Somewhere in medieval Britain
August, 506 AD
[warning: panic attack]
Arthur watched warily as Merlin filled the cup with water from a stream, and his hold on my waist tightened as his body tensed up. "I am not sure about this. It is magic," he said.
"Sure, but we're not in Camelot, so we won't be breakin' your dad's laws," I responded in a slightly raspy mumble, earning a shaky sigh. "Besides, I hurt all over."
Merlin glanced between us, then he handed me the cup. I winced from the pain in my shoulder as I grabbed it with my good hand, and I instantly went to drink, but Arthur stopped me by grabbing my forearm.
"Let her do it, Arthur, it will be fine," Gwaine said while giving him a pointed look.
"Please?" I added softly.
Arthur sighed and released my arm, allowing me to down the water in three swift gulps. I let out a long exhale at the feeling of coolness in my throat and I felt my body relax a little. I dropped my head against the Prince's chest.
Within a minute I felt less sleepy and the pain in my shoulder, knee, feet and butt eased. I checked my left wrist and noticed that the marks from the rope had healed significantly. I unwrapped the strip of cloth from my hand and saw that the cut had been reduced to a superficial scratch.
"Merls – I think Gaius better be ready to have his services replaced by this thing," I joked while shooting a grin towards my best friend, earning a faint chuckle.
Arthur scoffed and gently took the cup from my hand before wrapping it in a piece of cloth and gripping it tightly.
The journey back home resumed and I had a much better time walking, though I didn't push away from Arthur because… why would I want to?
"Hard work this quest business," Gwaine commented.
"Oh, yeah. Fun stuff," I quipped.
"Trust me, it is a great deed we did here today," Arthur claimed.
"Oh, yeah. Holdin' a sword to a man's throat is the epitome of noble," I murmured.
"I was never going to hurt him," he defended.
"And that makes it better?"
He stopped walking and turned to look down at me, an indecipherable expression forming on his face as his eyes scanned me. I gave him a little shrug. He sighed and pressed a kiss to my forehead. "You are right. I should not have done that."
"No, but I get it, you're under a sh*t-ton of stress."
Arthur nodded and gave me a gentle squeeze before continuing to walk.
"Are you sure the cup was not safer with the druids?" Merlin questioned.
"They cannot be trusted, Merlin. No one can," Arthur stated. "The only safe place for the cup is the vaults of Camelot."
I shared a wary look with my best friend. Not with Madame Mim creeping around the corner…
"We are approaching the border of Cenred's lands," Arthur said while pointing forwards with his sword. "Beyond the forest lies Camelot."
I sighed in relief. I really hope that Dallas and the other horses returned home somehow. Otherwise, I'm gonna ask Merlin to get Kilgharrah to search for them.
"And food and water and a nice hot bath!" Gwaine chirped, which made me grin a little.
Arthur suddenly froze and stopped us by holding up a hand. "Quiet. Listen."
I frowned as I looked up at him while paying extra attention to my hearing, but I couldn't really catch anything other than the slightly laboured breathing of my companions.
"I do not hear anything," Merlin said.
"Exactly," Arthur responded. He moved me behind him while gripping his sword
"We're in the middle of nowhere," I pointed out, once again feeling annoyed that he's treating me like I'm a fragile doll. "Were you hoping for an orchestra?"
Gwaine huffed, "Never satisfied, you city types. It is too noisy, it is too quiet–"
Armoured men suddenly emerged from the treeline and my breath hitched.
"Run!" Arthur yelled and he nudged me in whatever direction.
I didn't need to be told twice as I took off sprinting, not daring to look back as I focused my sight on not tripping over any protruding roots, or rocks… or air. I did my best to swallow grunts of complaint as discomfort kept shooting up my legs when my near-bare feet stepped on pointy things on the ground.
A yelp and a thud made me skid to a stop.
I looked around and gulped when I saw that Arthur was no longer behind me. I jogged back a few metres and my heart dropped to my stomach when I saw him lying on the ground, unconscious, with an enemy man standing near him. With the cup in his hand!
"Sh*t!" I gasped and froze when the man's eyes landed on me. "Merlin!? Gwaine?!"
