A/N: I'm so sorry for the wait but here's a new chapter! (Also, it's been six years since I started publishing this story and now we only have two more episodes left after this plus one or two extra chapters 😉)
—
No One's POV
Morgana smirks as she walks over to Arthur's alive and conscious but immobile body. She doesn't bother sparing a glance at Anne and Merlin's unconscious bodies before she reaches Arthur.
"What a joy it is to see you, Arthur. Look at you, not so tall and mighty now." Morgana crouches down next to him though she's still looking down at his slumped form. The King does not react, looking utterly defeated. "You may have won the battle, but you've lost the war. You're going to die by Mordred's hand. But don't worry, my dear brother, I won't let you die alone. I will stay and watch over you, until the wolves gorge on your carcass and bathe in your blood."
Unbeknownst to Morgana, Anne and Merlin had woken up whilst she had been speaking. Merlin had drawn Excalibur quietly before he and Anne both stood.
"No," Anne says, causing Morgana to turn, "the time for all this bloodshed is over."
Morgana stands, unphased by the sword being pointed at her.
"I blame myself for what you've become… but this has to end," Merlin says, his tone full of regret.
Morgana is still unfazed. "I am a High Priestess. No mortal blade can kill me."
Merlin launches forward and stabs her. Morgana gasps as she starts to feel the effect of the blade. Her knees buckle and Merlin wraps his arm around her, holding her.
"No!"
All parties turn to see Amelia standing there next to her horse. None of them had heard her approach. She looks horrified at what's happening. She breathes heavily either from the exertion of travelling her or shock at the scene.
Merlin lowers Morgana to the ground and withdraws the sword, stepping back as Amelia runs towards her sister.
"No! No!" Amelia flings herself onto the floor, embracing her. "Sister." She kneels near her, sobbing, caressing her sister's face.
Instead of fear or anger, Morgana looks strangely at peace with the situation despite the probable pain of Merlin, running her through with the same type of sword they'd given to Mordred merely a day ago. She has a small smile on her face. Morgana blinks up at her.
Amelia lifts one of her hands that had been wrapped around Morgana's middle to reveal it is now wet and red. Her eyes are wide and her hands shake.
Morgana opens her mouth and tries to speak but it comes out as a choked noise before she takes her final breath.
—
Amelia's POV
Amelia flings herself upright in a panic. Her eyes immediately dart down to look at her hands and sees there is no blood. She rubs at them to be sure.
The dream was awfully familiar. It was a dream she has been having frequently these days. But this one was more detailed than usual, more realistic. It fills Amelia with dread.
Then she feels someone shaking her arm. "Amelia, Amelia."
Amelia turns to her sister, staring at her blankly. Morgana is frowning, gripping Amelia's hands tightly but Amelia hardly notices.
"The end is coming."
—
Amelia stands in the middle of the destroyed raided camp. She dislikes wandering the woods around Camelot but she knows this is something necessary as they are at war now. The worry that someone will find her seems to itch, just below her skin. A constant reminder of the position she is in. She knows these woods so well. Amelia had played in them as a child, ignoring the Knights that watched over her. This place used to be somewhere that felt like home, a place where Amelia truly belonged.
She tries not to look at the dead Camelot Knights lying scattered around her in the mud just in case she recognises one of their faces. Amelia and Morgana's Saxon men rifle through the overturned carriage for any weapons. As they are now at war with Camelot, Morgana has argued that they need to attack the supply routes while they still can before Arthur steps up extra patrols.
Amelia eyes the girl, Kara, who stands next to her, nursing a wound in her leg. The young Druid has been a new addition Morgana has obtained. The girl had been seen ranting and raving against the injustices of the Pendragon men. Amelia likes her and she's proven to be a strong and determined helper in this war.
Their lookout runs up to her. "Camelot men are coming, My Lady." He hisses.
Amelia tenses but nods. "Take what you can and disperse!" She orders.
