This chapter... oh this chapter. I love and hate this chapter almost as much as I love and hate the next one. Let me explain: I love how its written and I love this filler, but there some gruesome stuff in here, but fear not! i actually edited out a lot of it and i mean a freaking lot. the torture... oh god it could have been a lot fucking worse. oh yeah speaking of the word fucking... two things one if you've never seen a very potter musical and a very potter sequel see it. its done by a bunch of kids in from michigan state. hilarious and two: i'm in one of those fuck the world sort of moods so if somethings off in my writing its because i really want to kick the world around like a fucking soccer ball. i am also in a swearing mood especially dropping the f bomb which i usually don't. i'm just loosing it a little.

on a side note that's actually important. i was thinking about making a facebook group or page or something just for my fanfiction site and since i only have 1 story at the mo it will just be for this. it would include pictures of the characters and extras like little back stories or side stories and stories from the past. i would like opinions. oh which also reminds me that if i do. fear not! i will not be a total creep and be like omg who're you and then stalk you. no no. it will be created and updated and that's it. i'll let you know if i do. i just thought maybe it would be a good idea, but who knows. any other suggestion would be appreciated.

opinions are to be submitted as either A: a review or a message is fine.

wow that was a long side note and look at how awesome i am highlighting the things that are important so you don't have to read my entire rant. anyway enjoy.

"Where's Artemis?" Arthur asked Merlin the next morning.

"Perhaps she's avoiding you," Merlin suggested. "She's not one to be so open with her feelings." Arthur didn't respond. He looked out the window. He seemed to be lost in thought.

"When do the Kings leave?" Merlin asked.

"In a week," Arthur said.

"Perhaps she's with the Lady Vivian…" Merlin and Arthur both stopped what they were doing and looked at each other. "If that's the case maybe I should find her."

"Good idea," Arthur said. Merlin went out the door. He knocked on Morgana's door first. Gwen answered.

"Have you seen Artemis?" he asked.

"No," she said. "She wasn't with Vivian either. I was there not long ago. Is something wrong?"

"Well… Arthur's just… Artemis causes a lot of trouble sometimes." Merlin went to Vidar. He hadn't seen her. Merlin went down to her home and knocked. The door was slightly ajar and when Merlin entered there was furniture tipped over and books everywhere. There was a knock on the door.

"Whoa. What happened here?" Everett asked observing the room as he entered.

"No idea," Merlin said. "Have you seen Artemis and Ava?"

"No. Ava was supposed to meet me for dinner yesterday. She never showed."

"Something's happened," Merlin said. "Come on!" Running to Arthur, Merlin nearly fell over his own two feet. "Arthur!" he yelled entering the chambers.

"What is it this time, Merlin?" he asked sounding annoyed.

"It's Artemis and Ava."

"What about them?" Arthur asked. This got his attention.

"I looked for Artemis everywhere. No ones seen her. I went to their house and it's trashed like there was a struggle." Arthur stared in shock.

"We can't just assume things Arthur," Uther said. Arthur stood in front of them. The kings were at the tables. One king was missing. He had left yesterday. "And even if this is true. We don't know who would have taken them and… they are just servants, Arthur." Ulric leaned over and whispered to Vincent. He nodded.

"Uther?" Vincent asked.

"Yes?"

"My advisor has informed me that the Lady Ava is with them. She is of the House of Wake. Probably the last survivor of the Wake family besides John."

"King John left for Valde yesterday." Arthur paled when he heard this.

"Father," Arthur said. "It was King John. It had to have been."

"Arthur, to accuse a king of such a crime! Do you have any evidence?"

"Artemis told me of what truly happened in Valde. John didn't get the throne by default! He murder all the nobles to get it!"

"That's enough!"