Merlin ran onto the scene and he said a spell that sent the cup flying out of the man's hands. "Stay with him!" he commanded before running off – I assume to try to catch the cup. The enemy man followed.
I dashed the rest of the way towards Arthur and nearly threw up my intestines when I saw an arrow sticking out of the back of his calf.
I dropped to my knees beside him and checked his pulse, sighing in relief when I found it reasonably steady. And that's about all I know about first aid because, again – blood. So I resorted to sitting down and moving his head onto my lap while I waited for Merlin to return.
"And this is why I refuse to stay behind," I mumbled to myself.
Gwaine suddenly jogged up to me and he crouched beside me, placing a hand on my shoulder, as he released a shaky sigh while looking over Arthur.
Merlin returned shortly after. "They have the cup," he announced in a defeated tone.
"Freakin' Morgana must've told 'em something," I grumbled.
"Morgana?!" Gwaine asked in alarm.
"Long story, but she's not really a friend of Camelot anymore," I said in a low tone while feeling that familiar pang in my heart.
The two boys lifted Arthur and I grabbed his discarded sword. They carried him the remaining distance towards Camelot's territory while I trailed them, looking around to ensure we weren't being followed.
For once, I felt useful under the knowledge that I'm now acting as protector.
We knew that there was no way we would be making it back to the castle. Not with Arthur being unconscious and the sun beginning to set. So we picked a spot not long after we crossed the border and Gwaine went to collect some wood while Merlin took care of pulling the arrow out of the Prince's leg with some minimal help from yours truly.
I sat down and gently moved Arthur's head onto my lap once more while my best friend started to inspect the wound.
Gwaine returned and sat beside Merlin while curiously scanning the Prince. "That does not look too great," he mentioned in a low tone.
"The arrow must have been poisoned," Merlin whispered.
My breath hitched and my heart began to race.
My best friend reached over to place a hand on Arthur's forehead. "He has got a fever. We need to keep him warm."
I promptly removed my friend's jacket – which I was still wearing – and placed it on top of Arthur.
"Astra – you will freeze!" Merlin protested.
"Cool. Then I'll have something in common with Steve and Bucky," I replied monotonously with a nonchalant shrug, not minding the chill that ran through me. I'll happily freeze if it means keeping Arthur alive.
Merlin gave me a look of disapproval, but didn't try to argue further.
I sighed shakily and leaned down to kiss Arthur's cheek. I kept my forehead resting against the side of his head while being careful not to put too much weight on him. He'll be fine. He has to be. Merlin can cure him, right?
I started a little when Gwaine suddenly plopped down beside me. He gave me a soft look and threw an arm over my shoulders, then he started to gently run his hand up and down my upper arm. I couldn't help but lean against him, definitely feeling grateful for the warmth.
"I do not get it," he said. "Why all this bother over a cup?"
"Because, in the wrong hands, it can become a terrible weapon," Merlin answered in a grave tone.
"Not so great Cenred has got it, then."
"It's worse than you can possibly imagine."
"He was gonna get it either way," I pointed out in a mumble.
"Because of Morgana?" Gwaine asked.
I nodded. "We simply made the task easier for 'em."
Silence fell upon us and I let my eyes trace Arthur's gorgeous, but pained, face. His usually soft and inviting lips had acquired a purple hue, a faint layer of sweat coated his forehead, and he had blanched a few tones.
My airways narrowed as fear struck at my chest again. I tightened my grip on him, pulling him closer to my body. I focused on the rising and falling of his shoulders as he breathed, trying to match my rhythm to his.
Gwaine sighed beside me. "Who are Steve and Bucket?" he questioned.
I snorted at his mistake and allowed a small grin to grow on my lips. "They are characters from a comic book – which is an illustrated story," I explained. I've never read a comic book in my life, I love the Avengers because of the movies. But, obviously, explaining comics is easier than explaining movies. And this way I don't have to lie too much.
"Oh… and why did they freeze?"
I bit down on my lip and turned to Merlin for help. Now that is difficult to explain without revealing my true origins.
"Steve went too far north while trying to hide a weapon from some bad guys and he ended up buried under the ice with it," Merlin jumped in, making me smile proudly.
