Camelot

July, 509 AD

Dallas and I entered the stables so that I could tack him up, and I glanced around, wanting to make sure that Arthur hadn't shown up yet, and when I found that he was nowhere in sight, I climbed onto a wooden stool and clapped my hands to get the attention of all knights. "All right – listen up friends!"

"Good morning to you, too, Trae," Gwaine responded with a chuckle.

I waved him off before continuing, "The battle will be chaotic, we're well outnumbered, and Morgana will be after Arthur's head above anything else. So, I need everyone to swear that you'll do whatever it takes to keep him safe and alive."

"That is our duty," Leon acknowledged. "To protect him and you."

"No, forget about me," I responded with a shake of my head. "If it comes down to him and me, you have to protect him. I can be easily replaced. He's the one with the claim to the throne."

I gulped while trying to ignore the concerned looks that everyone was suddenly giving me.

"Astra..." Merlin began softly.

"You, too, Merls," I cut him off sharply. "Arthur lives, no matter what the cost."

"We will do everything in our power," Percival promised, which was followed by an echo of 'yeah's from the rest of the knights.

I sighed in relief and nodded.

"Good. Don't tell him I said this, though," I added, which earned me a bunch of chuckles.

Satisfied with having cleared that up, I jumped off the stool and focused all my attention on grooming Dallas, taking extra care to give him some well-deserved pampering. This could be our last ride together, and I'm certainly going to enjoy every second I get to spend with him.

My King showed up not long after, along with the two foreign Princes, and he shook hands with Leon before heading straight towards me.

'"Sup," I greeted with a smile, hugging him tightly as he did me.

"Good morning, beautiful," he whispered before giving me a quick kiss, then he kept his forehead resting against mine. "I wish you would stay here."

"Do I look like a ditchable prom-date to you?" I shot back without hesitation, grinning when I heard my brother and my best friend chuckle.

Arthur leaned backwards slightly and tilted his head in confusion. "A what?"

I waved off his question before stating sternly, "I'm going. I'm not gonna miss out on all the fun."

"I am not expecting you to stay," he said with a sigh. "I just wish you would."

"Right back at ya', dude," I responded and reached up to kiss him for a moment before returning my attention to Dallas.

I was working on detangling my horse's mane when I heard another horse being brought in and I raised my gaze, my eyes widening instantly when I saw Gwen entering the stables beside Sawyer. She sent a couple of smiles around before stopping her horse beside Falcon and greeting my brother with a kiss to the cheek.

"Gwennie – what are you doing?" I asked while raising an eyebrow.

"I am coming with you," she stated. My jaw dropped. She can't fight! "I already spoke to Gaius. He said he would welcome my help in dealing with any injuries that may occur."

"Oh," I nodded in understanding, "that's not so crazy, I guess."

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Merlin asked her.

"Everyone I care about is going," she replied. "I am not going to sit here waiting, knowing that I might never see you again."

I exchanged a dubious look with my brother, but I still relented, "All right. Just don't try to be a hero."

"I should be telling you that," Gwen shot back with a pointed look.

"Me?" I scoffed. "Never." And then I went back to tending to Dallas.

A nice percentage of the armies from Gawant and Sussex met us just outside the castle walls (obviously, they can't send their whole armies, lest they leave their own kingdoms unprotected) with horses, carriages loaded with weapons, and even freaking catapults!

"Man, those b*tches aren't gonna know what hit 'em," I commented with a smirk.

"Let us hope it is enough to defeat them," Arthur responded while letting out a shaky sigh.

And with that, the nerve-wracking march towards Camlann began.

The combined armies of Camelot, Gawant, and Sussex must've looked like something fearsome and, at the same time, dreamy as they marched towards Camlann – a wave of crimson red, bright yellow, and pine green flowing harmoniously across the moors with the three royals at its command.

I could almost feel the weight of the whole world hovering over us. Of course, everyone knows how important this war is. Not just for Camelot, but for the entire United Kingdom. Or, I guess, Albion, as Kilgharrah calls it.

I know that, even if everything miraculously works out in our favour, this will mark the end of an era and be the start of a new way of life. Whether that will be a good thing or a bad thing remains to be seen...

Obviously, I want nothing more than for Camelot to emerge victorious, and for us to go back home, and turn over a page in history. Maybe we'll finally start making real amends with the druids... Maybe Merlin will get to reveal his true identity eventually... Maybe Arthur and I will finally take that vacation we've always talked about (though not to America, for obvious reasons)... And maybe we can even start thinking about giving the kingdom an heir in the not-so-distant future...

