The next morning everyone was sluggishly packing up, the cold was obviously getting to everyone, a horse whinnied in the distance. Rose ran around the clearing and saw that they were surrounded in the clearing.
"We're surrounded" said Rose and Merlin together. Rose looked around tracked around and saw the outline of Morgana in the fog, off course it was her. Who else would it be?
"We can't stay here," said Leon. Morgana came closer to that everyone could see her causing panic in most of the knights including the king.
"Run!" shouted Arthur. Everyone scattered but they were completely surrounded so a sword fight started. Rose immediately went out of the way of the battle not wanting to be used as bait in case a knight panicked. It had been banned from use since Rose returned from her captivity however, she knew how much the men feared Morgana and she didn't trust them not to try it again. She watched the battle and made sure she wasn't needed.

Arthur was hit in the back by a blunt object she couldn't see what it was, but she ran over to him quickly and arrived to him at the same time as Merlin. They both got an arm and ran along with the spaced-out Arthur. Two of the soldiers followed them. They lowered Arthur against a tree and Merlin used his magic to cause a snake to come and scare their horses. It worked and they were both knocked off their horses. Rose and Merlin then got hold of Arthur and ran with him until they were a safe distance before lowering him down and starting a fire.
"That was close," said Merlin.
"Yeah, it was, how did they know where we are?" asked Rose.
"Someone must have betrayed us; I don't know who though," said Merlin.
"Well, whoever did I am going to have to kill them," said Rose.

Merlin frowned at her but was distracted when Arthur groaned. They both looked at him as he opened his eyes.
"What happened" asked Arthur.
"You don't remember," said Merlin.
"Where are the others, Leon, Elyan," said Arthur.
"We had to get you to safety," said Rose. Arthur laughed and looked them both with amusement.
"What actually happened?" asked Arthur.
"The usual, we saved your neck, and I can juggle" said Merlin in a bitter voice.
"Like we say he has many talents," said Rose. Merlin helped Arthur up and they carried on walking in the direction of Ismere.

They walked and it got colder as they walked, her bag was back at the campsite which was ransacked but she was becoming so numb from cold she probably wouldn't feel the pain anyway. They walked for a long time quickly.
"Can we have a break a minute" asked Merlin. She turned around to look at him and he looked tired and out of breath.
"Make it quick, we want to get Ismere by nightfall," said Arthur.
"Ismere, we are heading back to Camelot," shouted Merlin.
"Navigation is not your strong point is it" said Rose with a grin, of course they were still going to Ismere, Gwaine and Percival were still there even if they were just three of them now.

She assumed Elyan and the others had gone back to Camelot to get reinforcements.
"Camelot is south, and the sun comes up where?" said Arthur.
"East" said Merlin angrily.
"Where have we been heading all day," said Rose.
"Our deaths, the three of us against Morgana, are you insane," said Merlin.
"Actually, it's you two against Morgana, she will probably kill you two and take over Camelot again and make me crowned princess again," laughed Rose.
"Yeah, Rose is safe from Morgana killing her, anyway we told you, we have got to rescue our men," said Arthur.
"No" said Merlin catching up to them and stopping Arthur from walking. The sudden to stop of walking annoyed Rose.

They needed to get to Ismere so they could get the knights so they could go home and never go this far north again. It was ridiculously cold, and it was getting on her nerves.
"If your afraid then go home" said Arthur kindly.
"I'm worried about you two," said Merlin. Rose rolled her eyes and started to walk again in the direction of Ismere. A few minutes later Merlin and Arthur jogged over to catch up with her. They walked for rest of the evening until night fell and they took cover under a ridge which gave them small shelter. Rose laid herself down next to Arthur and fell asleep quickly from all the walking.

The next morning, they awoke to a horse above them on the ridge and footsteps. Rose nudged them both and then moved so she was the pressed against the back of the ridge. Merlin started to sit up and say something when Arthur covered his mouth.
"Don't just stand there find them, spare the girl" said Morgana, so she was still telling her armies to spare her, even though according to her she was better off without her. She looked across at Merlin and Arthur who were still laying down holding their breath slightly as to not breathe to loud "I don't care how long it takes" she then heard the usual sound of Morgana sending her horse into movement.

