Well hello again all! I know this has been a veeeerrrrrry long time in updating. I won't bore you with the details but been dealing with a bereavement in the family and various other things so I haven't really had much time to start writing again. Now I can understand what has happened when you're happily reading a story that cuts about half-way through and you never get to find out what the ending was! So anyway, many apologies to anyone who has, perhaps, wondered whether or not this story was ever going to have an ending.

Chapter 13

The night air rang to the clattering of sword against sword punctuated with the dull thuds of steel into wooden shields. The vast swathe of bodies joined in battle writhed like giant waves crashing backwards and forwards against an unknown but bloody shore.

Morgana raised her head, cursing as the sleet hailed down from the billowing tumult above, bouncing off the beautiful gilt armour protecting her lithe form. The stars had vanished behind the thick brooding murk; even the moon's normally incandescent lustre had faded into the overpowering shadows. She knew it was only the immense power emanating from the ladies high up on the hill that had caused the thundering clouds to swirl into some sort of magical vortex but the darkness was still unsettling even as the lightening that tore through the skies provided some sporadic illumination. What would Uther think if he knew how magic was now playing such a vital role in the protection of his precious kingdom?

Though the young queen had to admit, this display of sorcery was having a kind of mesmerising effect on the enemy as many of Cadeyrn's men had already begun running towards the trees but equally the dark-haired witch was under no illusions as to the likely outcome of the battle without the aid of Arthur's men;

"Where are they?" she cried to the heavens even as she continued ploughing on into the enemy, blood-drenched blade in-hand. A quick glance to her right flank told her Morgause was sending her own army of the dead out to the far side of the hill to halt the Angle warriors' advance up the ridge but even they could not last forever. Undead as they were, the magic that had brought them here was already beginning to wane; even given the best efforts of the women on the hill who, despite their lofty position, were by no-means unscathed by the surrounding violence. The enemy had come equipped with their trebuchets which now pounded into the citadel's walls just above where the sorceresses were incanting their spells. One of Morgause's objectives would be to somehow destroy the enemy artillery but it was a high gamble. A brief but all-too-fatalistic smile from the blonde sorceress before she left made it clear that Morgana would soon be seeing her sister in one way if not another. The dark-haired witch managed a small nod of acknowledgement before watching the other woman ride off to whatever fate awaited.

As she rapidly surveyed the scene around her Morgana became painfully aware that Camelot's mighty troops were becoming desperately tired. She sympathised with them; her own body screamed with an exhausted agony that tore at her muscles and left her arms shaking so much that she could barely grip the weapon in her hand. On her left flank she could see the newly-knighted Bedivere struggling to find any purchase underfoot, the ground having been soaked into a thick quagmire, as he tried to fend off the rapidly mounting numbers that threatened to overwhelm his dwindling contingent of Celtic soldiers. The high hopes that she had begun her campaign with had now diminished to a sense of utter failure and an anger towards her supposed allies. The opposing army of Angles, Saxons and Jutes were beginning to make progress up the ridge, Morgana's own forces severely punished under sheer weight of numbers and no still no sign of reinforcements. Then a sudden sharpness in her ribs made her stomach lurch. The hand that automatically pressed itself into the pain came away coated in a hot, sticky crimson. Unable to prevent her tumble backwards she clamoured to find some form of support from her sword but her limbs were weak and she landed on her back though the thick mud did cushion the fall ever so slightly.

Somehow, through the deafening throng of battle and the mad rushing of blood in her ears she heard Sir Bedivere frantically calling over to her; then everything around her became sluggish and stilted but in the distance, she could swear she could see horses at the gallop. Perhaps her allies had finally arrived or perhaps she was merely slipping into an eternal dream from which there could be no awakening. Relief came within darkness and then peace...she was so tired...

/

Arthur's face had become the very image of a man-possessed during the final few miles towards Camelot knowing full well the potential cost of not arriving in time. Even as far as an hour's ride away could be heard the anguished cries of dying men and the fervent rallying of a thousand horses. By the time his party of followers had reached the field his own temper was at a fever pitch. The hooves of his own black mare thundered underneath, the movement ricocheting up the former-Prince's body, spurring him on to release a great shout;

"For the love of Camelot!"

The giant belting chorus that came from the masses behind forced the young man to swallow the lump that appeared in his throat. The enthusiastic band that followed their charismatic leader felt no hesitation as they charged into the mêlée even though some primal fear must have struck the heart of each individual soul at the sight which confronted them. The sheer brutality of the Saxon assault was viscously hacking its way through the Celtic heart and the pitch itself had adopted an eerie blue glow but no one dared turn back, even Gwen remained by Arthur's side and gripped his hand tightly before making their way into the fray. Defeat was simply not an option.

The Prince's Army from the East now began the arduous task of closing in on the enemy from their only open escape. The walls were closing in on the Germanic tribes and like any caged animal there was no only one way out. The Saxon attack became yet more savage, hacking into the native troops with even more vigour with sheer panic.

In the ensuing chaos Merlin took the chance to go where his talents could truly make a difference. Although loathed to leave Arthur he had never much use with a bladed weapon and took the chance to disappear up the high ledge to join the throng of women's voices. While the ancient Priestesses were powerful- the voice of the Goddess on Earth- Merlin had one other advantage. Once reaching the top of the ledge he knelt before Morgana's own mother Viviane then raised his head to the sky.

On the ground, behind the lines of battle, Gaius,within a few moments of setting up his dressing station, had been inundated with casualties. Many of them were the young lads he had gotten to know over the past few weeks, many more of them were those he had treated as the local physician at Camelot but by far the most tragic figure to be brought under his ageing gaze was that of a young woman. Long dark hair hung loose below her body, suddenly so weak and small. She remained drifting in and out of consciousness as Bedivere carried her carefully yet as he gently placed her on the surgeon's table the Queen gripped the young Knight's shoulder;

"Get back to the field. Our people need you and as your Queen I demand you to fulfil the duty you have been charged with." with this simple statement the young Lady's head began to loll backwards though her strained whisper could still be heard above all else; "a Queen may die but her people may still flourish. You have always been loyal Bedivere. Now grant me that my will is done and fight to the last. Fight for our very survival. It is you now who must go on. Lead them well."

With that the Queen lost her grasp on the young man's arm and became silent...

I had intended to make this the last chapter but it's turning out to be a great deal longer than I had planned so in the interests of giving the story the best possible ending I've decided to split it into two. Hope you liked this one, as I say, it's the first time I've written anything in months so go easy on the old girl! :-D

To be continued...