A hidden Threat

Chapter 15

So the next chapter is here, I feel like I've been neglecting you all! I'm sorry and I hope this chapter makes up for it. I hoped to portray in this chapter how much of a first class bitch Carmen is! Sorry for the profanities, but it's only just dawned on me how much of a scheming manipulative cow I've created. But then I guess that's a good thing considering what I've got in store for her. So this story is coming to an end now and I would love love love some more reviews, you will never know how much feedback from you guys cheers me up! So I hope you enjoy the next chapter…

The Brotherhood took a step away from the men, Carmen and Lucan held eye contact something far stronger than hatred sparkling in their eyes. Lucan grabbed Carmen's hand something far more toxic than loathing in his touch. He pulled her close, his voice softer than it had been all night.

"It doesn't have to be like this." he whispered sultrily in her ear

"No it doesn't." she replied, the same sweetness lining her own voice, "But after what you did all those years ago I can never forgive you." Tears suddenly pricked at the corners of her eyes, "I'm sorry."

"No you're not." he pointed out, his voice now revealing its former hardness.

"Leave them alone," she begged, her pleads surprised him which probably explained the reason behind his further compromise.

"The council chambers." he whispered, making certain no one else could hear, "One hour. Come alone."

He tore himself away from her grip, he couldn't meet her gaze, neither could she. He turned away, shouting a command back to The Brotherhood to follow him. Carmen watched him go tears staining her face and the floor at her feet. Within a second – or it could have been an hour, time seemed to lose all meaning for Carmen at that point – Merlin was at her shoulder.

"What did he tell you?" Merlin demanded frantic, "What did he say?"

"It's over," she told him, her voice devoid of any emotion or feeling, "He's letting you go, all of you. Arthur's no longer in any danger."

"What?" Merlin was astounded at the fact that after a whole night of battles and threats all it took to draw the enemy off was a muttered conversation with a serving girl.

Arthur strode over to Carmen confusion and anger clouding his gaze.

"Right, enough secrecy." He announced, "I've had enough of not being in control, you're going to tell me right now: who is he? Who are you? And what the hell is going on?" his booming voice echoed off the stone and the whole world fell silent for a second.

"I'm sorry sire." Was her only response, it sounded dejected and pathetic. She couldn't even meet the prince's eyes.

"No," Arthur began, all of the anger of the night finally coming to a head, "No, I don't want 'I'm sorry sire' I want an explanation. I want you to tell me what's going on."

Carmen took a deep breath, she realised something at that point. She had been so selfish, dragging all of them into a situation that could have got them killed; she looked around at the men. Her eyes settled on Gwaine, guilt stirred in her stomach. Her mind played over the thought of all of the men that she had tricked and manipulated over the years, whether intentional or otherwise she had used them for her own ends. She was cruel, and it was a cruelty she was only just acknowledging. She looked back to Arthur. She took one last deep breath.

"One hour." she told him, "One hour and then you'll know everything. I promise."

It wasn't exactly a satisfying answer but Arthur did not stop her as she turned and walked away from him.

…

Carmen was sat on the floor outside the physician's chambers; everyone else was inside discussing what to do next. She had the perfect view of the courtyard, and therefore the clock tower, from the window opposite.

Ten minutes.

Ten minutes until she had to face… God knows. She had spent all these years running, running away from the consequences of her actions it had become second nature to her, an automatic defence mechanism. As soon as things got a little difficult she would just walk away and not look back, abandoning friends and lovers alike without a second thought as to how her actions had affected them. She had a lifetimes worth of sins and ill deeds on her conscience. She had found it unnervingly easy to simply lock them away, push them to the back of her mind and forget about them, complying with the logic that if she didn't remember her misdemeanours then surely no one else would. But now she would have to do something she'd never done before she would have to face her transgressions. She would have to pay the penalty for her multiple crimes.

Carmen leant against the stone wall, the cold surface sending a shiver down her exposed arms. The floor was damp and a harsh breeze was blowing down the corridor bringing a harsher atmosphere with it. The unnatural silence was suddenly broken by a familiar voice.

"Mind if I sit down?" Gwaine didn't wait for a response, sliding down the wall and sitting next to Carmen. But he was far from his usual joking self, his face and tone were sombre. "What's going on?" he asked.

Carmen looked into his eyes; she didn't have the heart to lie to him.
"I can't," but then she didn't have the heart to tell him the truth either, Gwaine let out a sigh of frustration, "I can't tell you. Because you'll hate me if I tell you the truth."

"Try me." He reached out to her, all of his compassion and benevolence laid bare.

He was met with a definitive silence. He looked away, his defences going up again. After a few moments of tense silence Gwaine went to stand. He felt humiliated.

"The others will be wondering where I am." He stated, not even giving Carmen the privilege of eye contact.

Carmen got up, following him, she may not be able to explain everything but he had a right to know at least some of what was going on.

"Gwaine!" she called after him, he turned his face a picture of hurt and rage. She strode over to him, he didn't move away. She looked into his eyes, tears streamed down her face, "I've done things I'm not proud of. And I know that if I tell you, then you won't be able to forgive me, God I can't forgive myself. But you will hate me and that's something that I couldn't bear. Please."

His expression softened, he pulled her close and embraced her tightly his arms wrapped round her waist. He couldn't understand the feelings he had for her. It certainly wasn't love, it was nowhere near as strong, but then it wasn't lust either. He'd only known her one night. How was it even possible to have any sort of feelings for a person after such a short space of time? And given all the things that she was clearly hiding, she was dangerous. Every rational fibre of his being told Gwaine this but he couldn't help but be attracted to her. It was insane. It was inexplicable. It was undeniable.

Carmen held Gwaine close she felt as if she was stuck in some wonderful inescapable dream. But then she saw the clock tower and she woke up.

Five minutes.

She pulled herself away and looked up to Gwaine.
"Give me time, just a bit longer and then you'll know everything. I promise" she pledged.

Gwaine gave her an exhausted look but withdrew his arms and made his way back to Gaius' chambers without a second look back. Carmen was left alone in the empty corridor. She took one final deep breath and strode off down the corridor towards the council chambers.

Four minutes.