Camelot
February, 506 AD
The friendly guard Louis was the noble soul who accompanied me on my quest the next day.
We rode out to Mr. Potter's farm at first light, arriving there within an hour. The breeder was more than happy to grant my request – in exchange for a generous amount, which I was even happier to cover. With money that Arthur gave me for it before I left. Isn't he the best?!
Once the deal was made, Louis and I returned to Camelot to get the rest of the horses – a herd of about fifty, which proved to be very chaotic to lead, but we managed it nonetheless and got them all the way to Mr. Potter's property. Once there, I helped the man and his workers to get the horses settled inside a couple of paddocks that they were given.
In an outrageous twist of events, Louis tried to convince me to stay in the farm until the attack was over. Apparently, Arthur had asked him to keep me away until then – to keep me safe, or whatever. He can be such a jerk sometimes! Obviously, the plan didn't work out for them and I began the on-foot journey back to Camelot against the guard's protests.
May I bring up bicycles again? These people seriously need to be more creative!
My feet were almost dragging as the castle finally came into view late at night. I perked up at the sight and straightened up as I scanned the area. Then my stomach dropped when I noticed some smoke rising up from somewhere near the building.
Louis and I shared a concerned glance before speeding up into a jog.
Faint shouts and screams could be heard. My heart began to race erratically and I sped up even more.
As we got closer to the marvellous building, I noticed some torn down and scorched homes in the lower town. There was a mess in the streets, with carelessly discarded baskets, scattered food, remnants of fires… and, worst of all, the dead bodies of knights from both our and Cenred's armies. I felt a pang in my chest as tears formed in my eyes. I still can't believe Morgana!
The screams intensified. I heard the clanging of swords. Then a big boom.
I squinted as I gazed ahead at the castle walls, and my heart nearly stopped from fear when I saw the foreign knights that surrounded them and tried to scale them like the zombies in 'World War Z' when they attacked Jerusalem.
Louis and I instinctively hid behind a partly torn house.
"How do we get in?" I asked in a whisper. "They'll be on top of us before we can even say 'hello'!"
"I am not sure, my lady. I was supposed to keep you away," the guard responded with a look of disapproval that caused me to roll my eyes.
I swallowed thickly as I looked around, my eyes scanning the dead soldiers on the ground. Sticking with the topic of zombies, my brain spilled out an image of Rick Grimes and Glenn Rhee covered in zombie guts as they wandered the streets of Atlanta in search of their van; and an idea started to form.
"Let's disguise ourselves to blend in with those bastards," I said with a forced smirk.
Louis frowned, "How?"
"We can put on these guys' armour," I gestured towards some of the dead enemies that lay near, "and pretend to be part of Cenred's army to slip to the front lines."
"And what do we do when Camelot's forces begin attacking us?"
"We reveal our real identities and pray we don't get killed before we can get in," I responded with a shrug.
Is it a reckless idea? Absolutely. Is there a good chance we might fail? Undoubtedly. But it's better than staying hidden while everyone we care about is in there fighting for their lives, so I'm willing to push past the uncertainty.
Louis was very clearly unhappy with the plan and tried to get me to go back once more. Then he relented and followed my lead.
I moved towards a dead enemy soldier and tried not to gag as I ripped off his dark breastplate, which sported Cenred's coat of arms: a snake. Fitting, huh? I held my breath as I slipped on the piece of armour. Putting on a deadman's outfit wasn't on my bucket list, but duty calls.
"I'm gonna need to bathe in hydrogen peroxide after this," I grumbled under my breath as I put on a bloodied and smelly helmet. Then I picked up a sword and twirled it around for a moment to get used to its weight. It's a big step-up from the wooden sword that Gareth has used to train me, but it'll have to do.
I miss my bow!
My companion and I shared a nod of agreement and began to creep closer to the enemy army. No one seemed to bat an eye as we slipped past the soldiers at the back and gradually began to make our way towards the front. A small headache settled in thanks to how loud everything was, but I powered through it by keeping my eyes on the prize: the wall.
How no one stopped me with a suspicious eye is beyond my intellectual abilities, considering how all the men tower over me, their arms at least twice the size of mine.
