30. The Black Witch

It was no surprise that they had fallen asleep, holding each other. Lucy awoke to the brightness of the morning with a groaning yawn. Didn't they have curtains in this place? She wanted to sleep her problems away and live in a land where only dreams come true. Arthur snuggled her a little closer and shushed her, still comfortable and not ready to awaken either.

The reminder of his presence made her wonder if her life really was a dream. Arthur was different from most men she had met, odd even in some ways, but somehow without her noticing she begun to understand him. She drew comfort from his persistence and wondered for a moment what she would have done without him. Even without sharing endless conversations with him, just waking up with him felt right.

They laid there pretending to sleep and just cuddling before getting ready for the day when someone began pounding on the door. Were they never allowed a moment to themselves?

"It's time to wake up, you have guests sir!" Percival yelled through the door.

This time Arthur groaned. He was comfortable and enjoying himself. It felt good to just lay there with her in his arms, no words necessary.

"I'll be there in a minute." He yelled out to Perci, then hugged Lucy a little closer, smelling her hair while he did so.

Lucy groaned in return snuggling deeper into his warm and intoxicating chest.

"I could just lay here all day with you, you know that?" She hummed sleepily.

"I do, and while I would love too, I still duties to which I must attend." He said to her, giving her a quick kiss on her forehead before unravelibg his arms and getting out of the bed.

"Stay, and rest, I will be back shortly and then we can go down to breakfast together." He smiled at her and she nodded with a smile in return. He carefully closed her door and met Percival outside her room as they began walking up to the tower together, where the Table Room was located.

"Still in yesterday's clothes?" Perci asked with a slight chuckle.

"They are the only clothes I have, your joke is not funny." Arthur replied with a stern look. He knew his friend meant no harm but he wasn't exactly happy to be disturbed of his comfortable sleep with his future wife.

"I feel like I remember you hiring a tailor to fix that exact issue." Perci retorted.

"Yes, that was before. Priorities change." Arthur replied, still a little crabby.

"Are you sure you just don't want me to find you another tailor?"

"I think I will be fine, but on the off chance that your not happy with that decision, why don't you just do what you think to be best." Arthur sent a chilling glare to Percival.

"Yes sir." Perci nodded, getting the hint.

The walk to the Table Room was a quick one and Arthur never hesitated to burst in through the doors and greet his guest.

"Greybeard! What a pleasure to see you so unexpectedly!" Arthur smiled at the man he'd come to know.

"Your majesty, sir, I come bearing terrible news." Greybeard looked back at him gravely.

"And what news would that be?" Arthur asked with concern.

"A group of rogue tribes are on their way to attack Camelot and take the castle." Greybeard replied.

"I dare them to try." Arthur replied. He had scouts and guards already stationed around the city in anticipation of foreign enemies.

"Sir, normally I too wouldn't bat an eye at the threat, but this time they have a secret weapon. There is rumor that they have a powerful mage who makes your mage look like an amateur." The viking warned.

"What more do you know about this mage?" Arthur asked curiously.

"All we know are rumors. They say she can take your dreams at night and turns them into nightmares. They call her The Black Witch and her power and strength rivals anything Vortigern aspired to." He hesitantly answered.

"Are you sure about this?" Arthur asked.

"I wouldn't be here if I wasn't." Greybeard replied.

Arthur nodded, thinking to himself for a moment. "Thank you for coming to inform me."

"I assure you it is my pleasure, your majesty." The Viking bowed out of respect. He had come to appreciate the new king, despite their initial impressions.

"Please, my friends call me Arthur."

"Very well then." Greybeard nodded in agreement.

"You are welcome to stay in the city if you'd like, but I have important matters to attend to." Arthur replied.

"I understand, and thank you sir. If you need anything, I will be around." The Viking bowed once more before leaving.

Arthur nodded to the man with a courteous smile as he lift the room leaving percival and arthur alone.

Arthur turned to Percival who was leaned up against the wall, patiently listening and waiting, "Gather the knights." He simply instructed.

Perci nodded and quickly exited the room, leaving Arthur to the silence he needed to think. He knew that various rulers and tribes would want to challenge his power and abilities, but he never suspected it would happen so soon. Would his reign always be one war after another, or was that just the nature of life?

He thought about what Greybeard had said about The Black Witch, and without a doubt in his mind, he knew that Lucy's sister, Mary, was the enemy. He remembered his own nightmares and suddenly wondered if she was behind it. He wondered how he would he break the news to Lucy and more importantly, would the city be safe enough for her to stay? He never would have considered it before, but maybe it was better for Lucy to go back with Merlin and Mága.

Author's note: So long story short, I woke up with a nasty cold this morning. My throat hurt, my head hurt and my stomach hurt and it sucks. I essentially spent the entirety of the day sleeping or reading Death is my BFF by katrocks247 (Free on wattpad)in the halloween spirit and because her writing is awesome! I warn you, I have never met or heard of another person who could make you love the personification of Death anymore than her.

Anyways I also re-read my story and wow, there are some awkward moments. You can definitely tell I'm just kind of making this up as I go. But that is also part of the fun of writing a first draft!

But yeah, I'm going back to bed now. I hope you enjoyed! Don't forget to vote! And I'll see you later alligator. ;)

-Surviving (10/27)