"So he died," Gwaine concluded.
"Nope. He was pulled out of the ice seventy years later, still alive and not havin' aged one minute," I responded.
"How is that possible?" Gwaine asked.
"It's fiction, buddy," I pointed out.
"If you think that is improbable, wait until you hear what happened to Bucky," Merlin stated with a faint chuckle.
"Don't laugh, Merls!" I scolded. "My poor baby suffered more than anyone in the MCU!"
"A baby froze?!" a suddenly bewildered Gwaine asked.
"The bad guys periodically froze him on purpose to keep him from aging," Merlin explained.
"After they wiped his memories and turned him into a deadly assassin," I added with a pout.
"They turned a baby into an assassin?!"
"No, he is not a literal baby," Merlin assured him. "Astra uses the word as a term of endearment."
Gwaine let out a low whistle. "You have some crazy stories in your land, Trae."
"Oh, believe me, that's just the tip of the iceberg," I replied.
Arthur suddenly spasmed weirdly while whimpering and my breath hitched once more as I turned to Merlin with widening eyes. He scanned the Prince for a moment, then he gave me a reassuring look before addressing Gwaine, "We need more firewood."
"You are right about that," Gwaine responded, not moving an inch as the ghost of a smirk played on his lips.
"Do you want to go and get some?" Merlin requested.
"Not really. Thanks for asking."
Merlin's face fell. "There's wolves out there. Bears, boars..."
"Exactly."
A small grin formed on my lips. This is entertaining.
"I am not a warrior, I cannot defend myself like you," my best friend pointed out.
"Never too late to learn," Gwaine replied.
Merlin sighed and looked down.
"Merlin," Gwaine called out as he smirked. The sorcerer looked up. "Do you not know when someone is joking with you?"
"He should, considerin' how much time he spends 'round me," I teased.
I almost whined at the loss of warmth when Gwaine stood up, so I pulled Arthur even closer to me while hoping that his natural warmth might help a bit. But I started shivering all the same, since his internal radiator seems to be broken.
"If I die collecting firewood, keep it to yourselves. I got my reputation to consider," Gwaine said before walking away.
I grinned a little as I watched him go. He's so great.
As soon as Gwaine was out of sight, Merlin jumped to kneel down in front of Arthur and he put a hand over his forehead, then he whispered a spell and his eyes glowed gold.
I looked down at Arthur and waited for a response. He spasmed again, but nothing else changed.
Merlin tried the spell again. Nothing changed.
"Come on. Arthur," my friend said in a strained tone. "Come on!"
I felt my guts shrinking and I let my head drop again, leaning my forehead against Arthur's head once more while forcing my eyes to hold back some tears.
"You have to fight this, Artie," I whispered and I pressed a kiss to his temple. "You still have so much to do in this life. You haven't even pulled Excalibur out of a stone, yet."
Merlin gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze, then he tried the spell again. Afterwards, he moved to sit where Gwaine was previously sitting and he drew me close to his side, helping me warm up through his body heat. I rested my head against his chest, my eyes never leaving Arthur as I started to run my fingers through his soft golden locks while mentally praying for his recovery.
I was pulled out of a half-sleep by some movement against my body, followed by a slight groan. My eyes opened wide in an instant and they travelled to my abdomen – which I'd made Arthur's pillow at some point during the night. My gaze connected with his enchanting one and a smile instantly spread on my lips.
"You're okay!" I exclaimed in a whisper while moving a hand to rest it on his cheek.
"I am okay, my love," he affirmed and he kissed the inside of my wrist. "What happened?"
"We were attacked by Cenred's men and you got shot…"
His eyes widened and he sat up in an instant, prompting me to do the same. "Where is the cup?" he asked in alarm, which startled Merlin and Gwaine awake.
I exchanged a wary look with them.
"Where is the cup!?" Arthur repeated.
"Cenred's men took it," Merlin responded.
"Then what are we still doing here?!"
"I told you, you got shot," I said softly.
"You were unconscious," Merlin added.
Arthur scoffed, "Always an excuse, Merlin!"
I shared a look of disbelief with Gwaine.
