Camelot
September, 505 AD
Everything was quiet as we rode past the lower town and towards the castle. Way too quiet. There wasn't a single soul in the streets – not vendors, not workers, not knights making their patrolling rounds… It was almost as if the place had been abandoned all of a sudden without explanation. Like Roanoke Colony.
My eyes widened when we reached the main archway to the courtyard and found a bunch of guards lying on the ground. Dead? Unconscious? My companions and I shared wary looks as we slid off our horses and I stayed right beside Dallas in search of some comfort while Arthur moved to check the men for signs of life.
"Are they dead?" Merlin asked.
"No, they are breathing," Arthur responded, not sounding very relieved by that.
"What has happened to them?" my best friend wondered.
"I do not know," the Prince answered with a shake of his head as he stood up and kept walking through the courtyard. I released a shaky breath and followed – which prompted Dallas to join, too.
Arthur took my hand when I caught up to him and gave me a gentle squeeze.
We reached the main expanse of the courtyard to find it littered with more hopefully-only-unconscious bodies.
"What is going on?" the Prince asked to the air as he glanced around with concern written all over his face.
"Maybe there's something in the water, again?" I suggested, my voice almost as low as a whisper.
A fourth horse was heard trotting into the courtyard a second before it rounded the passage from the archway, and I found that it was pulling a cart, whose driver was unconscious. I gulped and moved to stop the horse by blocking its path, then I began to pet it while Arthur moved to check the driver for a pulse.
"I will get Gaius," Merlin announced before running inside the castle, only to come back out moments later. "Arthur," he called out in an alarmed voice.
The Prince and I shared a concerned look and I hurried to get my bow and quiver out of my duffel bag before commanding Dallas to stay. Arthur grabbed my hand again and we took off jogging towards Merlin.
As soon as we entered the building, we found many more unconscious people inside, covering the corridors and the main staircase.
"What the fudge," I mumbled under my breath. Arthur squeezed my hand again and gently tugged me closer to his side while his eyes scanned the space.
"They are all fast asleep," Merlin pointed out. "It must be some kind of sickness."
"Or a spell?" I dared to note in a whisper.
My best friend sighed and breathed out, "Yeah."
"Where is my father!?" Arthur questioned in a low tone before dropping my hand and rushing up the stairs. Merlin and I exchanged a wary look before following once more.
The Prince headed straight for the council chamber, but it was empty. "Where is he?!" he wondered in a desperate voice before taking off down the corridor again and heading towards the physician's chambers.
We entered to find Gaius asleep at the kitchen bench, using a thick book as a pillow.
"Gaius!" Merlin hurried to try to wake him up, but there was no response. "You are right, Astra. It must be the work of magic," he concluded after a few moments.
"As usual," I mumbled.
"We have to find my father," Arthur repeated before dashing out of the room again.
"I doubt he's gonna be in a better state," I whispered to Merlin, who nodded in agreement, and he casted a sad look towards Gaius before we ran after the Prince once more.
When we reached the royal apartments, Arthur went into Morgana's room, finding that the door was wide open. My stomach churned when we found Gwen lying on the ground. Obviously unconscious. Merlin was quick to lift her into his arms and carry her to the bed, where he laid her down gently.
I couldn't help myself as I teased him, "Awe, such a gentleman."
"Shut up," he grumbled in response while sending me a playful glare.
A rustling sound came from another corner of the room and Arthur quickly drew his sword before moving me behind him. I loaded my bow and aimed it at the general direction of the noise while he parted a curtain. A scream pierced my ears and I instantly lowered my weapon when I saw that it was only a panicking and teary-eyed Morgana who lunged to attack with a dagger.
"It is me! It is me, Morgana!" the Prince was quick to reassure her in a slightly alarmed tone. "What has happened?"
She froze and began to tremble, "I-I did not know it was you."
Arthur gently grabbed her by the arms, "Calm down, Morgana. Tell me what happened."
The Lady inhaled shakily before responding, "People were complaining, saying they were not feeling well."
