Once again, armedwithapen has won the Suvivor Challe-I mean, the contest. Here's her 'From the POV of Magnus' story.

PS-It is SO hard for a girl to write in a guy's POV, and she did it great, so...(does Elle from 'Legally Blonde' impression) Snaps for Em!

Alone

by Em

"Have you ever been in love, Magnus?"

xxx

I watched her brows knit in frustration as she plumped Guinivere's pillows. I watched the prominent vein in her forehead tick with boredom. I watched her slender fingers stroke the goose-feather eirerdowns with passion. Then I saw her sigh quietly as golden glossy curl fell to tease her nostrils.

Without a noise, I crept up behind her and reached forward to tuck the hair behind her dainty ear, and to whisper:

"Lady Rowena. M'dear, I fear you may have overworked yourself this morn. Correct me if I'm mistaken, but isn't it Lady Josephine's duty to straighten her Ladyship's bedchamber?"

Rowena squealed as she felt my breath on her earlobe. "Magnus!" She hissed, yet rewarding me with a pleasant smile. "Shouldn't you be meeting our King? Do not tell me you have delayed His Majesty-"

I pressed a finger to her lips. "You have not answered me," I replied. "Where is Lady Josephine? Why has she left you to her responsibilities?"

"Josephine is not at all well," said Lady Rowena concernedly. "Her complexion paled visibly this morn in the parlour. But do tell me, good sir, must you constantly suppress interest in her Ladyship?"

"I do not suppress such interest," I protested, "I am merely suppressing concern for you, m'dear."

"How knightly," She teased, "But do tell me-"

"Sir Magnus? Lady Rowena? Am I interrupting anything?"

Rowena dropped my arm hastily, to which she had been clinging to flirtatiously.

"Good gracious, no, Sir Lionel!" cried Lady Rowena in feigned surprise. "Please, do continue."

Lionel looked at us disbelievingly, but delivered the message nevertheless.

"Magnus," He said, eying me suspiciously and grinding his teeth. "The knights are gathering with the King momentarily, if you can find the time to join us..."

Rowena lifted her gaze to mine in an "I-thought-so-too" manner. However, I ignored her.

"While I do not care for your tone, Sir Lionel," I replied, "I would not insult His Majesty by dismissing his invitation due to one rude... man."

Rowena looked at me in admiration. I smiled back, almost laughing at the times where I had to work like a dog for Rowena to cast a simple glance in my direction.

"Then, if you've quite finished," Lionel growled coldly, "Shall we proceed to-"

"If I could walk Lady Rowena"-I gestured to her beside me-"to her next destination, then I shall be joining His Majesty and the knights in a few minutes."

"Very well," replied Lionel reluctantly, "I'll see you down there, Magnus. M'lady."

He bowed to us, leaving myself and Lady Rowena alone.

I turned to face her. "So, m'dear. Where do you wish to-"

Before I could finish, Rowena had pulled me closer by the fabric of my tunic, and met my lips with hers. After a few delicious seconds, I tilted my head backwards.

"Rowena," I said, raising an eyebrow.

"Run along now, Sir Magnus," Lady Rowena replied sternly, adjusting my tunic. "You don't want to keep Sir Lionel waiting..."

I chuckled light heartedly. "But first," I said. "Where do you want me to walk you to? After all, I did tell Sir Lionel that was my next action, and I can't lie to him, it's unthinkable..."

This time Rowena laughed, and mock-punched my arm. "Oh, I think I can find my way to the parlour alone, thank-you, Magnus," She said, "Now, do not tease poor Lionel so."

I bowed politely. "Of course not, m'lady."

I kissed her gently upon the cheek, then made my way to the Grand Hall, where King Arthur had been waiting.

x

"Well, m'dear, I can hardly say it was unpredictable."

Rowena clutched my arm in despair, and it broke my heart to watch her weep.

"Oh Magnus, if the King was to discover! Dear Guinivere, she'd be ruined! This is not her fault! We know better than most that love can catch us unarmed..."

She turned her gaze to me. "Need I ask you not to repeat this?"

"My lips are sealed m'dear," I replied, holding her head close to my heart. "Lancelot is a cowardly fool. If anything comes of the affair, it will only be unfortunate to Lancelot, I promise."

Rowena raised teary eyes to me. "How can you promise me such a thing?"