The Soldiers and Kara quickly follow through and once they are a distance away, Amelia focuses on her magic to allow her to see the scene they'd just left behind. Her breath catches as she witnesses Percival crouching down as he pulls a crossbow bolt out of the dirt. The others, Merlin, Leon, Gwaine, Mordred and Arthur, dismount behind him. She watches as they move through the camp, observing what has happened.
Amelia knows it's time to leave and turns to the soldiers, knowing they must leave so Arthur and the others do not catch them. It is then that Amelia realises that Kara isn't among their numbers.
"Where's Kara?" She demands to know from the Soldiers.
"I do not know, My Lady." One of them hurriedly replies.
Amelia rolls her eyes, knowing she needs to look for them herself. "Beþecce me." She quietly murmurs so as to conceal her from sight.
She hurries through the woods and screeches to a stop when she sees Kara lying on the floor, looking up at a Camelot Knight, who stands over her cloaked figure with his sword pointed at her, eyes wide with fear. Amelia goes to attack but hesitates when she realises it's Mordred.
"Kara? Go!" Mordred quietly urges but Kara doesn't move. He whispers more urgently, "Kara, go!"
Amelia frowns in confusion but stays silent. Clearly, there's something going on between the two Druids that she didn't know about.
Merlin comes up in time just to see Mordred set Kara free and her run through the trees moments before Arthur and the others appear. Amelia swallows heavily, nervously standing there despite the fact that they'll be unable to detect her. However, she does find time to glare at Merlin even if it's so she doesn't look at Percival.
"What happened?" Arthur asks.
"I thought I saw someone. I was wrong. Probably a deer." Mordred replies.
"Are you sure?" Arthur presses. Amelia wants to snap at Arthur. Can't he just let it go?
"Yeah."
"Move out." Arthur orders and the Knights follow.
Mordred looks back at the way that Kara ran. He starts to follow the others and stops when he sees Merlin standing there. They share a look before Mordred continues on. Merlin looks back at where he saw Kara disappearing then moves his gaze to where Mordred went.
Amelia glares at his retreating figure. She knows he's making assumptions without having the full facts. It's what Merlin is good at.
—
Anne's POV
Anne sits on the floor next to Euwen playing with the wooden blocks in the Nursery while Merlin is with Faye, reading some books.
"Is Daddy ill?" She hears Faye ask.
Anne realises she hasn't heard Merlin's voice in a while. She looks up to see her husband shaking himself out of a daze.
"Daddy's fine," Merlin reassures her.
Before he can go back to reading, Anne speaks, "Mmm, maybe she's right as Daddy has seemed very distracted ever since he came back from the hunt earlier." She throws a pointed look his way. "What is it, Merlin?"
Merlin sighs, turning to his daughter and strokes her hair. "Mummy and Daddy need to have a serious talk."
Anne is alarmed by this but nods. Their daughter pouts while Euwen looks up, whining as Anne pulls herself away from him to call for a servant.
"What's the matter then?" Anne asks once the two of them are back in their Chambers.
"Mordred." Merlin answers, sitting on the edge of their bed.
"You're worrying about what Finna told us." Anne realises, sitting next to him.
"Finna was right. I must not trust Mordred." Merlin sighs, rubbing his face.
Anne puts a reassuring hand on his back. "I know, I know you're right but he's a loyal Knight. He's proved it time after time."
"He's beguiled you. He's beguiled you all." Merlin retorts, standing up in frustration causing Anne to drop her hand.
"How?"
Merlin sighs, turning to face her. "When we were out on patrol, a Saxon escaped and Mordred let him."
Anne frowns. "What was he doing there?"
"We came across a wrecked cart of weapons, surrounded by dead Knights bound for Camelot. The Saxons must have raided it." Merlin explains.
Saxons? That can only mean one thing. Morgana and Amelia.
"What you saw may not be the truth," Anne warns, returning to the topic of Mordred. She knows Merlin doesn't trust him but the boy has never done anything to betray them, it's all been visions and warnings from others.
