Thank you for reading. Hope that your are still enjoying the story and will enjoy what's to come. I Promised we were finally at the action and I'm sorry that wasn't really the case. The next chapter for sure. I had planned for this chapter to be longer. I try and have all the chapters be around four thousand words. As I was writing this chapter I felt that the second part didn't fit as well as I thought into one chapter with the first part. I have also been working on the plan for what has to happen in each chapter, as Its close to the end. There were a few gaps I wasn't sure what to do with. So I have decided that for the action of the story in the next chapters to work the chapters could be shorter. I hope this may help with the jumping around of the action and make it easier to follow. This might also mean that I might be able to update once a week at times, but defiantly keep to the two week updates schedule. I really hope that it turns out alright. Again if I have forgotten any character or plot points that should be addressed before the story ends than please let me know now, while there is still time work it in.
I'm not very sure if anyone is really interested in this or not, but I've added a pic of the armour Morgana is wearing in the chapter. It's on my profile under armour.
I tried to find one for Gwen but couldn't find anything that worked.
In the blink of an eye the king and his adviser arrived to greet the returning knights and their new allies. In another blink of the eye the knights all gathered around their returning brothers and the druids led by Aglain. Many voice began to talk, laying over each other so it sounded like muffled noise to anyone outside the ground. Another blink and they were all inside in the great hall around the round table. Now without an empty seat around it and many standing behind those that did have a seat. Making plans that they could finally begin to move forward with.
It was a few blinks then until Lancelot and Percival returned. Finding no welcome like the other group of knights, they made their way swiftly through the castle that seemed to have a bubbling energy but their path was empty of other people. As they drew closer to the great hall they could hear the faint sound of a large group of people. When they were closer to the door they could hear Arthur's voice more clearly. Able to hear every few words. Another voice that they did not recognise was also clear as they pushed the main door open.
It felt like it was just one more blink and the newest development was re-laid. Then faster than a blink and everyone was moving. While over the last few days there had been much talk about the plans of action, what everyone was to do, what was needed. It only took a half blink for everyone to know what they had to do anf begin to do it.
The knights left to retrieve their full armour and weapons. The druids left with them to be given weapons and armour from the store. No one brought up the fact that most of the druids had weapons of their own, less showy than swords but they did their job. They where their allies now and the knights would make sure that they went in to battle as prepared and protected as they themselves did. It was also not brought up that the majority of the druids would not even need to use any psychical weapon. They had their magic. They would accept the gesture and take it as it was intended. As a gesture of camaraderie and a gesture, however small to reciprocate for the service they were doing for them.
The two queens left to in a blink to change from their simple, but still unpractical dresses into clothes more suitable for traveling and what would come after that. For a blink Morgana thought about confronting Gwen, telling her that she had to stay behind in the city. She would add that the people need to see someone stay that they trusted, could look to to tell them the truth. Offer a sense of reassurance. Who better than their queen who was also one of them. Being the dependable and compassionate person Gwen was Morgana knew that this in of itself would be reason enough for her to be able to convince Gwen to stay. Without having to resort to the underhand and manipulative act of bring up of the child she carried. The other queen said nothing in the end.
Once changed into a set of chainmail over trousers and a half skirt of blue Morgana made her way to the others that where gathering in the stables, ready to leave Morgana in a blink felt a tug on her arm and she was pulled into a darkened alcove. Merlin had changed back to his normal, less formal clothes. Not giving her a chance to say anything, most likely what the hell he was doing, Merlin spoke a few rushed words that didn't make any sense to Morgana at first. In the blink it took her to understand his meaning he let her arm go and moved out of the dark in to the harsh light of the corridor. By the time she too stepped out into the light he was gone. Moving quickly she carried on as she had been heading. The same place Merlin was heading. If she could catch up to him quickly she could make him explain himself. There was no way he could mean what she thought he did.
It felt like it was only one more blink before she found herself stepping out of the castle. Just as she did a gust of wind blew over the training ground, sending a chill down her spin. The witch hopped it was not a harbinger for disaster. Looking for Merlin she caught sight of Gwen first. Dressed now in trousers, tunic with a warm fur wrap over her shoulders Arthur helped her into the saddle of her horse. It took just a blink for her to make up her mind that she needed to speak with Gwen first. Merlin could wait. After all if he meant what she thought he did then he had waited this long, he could wait a little longer. Morgana made it only a few steps forward before a voice called to her from her right. There was only one person that would refer to her the way they did. Turning she faced Luke.