They waited a few minutes until Morgana was out of sight before getting up and carrying on with their journey. They walked for a while; Rose was started to get the pain she usually gets when she doesn't take her potions but she was ignoring it.
"We could do with a horse," said Arthur.
"Or a pig," said Merlin.
"You can't ride a pig," said Rose.
"No but you can roast it with carrots and apples," said Merlin.
"Merlin" warned Rose. She blocked out the conversation the food chat making her feel hungry and sick at the same time. Along the path she saw two rabbits were laying there.
"Rabbits" said Merlin in surprise, he bent down to get them. Rose and Arthur seemed to come to realisation that it was a trap at the same time. They both shouted his name and lunged forward. A net came and encased the three hanging from a tree.
"Thanks for that Merlin!" snapped Rose attempting to move so she could have a bit of space and so she could reach her sword.
"I got them!" said Merlin.
"Last time I checked we can't eat raw rabbit in a net" growled Rose.

They swung around in the net for a while. Arthur and Rose were planning how to escape, and Merlin was laying there probably working out how to cook the rabbits. The sun started to set, and Rose got annoyed as they were still in the net. They both started to reach for their swords.
"What are you doing?" said Merlin.
"If we can reach our swords, we'll be able to cut the rope," said Arthur. They both moved to do it, Arthur knee came very close to Merlin's crotch, and he didn't realise it.
"Don't put your knee there," said Merlin.
"Where?" asked Arthur.
"There, Ahhh!" shouted Merlin. He moved making Rose and Arthur drop their swords out of the net losing their only chance of escape.
"MERLIN!" Shouted Rose and Arthur at the same time. They had been so close to getting out of this stupid net.
"That was your fault, that was your fault," said Merlin.
"You, you, you" said Arthur angrily. Both Rose and Arthur swung around the net to see if they could break it to no luck. They stopped as it was exhausting and laid still.
"Where did the other rabbit go!" asked Merlin. Rose rolled her eyes and turned away from him trying to make herself comfortable. They by some miracle managed to fall asleep.

The net dropped suddenly and all three of them yelped on impact to the ground. They were then surrounded by some slave traders. Rose glared at them as she sat up, she was between Arthur and Merlin. The leader of the slave traders walked forward.
"I'm sorry did we disturb your beauty sleep" asked the leader.
"Yeah, shame you never got any," said Rose. Arthur swung to grab his sword, but the leader stepped on it before he could.
"Not so fast!" said the leader he picked up and inspected the sword "The king of Camelot, you will fetch a hansom price, alive or dead". He then squatted down and pointed the sword at Arthur "any last requests".
"Let my ward and servant go, they don't deserve to die like this," said Arthur.

Merlin and Rose were stood up.
"If you want to kill him, you'll have to kill me first" said Merlin.
"And me" said Rose.
"Rose, Merlin, step aside," said Arthur.
"I am a knight Camelot and there is no way I would leave you," said Rose. The slave leader smiled and walked forward to where Rose was standing.
"Think your special do you, because you are in the lady Morgana's and the kings back pocket," said the leader.
"No, not really, think your special kidnapping men and selling them as slaves! Come then kill me if you have the guts to tell Morgana," said Rose.

The man lifted his sword about to finish her off well maybe it was her time, she wasn't going to cower at death but stared at it head on.
"STOP!" shouted a voice. A familiar voice that Rose had not heard in three years, she looked up and saw Mordred walk towards them "Morgana said no harm is happen to Rose and with the other two shouldn't we let the lady Morgana decide their fate". Rose stared at him and he stared at her. He looked shocked that she even was alive.

Mordred came over to them and helped Arthur to his feet.
"You don't recognise me do you, you saved my life, many years ago," said Mordred.
"And also banished him," said Rose. Arthur frowned even more.
"Mordred" said Merlin.
"Hello Arthur," said Mordred. Rose stepped forward and threw caution to wind, in that moment she didn't care about Mordred's destiny, the situation she was in and the fact everyone in that was clearing was full of hate, mistrust and worry. She went across to Mordred and hugged him. He hugged her back tightly. Before pulling away and giving her a smile. She was dragged away from him by the leader. They were marched forward and were tied up with their hands to the cart. So, they were walking to the pace of the cart and horses.
"She can't be with the slaves," said Mordred.
"She can, she's nothing special, she'll be treated like the others," said the leader.