We finally reached the long wooden ladders that the enemy army was using to try to climb onto Camelot's battlements and we shared a wary look. This is it. We either make it to the other side, or die trying.
Wouldn't it be hilarious if we got this far just to be killed by one of our own?!
"After you," Louis whispered, his voice being drowned out by the battle cries and clashing swords that thundered all around us.
I gulped as I glanced around. If I go first, he'll have seconds before Cenred's men figure out that we're not on their side! I know that he has a wife and children! "You go," I replied.
"No, I made a promise to protect you," he responded. "Go!"
I drew in a shaky breath and finally began climbing behind the last enemy man that had gone up. Whoever was on top got knocked down and he grazed me on his way to the ground. I saw blood splattering as I looked down and I instantly squeezed my eyes shut for a second before continuing to climb when the men above me climbed higher.
Another man was knocked down, and now I only had to wait for one more before it was my turn to come face-to-face with Camelot's army. I mentally practiced the rapid move I'd have to make in order to get the helmet off fast enough to avoid being hit.
My breath hitched when the ladder beside the one I was atop was suddenly pushed off and a bunch of men were sent flying backwards, landing on top of a bunch of men below. If that happens to me, there's no way I'll survive the fall!
The man above me fell off and an arrow flew past me just as I began to climb the few metres I had left. I yelped as it barely missed my arm and I quickly dropped my helmet. "Hold fire! It's me!" I called out as I scrambled to get up the last few steps. "Your friendly neighbourhood Texan!"
"Astraea!" I heard a gasp and I was quickly pulled onto the other side of the wall by none other than the great Sir Leon. "I am so sorry!"
"'S okay. It's my fault for wearin' the wrong armour," I responded with a wink. I dropped the sword I'd grabbed earlier and shook my arm to try to get rid of the muscular strain that its weight had caused.
I started at the sound of a thud beside me. I turned and instantly relaxed when I saw that Louis had made it as well.
Leon nudged me towards the back of the battlements, "Get out of here, this is not the place for you."
"Where's Arthur?" I asked, ignoring his request as I stepped closer again.
"He is all right," Leon responded. "Get down, now!"
I sighed and complied. I'll get my bow from my room, ditch the ugly enemy armour, and then I can come back and help to fight.
My feet skidded to a stop when I spotted Arthur heading my way as I crossed a patio. His eyes instantly widened and he sped up, not stopping until he was sweeping me off my feet in a tight embrace that nearly knocked all air out of my lungs. I wrapped myself around him like a koala on a tree trunk and took a deep breath, not minding that he was very sweaty as his natural manly scent filled my lungs.
"What the hell are you doing here?!" he asked as he set me down only moments later. "You were supposed to stay at the farm!"
I narrowed my eyes at him, "You can't bench me, Arthur. This is my home, too."
"You are infuriating," he whispered while moving a hand to the back of my neck and he pressed a quick kiss to my lips. "Go inside, help Merlin with my father."
"All right," I relented with a sigh. "Please be careful."
"Of course."
"I love you."
"I love you, too."
After another quick kiss, he took off running back to the battlements and I watched him go for a couple of moments while praying for his safety in my mind. Then I rushed off to find my best friend.
My intestines twisted as I ran across the courtyard, finding that it was littered with broken barrels, discarded weapons, little fires, and the bodies of some fallen soldiers.
I found Merlin shortly after and my eyes widened when I found that he was dragging Uther towards the grand hall. The King was wearing chainmail, which definitely isn't what a man that's supposed to be on bedrest should be wearing, and he had blood trailing down his leg.
"What happened?!" I asked as I rushed to catch up with them.
Merlin started before turning towards me. Then he chuckled, "I warned him that you would not stay back."
"And he should've listened," I responded with a smirk, then I raised an eyebrow towards Uther.
"He tried to join the fight and got shot," my best friend informed me.
I scoffed and shook my head in disbelief, only feeling slightly amused at the King's rebellion, and I placed a hand on his arm and gave it a gentle pat, "Don't worry, Utah. Art's got this. Trust him."
He mumbled something incoherent in response and I shared a concerned look with Merlin as I moved to help him carry the heavy man. Once again I ask – what does he eat?!
