Chapter 64: Long Live The King

Galahad and Sir Michael had been friends ever since Galahad's arrived in Camelot to train as a knight. They had been best friends ever since. So, Galahad was relieved to see his best friend ride into the courtyard, unhurt. Gwaine watched as the two men hugged. "I can't believe how much he has grown. Especially in the last few days." He spoke to Sir Bors, who stood with him at the window. "His mother's death has made him grow up quicker."

"True. He's not a little boy any longer, Gwaine." Sir Bors chuckled and tapped Gwaine's shoulder. "He's grown and we've only just realised."

Gwaine nodded. "Ever since his mother's death, he has had to grow up so much. But he's doing so well."

"He is." Sir Bors nodded. "Come. Sir Michael will bring us some news." The two knights walked side-by-side to the Great Hall. The entire castle was still in slight chaos. Bodies of soldiers were being brought from the battlefield and taken to their families grieving. There was the injured, who were turning up and receiving as much help as they were given.

Not long after they had met with Galahad and Sir Michael, Sir Leon returned. "Three more patrols have returned from the White Mountains, my lord. There is no sign of him."

"He must be somewhere!" Galahad growled in annoyance. He wanted to find his cousin alive and well. When they had separated in the battle, Galahad thought they would find each other. But now, he was blaming himself for Arthur's disappearance.

"We have spoken to every villager, every man, woman, child. There has been no word."

Galahad groaned and ran his hand down his face. "He is out there."

Leon placed his hand on Galahad's shoulder. "We will keep searching."

"Thank you." Galahad nodded and placed his hand on the older man's shoulder. "Who else is unaccounted for?"

"Gaius," said Leon.

"He's not been seen?"

He shook his head. "Not since the battle." He bowed and left.

Galahad looked at Michael and his father, both of whom just shook their heads. "They'll come home." Gwaine tried to reassure him. Trying to reassure all of them.

Unbeknownst to them, Gaius had found Arthur and Merlin. The King and his servant were about to leave for the lake of Avalon. "Gaius." Arthur spoke to the royal physician as Merlin walked away. He had taken off his necklace, which had the Royal Seal hanging from it. "Give this to Galahad." Placing the necklace in Gaius' hand.

"It's the Royal Seal, sire." Gaius was shocked to see it in his hand.

"If I am to die, I can think of no one who I would rather succeed me." Gaius nods and places his hand on top of Arthur's. He gave him one last nod and walked to Merlin.

"You know I was betrayed. The girl, Eira, cannot be trusted." Merlin spoke softly.

"I know."

"How long does he have?" Looking towards Arthur, who was still sitting on his horse.

Gaius looked behind him for a moment and then back at Merlin. "At best, two days." Merlin walks around Gaius and to Arthur. "Merlin." The young warlock turns back and hugs Gaius. "I'll have your favourite meal waiting for you. Now go. Look after him. Go." Urging the young man to leave. Both men knowing that it would be the last time they would ever see each other ever again.

"Gaius!" Galahad greeted the man as Gaius walked up the Griffin staircase with Michael.

"My lord." He bowed slightly to Galahad.

"Have you seen him?"

"He's alive." Gaius nodded. Galahad gave a sigh of relief.

"Then why isn't he with you?" Asked Michael.

"He's wounded." He held out the Royal Seal to Galahad. "He wanted me to give you this, my lord."

Galahad took it from him. "Where is he?"

"There is a place where he may be saved. Merlin is taking him there as we speak."

He nodded. "Good. We can keep the knights here. Merlin can handle Arthur." Galahad looked to his best friend and Michael turned, leaving the two men on the stairs. "Where has he taken the King?" His hand still wrapped tight around the Royal Seal for Camelot.

"To the Lake of Avalon. Arthur could be saved if he reaches it in time." Conveyed Gaius, walking in step with the King of Corbenic.

"What is your opinion, Gaius? Will he ever come back?" His eyes fell on the Royal Seal in his hand. "You can tell me the truth."

Gaius waited for a maid to run past them both before he told his thoughts to the young man. "No. I do not think he will ever return here." Galahad gave him a slight nod. Gaius turned and left Galahad alone, who looked out of the window, looking at the chaos below.