The odds are strongly against us, and I know that all of that is likely just a pipe dream. Which is why I don't want to get greedy. I want to keep Arthur back, to keep him safe, and to somehow lead the army in his place – with the help of my friends, of course. 'Cause, even if we fail, as long as Arthur remains alive, I believe there's hope for the world we've all been dreaming of. He's the one the legends speak of, after all.

I let out a sigh and began to run my fingers through Dallas's mane as the thoughts began to rattle my nervous system.

If only I hadn't been so stubborn in returning to the sixth century the first time I was dragged back to Texas, I would probably be starting my first job after graduation. Maybe I'd simultaneously be pursuing a master's degree. I doubt I'd have a boyfriend, let alone a husband... I'd probably be lonely, other than Dallas... Or, who knows? Maybe things would've turned around for me eventually. But as I looked beside me and rested my eyes on Arthur, I was instantly reassured that every decision I've made has been right. He's worth everything and more.

Of course he'll be mad after we drug him to keep him out of the fight, but I can live with that. I can live with anything as long as I don't have to lose him. And if I am lost in the process... Well, they'll all move on eventually. I was never meant to be here anyway.

I still don't believe in destiny – but if everything that has happened since I stepped out of time has led to this moment, so that I can offer my life for his, I'll do it and die happy. Not that I'm planning to die. Just... Y'know, if it comes to that, I can go out in peace.

It was around 16:00 when we finally made it to what I prayed wouldn't be our final destination. Our huge party was divided so that multiple areas in the White Mountains could be scouted; and I obviously stuck by Arthur as he, the knights of the round table, Merlin, and I went to check out the haunting place they call Camlann.

We steered onto a path that parted two tall, steep, rocky mountains and followed that narrow road as far as it could take us. I couldn't help but think of the setting in 'The Lion King' where Simba almost gets run over by wildebeests. When his father dies to save him...

A shiver ran down my spine and I casted an involuntary wary look towards my King.

It wasn't long before we could advance no more, for we were greeted with a rocky wall measuring some thirty metres and no way out but the one we came through. Arthur raised a hand, indicating for everyone to halt their horses, and Dallas stopped off a whispered "Woah." My hands began to tremble and I closed my fists tightly around the neck-rope in an attempt to stop them from doing so.

"This is it... Camlann," my King said in a low, almost unsure, voice. "The fate of the kingdom will be decided here."

I never thought I'd say this, but the place is even more frightening than the hallways of my old high school. Perhaps we could open a time portal and have the fight there instead...

"Make camp, take up positions," Arthur commanded, still not sounding very confident.

I don't know what he's so scared about. He'll be sleeping while the rest of us stick our necks out...

"It is a death trap, Sire," a wary Leon observed.

"That is the idea," my King responded.

"Morgana will have no means of escape," Leon conceded. "But neither will we."

"They would always outflank us. This is our only chance," Arthur replied.

I bit down on my bottom lip as it also began to tremble. I miss those days when a goblin or a monster in the water were our biggest concerns...

My King glanced around at all of us and I gulped when his eyes landed on me. "It ends here," he stated gravely. "Be it life or death, it ends here."

I felt my heart jump to my throat and I swear, for a second, I thought I was going to throw it up. But I swallowed thickly and nodded, then I forced myself to speak in a light-hearted tone, "What did I tell you about negativity? Until such time as the world ends, we will act as though it intends to spin on."

"That's from...?" Merlin whispered beside me.

"Nick Fury," I whispered back.

Night fell upon the lands way before I was ready for it to, and life buzzed around the camp as the three armies drank, toasted, and joked around; trying to keep the atmosphere light as a way to enjoy what might possibly be our last night on Earth.

I sat on a tree, some three metres above the ground, as I glanced around at everyone. I'd decided to take a break from an intense game of Uno with what's left of the original round table (minus Arthur, who was nowhere to be seen) after my emotions had gotten close to overpowering me. I didn't want to dampen the mood, you see.

I thought over my plan once again – my plan to lead the knights myself. Realistically speaking, I have no experience leading a war campaign outside of 'Risk'. I'm really not the person who should try to take command of such an important battle as will be this one. But I think that, with Benjamin and Cynebald beside me, we can stand a chance of making the right decisions. Obviously, I don't want to jeopardise anything by taking Arthur out of the picture... But if strategy must suffer some minor blows to keep him safe... We already know I'm crazy, but I think it's a risk worth taking.