We laid him down on a vacant cot in the temporary infirmary and Merlin hurried to explain to Gaius what had happened.
My head spun slightly as I looked around the hectic room, taking note of all the refugees that were crowded around, and all the spooked faces, and all the injured knights.
"Astra," Merlin said as he suddenly appeared beside me and linked his arm with mine, "we have to find Morgana."
I nodded and allowed him to lead me out of the room, feeling only a little too grateful to go back to the quieter corridors.
He halted and looked me up and down for a second, then he raised an eyebrow. I looked down at my chest and puffed when I realised that I was still wearing the enemy breastplate. I took it off in a moment and flung it aside. "Louis and I had a fun little costume party so we could get to the battlements," I explained with a nonchalant shrug.
"Smart," Merlin praised with a wink.
"You know it," I responded, mirroring his expression.
We climbed towards the royal apartments and headed straight to Morgana's room, figuring that it was the best first place to look for her.
I gasped when Merlin's body suddenly jolted in an exaggerated and unnatural manner, as if he'd been struck by lightning, and my heart began to race. What the fork was that?!
"M-merls?" I said softly.
"Something is happening," he whispered. I tilted my head. A lot is happening! "We have to find Arthur." He took off running without further explanation and I obviously ran after him.
We exited the castle to get to the courtyard and I found that there was a lot more fire and smoke than there'd been earlier. I halted at the top of the staircase and gulped, the scene reminding me a lot of the night when Kilgharrah attacked.
"Astraea, go back inside!" The sound of Arthur's voice pulled me back to the present and I focused my gaze to find him staring at me in horror. I might've responded were it not for the fact that my eyes then landed on something crazy behind him. Beyond crazy. Absurd! An army of freaking skeletons was marching onto the scene! And they wielded swords!
"What in the Halloween Town?" I muttered under my breath as my heart-beat began to reach concerning levels.
I glanced at Merlin – who stood some metres in front of me – for any sort of explanation, but he seemed paralysed as he stared at the 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' casting rejects. Arthur seemed puzzled as his eyes darted between us, until my best friend raised a hand to point behind him.
The Prince swirled around and tensed up, then he bravely moved to engage the skeletons in combat.
"Are you nuts!? Ya' can't kill what's already dead!" I protested as I ran down the stairs and towards him with the intent to pull him back, but Merlin stopped me as he catched my arm.
As predicted, nothing happened when Arthur stabbed one of the monsters in the ribcage. "They don't have any organs you can damage!" I called out the obvious while clinging to my best friend.
Another skeleton set its sights on Merlin and I, and he was quick to move me behind him before grabbing a discarded sword off the ground and… 'defending' us, I suppose. I glanced around in search of a weapon I could use to help and dashed for another sword that I found leaning against a wall. I swung it at the skeleton's head while its back was to me, and he turned to me with a look of surprise… or anger… I'm not sure, skulls aren't very expressive. But Sir Gareth would be proud of me!
Merlin used its moment of distraction to cut off its arm and it turned back to face him as its jaw dropped. I might've laughed under different circumstances.
It struck my friend down, causing him to fall backwards, and I gasped when it then swung at me, though I managed to block the attack. It tried again. Sir Raoul came out of nowhere and tackled it away from me.
More skeletons started to flood the courtyard and a good portion of Camelot's army became distracted by them, hindering the efforts against Cenred's men.
This is a disaster!
"Come on!" Arthur exclaimed as he suddenly grabbed my hand and began pulling me back inside the castle, Merlin right behind us.
He stopped running halfway up the main staircase and he nudged me further up. I didn't budge, though, and refused to let go of his hand when he tried to get me to release it. I could hear the cracky steps of the skeletons nearing us, and there's no way I'll let him face them alone.
"Merlin, take Astra. You need to warn Gaius. Tell him to seal off the hospital," Arthur commanded.
"No, I'm staying with you," I protested in between laboured breaths. "I can fight."
He stepped closer to me and cupped the side of my face as he gently said, "Astra, please. I will fight better if I know you are safe."
Some tears formed in my eyes and I gripped his sleeve, "This is the zombie knights all over again! You can't kill 'em!"
"No, but I can hold them off," he responded. "Please, darling."