The traitor had been caught. Unfortunately, Bors had fallen for the beautiful charms of Eira. He stood hidden away in the castle with Sir Michael as he watched her hang for her crimes. Percival stood beside them, placing his hand on Bors' shoulder. Bors shrugged off his hand and stormed away. Michael kept his eyes on the execution below. "You know what you said you'd do if you ever found Morgana? Let us do this for Sir Bors." Percival gave a nod. "Well, we've got a good idea where she'll be heading." The two of them left Camelot and moved fast after Morgana. This was their last chance to save Arthur and defeat Morgana.

Fortune was not on their side. Sir Percival and Sir Michael attacked the party but were thwarted by Morgana. Throwing the two and rendering them unconscious. "Did you really think you could outwit me?" Morgana sneered, looking down at the two men.

"Where are Percival and Michael?" Galahad asked as he stood in the council chambers with Arthur's council, including Gaius and Gwaine.

Gwaine shrugged a shoulder. "I do not know. They may have gone out on a patrol to find the King." He was hiding the truth from Arthur's councillors. Arthur's only chance of survival was for him to reach the Lake of Avalon. Secrecy was the key. If all his knights were sent after him, they would lose the secrecy. Galahad looked up at his stepfather, who gave him a slight nod. The young man returned to talks with the councillors. Deciding what to do next. The threat of the Saxons was still there but they wanted them to be gone.

Michael regained consciousness and found himself tied between two trees. He lifted his head to see Morgana in front of him, holding a box in her hands. "Tell me where the king is."

"Which one?" Quipped Michael, with a smirk. He tried to hold his head up but he was too weak. "I'd rather die."

"Then you shall have your wish... once you've told me." She sneered and knelt down in front of him. "Not even you Sir knight, can resist the charms of the Nathair." Opening the box in front of him. The small Nathair rises up and hisses at the young man. Michael's eyes widened in horror and began struggling against his bonds. He let out a scream as the Nathair attacks him. Not too far away from them, Percival awoke to the sound of Michael's terrifying scream. Using as much strength as he had, he pulled at his ropes. Determined to break free. The ropes finally break and he is soon on his feet and searching for Michael. "Michael." He breathed when he found him. Michael was slumped over, still tied between the trees. Percival lifts his head up.

"She's riding for Avalon." Michael croaked.

"Michael." Holding his head up.

"I failed." His voice hoarse from screaming. Death was looming over him. He did not have long left.

"No. You haven't." Percival shook his head. Michael slowly dies; his eyes closing and one long breath left him. "Michael! Michael!" He pressed his forehead against Michael's as he mourned his young friend. He reached up and untied the young man, laying him down on the ground. This was going to kill Galahad. Galahad and Michael were brothers-in-arms. They were never seen without the other. Percival lifted Michael's body and carried him away.

It was late in the night and Galahad had not slept since he had arrived back in Camelot. He worried for his cousin and for Merlin. But now, Percival and Michael were missing. He needed as many men as he could. He needed as much help as he could get. He did not want to be King without his best friends. "You need to sleep." Anne spoke from behind him.

He turned to face her and smiled a little. He wrapped an arm around her and held her close. "I can't sleep." He sighed. "You should be in bed." He looked down at her. She was in her nightgown with her dressing gown around her. He pulled off his long coat and draped it over her shoulders. She pulled it around her tightly and he placed his arm around her. "Is Maria asleep?"

"Yes. She was out like a light." Anne smiled slightly as she looked out of the window with her brother. "She's just glad you and Papa are back with us."

"Me too." He kissed the top of her head and held her close. "Who's that?" His gaze focused on a rider and two horses entered the courtyard. "It's Percival! He's back!"

"That's Sir Michael's horse." Anne caught sight of the black horse in the torch light.

"Stay here." He spoke sternly to her as he rushed down the stairs, but Anne followed him. "Anne!"

She pushed passed him and ran out of the double doors. "Sir Percival!" Her eyes widened at the body draped over Sir Michael's horse. "NO!" She screamed as she pushed the cloak away from the body. "Michael!" She brushed his golden hair from his face. "What happened?"

"Morgana." Percival wrapped his arm around her and tried to get her to move away from him. But the girl wouldn't. "Princess Anne. Please. You should not." Anne had tears running down her cheeks as she pushed his hair from his face.