"And what then?" Arthur pressed when she trailed off.
"They started falling asleep," she answered. "Everyone, everywhere I went."
I glanced towards Merlin while raising an eyebrow, wondering if he'd ever heard of something like this. Is this like a 'Village of the Damned' thing? Are we gonna have to fight creepy psychic children?!
"Was someone here?" Arthur asked. Morgana shook her head. "Then why were you hiding?"
"I told you, I did not know who you were," she responded, earning a sceptical look from the Prince.
"I'd be hiding, too, if I were in her place," I stepped in to support her.
Arthur sighed and nodded in understanding. Then he demanded, "Where is my father?"
"I do not know," Morgana replied in a shaky whisper.
"Arthur, she is distressed," Merlin cautioned.
"If she was awake then she must have seen something," the Prince argued, not taking his narrowed eyes off the Lady.
"I did not see anything," she stated.
"You saw people getting sick, what did you do?" Arthur continued to press.
"What could I do?"
"She's not a physician, dude," I backed her up again. I get that he's stressed, but grilling Morgana like this isn't gonna get him anywhere. She's obviously terrified.
"Morgana, I do not understand," Arthur raised his voice. "Why is it that you are the only person awake?"
My eyes widened. Crap, he raises a good point! Maybe there is something in the water and she's the only one who hasn't had anything to drink all day? It is plausible, right? Or maybe it's something in a certain food that she didn't touch. Like… poisoned apples. Or maybe it's 'cause she has magic and it cancels out whatever spell has been casted! But… doesn't Gaius have magic, too? Maybe it affected him because he's older and weaker? That sounds reasonable, right? Arthur can't find out!
"Art, look, maybe it's something in the water or in some food that she didn't touch, y'know?" I stepped in again to defend Morgana and I gently pushed Arthur away from her. She sighed in apparent relief. "We'll figure it out, just breathe."
Surprisingly, the Prince listened and he took a deep breath before nodding. I offered a small grin and he leaned down to press a kiss to my forehead before racing out of the room. I suppose to continue the search for Uther.
Knowing that two pairs of eyes are better than one, I decided to follow; only stopping for a moment to nod at Morgana when she thanked me in a soft tone.
Luckily, we didn't have to search for long because we found Uther in his room; passed out with his face smushed up against his desk. Sweat ran down his forehead and his skin had a yellowish hue to it. I quickly checked his wrist for a pulse and nodded at Arthur in confirmation, causing him to sigh in relief.
Arthur shifted the King upright and shook him slightly, "Father?"
Merlin and Morgana caught up,
"See, he is all right," the sorcerer shook off the Prince's worry.
"He is not all right," Arthur argued as he comically turned his father's face towards Merlin, as if to emphasise the fact that he's unconscious.
"He is just asleep," my best friend countered.
My eyes widened and I inhaled sharply when Arthur suddenly released his hold on Uther and the latter fell face-forwards again, face-planting against the desk.
"All we have to do is find the cure. A way to wake them," Merlin continued.
"Who could have done this?" the Prince wondered in a softer tone as he leant against the desk while breathing heavily. I moved to his side and placed a hand on his arm, rubbing it slightly in an attempt to ease him up, or whatever. He glanced down at me for a moment and then sighed before turning to address Morgana again, "You are the only one who has not been affected, Morgana. There must be a reason."
She casted a panicked look towards Merlin before responding, "I do not know."
"That is all you keep saying!" Arthur protested as he moved around the desk and towards her with intimidating strides. "You must know something!"
"No, they just fell asleep one by one!" she repeated.
"It is obvious," Merlin suddenly said, making my breath hitch. Is he gonna tell him about her magic?! "When she started feeling sick, Gaius gave her a potion, right?" Oh.
He must've come to the same conclusion I did about the magic and he's trying to cover for her… He's so smart!
"When was she sick? She never said that," Arthur argued.
"She told us when you left her room earlier," I piled on.
Merlin nodded and added, "She was one of the last to be affected. Somehow the potion must have helped."
