Aneira lay still on her bed when the midnight hour approached. She thought about her childhood, growing up in a poor village, which was taken over by the king's army shortly after his rise to power ten years ago. Aneira sighed and closed her eyes.
Meanwhile, Meridyth lay in her bed asleep. Galahad lay with her, both fully clothed. Nothing had taken place during the hours they were together.
Galahad lay with Meridyth sound asleep in his arms. Her newly braided hair lay across her chest. He brushed a loose lock of hair from her serene face. He propped himself up with his elbow and looked around the room. Galahad sighed softly as thoughts of the events that were to take place flooded his head once more. He then also remembered the brief conversation that took place between Meridyth and him.
"They're just farmers, "Meridyth had said suddenly, startling Galahad. He looked at her curiously.
"Who?" Meridyth didn't look at him when she replied.
"The rebels, they're merely farmers who were manipulated by Aneira and her allies. I'm sure most don't know how to fight. They only want to be able to take care of their families and provide for them. They don't belong on the battlefield." Galahad watched her expression never change as she spoke. Later on she had sat up and removed her necklace before giving it to Galahad. As she then braided her hair, he stared at the sudden gift.
"Why are you giving me this?" he asked her. She had looked at him calmly then.
"I'm not giving it to you, I'm letting you borrow it for good luck. I expect to get it back when everything is done and over with," she had replied seriously. "They may only be farmers, but you never know," she added.
Galahad smiled as he closed his hand over the necklace. He looked down at the now sleeping young woman. He kissed her forehead softly then removed himself from the bed silently. He stood by the bed for a moment as he put on the necklace then began to exit the room. He stopped at the door and looked back at Meridyth.
"I won't be long, love," he whispered, knowing that she didn't hear. He then left the rooms and headed to the armory, closing the door behind him quietly; for outside her window, on the hill was a line of fire that stretched across the darkened horizon.
In her room, Aneira smiled horribly as she opened her eyes. It was time. She slipped from her rooms and snuck down the dark hall. She walked to the main doors and hid in a darkened corner.
As was planned the archers that were on the hill released a stream of flaming arrows on the supposedly sleeping castle. The arrows made their mark, igniting the booths in the market that was empty. The wagons of hay erupted in flame, startling the guards that were on duty.
"Attack! We're under attack!" the guards shouted, waking the castle. Soldiers poured from the castle and barracks, all armed and ready to fight. The commanding officers arrived on horseback, along with the king, Bors, and Galahad.
The mass of men flooded the courtyard that surrounded the castle. Then, with Arthur in front, they advanced towards the inner gate then the outer, positioning themselves between the castle and the enemy.
Gawain and Guinevere were already in the forest, not far from the north gate. Gawain readied his sword and axe as yells and shouts from the south gate told them the fighting had begun.
From her hiding place near the now abandoned doors, Aneira slipped into the darkness and listened to the sounds of the battle. She smiled to herself as she reached the north gate and opened the portcullis. Four men appeared out of the forest and followed Aneira back into the castle, all were armed. One of the men carried a rope on his belt, which was meant to bind the victim.
"Come, we must take her while she sleeps," Aneira said venomously. The men followed her as she led them to Meridyth's rooms. Aneira opened the first door and led them in, heading towards the bedroom door.
Meridyth was still sound asleep as the four men entered her room. One of the men bound her hands silently and carefully so not to waked Meridyth. With Aneira watching on, another man lifted the sleeping body and threw her over his armed shoulder. The sudden movement actually woke the sleeping woman, but she knew what was happening, therefore feigned sleep.
The man who carried her looked at Aneira, waiting for further instruction. Aneira smiled evilly as she left the doorway and headed back towards the postern gate that resided in the northern wall. Meridyth and her human horse were in the back as the group moved quickly towards the gate.
Meridyth opened her eyes quickly and looked up at her window where she saw the candle burning. Gawain saw the candle as well and motioned for Guinevere and the others to be ready.
Aneira and the kidnappers passed through the gate smoothly, but to the horror of both Meridyth and the others in the forest, they headed towards the south gate.
"Your camp is near here?" Aneira asked one of the men.
"No, milady. It's closer to the south," replied the questioned man. Aneira allowed him to lead the group to the camp.
Gawain, however, swore then motioned for the group he and Guinevere left to follow him. They quietly moved through the forest towards the south gate, with Gawain keeping a close eye on the group near the wall.
"Remind me to murder Galahad when this is over," he muttered to Guinevere as they paused to let the enemy gain the lead.
"I'm sure he didn't know they camped near the battlefield," she whispered as they began to move again. Gawain didn't reply, considering the group they were following had just entered the forest. Gawain and Guinevere moved forward and saw that the kidnappers had arrived at their temporary encampment.