The Prince tried to stand up, only to groan and fall onto his hands and knees when he put weight on his injured leg.
Gwaine and Merlin hurried to help him. I stood up and grabbed the sword again.
"We have to get back to Camelot before it is too late," Arthur said.
I scrunched up my nose when I detected a smoky scent. "You guys smell that?" I asked.
"Something is burning," Gwaine said.
The four of us exchanged wary looks and Arthur sped up a little, limping as we climbed an uphill stretch of forest.
We reached the top and my heart instantly twisted when we saw a burning village in the distance, the little houses and shops being claimed by an unforgiving flame.
So many people losing their homes and livelihoods… This can't have been an accident, right?
"What the hell happened?" Gwaine asked.
"I do not know," Arthur responded. I could see the sorrow in his expression and I shuffled closer to him, pressing my arm against his. He slipped his hand into mine and gave it a gentle squeeze. "We need to hurry. We are still a day's march from Camelot," he added and tugged me along as we began to walk down the hill.
And I'm still wearing nothing but socks on my feet! You can imagine how much fun I'm having. I refuse to complain aloud, though.
We continued the trek in silence. Dread hung in the air, making oxygen feel heavy and hard to draw in. There are a million possibilities of what Cenred and his witchy companions might be planning for Camelot. Gaius mentioned an immortal army. Can we fight an immortal army? We've done it before and we're still alive, right?
My breath hitched when we reached a clearing in the forest that was littered with the bodies of fallen knights of Camelot, distinguishable by their red capes and well-polished silver chainmail.
Tears immediately pooled in my eyes as they scanned the space. Most of these men I knew and considered friends… I trained with them, for fork's sake!
My gaze landed on Sir Gareth, who lay on his back with a big bloody hole in his stomach.
My ears started ringing and they filtered out the conversation that my three companions engaged in.
No matter how much I wanted to, I couldn't move my gaze away from the corpse of my friend as an invisible force squeezed the air out of my lungs until I was gasping and my body was trembling like a radioactive massage chair.
Arthur suddenly turned me around and held me against his chest. I instantly wrapped my arms around his waist and fisted the back of his shirt. His natural scent managed to clear my airways, only for my lungs to decide that it'd be fun to break the record for most breaths taken in a minute. A tingling sensation settled in my hands and neck while my head began to spin.
"Merlin – what do I do?!" he asked in alarm, his voice muffled by the ringing that continued in my brain.
"Breathe deeply."
"What?!"
"Breathe deeply!"
Seconds later, I could clearly feel Arthur's chest inflating and deflating against my own.
"Match his breathing, Astra," Merlin commanded softly.
Arthur tightened his grip on me and dropped his head to the crook of my neck. His exhales brushed gently against my skin. I also tightened my grip on him while focusing on that pleasant sensation.
"Good girl, you are all right," he whispered.
I barely realised that I was actually breathing properly again until I suddenly sighed and I felt my body relieve some tension.
And here comes the shame that always emerges after a dumb panic attack…
"'M sorry," I mumbled.
"There is nothing to be sorry for," Arthur whispered and he kissed my cheek. Then he gently wiped away the tears from my face and kissed my forehead. "Are you all right to continue?"
I nodded. "Y-yeah, I-I'm fine."
He wrapped an arm firmly around my waist and anchored me to his side. "Close your eyes, I will guide you."
"S'all right," I waved him off as I dropped my gaze to the ground to avoid looking at the dead knights. "I can do it."
"I know, but you do not have to. Come on."
"But you're injured."
"Which is the only reason why I have not picked you up already. Let us go."
I puffed and relented.
The sky was almost entirely dark when we reached the lower town.
It was also littered with bodies and Arthur was quick to shield me from the sight again. I seriously don't understand how I managed to charm someone as incredible as him.
"G-guys? C-can we check on Gwen?" I asked in a whisper.
"Yes, all right," Arthur responded softly.
We did our best to stay as close to the buildings as possible to avoid being spotted if any of Cenred's minions happened to pass by as we made our way towards Gwen and Elyan's house.
I hung slightly back with Gwaine and Merlin while Arthur tried the doorknob, but it didn't budge.
