A/N: Thanks for your continued support for this story. I know people hate me now, but I reiterate that a HEA is planned for most of the main characters.
APOV
I sat in the throne room wringing my hands. How had things gotten so out of hand? Every vision had Edward winning; what changed? Why did Jacob lunge for him when it was over? Was Merlin involved in Edward's death? It didn't seem likely, but what do I know?
I sighed loudly. The days at Camelot were a lot quieter now. With my sister locked in the Tower of London and Edward gone, there was not a lot to talk about. The ladies-in-waiting had lost their main source of conversation. Isabella was inconsolable. Riley didn't show up in the kitchen anymore and Mrs. Cope was okay with it. Jacob was gone. The only people who still had their heads screwed on straight were Jasper and Rosalie. The tragedy seems to have brought them closer together, even when everything else was falling apart.
My thoughts strayed to Lady Isabella. She really was a mess. I show up at her room everyday to see her and everyday she turns me away. The only person she is taking any comfort from is her brother and while that makes sense, she should not rely solely on him. She has friends and we want to help her through her pain.
Riley himself is taking comfort in her. He knows that while Jasper is in the picture he doesn't have a shot with Rosalie. I personally think he should give it a rest and move on. There are plenty of other women at Camelot and some have even voiced how attractive he is. Jasper, meanwhile, has proven himself to be a good Knight and a great man for Rosalie. His reaction to her attack proved that. I wish that I had a man who was willing to gut someone for me.
A bird fluttered past the window and I turned my head to look outside. The grounds were quiet. Ever since the duel, the Knights have not felt like practicing. Word had reached the last of them on the quest for the Holy Grail and they didn't return. They felt that they couldn't be here anymore when one of their own could do that. I didn't blame them one bit, but I also didn't blame Jacob.
I knew it wasn't his fault. Someone had replaced the sword. My vision was not strong enough to show me who it was, but I saw Jacob set it down and head off for a run. Then a hand reached down and snatched the sword quickly, replacing it with an identical one. One that did not retract. One that was capable of killing someone.
Whoever did it knew that Jacob would take the blame and leave if he wasn't found guilty of treason. Whoever did it did it to get two of the best Knights away from the castle. And that smells like Mordred.
I sighed again. I couldn't prove it, though. Since I didn't see who it was, my opinion was moot. It would be easy to discredit. The princess who has "visions" is blaming the King's bastard son for something that he didn't even know about. Yes, that is something to believe.
Rising from my sister's throne, I walked to the window I had just been staring out of. My shoes clacked on the marble floor, echoing through the entire room. I didn't care. No one seemed to mind me now. Hell, some people thought I was in on the murder and asked for me to be hanged. Luckily, King Arthur trusts me…and Merlin.
Truthfully, it hurt that people could be so cruel. I understand that they don't believe my visions, but how could anyone think I would be capable of murder? I am the Princess of Camelot; I have a duty to perform. I have never once shied from it. And while my sister is a slut and would ruin the King to be with Lancelot, I would never sacrifice my position to help a man that wasn't honest.
I saw more of the grassy yard as I approached the window. Billy ran across it and a moment later Lady Rosalie came into my line of vision. She looked sad; Jasper has been gone three days without a word. She believes he is busy and that he will come home soon. Victoria, on the other hand, told her that he ran off with a peasant girl and they were in the throes of passion even as they spoke.
I couldn't get in between the two of them fast enough.
Victoria knew exactly how to push Rosalie's buttons and went straight for the jugular. Rose has worried lately that Jasper will tire of her because she's a virgin and push her aside for someone more experienced.
I tilted my head as I remembered our conversation the other night.
"What if, Alice? What if he does leave me? He has never told me he loves me, only that he 'cares' for me. He has nothing keeping himself here but his loyalty to the King. And since there is talk that the Knights might disband, I see no reason for him to stay."
We were in her bedroom the day after he had left. She did not look well. The combination of the stress she felt from Jasper leaving, Victoria's words and Jacob's self-imposed exile were getting to her. She was pale and her hair was disheveled. She held her tea in her hand but did not drink it. Her blue eyes were wrought with worry and I knew that nothing I said would appease her.
"He does care for you, Rose. Even if he has never actually said the words, I can see it in his actions. Why do you think you are still a virgin? Because taking that is serious business. Knights are gentlemen; they would never use a maid like that. Had you been a common whore it would be different. But you are not. You are a lady. And he knows that. He respects that. I know that he cares for you." I looked down at my cup and took a deep breath. I had to tell her about my vision.
"What is it, your Highness?"
I glanced up at her. "I had a vision of the two of you consummating your relationship. I couldn't see when it would happen, but the vision was solid."
She smiled happily but it was quickly replaced with a frown. Pushing a strand of hair behind her ear, she stiffened and looked me in the eye. "Your visions haven't been accurate lately."
Way to cut to the core, Rose.
I shook my head and shook myself out of the memory. There was nothing I could do for her. She was lovesick and would not be well until Sir Jasper returned. I knew he would; I still had faith that they were to be together.
A throat clearing made me jump and I spun around quickly.
"I'm sorry I startled you my lady," Lancelot said as he approached. He bowed quickly before continuing. "The King was requesting you in the Great Hall. Something about the Christmas ball."