He looked as calm, unfazed as ever despite all the comings and goings happening around them the tall man maintained a calm and composed demeanor. It seemed that there was nothing that could faze the quite man. It was still very reassuring. While she had been gone some further plans had been discussed. Now that they didn't have the luxury of time it was thought that Morgana and Luke along with Mordred and some other knights should separate from the main group and try and meet up with the druids that they hoped would be joining them. For a brief blink she thought about choosing not to do as Luke suggested, but she nodded instead. It made the most sense, but she still did not like not like the idea of separating their number however slightly. In the end it was more important that they were able to aid to that number so she moved to find her own horse. Now not having the chance to speak to Merlin or Gwen she hoped she would have the time to later on.
Merlin felt himself relax when he no longer felt Morgana's presence following behind him. Her eyes on the back of his head. Daring a glance over his shoulder he saw her talking to Luke and them moving to her horse. Remaining as still as he could for a few blinks more he then, from the corner of his eye looked again. He saw her atop her horse beginning to depart with Luke Mordred and two other knights heading south rather than south west like the rest of the group. Letting out a breath he finished readying his horse and trying not to let his mind race to much.
He regretted what he said to her. He didn't know what had motivated him to act so rashly. It had been in the background for a very long time. Sitting on his horse and heading out with the larger group he realised why he had done it. It was a way of making sure that he didn't go back on the choice that he had made. He must have looked deeply anxious as when he was alba to focus more on what was going on around him he met Lancelot's eyes as the knights horse drew level with his own. His friend offered a tight smile that offered like reassurance, but the presence of his friend did a little.
Arthur felt like evetime he blinked another question was asked of him, something else had to be decided on. The only time that things slowed down, even just a little was when he saw his wife walking towards him from the castle. Doing her best to keep a neutral expression on her face. Any sign of fear or worry she gave would only add to her husbands. Meeting his eye she offered a tight smile that told him she was coming and not to try and get her to change her mind.
He wanted to. Tell her to stay. Like his sister he knew what could be said to make the queen stay with her people, where it was safe. Unfortunately like Morgana he couldn't bring himself to say any of that. The king desperately wanted his wife to stay where it was safe, but he also wanted to have her with him. she made him feel more sure of himself and with what they faced he didn't have the luxury of doubting himself.
Gwen had been helping Gaius load up a wagon with the last of the items that they would need to treat the wounded before Arthur brought over her horse. The old man had planned to come with them, but over the last few mouths his wrist had begun to seize up. It happened normally gradually over the day but for the last few days it was happening earlier in the day. He was sure that Morgana and Gwen had noticed the day before when they had been helping him rib sheets to make bandages. When his hand shock and he had to stop his work to get a drink of water to stop them noticing anything further. It pained him to stay behind but he knew that he would be able to do little good with his hands the way they were. He had almost planned to ask Morgana when he next saw her to heal his hands best as she could. He didn't ask in the end. The witch would have more serious injuries to deal with soon enough. He didn't want to waste her time or energy.
Unlike everyone else time did not go by in rapid blinks of the eye, Mordred felt time drag on. His mind and his body where in to different places. Physically he was here in Camelot with his fellow knights. His mind though was miles away. With Kara in Avalon. Guilt and shame had been building up inside of him. How had he not know that she was there when he was. She would have been mere feet from him. Yet despite this he stayed put where he was. Went through the motions, did what was expected of him. He didn't even notice when once atop his horse he began to head out of the city in the group with Morgana and Luke. He knew he need to get his head out of this fog but nothing seemed to help. He hoped that when the fighting came it would be enough to clear his mind. If not he might not live to see Kara again.
He felt a hand on his shoulder, shacking his head a little he turned to face Morgana. She looked at him not with a tight smile, trying to reassure him or offer comfort. She looked at him instead a little sternly. Telling him to get his head together and focus. Surpassingly this helped the young knight a little. He nodded at her and then turned to face the road ahead.
I hope that you liked the chapter. I'm still not very confidant about writing action, but I have to just get on with it or I will never get the story done. Hopefully allowing myself to update shorter chapters will help with this. Honestly I don't know what to do with the Saxons. Their not very good or interesting characters. Basically they are a plot device. Hopefully not a really bad one. If you have any ideas about this I would love to hear them.
As always any comments, feedback or ideas that you have are very welcome and encouraged.