A/N:
Italics = flashbacks
TW: There's mention of/reference to physical violence and attempted forced abortion.
—
Anne's POV
Merlin is quite late so when he eventually comes into their Chambers, Anne goes from worried to annoyed to damn her husband has some nice arms when his sleeves are rolled up.
Anne, really not the time!
"Merlin, where've you been?" Anne questions walking over to him. "I've been waiting. It's late."
Merlin sighs, using his hands to stroke her upper arms, calming her. "I know, I'm sorry. It's just…"
"Just what?"
"So Gwen asked for a bath—"
Anne interrupts snippily, "Which non-enchanted Gwen would never have done to you as she would have been considerate of how late it was and that you have a wife who—"
"Anyway, a boy, Daegal, he came to me, asked for my help." Merlin explains.
"Your help? In the middle of the night?" Anne questions, suspicious.
"It's his sister. She's sick."
"Well, bring her to Gaius." Anne retorts, crossing her arms, knocking Merlin's hands off her.
"Too dangerous."
"How?"
"They're Druids."
Oh.
"Still, Merlin. You don't even know who this boy is." Anne continues to argue.
"He's a Druid. What else is there to know?"
"He broke into the Castle like a thief." She doesn't know why she's continuing to argue against this but something is niggling at the back of her mind, telling her something is wrong.
"How else was he going to reach me?" Merlin retorts. "His sister is six. She has the sweating sickness. I can't let her die."
Anne sighs. Great, it's a child that's ill. "Where is she?"
"Valley of the Fallen Kings." Merlin winces.
"Merlin!" Anne cries, aghast. "That's more than half a day away. You can't—"
"I've already promised him I'd meet him at the entrance to the Darkling woods at first light. I can't go back on it now." Merlin says almost pleadingly, begging for her to understand.
Anne decides at that moment. "Not just you."
"W-what?" Merlin splutters. "No, Anne…"
"I'm not letting you go alone to the Valley of the Fallen Kings on your own. It's full of of murderers, cutthroats." Anne retorts. "Let's just hope Arthur doesn't notice."
Merlin scoffs. "Sarrum of Amata is arriving tomorrow. Arthur'll be too busy to notice where we are."
Sure…
—
Morning finds Anne and Merlin walking right through the front gate unnoticed, carrying supplies and food for the journey. Anne wearing her own black leggings and grey shirt and metal belt, it is her travelling clothes.
"Sorry we're late." Merlin calls as they near the woods and spots a young boy there.
"You must be Daegal." Anne greets him, taking his hand. "I'm Anne."
Daegal is slightly startled but shakes her hand. He turns to Merlin, remarking, "I thought you weren't coming."
"I was bringing you some breakfast." Merlin answers, handing Daegal some food. "It's fresh."
"It's good of you to do this." Daegal says as he follows Anne and Merlin as they quickly move on.
"We only hope we can help your sister." Anne answers. And keep her husband from doing anything stupid.
"Did you get in trouble?" Daegal asks.
"No." Merlin replies.
"But you're the King's servant."
"Arthur won't even notice I'm gone."
"We hope." Anne retorts pessimisticly. Merlin shoots her a look at that.
—
Amelia's POV
The pitch black darkness is suffocating.
Amelia knows, even if she can't see anything, that the space she is in is far too small to move. Especially since she isn't the only occupant of the 'prison' — if the bottom of a dried well can even be called that way.
Her shoulders have gone numb, having had her arms tied over her head for so long, and her wrists hurt where the shackles have dug into the flesh as she struggles, to no avail, to get free. These shackles seem to be ones that stop a Sorcerer from using their magic though ironically seem magical themselves.
Amelia sighs and shifts to make herself as comfortable as possible. Moving, she hits something - or better, someone - warm. It is Aithusa, who lies beside her, nose pressed against her protruding stomach like you would imagine a dog would be doing, and Morgana, sleeping, restrained just as barbarously as the two sisters are.
