A/N: Hello! I hope you enjoyed the preview which included the mysterious boy. There are many differing thoughts on whom he could be. He will appear in at least one more chapter in which his true identity will be revealed.

IPOV

Six months. Six months is how long Edward has been gone. At times, it feels like years. Other times, it feels like he's still here. I walk through the halls of Camelot and I feel his presence. I could have sworn I heard his laugh the other day in the Knights' corridor. I know he's gone, but it's like something is telling me otherwise.

Camelot is different. Some of the Knights are turning on one another. We found out Sir Bors was stabbed in the back by Sir Gareth when they went on a mission. Apparently Gareth is feeling unloved and since Bors is now second behind Lancelot, he thought he could try to ruin Bors. Luckily, everyone saw through the lie.

I'm glad. I like Sir Bors. He was always kind to me and took time to speak. Sir Gareth did too, but I felt like it was forced. I know he spends most of his time with his brothers, Gawain, Gaheris and Agravain, and maybe that's why he has no social skills.

Rosalie is a complete mess. She told me that Jasper slept with her the last night he was here. She thinks that he did that deliberately; knowing he would hurt her. She is convinced that he was working for Mordred the entire time and that she played right into his hands.

"I told him things," she told me weepily. "I told him things about Camelot. He will report that back to Mordred."

I shook my head. "No Rose," I said, holding her and stroking her hair. "He acted like he was a Knight of the Round Table. He would have learned things anyways."

She pulled away from me, her nose red as she sniffed. "Yeah, but I told him personal things. About me. About Jacob. What if he uses that against us?"

I took Riley's handkerchief that he had left in my room and handed it to her. She smiled in thanks. "Mordred wants the throne. I'm sure he isn't interested in the Black family history." She looked at me, her blue eyes sad. "I don't mean that condescendingly, Rose. I mean that literally."

She nodded. "I know. It's okay." She played with the handkerchief a bit. "I was a fool." She looked up and met my eyes. "He was gorgeous and charming, smart and funny. Other men showed interest in me, but I wasn't about to look at any of them. I thought Jasper was different. I thought he truly wanted me." She looked back down at the handkerchief. "Well, at least I know why he always said he 'cared' about me." She laughed lightly.

"I think he does care about you, Rose. I think that's why he left. He could very easily have told Mordred that he's quitting to be with you. But maybe he knows that Mordred would order for you to be killed. Maybe this is his way of protecting you."

Rosalie shook her head, not believing my words. "I was a fool."

I sighed. That was two weeks ago, one month after he left. Since then, she has become what I was. Despondent, depressed and inconsolable. But one person is determined to help her through this.

Riley.

The day after Jasper left, he formed his plan. I told him that he should wait, that Rose needed time to heal. He agreed with that.

"I will be her friend," he said. "I've waited this long, I can wait longer. And then when she's healed, I will prove myself worthy of her affections."

I wanted to tell him that she is no longer pure, Jasper took her innocence. But I didn't. I wouldn't betray Rosalie's trust like that. She can tell my brother if she so chooses. But I know my brother won't care. He is not interested in a virgin. To him, love is more important than a woman's purity.

Jasper's desertion has been on everyone's minds. He has been labeled a traitor by King Arthur and ordered to the Tower of London to await execution should he show up here again. If anyone sees him, we are to report to the King immediately.

I sighed again. I liked Jasper. I thought he was true. He seemed to enjoy being a Knight. But to find out it was all a lie makes my blood boil. How could he do that to us? To Rose? I was lying when I told her that I believed he cares about her. If he did, he wouldn't have left. Or, he would have told her what was up and figured out a way to keep her safe. If Mordred did threaten him with Rosalie's life, it explains so much.

No it doesn't. Regardless of what happened, he walked away from her that morning while she slept peacefully in her bed. He didn't have the courage to say anything to her face. He walked out on her and all of us at Camelot. That makes him a traitor and the punishment is death.

I shuddered. I didn't like that thought. There was still a part of me that believed his intentions were true; that he will show up with a hundred men ready to do battle against Mordred's army. That they will train and prepare for the battle of Camlann and when it is over, he will get down on one knee and ask Rosalie for her hand in marriage. And they will be the happiest couple in all of England.

Keep dreaming.

My mind started to wander to the last night Edward was alive. I am so glad he spent it with me. I can still feel his arms around me, holding me close to him, as we gave ourselves to one another. I know that I was the only one giving up something, but he didn't seem to mind. I have wondered if he would have wanted to do it again had he lived. I'm content in the knowledge that the pain I felt the first time wouldn't be present. Everyone I have talked to about this says so.

It's probably a good thing Edward IS dead otherwise Riley would kill him on general principles if he knew what happened.

I smiled. That was true. I love my brother dearly, but he can be overly protective of me. Especially when it comes to my virtue. I guess all brothers are like that. Jacob has vowed revenge on Jasper for taking Rosalie's virginity. He refuses to listen to her pleading, saying that it was a mutual decision and he is not a villain. To a brother, any guy who uses his sister is a villain.

A bird cawing overhead brought me out of my musings. I looked up and watched it fly to the nearby tree, landing and squawking loudly before settling down. I shook my head lightly and lowered my eyes to take in my surroundings. I was in the rose garden, one of my favorite spots at Camelot. It was always serene and peaceful out here and I loved it. The flowers were fragrant and each gave off a different scent. All of them mingled together and tickled my senses.

I smiled as I thought of Morgan Le Fay and her recent "melting" of the snow. Actually, she waved her hand around Camelot and the snow was gone. She also managed to warm it up so it was a nice, spring day. Have I mentioned that Morgan is my favorite person right now?

