Somewhere in medieval Britain
May, 507 AD
Oliver seemed in awe as he watched Arthur analyse the dampened dirt below us. He even hopped off Cinderella and moved to crouch beside him, his brow furrowing in concentration. The King glanced at him for a second and pointed at something, "See here? This is clearly a hoof-print."
My cousin tilted his head and squinted his eyes. He reached forwards with his hand and traced a triangular shape with his finger. "Right, that's the frog," he noted, then he looked up at Arthur for confirmation.
"Exactly."
"And it points that way," Oliver motioned towards the east.
Arthur nodded in response.
Oliver grinned widely and moved on to look over another moved patch of dirt. I heard Aggravate let out an exasperated sigh some metres behind me on his horse and I glared at him for a few seconds before returning my attention to the two boy scouts, feeling thrilled that my... boyfriend and my cousin are getting along!
"Is this another one?" Oliver asked with a hopeful gilt in his eyes.
Arthur moved to his side and grinned as he nodded. "Yes. Good job."
My cousin turned to look at me with a wide smile and I chuckled at his excitement.
"Six horses running east. The tracks are no more than a day old," the King finally concluded.
"How can you tell that?" Oliver wondered as Arthur moved to get back on Tequila.
"The edges are still sharp and there is little dirt inside the print," the King explained briefly.
My cousin raised his eyebrows and nodded in understanding before returning to Cinderella.
With Arthur in the lead, we all took off galloping in the direction of the tracks. I had to hold back Dallas a little as he kept wanting to get in front. Normally, I would've been only too happy to allow it, but this isn't the time to play racehorse. We need to find our team.
Some minutes later, the King slowed down his horse and he held up a hand as they came to a halt so that the rest of us would stay back. My Thoroughbred stopped swiftly off a soft 'woah' and instantly lowered his neck to munch on some grass. Arthur dismounted again and looked around.
He looked disconcerted as he pressed his lips, so I jumped off Dallas and went to stand beside him. I rolled my eyes when Aggravate followed, but I said nothing as I linked my arm with Arthur's.
"The tracks stop here," he announced with a frustrated huff. I bit my bottom lip as my heart skipped a couple of beats, fear striking at my chest.
"I fear we are wasting our time, Sire," Agravaine stated. "For all we know, they could have gone back to Camelot already."
I scowled as I looked up at the snake bastard. "Camelot's to the west. Get a compass."
Arthur gave me a gentle nudge and a disapproving glance before addressing his uncle, "The tracks are heading east."
"So what now?" I wondered, my voice almost a whisper as I tried to maintain my lungs at a functional level. Arthur wrapped an arm around my shoulders and drew me closer to him before pressing a kiss to my forehead.
"Fan out, see what you can find," he ordered the knights. Then he slid his arm down to my waist as he turned to face me. "We will find them, Astra," he affirmed. "The trail cannot have disappeared."
"Yeah…" I breathed out. "You're right."
He grinned and kissed my cheek before moving to help the knights. I noticed that Oliver had also joined, which warmed my heart just a little.
I nibbled on my bottom lip while I watched the men expertly scour our surroundings.
The only thing worse than being stuck in a deadly situation with my best friend is not being stuck in it with him... I should've gone with them.
The knights didn't find anything. Contradicting Arthur's words, it's as if the tracks suddenly vanished.
"It is impossible. They cannot have just disappeared," he stated as he returned to my side, wrapping an arm around my shoulders again.
"It could be that we are following the wrong tracks, My Lord. Any number of people pass through these woods," Agravaine said with an unconcerned shrug.
I frowned as I pointed out, "Wrong tracks or not, that doesn't explain why they suddenly disappeared."
What if the lamia is indeed with them and she's covering them up?
What if Agravaine is covering them up?! Does he have magic? I'm not sure.
"It was them. I know it was," Arthur said.
"Maybe we should go back to Longstead, try again in the morning," the snake bastard suggested.
"By morning they could all be dead," Arthur argued with a shake of his head. My insides churned again and I moved closer to him, my hand tightly clutching the side of his cape. He gave me a gentle squeeze.