"Put her down and tie her to the tree, "Aneira ordered. The man carrying Meridyth complied, throwing his captive down rather harshly.
"I'm sure Aneira meant carefully," she said sharply. Aneira turned from the fire she had begun to build and smiled with amusement.
"I see you're awake, Lady Meridyth!" she said in a syrupy voice. The man that had dropped her tied her tightly to a nearby tree. Meridyth twisted and squirmed until she gave up. Galahad said nothing about being tied up.
From the forest Gawain and Guinevere looked on, their original strategy shifting into a different one. They retreated and returned to their group of soldiers.
"Well, they're tied Meridyth to a tree. Also, it'll be hard advancing on them without being noticed. They chose to camp among dead trees where there are lots of dry twigs. That means we have to split up and advance slowly. If we're heard, Meridyth's life will be at stake. Understand?" Gawain asked. The soldiers nodded and drew their swords quietly. The group then split up and surrounded the enemy.
Guinevere snuck around the trees behind Meridyth, slowly moving towards the tree Meridyth was tied to. Meridyth, whose senses were sharper than her kidnappers, heard her, but remained silent.
Guinevere took out a small knife and began to cut Meridyth free. Aneira, who was still facing Meridyth, didn't notice what was going on until she saw the knife glint in the light from the fire.
"We've been followed!" she shrieked. The soldiers on both sides reacted instantly. Aneira's soldiers grabbed their weapons as Meridyth's rescuers leapt from the forest. Gawain was in front, his axe ready for battle. Aneira stood with a grin spreading across her face.
"Well, somehow our plan has been figured out. But do you really think I would attempt a kidnapping with only four men?" she asked, her voice shrill. Then, from behind Aneira, more soldiers appeared. Guinevere had finished cutting Meridyth loose and stood next to her, nocking an arrow. Gawain counted the new arrivals. At least twenty men had come.
Then, two men leapt out, knives in their hands, and grabbed the women. Meridyth screamed, catching the attention of Gawain. He turned and saw that both women had knives to their throats. Gawain swore and looked at Aneira who had begun to walk towards the other women.
"In a tricky spot, aren't you? Well, serves you right. The queen, even! How lucky! I'll release both if you surrender, simple as that. My only objective was to kill that wretch," she said calmly pointing to Meridyth. Gawain thought a moment.
"We aren't surrendering," he stated simply. Aneira smiled.
"You wish them to die? How amusing...! Let us kill the queen first then," she said. Meridyth thought quickly then had an idea.
"Wait! If you kill us here it wouldn't be as affective as if you cut our throats in front of the king himself! Also, if you kill the queen first it would only anger everyone, not cause them to surrender. You should kill me first then threaten to kill the queen, that way they know you're serious," Meridyth said quickly. Aneira gazed at her captive with thought. Aneira thought over her words knowing that what she said was right.
"Yes, I suppose that's true. Men, surround these intruders. Sir Gawain, I will not harm either woman, at the moment, if you lower your weapons and come quietly," Aneira announced. Gawain looked at Meridyth before setting down his weapons. Aneira smiled and began walking towards the north gate. Meridyth followed, the man's blade touching her back. Guinevere followed, her captor's blade poking her along.
Gawain pondered as he followed. Why would Meridyth suggest being killed in front of everyone? It didn't make sense to him. He was sure she was making things up as she was going along, but still, he was definitely confused.
Meridyth hoped and prayed that Galahad was as clever as she thought. Her life depended on his ability to improvise. She kept her face as fearless as possible as she followed Aneira through the gate and towards the stone steps that led up to the wall-walk. She could hear the clashing of metal to the south. She then began to hope Galahad was still there for her to depend on his cleverness.
Aneira was still smiling as she climbed the stone steps that led to the wall-walk. She was faintly unsuspicious, but she still assumed that Meridyth was a defenseless maiden. A defenseless maiden who had a large death wish.
"Line them along the walk, you two. The rest of you stand by," Aneira ordered as she looked over the battle. She frowned at the fact that few were slain on either side. Both sides were holding back.
"If you wish this maiden to live, then hear me now!" she bellowed. He voice rang out over the hills, stilling the battle. The men all turned to look at her, everyone surprised.
Galahad was standing near the south gate, beneath the barbican. He wasn't seen by either Meridyth or Aneira as he slipped into the bailey behind the walls.
Arthur looked up at the wall calmly. He saw Meridyth standing bravely with Aneira nearby. His calm faltered when he notice that Guinevere was there as well. What had gone wrong? Arthur scanned the sea of breathless men for Galahad, but only saw Bors.