Oh, man, if only sixteen-year-old me could see where she ended up... I'm caught up in madness! But, somehow, it feels right.

A vicious chill up my spine made my body tremble and I shook my head, knowing that I need to get out of my head before it can collapse. I need to relax as much as I can before tomorrow, or I won't be able to think properly.

I remembered that I put the gramophone in one of Gawant's carriages and climbed off the tree before rushing to get it.

"Hey! Who's up for some music?!" I called out to everyone who could listen, though my words were mostly aimed at my friends.

"Yes!" Gwaine cheered as he ran towards me and he chivalrously took the gramophone from my arms before setting it down on a wooden table. I placed the box with the vinyl records beside it and giggled when my best friend gently nudged me out of the way as he eagerly browsed for something. "I believe you will approve of this one, Trae," he stated with a wink as he pulled out 'The Best of Kansas' and set it up in the machine.

A big grin grew on my lips as 'Carry On Wayward Son' began to play and Gwaine and I sang along with it.

"You're really pushing the limit with these references, Astra!" an amused Merlin claimed as he moved closer to us while the mind-blowing musical intro of the song played.

"Gwaine picked it!" I excused. "But it's fittin' isn't it?!"

I smirked when I spotted some of the men from Gawant and Sussex cautiously moving towards us, facial expressions looking as if they were witnessing an alien coming out of a small rocket.

I began to tap my hands on the table to the rhythm.

More curious faces started to gather around and I shared a smile with my friends.

The chorus came around and we were joined by Leon and Percival, who have heard the song enough times to know those lyrics. The foreign knights didn't seem so scared anymore as they saw Camelot embracing the music and smiles gradually began to form on their faces as they nodded along with the rhythm.

I noticed Arthur coming out of a tent and I ran over to him, hugging him tightly as he picked me up. He kissed the side of my head and said in a mumble, "You certainly know how to boost morale."

"Yet you seem deflated," I noted, frowning as my smile faded at the realisation. "Are you okay?"

He set me down and sighed before replying, "What if Leon was right? Perhaps we should have made our stand at Camelot..."

"No, Art," I responded with a shake of my head. "The plan may be a bit bananas, but it's the only way to protect as many people as we can... Besides, if they've got the numbers and brains to win, they'll do it whether it's here or in Camelot." I grabbed his hand and kissed the back of it. "I believe in you, Artie. And I believe you made the smart choice."

"We," he stated.

"What?"

He scoffed and shook his head. "You were part of the decision, remember? You are my queen, after all."

"Right," I breathed out. "I still can't believe it, I guess."

Arthur pressed another kiss to the top of my head. "Well, you are going to have to start believing, because I am going to need you to have that strength tomorrow."

"Yeah, you're right," I responded in a whisper. He's more right than he realises.

I let out a shaky sigh to get rid of as much tension as I could, remembering that I'd set out to relax, and I gently tugged on my King's arm as I chirped, "C'mon, let's join the others!" He gave a little grin and relented, allowing me to lead him back to where the gramophone was playing.

'Now your life's no longer empty,

'Surely heaven waits for you...'

My eyes pooled the tears when the lyrics breezed through my brain and I turned around to hug Arthur once more, holding onto him as tightly as I could as I nuzzled into his chest. I don't wanna go to heaven. I wanna be here with him.

You won't be surprised to hear that I couldn't sleep that night. Not with the knowledge that I might die soon after morning comes and, most importantly, the knowledge that it may be the last night I ever get to spend beside Arthur. I want to treasure every second I get to feel his strong arms around me, protecting me from the world; his muscular body pressed up against mine, warming me up; and his soft exhales fanning over my head with gentle caresses...

It's crazy to think of how much he means to me now. He just... stole my heart at one point without me even realising it and he ran away with it without an ounce of mercy.

I'm seriously the luckiest person in all of history.

I started at the sound of some rustling outside the tent and I slowly sat up, careful not to disturb my sleeping King. I tensed up when I heard the flap being opened, only to relax when I saw Gwaine peek inside.

"Trae – come here," he whispered. I tilted my head in confusion, but promptly got out of bed, threw on my bomber jacket and pulled on some socks, and exited the tent.

My eyes widened when they fell on none other than Mordred, who sported some minor bruises and cuts on his face. I stared at him for a moment as he gave me a sheepish smile, then I jumped to hug him. He returned the embrace without hesitation. I felt his body tremble a little and I pulled away.