Amelia looks over to Morgana, she can hear the sound of her soft, rhythmical breathing as she sleeps. Morgana is tired, even more than Amelia is. And not unjustifiably so - the poor woman had, after all, been tortured for hours to protect Amelia just two days before. Again, she has to remind herself to thank Morgana for it when she feels better.
Amelia moves again to ease the strain on her sore muscles, and doing so, accidentally brushes against her now short hair with her arm. They had cut it to sell it to be used to help burn Sorcerers at that stake, some sick joke of theirs.
The baby in her stomach begins to shift as well, kicking her ribs and pressing on her bladder. Weirdly, while Amelia can't sleep, the baby has been a real comfort to her by keeping her company during the long periods of silence. Once Morgana had learnt of Amelia's pregnancy, she had turned her effort into solely taking any punishment and keeping the torture away from Amelia; trying to protect her and the baby. This softened Amelia's heart to her sister.
Amelia lets out a long, tired sigh as she thinks about the last months since she arrived in this 'prison'. The situation has certainly changed her deeply. Her beliefs have been shaken to the core, and a fortress of hatred and bitterness threatens to build around her heart to protect her from further hurt.
—
Amelia reaches the tree. She stops and bends down to look at the base. Just as expected, there's a note waiting.
Amelia picks it up and reads it as she walks away. She smirks at the contents.
Anne and Merlin had taken the bait. Now all that needs to be done is to meet them at the rendezvous point.
She lets out a shaky breath as she thinks over the rest of the plan. The Sarrum. She had hoped to never be associated with that man ever again but Morgana had insisted that he's necessary for the plan. That they need him but her sister had promised that once it's done, that monster will die a painful death.
Amelia cannot wait.
—
Anne's POV
By the time Merlin and Anne reach the Valley of the Fallen Kings, where Daegal claimed his sister is, Anne is nearly certain that it is a trap and she knows Merlin does too. They'd nearly walked into the path of bandits before and sent out a mental call to Daegal about it, but the boy hadn't heard them. And, while it is normal for magic-users to not always be able to hear each other, namely those who taught and learned magic instead of having a natural gift for it, to be marked a Druid as the boy is, meant that he could communicate like they can. But Anne knows that Daegal is not a Druid and the only reason she can think to drag Merlin and Anne away from Camelot is that there is an attempt on Arthur's life about to happen.
"We're here." Daegal calls. "She's just the other side of those trees…" he falters slightly.
"What's wrong?" Merlin asks.
"Nothing. I just hope she's still alive."
Merlin and Anne look at each other before slowly approaching the trees, taking each other's hand before they step past them only to see no one there. They look back when Daegal steps in after them, the looks of disappointment and expectation on their faces.
Daegal winces at that. "I can explain!"
"That you're not a Druid?" Anne guesses. "We know."
Merlin grabs Daegal's arm angrily, pulling up his sleeve, to reveal what they'd been expecting. The once solid Druid symbol is now rubbing off. Anne's heart drops to her stomach at the confirmation.
"Very good." Morgana's voice cuts in before Anne finds herself thrown through the air and into a tree, her back hitting it as she crumples to the ground.
—
Amelia's POV
Amelia watches anxiously as Anne flies through the air before falling unconscious after hitting a tree.
"Anne!" Merlin moves to rush for her, but Morgana throws him back as well, forcing him to the ground and using her magic to squeeze his throat till he blacked out, not wanting him to die just yet... no, Amelia's sister has a different method of death in mind for him.
"You've done well, Amelia. You were right. Anne wouldn't let Merlin go on his own." Morgana remarks nonchalantly.
Amelia straightens with pride before turning to Daegal. "You succeeded. I knew it wouldn't be difficult. Anne and Merlin have a weakness for outcasts. Especially Druids." She tosses him a small pouch full of coins. "Now go. You've served your purpose."