"He tells the truth," Ulric said. "I was there the night that John killed them. If Artemis has not intervened, I would be dead as would many others. About five years ago, you helped flatten an army that John claimed was a rebellion. In fact, it was the army that was led by Prince Peter. Artemis and Kael, her fiancée at the time, were supposed to come and form an alliance with Camelot, but Kael died and Artemis had no nobility. The chances of you helping were too slim. I would suggest joining with the newly formed army for Prince Peter, because if John wins and Artemis is killed people will blame you. You have many armies at your door and the Servants of the World." There were whispers among the kings. "And if you do… imagine the alliance that form just for their gratefulness." There were whispers.

"If you fight John, I will join you," Astor said standing.

"As will I," Vincent said.

"And I," Olaf said. The rest of the Kings agreed. An alliance was formed.

Arthur packed a bag ready to lead a group of knights with Ulric to find Prince Peter before going after Artemis and Ava. Merlin would be going with of course. Arthur's door was thrown open. Everett entered.

"I wish to come with," he said to Arthur walking closer to him.

"You are too young," Arthur replied.

"I do not care! I will not just sit back and allow Ava to suffer!"

"I will not risk your life!"

"You think I am fool! I love her just as much as you love Artemis! Would you go if it was not her! I cannot just stay idle!" Arthur stopped packing and looked to Everett.

"I do not doubt you love her, but you must have faith in me when I say that you cannot come. I will send for you when Valde is recaptured, but right now... I'm sorry Everett."

"You've got to be kidding me! I could take half your men and I am not so young! I'm 15 for christ's sake!"

"Which is too young!" Arthur snapped at him. "I know how you feel, but this is going to turn into war!"

"I don't care! I just want her back!"

"Then trust me," Arthur said. "Surly Ava's given you the same speech that Artemis has given to me about faith and trust." Everett looked down at the ground.

"Yes," he replied. "She has."

"Then trust me. I will save her. I promise." Everett looked up at Arthur.

"If you do not bring her back, I will never forgive you."

"I know," Arthur replied. "But that's it isn't it? If I fail, it won't just be you that will never be able to forgive me. If I fail, I will never be able to forgive myself."

"Then we are on the same side."

"So it seems."

"Bring them back."

"Of course."

A small group of the knights from Camelot rode along the road. They would be meeting the main army with the rest of the Kings' armies in three month hence. Right now, they were on the way to find Prince Peter. According to Ulric, after the failed attempt to take back Valde, Peter went into hiding. He married and had a few children. Ulric's attempts to get Peter out of hiding was failures, but this time Ulric was sure he would for Artemis. Arthur wasn't pleased with wasting so much time, but Ulric assured him John would keep her alive as long as possible. He didn't mention that she would probably be tortured and put through hell. He didn't feel it was a good idea.

The city of Xander was not terribly far or off from Valde. It was about two weeks ride away, but to get there from Camelot it took nearly two months. Two months of Merlin having to watch Arthur pace. Two months of Ulric carefully going through Artemis's various battle strategies and reforming them. Two months of nothing but riding. When they finally reached the city of Xander, they found that Ulric actually stopped outside a small village.

"Arthur, Merlin," Ulric nodded. The rest of the knights stay behind on the path as Merlin, Arthur, and Ulric walked to a nearby villager's hut. Ulric knocked. A tall man with brown hair and dancing gray eyes answered. He had a scar along his neck that looked gruesome and also had the stature of a hardworking man. If one was to look at him, they would never guess who he was. He had grown modest and understanding over the years.

"Not you again," Peter said in a hinted Valde accent. "Go away, Ulric. I told you it won't matter." Peter shut the door, but before he could all the way Ulric spoke.

"John has Artemis and Ava," he said quickly. The door shut and then suddenly reopened.

"What?" Peter asked staring at Ulric with wide eyes.

"I have waited for this moment for four years," John said in front of Artemis. She was locked in a cage with her hands and feet bond with special metal chains. It restricted her magic. Ava was across from her.

They had been traveling for a week before the group that caught them met up with John and his camp.

"If you're going to kill me, do it, but leave Ava out of this," Artemis said.

"Oh, I'm going to kill, but not before you understand pain," John replied. John pulled a red hot iron poker from the fire. He pressed it against Artemis's back. Seething pain went threw her body, but she refused to scream. She refused to show him pain.

