25. Mission

Arthur awoke in a sweat that morning, his dreams haunting him again. His head was plagued by the thought of burying her cold dead body. He was a seasoned fighter, battle-hardened warrior; he had lost friends and family, but he couldn't bear even the thought of losing Lucy. He couldn't stomach the idea of having to live on without her, he barely had the chance to love her.

He couldn't sit and wait patiently anymore for something to change. He would make change happen, he was the King after all. He got out of the bed carefully and went back to his room to freshen up, change his clothes, and then was marching around the castle waking everyone else up. He had a kingdom to run, a population to care for, things to do, and a girl to save.

As the staff began to wake, they knew immediately that something was different. Arthur was on a mission and nobody wanted to get in his way.

''Is everything alright sir?'' Maggie asked hesitantly. It was plain as day that he would no longer be taking 'no' as an answer.

''No, everything is not alright. I want every healer, mage, sorcerer and anyone else who thinks they can heal her, here immediately. " He demanded.

''Uh, yes sir, right away.'' She nodded, too afraid to say otherwise.

''And Maggie?'' He said before she started walking away.

''Yes sir?'' She answered quickly.

''No one and I mean nobody, goes into her room without my permission. You understand?'' He spoke very clearly, by no means did you want to be on his bad side.

''Yes sir.''

''Good, you're dismissed.''

As the conversation ended right outside Percival's quarters is was no surprise that he had stepped out then, wondering what the ruckus was about so early in the morning.

''You okay boss? The sun isn't even up yet.'' Perci groaned, still rubbing his tired eyes.

''No Perci, I am not fine. I'm about ten minutes from losing my mind if I have to sit and wait any longer. I need to ask you a favor.'' Arthur replied.

''You have fallen so hard for her, why?'' Perci asked with crossed arms.

''She is different, she's special,'' Arthur answered.

''You could say that about any girl. I think she at least deserves a real reason.'' Perci replied.

''Why do you care Percival?'' Arthur asked defensively.

''Because you are going to great lengths to keep her here with you.''

''Ever since I seen her in the courtyard, I've been drawn to her. Every time I'm in the same room with her, my heart skips a beat. When I sleep in the same bed as her, I sleep as if I've never slept before. When she says my name I'm left a little breathless. I don't know how much more you want from me.'' Arthur ranted at his friend.

''I want you to act rationally, not emotionally. You clearly love this girl, does she even feel the same about you?''

''It doesn't matter if she feels the same, we are meant to be together.''

''You can't actually feel that way do you?''

''I would never hurt her, but I can't just sit by and wait for her to slip out of my fingers. Now, can you help me or not?''

''What can I do for you then?''

"I need you to go North, find Mága and Merlin. I need them here.''

''I will go, but Arthur? I think you also need to be prepared if she doesn't wake up from this.''

''I will deal with that when and if that happens.''

Arthur marched off, knowing despite Percival's worries, he would do as he was asked. He ran into Beatrice next, Lucy's friend and one of the maids.

''Sir?'' She stopped him. ''Is she gonna be alright?''

''I am doing everything in my power to ensure that she is.''

''Can I go see her?''

''Yes you may.''

She curtsied and he continued on his way. He had plans to attend to today, people to talk to, and futures to secure.

"So I'm ready to go now, how does this work?'' Lucy asked out loud to Kharon.

He didn't respond.

''So what, you're ignoring me now?'' She sighed.

Nothing.

''Fine, I will take that as a yes. I guess I will just have to figure it out myself.'' She said out loud. She stood there are asked herself, ''now how do I get out of here?'' As she pondered that question she began to realize, she didn't know much of anything about the void and how it works.

''How can I go anywhere if there is nowhere to go?'' She questioned.

"One would start with imagining as if you were there.'' Kharon finally responded.

Lucy tried imagining home. She thought of her sister and the dingy little townhouse. The kitchen smelling deliously of Mary's cooking. At the same time, she began imagining the details of the Grand Hall table filled from end to end with fresh delious food, made by the royal kithen. Then there was The Pendragon Library of which protected great literary works of the past and Merlin's journal. And most of all there was her room back at the castle, and Arthur laying in bed with her. That part pulled stronger at her, suddenly she could almost smell him with her. He seemed so close, yet so far away. She wanted to reach out and hold him, but he was too far away.

She closed her eyes and concentrated for a moment. What did she truly want? She wanted Arthur, she wanted her sister safe and sound, she wanted peace. She wished her mother and father were still here. She wanted happiness but it seemed so distant.

''Lucy Darling, come home.'' She heard his whisper.

She focused on his voice, it sounded so close. Was this a sign that she was ready to leave this dreadful place.

''Kharon how do I go back to him?" She asked desperately.

"Do you truly believe you are ready to go back?'' He asked.

"I am ready, I know what I must do.'' She nodded, anything to get out of this soul sucking place. insanity was beginning to set in at any moment if she didn't get out of here soon

"Do you now?'' He asked curiously.

''I do.'' She smiled. She had plans, plans to make everything right again.

"Then prove it." Kharon whispered as Lucy's vision started going black. "The void will be watching."

Author's Note:

So, I already have plans for rewriting this story which will be very different but so much better but not without finishing this version first. I am so excited, but also very exhausted. Not going to lie, there aren't enough hours in the day. But I have a new camera so thats exciting!

Love,

Surviving