They listened to her. Though I couldn't see many, I heard weapons dropping to the ground. Even though they had done what she asked, Morgana still didn't pull me up. With a crazed look in her eye, I seriously thought she was going to drop me. My wrist began to slip from her hand as her grip loosened...
Suddenly we were both tossed away from the gap by an unseen force. It collided with me hard, knocking the breath from my lungs.
I hit the ground rather painfully, landing on my shoulder. Morgana landed a little ways away from me. She lay there, unmoving. I suppose I could credit that to Merlin, even though I had no idea where he was. I don't think I would ever stop owing him. I'd given up count on how many times he had saved my life.
Meliorn was there a minute later, pulling me off the ground and to my feet. "Careful", he warns, pulling me around some rubble. I could barely keep up with his fast pace.
"What are you doing?", I asked as he lifted me up, like I weighed no more than a doll. He doesn't answer, but it was pretty obvious was he was planning as swung me back in preparation. "Don't you dare! Stop!", I shrieked. But it was too late for me to stop him.
I screamed as he tossed me across the hole. My stomach dropped, and for a moment everything seemed to be happening in slow motion, as if I would never come back to the ground. I crashed into the men on the other side, who had at least tried to catch me. We all fell to the ground in a heap. As soon as I was standing my men formed a barrier around me, cutting me off from any attacks. The circle pushed their way to the entrance leading downstairs. I was shoved inside before I could protest. But then again, I really didn't want to be out there any longer, so I didn't put up much of a fight.
I hadn't even noticed it was Riley accompanying me until we reached the bottom of the stairs. I guess there was something about nearly dying that made you mind wonder and not pay attention to what was happening around you.
He pressed the hilt of my sword into my hand. I hadn't even noticed that I had lost it. "Run. It won't be long until someone comes looking for you. Try and get out of the castle. Find Arthur. And don't you dare stop. Not for anything."
"Your not coming?", I asked, panicked by the idea of being by myself.
"You can sneak around better without a man in armor following you around." I wasn't arguing with that, no matter how much I wanted too. Morgana scared me. And Raul probably wasn't too far behind her. He notices the look on my face and squeezes my shoulder awkwardly, trying to be comforting. "Remember, you broke me out of prison easily. You can get out of this castle unnoticed."
I rolled my eyes. "You're forgetting the entire army and two sorcerers that are after me."
He waves his hand dismissively. "After all you've been through? This should be easy. Now go."
I went, sheathing my sword so I could run better. Riley's pep talk didn't make me feel any better, but he was right about one thing. I couldn't stay.
When I heard footsteps coming close behind, I flattened myself around the corner of the wall. When the sound of their footsteps faded away, I raced out of my hiding place.
As far as plans go, mine sucked. I had no way of knowing which exits where taken over and which ones we still had control of. So I decided just to make my way to the training fields. I could cut through the woods to where Camelot's main battle lines were. I remembered Meliorn saying we were still holding it, so I figured it was my best bet.
Fires from outside lit up passages that had windows, but otherwise the shadows concealed me. Running down a staircase I tripped, tumbling down to rest of the way. I nearly screamed out when my head struck the floor once I reached the bottom. I was lucky, coming out with only some cuts and bruises.
"Find her!", A female voice yelled angrily, her voice echoing off the walls. Well, she wasn't unconscious very long. I needed to get out, and quickly. I went back the way I came, opting to get to the fields the long way. Better to be safe than risk getting caught.
My breath became ragged as I ran, avoiding searching parties. I couldn't tell what was happening. Who was winning. But in war, there never really was a winner. Only a side which accomplished its goal. I just wanted all this death to be finished. Everything seemed to be piling on top of me. Death, Henry's leaving, the empathy, losing Tahara, losing Kayla, Raul, and my families history. The only good thing that seemed to come out of it all way Gwaine. If I lost him too... I didn't know if I could handle it. I couldn't lose anything else. I wouldn't.
The door leading outside was in my sight. All I had to do was reach it and escape into the confusion outside. I was so close.
"You weren't planning on leaving us, were you? It would be a same to leave now. The fun was just getting started."
Before I can take another step something tugs at me, forcing me to the ground, knocking the breath out of me. Morgana grasps my arm, pulling me to my feet and dragging me away from the door. I tried to pull away, but her grip on my arm juts tightens, her nails practically were embedding into my skin. She walked so quickly I thought she was going to tear my arm off.
"Let go!", I yelled once I could actually breath, startling even her. Her hold on me loosened just enough for me to reach my sword. Even with it inches from her throat, she didn't even flinch. In fact she stared at me, looking almost bored, like she was daring me to even try.
I hesitated for just a second, but that was enough for her. The blade was wrenched from my hand, despite my attempt to hang onto it, and clattered across the floor away from me. I figured going for any of my other weapons would have a similar result and leave them where they were.