Rose yawned and shivered as she walked along. Arthur and Merlin were glaring at each other and then at the slave trader leader. The other slaves were keeping their distance from them. They walked for a while and Arthur started to get angry.
"Remind me, Merlin how did we end up like this, oh yes you were thinking about your stomach again, I told you it was trap," said Arthur.
"And I told you to go back to Camelot," said Merlin.
"Merlin, shut up," said Arthur. The leader called for a halt and everything stopped, he came over to them.
"We can't let them hand us over to Morgana, we need to find a way to escape," said Merlin.

The leader came along and punched Arthur in the stomach hard. Rose glared at him.
"You can't just hit him!" said Rose. He then slapped her across the face, she showed no reaction and stared him down.
"Speak when spoken to" snapped the man staring at both of them angrily. Rose rolled her eyes and gave him no reaction to slap, this seemed to anger him "faster". He went back to his horse and the cart started back very quickly. They all had to run to avoid being dragged along.
"I think this is the moment to say, I haven't had my potion today" said Rose as she ran along, she felt pain in her legs and her arms were cold.
"You'll be alright" said Merlin quietly. They ran for the rest of the day and when they finally stopped for the night. She had black dots in her vision, she was feeling dizzy and in pain.

They were all untied from the cart, but they still had their hands tied up. Not that anyone was escaping tonight everyone looked done in. Some of the slaves laid down to sleep others sat up and stayed alert. Eventually the only ones awake was Merlin and Rose. She had her head on his shoulder. The slave traders had a fire, she kept making eye contact with Mordred.
"What are you gawping at," said the leader. They both looked away from the fire and Mordred. He picked up some bread "do you want it, have it" he threw it was just out of reach.

Mordred looked angry and turned to the leader.
"Maybe we should feed them," said Mordred.
"What for?" said the leader sadistically.
"They'll be skin and bone, neither will Morgana like the fact you have captured Rose and starved her," said Mordred.
"Morgana wants slaves, not hogs for the fire, I do not fear the lady Morgana, what makes that one so special anyway," said the leader.
"Then slow the pace," said Mordred. He was getting angrier by the minute she could see it in his posture.
"The sooner we get there, the sooner I'll have my money," said the leader.
"You won't get any money if she sees Rose amongst the slave," said Mordred.
"She will when they see Arthur," said the leader. Rose laid down the snowy floor and yawned. She fell asleep shivering.

Rose woke up the next morning to Merlin offering her some bread she ate a few mouthfuls and nodded her thanks. She looked around and saw that Mordred was helping pack the camp away. He must have felt her presence staring at him because he turned to look at her. They smiled at each other briefly before he got back to work. They were all put back on the back of the cart, the pain was gone but was only because she was numb.

She had the side effect though of the pain which was the random dizziness and the fatigue. She was so cold the metal of her chainmail was going through her top making her even colder. They walked along, and Rose lost her balance and fell to the ground, the cart dragged her while she tried to get up and regain her balance. Merlin grabbed her by her arm and pulled her up carefully. She regained her balance and walked with the cart; this was getting ridiculous. She heard Arthur and Merlin talking amongst themselves, but she was busy keeping one foot in front of the other.
"Rose, do you think you would be able to run, if you had to" whispered Arthur. Rose shook her head.
"No, not right now, you guys escape, I am no real danger when it comes to Morgana" whispered Rose.
"No, I think the leader is more in danger for doing this to you" whispered Merlin.
"I will find way back to you, I always do" whispered Rose. They nodded and set up their plan.