Arthur's frustration seemed to ease as he turned to face my best friend and asked, "What about everyone else?"
Morgana, Merlin and I exchanged quick uncertain looks before the sorcerer responded, "By then, Gaius was too ill. He did not have a chance to treat anyone else."
"Or himself," I added in a mumble.
The Prince turned back to Morgana and regarded her with a hint of scepticism. She dropped her head and he sighed before turning back to Merlin, "Go see if you can find this potion." Then he turned to me, "You and I will search for signs of life in the lower town." I nodded in understanding. Finally, he turned to Morgana, "Morgana, you stay here. You look after my father. Keep him safe." She also nodded. He unsheathed his sword and handed it to her, "Here. Protect him with your life, you understand?" She nodded again.
Merlin ran out of the room. Arthur grabbed my hand again and I followed him out.
As we arrived at the main staircase, I caught some movement outside the window and I halted as I moved towards it. In the distance, emerging from the forest, was a string of seven dark-coloured horses ridden by people who sported black hooded cloaks; and they were led by an eighth horse, a grey one who carried a knight in silver armour.
"Oh, fork," I muttered as my heart began to pound against my chest and I accidentally increased my grip on Arthur's hand. He gulped beside me, his eyes widening in horror. "I think it's the zombie knights from yesterday," I added in a whisper.
Arthur nodded and he gently squeezed my hand, "Come on, let us find Merlin." I didn't need to be told twice and we took off sprinting towards Gaius's apartment.
The sorcerer kneeled before a stool, atop which sat a book he was rifling through. And the physician was on the ground… wet, for some reason. I guess Merlin must be trying to magically wake him up…
"Merlin, come quickly!" the Prince commanded while waving the boy over.
The three of us ran back up the corridor and Arthur led us to a balcony that gave us a better view of the evil knights.
"According to the legend, there were only seven Knights of Medhir," Merlin commented.
"Legend has been wrong before," I mumbled under my breath while sending him a pointed look.
"Then who is the extra rider?" Arthur wondered.
"I do not know," my best friend responded. "But Camelot is defenceless."
"What are we, toads?" I quipped. He glared at me.
We could certainly make a dent if we tried to fight them, but I know that we'd be toast very quickly. Unless Merlin's willing to reveal his superpowers to Arthur…
"We have to get back to my father," the Prince stated and he dashed back inside without another word. Merlin and I shared a wary look before following.
"This will be one of the first places they will look," Arthur noted as we reached Uther's room. "We have to get him somewhere else."
"What is going on?" Morgana questioned.
"The magic knights from Gaius's story are comin' to visit," I responded.
Arthur grabbed his dad by the torso and lifted him off his chair. "Grab his legs, carry him," he instructed Merlin, who promptly moved to do so, and the pair slowly began to move the King towards the door. He must be very heavy, 'cause his butt was nearly touching the ground.
"You are not meant to be sweeping the floor with him!" the Prince protested in a harsh tone I'd never heard from him. "Pick his feet up!"
"His feet are not the problem," Merlin responded sassily.
With a sigh, I moved to help him and we each took a leg. Not that it made much difference, Uther's bottom was still pretty much brushing the floor. "What does he eat?" I wondered in a whisper, earning a snort from my best friend.
Out of context, the sight of us carrying Uther like a heavy sack of potatoes must look very weird. Well, I guess it looks weird even with context. I mean, I should be starting my third year of university, not 'sweeping the floor' with a middle-aged man who happens to be the King of freaking Camelot.
My thoughts were broken by the sound of some snoring and Merlin and I shared an amused glance before he snorted and I giggled a little.
"It is not funny, you two," Arthur scolded through gritted teeth.
"It kinda is," I argued, giving my best attempt at an innocent grin so that he wouldn't yell at me.
The Prince shook his head before addressing my best friend, "Did you find the potion Morgana took?"
Merlin glanced back towards Morgana and then replied, "Uh… no."