"Do you not trust me, m'dear?" I asked, slipping my fingers through hers.

"You know well enough that I'd trust you with my life, Magnus," Rowena replied firmly. "It is just ghastly Lancelot in whom I cannot place trust."

I stroked Rowena's golden-topped head affectionately. "M'dear," I whispered, holding her close. "You know that when the Heavens open, and Hell freezes over, I'll still be watching over you and guarding you from danger. Do not fear, love is by far a greater shield than King Arthur's cast iron."

"That was beautiful, Magnus."

Lady Rowena lifted her head from my chest, and together, our gazes met that of the figure waiting in the darkened doorway."Good evening, Lady Josephine," Rowena said pleasantly, walking forwards to take the arm of her friend. "Do tell me you feel better. If you pardon me, you did look rather dreadful in the parlour this morn."

Josephine smiled. "M'lady, thank you for your concerned. My health has vastly improved since the morn. I bring a message from her Ladyship. She wishes to have a word in the bedchamber."

"Thank-you, Josephine," Lady Rowena curtsied to myself and Josephine, who turned sharply to me once Rowena was out of sight and earshot.

"Sir Magnus," She hissed in her hideous drawl, her black eyes narrowing. "It has been a while since we were last alone."

I placed a strong hand on her shoulder to hold her at a safe distance, and replied, "Perhaps. But do tell me, Lady Josephine, what did become of you today? Rowena tells me your complexion paled visibly."

Josephine laughed humorlessly. "I am quite all right now, my good sir, and there is no need to hold me at arm's length. I merely suffered a thirst."

"Has your thirst been satisfied?" I asked cautiously, still not letting go of her shoulder.

"Of course not. Until this meeting of you and I."

She reached out, pulled my head forward, and kissed me deeply. The mere horrific thought of our lips touching disgusted me to the pit of my heart, and I felt no obligation to kiss her back. I broke away immediately.

"Josephine," I said, suppressing the temptation of whiping my face on the sleeve of my tunic. "Please pardon me when I say I cannot suppress any interest in pursuing a romantic relationship with you. You know very well that my heart belongs to Lady Rowena."

Josephine looked disgusted. "That dreary old soul? Watching a portrait dry would be more exciting!"

"I do not see your point, Lady Josephine. Please, do elaborate."

Josephine scowled. "My point is, Sir Magnus, that Lady Rowena is dull, and at the end of the day, chooses to write poetry, rather than socialize with the other servants or follow trends."

"That's why I love her," I replied firmly. "Because she is different, and does not make herself an idol."

Josephine tossed her dark curls over her shoulder. "Fine," she said. "But do be warned, you are not alone. Sir Lionel desires Rowena's affections also."

I almost laughed aloud. Sir Lionel was a pompous fool, and I knew Rowena didn't care for him one inch.

"I heed your warning," I said seriously. "But at this moment, you are late for the servant's supper. Run along."

With one last withering glance in my direction, Josephine turned on her heel and disappeared downstairs. I sat down and ran a hand through my hair.

I was not afraid of Sir Lionel. I was far from it. But something about that man almost shouted out to me that he didn't take no for an answer.

xxx

Arthur couldn't have found out about the affair-could he? I found it simply impossible, but nothing else could explain his urgency when he summoned me this morning. My footsteps hastened, yet echoed softly on the sturdy stone beneath my feet. I stopped to catch my breath, and leant against the cool wall. I was about to continue, when I heard voices. I peered around the stone corner.

"It is no use, Sir Lionel," Lady Josephine whispered. "I cannot tempt him away from Lady Rowena. He appears quite besotted."

I laughed silently, creasing against the wall. Lady Josephine? Persuading me away from Lady Rowena? I found a serpent more appealing, as opposed to Lady Josephine. Her hooked nose, beady eyes, and raucous personality were not attractive.

"I haven't a clue as to what Lady Rowena sees in him." Sir Lionel growled. "I find him arrogant and over confident. Cocky, almost."

I was surprised by this remark. There was little love lost between Sir Lionel and I. Our relationship had never been what you would call friendly.

"So what shall we do?" asked Lady Josephine, desperately clinging to Lionel's arm. "I know how you yearn for Rowena's attention."