"They are knights of Camelot, My Lord, more than capable of looking after themselves," Aggravate countered.
"Yeah, but Merls n' Gwen are with 'em," I reminded him.
The man's dark eyes travelled towards me and he clenched his jaw as he muttered, "I realise that." I glared at him and held the stare until Arthur spoke again.
"We keep going. All night if necessary."
I smirked triumphantly at Aggravate and reached up to kiss the side of Arthur's jaw before returning to Dallas.
Oliver approached me as I was tightening my horse's girth again. "Careful, Star. That dude is one sarcasm away from shootin' ya'," he whispered while he warily eyed Agravaine.
I snorted. "He can't, he doesn't have a gun. If anything, he'd run me through with his sword."
My cousin blinked rapidly at me. "Really? That's what you got from that?" he scoffed. "I don't think it's wise to fight with your boyfriend's uncle."
I let out a sigh and dropped my forehead to rest it against Dallas's shoulder. "There's a lot you don't know, Olly. Aggravate's not one of the good guys," I mumbled, my voice slightly muffled by my horse's coat.
"That's even more reason to watch your back!"
I turned to him with a smirk. "Maybe, but it's fun to aggravate him."
"You're gonna get yourself killed!"
"Highway to hell. Might as well enjoy the ride," I replied with a nonchalant shrug, then I finally got on my horse and ignored the bewildered look he was giving me as I rode over to Arthur, who was already mounted on Tequila.
Some hours passed and I was beginning to get a headache. Perhaps it was due to the bright spring sun, or the fact that I haven't had the stomach to eat at all in the past twenty-four hours; or, the likelier option, I was tired of hearing Agravaine's attempts to get us to turn back. It's as if he's deliberately trying to get my friends killed...
Oh, wait!
I strongly hope that my constant glaring and scoffing at his words has made it clear to him that I know what he's trying to do. Would it not land me in a world of trouble with Arthur, I might've put an arrow between the snake bastard's eyes already.
My eyes widened and my heart skipped a beat when I suddenly spotted something interesting carved on a tree. Blinking rapidly to ensure I wasn't hallucinating, I moved Dallas closer to it as the party rode ahead. A grin formed on my lips. I can't believe this!
Or, actually, I can. I know very well that Merlin is a genius.
On the tree was carved an 'A'. But not just any 'A'. It was the logo for the Avengers! Only, the arrow was pointed in the wrong direction.
My brother is marking a trail!
I instantly felt my energy replenished by my finding.
"Artie, check this out!" I called out and Arthur instantly rode towards me.
Oliver followed suit and he chuckled when he spotted the 'A'. "That's dope!"
"It is like the one on your blanket and on that shirt you have," Arthur noted as he frowned pensively.
"Merls is leaving us a trail, Art!" I chirped.
Arthur glanced between the 'A' and me for a moment. Then a grin formed on his lips and he turned to address the knights, ordering, "Spread out! Keep an eye out for more of these!"
"How can you be certain that Merlin carved that?" Agravaine rained on our parade as has become usual.
I rolled my eyes. "Who else?"
"It is just an 'A'," he argued.
"It's not. It's a symbol that Merls knew would get my attention."
Agravaine turned to Arthur with a frown, "You agree with this, My Lord?"
The King huffed. "Yes, uncle. I have not a single doubt."
The snake bastard sighed in obvious frustration, but he did not try to argue further as he rode ahead. I watched him go with narrowed eyes, fearing that he might scratch off any other marks if he finds them... But we'd see the scratches and it would raise a lot of questions that would be inconvenient for him. He's evil, but he's not stupid. I think.
My trance was broken when Arthur reached over to place a warm hand over one of mine. I let go of Dallas's neck-rope and intertwined our fingers. "We are getting close, my love. We will find them soon," he assured me.
"Yes we will," I responded and gave his hand a soft squeeze as I grinned.
The trail of 'A's did in fact continue for a lengthy stretch of forest and, thankfully, Agravaine dropped his complaints eventually.