"Here, let me," Gwaine offered as he gently tugged Arthur backwards. Then he kicked down the door in a swift move.
The four of us entered the room and a stupid protective circle was once again formed around me, which made me roll my eyes. What do I have to do to show that I can hold my own almost as well as they can!?
A figure suddenly jumped out of hiding and lunged for Arthur. Gwaine jumped to his defence.
"Elyan!" Merlin exclaimed, effectively stopping the attack.
The man froze and his eyes scanned us for a second. "I am sorry."
Arthur waved it off and inquired, "Where is everyone?"
Elyan stuttered something unintelligible as he backed away a little.
"Elyan, please, what happened?" the Prince pressed.
"T-they came out of nowhere," Elyan finally said. "A-a mighty army. W-weapons were useless against them. T-they were men, Sire… but not men. N-nothing could kill them."
A chill ran through my spine as blood-infested graphic images flashed through my mind and I shuffled closer to Arthur, who was quick to take my hand.
"Where is Gwen?" Merlin asked.
"S-she was in the citadel w-when they attacked," Elyan responded, making my heart turn upside down.
I don't wanna lose anymore friends! I won't stand for it!
"Then there is still hope," Arthur stated.
While the men talked strategy, I silently snuck into Gwen's room and dug out a small backpack from underneath her bed.
After Uther almost executed me, I made three emergency bags containing a hoodie, a blanket, and a pack of Oreos, and hid them in several places. Just in case anything like that happens again and I'm forced to flee. There's this bag in Gwen's house, there's one in the tack room, and I sent another one to Hunith in Ealdor.
I took off Merlin's jacket and I threw on the white hollister hoodie that was inside the backpack. I grabbed the pack of Oreos and made a mental note to add shoes and socks to the emergency bags, as well as replace the items I've taken from this one. Then I rejoined the men outside.
"Here. I think we're gonna need our strengths," I said as I offered the pack of Oreos around. Arthur and Merlin each grabbed one without hesitation, while Gwaine and Elyan seemed a bit suspicious of them before relenting and taking one as well. I grinned to myself and took the final one before scrunching up the packet and tossing it into a dustbin.
An alarming thought flashed through my mind just as we were readying to leave.
"Hey, El – Do you have anything to write with?" I asked.
Elyan seemed confused at first, but he nodded and rapidly retrieved a paper parchment and a quill pen with a small flask of ink from a drawer in the kitchen.
I worked the ancient writing instrument as best as I could, groaning every few seconds when I needed to recharge the ink, while I scribbled a quick note.
Gwennie – Elyan's with us. Please stay safe.
I placed the letter somewhere it would be visible if she happened to return, and then I nodded at the boys.
Now with an extra helping hand, we left the small house and resumed the journey towards the castle.
Arthur's limp seemed to be getting worse, which caused my stomach to churn. We won't get very far if his leg gives out, and we won't stand a chance without him.
Actually, we have Merlin. I think we'd be all right. But still – I hate seeing him in pain and not be able to fix it!
We entered the castle through a more discreet door that is used to transport stuff into the vaults. We took a left turn and reached a staircase that leads to a corridor, that leads to another staircase, that leads to the knights' quarters.
Arthur stopped at a corner and motioned for the rest of us to back up slightly, just in time for a flock of enemy soldiers to come barreling down another flight of stairs.
We all pressed against a wall and waited for them to be gone before continuing.
The aim was to get to the royal chambers undetected and hopefully find Uther.
Arthur suddenly stumbled and he caught himself by leaning against a wall. I rushed to his side in an instant and saw that he looked pale again. I reached up to touch his cheek and my intestines twisted. "You're burning up, Art," I whispered.
He huffed and pushed himself off the wall, only to fall back against it with a grunt.
"Arthur, you cannot go on," Merlin told him sternly.
"We must… we must find the others," Arthur argued in a slightly slurred voice while breathing heavily.
"You cannot go on without treatment," Merlin retorted.
"But my father… Morgana…"
Oh, Morgana…
Merlin turned towards Elyan and Gwaine. "Elyan – do you know your way to the dungeons?"
"Y-yes, I think so."