I accidentally let a whimper slip past my lips and I jumped to hug him tightly – taking care not to accidentally hurt him with the sword I'd grabbed. "Please come back to me," I whispered.
"I will be back by your side before you know it," he stated.
I let out a shaky sigh and nodded, then I reached up to kiss the side of his jaw. "I love you."
"I love you, too," he responded and kissed the top of my head, then he nudged me towards Merlin once more. "Go."
My best friend seemed just as troubled about leaving the Prince, but he still grabbed my hand when I reached him and we took off running towards the grand hall.
"Gaius!" Merlin called out as soon as we entered. I found the man seemingly arguing with Uther, but he stepped away instantly to come closer to us. "You need to seal off the hospital," my best friend instructed. "The castle is under attack from within."
"What are you talking about?" Gaius asked with a frown.
"Morgana – she has summoned an army of the dead. They are everywhere." Merlin didn't wait for a reaction to the news as he turned back towards the exit, and I followed.
"Where are you going?!" Gaius asked in alarm.
"To try to stop her!" my best friend responded. Then he turned towards me, "You should stay. I do not want you to get hurt."
"The next person to try to bench me's gonna lose an arm," I growled while raising my sword in the air threateningly, and I pushed past him before he could try to stop me.
He caught up soon enough and didn't say anything as he took the lead. I had no idea where to look for the witch, anyways, so I was happy to follow him as long as he didn't try to get me to stay back.
After a couple of dizzying staircases, we found ourselves just outside the burial vaults, where Merlin halted and turned towards me once more as he commanded in a very low whisper, "Stay behind me."
"Fine," I breathed out and tightened my grip on my sword.
We rushed inside the vaults and skidded to a stop towards the middle when we came across Morgana, standing beside a strange glowy wooden staff that was stuck to the ground. She gasped as she turned around to face us, then a smirk formed on her face.
"You should leave now, while you still can," she said in a taunting voice that sent shivers up my spine. Whatever happened, this isn't the same Morgana I met some two-and-a-half years ago.
"Morgana, please, I beg you–" Merlin began in a slightly strained voice. He was interrupted by some earth-shaking rumbling above us. "Women and children are dying. The city will fall!"
"Good," the Lady snarled, something sinister flashing through her eyes that made me flinch and gulp.
"No, you do not mean that," Merlin countered with a shake of his head.
"I have magic, Merlin," Morgana stated. "Uther hates me and everyone like me. Why should I feel any differently about him?"
"So that makes it okay to tear through innocent people just to get to him?" I questioned, slightly surprising myself by the fact that my voice didn't tremble despite the tornado raging in my guts.
"You of all people could change Uther's mind! But doing this? Using magic like this will only harden his heart!" Merlin very wisely responded and I nodded in agreement.
"Neither of you have magic. How could you hope to understand?!" Morgana interrogated with what I think was a nervous chuckle. Oh, the irony.
I wanted to point out that it's pure logic, but I had a feeling that that would get me flung across the room like a ragdoll, or something. So instead I said, "Nothing justifies harming innocents."
She took a menacing step forwards and my best friend backed away, nudging me behind him again.
"If I had your gifts, I would harness them for good," he told her. "That is what magic should be for. That is why you were born with these powers."
"You've always been kind and caring, Morg," I added. "You're not like Morgause. You don't have to align yourself with 'er."
"You do not know what it is like to be an outsider!" she responded. I raised my eyebrows. That's literally all I've ever been. "To be ashamed of how you were born! To have to hide who you are!" I glanced up at Merlin. If only she knew… "Do you think I deserve to be executed because of who I am?"
"Of course not!" I instantly responded.
"No," Merlin echoed much more quietly as he shook his head. "We can find another way."
"There is no other way," she claimed, tears glistening in her eyes.
"There's always another way, Morg," I argued. "Just call off the skeletons. We'll talk. We'll figure something out."
"It is too late for that," she growled. "You have picked sides."
Her words made me recoil. Have I picked sides? I mean, I guess. "I'm on the side of not wanting innocent people to die!" I replied. Just like I was when I tried to save the druids, just like I was when Kilgharrah attacked Camelot.
