Chapter notes: Hiya lovelies. So, this chapter has some minor twinks to the plotline. Yes, Gwaine and the like should not be knights. But I have decided they will all still be knights, as in my AU there is no tradition of only noblemen being knights. I kinda consider the first two chapter plot building/prologues, but you can consider them however you want. For me, this is where the story really begins. As always, I could definitely use the reviews! It helps motivate me when I have constructive criticism to go on, and also when I hear that people like it! Those things said, I really hope you enjoy this chapter, because I had a ton of fun writing it. Happy reading!
The sun had long since risen above the horizon, and it baked the earth with sweltering heat. Morgana had just bathed, and she felt fresh and clean and ready for the hunting trip that had been prepared for weeks. The princess had suppressed her magic for many months since she had told her father and brother of the powers, but every day she lived in fear that either one would change their minds and condemn her to death, though neither knew that. Peering out the wavering stained glass, Morgana watched the knights prepare for the hunt, and she smiled. Getting out of Camelot was just what she needed, and she was quite pleased to be going. Turning from the window, she made for the door and stole away from the palace.
As the young witch departed the castle, the wind whipped her hair around her features in tumultuous waves, and she felt oddly light. She'd felt unbelievably trapped in the palace since she and her relations had spoken of her magic, and perhaps getting out of Camelot again would lift her spirits a touch. "Morgana." A voice beckoned from behind her, and the princess turned to find a knight loping toward her, his chain male clicking together in a rhythmic tap. A smile flowed across her lips, and she nodded her head politely to him, the dark curls lifting as they caught in a wave of wind.
"Sir Leon, I've been told that you won't be fortunate enough to accompany us on this trip. A shame, truly." And a shame it was truly; Leon was always the best hunter next to Arthur, a true knight in the eyes of all of Camelot. Morgana's lips stayed kissed with a small and polite smile as her words coloured with just a hint o displeasure. Her eyes looked round to catch sight of the horses, and she counted them out in her mind. Her, Arthur, Merlin, Gwaine, Elyan, Percival. There was a seventh horse, and her eyebrow rose in curiosity. Had another someone been invited along on their hunting trip unbeknownst to her? But a sudden chuckle from behind her alerted her to the truth of the matter.
"Indeed, a shame it would have been. The king had some urgent business that had required my attention, but it appears that we had the ability to tie it off early and allow me to come with the party. Hunting is my favourite time spent away from the castle." Leon's arm waved out in the direction of the horses, politely pressing her onward to where the rest of their group was already on their horses, Merlin and Arthur bickering in the same childish way that they always seemed to, which always lent to her belief that they were truly friends as she and Guinevere were, and not simply a master and servant. The princess swept forward, only slightly more graceful in her hunting attire than one of the long gowns that she would usually wear. The tight pants and cinching metal armor that wrapped around her torso made her feel free, and it was one of her most favourite reasons for hunting.
"Well, we're all very glad you could come." She smiled at Leon politely as he nodded, going off to his own horse, his smacking against Percival's shoulder in a friendly gesture. Gently shaking her head, Morgana grasped the reins of her horses and mounted the giant creature, her pale hand gently petting at it's main. The girl loved riding, and always had, horses being her most favoured animal. With a gentle kick to its hide, the horse started and the hunting party rode away from Camelot and out into the wilderness.
Night had fallen upon them, and the men where greatly encouraged by the mountain lion that roasted over a large pyre. They chattered happily back and forth, as the encouraging wind blew oxygen into the great flames and they lept higher. Morgana too had been pleased by the kill, but now that the darkness clunk to her skin in inky blackness, and the flames danced before her eyes, she felt choked and frightened again as her father's voice whispered again in her mind. 'You will use no magic, under the penalty of death.' The immoral princess stared into the flames that would take her, fearful and teary eyed.
"Morgana, are you all right?" Inquired Merlin, his dark eyes meeting her own in polite worry. Her pale hues sparked and she smiled in a somewhat-believable manner as the knights turned curiously, her brother most interested of all.
"I'm fine. Just a tad chilly." Her accented voice was strained, and the lie was hardly believable with her close proximity to the fire, but no one else got a chance to intervene in her head. A war cry filled the knight, and Saxon's swarmed down from the hilltops around them like a small sea of human bodies crashing down on them. The fear in Morgana's eyes was replaced with a different kind of terror as the knights sprung into action, reaching immediately for their weapons. She too grabbed for a sword, her battle instinct immediate.
"Gwaine, Percival, protect Morgana!" Arthur, ever the efficient swordsmen took out a Saxon throat as he screamed to order. Morgana turned so that she stood back to back with the two knights, their enemies swarming in from every angle that the eye could see. Suddenly, a sword came for her, and her own shot up to block the attack, and she was engaged in battle. Her feet took stance without need for thought, altering her positioning ever so slightly while she flung her sword out over and over to protect her body, or that of one of the knights. Morgana ducked as the sharp edge of the blade came straight for her, grazing the tips of her frazzled hair as her own weapon slammed through the menial armor of the Saxon and stole his life.
Gasping for air, the princess turned in time to see a body creep behind Leon, near to striking the knight down. She screamed, her eyes flashing with amber light as the wind picked up and burst out like a small bomb blast, sending the Saxon's every which way. Not before one got her, however. A sharp pain captured her left torso, and she choked on air, a rattling breath stinging from her lungs. Morgana's hand reached down to her side, grasping the area just below her breastplate and holding tightly. Blood coated her pale hand, and she collapsed down, each painful breathe dragging her closer to unconscious.
"Morgana!" Merlin enthused, rushing forward to her. Her eyelids fluttered, and she heard a bird chirping far off in the forest. The last thing she saw was 6 nameless faces, and she faded into darkness.