Entering Peter's home was odd. There was nothing inside that symbolized royalty lived there. It was a plain ordinary home with a plain ordinary family inside. Peter's wife, Sarah, was a pretty but common woman. She had medium brown hair the went to her waist, warm, wide brown eyes, and a small stature. She was a friendly woman but also one that seemed to in a way be a bit like Artemis. She was always making some sort of witty remark to Peter, who return the insult back. Their son, Zacharias, was a normal child as was their daughter, Aella. If you walked by them on the street, you never would have known.

"This is Prince Arthur of Camelot," Ulric said as they sat around the table, "and Merlin, Artemis's brother."

"Pleasure," Peter said flatly. He didn't sound pleased. Perhaps he remembered his last defeat was aided by Camelot. "What the hell has she done this time?" Ulric shook his head.

"This time I am sure it is not her fault. She wouldn't have risked Ava being caught. She cares too much about her. Camelot is backing us though as is Olaf and Vincent and well a good deal of kingdoms really. All we need is you." Peter didn't look pleased.

"You want me to just drop everything and pick up where I left off? I have a life here Ulric. It's not that easy."

"You owe Artemis your life. The least you have to do is help us save her." Peter sighed.

"Why does it matter if I'm there? They can just choose another to be king," Peter said. "I wouldn't be a good king anyway, not like my father."

"Artemis believes if some else was to come in and kill John and recapture Valde, it won't be recapturing it. The world will just see it as more violence. It has to be you. They have to see that John's era is over, and that Valde will be restored," Ulric said. "And... you are wrong. You will make a good king. Artemis believes that, we all do. You have lived the life of a peasant for the last five years. You know what they go through everyday. You can be the king Valde needs." He stared at the goblet in front of him. Sarah, who was listening, came to his side.

"You should help her. Artemis has done much for not just you but our family." He looked at Sarah. She smiled at him gingerly.

"You do realize becoming King means that you become Queen." Sarah laughed.

"No," she said shaking her head. "I've talked to Artemis. She said technically I don't have to take the title if I don't want to."

"But Zack will still me named Prince."

"Fine, but I refuse the queen title still."

"Then… you want me to do this."

"It's your home. Artemis is your friend, love."

"You're amazing. You know that?"

"Of course," she laughed before turning away. Peter sighed.

"Alright." Ulric smiled. "But there's something that I have to do before we go to Valde."

"What's that?" Ulric asked.

"You aren't going to like it," Peter warned them.

Torture, pain, blood, bruises, cuts, burns, breaks, shatters, twisting, snapping. There was no end. They reached Valde early on by way of a Portal in the Ascendra Forest. One that few people knew about. John was true to his word. Artemis did her best to hold in her screams. She would never give him any form of satisfaction. During the times she was out of the torture room, she was thrown in a small, dark ice box. After a few hours in there it felt like she couldn't move. She was given little food. It was just enough to stay alive, but it was Ava Artemis was worried about. She had not seen her young student since they arrived in Valde. Artemis feared the worse.

The day that Artemis broke was a day that Ava of the House of Wake would never forget as long as she lived. Artemis would be brought passed her cell everyday. Her body was ridged and her skin paler than originally. Her eyes covered so she could see nothing. Ava never spoke. John swore to her if she did he would make Ava watch Artemis die a slow cruel death.

Ava watched as Artemis was brought forward. She didn't struggle, but the guards were still rough with her. They threw her inside the dark dirty room across from Ava's cell. The only sounds that ever came from the room was the sound of metal, whips, and chains occasionally, but not today. Today, it was haunting. It started of the same and then suddenly Artemis's screams pierced threw the air. Cries of pain and torture. Cries of death. After two months of silence as John tortured her it all flooded out.

"Kill me! Gods just kill me!" she cried through sobs. She cracked under the pain. She couldn't deal with it. Ava tried to cover her ears, but Artemis's tortured screams still sliced through like a sword. Hours of screaming later, Artemis was dragged bloody, marked, cut, broken, and bruised from the room. She was unconscious. Even if she was conscious, the chances of her being able to move even a little was unlikely. Her body looked broken. Ava swallowed back the tears. It wasn't the last day Ava would hear Artemis's screams.

