he left to quietly speak with Leon. Neither Anabelle nor Gwaine minded being left alone. Actually, they were happy to have time alone to practice sparring and talk.
Watching his good friend preparing to train, pulling out the appropriate armor and weapons, Gwaine also watched as she studied more maps upon the tables in the armory. Anabelle had always fascinated each of the Knights in some form or another, but the fascination had shifted somewhere along the line between Anabelle and Gwaine. While Anabelle continued to uncover the mysteries residing in the man, Gwaine too was intrigued and pushed to uncover her secrets as well. He had never thought to befriend such a beautiful woman before. His original interest could have easily led him to seduce her, but she was different. Her intelligence sparked his curiosity, and her beauty always surprised him, as did her ability to twist each Knight, himself included, and the King around her fingers with little effort. Her sighs broke through his thoughts as he approached her. Turning to see him behind her, Anabelle smiled.
"These lands here," She pointed out to her friend. "Whom do they belong to?"
Gwaine glanced down at the pages Anabelle had been studying. He made a face as he spoke. "Those lands there were recently held by Odin." He pointed out to her.
"Were?" Anabelle inquired.
"Yes. And those," He shifted maps, "once belonged to Cenred."
"Who controls them now?"
"Arthur does." Gwaine automatically said, pulling his arm around her. "Why do you ask?"
Anabelle shared a part of her plan with her friend. "I have had an idea forming in my mind for a while, and if Arthur consents, I can make it work."
Gwaine shrugged, assuming she knew what she was doing. Without any more hesitation or procrastination, the two were soon outside, practicing into the dusk hours. Anabelle had become Gwaine's responsibility for the day, and both were happy to spend much of it in preparation for future attacks. Plus it kept Anabelle from curiously sneaking off to see what Arthur planned. Merlin found her as she and Gwaine returned to the castle. Arthur needed to see her immediately, and the druid elders had agreed to see her the following night. Anabelle's plans, most of them anyway were falling in line. This was good. Changing her clothes and re-combing through her hair, Anabelle prepared to meet Arthur. He waited for her in the same room she had found him after Guinevere's death. Anabelle had not expected any of what she saw upon opening the small door. He had surprised her, and caught her off guard. She was speechless as she entered the now fully lit room. The King of Camelot had outdone himself.
The room was warmer than usual. It was probably the candles, Anabelle thought, stepping inside. Her dress swung behind her as she walked, but she knew that was not what hindered her balance. She was not only caught off guard by the King, but put in a position she had not thought to come for some time still. He was going to propose to her. She was certain of it. The look in his eyes was one she had not ever seen before. The situation between them currently made him look troubled.
"Well, you either have bad news to tell me, or you are proposing to me." She joked, lightening the mood.
Arthur laughed. She recalled his words to her, and it made him want to do this that much more. He had envisioned asking for her hand as they strolled the gardens, or along her favorite place on the river, but everything between them had changed so soon. His impatience was overruling everything else. He had every piece of her, and she had claimed every part of him. It was inevitable that he would fall in love with her again. Making her his wife and Queen seemed to be the only missing puzzle piece. "The last time one of us said that, you told me you were in love with someone else." Arthur said, holding his hand out to her.
She took it without hesitation, walking with him through the room, sitting as he pulled a chair out for her.
"And in that short time," Anabelle mentioned, "I have come to realize my love for you entirely." She was not surprised as he kissed her sweetly.
"Anabelle," he backed away, "you are my best-friend. You have been at my side, in my heart, and within every thought I have for much longer than I care to admit." He watched as she smiled. "I have loved you for much longer than you realize, and I have always hoped to be where we are together now." Arthur knelt down, taking her hands with his. "I would not be half the man or a fraction of the King that I've become if not for you. You have held my strength and even my confidence in every way. To have you at my side is the greatest gift in my life." He only became flustered as she ran her fingers through his hair, knowing exactly where to touch him.
"I know that you said we should not be married, that it would be disastrous, but I cannot think of anything better. I want you to be my Queen." His voice cracked under the pressure only once before he asked her. "Will you marry me Anabelle?"
Anabelle took in a deep breath before responding. She knew it was coming. She hadn't anticipated that Arthur would ask her this soon, but here she was being proposed to by a King. She had every reason to say no. They had in fact discussed many of those reasons. But she had reasons to say yes too. Looking into his eyes, seeing the truth of what sat before her, Anabelle knew what she should say. She knew what the easy answer to his question was, but Anabelle could not do easy. Her answer was clear.