37. The Seer
Lucy was startled by what she saw. She pulled herself from the wolf's mind, a little dazed from the vision and the physical feat she just accomplished. Her knees were weak, her stomach turned, and her head felt heavy.
Arthur held her steady with one arm while his other held his sword up defensively. The wolf hadn't moved from its place, several feet away.
He suddenly realized that while he had survived the Darklands alone, it was much different trying to protect someone and survive, rather than just trying to survive alone. He hoped that the power of Excalibur would be enough to keep them safe.
The wolf suddenly stepped back, sat back on its haunches and bowed its head. Arthur let out a heavy sigh, probably from the breath he was holding.
"What in the world just happened?" He asked aloud to no one in particular.
"I think I know where your stories came from." Lucy weakly chuckled, then fell to the ground as her knees buckled and her body went limp as she passed out. She was exhausted, so much of her energy had been used trying to see into the canine's mind that her body could no longer sustain consciousness.
Arthur dropped his sword to catch Lucy and hold her up with both arms. He felt panicked and desperate. What was he supposed to do? What had just happened? What did Lucy see?
He laid her carefully on the ground. The wolf had stayed put and no longer seemed like a threat. Arthur was thankful because he needed to help Lucy or get her to someone who could. He carefully checked her pulse, it was there but fading. He didn't have the slightest clue as to how to help her, but maybe her aunt did.
But Arthur couldn't comfortably carry her either in his arms or on a horse so he decided to fashion a drag cot* so he could get her to help she needs. He hoped the wolf would lead him back to its owner.
He quickly got to work, gathering two long but skinny trees that were knocked over and dead and fastened his spare canvas tarp to each tree, making the cot. Once he was satisfied, he tied the cot to each horse and then carefully laid Lucy's limp body on the cot and lead the horses and comfortably transported her. The wolf led the way as they walked through the woods.
It wasn't much further and they broke through the dense foliage and came upon a beautiful meadow with petite cabin located in the center. There was a garden on the side and a woodpile behind it. The place was definitely lived in.
Arthur was shocked, he didn't think anyone was crazy enough to live way out here in these woods, but things were starting to make sense and his perspective was changing. Lucy had a powerful bloodline, and it wouldn't come as a surprise that her aunt was also a talented mage. He assumed conjuring images and illusions must be as easy as a swift of a hand. However, his worry for Lucy grew. Would this woman help her or only hurt her? He would have to be cautious.
As he approached the cabin a little old lady came out, expecting their arrival. The wolf went and curled up in the shadow of the treeline as Arthur stopped the horses in front of her.
"Come, bring her in. I have tea on the stove for her." She spoke in a hoarse voice that must not get much use. Arthur carefully picked Lucy up in his arms and carried her into the small cabin. The little old lady followed him in and shut the door behind them. He gently set her down on the bed that was clearly prepped for her arrival, then turned the talk to the mysterious woman.
"What happened to her?" He asked harshly. He wanted answers and he wanted them now.
"She exhausted herself. She isn't trained." The little old lady replied.
"Is she going to be okay?" He inquired. He had faith she could handle it, as this wasn't the first time he's been through this with her, but he still couldn't help but know that one day she won't wake up and be okay. He still wasn't ready to accept that.
"Yes, my dear King, your future Queen will be quite all right with some rest and tea." The little old lady smiled.
He didn't know if he should trust her, but she was his only hope.
"You were controlling the wolf, yes?" He asked her.
"I was. I am wary of visitors."
"Even if those visitors are family?" He asked curiously.
"Especially if those visitors are family, but Lucy is a powerful mage who needs to learn how to better manage the magick that flows through her veins." The old lady responded.
"Could you help her?" Arthur asked.
"I could but it would take several weeks." She nodded her head, looking down at the unconscious girl's body.
"If you can keep her here, she's all yours," Arthur smirked. Lucy had a certain feistiness about her and Arthur had yet to see it takes by anyone.
She smiled confidently. "And you? What will you be doing?"
"I will be with her. As long as she is out here I will not leave her alone." He replied.
Her smile widened. "You will be good for her."
"I appreciate your blessing, uh?" He stuttered. He had her to learn this woman's name.
"You can call me Amora." She introduced herself.
"Amora." Arthur nodded.
"Arthur, you and my niece, you have a powerful destiny together, can I count on you to stay true to it?" Amora inquired.
"All I can do is try, but I need her to try to. I can't do it by myself." He confessed.
Amora nodded in understanding. She knew what she needed to do, but like all things, it would take time. She was confident that Lucy would prevail, but the girl sure could use some help getting there.
Instead of waiting around mindlessly Arthur decided to do some chores for the old lady. He started with patching her roof and tilled her garden, by the afternoon he was splitting wood for the winter.
Lucy awoke to the smile of her aunt. She looked around the musty cabin, a little disorientated. She couldn't identify how much time had passed, had it been a few hours or a few days? Her head throbbed and her throat was parched.
"Where's Arthur?" Lucy asked confused.
"Don't worry about him, dear. He's just out back splitting some wood." Amora answered gently, pouring Lucy a hot cup of tea.
"He's a keeper you know my dear." The little old lady smiled.
"How did he find you? How long have we been here?" Lucy replied, ignoring her aunt's comment.
"I led him here. You've been here several hours and he has been quite worried about you." Amora answered.
"I overextended myself didn't I?" Lucy asked.
"You did, but with little to no training, I am quite amazed by your abilities thus far."
"I need your help," Lucy confessed. She needed a teacher and she couldn't imagine anyone more qualified.
"Yes, dear. I am quite aware. But first, go see him." The woman nodded her head toward Arthur.
"Are you sure?" Lucy asked.
"Yes, he needs you too." Amora smiled.
Author's note: Yay! I UPDATED!
Happy New year everyone! I can't thank you all enough. I started this story on a whim. I wanted something more from Charlie Hunnam as King Arthur and the only way I could get that was start something myself. I have monitored the King Arthur Fan fiction on wattpad quite regularly and I can honestly say this is the first one to really accrue a strong following. This story has truly evolved into something else and I can't thank you guys enough. I'm going into 2018 with the goal of exceeding 100,000 views and 5,000 votes. (on wattpad, my main platform) I also hope to complete this book and hopefully start rewriting it. Until then, I hope you all have a wonderful new year and go into 2018 with a positive mindset. Don't give up on your dreams and goals, make them happen. It takes time and persistence, even when you're not feeling motivated. I promise you it makes a difference in the long run.
Don't forget to vote, comment, and follow me!
-Surviving
Signing off 2017 and ringing in the New Year with this lovely chapter!
drag cot: the real word I was looking for is travois, which is a French American word to describe the contraption the native Americans used to transport additional supplies. They didn't particularly transport people, but the basic concept works. I didn't want to use that word cause it feels out of place, but I thought I'd share some knowledge with you. Anyways, if you happen to know a better word to describe this gurney device, let me know. Thanks