"You did not see what I saw," Merlin argues.
"There must be a simple explanation."
"I can't believe that, Anne. Not after all we've told." Merlin retorts.
Anne sighs in frustration. "He's fond of Arthur. The feeling is mutual. They've become great friends."
"That's my fear!" Merlin cries in exasperation. "Arthur's blind to him. I'm not. I won't make that same mistake."
"Mordred will turn against Arthur, against Camelot if you keep treating him like this," Anne warns.
Merlin scoffs. "How can you expect me to ignore all the warning signs? Like you did with Amelia?"
Anne feels like he's just slapped her across the face. "You can't say that."
"She's declared war on us!" Merlin yells angrily.
"No, that was Morgana. She's got Amelia under her spell." Anne growls.
"Your friend is gone, Anne! She's turned her back on us! Why can't you see that?!" Merlin cries furiously.
Anne takes a deep breath, tears prickling the corner of her eyes, and realises it knowing there is nothing else to say. "Get out." She says quietly.
Merlin looks startled at her words. "Anne–"
"Get out." Her tone is stronger this time.
—
Anne ignores Merlin the next day despite his attempts to talk to her. She rages about her husband to Gaius who diligently nods along though while he does agree with her on Mordred, he diplomatically doesn't voice an opinion on Amelia. Also, Arthur has ordered extra patrols around parts of the Citadel. It's really feeling like they are truly at war.
It's the day after that Anne realises she should probably have talked to Merlin or would've been more informed slightly earlier.
Anne walks through the corridors with Gwaine and Leon as she asks about their recent patrol. Hoping to hear of anything related to Amelia. They hadn't found anything but apparently Merlin and Arthur had found a Saxon who's now in the Cells. The trio come around the corner of a corridor to come across a surprising sight.
Merlin stands pressed up against one of the pillars in the corridor by none other than Mordred who holds the sides of Merlin's jacket in a tight grip as he leans into the older man's face threateningly as he seems to be hissing at him.
"What's going on?" Gwaine interrupts.
Merlin and Mordred look toward them though Merlin appears to be avoiding Anne's eye. Neither of them say anything.
"What's this about?" Leon presses.
Merlin and Mordred continue to glare at each other. Neither answer to Anne calling out to both of them in her mind.
"Nothing." Mordred finally says before walking between Gwaine and Leon, bumping Leon's shoulder. Merlin straightens his jacket casually as if nothing's wrong.
Anne steps in front of Merlin. "Merlin?" She prompts, staring questioningly at her husband.
"Nothing." He walks the opposite way of Mordred. Anne, Gwaine and Leon look at each other.
"I'll talk to him," Anne tells them and then follows after her husband.
—
Arthur questions the Saxon he and Merlin had captured in the Council Chambers in front of the Knights and Council members. Gwen sits on her throne while the Saxon, Kara, is in front of the thrones flanked by two Guards. The people have formed a sort of circle around Kara. Arthur walks around it. Mordred is next to a column close to Kara.
Anne knows the girl's name now after having pulled Merlin aside to demand answers after she had chased after him. Mordred had confessed to Merlin that the 'Saxon' he had let go was actually a childhood friend of his who was injured and needed his help. He'd asked Merlin to keep the secret to which Merlin had promised to do so but then, on patrol, Arthur had caught sight of the trail of bootprints Mordred had left behind and he and Merlin had come across Kara.
Arthur, being the good man that he is, had tried to help her, but, when the King's Guard was down, Kara had taken the opportunity to attempt an assassination with a dagger she had to hand. An assassination that would've been successful if Merlin hadn't magically intervened. Kara was arrested and taken back to Camelot and Mordred had interpreted this as Merlin breaking his word, leading to the confrontation that Anne, Leon and Gwaine had caught sight of.
Anne feels like she can somewhat forgive Merlin for his earlier words. He's promised to help Mordred despite his misgivings and has tried to uphold it. That's a step in the right direction in Anne's books.