Currently, I was sitting by some yellow roses. I reached over and picked one off of its stem, being careful to hide it. The castle's gardener did not like people messing with "his" roses. I chuckled to myself as I thought of him and pulled the fragrant flower to my nose.

The rose garden was the place that Edward told me he loved me. It will always hold a special place in my heart.

My mind raced back to that day. I remembered I was thinking that I was a duty, a chore of some sort. I blew a short fuse and he calmed me down. I will always remember his words:

"I am in love with you."

I glanced down at the rose in my hand. Even today, it feels like he does love me. How can that be? He has been dead for six months. I shook my head again. I must be losing it.

They say that love lasts longer than time. If that is the case, love survives death.

I hate my logical side.

I continued to think back to that day, here in the same rose garden, that he took a chance on a klutz like me.

Edward's hand left my arm and he cupped my cheek. "Believe me when I say that you are more important to me than anyone else here. If you will allow me to speak frankly?"

I nodded again, leaning into his touch. His eyes were conflicted; it was as though he wasn't sure if he really wanted to speak.

"Please," I said.

He took a deep breath. "I'm in love with you."

I was not expecting to hear that. The warmth from his touch escalated.

"What?" I whispered, making sure I heard him correctly. He ran his thumb over the apple of my cheek. "I am in love with you, Lady Isabella. You have my heart."

"May I join you?" a young voice said, making me jump. I turned to my right and saw that twelve-year-old boy standing by me.

I smiled after my heart rate returned to normal and patted the bench next to me. He sat slowly. "I'm sorry I startled you."

I shook my head. "No, it's my fault. I should have been more aware of my surroundings." Especially now.

He looked at the flower. "You like roses?"

"Love them."

He fingered the rose. "Me too."

I turned back to the rose bush. "Here," I said, removing another one. I handed it to him. His eyes grew wide as he took it from me. "Please don't tell the gardener. He'll have my neck."

The boy laughed. "Deal." He played with the rose for a bit. He seemed enthralled by it. I smiled at his innocence.

"I never did catch your name," I said after awhile.

"Anonymous," he replied. He never looked up from the flower. I felt as though he was talking to it.

His answer amused me and I chuckled. "Okay, anonymous. Are your parents aware of where you are?"

He shrugged. I narrowed my eyes. He was being elusive and I didn't like that one bit.

"I'm sure they're worried about you."

"They don't mind," he replied. He acted like the rose was the most fascinating thing on Earth. I might as well be invisible.

"Hey," I said, extending my arm out and placing two fingers under his chin. I turned his head slowly while simultaneously raising it to look in his eyes. "Are you okay?"

"Yes," he said. His golden eyes bore into mine. Before I could ask another question, he spoke. "Where's Edward?"

That caught me off guard. I dropped my hand as though it was on fire. "What?"

"Edward," he stated. He looked down at the flower again. "Where is he?"

The poor boy. He doesn't know.

"I'm sorry," I said, placing my hand over his. "Edward's gone."

He looked up at me. "Edward's….Edward's…." he shook his head.

I gave him a tiny smile. "Edward's dead. He was killed six months ago."

The boy shook his head again. My heart ached at his innocence.

He's in denial.

His hand was still in mine so I squeezed it. "I'm sorry to be the one to tell you that. I thought you knew. I thought everyone at Camelot knew."

He's a child. How would he know?

The boy shook his head one last time. He seemed to be warring with himself, as though he wanted to tell me something, but didn't know if he should.

"Do you have a secret?" I asked gently. He nodded furiously.

I laughed. "What is it?"

Before he could answer, I heard a loud noise coming from the direction of the castle. My head swung back to it and I saw people running everywhere. Seth was climbing up to the top tower. I watched him look out and then ring the alarm bell.

I froze, knowing what that meant.

It couldn't be possible….

"Attack!" one of the cooks said as he ran out of the castle. He was followed by two stable boys. I watched the cook veer to the right as the boys ran right to the stable. I saw one grab the reins for someone as they went inside.

I turned back to the boy. "You had better—"

He was gone.

I didn't have time to think about what happened as I turned and ran into the castle. Inside was more pandemonium. I caught a glimpse of Jacob and Gawain running to grab more weapons and heard Lancelot shouting for the men to protect the King.

I myself had to get to the Queen; it was my job as a lady-in-waiting to protect her. I ran as fast as my legs would carry me, nearing being trampled by some Knights heading in the opposite direction. I reached her chambers breathlessly and ran in.

No sooner had I entered when I saw a person lower himself from the roof and shatter the window as he swung in. I lunged for Guinevere, tackling her to the ground. I was face-down with my arm around her waist and her to my left. She landed on her back and had raised her arms to protect her face from the shards of glass that flew everywhere. I heard Lady Angela scream as a piece hit her; I glanced quickly in her direction. Her leg was cut and I could see it starting to bleed.

I felt the Queen move and turned to look at her. I was aware of the fact that the man was now in the room, walking around and checking the condition of the women present. Guinevere lowered her arms and her eyes grew wide. Before I could speak, I heard her scream one word that I knew meant to destroy us all. My blood ran cold at that word.

"Mordred!"

A/N: The start of the final attack on Camelot has begun! The next two chapters will be Alice and Jacob's take on events. One of the Knights will die while a new one will rise and Alice sees what could be the destruction of Camelot if things play out as planned.

Thanks so much for reading. I truly appreciate those who are sticking with this story. I am sorry for the long delay; I have not been able to write as much lately as I would have liked. But hopefully the hump is over and I can get back to weekly postings (or sooner).

Reviews receive a preview.