Daegal catches the coins, breathing heavily. "Why are you doing this?" He asks, shaking his head.
"Because Merlin and Anne have meddled in my plans once too often." Morgana replies. Amelia flinches, thinking of how she used to be one of those people. How naïve she was.
Morgana moves towards Anne. Amelia knows Morgana will simply kill her but something inside Amelia causes her to cry out, "Morgana wait." She feels herself needing to cower but no, she needs to stay strong. "I– well, I– maybe you shouldn't be so hasty."
Morgana raises an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"Yes, Anne loves Merlin, wouldn't it be more painful to watch her husband suffer."
Amelia swallows heavily as a dark smirk spreads across her sister's face. "You're right, sister." Morgana turns and walks back over to Anne, nudging her with her foot onto her back. "You're lucky my sister cares for you despite you having done nothing for her."
Amelia flinches at her words. Morgana now moves to Merlin, standing over his unconscious form. Amelia knows what she'll do next and expectingly waits for it but Morgana hands the poison to Amelia. Amelia takes it, looking at her sister in surprise.
"He tried to kill you using poison. It's only right for you to do the same." Morgana explains.
"This is the right thing to do," Amelia says in a daze, crouching down over Merlin. She uncorks the bottle, grabs his face and pours black liquid down Merlin's throat. "Now you'll understand the pain you put me through."
She stands, her gaze so focused on Merlin's unmoving form that she is startled when Morgana appears next to her and kicks Merlin down the hill. Daegal rushes to the edge to look down at him.
"You really going to kill the King?" He asks them.
"Hold your tongue." Amelia snaps at him.
"Not a word of this to anyone." Morgana instructs. "You're forgetting, we still have a few drops left."
She strides away. Amelia looks down at Merlin's immobile body, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath before turning away. She catches Daegal staring at her to which she glares at him sharply. He quickly looks down and Amelia leaves, following Morgana. She doesn't look back.
—
Tap.
Two thousand, five hundred and eleven...
Tap.
Two thousand, five hundred and twelve...
Tap, tap, tap.
Two thousand, five hundred and thirteen; two thousand, five hundred and fourteen; two thousand, five hundred and fifteen...
Amelia's foot keeps thumping on the ground. It is a habit she has picked recently, trying to make as much noise as she can so that the silence that occurs when she's the only one awake won't drive her mad. Ever since she had given birth to Ella, these months in a dark pit, completely cut out from the rest of the world except the other two beings she's shackled with, are bound to be unhealthy. Aithusa doesn't seem to mind the noise. She snuggles closer to her, as far as the chains will allow, and rests her head on Amelia's lap, seeking the warmth her body provides.
Amelia isn't sure if what she dreads most, the times she and Morgana are tortured, or moments like this – a pretence of tranquillity, the calm before the storm. The moments where her thoughts can drift, drift to her daughter who's being kept from her. They subconsciously make Amelia feel safe from the physical torture, allowing her to mentally torture herself and then one of the Sarrum's thugs appears to take her out.
Amelia shakes her head to keep herself from thinking about it. They still have a couple of days, maybe a whole week, before the next unpleasant interrogation comes. Really, she should be thankful that they are left alone and while Amelia is used to the torture, she still doesn't look forward to it.
The fact is, living at the bottom of a dried well is so incredibly, utterly boring when Morgana isn't conscious or there. Of course, boredom never lasted too long in her life.
Amelia's life is getting predictable - interrogation leads to her and Morgana not answering, which leads to torture (and still not answering) until they are tired of hearing their screams and drag them back into their prison. However, if she thinks about it, the physical torture she experiences is no longer as focused towards her stomach. Now there's no child to potentially harm, the rest of her body has become an all-you-can-eat buffet.
