Camelot
March, 509 AD
The game of slice and dice through the thick forest resumed in the early hours of the morning. Merlin and I were both energised, having found a renewed sense of strength in the revelations about his powers. In contrast, the rest of the team seemed exhausted and in low spirits, which made my heart twist.
Arthur suddenly halted and he stuck Excalibur on the ground with a heavy sigh. "We need to find the clearing where we saw the Dollares Plains."
"Which way is that?" Elyan inquired.
"North," Merlin stated decisively, earning a bunch of questioning looks from the knights – minus Gwaine, whom I debriefed on our midnight adventures at some point during the trek. "Please, I know I can get us there," my brother continued softly, his words especially aimed at Elyan. "I wouldn't do anything to risk Gwen's life. I can get us to the dark tower. I am certain."
"I trust him," I stated.
"Me as well," Gwaine supported.
The rest remained sceptical.
"We need to head north!" Merlin repeated, more emphatically this time.
"Which way is that, Merlin?" Arthur questioned, almost patronisingly.
Merlin pointed in a direction, which I trust was north. "That way."
"No, it is..." Arthur was quick to argue, only to trail off when the sun almost supernaturally illuminated Excalibur, casting a shadow that indicated, without a doubt, which way was north, "over there." The King seemed absolutely puzzled that Merlin got it right and I smirked. "How on Earth would you know that?!"
"Sense of smell," my brother quickly lied, prompting Gwaine and I to share an amused look. "When the wind is from the north you can smell the sea."
"That is ridiculous," Arthur claimed.
"No, it's true, I can smell it now that he mentions it," I said.
My King sighed. "Astra–"
"Trust me just this once?" Merlin cut him off with a puppy-dog look.
Arthur sighed and turned to Elyan. The knight nodded and said, "I say we give him a chance."
"What other choice do we have?" Leon backed us up. Kind of.
"All right!" I cheered as I skipped over to Merlin, linking my arm with his. "Lead the way, bro!"
Merlin hastily led us through nature's maze, a determined aura to his pace as he advanced decisively, not once hesitating or looking back as he let his powers call the shots. I watched him work in wonder, my heart filled with faith that he would succeed in leading us to Gwen.
We didn't stop for a minute, even as rain began to pour down. The heat from the exercise was enough to keep any cold at bay, and the uncomfortableness from dampened clothes could be overlooked in favour of greater things.
It wasn't long before we came across Percival's fallen sword, which prompted him to praise my brother, calling him a genius.
Moments later, we arrived at the clearing from the day before and Arthur was finally convinced that Merlin could guide us. "Which way now?" he asked while clapping him on the shoulder in an appreciative manner.
My brother only responded by speeding up and continuing to mark the way.
Gradually, the forest began to thin, making it easier to navigate, and this time we did manage to reach the 'Dollares Plains' by sundown.
"You did it!" I exclaimed as I jumped to hug my brother.
He let out a breathy chuckle and returned the gesture, whispering, "Thank you."
He soon got a round of well-deserved praise from all the knights, and even a little from Arthur, which warmed my soul to see. I only wish they could know the truth about him...
Before us extended an intimidating expanse of rocky sand with some craters on it, lying under an enchanting pink-ish sky that made me feel as if we'd suddenly travelled to Mars. I almost expected an alien to pop out from somewhere! And in the middle of the expanse stood the dark tower.
"How far do you think it is?" Elyan asked.
"You can count your steps and we'll determine the exact distance when we get home," I responded with a wink. "Let's go!"
I was tripping over my own feet every few seconds by the time we were halfway to the tower. A strong headache pounded against my skull, my throat was dry from my decision to save up water until I truly needed it, and my eyelids were heavier than a concrete truck.
Percival halted and dropped to sit on the ground. I hung back with him, wanting to ensure he was okay, and watched in confusion as he pulled off a boot, revealing a large, nauseating blister on his foot. I instantly averted my gaze and let it travel downwards to my trusty runners, suddenly feeling extremely grateful to have them. I can't imagine having to survive the journey in riding boots.
"We cannot afford to rest," Arthur said apologetically.
"I am all right," Percival claimed before putting his shoe back on and springing to his feet.
"You sure?" I asked. I'd turn into a sobbing toddler if I had to go on with such a hideous blister!
"Do not worry about me, Little Menace," he responded softly.
I held back a remark on how telling me not to worry won't cause me to not worry, and nodded and patted his arm before accelerating to catch up with Arthur, slipping my hand into his.
"We are almost there, darling," he assured me and pressed a quick kiss to the side of my head.