With my spirits elevated thanks to Merlin's clues, I joined forces with Oliver to provide the party with some entertainment to keep up the morale. I'm not sure if it was working for the knights, but it was certainly working for us as we sang together to Air Supply's 'All Out Of Love' – purposely off-key, just for kicks, and giggling at every other word.
Sadly, we were cut off prematurely when something interesting came into view. Ahead of us, down a long slope of forest, could be seen a ruined castle. It's in worse shape than others I've seen, as the top is almost completely collapsed. However, the 'A' on the tree beside me pointed towards it, giving me hope that our friends might be there. This theory was further encouraged by some smoke that was rising up from a spot slightly to the building's right.
"Whoever gets there last buys dinner for the rest of us!" I called out before taking off galloping down towards the castle.
"Astraea, wait!" I heard Arthur yell after me, and he sounded reasonably frustrated, but I ignored his and Oliver's collective reproaches as I stood on my stirrups and let Dallas accelerate.
I need to find my brother before it's too late!
Also, considering that this man-controlling monster is after, y'know, men; I suppose that it makes sense if I face it alone. That way Arthur, Oliver, and the rest of the party won't be put at risk of falling victims to its spells (though I wouldn't mind it if it gets to Agravaine). It's bad enough that it probably has all my friends under its grip already! And who knows what it might've done to Gwen?!
Dallas and I barrelled down the mild slope like a destructive avalanche, leaving the party far behind. Was it a stupid move? Probably. It's certainly not smart to go in without back-up. But it's not my fault that the rest of the horses are so slow! And time's not on our side. If the lamia is with the team, it's only a matter of time before they're all dead!
I left Dallas a safe distance away from the castle, not wanting to place him in harm's way, and I rapidly changed into my white runners before grabbing my weapons and sprinting the rest of the way towards the building.
The sky was starting to get dark and I had to use my phone's flashlight to find an entrance to the castle while mentally praying that no one would see me. The search party can't be too far behind. Soon, I found an archway and cautiously stepped over some fallen wooden beams as I went inside. The building is so rundown that I could barely make out any chambers. It's just a big pile of rubble, which makes it all the more unnerving.
My heart skipped a beat when I heard some struggle in the near distance and I took off jogging in the direction of the sound, returning my phone to the pocket on the side of my riding leggings and drawing my bow while praying that I'm not too late.
I froze for a second when I found Gwaine's body lying on the ground and a lump instantly formed in my throat. I quickly crouched down and searched his wrist for a pulse. It was there and it was steady. Letting out a big sigh, I stood back up and continued ahead, speeding up when I heard some grunts.
"Get away from him!" I heard Gwen scream.
My feet skidded to a stop as a hideous sight greeted me. With its back to me stood a big monster that looked a lot like the 'Vecna' from Stranger Things, as it sported long tentacle-like limbs that sprung from its back, and its skin was pale and rugged.
Oh, sheep!
"Hey!" I called out to the monster. Its head snapped towards me, allowing me to see a pair of reptilian highlighter-green irises. "Get lost, Squidward!" I exclaimed before releasing my arrow and hitting it right between the eyes.
To my huge surprise, that was enough to kill the beast and it ungracefully fell to the ground with a loud thud, revealing a wide-eyed Gwen standing behind it.
"Astra!" she exclaimed and, before I could react, I was being tackled in a hug. I returned the gesture, taking note of how much her figure was trembling.
"Hey! Are you okay? What happened?" I asked when she pulled away, my eyes darting around the room.
I didn't give her time to respond because I dashed towards Merlin when I spotted him stirring on the ground beside a column. "Merls!" I shook him. He groaned and his eyes opened, then a grin formed on his lips.
"Astra!"
It was his turn to be attacked with a hug. He returned it tightly and let out a sigh. "You're okay," I said. I felt him nod.
"Yes. I am all right," he replied. "Did you find the 'A's?"
"Yep. Great thinking!" I squeezed him tightly before reluctantly letting him go. "Can you stand?"
He nodded again and I helped him to his feet. Gwen, who had been hanging back, ran to hug him as well.
While they did that, I went to check on my fellow knights. Their bodies were scattered around the room. Thankfully, they were all alive – though unresponsive.