Through the Forest of Elerrina, the small group traveled. The knights no longer traveled with them. It was now just Arthur, Merlin, Ulric, and Peter.

"Are you sure about this?" Merlin asked. No one answered Merlin's question. The trees deep in the Forest of Elerrina were twisted and bare. Strange noises came from the land ahead. Ancient stones with carvings on them slowly became more prominent. Slowly in view came a circle made of stones. In the center, there stood a stone table. Slowly they got off their horses and approached it. Peter stepped up the table.

"Now what?" Arthur asked.

"I don't know," Peter admitted. "Artemis told me to beat John to come here. She never specified what else to do."

"It's funny how destiny finds you isn't it, Peter Wake, True Crown Prince of Valde?" A woman asked. They all turned. On one of the stones, a lovely woman sat in a gray dress. It was terrifying. She was the mirror image of Artemis.

"Who are you?" Arthur asked whipping out his sword.

"Now, now, violence is not the answer. I am Aradia, the sorceress."

"Why do you look like my sister?" Merlin asked. She smiled. Her body in an instant transformed into Morgana.

"Is that better?" she asked. She turned into Gwen and then Ava and then Morgause and then Hunith. She turned into numerous woman each knew before she stopped on a face no one knew. An elder woman with tangled, white hair and blind eyes. She had a look of power to her. "So, Artemis has sent you?" she asked. "This is a treat. How is she?"

"She was capture by King John," Ulric said. The woman laughed.

"She could never really keep herself out of trouble. What is exactly do you want?"

"Artemis just said to beat the Sword of Magus I must come here," Peter replied. The woman looked surprised.

"The Sword of Magus… how many centuries has it been since I've heard that name? That is a powerful sword indeed. It was created by the Father of all Magic. Only another sword just as powerful can beat the Sword of Magus."

"Is there such thing?" The woman smiled.

"Oh, yes, but I ask for something in return for it."

"And what is that?"

"When you retrieve Artemis and she is well enough to come here, bring her here. Her and I need to speak."

"You will not hurt her?" Peter asked.

"No, I will not. I swear it."

"Then, it is a deal." The woman raised her arm and in a plain looking sword appeared. It was nothing special on the outside. She held it out the Peter. He took and stared at it trying to find something more in the plain steel of the blade.

"This is it?"

"Don't let appearances deceive you," she replied. "I assure you. With this blade, you will kill John and achieve the victory you seek. Take back Valde. The events that are about to play out… the outcome will be one that is pivotal to the future. You must not fail."

"Thank you," Peter bowed.

"Go. If you waste anymore time, Ambrosine will die." At that thought, the group went off.

The four of them reached the meeting point of the armies just in time. There were many more people there than expected. Several different armies than was expected previously. This was a good thing. Valde was known to have one of the biggest, most ruthless army in the world.

Arthur, Peter, Merlin, and Ulric entered a huge tent. There was several people there looking over a map of Valde. Uther as well as the other king's were there, but Master Gwydion was there as well as was Master Galen and Master Saoirse. There was also several people Arthur didn't know. They were clearly of noble status. There was both men and women. They all looked strong and fierce.

"This is my son, Arthur, and his servant," Uther said.

"My advisor, Ulric," Vincent said. "And the true prince of Valde." They bowed. They all sat and the was discussions continued. It was decided that in a week they would attack.

John was prepared for them. A large army stood in front of the stone walls of Valde. They were ready for Peter's army. The army planned to whip out John's army and take out the knights and capture the city. John was no where to seen among the crowd, but Peter and Ulric had both been expecting this. He was hiding in the palace.

At dawn, they would attack. It all rested on the pivotal moment. Peter watched from his tent. He was tense. Arthur was probably worse. Ulric and Merlin watched as Arthur paced back in forth. They shared a tent. There was simply too little tents to have their own. Peter let the tent flap fall closed. Peter looked at Arthur. He had this look of concentration on his faced.