"Yup," I responded and sent him a little grin while gently squeezing his hand.
We got to some dune-like formations and the party had to shift so that we were walking in a line, since the path wasn't wide enough for the bunch of us to walk side-by-side safely. I tried my best not to glance down at the pits below, which were littered with skeletons and rusted weapons and bits of armour. No fresh carcasses, though, which is slightly relieving.
I jolted and turned around when I heard a gasp, followed by Percival calling my brother's name in a panic. I watched in horror as Merlin tumbled down the slope at an accelerating rate, coming to a stop just before a sword could impale his eye. I felt my face become pale as the air was knocked out of my lungs and Arthur was quick to steady me when I stumbled a little bit.
Percival helped Merlin back up and I darted to his side, hugging him tightly as my heart continued to race from the scare.
"I'm all right," Merlin reassured me in between pants. "You will not get rid of me so easily."
"Good, 'cause I don't wanna," I responded.
He squeezed me gently and released me. "Come on, we have to keep moving."
I nodded and sighed shakily.
The sun was starting to hide away for the night when we finally reached the entrance to the tower. It was ten times more intimidating from up close, its size probably able to rival the Burj Khalifa – only it was way creepier and covered in cobwebs and moss.
"Well," I began upon noticing that everyone had halted before the archway, "are we gonna stand here contemplatin' it all night, or are we gonna go in?"
I didn't wait for a response before entering, which prompted my companions to follow.
The inside of the tower was even more disgusting. Similarly to the forest, it was plagued by tangled obstacles. Only this had cobwebs instead of tree branches. The two sites provide an eerie contrast between life and death.
My lungs suddenly tightened at the thought, but I didn't stop walking.
Arthur quickly caught up with me and moved me behind him, bravely taking the lead as we stepped deeper into the dark, grimy building.
The main corridor, or whatever, led to a spiralling staircase and my King hesitated only for a second before starting to climb it.
"Something's wrong," Merlin stated some steps up. Arthur clenched his jaw and turned to him, with a questioning look. "It is too easy."
"Are you ever happy?" my King spat before continuing.
"He's got a point. I was expecting them to have some mind-controlled soldiers ready to jump on us," I commented, but it seemed to fall on deaf ears as Arthur kept advancing. I glanced back to share an annoyed look with my brother.
A giant web blocked the path and my King quickly slashed at it with his sword. A skeleton gave us a jump-scare and I jolted with a gasp, almost falling backwards – but Elyan, who had moved past Merlin at some point, steadied me.
"Who needs Disneyland when one can simply come to medieval Britain," I muttered under my breath once I composed myself.
Elyan suddenly pushed past me and Arthur and continued climbing the staircase. I shrugged and ran after him. This is so not the time to be thinking about the 'Tower Of Terror'.
I entered a large square chamber that looked like a place where balls or feasts might have been held at some point in time. Gargoyles adorned the columns that were placed every few metres around the perimeter, and the floor was made of stone blocks.
"Careful," Elyan warned when I reached him while holding out a hand that silently told me to stay behind him. I gave him a questioning look. He gave me a nod and used his sword to press down on a stone block in front of the one we stood atop. In a second, an arrow flew out of the mouth of one of the gargoyles and embedded itself across the room.
"It's like the Temple of the Chachapoyan Warriors," I whispered, earning a puzzled look from my friend. I gave him a sheepish smile and said, "Don't mind me. Let's figure out how to get past."
I huffed when I realised that Percival still has my sword, which means that I won't be much use beyond moral support.
Elyan nodded and pressed down on another block, bringing on yet another arrow. He moved onto another one and finally found that it could be stepped on, so we huddled close together as we advanced.
We were about halfway through when the rest of the party reached the room.
"Wait!" I called out to them, but I was a nanosecond too late and Percival got an arrow to the leg.
My eyes widened and I clutched Elyan's sleeve as my heart-rate became erratic again.
Arthur turned to look at the fallen knight, accidentally activating another no-no block.
My brother's eyes glowed golden for a second and he averted the arrow.
I placed a hand on my chest, feeling like I was about to physically vomit my heart out.
"Nobody move. Stay exactly where you are," Arthur commanded.
"The blocks react to pressure," I informed once I could somewhat breathe again. "Use your swords to test 'em out."
"I will push on," Elyan announced and went back to pressing on the blocks.
"Yeah, let's go," I supported, following in every step he took.
"No, Astraea, Elyan," Arthur responded sternly.
"None of us would not be here if it were not for me," the knight wrongfully claimed. "I have to do this."
