Chapter Eight
"Annis… is dying?" Arthur seemed as though he simply couldn't wrap his mind around the thought. "She can't be."
"She is, Your Majesty. Her physician can do nothing more for her," the messenger said.
"Bors is a good physician," Gaius affirmed. "If he says there is nothing, for the queen he has so faithfully served, then there is indeed nothing to be done."
Arthur's head dropped, and Gwen immediately was at his side, comforting him. He wrapped an arm around her, kissing her hair, before turning back to the messenger. "What can Camelot do to aid Caerleon at this time?"
The messenger smiled briefly, gratefully. "Queen Annis has requested you come to her side. She has need of your help in choosing a successor for the throne of Caerleon."
"I'm hardly qualified, as I know none of Caerleon's people, but as she requests, so I will do. We will leave in the morning."
"I'm coming with you." Gwen's words left no room for discussion, but her husband smiled, as if he had anticipated nothing less.
"And where the queen goes, so do I," I declared, hastily adding a respectful curtsey. "If it pleases you, Your Majesties."
Gwen grinned, while the men chuckled. "As if I could endure the trip without you," she told me. "I couldn't bear to be alone with these louts for that long." Several more chuckles ensued, as did a few false outraged cries.
"Hunith, you are welcome to join us, as well," Arthur invited.
But our mother simply smiled and shook her head. "This will be a much longer trip than simply to Sir Leon's home, and far swifter," she said. "I am much too old for that. Gaius and I can stay here and keep an eye on the girls."
"And we'll make sure that Camelot is still standing for you when you get back," Gaius added, his mischievous streak barely peaking through his normal gruff.
"Then, we'll leave at dawn," Arthur said. "Get some sleep, for this will not be an easy journey."
"Food will be sent to each of your chambers," Gwen instructed. "And we'll eat on the road in the morning. And you, good messenger, a room will be ready for you shortly. Eat, and rest. You've done your queen a great service to come so far so quickly."
Adorably, the man flushed a bit. "I was- I was merely doing my duty, Your Majesty."
"And you did it well," she said, utterly oblivious to the effect she had on him. Even when he blushed harder, and backed out of the room, missing the door by nearly a foot and bumping into the wall.
"You, my love, are far too beautiful," Arthur said, fully wrapping his arms around his wife, now that it was just us friends. "And far too kind."
"I simply offered him a place to sleep," she protested, like this was a common argument the two of them had.
"We should all go now, before they decide to solve their argument by kissing," Elyan announced loudly, causing his sister to hit him.
…
Our horses were ready for us the next morning, just as the grey of night began to fade into morning. A full contingent of knights waited, as well, since, as Hunith had said, it was more than a simple trip to Leon's home. Annis's messenger, whose name we learned to be Gregor, anxiously shifted on his horse as we all mounted. Arthur shared a few words with his chamberlain and the captain of the guard, then we were off.
We rode through town at a canter, since it was still too early for many people to be out. And the few that were out heard us coming with plenty of time to get out of the way. Once past the city wall, the scouts gave their horses their head, while the rest of us were barely behind them. We rode hard for several hours, until we hit the forest, where we were forced to slow considerably.
Gregor rode next to me, while my guards rode in front and behind. I could see his anxiety on his face to get back to Caerleon. "Do you know Queen Annis well?" I asked him, partly because I was curious, and partly because I was bored. After all, a knight's back isn't the most exciting view.
"I've known her all my life," he replied with a smile. "She was my mother's dearest friend. My mother died when I was a child, so the Queen always treated me like her own child. King Caerleon was also kind to me."
"I'm so sorry. This must be terrible for you! How did you leave her at a time like this?"
He smiled again, somewhat ruefully this time. "I didn't want to, but my Queen asked me, so I went."
I was struck by his loyalty, the same kind Arthur's knights displayed. "It would appear that all good kings and queens inspire greatness in their people," I replied.
"I wouldn't say that there is greatness in me," Gregor objected. "But I do love my Queen, and any good thing that comes from that, I attribute to her."
Gregor and I talked more, which helped pass the time immensely. It seemed like no time at all that we were stopping for a brief luncheon just outside the forest, then it was back on the road
After several hours back on our horses, the first scouts came back to our group. "Lord Ryence has graciously offered his manor for our benefit," Arthur announced. "We will stay the night there. It is only a few more hours, then we shall have rest, my friends."
I was rather grateful to hear that, as I wasn't entirely used to being on horseback all day. But, as I was the one to insist on coming, I wasn't about to utter one word of complaint.
We arrived at Lord Ryence's manor just as the sun finished setting. What little light we still had illuminated a large building, though nowhere near as grand as Leon's home. A portly man and two women stood directly in front of the open door, silhouetted by the light spilling out. "Welcome, Your Majesties," the man said.
He had only spoken three words, and none of them to me, but I instantly disliked him. It may have been the oily tone of his voice, or the way his eyes glided over first Gwen's body, then mine, but somehow, I knew the man wasn't to be trusted. And once he spoke again, I knew why.
"These are my daughters, Lynette and Lyonesse," he said, introducing the two women, who looked much younger than I had first thought. But the way he backhandedly introduced them, not even bothering to look at which one he was gesturing to, set my teeth on edge.
Arthur introduced the rest of us as Gwaine helped me from my horse. Again, Ryence's eyes raked over me, but I wasn't the only one to notice this time. Gwaine kept my hand, threading it through his arm as he glared at the lord. The other man failed to notice my friend's look, as he was still leering at me.
