~ Chapter 3: Long Live the Queen ~
- Gwen -
I stared at Sir Percival, not quite able to understand his words. "She's dead?" I asked uncertainly. "Morgana is dead?"
He nodded at me. "I recovered her body. It's right outside the gates of Camelot. I wasn't sure what you would want to do with her. She's a sorceress so obviously she doesn't deserve a royal burial," he told me.
I looked at him sharply. "Her being a sorceress was not her crime. Treason is. She betrayed Camelot and for that reason, she will not receive a proper royal burial, but do not falsely spread her crimes," I told him harshly. I instantly regretted it. It's not Percival's fault that I'm beginning to succumb to the stress of the last few days. "She will, however, receive a decent burial. Her body will be burned just like that of a knight or a townsperson would be." My thoughts were on Merlin. All this time he'd been a sorcerer. Gwen could scarcely believe the words when Gaius had first implied them, but the more she thought about it, the more it made sense.
"But your majesty," Percival started to protest.
"No buts. Morgana used to be my good friend. It wasn't magic that corrupted her. Constantly hearing that who you are is wrong would hurt anyone. She just didn't have the support she needed. Her actions were inexcusable, but I will not deny her the right to a proper burial," I told him. I told all of them really.
Percival had requested a public audience so he could announce the news of Morgana's death. I knew my decision would be met with some protests, but what I wasn't expecting was for the acceptance.
Sir Leon stepped forward. "My Lady, you have proven that you are just and kind. You have proven that you can be our leader in Arthur's absence," he told me. "I am happy to serve you until the day I die." I saw many nodding behind him.
Despite his kind words, I felt a burst of shame flow through me. I had been so overwhelmed with the news of Morgana's death that I hadn't given one thought to my husband.
"Percival?" I asked gently. "What of Arthur?"
Percival's face fell as he looked down. "There was no sign of him, My Lady," he told me. "I fear Morgana may have killed him after he or someone else stabbed her. It could have been her last act."
"Who could have stabbed her?" I asked him confused.
Percival looked up at me and shrugged. "There were three sets of footsteps, my lady," he told me. "One of them went straight to Morgana, but the other two simply disappeared. Arthur was not travelling alone."
"So you're saying that you think Arthur is dead?" I asked him uncertainly. I could feel my heart breaking. He can't be gone. Not now. That battle was supposed to mark the beginning of a new life for us. We wouldn't have to constantly agonize over Morgana or live in fear that any move might leave Camelot open to an attack from her. This was supposed to be the last obstacle that we had to overcome. It wasn't fair. It wasn't fair that he was taken from me. Not for the first time, I felt cursed. I closed my eyes. Not here, I reminded myself. Not here. I have to wait just a few moments before I can allow myself to fall to pieces. Only the knowledge that Arthur would want a strong and fearless leader for his people kept me standing where I was.
He nodded at me. "I'm sorry my lady," he told me. I could hear the true sorrow in his voice.
"One more thing Percival," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. Already the world seemed to spin around me. I put my hand on the arm to my chair to steady myself. "What happened to Gwaine? I know he was travelling with you."
Percival bowed his head. "Morgana did something to him. He didn't make it," he told me, his voice breaking.
"Where is he?" I asked him. "Where is his body?"
"I left it where he died," Percival told me. "When he told me she tortured the information of Arthur's true whereabouts out of him, I tried to catch up with her before she could reach him. I was too late."
I nodded trying to keep my world from falling apart. "You must recover his body," I told him. "He deserves a proper burial."
Percival nodded and stepped back, joining the throng of people behind him.
Gaius stepped forward. "My lady," he said, his voice shaking. I understood his sorrow. If Arthur didn't make it, that meant Merlin was lost as well. "When I last saw Arthur, he gave me something to give to you, should he not return."
Gaius held something out to me, and I took it. It was the Pendragon seal. I took a deep breath and put in on my finger. I would hold it close to me always.
Gaius stepped back, and Sir Leon stepped forward. He faced the knights, the servants, and the people of Camelot alike. He was devoid of emotion as he said the words I was unprepared to hear. "The king is dead," he proclaimed. "Long live the queen!"
Cries of "long live the queen" rang out through the room, but there was no joy in anyone's eyes. I knew it wasn't that they resented me as queen, but that they wished they had their king. It was a sentiment I felt in every fiber of my being as well. I would give anything for Arthur to be here. Anything.
I looked up at the ceiling. I will remember you, Arthur, I mentally promised him. I will always love you. With all my heart.