I started when I heard running footsteps and smiled widely when Arthur appeared at the scene. He visibly released tension when his eyes landed on me. "Sorry, ya' missed the party," I told him with a smirk. He narrowed his eyes as he approached me at a fast walk. I yelped when he picked me up and I quickly wrapped my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist to keep myself from slipping down.
"You are the most infuriating person I have ever met," he mumbled against my shoulder. I giggled. "It is not funny, Astraea!"
"But I killed the monster!" I argued. "We'd be planning a funeral right now if I'd waited for y'all!"
He huffed, but didn't say anything. He must know that I'm right, 'cause I'm always right.
"You carry on. We are okay," Merlin's sarcastic comment caused Arthur to finally let me down, though he kept an arm tightly wrapped around my waist. I smirked when I noticed that my brother had an arm around Gwen, who was slightly leaning against his side.
Arthur let out a mocking laugh. "It is almost good to see you, Merlin."
"Likewise," my brother replied.
"Almost," the King repeated.
I nudged his side. "Please. You know you love Merls." He scrunched up his nose in fake disgust.
The rest of the search party began to pour into the room so that they could help to carry the still-unconscious team outside. Arthur, Merlin and Gwen moved to leave. I remained in place with my gaze fixed on the Vecna. Squidward. Lamia. Whatever.
"What's the matter?" Merlin asked.
"I dunno. It died too easily. Feels anti-climactic," I mumbled in reply with a tilt of my head, not taking my eyes away from the monster.
"It is dead, Astra. Let us go," Arthur said in a stern tone. And I wasn't allowed to protest because he swept me off my feet and threw me over his shoulder, carrying me out of the fortress.
"This is fun," I quipped.
"Ugh. I'm exhausted," I mumbled as I plopped down face-first onto the crappy Inn bed after wrapping myself in my blanket following a warm bath. Arthur was sitting with his back resting against the headboard while reading 'Jane Eyre' – which I lent him a week or so ago. Or more like shoved in his face begging him to read it because it's a masterpiece.
He hummed in response. I lifted my head to look at him and smiled at the cute look of concentration on his face. He's loving the book!
I lazily crawled up to him and lifted one of his arms so that I could have access to his chest, which looked like a very inviting pillow at the moment thanks to the cozy PJ top he was wearing. Once I was settled, I let his arm drop so that it would rest over my torso and I curled up against his warm body. All while he eyed me with a glint of amusement.
I grinned up at him for a moment and then I shifted so that I could look at the book, wanting to see where he was at.
My heart skipped a beat. I remember how much excitement and anxiety I simultaneously felt when I read the novel for the first time. Heck, I still get that feeling when I re-read it. Which makes me wonder if Arthur is feeling the same way. I moved my head to rest it over his heart.
Oh, yeah, it's definitely accelerated – if mildly.
I smirked in triumph and continued to eye the pages as he flipped through them. I noticed that he reads much more slowly than I do. Perhaps it's due to the font. Or the vocabulary, given how language has evolved (will evolve?) between the sixth century and the nineteenth. Or maybe my impatient brain scans over words way too quickly because of the extreme anticipation it feels at getting to find out what happens next.
Arthur closed the book when he finished the chapter and he set it to the side before wrapping his arms tightly around me. I closed my eyes as a smile made its way onto my lips again and I took a deep breath, enjoying his manly and soapy scent.
"You do not have to be the hero always, Astraea," he said softly, which caused my eyes to open again as I looked up at him. There was a certain cloudiness in his enchanting cerulean-coloured irises and a bit of a frown on his pretty face.
"I'm not tryin' to be a hero. I just wanna protect my friends," I replied, my voice almost as low as a whisper, as I nuzzled into his chest again.
"There is no match for the loyalty you show. To all of us. But you have to draw a line between that and... mindlessly jumping into danger," Arthur stated sternly. I sighed. I know he's right. But it just sort of... happens. He shifted us to where he could look me directly in the eyes. "I cannot lose you, Astraea. I will not lose you."