"So you're the girl all of this fuss is over.", she says with a sneer, circling me. I stood there unmoving with my fists clenched, staring at the ground. "I can't deny that I am the tiniest bit disappointed. I thought the warrior princess everyone told me about would be taller. Perhaps a bit more impressive looking, since you have all of these men simply wrapped around your little finger." She twirled her finger around to emphasize her last statement, laughing.
I knew she was just taunting me, trying to get a reaction, but it still made me angry. I wanted to slap that evil little smirk off her her face. I mean seriously, did everyone need to point out that I'm practically a midget? "I suppose that means we can both be disappointed. I thought getting away from you would be harder. You'll never defeat Camelot if you let little me slip right through your fingers."
I swear she would have stabbed me with my own sword right then and there if a duo of soldiers hadn't chosen that particular moment to walk in. "There you are.", she hisses, not taking her eyes off of me. "Disarm her and then restrain her. I don't need to tell you what will happen if you let her escape."
They quickly do what she says. One holds my arms while the other removes my extra sword and some knives adorning my belt. After they had finished, the dragged me along behind Morgana. And they weren't exactly gentle about it either. Every time I tripped or stumbled, they would just jerk my arms up rather painfully.
The hall was empty when they dragged me inside. Which wasn't good. I couldn't remember whether or not Uther had gone out to battle with Arthur. I didn't think so. I flinched as Morgana sat on his throne. She flicks her hand in my direction, they release my arms and leave the room, shutting the doors behind them. I rubbed them where their grip had been the worst. I was definitely getting bruises there. Though that really should be the least of my worries.
Morgana shook her head at me, looking at me pitifully, like I was a lost puppy or something. "You poor thing." She seemed pleased with my confused expression. "And the worst part is, you have absolutely no idea." I bit my lip to keep from saying something stupid. Being a smart alec with Morgana probably wasn't in my best interest. When I don't say a word she continues with her little speech.
"You didn't figure it out by now? Uther and Arthur only see you as a replacement for me. Quite a shabby replacement at that. The poor little Taharan princess who has lost her kingdom... Such a sad story. And so easy to take the pitiful heir under their wing."
I couldn't help but roll my eyes at that notion. If that was what she thought of me... Well she was even more insane than I had originally thought. If she had seen my eye rolling, she showed no sign of it. She studied me like she was the cat and I was the tasty mouse. "You do remind me of myself, really. Before I can to my senses, at least...", She trails off of that sentence, having a more interesting thought. "Did you know they have you staying in my old room? How poetic."
"Are you really so arrogant to think anyone would actually want to replace you?", I scoff, unable to keep my mouth shut any longer.
She only smiles at me. "Oh, I like you. You and you're temper. I think we'll get along famously. You seemed like a bit of a pushover at first... but you'll do nicely." She bursts out laughing at my confusion. "Oh, that's right. You don't know. Don't worry, I'll let your Grandfather explain everything to you. Once he get's here, that is. He's... Held up at the moment. But I'm sure you can't wait to be reunited. I know he can't wait to see you."
Actually, the thought of being anywhere near that man again made me sick to my stomach. I needed to get out of here. But that seemed pretty impossible with Morgana keeping me company. How I wished I could do actual magic. Then I might stand a chance.
At that particular moment, an arrow zipped through the air, embedding itself in Morgana's shoulder. She gasped in pain, clutching it. I didn't care who had done it, I just took advantage of her distraction. Under cover of the attack, I ran for the doors. Luckily, her stupid men hadn't thought to check my legs for weapons. I still had a dagger left. Idiots.
I pulled it out as I pushed through the door. The same men guarded the door from outside. I kicked one of them in the stomach hard enough to make him fall. The other came up behind me, trying to grab hold of me. I spun, driving my blade into his gut. He fell towards me. If I hadn't stepped back, he would have landed on top of me.
The other was getting to his feet now, pulling out his sword. I ducked under his clumsy swing, stepping closer and stabbing his chest in a quick motion. Dead. I turned away, not wanting to watch the light go out from his eyes. These people may have been enemies to me, but they were still people. And neither of them seemed to have been zombies like the ones outside.
Wrenching his sword from his hand, I ran. My heart pounded so hard It could have thundered right out of my chest. I could hear someone pursuing me, several footsteps pounding against the cold floor.
"Stay in the castle. You'll be safe there." Yeah right, Arthur. I'd feel safer outside in the middle of the battle.
Everywhere I turned seemed to have people coming at me. I had to change directions so many times it wasn't even funny.
I skidded to a stop as a dark figure stood in my path. Like an idiot, I hadn't noticed why they hadn't caught up to me yet. It was like they hadn't really been trying to catch up to me. They had been herding me. And now I was trapped. Surrounded with nowhere else to run.
The figure stepped out of the shadows and into the torch light. My blood ran cold, finding myself face to face with the person I loathed most. And he wasn't alone either. Two soldiers stood behind him, holding a slumped figure between them. "My dear, Sarah.", he grinned, holding his arms out to me. "Give your grandfather a proper welcome."
Sorry if this one isn't the best. I had another late night writing session and haven't had time to review it. I just wanted to get something up tonight.