"Do not pretend to me that you do not car for Sir Magnus," Sir Lionel snapped. "It is pathetic how you persist."

Sir Lionel's cheek was met with a sharp slap. I was delighted to see it redden steadily.

"Never mind you, fool," Josephine hissed angrily. "I'll settle it tonight."

Lionel's eyes narrowed. "Nothing drastic though, Josephine?" He asked cautiously.

Josephine chuckled humorlessly. "Of course not," She said hurriedly. She curtsied and scuttled off. I was thankful that she did not depart in my direction. I placed a nervous hand on my chest to settle my quick heartbeat and breathing, then carried on toward the Great Hall to meet King Arthur, before Sir Lionel caught me eavesdropping.

xxx

"Magnus."

Arthur rose as I strode into the room.

"Yes, your Majesty. What is the matter?"

"Sir Philip," Arthur replied. "He's been attacked."

"Attacked?" I asked, horrified. "By what, your Majesty?"

Arthur looked grim. "We do not know. He was found in the parlour yesterday evening with an angry... well, bite on his neck. Does this sound odd to you, Magnus? Or is it just myself being paranoid?"

I laughed. "Your Majesty, I do not recall a bite on the neck being anything resembling 'ordinary'. It is, indeed, very odd."

"Thank-you, Magnus," said the King. "But the strangest thing was, that this morning, the bite was nothing but a scar, and he was walking around quite normally."

My eyes widened. "Nothing was wrong with him? At all?"
"Well," replied Arthur. "He did look a bit pale. But I put that down to shock."

Pale? What had Rowena said yesterday? That Josephine's complexion had "paled visibly"? Then later, Josephine had said she suffered a thirst...

A thirst for what, I wonder?

She had almost suggested a thirst for me, so I had doubted it was a thirst of the throat. Maybe she was lusting, or possibly... hungry?
Could we be dealing with a vampire? Josephine-a vampire?

Surely not.

I was a strong disbeliever in anything remotely undead. In my opinion, you were either dead or alive, and if you were dead, you were either serving a sentence in Hell, or rejoicing in Heaven. You were not prancing around with exceptionally long incisors and biting innocent passers by.

But there seemed to be no other explanation. There had to be a vampire roaming free in King Arthur's castle. Pale complexions... thirsts...

"Magnus? Are you all right? Would you like for me to call for a maid to fetch you a drink? I think Josephine is around..."

"No!" I cried. I'd almost forgotten King Arthur while browsing through my thoughts. I righted myself. "I mean, thank-you, your Majesty, but I am fine. Was there anything else peculiar about Sir Philip?"

Arthur looked skeptical. "Well..." he started. "Philip did have a rather... wicked expression on his face when he greeted me at the round table this morn. His eyes were gleaming almost, and his smile was almost pointy. I-"

I stood up triumphantly and shook Arthur's hand.

"Thank-you, your Majesty," I said. "Now I suggest you get the hell out of this castle."

I bowed politely, then ran hurriedly out of the hall and up the stairs towards Rowena's bedroom, ignoring Arthur's shouts of, "Magnus? Magnus come back here and tell me what the devil is going on!"

"Rowena!" I gasped, clutching her hands as she met me at the door. "Rowena, m'dear, pack your things."

"Magnus?" Rowena asked in surprise. "What are you doing here? What's going on?"

"Pack your things, my love. We are leaving. We have to leave this castle at once. It's not safe!"

"But Magnus!" She replied gently, squeezing my hand. "I am worried about Lady Josephine. She seems infatuated with you."

"Do not fear m'lady. It is you who I love. Do not answer the door to anybody else, and for goodness's sake, do not leave your room!"

Rowena nodded. "I'll be waiting," She said.

I kissed her softly, and ran out into the hallway. I heard a soft click, which reassured me that she had locked her door. At the moment, I knew she was safe.

I ran faster and faster, through narrow corridors, up steep steps, to the other side of the castle, where my bedchamber was. I opened my door slowly, winced at the creaking, slipped inside, and locked it behind me. Then I turned to face my wooden, four-post bed to find that someone was already sitting upon my withered patchwork quilt.

"Josephine," I growled. "I suggest you leave this bedchamber. Immediatly."

"Oh, Magnus," whispered Josephine in her husky tone. "I do not care for your tone. I thought you would be glad to see me."