We dragged Uther all the way to Arthur's room… because that's not an obvious hiding place… and Merlin and I dropped his legs as soon as Morgana closed the door behind all of us. I sighed and flailed my arms to try to dissipate the strain in my muscles.
"We cannot leave him here!" Arthur protested. "We have to lift him onto the bed."
"Why? He is asleep. He's not going to know," Merlin responded while panting a little from the effort.
"Merlin!" Arthur whined.
My best friend huffed and turned to me with a look of frustration. I shrugged. He sighed, "Well, I will get him a pillow!" and he jogged over to the bed to retrieve said pillow.
"He is the King!" the Prince whined again.
"All right – two pillows!" Merlin countered as he grabbed a second pillow.
Arthur let his dad drop fully to the floor and he threw his arms in frustration. Then he and Merlin lifted Uther's torso again while I slid the pillows under his upper back and head, and then they let him drop back down. He continued to snore merrily.
The Prince staggered a little as he stood up, and Merlin appeared unsteady for a moment as well. I let my eyes dart between the two for a moment before I asked, "You guys okay?"
Arthur nodded and reached towards me – I instantly grabbed his hand – before addressing Merlin, "Are you feeling the same?"
"We are getting sick," the sorcerer noted, concern instantly flooding his features.
I gulped and glanced between them again. If they get sick and pass out, we're toast! Morgana's not well-trained with magic, and my only fighting skill is shooting arrows!
Wait – if Merlin's sick, that means that Morgana's not unaffected because she has magic. The potion was made up… So what other explanation is there?! Could the spell be targeting specific people? But what would any sorcerer want with, for example, Gwen? And how come I'm not feeling sick!? What the heck is going on?!
"We cannot let that happen," Arthur's voice broke me out of my thoughts. "We must keep my father hidden."
"Why don't we disguise him?" Merlin suggested.
"Yeah! We can steal a dress from a noblewoman!" I proposed as a mischievous grin formed on my lips. I mean, the idea is ridiculous, but it'd be a great cover.
"We are not putting my father in a dress, Astra," Arthur grumbled.
"We could dress him as a servant!" Merlin said.
"That is better," the Prince claimed.
"I will get him some clothes," my best friend announced and he jogged towards the door.
"I'll come with ya'," I said and tried to run after him, but Arthur caught my arm and pulled me to his side.
"I am not letting you out of my sight," he stated when I sent him a questioning look.
"So you're sendin' Merls out by himself?!" I questioned.
"I will be fine," Merlin stated and gave me a look that was likely supposed to be reassuring before racing out of the room.
I let out a shaky sigh and let my head drop. I hate not being able to do anything! I hate feeling so useless! If we survive this, I'm gonna learn how to fight.
Arthur drew me closer to his body and wrapped an arm around my waist and the other around my shoulders while he held me to his chest. I returned the embrace, feeling at peace for a moment. Then he pressed a kiss to the top of my head. "Are you feeling all right?" he asked in a gentle whisper.
"Yeah, I'm okay," I assured him. He sighed and kissed the top of my head again.
"What about you, Morgana?" he then asked without letting go of me. "You seem quiet."
"I am fine," the Lady responded. I turned my head slightly so that I could look at her. She seemed nervous. Perhaps she's wondering the same thing I've been wondering? Oh, but she doesn't know about Merlin's magic… I guess she's just worried that Arthur will find out about her.
"Are you sure?" the Prince pressed. She seemed to tense up even more. "I can always tell when you are lying," he continued. "Do not worry, I will not let any harm come to you."
This may sound mean, but I kinda wish that Morgana wasn't here. I'm not sure if we're gonna live, and I'd like to… I don't know… maybe kiss Arthur one last time? Thank him for everything? Perhaps even gather the courage to tell him that I l… Nah, what am I saying? We'll all be fine! We have Merlin's superpowers on our side! Worst case scenario, we knock out Arthur so that he can do his thing! Or maybe we could somehow free Kilgharrah and have him scorch the zombie knights!
"What is taking Merlin so long?" Arthur wondered, ending my thought train.
