Chapter Two: A Knight's Tale

A crow takes its usual position outside the knight's quarters. The grayness of the morning sky along with the misty dew had roused the bird from its nest in the hanging tree and flew down to wake the humans below it.

Like clockwork, the blackbird begins to caw, calling out to its fellow feathered brethren that the morning had begun and that they must all begin their daily lives.

Sir Killian moans in annoyance and turns to put his pillow over his head. Another day… another day of nothing but misery… misery and death. Such is the life of a knight. Perhaps if he keeps himself rolled up in the safety of his blankets nothing will harm him and in the blink of an eye, it will be a better place.

How could one-man live in such a terrible world? One ruled by a king who had no restrictions or limitations to exert his power over others to maintain absolute control. A tyrant he'd heard some prisoners say, a monster whispered amongst the villagers in the quietest of tones, even though speaking ill of their ruler could end in treason and death. When Sir Killian ever heard such talk, he'd ignore it and continue on, giving only a warning glare to those who lived in fear. The king was the bogeyman that all the children feared and every looming figure who caused animals to flee in terror.

King George the Bloody, a title he proudly wore like a crown, and it was no surprise how he earned such a name. He was the reason for the Hundred Years War between so many kingdoms, waging all kinds of warfare and leading battles that left barely any survivors on both sides. He earned this reputation at home too. Men and women who were seen as treasonous were put to death without a fair trial and were done so quickly in front of others to set the example. The Darkest Day, as the knight called it, was the day when the grounds of the kingdom were red with blood and it still haunts everyone to this day. Those who were spared were still put to death in terms of being slaves and hard labour force. A fate worse than execution and Sir Killian had seen many prisoners look on during execution, wanting a swifter death than what awaited them during eternal toil. The only slight relief given was for children. While unruly children were still punished, they were either put to work or kept in cells until the King released them, whenever the mood struck him. It did not help that often the innocent would be caught with their parents and when they were let go, they were orphans because of what the King had done.

A fate that had befallen him and his brother's father back when the knight was only a lad. Both boys were imprisoned and forced to work as slaves at the docks while their father was put to death. What he had done, Sir Killian's brother had never divulged but compared to what he had done in service to the king, it was probably something minor and trivial.

"Time to get up little brother," a voice says.

"Younger," Sir Killian corrects, his voice still muffled by his pillow.

"Little, now get up and stop acting like a child," is the order.

Sir Liam had already risen, made his bed in the correct fashion and was cleaning their quarters. Both brothers were fortunate enough to share a sleeping pavilion and not be crowded in the barracks like the rest of the knights. Sir Liam's service and loyalty to King George had somehow endeared the two brothers to him, despite the same man having executed their father and left them as slaves and orphans. Sir Killian performed as he was ordered to, but his loyalty was often tested, something he kept close to his chest. He knew there had to be a better kingdom out there, one that did not make him pray that the next day he would be dead.

"It's too bloody early," the knight mutters.

"Do you want to upset His Majesty and face his wrath?"

That did it and the younger brother was up and stumbling to the water basin. Fear was the most motivating thing that kept both knights going every hour and every moment of their lives.

A world without fear would be lovely, Sir Killian thought as he gazed in the cracked mirror before reaching for his tunic.

The crow continued to watch the brothers as they prepared for the day. It waited until there were a few scraps of bread left on the windowsill by both men before going to the king.

…

"You're late," King George says angrily, as Sir Liam and Sir Killian walk into the throne room.

Once they reach the foot of the man's throne, they drop to their knees in a respected bow.

George is sitting on his throne, dressed in his finest robes as always and is sipping wine, poured by a poor woman sentenced to work. Her tired and ashen face indicated that she had slept by the fireplace in order to keep warm, likely with all the other servants and slaves.

"Our deepest apologies Sire," Sir Liam says, once he rose again. "We were forced to deal with one of the prisoners as we saw fit, causing our delay."

This, of course, was a lie and it was these seeds of dishonesty that told Sir Killian that his brother was not always as loyal to the king as one might expect. His older brother had a heart and soul, perhaps it had been hollowed out through the years, but it was still there. Of course, it was the younger knight's laziness that had caused them to be late and both knew this. Perhaps it was the strategy the man used to sidestep upsetting the king and protecting his brother from execution.

"Well then, never mind, I expect punctuality from my best knights," King George grumbles.

"Of course, Sire," Sir Liam nods.