"Were you part of a cohort of Saxons who attacked an arms shipment bound for Camelot?" Arthur questions Kara.
"Yes." Kara resolutely replies.
"And were you acting under the orders of Morgana Pendragon and Amelia Hallewell?"
Anne tenses, focusing on Kara as she replies, "What I did, I did for myself, for my people and for our right to be free."
"I have no quarrel with the Druids." Arthur retorts.
"I have spent my life on the run because of my beliefs and seen those I have loved killed." Kara snaps back.
"Once, maybe. But I'm not my father."
"You don't kill those with magic?" Arthur looks at her as she turns her head to look at him. "It is not I, Arthur Pendragon, who needs to answer for my crimes, it is you. You and your father have brutally and mercilessly heaped misery on my kind." Arthur stops behind Kara as he listens to her words. "It is you who has turned a peaceful people to war... and it is you... and Camelot that shall pay the price."
"In your words... I hear the voice of Morgana." Arthur quips back as he walks around her once more. "It is she and others like her who have abused the powers of magic. It is they who have brought the rift between our people. It is their deeds that have terrorised Camelot and forced us to outlaw such practices." He comes round to stand in front of his throne. "But you stand before the Court, not because of an act of sorcery or sedition, but because an act of murder. Your actions have brought about the deaths of many good men and threaten the lives of many more."
Anne catches Mordred glancing at Arthur. She frowns, wondering what's going through his mind.
"They were casualties of war." Kara harshly retorts, turning her head and watches Arthur as he walks around the circle. "And I would do the same again for I will not rest until you are dead and your Kingdom is no more."
"Yet you have friends here." Arthur calmly replies. Anne's eyes flicker over to Mordred. "Somehow you got treatment for your leg… from someone in Camelot. Who?
"I treated myself."
"You're lying. Whoever it was left a trail of footprints in the mud..." Mordred looks down at the ground realising what he has done, "footprints that resulted in your capture."
"A stranger came across me and he helped me. I have no idea who he was."
"You show no remorse for your actions. I have no choice but to declare you an enemy of Camelot." Arthur declares. "At dawn tomorrow, pursuant to the laws of this land, you will be taken from your Cell... and hanged."
Anne studies the quiet devastation on Mordred's face. Arthur nods to the Guards to take her away.
"You can do as you wish. It will not stop Morgana and Amelia's uprising." Kara warns. "Your doom is near." The Guards lead her away. "And my only sadness is, I won't be there to see it."
—
In the Dungeons, Anne and Percival wait around a corner, waiting for Mordred to leave Kara.
"Are you sure this is wise?" Percival murmurs quietly. "You saw her in the Council Chambers."
"I have to speak to her." Anne insists. "You must understand, Percival, she may know something about Amelia."
Percival's face tightens. "You truly believe that there's hope."
Anne holds his hand. "There's always hope."
The press to the walls quietly as Mordred walks past. Anne steps forward once she is gone while Percival lingers behind.
"You didn't betray him," Anne speaks as she walks up to her. Kara's eyes snap towards her, her eyes narrow accusingly. "You had the opportunity and you didn't betray him."
"I will never tell anyone. I would rather die than see him harmed." Kara spits angrily.
"I see."
Kara steps closer to the bars of her Cell. "You're Anne, aren't you?" Anne looks at her questioningly. "Amelia mentioned you."
Anne's eyes light up. "She did? How is she? Has she been good to you?"
Her response seems to mellow Kara slightly, her tone not as angry as before. "Amelia and Morgana understand me. They know the perils of this world with men like Arthur around."
"You have magic," Anne states.
Kara nods. "Amelia said you would understand. That you have helped those like me before. You have to help me." She pleads.
A knot forms in Anne's stomach. "I can't betray Arthur."
Kara's face contorts into something ugly. "You would rather support him? He doesn't care. No matter what he preaches, he is no different from his father. A tyrant, a brute."