My eyes widened and I gulped. I'm not sure how much time has passed, since I kinda zoned out, but if he's worried, it's for a reason! "What if he ran into trouble?" I worried in a whisper.
The Prince kissed the top of my head yet again before releasing me from his hold. "I am going out to find him," he stated.
"I'll come with ya'," I said again.
"No," he responded with a shake of his head. "You stay here and help protect my father."
I would've argued, but I know this isn't the time. So I simply grabbed his hand before he could move and I reached up to kiss his cheek. The side of his jaw, rather. "Please be careful," I whispered.
"Of course," he responded and he kissed my forehead. I dropped his hand and watched with a churning heart as he left the room.
I noticed that Morgana had taken a seat at the dining table and I let out a shaky breath before moving to sit near her. I instantly started to fiddle with my faux-leather bracelets while stealing glances at my friend, noticing that she still looked awfully scared.
Why isn't she getting sick when Merlin is? Why am I not getting sick? It doesn't make any sense! Is it because I'm from the future and not tethered to this timeline, or however that works? I don't know. I'm just making up stuff.
I gazed towards Uther on the floor and let out a puff. He looks almost peaceful, even if his face partly maintains its usual frown. If the knights reach us, what makes Arthur think that Morgana and I could defend him? They'll tear us apart and get to him in a flash!
I started when the door to the room opened, and I huffed when I saw that it was only Merlin. Then I felt every single muscle in my body tense up when he closed the portal behind him. "Where's Art?!" I asked as my heart-rate accelerated.
"He is fine, he went to find somewhere safe to move to," he responded before rushing towards Uther and starting to cover him in the 'servant' clothes he'd gotten.
"Thank you for not saying anything to him," Morgana suddenly said. "Both of you."
"It is all right," the sorcerer responded.
"You know we wouldn't," I stated.
She nodded, "You are good friends."
"You'd do the same for us," I noted with a shrug. Merlin simply regarded her with an indecipherable look for a moment before returning his attention to his task. I frowned at his somewhat cold demeanour, but didn't say anything.
The door opened again and I sighed in relief when Arthur entered. "We have to move my father before Morgause gets here," he commanded.
"Morgause?!" I asked while rushing to help the boys lift up the King again. Arthur nodded in response. I turned to my best friend and raised an eyebrow, "Called it."
"Not the time, Astra," Merlin grunted. Tough crowd.
We dragged Uther all the way to the servants' wing of the castle and laid him down on a bed. "He should be safe here, for a while," the Prince stated. Then the two boys sat down – Arthur at the foot of the bed and Merlin on the floor – looking especially exhausted, and I felt my intestines starting to twist. They can't get sick!
I let out a shaky sigh and sat down next to Arthur. He was quick to put an arm around my waist again and I intertwined my fingers with his while resting my head against his shoulder. "Still all right?" he asked in a whisper.
"Yeah," I answered in the same manner. He kissed the side of my head before leaning his own against it.
"It must be the potion Gaius gave her," he spoke again and I glanced up to realise that he was staring at Morgana, who had moved to stand at a window. Merlin was looking at her, too; although his eyes held something akin to… anger? No, that can't be right. Why would he be angry at her? Maybe I'm starting to get sick, too, and not being able to read people is a symptom.
"Yes, must be the potion," my best friend echoed almost bitterly, and I frowned a little.
Morgana turned to look at the bunch of us, still appearing wary. I offered her a little grin.
"We cannot keep this up much longer," Arthur stated in a groggy tone that struck fear at my heart.
"No," Merlin agreed, sounding as tired as the Prince, and he glanced at Uther. "We are in the servants' quarters. If we leave him here, they will just think he is a servant."
"Morgause knows what he looks like," I pointed out.
"We need to get him out of Camelot," Arthur concluded.
I let out a puff and nodded. We could use the secret tunnel he used to sneak little Mordred out… but I'm not sure how far we could get on foot before the two boys pass out… And that is if we get to the grate undetected. We obviously can't play hide and seek forever… I doubt we'd have an easy passage back to the horses…
"When we arrived there was a cart in the main square, remember?" Merlin suddenly said.