I didn't try to argue with him as I said, "And Gwen's like a sister to me."
"Take this, then," Percival, who was being tended to by Merlin, said; and I turned to him in time to watch him fling my sword in my direction. I caught it – feeling very grateful that it had its sheath on – and I thanked him before returning my attention to Elyan's actions.
We made it to a door on the other side of the room and ignored Arthur's protests as we accelerated to get up a spiral staircase that followed immediately after.
"You should go back, Astra," Elyan stated.
I snorted. "Make me."
"Astra–"
"Less talkie, more walkie!"
We reached a wooden door and Elyan used his great warrior strength to force it open.
A smile instantly formed on my lips when we found Gwen inside – looking like she'd been forced to ride the 'Rock N' Roll Coaster' for a whole twenty-four hours without breaks. But she's alive, and that's all that matters.
"Elyan! Astra!" she exclaimed, sounding exhausted.
My smile fell and I frowned when I spotted a sword floating next to her.
"What has she done to you?" Elyan asked her in a gentle tone while taking a step forward, but she immediately stopped him.
"No, do not. It will not let you pass."
I shared a wary look with my fellow knight, then I gulped when the sword started to spin in circles.
"Morgana enchanted it to protect me. You cannot free me," Gwen cried. "Leave me here, please."
Elyan took off his cape while setting his sights fiercely on the sword.
I grabbed his arm before he could try to attack the magic weapon. "Get 'er out, I'll distract it."
"You cannot overcome it! It will fight to the death!" Gwen warned in a panic.
I shrugged off the comment and unsheathed my sword, feeling confident that Merlin would reach me in time to save my life if it came down to it.
"Astra – you are the queen!" Elyan protested.
"Exactly. It's me Morgana's after. I won't let her make y'all pawns, so get out," I responded. And before they could try to stop me again, I lunged towards the sword and met it with a clang.
Gwen rushed over to Elyan and I released a little sigh of relief in between the acrobatic dodges that the magic sword was demanding out of me. It's a frighteningly good fighter! I gasped as it nicked my arm and then clenched my jaw when it came flying at me. I managed to avert its course just before it could impale my brain and then I grabbed the pommel.
"Sh*t," I muttered when it proved to be incredibly strong and started dragging me around the room at a speed I eventually couldn't keep up with and I had to let go. The momentum sent me stumbling across the room until I crashed against the wall and fell to the ground with a grunt.
My eyes widened when Elyan rushed into the room once more and stopped the sword from attacking me again.
"What the hell are you doing?! Get Gwen outta here!"
"I have a duty to you!" he argued.
"Screw that! Get out!"
He grunted as he continued to fight the sword and I glared at him. I scrambled to my feet and dashed to help him. There's strength in numbers after all, right? We just have to keep the weapon at bay long enough for Merlin to get here and do something. Hopefully without exposing himself.
The sword seemed to get angry and it started twirling around the room in unpredictable patterns, almost slicing Elyan's throat in the process.
"Is this seriously the best that the witches have got!?" I tauntingly asked the sword when it failed to impale me for what must've been the twentieth time. I flung it out of the way and sent it darting towards a wall, but it circled back and charged again, this time at a faster speed.
In a flash, I was on the ground, letting out a pained groan brought on by the fall I took and Elyan's weight on me. My eyes widened at the realisation that he pushed me out of the way.
I quickly sat up when he moved off me. I froze when I noticed some blood oozing from his chest. He ignored my stare as he rushed to open a window I hadn't noticed before and he ducked when the sword darted for him, sending it flying outside. He quickly closed the wooden shutters again and held them in place.
He's smart!
I gasped when the sword impaled the barrier, narrowly missing my friend's head.
A big grin formed on my lips and I chuckled in disbelief. "What was Morgana thinkin' by bringing magic into a sword fight?" I playfully wondered.
My smile fell when, instead of replying, Elyan fell to his knees. I instantly noticed that the blood on his chest had become more abundant.
"El!" With a horribly racing heart, I rushed to grab his discarded cape and pressed it against his injury, then I grabbed one of his hands and moved it to replace mine. "Keep the pressure... I'm gonna get help," I instructed in between heavy breaths before darting towards the door. I found a stoic Gwen standing there. "Stay with him, I'll get Merls," I told her and sprinted past.
My vision was blurred by tears as I ran down the staircase, almost tripping a couple of times in the process as I struggled to stay on my feet. The steps seemed to be infinite, causing my breathing to get more and more constrained with each second that passed. But I bit down hard on my lip and kept going, knowing that if I allowed myself to collapse, Elyan might die.