Amelia is still tapping her foot on the dirty ground when she hears the sound of hushed voices coming from the well's entrance. She freezes in her place and looks up, unconsciously moving closer to Aithusa and Morgana. Amelia is trembling - she wishes she isn't, but it isn't something she can really help. The sudden change in activity around them wakes Morgana and the two of them share a look as two of the Sarrum's thugs came down with the help of a thick rope.
She will get her child back, she will. Even if she has to kill them all.
—
Arthur's POV
In the Banquet Hall that night, Arthur stays solemn at the head of the table as everyone drinks, eats and laughs around him. He cannot relax, not while the Sarrum, a very dangerous man sits next to him.
He shifts uncomfortably before turning to the man. "I feel we have much in common. We share many allies and friends. Also an enemy."
The Sarrum's answering dark smile unnerves him. "Sorcery."
Arthur swallows heavily, almost feeling sick at having to bring this up but he has to know. "There is a rumour that you held Morgana and Amelia prisoner. Is it true?"
He sees Gwen shift, turning her attention to the conversation at the corner of his eye. He wishes he wouldn't have to speak of this in front of her, a woman with such a good heart, but he knows she'd want to know.
"They're nothing to be feared." The Sarrum says dismissively. His smirk makes Arthur feel slightly sick. "I kept them like animals."
This disturbs Arthur but he pushes past it, needing to know more. "How did you capture them? They're… Sorceresses, High Priestesses."
"I found their weakness. Everyone has one, even High Priestesses." The Sarrum replies. "A young Dragon. Their love for that creature and each other caused them to suffer more than they ever imagined possible. But not more than they deserved. I knew that they wouldn't dare use magic against me, not while their beloved creature was at risk of harm."
Arthur stares, frozen, shaken about what he hears happened to women he'd considered family. He thinks of Morgana and Amelia when they were younger, teasing and laughing at him as well as chasing after him when he pulled a prank on them. He remembers their soothing hugs when his father would become angry or disappointed. He remembers how much they believed in him.
"Such a shame." The Sarrum continues. "All that power, all that beauty, abandoned, forgotten in a living grave."
"Amelia was pregnant…" Arthur says quietly, not daring to look at the man's face as he speaks.
"Hmm? Yes, she was." The Sarrum remarks nonchalantly. "Another curse born on the land." He chuckles. "Despite my attempts, that child was still born."
"You're a harsh judge, Lord Sarrum." Arthur speaks softly, choking out his words as he tries to rain in his anger and horror.
"When it comes to sorcery, we must be merciless." The Sarrum tells him, unaware of Arthur's real feelings about what has been said. "I was not merciless enough. Morgana and Amelia escaped. A lapse on my part. Took the spawn after slaughtering my men guarding it. I will not be so foolish again. Not that their time with me was entirely wasted. I did not have time to influence the spawn, but the Dragon on the other hand? As the Dragon grew, the pit became too small. Gradually the creature was crippled and twisted. At night you could hear its cries. They were even more heartbreaking than Amelia and Morgana." He grins, almost gleefully at the memories of the pain he had caused.
Arthur is repulsed at his words. He stays silent, not knowing what to say other than to express his disgust, and then he hears Gwen stand.
"I hope the Sarrum will forgive me if I retire for the night." His wife says in a calm and measured voice. This conversation must've been too much for her. Arthur wishes he could join her, and escape from the company of this man but he can't.
The Sarrum gives his consent. Gwen leaves with a smile.
—
Amelia's POV
Amelia waits in the Darkling Woods along with Morgana, waiting for Gwen who'll bring an update on the plan's progress. They watch Gwen walk towards the spot before they emerge from the shadows, removing their hoods and calling her in greeting. Gwen turns and Amelia can't help but note the tear stains tattooed onto Gwen's cheeks as the Queen relaxes at the sight of them before reaching forward for an embrace.
The three of them share it for a moment before they take a step back.
"What of Merlin?" Gwen asks.
"He's gone to his death, along with everything he knows." Amelia assures her then swallows tightly, knowing what she needs to ask. "And the Sarrum?"