Anne shakes her head. "No, you're wrong."
"Amelia said other things about you, you know. She said my friend Anne was a dear friend but now she is a traitor. A traitor that should burn in hell!"
By this point, Kara is screaming. Anne backs away from her in fright, tears welling up in her eyes. A hand grips her upper arm and pulls her behind them. It's Percival.
Anne can't see his face but his tone is harsh. "You'll choose wisely not to speak like that to her again!"
And with that, he pulls Anne away and out of the Dungeons.
—
Anne and Merlin sit together at the table in their Chambers.
"He's breaking her out," Merlin confesses after a moment of quiet, looking towards the lit fireplace.
"And?" Anne prompts.
"I tried talking him out of it but he won't listen." Merlin turns to look directly at Anne. "We can't let him."
"It's nothing you haven't done yourself a hundred times before," Anne argues.
"No, this is different."
"How?"
"Mordred isn't just going to set Kara free. He's going to leave with her. If he does, there'll be no chance of reconciliation with Arthur. Arthur's decision's already set Mordred against him. With that girl at his side, he runs straight into the arms of Morgana and Amelia."
"Merlin, you don't know that. What if we gave them another chance? Maybe this will allow Mordred and Kara to see Arthur as a good person." Anne argues. "See that Arthur isn't like his father and there is no need to turn against him."
"You said yourself how hateful she is." Merlin retorts. "As long as Mordred is within these walls, there's still hope. I have to stop him." Anne doesn't say anything, just stares at Merlin. Merlin stands up and takes a couple of steps back while looking at Anne. "I have no choice."
He turns to leave but Anne stops him. "You're wrong, Merlin. You have every choice. Please don't let it be the wrong one."
Merlin says nothing nor does he turn to look at her. Instead, he leaves the room leaving Anne staring after him in worry.
—
Merlin hadn't listened to her and had instead made things worse as Percival explains to her the next morning. He had ran to Arthur and had told him about Mordred's plan. They'd rushed to the dungeons and found the Guards unconscious from a smoke bomb and Kara's Cell empty. When Arthur and the Knights corner Mordred and Kara in the woods. Mordred had his sword raised and begged Arthur to let Kara go and promised to leave Camelot and never return. He also appealed to the Knights. This had failed and, realising that Mordred then only had magic as an only alternative, Percival had knocked him out before he could do so.
Anne glares at him as he and Arthur exit the Dungeons from where Kara and Mordred have been placed. Arthur glances at her before moving on but Merlin lingers.
"Anne—" Merlin tries, reaching out his hand but Anne rebuffs it by twisting her body away from it.
"Fix this." Is all Anne says before walking away.
—
Merlin had gone to Arthur and tried to convince him to free them both as a step towards peace. Arthur was reluctant, but has ultimately decided to give Kara one last chance and has called her before the Court.
Kara stands before Arthur, Merlin, the Knights and the members of the Council. Merlin and Anne stand next to Gwaine at the back by the entrance. Arthur sits on the Throne with Leon standing beside him.
"Every person present knows the crimes for which you are guilty... but I'm willing to offer you a chance. I know that the Druids are a peaceful people. And you are young... and impressionable... an easy target for the likes of Morgana and Amelia. If you repent your crimes, I will spare your life." As Arthur speaks, Anne can see him glancing in Anne and Merlin's direction. Anne's heart softens slightly, knowing that it's Merlin's words, that he's trying to turn this around.
"I cannot repent a crime I have not committed," Kara replies.
Anne can't believe her choice of words. Neither can Arthur. "Kara..."
"It is not a crime to fight for your freedom." Kara continues. Arthur sighs and closes his eyes as he leans back on the Throne. "It is not a crime to," Arthur glances at Merlin again, at a loss of what to do, "fight for the right to be who you are. You deserve everything that is coming to you, Arthur Pendragon."