Not knowing what else to do, I pressed my lips to his. He was quick to put a gentle hand on the side of my face and he held me in place to allow for a longer kiss.
"You won't lose me. You're stuck with me for a long time," I assured him with a grin once we pulled away. He smiled before kissing me again.
Oliver and I's concert resumed the next morning as we began the trip back to Camelot. All right, 'concert' is a bit of a stretch. We were honestly just screeching while singing horribly off-tune as we tried to 'outperform' one another.
"Was your entire journey to Longstead like this? There are two of her now!" Merlin whined to Arthur.
I stopped singing and turned to playfully glare at my brother.
"'Kay, Merls. One – you love me," I told him pointedly. He huffed in response. "And, two – you wish there were two of me! But we would've been too powerful, so it's just the one."
"And I'm a darn better singer than she is," Oliver butted in.
"Well, duh, but you do this for a livin'. Some of us have more important things to do than strain our vocal chords for money," I shot back with a smirk. His mouth fell agape. "Like save damsels in distress, right guys?" I said as I turned to the knights.
"We were enchanted, Astraea," Elyan grumbled.
"You fell in love with a monster!" I taunted with a giggle. "Like Utah that one time, remember?" I turned to Arthur, who seemed to be doing his best to ignore all of us as he rode slightly ahead with freaking Agravaine beside him.
"He was under a spell as well," Gaius reminded me sternly, though I could see a glint of amusement in his eyes.
"Wait, I need context," Oliver said, his eyes darting between me, Merlin, and the physician.
I shared a smirk with my best friend and we promptly started to recount the great troll incident. My cousin was in stitches by the end of the tale, and the knights were laughing, too; which earned all of us a long disapproving look from the King.
"Honestly, a troll's probably a better choice than many of the people we've had in charge of our 'great country'," Oliver told me in a whisper once the laughter calmed down.
He's totally right. The chaos in Camelot is child's play compared to the worldwide political circus that haunts the twenty-first century. I'm so glad to be away from that.
"We should catch one and you can take it back with you n' make it president," I responded with a giggle.
Upon arriving back home, we found a very unhappy Lionelo Hargrove waiting by the staircase to the main entrance. He has buffed-up, grown a beard, and no longer wears oversized t-shirts, but a fitted henley. How he was able to remain stoic at the sight of a party of knights headed by King Arthur freaking Pendragon will forever puzzle me.
"I bet ya' thought you'd never see me again," I called out to him with a smirk. Oliver and I hopped off our horses and approached him.
Leo's stoicism broke just a little to allow for a small grin. "It's great to see ya', Astra. You look well," he said with a nod, then he turned to Oliver and his unhappy expression returned. "What were you thinkin'!?"
My cousin recoiled. "It was a spur-of-the-moment thing! I got curious!"
"Keep it down!" I scolded in a whisper with a nudge to his ribs. I could see my friends' curious gazes on us from the corner of my eye and I obviously don't want any trouble.
Leo ran a hand over his hair and looked Oliver straight in the eyes. "I've been waiting here for two days. We're leaving. Now," he told him sternly. Then he turned to me, "You could've sent a letter and saved us much worry!"
"You said the machine is for a big emergency event! Olly's stupidity isn't that!" I excused
Leo sighed, "Look, I might've exaggerated a little." My jaw dropped in slight offence. "I just didn't want ya' askin' for toothpaste every other month!"
I scoffed. "I wouldn't have! They have surprisingly nice toothpaste here!"
"You know what I mean," he replied with an eye-roll.
My cousin turned to face me. His hazel eyes were teary and it made my stomach twist. "It's all right, Olly. I'm sure everyone misses ya'," I told him with a shrug. Of course I'm totally bummed that he has to go back so soon. It's been so great to spend time with him, and watch him bond with Arthur. But I know that he has to return sooner or later. He belongs in twenty-first century Texas.
"You know we miss ya', too, Star," he replied softly.
I felt a pang of guilt in my heart as I looked away. I miss them, too. And I know that my living situation can't be easy on them, since we have no way of communicating. But then my eyes landed on Arthur, who was walking towards us. Just seeing him caused my heart to skip a beat and the little bit of remorse faded. I wouldn't change a thing about my life.