Killian opens his mouth. "What are your orders?"

Before George can answer, a knocking at the room door cuts the three men off. A young page, barely sixteen comes in, apologizing for the intrusion, but had just brought news from the battlefront.

The king took the scroll and dismissed the child.

He read it with a grave look on his face.

"Damn that Arthur, always looking for ways to counter. Why can he not simply surrender? He is outmatched."

"And always has been," Sir Liam adds to bolster the man in charge.

"Sir Caven and Sir Goyle are struggling… well this information changes our plans, we must enact a new strategy at once, Come."

The two knights follow their king into his war room.

…

The hours of strategizing are arduous and agonizing and by noon, the three men are exhausted. They sit down to lunch while within the room, eating luxurious foods and drinking wine (the king's 5th cup by this time). Sir Killian gave his suggestions but was mainly staring at the map and then out the window. The only reason he tolerated time in the war room was due to it having a small view of the kingdom harbour.

Despite the brothers having been slaves, the knight had found that he loved the sea. The salty and moist air, the clear blue skies, the rhythm of the waves and the wind within his hair. He felt that he was born to sail the seas. When the two were lads, their father worked in the harbour as a fishmonger and as soon as the boys were able to walk, they were out with him, learning the family trade. Brennan Jones, while a horrible drunk, was a seaman worthy of manning the kingdom's finest fleets. By the time of their father's execution, both lads knew how to navigate at sea and do whatever it took not to sink if in trouble. Sadly, even after they were no longer slaves, Sir Liam had insisted that they never set sail again as it held too many bad memories. Despite it all, Sir Killian wanted to be back there, leading the navy fleet than the army.

Yet another knock at the door interrupted lunch, but instead of a person, parchment was slipped under the door.

Sir Killian had grabbed it and presented it to King George.

His face grew into a smile… a hungry smile.

They finished their lunch and George sent both knights to deliver the newest battle plans.

As they were leaving, they were approached by Queen Cora, dressed in blood-red robes and wearing a crown of rubies.

Both knights dropped down to their knees again in respect.

"Your Grace," they both say.

"Rise, Sir Liam and Sir Killian," she says in a cold voice. "Carry on."

She then walks past the two men and shuts the door to the war room.

Queen Cora was said to be as ruthless as King George. She was the Queen of Hearts and not because she impaled her enemies through their hearts. The woman was a witch or sorceress, whichever title the villagers chose, and the rumour was that she had the kind of magic that could remove the hearts of humans without killing them. She would use them as her puppets and if she was displeased or had used them as required, she would crush their hearts and kill the person. The speculation also continued saying that the woman collected the hearts in a large vault in her castle. She was to be as feared as the king and no one knew whose kingdom was more frightening.

Gossip spread around that the Queen and King were lovers… but they weren't rumours, they were true. The knight had seen and heard such things more than enough times to confirm it. But he dares not speak a word as it could jeopardize the alliance between the kingdoms. While a witch powerful enough to rival Merlin, Queen Cora was a powerful ally in the wars against the other kingdoms. Her powers could allow for sneak attacks and other forms of warfare that many places could not combat.

This meeting was for the most obvious reasons, so Sir Killian and Sir Liam want to put as much distance between them and that room.

However, as he is walking, the younger brother realizes that he's forgotten his sword. All weapons were placed outside the room before entering, an act of paranoia on the King's part to put all men on an equal playing field and if there was to be an attempt on his life or a fight, it would be settled like "men."

While Sir Liam continues on, the knight returns.

He attempts to ignore the most undesirable sounds he's used to hearing, instead, he hears just voices.

"There are talks that Merlin is feeding Arthur information," Queen Cora is saying in hushed tones. "And messages are being passed from there."

"But why now?" King George asks.

"Another ally on their side and another place to be repaired," is the answer.

A loud bang is heard as the king slams his fist on the table.

"The damned Dark One… if only we could get through that fog!"

"He and Merlin make a powerful pair, but you know that it wasn't just their doing."

"Of course, not…" he snarls. "My treacherous son and his… wife…" the word being spat out like it was poison.

"They turned my own daughter against me," Queen Cora says.

"If we could just get a hold of that wizard, we could get through and invade that secret kingdom."

"They've done it for 18 years, they will make a mistake, they always do," she says with confidence.

"And when they do… it is all-out war…"

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Samii16: Thank you for all of your continued support. Most of my stories go with the TV show canon couples.