"You are full of good ideas today, Merlin," Arthur responded as his eyes lit up with hope. The sorcerer smiled in response. "You go and look." Merlin's smile instantly faded and he sent me an unimpressed look.
"I can–"
"No," Arthur cut me off and tightened his grip on my body to keep me from moving, causing me to glare at him. How interesting to find that there's a downside to having his arms around me…
My best friend sighed and he stood up before promptly leaving the room.
"Be careful!" I called out after him, not getting a response.
"Y'know, even if there's a way, we won't get too far carryin' your dad," I pointed out to Arthur in a mumble. "Not if you guys keep gettin' sick."
"You are right," he responded with a deflated sigh and he glanced around the room.
"We could drag him," Morgana proposed.
"Artie doesn't like it when we use 'em as a broom," I noted while sending the Prince a teasing grin.
He nudged my side and rolled his eyes playfully before saying, "We could use a sheet to keep him off the floor."
I raised my eyebrows. I'm not sure how that makes dragging a King through the ground not seem so bad to him, but all right. I sighed and stood up so that I could help Arthur to arrange things, and Morgana moved to help as well. Soon enough, we had Uther on top of a big sling made out of a sheet.
"All right, buddy. Looks like you're goin' on a magic carpet ride," I told the unconscious man in a mumble. The Prince's head instantly snapped my way, his eyes widening. I tilted my head and repeated my words in my mind before my eyes also widened at the realisation of what I'd said wrong. "I don't mean it literally!" I jumped to correct myself. "It was a reference to a movie!"
Lucky for me, my moment of stupidity was pushed to the back of my companions' minds when Merlin returned. "They are closing in!" he said in a panic. "We will not make it to the cart! Not carrying Uther!"
"That is why we have made this," Arthur informed him while motioning towards the man on the floor. "We are going to pull him!" Then he moved to check the corridor for any signs of the enemies.
Y'know what? College kids wish they could live like I do! There may be evil knights, but there is no homework!
Arthur returned, looking alarmed, as he ordered in a whisper, "Get down, keep quiet." He grabbed my arm and pulled me flush against his chest as he hid us behind a wooden thingy that I think is used to divide the servants' quarters.
I stopped breathing when the door creaked open and a sound that's a mix of growling and breathing began to fill the room as heavy steps moved slowly closer to where we hid.
The Prince surprised me by pressing a momentary soft kiss against my lips and then he sprang out of hiding to attack the zombie knight. I backed away from the fight, moving further into the room as my head began to spin from the chaos and the fear of losing Arthur.
"Protect the King! Get him out of here!" he ordered.
Merlin and Morgana were quick to start pulling Uther out of the room.
I shook my head in an attempt to get rid of the sudden dizziness and I drew my bow before firing at the zombie knight's back, causing it to falter long enough for Arthur to get a nice hit to its stomach.
"What are you doing?! Go with them!" he protested.
"You told me to stay near you!" I argued and fired another arrow, this time hitting the zombie's forearm. Surprisingly, the impact caused it to drop its sword and Arthur rushed to slide it towards me. I quickly grabbed it and flung it out the window. The zombie continued trying to fight the Prince, but it wasn't so skillful without its weapon and started to lose ground.
"Get out, I will be right behind you!" Arthur told me.
I gulped, but obeyed. As promised, he followed seconds later and I helped him to close the doors to the room before locking them, effectively locking the zombie inside.
How I wish I had a crayon so that I could paint a sign on the doors – 'DON'T OPEN; DEAD INSIDE'.
"We make a good team," I noted to the Prince, who in turn gave me a small smile before taking my hand again as he led me down the corridor.
We shared a wide-eyed look when we spotted Merlin fighting a zombie in the distance, and we took off in a sprint. Arthur attacked the undead with his sword, effectively saving my best friend from getting his head chopped off, and I shot its leg, making it stumble. Arthur kicked it down a flight of stairs and it rolled down ungracefully.