Anne closes her eyes, looking down solemnly. Merlin grips her hand, his disappointment palpable.
This is it.
—
In the Main Square, Kara is led out by four Guards to a crowd of people who have gathered to watch the execution. Merlin and Anne watch from a distance, standing by a column as Kara approaches the gallows with a defiant expression. Anne feels herself begin to hyperventilate as Kara climbs the steps onto the platform. She hates this, hates watching a fellow magic user be excited even if Kara is as hateful and vengeful as she is.
Kara keeps her hate-filled eyes fixed on Arthur from where he and Gwen stand on the Palace Balcony as the executioner helps her onto the stump and places the rope around her neck. Arthur nods and Kara falls.
Anne flinches, turning her head into her husband's chest just as she is hit by a sudden force. A scream echoing in her mind. It hits Anne all at once, tearing through her. She feels Merlin jerk as he feels the same cry.
Mordred.
—
Mordred's gone. His Cell had been found empty with the door lying a distance away, almost as if it had been blown off its hinges.
And Mordred… he's vanished. Camelot's search parties can find no sign of him.
Anne sits at the table in her and Merlin's Chambers, leaning on her crossed arms and staring at the furniture as if it will give her the answer to all of this. She hears the door open to see Merlin standing there in the doorway.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I thought I was doing the right thing..." Anne's stomach twists at the devastation and guilt on his face. What has the world done to her poor innocent husband?
"I know, I know." She responds, going over to him and gripping his hands.
"He's going to run straight into their arms. I thought– I hoped…" Merlin's voice trails off.
"I know, I know." She repeats.
They lean their foreheads against each other, breathing each other in.
"We need to stick with each other more than ever." Anne declares softly.
—
Amelia's POV
Amelia looks up in surprise at the sight of their Guards leading Mordred into their throne room. Morgana sits beside placidly on the throne that sits on the Dial, the narrowing of her eyes as the Druid approaches them is the only tell of the emotions swirling underneath.
Once they reach the Dial, one of the Guards roughly push Mordred to his knees.
"My old friend." Morgana says in a mocking tone. Mordred looks up at her. "Last time we met you tried to kill my sister."
Mordred looks to Amelia who stays silent, keeping her face passive. She doesn't want him to see any weakness, not until she knows why he's here.
Mordred's eyes flicker back to Morgana. "I am here for a purpose, Morgana. I did not break stride to find you. I bring you the news you have longed for."
Amelia tenses. No, no he can't mean—
"Arthur's death?" Morgana asks eagerly.
"The key to it. I was wrong to ever question your wisdom, My Ladies and I wish to make amends."
"Tell me!" Morgana demands.
Mordred speaks through clenched teeth. "There are two people you have been searching for, who have always eluded you."
"Emrys and Tarian." Morgana hisses through a snarl.
"I know where they are."
"Where?" Amelia asks faintly.
"Camelot." Mordred answers, his tone harsh. Amelia cannot help but wonder what's made him so angry. Morgana frowns in confusion. "And I have their true names."
Amelia grips her chair. Oh God.
"It is Anne and Merlin."
Morgana eyes widen and lets out a gasp. "How do you know this?" She whispers. It's unattached, like she isn't actually asking the question. She doesn't want the answer.
But Mordred's words leave no room for error. "Emrys is prophesied, my lady. All of my people can recognise him." Mordred says.
Morgana begins to breathe heavily. She stands, hands shaking. Amelia stands too, walking up behind her sister in worry.
Amelia brings a hand to her sister's shoulder. "Morgana…"
Morgana tenses before turning to Amelia suddenly, hand in the air.
SMACK!
Morgana's hand goes right across Amelia's face, a loud slapping sound echoing throughout the room. Amelia falls to the floor, clutching her cheek. She doesn't dare look up at anyone as she tries not to sob but takes comfort in the fact that her hair has fallen to cover her face.
"Amelia!" Mordred cries and moves to run to her, but Amelia hears the Guards holding him back. You don't get involved when Morgana's like this.