"He's feasting with Arthur as we speak."
Amelia feels almost sick at the thought. To think that Arthur would even entertain any agreement with this monster is beyond her understanding. But it reminds her of what sort of man she now realises Arthur is. In a way he's almost worse than his father, playing as the people's King, the one fighting for equality when really it's the opposite.
"Then we must talk quickly." Morgana declares, unperturbed by the discussion of the Sarrum. Clearly, she's stronger than Amelia is. Amelia knows this as a fact, she's weak. "We cannot afford an alliance between Amata and Camelot. It would put the throne beyond my reach forever."
Gwen shakes her head with a sigh.
"What is troubling you?" Amelia asks in concern.
"Sarrum. Are we right to enlist such a man? Is there not another way?" Gwen questions, her mouth twisting in disgust at the mention of him.
"Do you not see how perfect this plan is? The Sarrum's reputation precedes him. There's no deadlier assassin in the Five Kingdoms. Arthur will not stand a chance." Morgana reminds her, reciting what she's had to tell Amelia multiple times.
"You're sure he'll agree?"
Amelia's responding laugh is void of warmth. "You're forgetting how well we know this man. For two years, his was the only voice we heard. Because of that man, I missed the first year of my daughter's life."
"She's right." Morgana agrees. "Those years taught us all we need to know about him. We know his lust for power. He will not refuse your offer. He will think he can control you, but he will reckon without us."
"And once Arthur is dead?"
"The Knights will turn on your guest and make you their Queen." Morgana declares.
Amelia and Gwen smile in reply.
Amelia's dim as she turns serious once more. "But you must promise me something. You must make sure that monster's last moments are filled with agony." She almost snarls in pleasure at the thought.
"It will be my pleasure." Gwen assures her.
—
Amelia wakes abruptly, gasping in fear and pain.
Glancing at Aithusa, she sighs in relief when she notices her friend is unharmed. Amelia almost has a heart attack when her eyes fall on an unconscious Morgana, but then she remembers everything about the previous day and relaxes.
The last questioning had been particularly unpleasant. Maybe it was the Sarrum's presence, she doesn't know why, but their tormentors had been rougher than usual.
It had been soon realised during the first torture session, the Sarrum's thugs called them 'questionings', that there is actually more beating than asking. They demand things, normally it wouldn't have mattered if the prisoner answered or not, because they would get hurt anyway. But this is different as there is the constant threat that something could happen to her daughter Ella if she doesn't. If they answer, though, they receive the promise that Ella will continue to be looked after along with harsh beatings for themselves. Amelia feels sick at the thought that she has begun to know what to expect from these men.
A noise brings her attention back to Morgana. She is stirring, and by all the trashing Amelia guesses she is either having a nightmare or she was hurt quite badly. Amelia feels sorry for her. Even though they had been brought to separate chambers to be questioned, she had heard every single one of Morgana's screams like she had Amelia's.
If the small grunts of discomfort Morgana is letting out were anything to go by, the woman in question will indeed awaken soon.
Amelia isn't surprised that when Morgana comes to consciousness, it's with a jolt, much like she had done. What they have been through is something bound to scar them forever (and not only physically).
Her sister's eyes travel in a panicked haze around the well before falling on Amelia. Morgana opens her mouth as if to say something, but then thinks better of it, resorting to try and wipe away the dried blood that has come out of her nose with her upper arm – the only part close enough to Morgana's face that she can move easily enough with her hands bound over her head.
"You alright?" Amelia asks softly. She knows it's a stupid question but she doesn't know what else to say.
"Yes..." Morgana mutters. She doesn't look annoyed at Amelia's question. If anything, she has a look of understanding as if she knows what Amelia is going through, which she does. More than anyone.
A bond, stronger than the one they had shared before, has been built up due to their shared circumstances. Amelia knows that if they ever get out of this, Morgana, and Aithusa, will be the only ones to truly understand her.