Sometime later Arthur fell onto his knees and then onto his front very dramatically. The cart stopped, that's nice, they didn't stop when she was being dragged by the cart, but they stop when Arthur has pretended to faint.
"He needs water," said Rose. The leader came along and glared at them all.
"Get up," said the leader. He kicked him in the side a few times and then stood him up. He acted looking faint really well. It was funny to watch.
"That's going to help, a kick to the side," said Rose.
"Shut up, you are so mouthy for a person in your situation" said the leader he glared at Arthur "not so powerful now are you".
"We'll help him" said Rose and Merlin at the same time.

He gave Arthur to them, the cart started again a few moments later. He cut his and Merlin bonds and carried on walking. After some time, they decided to put the second part of the plan into action. They pulled the cargo of the cart and yet again the travelling ground to a halt. The leader came back again and stared angrily at them. He was looking at Rose like she had done it.
"Who did this!" demanded the leader angrily "WHO!". Arthur subtly nodded his head towards Merlin, Rose stood there shivering hoping that they get away alright.
"We need to rest!" said Merlin.
"Right you can rest, for eternity" said the leader, he then bought his sword out and went to swing it. Arthur punched him before he had chance.

After a blur of noise and chaos Merlin and Arthur ran away. Most of the slave trader went after them while some stayed with slaves. Her legs buckled underneath her, and she landed hard in the snow. The slave trader that was still there approached her and undid her hands. He then picked her up and put her she was sitting a bit more comfortable at the side of the road.
"Sit still, oh no Morgana is going to kill us, Arthur escaped and the one person she told us to leave unharmed in harmed" said the slave trader to the leader.

Rose laid herself down and curled up shivering.
"I am fine, I am just tired," said Rose. She laid there quietly waiting for the slave traders to return and they did. Mordred came straight over to her squatting in front of her.
"What's wrong!" asked Mordred. He sat her up and kept a hand on her arm to stop her tipping to the side again.
"I've been running with a cart for a day and a half, I'm just tired," shivered Rose. Mordred took of his jacket and wrapped it around her shoulder.
"She is to not be with the slaves anymore, she can ride one of the horses" said the leader anxiously. She got up with Mordred's help and went across to the spare horse. She got on to the horse and nearly lost balance. Mordred steadied her before getting on her horse behind her.

Rose decided now she was on a horse and safe in Mordred's arms it was time to take a nap for the rest of the journey. She changed her position and put her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. She fell asleep for a bit and woke up as they were on the outskirts of Ismere castle. She snuggled into him.
"Where have you been?" said Mordred, he looked down at her "I thought you were dead".
"No, I was locked in a dungeon with Morgana for a year, I was on way to get you to bring you to Camelot, but they got me on the way" said Rose.
"Oh Rose, to start with I thought you had gone off me for some reason, I was over thinking everything I had said and done over the weeks since I saw you, then they came to fetch you and that is when I realised you were in trouble but I couldn't find you, I am so sorry," said Mordred.
"I hold nothing against you," said Rose. They got into the square of Ismere and they both got of the horse, Rose felt better after having a sleep. She smiled as she stood with Mordred, he picked up her hand and held it.

Morgana came out of the castle and came towards them. The leader started to gabble at her and she gave him a look which said shut up. He shut up immediately and she walked past him.
"Mordred, Rose," said Morgana. She smiled at them and they smiled at her she pulled them both into a hug. She led them to her dining room which had food in it, the food made her stomach growl loudly. She sat down next to Mordred and Morgana sat at the other end of the table.
"I feared you were dead, Mordred," said Morgana.
"Yeah, unfortunately it's dangerous for those with magic, so I feared you were dead as well," said Rose.
"It's not been easy," said Mordred.
"For any of us," said Morgana.
"Sorcery frightens people, even some of those who claim to support it," said Mordred.

Rose put her hand on his hand and squeezed she was so glad to see those perfectly blue eyes, she had missed him so much.
"You see a lot," said Morgana.
"I've learned to, I've had to, to not get burnt at the steak or used as another man's gain, I have travelled a lot so that I can find Rose, I feared she was dead" said Mordred.
"Nah still alive, have to take potions for pain, sleep and anti-sickness but other than that I am fine, ever noticed if magic is used for good no one is like bring back magic but as soon as magic is used for bad everyone is like ban it" said Rose.