"You are right, we do," Arthur responded to my earlier comment and he quickly kissed the top of my head before he continued to lead the way through the corridors while Merlin, Morgana and I dragged the King along.
We got to the council chambers and the two boys barricaded the door with a heavy-looking wooden beam, then they rested their backs against it, both looking pale and perhaps a bit feverish as they panted. My heart churned.
And yet, Morgana and I remain perfectly healthy.
"Morgana – we need the remedy that Gaius gave you," Arthur demanded.
She, Merlin and I exchanged wary looks before she responded, "I do not have it."
"I know that, but you must remember what it was, what was in it?" he pressed as he started to move towards her and she shook her head. "Come on, Morgana! We cannot keep going much longer! Think!" he snapped.
I sighed and looked down, feeling frustrated that I can't tell him that the potion isn't real.
"I am sorry, I–" Morgana started to respond, but was cut off by Merlin.
"It does not matter. We cannot get it now anyways. We are trapped."
"There has to be something we can do!" the Prince grunted and headed towards the back of the room before starting to pace the width of it.
I bit down on my bottom lip and hesitantly moved towards him, wanting to try to comfort him in some way. I halted some metres away. I don't really know what to say… Everything is so crazy!
"Artie, c'mon, you should try to conserve energy," I finally said in a low, meek tone.
He stopped pacing and sighed before closing the distance between us and wrapping me in his arms once more. I could feel that his body was shaking slightly and it caused dread to course through my veins. The top of my head received another kiss and then he took my hand before pulling me back to Merlin and Morgana.
"Unless we can rid ourselves of this sickness, I do not see how we are going to hold out," he said.
"Maybe Merls n' I could sneak towards Gaius's place and find something that can manage the symptoms?" I suggested. Or a magic cure.
Arthur shook his head, "I am not going to let you risk your life like that."
"We have to destroy the source of the magic," Merlin stated.
"Which is?" the Prince questioned.
The sorcerer sighed and glanced at Morgana for a moment before responding, "I do not know."
"Our only chance is to get out of Camelot," Arthur concluded. "Help me with my father," he then ordered, and the four of us dragged Uther towards the back of the room. For better protection, I assume? "Astra, Morgana, you cut the blanket up. We will tie it to my father, and we can lower him onto the cart," the Prince instructed.
"All right," I sighed and plopped down, sitting criss-cross as I reached for the sheet.
"Arthur–" Morgana went to protest.
"Morgana, please just do as I say," he cut her off before grabbing Merlin and pulling him towards the doors.
I let out a shaky breath and retrieved an arrow from my quiver, figuring that I could use the sharp edge to cut up the sheet… even if I'm not entirely sure of what I'm supposed to do with it. I guess make a long sort of rope by tying the pieces together?
Morgana kneeled down beside me and I handed her another arrow.
"You will not reach the cart alone, it is suicide," I heard Merlin say, which caused me to pause my movements as I turned my head towards him, finding both boys leaning against the doors.
"I have no choice," Arthur responded.
I sprang to my feet as my heart started to race yet again and I dashed towards them. "Art, you can't do that on your own!"
"I will be fine, Astra," he stated softly.
"You're barely awake!" I argued. "They'll shred you like fresh mozzarella!"
He moved closer to me and cupped my face in his hands. "I promise I will come back alive and in one piece," he stated.
I clenched my jaw. I appreciate the sentiment, but his chances are feeble at best. However, I know that I'm not gonna talk him out of going; and causing a scene will only allow the disease to progress within him and Merlin, dooming our chances further. If I play my cards right… I can sneak out behind him!
"Promise?" I asked in a soft whisper.
"I promise," he repeated before pressing his lips against mine in a sweet, but depressingly short, kiss. "I love you, Astra."
My eyes widened, and my vocal chords froze, and I was left standing stupefied in front of him as a scorching heat flooded my nervous system, my heart beating loudly to the point where I could only faintly make out any other sounds. I watched with a dazed mind as Arthur gave me a lopsided grin before kissing my forehead and moving back towards the doors.