"How long have you been in love with her?" he asked. Arthur stopped pacing and looked at Peter.

"I have no idea what you mean." Peter sat on the ground. His back against of the wooden poles.

"She's an incredible woman. I have seen men trip over themselves for her attention, my cousin, Kael, included. I also know what it's like to want someone you can't have because of your title. Sarah was a servant in Valde before I married her. After Valde fell, I guess I realized what's truly important. Friendship, love, loyalty, trust. All of that was so hard at first, but we looked to Artemis to lead us. A woman like Artemis… you never find another like her, Arthur. Trust me. I've seen the world enough to know."

"It doesn't matter," Arthur said after a moment. "She's made it clear that she doesn't want to be with me."

"Don't be fooled. Artemis may say that, but she is just doing what she thinks she has to. She's always been the person to think too much and not follow what her heart is telling her. She's always the person to put other people's needs before her own happiness. Don't give up hope. She will come around. If you truly love her, she will not leave you. She will probably try, but in the end she will learn."

"What about her old love?" Arthur asked. "Kael?"

"I'm not saying she didn't love him, but their relationship was based on the fact that Kael did what she asked. If she wanted something, she got it. He worshipped her. It wasn't the kind of relationship that was good for Artemis. It inflated her ego. You don't seem like the kind of person to bend so easily to Artemis, which is a good thing. Artemis can be controlling." Peter laughed. "But I guess she wouldn't be Artemis without that controlling part of her. She just needs someone equally controlling." Peter laughed. "Are you controlling, Arthur?"

"No," he said, but at the same time Merlin said yes. Arthur gave him a look. Peter laughed. Ulric chuckled as well.

"Artemis is a brilliant woman. Any man should be honored to be with her," Ulric said.

"You would know," Peter said smugly. "After all, you two were together." Ulric scowled.

"It was just an experiment. There was nothing between us. For the last God damn time."

"Did you kiss her?" Peter asked.

"That's not important," Ulric said. Peter chuckled. "Why does everyone think there's something between us? We're friends." Peter laughed again.

"People think that because they don't know you. They don't know your one and only love is someone you can't have. Princess Victoria of Norien."

"Wait…," Arthur said slowly. He smiled. "Norien is King Vincent's kingdom." Peter laughed.

"That's right," Peter said. "The advisor to King Vincent is in love with his master's sister. For shame."

"Oh shut up Peter. I wouldn't be talking. You and Sarah were all over each when you were alone in Valde."

"What? I don't know what you mean. Says who?" Ulric laughed.

"Says Artemis."

"And how would she know?"

"How would she not? She had to clean your room. The number of times she walked in on you two, she said, scarred her."

"She's one to talk. At least I stayed in my chambers with Sarah. Artemis and Kael on the other hand," Peter shook his head, and then shuttered. "Brings up scarring memories."

"Yeah, but it was Artemis. You would expect nothing less of her. Plus, you know she and Kael wanted a baby more than anything." Ulric and Peter looked at each other.

"Don't say that around her," Peter reminded her. "You know she doesn't like to be reminded."

"Reminded of what?" Merlin asked. Peter looked at him.

"You're her brother, right?" Peter asked.

"Yeah," Merlin said. Peter sighed.

"See… Artemis and Kael would have been married sooner, but the problem was that the only way for it to count in the Wake family is for them to be married in the palace of Valde, so there was no point in getting a regular, official marriage until Valde was recaptured. So… Artemis and Kael decided that… they would go on like they were married. They always told people they were. Eventually, they tried to have a child, but…" Peter shook his head. "They had trouble. Artemis finally became pregnant, but the baby died about three months into the pregnancy. Artemis was pretty upset about it. They didn't try after that. Artemis thought that it was her fault. Her body, she believed, suffered too much abuse over the years. I've never seen her that upset. She really wanted children, and she would have made one hell of a mother."

"I don't think she's given up hope though of having a family," Arthur said.

"Why do you say that?" Ulric asked.

"She's talked to me about having a lot of children. From the sound of it, she believes there still a chance she could have children." Peter laughed.