"I'm afraid, here at Ravenscroft, we are not sufficiently large enough to bed all of your party, Your Majesty," he continued, talking to Arthur, though his eyes kept flicking my way. The rest of my friends had noticed by now, as Elyan, Merlin, and Percival closed ranks around me. A dagger slipped into my hand, though I wasn't sure who exactly had done the slipping.
"The Lady Anna can share our room, Father, that way more of the men can sleep inside," the younger of the two girls spoke up.
His face soured for a moment, before he smiled again, wide and without any sincerity behind it. "Of course, my dear, what a good idea."
Ryence led the way inside, where the scent of roasting deer welcomed us far better than the man had. My boys surrounded me still as we ate, keeping the greasy lord as far away from me as possible. Arthur was especially solicitous to Gwen, making sure she had everything she needed without having to move from her seat next to me.
As it had been a long day on horseback, I was nearly asleep by the end of the rather grand meal. Gwen actually dozed off, but only for a brief moment. Arthur noticed immediately and stood. "I thank you again for your generosity, Lord Ryence, but, as we must be on our way very early in the morning, I must beg you excuse me and my queen. Lady Annalise will most probably be ready for sleep, as well."
"We can show them the way, Father," Lyonesse, the younger daughter, said before her father even had a chance to respond.
"Thank you, daughter," he said, smile brittle.
Both girls got up to show us to our chambers, and almost instantly, the rest of our party stood. "I must beg off, as well," Merlin said quickly. The other boys murmured platitudes of equal exhaustion, and our host visibly drooped.
"I had entertainment planned," he whined. Rather like a spoiled little boy being told no.
"I am terribly sorry, my Lord," Gwen appeased. "Perhaps we could stay an extra day on our way back to Camelot."
By his incredibly pleased smile, that suited him just fine, and I wanted to strangle Gwen. I wasn't exactly sure why I didn't trust the man, but I knew I wanted to spend as little time as possible near him.
Lynette, the older daughter, showed me to the room she shared with her sister, while Lyonesse showed Gwen and Arthur to theirs. I tried to chat with the quiet younger lady, but the only thing I learned before her sister returned was that she was a year younger than me.
The door flew open to show Lyonesse running in. She shut the door behind her, then shouted in a whisper. "It's going to happen, Lynette. He's doing it! He's planning it as the entertainment for the king's return."
Lynette's already pale face whitened further. "There's nothing for it, love," she said, trying to keep a brave face for her sister. "It'll be alright. You'll see."
"He's a beast!" Lyonesse argued. It was as if they had forgotten I was there. "You can't possibly marry him!"
"If I don't marry him, Father will give you to him," Lynette said firmly, even for the fear written plainly on her face.
"I know it's none of my business," I butted in, "but perhaps I can help."
Both girls looked at me, suddenly reminded that they had a small audience. "It's nothing, my Lady," Lynette started, but Lyonesse wouldn't have it.
"She might be able to help."
"If Father wants to marry me off to someone, there's nothing she can do!"
"I might not be in a position to help personally, but I do happen to be Queen Guinevere's closest confidant. Tell me the problem, and I will go to their Majesties. They will not leave one of their subjects in a miserable position," I assured.
Lynette didn't seem convinced, but Lyonesse started speaking before her sister could tell her no. The story spilled out quickly, and with some confusion, but I eventually understood. Lord Ryence wanted an alliance with a neighboring lord, Cador, who seemed like he'd be good friends with Lot. Ryence decided to marry his still somewhat young daughter to the other man, though he hadn't told the girls. "I'm rather good at listening to conversations," Lyonesse said with sly pride. Lynette clearly didn't want to marry the man, as he was known to be quite cruel. "And she doesn't love him, anyway," Lyonesse stated defiantly. But if Lynette refused to marry Cador, their father would no doubt force Lyonesse to do so, to punish both girls as much as to keep the alliance.
I assured the girls that neither would be marrying anyone they didn't want to and went to speak with Gwen and Arthur. My faithful guards, waiting at my door, were a bit surprised that I was leaving so late at night, but came with me when I explained I needed to speak with our King and queen.
I was admitted to Gwen and Arthur's chamber quickly, though admittedly with quite a bit of confusion. "What is it, Anna?" Gwen asked, sleep warring with worry.
"I'm so sorry to bother you this late at night, but this can't wait."
I had a very captive audience as I related everything the girls had shared with me. "And you believe them?" Arthur asked, not in disbelief, but rather for confirmation.
"I do," I said, nodding firmly. "They were utterly terrified, even for trying to hide it."
Arthur shared a look with his wife, and she nodded. "Thank you for bringing this to our attention," he told me. "We will find a solution before morning. Tell the girls it will be handled."
"And tell them that no matter what happens, try not to look surprised," Gwen added seriously.
"We won't fail them." Arthur wore his wholly serious, kingly face, letting me know the problem would be solved.
The girls were anxiously awaiting my return, and I didn't hesitate to tell them not to worry. Lyonesse immediately wrapped her arms around me, laughing happily with glee. Lynette, however, simply sat on her bed, tears streaming down her face. "They will protect us?" she asked softly.
"Without hesitation," I replied swiftly. "You never have to worry about any unwanted marriage, ever again."
AN: Ugh. I know it's been forever since the last chapter. I've barely been able to keep my head above water with all my various projects going on, not to mention real life. And dead muses. I will complete this story, I promise. Just please be patient with me! Thanks for staying with us, and a big thanks to any and all who follow, favorite, or review!