She suddenly unsheathed a sword and whirled around in time to stop Merlin, who'd creeped away to try to get the magic staff. I gasped as she almost cut off his arm, but he was quick to jump back. She got into a threatening stance while aiming the tip of her weapon at his throat and he continued to back away.
I moved to try to push her out of the way, but my best friend stopped me by demanding, "Stay back, Astra!"
Morgana smirked and backed him up a few more steps.
"What are you going to do? Kill me?" he questioned.
"You do not think I can?" she asked in response, still backing him up.
"We were your friends, Morgana!" I cried, feeling as if my lungs were drowning in the North Atlantic ocean as I watched the scene helplessly.
"If you are going to do it, make it quick," Merlin challenged. She responded by swinging her sword violently. My heart slammed against my ribcage. He blocked her attack with his own sword, but she just swung again, and again, backing him up more each time.
My eyes suddenly widened in realisation and I tore my gaze away from the fight to rush towards the magic staff. I tentatively placed a hand on it and recoiled when I felt a weird electricity coursing through it. Must be the magic, or whatever. I shook my hand to try to rid it of the sensation and then braved to grip the item with both hands, pulling on it, but it didn't budge.
The clanging of swords continued in the background and my lungs threatened to stop working completely. Merlin can't hold her off for long! She's a much better fighter than he is!
I shrugged and backed away a few steps before dashing towards the staff and throwing my whole body weight against it. The impact knocked the remaining air out of my lungs and possibly bruised a rib or two, and I fell to the ground with a gasp. However, the stunt succeeded in snapping the staff out of the ground.
"No!" Morgana roared and she forgot about Merlin as she charged towards me like a starved crocodile.
Merlin must've done something, for another earth-shaking rumble came and some bits of roof fell on top of her, effectively neutralising her attack.
I was still wheezing to refill my oxygen tank when my best friend helped me to my feet. "Are you all right?" he asked while carefully scanning my body.
"I'll live," I breathed out. "You?"
He wrapped an arm around my shoulders and kissed the top of my head. "I am fine. Let us get out of here."
I sat on a window seat inside the throne room, curled up with my Avengers blanket wrapped around me and a cup of coffee in my hands. It was about 8:00. Cenred retreated some two hours ago, shortly after the magic skeletons were disabled and Camelot emerged victorious from the battle.
Uther recovered enough from his mental affliction and from the arrow he got in his leg to be able to head a small meeting with the courtiers, some knights, and some refugees who hadn't yet left to return home.
My tired eyes fixed on Arthur as he stepped up beside his father and I perked up a little at the sight of him. Obviously, I saw him earlier as soon as I was able to following the kingdom's big win, but I will never get enough of his presence. He met my gaze for a moment and gave me a little grin, which I returned.
"In my time, we have won many battles, but none so important as this," Uther stated. "Every man, every woman and child has performed their heroic best, and I thank you, and I salute you all."
I wish he'd give more credit to Arthur. He did an amazing job leading the army.
"Even before the battle, we knew there was a traitor in our midst… one who was almost the undoing of us," the King continued. "However, we have to thank the two people who outwitted them…" My head snapped towards Merlin and we shared a puzzled look. "…and who turned the battle…"
Uther paused – for dramatic effect, I guess – and I glanced around the room, my eyes momentarily stopping on a smirking Morgana.
"The Ladies Morgana and Astraea!" Uther said while extending an arm towards each of us, a proud smile on his face.
My eyes widened and I accidentally spilled a few drops of coffee on my sweatshirt, which caused me to jolt and then pout.
Morgana smugly walked up beside the King as she grabbed his hand, and they exchanged a smile. I remained still, not really wanting to share the spotlight with that backstabber; but then Uther made an insistent motion towards me and I sighed heavily before reluctantly handing my Spider-Man mug over to Merlin and standing up, not letting go of my blanket.
Uther made me stand beside the witch and he continued talking, "It was they who bravely entered the vault, found the magical vessel, and destroyed it." He let go of us to step towards his throne. "We must be vigilant…" he carried on.
I sent Morgana a questioning look and she winked at me before leaning down to whisper in a mocking tone, "We are friends, are we not?" I clenched my jaw and didn't reply.
"…We must stand firm against the dark forces of magic, and ensure that they never penetrate our walls again!"