Aneira smiled as the attention focused on her. She made eye contact with Arthur then took a step toward Meridyth.
"I will spare this woman's life if you surrender your kingdom to me," Aneira said, her voice raised to be heard. "If not, she will die." As she spoke, Galahad snuck past the twenty or so enemy soldiers and ran up the stone stair, making little noise as he did so. He stopped at the top of the stair, waiting.
Arthur thought for a moment. He had to choose between his best friend's daughter and his hard earned kingdom. He looked at Meridyth and was about to say yes, yet he noticed something in her eyes, she wanted him to decline.
"Lady Aneira, I will not surrender my kingdom," he bellowed to her. Meridyth had a hint of worry come across her face. Now that he had said no she wondered if Galahad would be smart and think of something.
Aneira merely shrugged at his answer then took the knife from the soldier who had capture Meridyth. She stood behind her victim and touched Meridyth's braid. Meridyth was both surprised and upset when she felt her hair being cut. Aneira held up a decent length of hair before her face.
"Perhaps Galahad would like this to remember you by," she sneered. Meridyth said nothing and allowed Aneira to tilt her head upward, revealing her throat.
Aneira brought the knife to Meridyth's throat. She was about the slit Meridyth's throat when she gasped suddenly and dropped the knife. Meridyth was pushed forward and when she gained her balance she turned to see Galahad standing by, his sword thrust into Aneira's back.
"W-what? W-why?" Aneira sputtered, blood filling her mouth. She continued to stumble back, nearing the edge of the allure.
"Because death is a punishment that should only be given to the most deserving. You deserved the punishment you received," he replied, pulling Meridyth closer to him. Aneira's life faded as she reached the edge, forcing her lifeless body to fall from the wall. Meridyth turned her head away as Aneira's body landed with a sickening sound.
Everyone remained silent until Guinevere broke from her captor's loosened grip and called the hidden archers. The archers filed out or the stables and marched up the stair onto the allure. The lined themselves on the allure, standing behind the parapet. They nocked arrows and aimed for the enemy's remaining leaders. Meridyth took the bow and arrows offered to her and nocked her arrow.
"Those of you who surrender, remove yourself from the battlefield. Those of you who don't, remain where you are!" Guinevere shouted. Half of the soldiers dropped their weapons and moved into the south ward. The remaining half stood ready to fight till the death.
Meridyth was shaking with exhaustion. She felt Galahad's hand steady hers, helping her aim. She took careful aim then released her arrow. The arrow flew truly, plunging through one of the remaining soldier's hand.
The injured soldier screamed in pain, dropping his weapons. One of the men who surrendered looked at Meridyth curiously.
"You missed," he said dumbly. She shook her head and lowered her bow.
"No, I hit my mark. I have no intention of spilling more blood tonight," she replied. She looked out at the remaining enemy.
"All of you have sons and daughters, wives and sisters, fathers and mothers. Do you wish to never see them again? Do you want your children to grow up fatherless? Lay down you weapons and surrender. Then you shall return to your homes and families," she said calmly. Her speech made the remaining men lower their weapons, save an enemy archer. He released the arrow aimed for Meridyth's heart.
"Look out!" Guinevere screamed. Galahad saw the arrow and pushed Meridyth away, taking the arrow in his right shoulder. He groaned as he fell to his knees. Meridyth caught him before he fell. In once swift motion Guinevere shot down the archer, killing him instantly.
Meridyth broke the arrow in half and pulled it from Galahad's shoulder. He gasped from the pain and looked at Meridyth who was holding back tears. Gawain and Arthur bounded up the stairs and helped Galahad inside to be treated. Meridyth stayed with Guinevere until the queen turned to her.
"Go, Bors and I can take care of this. Go on," she murmured gently. Meridyth nodded and ran to the castle, dodging soldiers. She reached Galahad's rooms, her breath becoming gasps. She opened the door slowly and entered the room. It was empty, save for the wounded Galahad. Galahad lay in his bed breathing slowly. He looked at her after a minute of breathing.
Meridyth sat down on the bed and took his hand in hers. The tears she had been holding back burst forward. Galahad removed his hand from hers and reached up to wipe away the tears. Meridyth let him, then grasped his hand.
"I'm so sorry! I should have realized..." she choked, but was cut off by his finger on her lips.
"No, I took the arrow to save you. You didn't do this to me, I did," he whispered. Meridyth took his hand again and smiled.
"Were you trying to prove your worth again?" she asked softly. Galahad smiled back.
"Did it work?"
"Yes, it did." She still grasped his hand and watched as his eyes began to close.