"Annie?" Galahad wrapped his arms around her and pulled her away.

Anne fought against him but she gave in and let him pull her back inside. "I love him. Believe me, Galahad! Please tell me he's not dead."

"I'm sorry, my darling." He lifted her up into his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he carried her to her chambers. "I am so sorry. I didn't know." He knew Michael had said he had met a girl and thought he was in love with her. It must have been his sister. He never knew. He lay her down on the bed and sat next to her. "I am sorry darling." She turned away from him, sobbing quietly. "I never knew." He tried to comfort her but she just ignored him. He stood up and left her alone. She needed to be alone. The relationship between Anne and Michael would not have led to much. She was contracted to marry Vortigern's youngest son. There was no way out of it. His poor sister. She had fallen in love with the wrong man and now he was dead. She will be heartbroken for quite some time.

Galahad had to see to Sir Michael. If his sister had not been there and he had seen Michael first, Galahad would have broken down himself. This was his best friend. He had reached the bottom of the stairs when Percival carried Michael's body. "Sire, where shall we lay Michael?" Asked Percival.

"In the chapel." Galahad spoke quietly and followed the large man into the Royal chapel. He watched as Percival lay the body of the knight down. "What happened?"

"Morgana. We attacked her but she defeated us." He stood back to allow Galahad to step forward. "She tortured him. He broke after a long torture. He gave up Arthur's location."

Galahad nodded. "He fought bravely. He will be given an honourable funeral." He knelt in next to his friend. "He and my sister were in love. She's heartbroken."

"I know. He told me when we left to follow Morgana." Percival spoke quietly. "Any word from Arthur?"

He shook his head. "No. I don't know what to do now." Galahad stood up straight and bowed down to Michael. "I can't do this without him. He's my best... He was my best friend."

"I know. You need to sleep Galahad. You look like you are asleep on your feet." He placed his arm around his shoulder and led him out of the chapel. Galahad took one look behind him at his fallen friend and let Percival take him from the room.

The morning came and Anne had not slept at all. Her heart was broken. She truly loved Michael. They had met when Anne was last in Camelot and fell hard in love with him. As did he. Now he was gone. She felt even more lonely. First her mother and now Michael. Who else was she going to lose? She lay down in bed but did not sleep. Anne had not moved since her brother had placed her there. She lifted herself from her bed when the maid entered her chambers. "Can I wear my dark blue dress?"

"Yes, my lady." She curtseyed as she moved to the wardrobe, taking out the long dress. She waited for Anne to take off her brother's coat and then moved forward to help her undress. "I am sorry for the loss of Sir Michael."

"Thank you," murmured Anne as she stood still and let the maid tie her corset. She stood still as she was dressed into her dress. She didn't want to say anything. She couldn't.

A knock on the door came. "Anne?" Galahad's voice came from the other side of the door.

"Come in." She called to him as she pulled her hair from its braid and pulling a brush through her long hair.

The door opened slowly and Galahad stepped inside. He was wearing his Camelot uniform. "We're needed in the Great Hall." He nodded to the maid, who quickly left the room. "The king is not coming back."

"So, you're King?" She asked, placing the brush down.

"Yes." He nodded solemnly. "I don't want to be."

"Where will we live?" She turned to face him, brushing the front of her dress with her hands.

"Corbenic." He smiled. "It's home for us. Camelot's power is delicate right now. I'll be crowned here first and then at home. Where we will stay."

"Good." She nodded. "I want to go home. I don't want to stay here any more." She tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear.

"Come." He held his hand out to her and she took it. She always felt safe and loved with her brother around.

Arthur's throne stood empty as the Knights of Camelot stood before it. Galahad stood in front of the throne, feeling awkward. Sir Leon looked to Galahad, who gave him a small nod. "The King is dead!" He announced to the room. "Long live the King!" He shouted and knelt before Galahad. The room knelt before him. His sisters curtseyed deeply. The whole room called to him. "Long live the King! Long live the King! Long live the King! Long live the King! Long live the King! Long live the King!"

Galahad nervously turned to the throne and walked towards it. He sat down and allowed Sir Leon to place the crown upon his head. He looked at his sisters, who were smiling broadly at him. He could see how proud his stepfather was. The new King knew that he could do this. Especially with those who surrounded him.

The End