"Go with Gwaine. See if you can find the King, Gwen, or anyone else," my best friend instructed.
The two men shared a nod.
Gwaine gave me a quick side-hug before running off with Elyan.
"I am going with them," Arthur stated as he pushed himself off the wall again.
Merlin and I caught him by an arm each as he staggered. "No, you are not," "Nope," we responded at the same time.
"That is an order," Arthur told my friend.
"No, to hell with your orders," Merlin said as he slung the Prince's arm over his shoulders. "You are coming with us."
With a pleased smirk, I snatched Arthur's sword out of his hand and walked in front of the boys, skipping ahead at every corner to make sure the coast was clear.
"Back," I whisper-yelled when I heard a door open. We hid behind a column as six of Cenred's guards walked past, then we kept going.
We managed to get to Gaius's apartment without any incidents and I locked the door behind Merlin and Arthur after we entered.
Merlin laid Arthur down on the kitchen bench.
"You are disobeying orders, Merlin. I will have you in the stocks for this," the Prince threatened in a strained growl.
"Fine. Now, stay put and try not to move that leg," my best friend demanded. He turned to me, "Make sure he doesn't move." I nodded and he let out a sharp exhale as he dashed towards a cabinet.
Arthur tried to stand up and I put a hand on his shoulder to push him back down, earning a glare.
"You're so cute when you pout," I teased and gently booped his nose. He grunted and grabbed my hand.
A rattling sound coming from the storage room startled me and I shared a wary look with Merlin. I tightened my hold on Arthur's sword and moved towards the door with my best friend in tow. I hung back and we exchanged a nod before he swiftly opened it.
None other than Gaius stood there, looking slightly terrified.
Merlin smiled like a kid on a Christmas morning. "Gaius!"
"Children!"
I dropped the sword as the elderly man pulled us both into a tight hug.
"Are you all right?" Merlin asked him.
"All the better for seeing you two," he replied with a warm grin.
Our little moment was interrupted by Arthur groaning.
"Arthur!" Gaius exclaimed as his eyes widened.
"He was shot with an arrow," I explained.
"I tried to heal him using magic, but it did not work," Merlin whispered.
Gaius nodded in understanding and promptly moved towards the Prince to start inspecting the wound. I hung back, not really wanting to see the blood. I've seen enough of that to last me fifty lifetimes.
Arthur groaned in pain once more and I grimaced. I'm so lucky that I was able to sort of heal myself with the Cup of Life during the brief time we had it.
"The wound is infected," Gaius concluded. "I will have to redress the leg to reduce the inflammation."
"No, no, no," Arthur protested. "We have not got time. Just give me something to keep going."
Gaius sighed. "Yes, Sire…"
Merlin sighed in resignation and went up to his room to do who-knows-what.
"Art, it could be serious!" I tried to reason. "You could lose your leg! Or get stuck with a permanent limp!"
"I will be fine," he waved me off.
"Just stay here," I pleaded. "Merls n' I will find your dad."
We'd probably have an easier time doing that on our own, anyway, considering that it'd give my friend the freedom to use his superpowers.
Arthur scoffed. "You are not going out there without me, Astra."
"Art, c'mon!"
"Astra…"
"Arthur…"
Gaius interrupted our little battle of wills by handing Arthur a vial. "The effects will be instant, Sire, but I cannot guarantee how long it will last."
Arthur downed it in a second and sighed. "Thank you, Gaius."
"Stubborn donkey," I muttered as I narrowed my eyes at him.
"It takes one to know one," he shot back, which made my lips curve upwards despite my wish to remain annoyed at him.
Gwaine and Elyan suddenly entered the room and relief flooded my veins. At least they seem unharmed.
"The King is alive, Sire!" Elyan announced
"Where is he?" Arthur asked while standing up.
"They are taking him to the throne room as we speak," Gwaine answered.
"This may be my last chance to save him," Arthur said and he looked around for something before his eyes stopped on something on the floor. His sword!
I rushed to get it and reluctantly handed it to him.
"Arthur, there are too many of them. You will never make it," Merlin protested.
"I will not leave my father to die here alone."
