Honestly, I wish I knew what I am thinking when I write these Arthur chapters.

PART THREE

THE WAR

Chapter Thirty-Four

Arthur's War

HE KNEW THAT HE HAD sunk to a new low and he did wonder whether his father had sunk this low. Arthur had been told a couple of times that his father had taken Camelot but no one had ever told him about who was before him and when he took over and why he might have to do what he did. But Arthur felt like he might in the same position that Uther was back then.

He knew that even if he had Merlin, Morgana was still making good progress. Caerleon had been seen over the border and the rumours were that a patrol had picked him up and sent word to Morgana, who joined the patrol to march the King back to his castle and sat down and spoke to him and Queen Annis, quite successfully as well. The rumour was that Morgana hadn't enchanted them or anything but spoke reasonably with them and somehow made them see things for her point of view, or at least Queen Annis saw it from her point of view. All Arthur knew was that he had to dismiss Caerleon as a potential ally against Morgana's regime.

Although, since siding with the Sarrum, Arthur had found that the level of support that he had dropped. He wasn't certain that he had Leon's support any more. He had caught word that he had handed himself in over Merlin's abduction but had been released not long afterwards as if it was nothing. Nothing was coming to him about Camelot, only through rumours about that had seemingly gone through everyone before it reached Arthur's ears.

This was his war. These were the battles that he would lead to try and get his kingdom back. This was the war that would make him more than the worthy King of Camelot.

Or it could be the war that would mean his end.

Arthur tried his hardest not to think negatively but the way things seemed to be going for him, he could only start to think the worst. He knew that worse news was coming and wasn't really surprised by the servant that had run up behind him.

"Milord." He stuttered.

"What?"

"The Sarrum… would like to see you… urgently by… the well."

That was it. That was the bad news that he knew was coming. He could already guess what had happened before he even arrived there.

The Sarrum seemed less annoyed by the fact that Merlin and Balinor had escaped than Arthur was. Arthur was cursing everything and wanted to start barking orders for them to find them. Unless the Sarrum had already found them.

"Now we strike." The Sarrum said.

"But we don't have Merlin."

"And they will be travelling by foot while we will be on horses. By the time they get back to Camelot, you will be sitting on the throne while that bitch is lying dead at your feet."

Arthur found himself not really believing that Sarrum's words. It was an image that he could only just conjure up in his mind. There was this weird feeling in his chest that it wasn't totally what he wanted. Maybe he was second guessing now because he wasn't so sure what he wanted. There was still a burning desire for the throne that he had been prepared for his whole life but he still wanted people to rule over and he wasn't so certain that he wanted Morgana dead.

Maybe he could hold her as his prisoner. He couldn't make her marry him due to her being his sister. He felt like he still had a few standards left, even if that would make her the Queen of Camelot, the role she seemed to desire. Holding her as his prisoner seemed the better idea and he knew that the same fate would fall to Merlin as well. Although he had no idea what he would do with them. Would he just keep them like trophies or would he try and break them as the Sarrum did?

Arthur shivered at the thought. He was glad that he reacted to it. It meant that he still has somewhat of a conscience.

Looking back up at the Sarrum, he knew that he could never be as ruthless as he was. He ruled with fear like his father did. Except he could never remember his father using people in the way that the Sarrum did. In fact, the thought of what he did to Balinor started to turn his stomach the more he thought about it. He knew that he would never be the same man as his father but he knew that he would never be a ruler and leader like the Sarrum. But it was too late now. He had to go through with this alliance.

"Round up the men." The Sarrum shouted. "We ride for Camelot."

The few soldiers cheered with that before falling back into place and making sure that everyone was informed and ready for when the Sarrum wanted to go. The fact that it was left with just Arthur and the Sarrum, Arthur wondered whether he had caught onto his changing mood.

"Don't go soft on me." The Sarrum said.

"I am not."

"You sent my girl away again last night."

Arthur dragged a hand down his face.

"Is she not to your taste? I have others..."

"No, it's not that," Arthur said, interrupting him. "I just… wasn't in the mood."

The Sarrum chuckled. "Uther wouldn't understand." He placed his hand on Arthur's shoulder. "But I do. Have whatever takes your fancy. As long as you can, you know, keep your family line on."

Arthur was glad that he didn't use some of the vulgar language that the Sarrum liked to use. He at least knew what the Sarrum was on about, not that he was into what the Sarrum was suggesting. He knew that there were others that did that and more in the Sarrum's camp that he would expect.

"I just wasn't in the mood."

The Sarrum chuckled at him again. "I would get in the mood tonight. It is a long way to Camelot and the number of girls and boys will be low."

Arthur allowed the Sarrum to leave him. He looked down into the well and tried to imagine what it was like. He didn't think for too long but he knew that whatever happened, they had help to get out and, weirdly, Arthur didn't want the Sarrum to find out who it was.