Morgana sent her a sympathetic smile.
"Attitudes will change soon" said Morgana peeling an apple with a knife "the old religion will reign once more, there'll be nothing to fear once Arthur and his kind are gone from the earth". Mordred looked sideways at Rose and she looked sideways at him. She nodded.
"We did have Arthur is our grasp, he escaped" said Mordred.
"You let him go" said Morgana, she looked suspiciously at Rose.
"Don't look at me I was being dragged by a cart at that point," said Rose.

Morgana got up and stared at them with anger in her eyes.
"KILL HIM! THAT'S ALL THEY HAD TO DO! I'M A HIGH PRIESTESS," shouted Morgana. Rose got up and went to her side of the table to comfort her.
"Morgana" said Mordred starting to stand up as well looking alarmed.
"WE HAVE THE POWER OF THE IN HEAVEN AND EARTH MY HAND AND YET HE CONTINUES TO DEFY ME," shouted Morgana.
"Calm yourself" said Mordred calmly. Rose hugged Morgana from behind which seemed to work because she hugged her back.
"I want annihilation, Mordred, I want to put his head on a spike and watch the crow feast on his eyes" said Morgana in a calmer voice. Saying something that, Rose sort of wished she were shouting again. Rose was about to say something when the warning bell sounded loudly. Rose looked across to Mordred who was looking confused "Arthur".

All three of them left the room and walked down into the caves below Camelot. She smiled when she saw Aithusa on her way through the caves.
"Aithusa" said Rose. The dragon looked at her and put his head against her leg. She stroked the dragon's head before a noise nearby spooked him and sending him running in the direction of the noise that spooked him. Rose had a small feeling the dragon was chasing after Arthur and Merlin.
"Mordred and I will find Arthur, Rose go check on Aithusa" said Morgana. Rose nodded and went running through the tunnels after her wayward dragon.

She found Aithusa in a corner of a cave. He looked at her and she looked at him, she sat down near the rock. He came over to her and put his head on her leg again.
"It's okay, I got you, your safe nothing will ever harm you again" said Rose she put her hand on Aithusa back and did a healing spell it fixed the bone which had been damaged in the dungeon. She then did the same to his legs so they were no longer limping.

The dragon was still deformed which Rose couldn't fix it all and the damage to the poor dragon too much. He licked her hand, and she kissed his head. A magical creature approached them.
"I need your help," said the creature. Rose nodded and got up.
"Aithusa go" said Rose in the dragon tongue. He flew away slowly. Rose looked at the magical creature as it led her through the caves. The creature led her to a knocked-out Merlin. She sat next to him and looked at his head.
"I did a healing spell; I just think he is exhausted," said the creature.
"Thank you," said Rose. She put Merlin's arm around her shoulder and stood up with him. They walked away through the tunnel. She heard footsteps come towards her and smiled when Mordred rounded the corner and helped her bring him to the other knights.

The journey back to Camelot was a lot better than the journey to Ismere. She would sit and joke around with Mordred. It was so good to have him back in her life. Arthur had been speaking about knighting him and this excited her. On the last night of the journey back to Camelot Rose and Mordred were collecting firewood together.
"I need to ask you something," said Mordred.
"Ask away," said Rose.
"I have had this moment planned for a long time, usually it involves candles, food and wine but seeing as we are on our way back to Camelot, I need to ask now," said Mordred. He took Rose's hands in his "I have got Arthur's permission and I have Hunnith's permission".
"Is this really happening?" said Rose smiling at him.
"Rose Pendragon" said Mordred.
"Wait I have a last name?" said Rose in surprise.
"Yes, Arthur gave it you can you let me finish," said Mordred.

Rose nodded and looked into his eyes.
"Yes, sorry," said Rose.
"Will you marry me?" asked Mordred.
"Yes, oh yes with all my heart," said Rose. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. He kissed back and then they hugged before going back to the campsite. They sat down by the fire and joined the conversation.
"So are you moving to Camelot" asked Gwaine to Mordred.
"Yes, Mordred and I are getting married when we get back to Camelot" said Rose happily sitting back against a log. Merlin looked across at them looking alarmed, she ignored it because she had all the other knights and Arthur's approval, even Hunnith had given her permission so it was all good.

