The Tears of Uther Pendragon: Part Two
Morgana and Evaine stood next to each other, listening to the council as Arthur paced next to them.
"I estimate they will reach the city within two days," Sir Leon states, having returned from scouting the approaching army.
"Under whose banner do they march?" Arthur asks.
"Cenred's, sire. We knew he was amassing an army..." Leon answers, trailing off.
"How many men?" Arthur asks.
"20,000 maybe more."
"I fear that news of the king's illness has spread beyond our borders. Cenred sees an opportunity," Gaius states.
"Then we must find a way to appease him," Sir Leon says.
"Not what my father would do, he wouldn't bow to our enemies," Arthur argues.
"Forgive me, sire, we are outnumbered two to one," Gaius points out, and Evaine glances at Arthur as he walks past them.
"What concessions will Cenred insist on? What territories will he demand?"
"We do not have to give him anything, but it could buy us valuable time," Gaius says.
"It shows weakness, Gaius. There's only one course of action open to us," Arthur says, sitting down on the throne. "We must prepare the city for siege."
"Are you sure that is wise?" Sir Leon asks.
"The castle is our strongest weapon. No army has ever taken Camelot," Arthur tells him.
"But what about the people in the outlying villages?" Leon asks.
"Give them refuge within the city walls," Arthur answers.
"And what of their houses, their livelihoods? Cenred will destroy everything in his path," Leon argues, and Arthur looks to him.
"But they will have their lives. Go. Ready the army," Arthur demands, standing and leaving the council chamber. Leon nods, watching him leave before hurrying to get people ready.
Evaine passes Arthur's chambers that night, noticing the opening door. She hesitates for a moment before knocking, stepping inside.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to..." Evaine apologises, but Arthur turns from his place looking out the window.
"No. Come in, please," he asks.
"How was your father?" Evaine asks, walking over to him as he leans against his desk.
"I could do with him here," he mutters, and Evaine smiles softly.
"You should have more faith in yourself," she tells him.
"What are the people saying?" Arthur asks, looking to the floor.
"They are glad that you have taken charge," she answers.
"I've committed them to a siege. There's going to be casualties, Evaine," he tells her. The two share a look before she steps forward, placing a hand on his arm.
"I trust you, Arthur. More than Uther. More than any man. Worry is not a wise counsel. Forget everything else. You have to follow what you believe is right," she tells him gently. Arthur looks at her, before he places his hand over hers. They look at their hands, before Evaine looks up at him, seeing his eyes look to her lips.
"I should go, sire," she whispers, her hand slipping from his arm and she turns to leave.
"There's no need to call me that," he says, stopping her.
"There is every need. Arthur," she says, smiling softly at him before leaving.
XXXXXX
The whole palace is abuzz with readying itself for the siege, gathering as much food and supplies to last months. Evaine and Anna help Gaius in the infirmary, gathering as many bandages and medicines that may be needed. Evaine glances up, catching sight of Arthur walking next to Leon. She smiles as he nods at her, before she goes back to her task.
"Do you think we will survive this?" Anna asks, and Evaine pauses, glancing up at her friend.
"I think we should have faith in Arthur," she says, her smile falling as Anna looks down. She leans across, grabbing her arm. "You are my greatest friend, Anna. If these are to be our last days, I can think of no one better to be with," she says, and Anna smiles. Evaine catches sight of Merlin passing by. "And, I think you should tell your real feelings," she adds, nodding her head to where Merlin is stood talking to Gaius. Anna glances, smiling determinedly before running over to Merlin. Evaine watches, her smile growing as words are exchanged, before Anna leans up and kisses Merlin. She sighs happily as Merlin kisses Anna back, the two pulling apart and blushing before they share another kiss.
XXXXXX
Evaine jumps as fireballs hit the walls of the city, but she ignores this as she instructs others to help the wounded that are beginning to fall inside. Morgana and Gwen are helping tend to someone, just as Anna helps another.
"Gaius, we need more bandages over here," Evaine shouts, glancing at her sword at her waist as they hear the shouts from outside as Cenred's army grows closer to them. Some knights enter, and Evaine gasps as she sees Merlin help carry a wounded Uther inside. "Here, quickly," she instructs, Merlin and a soldier helping sit Uther on a table.
"Where's Gaius?" Merlin asks, Anna putting pressure on the wound.
"I don't know," Evaine answers, looking around before she turns to help Uther. "Here, take this sire," she instructs, giving Uther some water with pain relief in it. She ties a bandage just above the wound, pausing before pulling the arrow out. Uther shouts in pain, and Anna soothes him. Evaine sews it up quickly, bandaging it in moments.
"Thank you," Uther gasps, lying back on the bed.
"Keep an eye on him," Evaine instructs Anna, hurrying to help another wounded soldier. She notices Arthur rush in, his hand bleeding. "Arthur!" she shouts, grabbing a bandage and a bowl of water.
"We can't fight a battle on two fronts," Arthur says, speaking to Gaius next to the two.
"Keep still," Evaine tells him, bandaging his hand as he winces.
"I don't know how much longer we can hold the citadel. We need to get my father to safety," Arthur says.
"How? We no longer control the lower town. There's no escape, Arthur," Gaius tells him, and Evaine glances up, sharing a look with Arthur.
"We must keep fighting," she says, the two men looking to her. "If Camelot falls, then we will fall with her," she says, and Arthur smiles grimly.
"Then we shall," he says, nodding to Gaius before running outside to rejoin the fight.
"We must help all that we can," Evaine says to Gaius, before hurrying to help more wounded.
XXXXXX
The sun rose the next day, the court and knights joining in the throne room. Evaine stood next to Anna, the two smiling at one another.
"In my time, we've won many battles, but none so important as this. Every man, every woman and child has performed their heroic best, and I thank you, and I salute you all. Even before the battle, we knew there was a traitor in our midst, one who was almost the undoing of us. However, we have to thank the one person who outwitted them, and who - almost single-handedly - turned the battle. The Lady Morgana," Uther says, smiling as he holds a hand out for Morgana to join him. Evaine claps, smiling up at her friend. "For it was she who bravely entered the vault, found the magical vessel, and destroyed it. We must be vigilant! We must stand firm against the dark forces of magic, and ensure that they never penetrate our walls again," Uther adds, and the court claps once more.
"So, you and Merlin?" Evaine asks, noticing the glances between the two.
"Say one more word, and you will find toads in your bed in the morning," Anna tells her, and Evaine laughs.