"What happened?!" I asked in an alarmed whisper.

"Kara tricked me," he revealed, not meeting my gaze as he looked down. "She took me straight to Morgana and I was imprisoned."

My jaw dropped and I shared a concerned look with Gwaine.

"Somehow, she found out that I know who Emrys truly is, and Thanata... She hurt me to try to extract the information," the boy continued, his voice breaking a little.

I felt my heart shatter and I hugged him again. He sighed shakily as he returned it.

"Did you..." Gwaine began softly.

"No," Modred quickly shook his head as he released me. "I gave them the location of that empty cabin in the woods where you told me Arthur met him in disguise once. The secret is still safe."

I hugged the boy one more time. "It's great to see you're okay."

"Thank you... But I am afraid there is more," he replied in a grave tone. I pushed back and gulped as I noticed that he now looked somewhat frightened. "Arthur needs to hear this," he stated.

I nodded and turned to address Gwaine, "I'll get him. Can you get Merls?"

"Of course."

I re-entered the tent, not caring about being silent anymore, and I hurried to get on the bed, placing a kiss on Arthur's cheek. "Artie, wake up, there's someone here to see you," I whispered while shaking him gently. He let out some unintelligible grumbles and wrapped an arm around my waist, drawing me closer. "Art, c'mon, it's important," I pressed while tapping his arm.

His gorgeous eyes finally opened and he gave me a small pout. I kissed his forehead and said, "C'mon, sleepyhead." He begrudgingly got out of bed and I grabbed his hand, forcing him to speed up as I tugged him outside.

Arthur's eyes widened in shock and he rapidly pulled Mordred into a momentary hug. "It is good to see you, Mordred," he said in a gentle tone.

"I am so sorry, Arthur. I never should have left Camelot," the boy instantly responded.

"You are back with us, now. That is all that matters," my King affirmed while gently patting his shoulder.

"Arthur, Astra – Morgana is preparing a trap," Mordred revealed, which caused my King's face to fall in dread. "When they had me in jail... I overheard some of her men talking about an old path over the ridge of Camlann. But I do not know the exact location."

My heart-beat began to race at an alarming rate and I quickly latched onto Arthur's hand.

Merlin and Gwaine showed up at that moment and Arthur was quick to turn to the latter as he commanded, "Get Percival. Take a patrol of men to the rear of us. Look for a hidden path running into the mountains. She means to outflank us."

The knight nodded and didn't waste a single second before rushing off to find the others.

"Arthur!" Prince Benjamin ran up to us with Cynebald in tow, both looking frantic. "My scouts report that Morgana's army is on the move!"

"She will attack before the night is done!" my King realised, causing a deathly chill to run through my body, twisting my intestines into undoable knots. "We need to prepare our men!"

My breath hitched as my airways froze over.

Everything is going so wrong so quickly!

The entire camp was beginning to wake up by then, obviously from hearing the commotion, and I felt as if my brain were spinning as the three royals barked orders left and right.

"Merls," I steadied myself against my brother's arm when Arthur moved away from me at some point, leaving me stumbling. "The potions," I whispered.

I lost sight of my King, and I knew that Merlin was also looking for him as his eyes darted around. "There is no time," he responded with a gulp. Our eyes connected and I could see the horror on his face clear as day; a look that I'm sure I mirrored as I struggled to draw in oxygen.

Gwen showed up beside us suddenly and she gently grabbed my arm. "Come on, Astra, let me help you get into your armour."

I nodded, still feeling as if everything were spinning, and followed her back to my and Arthur's tent. I went behind a screen to change out of my PJs, and then I returned to my friend, who'd already gotten all my armour stuff out of my duffel bag.

My King and Merlin entered only seconds later and Arthur also went to change before my brother began getting him into his own armour.

"Astra – have your pick of our knights and stand with Benjamin and the men operating Gawant's catapults, fire arrows from there," Arthur instructed, causing my eyes to widen. "I do not want you in the front lines."

"No way! I'm staying with you!" I instantly protested as my lungs shrank.

"Astra, please, I will not be able to fight the same way if I am worrying about watching out for you," he argued.

I clenched my jaw and averted my gaze towards the arm thingies I was lacing up. I hate to admit it, but he makes a strong point. I know I won't fight the same way, either, if I'm constantly looking over my shoulder to make sure he's all right... It's better if we fight out of each other's sight.

"Okay," I relented in a whisper. "I'll take Mordred..."

Merlin's head snapped my way for a moment and I gave him a shrug. He shook his head and returned his attention to Arthur.