I finally found the rest of the team, who were halfway through climbing up. "Merls! Hurry! El's hurt!" I cried and turned back around to sprint back up – now with my brother in tow.
The seemingly endless steps to the door caused my lungs to start freezing over, leaving me wheezing as I pushed myself to keep climbing. Merlin grabbed my hand and tugged me upwards as he took the lead.
"It is too late," Gwen stated in between sobs when we reached the room, causing me to slide to a stop as the words fell on me like a meteorite with a vendetta against dinosaurs. Merlin dropped to his knees beside her and placed his hands over the wound, but she stopped him by grabbing his arm. "It is too late, Merlin."
He quickly wrapped her in his arms, allowing her to cry as she continued to cradle her brother's head on her lap.
My legs buckled below me and I steadied myself against a wall before sliding down into a sitting position, bringing my knees to my chest as my whole body trembled with guilt, and I couldn't really breathe, and tears streamed down my cheeks without any intent of stopping. And why should they?
"Astra," I heard Arthur's soft voice as he appeared beside me and he pulled me to his chest. I instantly clung to him.
"He saved my life, Artie," I whispered before another sob shook me and I tightened my grip on him.
I felt him kiss the side of my head and he let out a shaky sigh, not saying anything else as he continued to hold me safely.
The cool early spring winds hit me like a stray volleyball, prompting me to make myself even smaller and pull my blanket tighter around me. A shiver ran down my spine as a drop of rain landed on my leg. Still, I refused to get up from the comfortable spot I dug out on one of the castle's balconies as I stared at the night sky, which was fairly clouded, but still allowed some room for the stars and the moon to make their presence known.
A funeral service for Elyan was held almost as soon as we returned to Camelot, and he was given a beautiful and well-deserved ceremony; which was followed by a banquet in celebration of his life. All throughout, though, I just wasn't able to stop thinking about the part I played in his death. If I'd been more stern in telling him to leave the room... If I'd made different choices during the fight with the magic sword... If I'd listened to Arthur and waited for the rest of the team to cross the death trap room...
Guilt chewed me up like a devilish dragon with a taste for human flesh, leaving a hole in my stomach that made it almost impossible to look at food without wanting to gag, and creating a seemingly permanent lump in my throat that made it hard to breath, let alone speak.
So I slipped out of the grand hall as soon as Arthur left my side to do... who knows what, and made my way to my current dwelling place.
I'm not sure how long I've been out here, but I don't think I wanna go back inside anytime soon. Even as a bit of drizzle started to fall from the skies.
I wiped some tears from my face and leaned my head against the stony wall beside me. Could I get away with sleeping out here? It's slightly peaceful, and the sensations brought in by the wind and rain make me feel alive and grounded, and the cool atmosphere slows down my thoughts.
"There you are." I started at the unexpected sound of Arthur's voice and looked up to find him standing at the archway, his soft gaze fixed on me.
I watched as he stepped outside and lowered himself to the ground, sitting down beside me and wrapping an arm around my waist, anchoring me to his side. I let out a shaky sigh and dropped my head against his chest.
"Are you all right?" he asked gently.
"Not really," I confessed in a whisper, knowing that it'd be stupid to try to lie. "I feel so guilty..." I squeezed my eyes shut as another tear dropped and a whimper escaped me.
"It was not your fault, Astra," he assured me, his free hand moving to gently cradle the side of my face as he cleaned my tears with his thumb
"Yes, it was," I argued, raising my voice just a little. "H-he wouldn't have stayed back with me if I wasn't the ducking queen."
"You know that it is a knight's duty to protect others, no matter who they may be. He would have stayed to fight even if you were a peasant," Arthur countered.
"W-would he still have pushed me outta the way n' taken the hit?" I questioned.
"I believe he would have," he responded. "And you would have done the same."
I broke down crying again and hugged Arthur tightly, my hands fisting the back of his shirt as I sobbed against his chest. He kept an arm firmly around my waist while his other hand ran its fingers through my hair, which was currently loose.
"It hurts, Artie," I whispered.
What sucks almost as bad as losing Elyan is the fact that the creepy 'Queen Mab' was right when she said that one of us wouldn't return. Staring me in the eyes, yet again, is the demon of foretold futures, striking fear into the heart of my soul. Merlin and I couldn't save our friend... what if we can't save Arthur either? I tightened my grip on him at the thought.
"I know it does, my love, but you will be all right," he responded in the same manner and kissed the top of my head. "I'm here."