—
Anne's POV
In the Valley of the Fallen Kings, Anne gasps awake, wincing in pain. She groans as she pulls herself up into a sitting position. Once she's done this, Anne realises she's on a forest floor and it's dark. Her brow furrows in confusion as she wonders how she got her before it all suddenly clicks.
Daegal. Betrayal. Morgana. Amelia. Black. God, how long has it been?
She looks around frantically and panics slightly when she sees no one, particularly Merlin. God knows what had happened while she was unconscious.
"Merlin?! Merlin!" Anne cries, desperately looking around for her husband, but there's no reply to her calls. A pit of dread forms in her stomach as she slumps down, putting her head in her hands and resting it on her knees, trying not to cry.
Then she hears what sounds like a grunt nearby. She looks up and that's when she hears what sounds like a gurgle. Anne's eyes dart around looking for the source of the sounds and, after hearing it once more, that's when she clocks that it's coming from further down by the hill.
Anne runs towards it and looks over the hill and that's when she spots Merlin at the bottom, lying on his back, and sighs in relief and clambers down the hill until she's next to him but it's only when she crouches down next to him does she realise that all's not well.
Merlin is clearly weak and injured. He's pale and there's liquid around his mouth. Poison.
"Anne…" He grunts, too weak to say anymore.
"Hold on." Anne murmurs. She knows there's not much she can do about the poison, not without leaving him, so she focuses on the physical wounds, particularly the large cut below the knee.
"I can't heal…" Merlin tries again.
"Ssshh." Anne urges, stroking his forehead. She places her hand on the wound, causing Merlin to wince. She closes her eyes and chants, "Ic þe þurhhæle þin licsare." To her relief, the wound closes.
"Anne… you need to get– the Rue, Milfoil…" Merlin urges.
"Merlin, I know, I know, but it's so many ingredients, what if it take to long?" Anne questions distressed.
"Please…"
She watches him with tears in her eyes. Merlin's the Physician not her. God, she's useless. She feeds him her water, trying to keep him awake, but it's difficult.
Anne startles and flinches when a hand appears on her shoulder. She turns to see Daegal. Anne narrows her eyes at the sight of him. "What are you doing here?"
"I couldn't leave him to die." Daegal replies remorsefully but Anne is reluctant to believe him.
"You're too late." Anne retorts tearfully. That's not necessarily true, not yet, but Anne's upset and angry and Daegal was, not the whole reason, but part of the reason that they're in this.
"No, I can help. Merlin's a Physician. You must know what to do." Daegal begs. Anne stays silent. "Please, there must be a cure. You tell me which herbs and I'll find them for you."
Anne sighs. He's right, she needs the help. "There's quite a few ingredients. We need to split up."
She turns to leave but a hand grips her wrist. Merlin is looking over her shoulder, glaring at Daegal before turning to Anne. "Anne, he… he betrayed us…"
"I know, but we need help."
Merlin reluctantly lets her go. Anne's glad she did as when she and Daegel return with the cure, Merlin has clearly gotten worse. He's paler than before and now chokes and almost convulses in pain.
"Here." Anne murmurs. Daegal supports Merlin's head as Anne places the cure at Merlin's lips, urging him to swallow.
Merlin convulses and goes still. Anne lets out a quiet sob as she watches him. A shy and unsure arm is wrapped around her shoulder. She realises Daegal trying to comfort her. After a moment of resistance, Anne leans into it, taking the comfort being offered.
"I can't believe Amelia would do this." She murmurs.
"Amelia saved you," Daegal says. Anne looks at him in surprise and he further explains, "After she knocked you unconscious, Lady Morgana was going to kill you but Lady Amelia stopped her.
Anne frowns. Sometimes she really doesn't know what to think when it comes to Amelia. Is there hope for Amelia?
—
Merlin had thankfully woken with no serious lingering effects of the poison but they didn't have time to wait for any additional recovery as Daegal revealed to them what the other part of the plan is. Kill Arthur using the Sarrum.