I nodded and began to walk to the door, Lancelot by my side. He didn't say anything, but he didn't have to. I knew he visited my sister every chance he got and that she was as well as could be expected.
When we reached the door he grabbed my hand. I turned to look at him, shocked. He released me quickly. "I'm sorry ma'am," he said, bowing his hand. "But I wanted you to know that your sister has also requested your company."
My jaw dropped at his words. Guinevere wants to see ME? Why? It must be a joke…either that or she thinks I'll break her out of the Tower. Boy, has SHE got another thing coming!
Sir Lancelot chuckled. "I see that information is a surprise. But it shouldn't be. She is your sister and she misses you. I know you two are not on the best of terms, but she was hoping that you would visit the Tower and keep her company for a few hours. It would mean a lot to her, your highness."
I walked through the door and down the hall, my head swimming with the information Lancelot had given me. I didn't know what to make of it. Did she think she was going to die and wanted to make amends before it happened? So that way she would have a pass to get directly into Heaven?
When I saw the King, I turned to his best friend to dismiss him. "Thank you, Sir Lancelot. Please let Guin know that I will consider her request." It was all I could give at the moment. He nodded his head and clicking his heels together, bowed quickly and walked away.
The meeting with the King was short, but important. He told me that despite everything, he still wanted to have the annual Christmas ball. "Tragedy has struck, but people need to know that Camelot is how it always has been. Besides, it will lighten everyone's spirits." He looked away. "I know mine need to be raised, so I assume everyone else's does as well."
He's thinking of Guinevere.
It was evident that Arthur loved her. He tried so hard to make her happy and look where it got him. His best friend ended up in her arms. Lancelot is his friend and would do anything for him, including die for him, but he should have known better than to sleep with another man's wife. Especially the wife of the King.
Unfortunately, due to their sin, it caused Arthur one night to become distraught and take a woman to bed that bore his son. He didn't know then that it was his half-sister. And now, thanks to Guinevere's selfishness, the King's son and nephew is out for blood, his blood specifically.
You can't make this stuff up.
After the meeting with the King ended, I returned to my chambers. I had a lot of planning to do and wanted to start right away. Christmas was only two months away. I would ask Lady Rosalie and Lady Angela to be my main helpers.
If Lady Isabella isn't too much of a basket case, maybe she can help too. It would be good to get her mind off of Edward.
I knew she had to mourn; she loved him dearly. I didn't want her to forget him. But she couldn't continue to wallow in her sadness. She would eventually have to come out and face the world again. She was a lady to the Queen; that was important. And even though Guinevere is currently absent, Isabella's title remains the same.
My thoughts strayed to Edward as I sat down on my window seat. He was a dear friend. For a brief time, I considered pursuing him romantically. But somehow I knew that wasn't right. He was not meant to be my lover, he was meant to be my friend. I knew he cared deeply for me and would do anything I asked, but our relationship wasn't romantic. It was stronger than that.
It was as though we were related by blood.
That was silly, considering I never had a brother and he himself was an only child. But there was a magnetic pull that we felt. It was as though we were one at times, like we knew what each other were thinking. Not only that, but we both cared deeply for Jacob.
Jacob.
I wondered how he was doing. Did he even know that he has been cleared of treason? Did he know that the King always believed his story? And that he did not kill Edward? Will he ever return? Will his guilt ever recede? Why has no one heard from him?
Riley crossed the yard outside of my window. That was odd; I didn't think he ever left Isabella's side. I watched him look around and then beckon behind him. Slowly, like a snail, I saw Isabella come into view.
She's out!
I smiled. That was progress. I'm sure Riley was making sure no one was around; she wouldn't want anyone's sympathy. I was glad to see Riley step up to the plate and take care of his sister. He had a strength that I never knew existed.
And just like that, I had a vision.
He was holding Rosalie in his arms tenderly. She was smiling and he brushed the hair from her neck and placed a kiss there. I saw her eyes darken and sadness creep in, but she kept that hidden from him. She turned and kissed him full on the mouth, running her hands through his hair.
What the hell is that? Where the hell is Jasper?
It was evident that the sadness was her missing of Jasper. There is no doubt that he is her first and maybe only love. So if that is the case, why did this vision appear?
Isabella reached Riley and took his hand gingerly. I saw him smile at her as she leaned her body into him. She relied on his loyalty and strength. My respect for him grew and I knew he would make Lady Rosalie happy. The only mystery surrounding the vision was finding out why Jasper was not in the picture. As of now, there is no way that he will leave her. She is like a drug to him, his reason for existing. The only thing that would separate them is the inevitable.
I shuddered at that thought. It was too horrible to think about, given recent events. We could not lose another Knight; it would destroy Camelot. I tried to think of something else, but that thought kept invading my mind. No matter how much I tried to avoid it, I couldn't. No vision confirmed that it would happen, but I still couldn't shut my thoughts off. It couldn't happen to Jasper, it just couldn't. He had too much at stake to succumb to it.
Death.
A/N: Hmmm…foreshadowing?
Thanks for reading! Reviews, like before, get a preview. I have through chapter 33 written, and am planning on getting 34 done this week, so hopefully another update will occur in the next few days. This was originally going to have 40 chapters but will now be extended to 50. It is the longest fic I have ever written and I'm excited to give it to you.
Now, go review! :)