A small smile played on his soft lips, though his slightly narrowed eyes told me he was confused about what was happening.
"Artie – you remember Leo?" I asked him when he reached my side.
He wrapped an arm around my shoulders and nodded. "Of course."
Leo bowed to him stiffly, causing me to chuckle. "I'm just here to take Oliver home, Sire," he answered before sending my cousin a pointed look.
Arthur turned to Oliver as well. "Right now? I am sure you are tired from our journey. Why do you not stay one more night?"
"Thanks for the offer, Y-Your Majesty," Leo visibly cringed at his own words, making me snort, "but we can't wait any longer."
The King frowned slightly and he sent me a questioning look. I shrugged. He turned back to face my former classmate as he said, "Well, I will get some knights to escort you, then."
My eyes widened, as did Leo's, and panic struck at my chest.
"That's not necessary, Art. I'll go with 'em," I rapidly said.
"You are not going alone," Arthur replied with a shake of his head.
Leo's face paled.
"I'll take Merls!"
It's the perfect plan! We can accompany Leo and Oliver to wherever the time-machine is parked, and we can kill time by visiting the dragons – since it'd probably be suspicious to be back within an hour or two if they're supposed to be taking a ship. I'm dying to spend some time with my little winged friends, anyway.
Arthur let out a sigh. "All right."
"Well, uh… Thanks for visitin'," I told my cousin as I turned to face him with a small smile once the settings on the time-machine were set. I'm not gonna lie and say that I didn't tear up a little, because I did. A certain nostalgia for the things and people I surrendered for my current life hit me.
"I had fun. I totally understand why you love it here so much," Oliver replied. "Plus you've got the entire quarterback fawning over ya'," he added with a wink.
I rolled my eyes. "They're my friends, we've been through a lot together."
"Right. Who wants a knight in shining armour when you've already bagged the king?"
My jaw dropped while he, Merlin and Leo bursted out laughing heartily.
I mean, his wording is disturbing, but he's right. Arthur's the only one I have eyes for in the sense that he's implying. The knights are more like a bunch of older brothers at this point. Except for Leon – he's more like a mother hen.
"I'm kiddin', Star. I'm very glad to see you've got some great friends and an amazing future husband," Oliver stated, speaking more seriously this time, and he moved to hug me.
My face suddenly felt very warm, no doubt because of his mention of a 'future husband'.
"Thanks, Olly," I replied softly as I hugged him tightly. I clenched my jaw, trying hard not to cry. "I'm gonna miss you."
"Me, too, Star. But you're always welcome back home if you need to escape all this for a bit."
"As long as you build your own time-machine," Leo piped in. I turned to look at him with a playful glare, knowing that he was joking. Partly, at least. He gave me a quick hug while Oliver and Merlin said goodbye to each other.
I moved to my best friend's side and wrapped an arm around his torso, he threw one over my shoulders; and we watched as my cousin and Leo stepped onto the transporting platform, or whatever it's called.
"Oh, wait!" I stopped them. "Can you send some things over?" I asked sheepishly
"This isn't Amazon, Astra," my former classmate told me through gritted teeth.
"I know! Just some simple things. Like... Oreos. And Sour Patch Kids for Gwaine! Some ice-cream in a cooler, maybe... Toilet paper, Kleenex, a couple of board games…" I watched in amusement as Leo's exasperation grew. "…pool noodles for jousting practices, maybe some more clothes, a Nintendo Switch would also be nice, hydropneumatic pumps for the plumbing system–"
"Okay, now you've gone too far," my former classmate cut me off. I pouted and he let out a sigh. "I'll see what reasonable things I can get to you."
I smiled widely and ran to give my cousin one last hug before the pair vanished along with the machine. Not a mark was left on the ground. Not a single evidence that they were ever there.
"Woah!" Merlin exclaimed beside me.
"Time-travel!" I chirped while extending my arms towards the spot where the machine had previously been standing in an attempt to mimic Bruce Banner in that one scene from 'Avengers: Endgame'.