They arrived back in Camelot the next day and Rose threw herself into planning a small simple wedding. Mordred was knighted first so that he could wear a knight's uniform at the wedding which was amazing. The morning of her wedding she woke up early and got up straight away.

Gwen came in with their breakfast. She smiled and rolled her eyes at Gwen. She would sometimes bring her breakfast and they would eat together.
"Gwen, you do remember your queen, right?" asked Rose.
"Doesn't mean I can't get you breakfast on your wedding day," said Gwen. Rose shivered with excitement at that, she couldn't believe after all this time it was actually happening, she was going to be with Mordred without having to travel to get to him. She wished Kara could be there, but she understood that she was settled in the druid camp and didn't like Arthur much.

She ate breakfast with Gwen before she got into a white dress, it had been picked out so it covered her whole back and her upper arms. She then sat down at her dresser and watched Gwen do her hair.
"I can't believe this is it, how was Mordred last night" asked Rose. He had been taken to the tavern the night before to celebrate him becoming a knight and most of them had gone except Rose who wanted to make sure the arrangements for the wedding were okay.
"He had fun from the sounds of it, according to Arthur, Mordred and Elyan carried Gwaine home," said Gwen. Rose laughed off course he went out to celebrate and ended up helping someone out, it was the kind of man he was.

Gwen did her hair into a plait and then put it over shoulder before putting a white bow at the tip of her plait. She stood up and went across to the long mirror.
"Thank you, how do I look" asked Rose.
"You look very pretty," said Gwen. She slipped on her shoes and there was a knock on the door.
"Who is it?" asked Rose.
"It's me Arthur, it's time," said Arthur. She went across to the door and opened it. He looked at her in awe as she stood in front of him.
"What?" said Rose.
"You look lovely" said Arthur.
"Thank you" said Rose. She linked his arm, and they left the room with Gwen walking behind alongside Arthur. They walked to the throne room and waited outside it for a couple of minutes, Gwen went in. She took a couple of deep calming breaths "you ready?".
"I am," said Rose.

They walked in and people bowed as they walked past and at the end was Mordred standing there looking good in his knight's uniform, he looked at her in awe. Arthur handed her over to Mordred and then went to stand with Gwen.
"You look beautiful," said Mordred. They held hands in front of Geoffrey smiling at each other, staring into each other's eyes.
"We are gathered here today to celebrate, by the ancient right of handfasting, the union of Mordred and Rose Pendragon, is it your wish, Mordred, to become one with this woman," said Geoffrey.
"It is" said Mordred.

Nothing matters in this moment, destiny, the future, the past, nothing mattered in this moment except love and hearing Mordred say that reminded her no matter what he loved her and wanted to marry her and wasn't going to leave her.
"Is it your wish, Rose to become one with this man" said Geoffrey.
"Yes, it is" said Rose. Mordred looked at her so happily it was like he was in the moment as well nothing was going to ruin this lovely day.
"Do any say nay" said Geoffrey.

They looked around to see if anyone was going to say no, she looked across at Merlin and he looked happy for her and that made her feel a whole lot better, no one said nay "that's good to hear". He picked up a garland and started to tie their hands together "with this garland, I do tie a knot, and by doing so, bind your hands and your hearts for all eternity".

Rose felt her heart jump at eternity and Mordred squeezed her hands.
"I, Rose take thee Mordred to my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, to love and cherish, till death us do part, according to god's holy ordinance, and thereunto I plight thee my troth" said Rose.
"I, Mordred take thee Rose to my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, to love and cherish, till death us do part, according to god's holy ordinance, and thereunto I plight thee my troth," said Mordred.

They smiled at each other as they spoke, the room had a lot of people in but in that moment, it was just them it was just Rose and Mordred.
"I now pronounce you to be husband and wife," said Geoffrey. They unlocked hands as Mordred wrapped his arms around her gently kissing her. She kissed back equally as gentle. The room exploded in applause and they turned to face everyone.

the end