If there's any chance that Morgana might have Winter Soldier'ed Mordred against us and it's possible that the prophecy regarding him may still come to pass, I can avert it by keeping him with me and away from my King.

Arthur and I made eye-contact once we were both ready.

"We will give you two a moment," Gwen whispered and she squeezed my arm before leaving the tent along with Merlin.

I watched them exit and then let out a shaky sigh before returning my attention to my King.

"Artie..." I began, only to be pulled into a tight hug. I squeezed my eyes shut and returned it. He tucked his face in the crook of my neck and I lifted a hand to his hair.

"You know that you are everything to me, right?" Arthur whispered.

"And you're everything to me," I responded in the same manner, my voice pushing past a growing lump in my throat.

"Astra... If anything goes wrong–"

"No, don't talk like that," I cut him off and sniffled. "Don't treat this as a goodbye. Please. We'll be fine."

He released a heavy exhale and pulled back slightly to where we could look each other in the eyes. "Astraea, I love you. I love you so, so much."

"I love you, too, Artie. More than should be possible," I responded.

He lifted a hand to the side of my face and then he pressed his lips against mine in a decisive manner. I closed my eyes again and pulled him closer, trying to convey just how insanely much he means to me through the kiss even as the tears began to roll down my cheeks.

I don't want this to end.

There were no more words to be said after that. Nothing that would make the situation better, or less terrifying. So we simply shared a nod when we pulled away and held hands as we walked out of the tent, finding that the three armies were outside and ready to receive orders.

Arthur, Benjamin, and Cynebald gathered to discuss some final plans, so I pulled Merlin to the side and took the opportunity to hug him tightly.

"We'll make it, won't we?" I asked for reassurance even if I knew that our chances were feeble at best.

"Of course we will," my brother responded. "We're Captain Emrys and the Winter Shadow, are we not?"

A breathy chuckle escaped me and I tightened my hold on him.

"Be careful," I begged, knowing that he'll personally be going after Morgana as soon as he's able to turn into his elderly alter-ego. "If you need me... We can use Mordred as a walkie-talkie and I'll be there beside you."

"Same goes to you," he responded.

I shook my head. "I'll be fine. Remember – Art's the priority."

"Of course."

I grinned, satisfied with his affirmation, and reached up to kiss his cheek. "I love you, brother."

"I love you, too, sister," he said and returned the gesture. "I will see you again in time for supper."

"You bet."

We shared a final hug and then I moved on to hug Gaius.

"I am so proud of you, my child," he said in a gentle tone. "You have blossomed into the most marvellous young woman I have ever known."

I swallowed a whimper and tightened my hold on him a little bit. "Thank you for everything, Pops."

"It has been, and will continue to be, a pleasure," he assured me.

I pulled away before too long and we shared a small grin before I moved on to hug Gwen.

"Do not try to be a hero, Astra. Stay safe," she commanded.

"I'm not a hero, just crazy," I shot back with a wink.

"Astra!" she scolded.

I chuckled. "I'll be fine... Look after Dallas, will ya'?"

"You can look after him yourself when this is over."

"I hope so."

Gwen shook her head at me, but she said nothing more. I gave her a final grin and squeezed her arm before rejoining Arthur and the foreign princes as they stood before the three combined armies.

"Tonight..." my King spoke up and immediately seemed to freeze for a moment as he gulped, "we do battle." Wary looks were exchanged all around. "Tonight we end this war, we end a war as old as the land itself. War against tyranny, greed, and spite." Man, history does not get better as humanity 'progresses', does it? "Not all will greet the dawn, some will live, some will die." My heart twisted. I averted my gaze towards the ground, a macabre side of me pushing to hypothesise which knights might fall into which category. "But each and every one of you fights with honour, and with pride. For not only do we fight for our lives, we fight for the future... The future of Camelot... The future of Albion. The future of the united kingdoms." Arthur exchanged nods with Benjamin and Cynebald before lifting Excalibur in the air. "For the love of Camelot!"

"For the love of Camelot!" the armies responded in unison and the air became filled with an energetic buzz.

"All right," Arthur breathed out before turning to me. "Go with Benjamin, stick with him."

"Fine," I relented with a sigh. He gave me a little grin that didn't reach his eyes before leaning down to kiss me one more time and, for once, I didn't care that people were watching as I held him tightly.

"I love you three-thousand, Astra."

"I love you three-thousand to the three-thousandth power, Artie."