Anne, Merlin and Daegal had made it back to Camelot after confronting a group of bandits where Anne and Merlin ended up revealing their magic to the boy as well as Merlin injuring his ankle. However, the plan to kill Arthur was already in full swing. They'd been able to stop the assassin (one of the Sarrum's men) who was to shoot Arthur during the signing of the treaty ceremony Arthur was taking part in along with the Sarrum. However, in stopping Arthur from dying, it resulted in the Sarrum's death instead. Luckily the Sarrum had died just after signing the treaty, peace was established as his men vowed to uphold the last wish of their leader as to them their leader was by killed one of their own through no fault of Camelot.
The sadder result was during all of this was that Daegal had been killed by the assassin. Anne, Merlin and Gaius give him a proper burial in the outskirts of the Castle. Arthur had requested it so as Daegal had saved his life, unaware of Anne and Merlin's additional involvement.
While they were gone, Gaius had been suspicious about what had happened to both Anne and Merlin. Apparently, Gwen had lied, saying Anne and Merlin had gone off to have alone time (which granted that isn't not true) and Arthur had believed her. Gwen, Morgana and Amelia had wanted to get rid of both Anne and Merlin but they had failed though that does not mean they won't try again.
That night would find Merlin in the doorway of his children's Nursery, leaning on the doorframe, watching the two slumbering. Faye on her little bed, turned towards where Euwen is sleeping in his cot, the little girl always seeming to know where her brother is. It warms Anne's heart and tugs at it at the same time.
Anne walks over to him, wrapping her arms around his waist from behind, resting her chin on his shoulder causing him to glance over his shoulder.
"What is it?" She asks him quietly.
"Morgana and Amelia expanded their attack." Merlin replies. "They targeted us to try and get a clear shot at Arthur." He sighs, leaning his head to rest his forehead to hers. "I fear for who they may target next. If they dared harm the children…"
"Amelia wouldn't do that." Anne argues.
Merlin sighs, turning to her and stroking her upper arms. "Anne, you don't know that. She tried to kill us."
"You maybe." Anne huffs, knocking his hands off her in annoyance. "Daegal told me that she'd stopped Morgana from killing me. Maybe we can still reach her."
A mournful look passes across Merlin's face at the mention of the boy before he nods and sighs once more. "If that's true, but not with Morgana influencing her. We need to free Gwen then Amelia and stop Morgana."
Anne smiles. "Now that sounds like a plan."
—
Sarrum's POV
It is a dark and stormy night. The rain comes down in torrents, soaking everything below. Thunder rumbles as rain lashes at the windows. But it is the banging on his Chamber door that wakes the Sarrum from his sleep.
"What?!" He cries out in frustration at the door. His men should know not to wake him, particularly when he's in a bad mood, which he has been in since the witches, Morgana and Amelia, along with the Dragon had escaped from his grasp. The only consolation prize is that he still holds the child Amelia had given birth to.
The door opens to reveal a nervous Guard. "M-m'lord, I am sorry for t-the–"
"Out with it!" The Sarrum snaps.
"T-there's an intruder, m'lord. A Sorcerer."
That gets his attention.
The rain has still not let up, lashing violently due to the strong winds as the Sarrum storms down the corridors. Guards and Soldiers run frantically around him apart from the few who follow on behind him.
No one's found the intruder or intruders but he has a high suspicion about who he thinks the culprit or culprits are and where they'll be heading. He rounds the corner to the corridor where the child's room lies and that's when he sees the bodies crumpled up along the floor, leading towards the room.
They step inside. Lightning flashes almost blinding the Sarrum while simultaneously lighting up the room to reveal it is completely empty and no child to be found. The window is smashed in, letting in the rain and the thunder outside continues to rumble.
—
A/N: Please leave comments on how you're enjoying this story and what you think.