He and Merlin easily removed the wooden beam that blocked it.
"If I need a servant in the next life–" Arthur started while looking fondly at the sorcerer.
"Do not ask me," Merlin cut him off.
They shared a chuckle and then a nod. Arthur drew his sword, and his free hand moved to the handle of the door. Then he pulled on it and I pushed past behind him before Merlin could shut it.
"Astra! No!" my best friend protested. I forced the door closed from the outside, shutting him up.
"Fork," I muttered when I saw the four zombie knights that were gathered in the corridor, already engaging Arthur in a fight. I quickly drew my bow and started firing at their arms and legs.
"What are you doing?!" Arthur asked in alarm.
"Staying near you at all times!" I replied.
Clangs, grunts, and breathy growls echoed through the corridor as the brave Prince fought the zombie knights, never wavering despite their supernatural strength and stamina. I found that I'm not completely useless, as I managed to handicap a few by making them stumble or drop their swords; but they must have special healing abilities, for they seemed to recover within a half-a-minute.
"Astraea, get the cart! I will hold them off!" Arthur called out.
"I'm not lettin' ya' outta my sight!" I responded.
"Astraea–!"
"I know, I'm infuriating!"
I gulped when I realised that I only had a pair of arrows left, which would definitely not be enough to keep up the fight.
"Hold on, Artie!" I begged before rushing off towards the nearest room and I rummaged through the drawers in search of matches. Then I remembered that matches aren't a thing yet when I instead found a box with flint and steel. That'll have to do!
I could hear Arthur still going at it as the noises of battle kept flooding the castle and my heart-rate accelerated with every fleeting second while my breathing became laboured to the point where I was gasping for air. If something happens to him…
I grabbed a candle and hurried to light it – which took a minute because I've never used flint and steel to start a fire – and then I ran out of the room.
"Duck!" I yelled and Arthur crouched just as I flung the candle at one of the zombie knights. A chuckle of disbelief left me when its cloak effectively caught fire, causing it to start panicking, and the Prince glanced back at me with widened eyes. "Keep goin'! I'll get more!"
I laughed again when a second knight caught fire, causing it to drop out of the fight as it struggled to put the flames out. A smoky smell started to fill the corridor. "This is fun!" I chirped before rushing to get another candle.
"You are crazy!" Arthur called out as I ignited a third zombie.
"But it just may be a lunatic you're lookin' for!" I shot back before racing back to the room.
I noticed that the battle seemed a lot less hardcore now, even if Arthur still had to work hard to keep himself alive as the burnt knights recovered and kept fighting.
I returned outside with a fourth candle… but, before I could throw it, the evil zombies suddenly plummeted to the ground. As if someone had pressed an 'off' switch.
"Okay, then," I mumbled as I tilted my head.
Arthur rushed to me and placed his hands on my shoulders as he looked me up and down. "Are you all right?" he asked in between heavy pants.
"Not since I was three," I replied. He narrowed his eyes at me. "Yeah, I'm fine," I responded properly and offered a small grin, which he returned. "You?"
He responded by sliding his arms down to my waist and leaning down to press his chapped lips against mine. I instantly rounded his neck with my arms as I kissed him back, not really minding that he was covered in sweat.
"Come on, we need to get back to my father," he whispered when he pulled away. I nodded and our hands found each other as we took off running back to the council chambers.
We entered the room and Arthur instantly drew his sword again and moved me behind him at the sight of Morgause, who sat on the floor with an unconscious Morgana cradled on her lap. Merlin stood above them, holding a canteen; and Uther was sitting up on the floor, looking reasonably disoriented.
"Morgana!" Arthur called out in a panic.
"Keep away from her!" Morgause snarled before starting to chant a spell. I gulped when a tornado of smoke started to form around her, causing the documents that had laid around the room to swirl around. The tornado rescinded moments later and left no trace of either woman.
"What the fork just happened?" I mumbled under my breath.