Morgana grabs hold of Amelia's throat, forcing her to look up at her sister. "Did you know?!" She snarls.
"No!" Amelia replies desperately. She feels tears sticking to her cheeks.
Morgana lets go of her neck roughly, throwing Amelia onto the floor.
"Take Mordred to the Guest Chambers." Morgana orders. "I need to have a private talk with my sister."
And with that, Mordred's dragged out of the room and Amelia's left alone with her sister.
—
Mordred's POV
Mordred waits in the corridors of the Fortress, waiting anxiously for word from either Morgana or Amelia. The look on Morgana's face had frightened him, even more than how she had been when he'd arrived at Ismere all that time ago.
"Hello?" A tug on his trousers accompanies the young voice and he looks down to see a young girl staring curiously up at him with a maidservant lingering anxiously behind her.
"Hello?" He tries to smile softly.
The little girl grins happily in response then comes a small voice. "Ella?"
Mordred and 'Ella' turn to see Amelia standing behind them looking as shaken as before but this time there is a red mark on her left cheek. Mordred gazes over her, unable to see anything else that isn't covered by her clothes.
"Mama!" Ella cries happily, running over to her mother.
Amelia gives her daughter a warm smile, gathering her up in her arms. Ella frowns at the mark on Amelia's face.
"Mama hurt?" She brings her hand to where Morgana had slapped it and Amelia jerks back, almost hissing in pain but she's holding back.
"I'm fine darling," Amelia replies. "Mama's just been silly. Now, go back to your room." She puts her daughter down, nudging her towards the maidservant, who takes the little girl's hand and takes her way, but not before Ella looks over her shoulder and gives Mordred a wave goodbye.
"Come." Amelia orders and brings Mordred through the corridors until they enter the Chamber.
"Where's—"
"My Chambers," Amelia answers him.
She goes over to her mirror and brings her hand to her blushing red cheek, which looks like it is starting to swell. Mordred comes and stands next to her, bringing her hand from her cheek.
"Can I do anything?" Mordred asks.
"It's alright. Morgana apologised." Amelia tries to assure him.
Mordred frowns, worried about her. "Still—"
Amelia places a smile on her face and sits on her bed. "Don't worry about me. What did they do to you?"
"What do you mean?" Mordred dismisses uncomfortably. His shoulders feel tense, his lips are in a tight line and his hands are clenched into fists. He doesn't– he can't.
Amelia raises a sceptical eyebrow. "You know what I mean. Why now? You didn't betray them before." Her tone is full of scorn.
"Because I know now that you and Morgana were right all along. I never should have trusted Arthur and I will never make that mistake again." Anger seeping into each of his words.
Amelia takes a deep breath and studies Mordred for a moment. "What happened to you Mordred? Why have you come here?" He can see her patience is beginning to wear thin. She stands and takes a step towards Mordred as he turns away again. When she reaches him, she puts her hand on his arm. "Mordred?" She asks softly.
Mordred looks down but doesn't reply. That's when he feels the tears forming in his eyes as Amelia reaches up and begins to play with his hair, letting him know that she is here.
"He killed her." Mordred can hear the pain in his own voice.
"Who killed who?"
Mordred looks down at his hands and begins to tell Amelia what had happened. "Arthur killed Kara. There was a cart that was attacked by Saxons that we found while on patrol. I tried to keep her safe but then Arthur found her and– and..." He feels tears fall from his eyes as he struggles to recount the last few days.
"You loved her." Amelia realises.
Mordred looks up, looking at her through his tears. Amelia smiles softly. Mordred smiles in return but something in him is haunted by the look in her eyes and dreads what Amelia is to say next.
"Don't worry, we'll make them pay." Her words are opposite to the softness of her voice.
Mordred nods despite the voice in his head telling him not to do this.
Yes, time to make them pay.
—
A/N: Please leave comments on how you're enjoying this story and what you think.