"You thought wrong," I said firmly. "Pardon me, m'lady, but do not care for those who strike bargain with Sir Lionel. He is not a worthy man."

Josephine's suggestive smile disappeared. Instead, she stood up and started stroking my neck with her finger. I held her at arm's length again. Only this time, I knew what she was capable of, if her thirst occured.

"Do not pretend to me, Magnus," She said quietly, tossing her hair over her shoulder flirtatiously.

"I am not pretending m'lady, I promise you," I said nervously. "I really am not interested."

Josephine stopped stroking my neck and stood up straight. "I've given you a choice, Magnus, so don't say I didn't. But if I can't have you, neither can Rowena!"

"Don't you dare cause her harm!" I hissed fiercely.

Josephine laughed, and pushed me backwards onto my ancient bed. "It is not Rowena I wish to hurt," She said, "It is you."

Her eyes grew yellow, and my heart skipped a beat. Oh no, this couldn't be happening to me. Not when I had nearly escaped it...

Josephine released a horrific shriek and bared her fangs. Yes, you read that correctly.

Fangs.

"Say goodbye," She hissed, inching closer, "To your little girlfriend. And your noble friends."

"You lay a hand-or tooth-on any of them, and you will be sorry. I will hunt you down, Lady Josephine," I growled, grinding my teeth.

"Of course," Josephine said, patting my leg falsely. "But only if you leave the castle. Tonight."

"Pardon?"
"You heard me, Magnus. I will not harm any of your petty friends, as long as you leave the castle tonight, and alone. No Rowena."

"How does that please you, Lady Josephine?" I asked. "Pardon me if I'm mistaken, but don't you wish to be with me?"

"Rowena will be unhappy," replied Josephine, smiling wickedly. "That will be a fair consolation prize."

"But-" I started, but it was too late. Josephine had leapt upon me, released a piercing shriek, and dug her fangs deep into my neck.

I gasped in pain and clutched at the wound. Lady Josephine laughed at my agony, and disappeared.

I do not know to this day how she accomplished such a quick exit.

Blood trickled down my neck, slowly, and spread onto my fingers. The pulses in my forehead and wrist were accelerating, and my skin was turning icy cold. All of the sudden, my fingers became limp, and the world around me became dark.

xxx

"Magnus! Magnus! What has taken you so long? It has been two hours and forty!"

I jolted awake and looked at the door, on which Rowena had been knocking on worriedly. Forgetting my current state, I hopped off my bed, which I had been upon, and greeted my love. She looked frustrated, but relieved nevertheless.

"Rowena!" I cried. "I told you not to leave your room!"

"Magnus! I have been a'calling-"

Her bags dropped to the floor as her hands covered her mouth in horror. "What happened to your neck?" She shrieked.

My eyes widened in remembrance, and I clutched my neck in terror, only to find a small, rough scar. I dropped my hands and held them to the moonlight sneaking in from the arrow slit. They were not my original olive tone. They were almost... gray.

Rowena yelped in fright, and staggered backwards. "You are not Magnus!" She declared. "Get out of this bedchamber!"

"It's me," I whispered, "I have just been attacked! But I do love you, Lady Rowena."

I edged forwards, but she held up her hands to shield herself.

"Get away imposter!" She shouted, leaning against the wall in horror. "You are not my Magnus!"

"I... you are right," I replied, though the lump in my throat made it difficult. "I am Magnus, the vampire, destined for a path of lonliness." I turned away, hiding my slow salty tears. "Farewell, m'dear," I whispered to Rowena as I closed the door. I wept as I crept to my window. I took a deep hollow breath, then jumped.

Before that fateful bite, I was Sir Magnus, honored knight of King Arthur's round table.

Now, after it, I was just Magnus, the heartbroken outcast leaving my home to save my loved ones. Magnus, member of the undead. Pathetic, weak, hungry...

For Josephine had succeeded. I had broken my poetic promise to Rowena. How could I watch over her, now that I was alone? The Heavens could open, Hell could freeze, but I could do nothing for Rowena's safety.

I was alone, frightful, revengeful. I was nothing.

Until I met them.

Lucifent, Charity, Slade...

Faith.

xxx

I nearly cried as I read that. Em rocks! And don't worry, I'm working on the next chapter. Take a guess at who it will feature...