"She's talked to you about her future?"

"Yes. Why?"

"She must really love you. She never talked about the future or what she wanted not even to Kael." Arthur stared at Peter.

"Could you see Artemis as Queen of Camelot?" Ulric laughed. Peter laughed too.

"You know she would never accept the title," Peter said.

"Oh, I know her hatred for titles, and the idea of being noble makes her shutter." They laughed. "She would make a good Queen though. Admit it." Peter nodded.

"She would bring peace and prosperity to any land that has her to help rule."

"It doesn't matter," Arthur said. "She is a servant in Camelot. I cannot marry her." Peter nodded.

"There will be a time when you can do what you wish. When that time comes you must choose. There will be consequences to marrying Artemis, but could you live knowing that she would be out there possibly with another man? I know that I would have been devastated if I had let Sarah go."

"Let's just focus on getting her back," Arthur said.

"Agreed," Ulric said. He stood. "I have to get back to Vincent. Get some rest. Don't worry too much about Artemis. She's strong." Arthur nodded. He left. The candles were blown out, and the monarchs and Merlin tried to get some rest for the next day.

Blood covered the ground. Screams filled the air. Clashes of metal against metal echoed, but none of this was important to Arthur Pendragon. He fiercely fought his way through the soldiers. Gwydion, Galen, and Saoirse was the only ones ahead of him. It was no wonder. They were brilliant. They dominated the battlefield. Gwydion was surprisingly nimble, Galen was surprisingly graceful, and Saoirse was surprisingly strong. They were clearly masters of battle. Peter was near Arthur not far from him. Merlin was on the other side of Arthur. Ulric was nowhere to be seen in the clash of warriors. He was no doubt with King Vincent. War raged on and finally Arthur, Merlin, Peter, Gwydion, Saoirse, and Galen reached the wall. The archers on the walls were all killed already. No doubt by Galen's own bow.

"What now?" Arthur asked. The huge wooden door was closed blocking them out.

"What will you allow me to do to save her?" Saoirse asked.

"What?"

"Will you give anything to save her?" Saoirse asked. "We have little time for much else."

"Whatever it is do it!" Arthur command. Saoirse held her hand out. Her eyes flashed gold. The doors were thrown of their hinges. "Forward!" Arthur commanded over the noise. He didn't even care he was fighting with a sorceress. He just wanted Artemis and Ava safe. He had a promise to keep to both Everrett and himself.

The Masters were in the led still, but that was a good thing. They were the best after all. It seemed that John was arrogant. All the knights were gone. They must have been on the battlefield. The towns people all looked out into the streets. Whispers filled the air. Prince Peter has returned.

Saoirse broke down the door to the palace. They went inside. Gwydion led the way to the throne room. John sat on his throne. His sword at his side.

"What is it, Rupert?" John asked annoyed. "I said not to bother me!"

"Perhaps you should take another guess," Peter said. John opened his eyes.

"You!" he yelled standing. He pulled his sword from its sheath. It glowed black.

"Let us take care of him," Galen said.

"No!" Peter yelled. "This is my duty! This is my kingdom! I must take it back! It is my destiny!"

"Give them space," Gwydion said. John and Peter clashed. Knights from Valde entered quickly. The others began to fight them. It seemed lost though. More and more knights flooded in. Peter's sword flew out of his hand as he crashed to the floor. John stepped on Peter's throat. Peter tried to reach for his sword but it was too far.

"I will finally have my victory," John said. He pulled his sword up ready to plunge it into Peter. Sudden screaming from outside filled the halls. It was enough of a distraction for Peter to kick John off him, quickly grab his sword, and bury it into John's stomach. John gasped and fell in shock. The multiple armies that allied themselves with Peter flooded the hall and killed the remaining knights. It was victory. Valde was recaptured in little time thanks to the allies that had banded together to save Artemis.

Peter, Merlin, Arthur, and Saoirse ran to the dungeons. They looked in each cell quickly.

"Peter! Merlin! Arthur!" A voice yelled. Ava came up to the door.