"Great, n' we can stop to get some shoes on the way!" I chirped as I painted on a grin and I stood on my toes while squaring my shoulders in an attempt to appear bigger.
"There is no way I am taking you with me, Astraea," Arthur rapidly argued.
"You really wanna have this conversation again? Right now?"
He huffed. "Will you just listen for once in your life?!"
"Maybe someday I will. Today's not it."
He clenched his jaw and shook his head in disapproval, then he turned to Gwaine and Elyan. "Gwaine, Elyan, take Gaius and make your way to the woods beyond the castle." The two men nodded. "I hope we meet again."
Gwaine threw an arm over my shoulders and surprised me by kissing the top of my head. "Stay safe, Trae."
"You, too, buddy," I responded and offered a little smile, which he returned.
He let out a sigh and rapidly left the room along with Gaius and Elyan.
Arthur then turned towards Merlin. "Merlin, you should go with them."
My best friend glanced at the door to the apartment, then he scrunched up his nose. "Nah, I've seen the woods already."
Arthur chuckled and patted him on the shoulder. Then he turned to me and placed a hand on my cheek. "Stay close to me, all right?"
I nodded. That's the whole point of everything, after all.
With that, we hastened out of the room with Arthur leading the way.
The castle was dark and eerily quiet, which made our job easier because we could easily make out when there were footsteps coming our way.
We hid inside a storage room as two enemy soldiers marched by carrying torches, then we made a break for my room.
"I'll be quick," I promised in a whisper before I slipped inside.
I ran to get a change of socks and my white Nike runners. I sighed in relief as I slipped them on, the padded sensation against my beaten-up feet feeling almost heavenly. I took a minute to brush my teeth because hygiene is important, and I grabbed my gun; which I hid in a black crossbody bag. I'm only bringing it in case of an emergency.
Feeling much more alive, I rejoined the boys in the hallway and gave them a small grin.
Operating off Gwaine's words, we silently climbed to the balcony that overlooks the throne room and we army-crawled to the edge, looking down at the scene below.
The room was filled with enemy soldiers. I noticed that the Pendragon banners had been taken down and replaced with Cenred's coat of arms, which caused rage to pool in my stomach.
At the centre of the throne platform stood Morgause next to a terrified-looking Geoffrey of Monmouth. Some metres behind them was Thanata, standing with a downwards-pointing sword in her hands.
Uther was dragged inside by two guards and forced to his knees in front of Morgause.
"Well, Uther, how the mighty have fallen," she taunted with a smirk.
Arthur made a move to get up, looking reasonably upset; but Merlin and I quickly grabbed him by an arm each and kept him down. "The guards are immortal, they will cut you to ribbons! What use are you dead?" my best friend whispered.
The Prince trembled with rage and his jaw clenched, which caused my heart to churn. I slipped my hand into his in an attempt to show support, or whatever; and then I returned my attention to the scene below us.
"I do not think you will be needing this anymore," Morgause said as she removed Uther's crown from his head.
"This is unlawful. You cannot do this. You have no right to the throne!" Uther snarled.
I bit down on my bottom lip when Morgana revealed herself from behind one of the banners. "No, she does not," she noted as a smirk grew on her lips. "But I do."
Morgause stepped backwards and allowed the Lady to take centre stage.
"I am your daughter, after all," she spat at Uther.
Arthur instantly stopped shaking and I glanced at him to see his face fall at the big reveal.
I felt a pang of guilt in my chest and I shared a sad look with Merlin.
"Do not look so surprised," Morgana told the King. "I have known for some time."
She sat down on the throne and two soldiers pushed Geoffrey forwards. He stumbled a little before looking down at Morgana with a wary look, which earned him an eye-roll.
What must the poor guy be thinking?
Arthur's grip on my hand tightened and I gently ran my thumb over his knuckles.
"B-by the power vested in me," Geoffrey said hesitantly, "I-I crown thee Morgana Pendragon, Queen of Camelot." He placed the crown atop the witch's head.
My heart began to race as all the people in the room dropped to their knees, bowing before her. The guards restraining Uther forced him down into a bow while his body trembled.
The three witches exchanged some smirks.
And here I thought that U.S. elections were draining to watch…