"Ava!" Peter yelled.

"Move!" Saoirse announced. Ava moved back. She blew the door off it's hinges. Ava ran out and hugged Peter.

"Where's Artemis?" Arthur asked.

"I don't know where they keep her exactly but it's farther down. I know that. But… she's… she's…," Ava started to cry. "She's really hurt." Arthur ran without another word. He looked in each cell, but he reached the end of the dungeons without finding her. Merlin and Saoirse appeared a few seconds later. Arthur hit a wall in frustration.

"She's not here!"

"We will find her Arthur," Saoirse reassured him. "John is still alive. We will make him talk." They went up to a small room in the castle. John was tied to a chair inside. His wound was bandaged, but it looked as though he wouldn't be alive much longer. Gwydion sat there calmly.

"Where is she?" Arthur asked furious approaching him

"Who?" John asked. Before Arthur could reply, the door opened. Ava entered. Furious, she walked briskly to John and pulled her fist back and punch him so hard his chair fell over.

"Where's Artemis?"

"I have no idea," John said. Ava kicked him in the head once, twice, three times.

"Where is Artemis?"

"Who?" he asked. Ava purposely kicked him right in the stomach wound, so her foot was partially inside his stomach. He coughed up blood.

"Where the hell is my mother!" she yelled kicking him between each word. She had meant to say teacher, but it came out mother. It was a mistake of words... or perhaps just saying teacher was the mistake. Artemis had treated her like her own. It was time to accept Artemis has acted as her mother for the last eight years of Ava's life. She pulled him upright. "You're going to tell me where she is or things are going to get very unpleasant for you."

"If I die, she dies," John sneered back.

"I'm not going to kill you, you ass. I'm going to do much worse." Ava took a small knife from her pocket. She had retrieved them from one of the fighters. She had intended this. She drove it into John's wrist. He screamed in pain. "Where is she?" He shook his head. She drove another into his other wrist. "Where is she!"

"Secret room in the dungeon," he breathed. "Inside the last cell." Ava followed by Arthur, Merlin, Peter, and Saoirse went to the dungeons. They went in the last cell looking for something that opened the so call secret room. Ava was the one to notice the symbol on one of the stones. She pushed it in and the entire wall opened to an ice cold room. Artemis laid inside not moving and from the looks of it not breathing. Her body was badly damaged.

"Get Galen," Saoirse said quietly. "Go!" She yelled at the boys. Peter ran off. They approached Artemis's body carefully. Saoirse turned her onto her back carefully. Arthur collapsed on his knees beside her. His face was filled with pain and torture. Merlin looked like he was about to cry. Ava was crying hard. It was clear that Artemis had endured torture. She had several broken and shattered bones, a lot of cuts, bruises, and burns. It looked like some her muscles were purposely cut completely through. "Hang in there." Saoirse said. Peter came back with Galen. Galen leaned down and put his head to her chest.

"She's alive," he confirmed. "She needs immediate care." Galen gently picked her up. The soldiers and monarchs watched as Artemis was brought by Galen through the palace. Galen found a proper room to place her in. Galen looked at Saoirse. She nodded.

"Give him some time with her," she told the others.

"But-"

"No. Listen to me. He needs some time with her to help the healing starts. You can see her when she's done." The others nodded. They were given chambers. The first thing Arthur did was kick and break furniture inside before sighing and sitting on the edge of his bed.

"She'll be okay," Merlin said.

"We should have been here earlier," Arthur said distressed.

"There's nothing we could have done alone. All that matters right now is that she's alive."

"Go away, Merlin," Arthur said. Merlin partially wanted to stay, but he knew Arthur just needed some time alone.

"How long will she be unconscious?" Arthur asked looking down at Artemis. She didn't look much better than yesterday.

"I don't know," Galen said. "Days, weeks, months, years. It's anyone guess, but I suggest while you are here to start thinking about alliances with all those who fought with you. It would be a grand alliance." Arthur nodded. Arthur gently held her hand. He would wait for her to get better. He wouldn't leave her.